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Biomedical subjects

S L Morrison

Publications and source records attributed to S L Morrison.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Genetically engineered antibodies: progress and prospects.

Techniques of genetic engineering and expression have been applied to the production of antibodies in a variety of expression systems. Novel antibodies have been produced with a variety of modifications: as chimeric antibodies, as "humanized" antibodies, with catalytic groups, as bifunctional or fusion proteins, and as functional fragments such as Fabs or Fvs. The domain structure of the antibody is favorable to such manipulation; the novel proteins often retain their antibody-derived activity and acquire new properties as well. Chimeric and complementarity-determining region (CDR)-grafted antibodies have been effective in immunotherapy, but problems of immunogenicity remain. Combinatorial libraries produced in bacteriophage may present an alternative to animal immunization as a source of antigen-binding specificities. Structural and mutational analysis of variable regions is providing useful information about the requirements of the variable region for antigen binding. Careful analysis and comparison of effector functions among immunoglobulin isotypes may be applied to the design of effective therapeutic antibodies.

Animals↗

Structural and functional properties of mouse-human chimeric IgD.

A gene encoding mouse-human chimeric secreted IgD was constructed using the rearranged murine variable region specific for the hapten dansyl and the genomic gene sequences for the constant region of the heavy (H) chain of human IgD. When expressed with the dansyl-specific chimeric light (L) chain, chimeric IgD specific for the hapten dansyl was synthesized and secreted as an H2L2 molecule. The pathway of assembly was H + L----HL----H2L2. The chimeric IgD heavy chain contains three N-linked carbohydrate moieties; one of these appears to be added co-translationally, and the other two appear to be added post-translationally. In secreted chimeric IgD some of the N-linked carbohydrate remains in the high mannose form. The chimeric IgD heavy chain also contains O-linked carbohydrate, which is added at the time of secretion. Inhibition of N-linked glycosylation with tunicamycin halts assembly at the HL half-molecule stage and prevents secretion. Like natural human IgD, the chimeric IgD binds to and upregulates the IgD receptor (IgD-R) on human peripheral blood T cells, and it is equivalent to human myeloma IgD in the competitive inhibition of rosette formation between IgD-R-bearing cells and IgD-coated Ox-RBC, Cross-linking by dansyl-BSA is needed for the chimeric IgD in soluble form to cause IgD-R upregulation.

Animals↗

Spontaneous deletions in Ig heavy chain genes: flanking sequences influence splice site selection.

The cell line G403.4.7, isolated as a spontaneous variant of the MPC-11 derived myeloma G403.4, produces a truncated gamma 2b HC protein, but no light chain (LC), and a single gamma 2b specific transcript of 2.4kb. This gamma 2b transcript consists of the VDJ and CH1 exons, the CH1 to Hinge (Hi) intervening sequence (IVS) and HI exon, part of the IVS between the two membrane exons M1 and M2, and most of the membrane 3' untranslated (UT) region. Even though the mature mRNA contains intronic sequences, it is abundant in the cytoplasm. Analysis of the gamma 2b genomic organization reveals that this unusual transcript results in part from two genomic deletions of 2.5kb and 588bp and in part from an altered splicing pattern. This altered splicing pattern is probably a consequence of the sequence alterations resulting from the genomic deletions. Analysis of these events provides some interesting insights into the mechanism of splice site selection and the evolution of introns and exons.

Base Sequence↗

The binding affinity of human IgG for its high affinity Fc receptor is determined by multiple amino acids in the CH2 domain and is modulated by the hinge region.

A family of chimeric immunoglobulins (Igs) bearing the murine variable region directed against the hapten dansyl linked to human IgG1, -2, -3, and -4 has been characterized with respect to binding to the human high affinity Fc gamma receptor, Fc gamma RI. Chimeric IgG1 and -3 have the highest affinity association (Ka = 10(9) M-1), IgG4 is 10-fold reduced from this level, and IgG2 displays no detectable binding. A series of genetic manipulations was undertaken in which domains from the strongly binding subclass IgG3 were exchanged with domains from the nonbinding subclass IgG2. The subclass of the CH2 domain was found to be critical for determining IgG receptor affinity. In addition, the hinge region was found to modulate the affinity of the IgG for Fc gamma RI, possibly by determining accessibility of Fc gamma RI to the binding site on Fc. A series of amino acid substitutions were engineered into the CH2 domain of IgG3 and IgG4 at sites considered potentially important to Fc receptor binding based on homology comparisons of binding and nonbinding IgG subclasses. Characterization of these mutants has revealed the importance for Fc gamma RI association of two regions of the genetic CH2 domain separated in primary structure by nearly 100 residues. The first of these is the hinge-link or lower hinge regions, in which two residues, Leu (234) and Leu(235) in IgG1 and -3, are critical to high affinity binding. Substitution at either of these sites reduces the IgG association constant by 10-100-fold. The second region that appears to contribute to receptor binding is in a hinge-proximal bend between two beta strands within the CH2 domain, specifically, Pro(331) in IgG1 and -3. As a result of beta sheet formation within this domain, this residue lies within 11 A of the hinge-link region. Substitution at this site reduces the Fc receptor association constant by 10-fold.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The differential ability of human IgG1 and IgG4 to activate complement is determined by the COOH-terminal sequence of the CH2 domain.

Using domain switch chimeric antibodies, we confirm the important role of CH2 in complement activation. In addition, we demonstrate that the structures responsible for the differential ability of human IgG1 and IgG4 to activate complement are located at the COOH-terminal part (from residue 292 to 340) of the CH2 domain. The amino acids in CH2 that might be involved in complement interaction are discussed. While CH3 contributes to efficient complement activation, CH3 from IgG2 and CH3 IgG3 are equally effective.

Complement Activation↗

Molecular analysis of IgM rheumatoid factor binding to chimeric IgG.

To localize regions on IgG bound by rheumatoid factors (RF), we studied IgM RF binding to chimeric IgG antibodies consisting of murine V regions fused to human constant regions. Using a modified RF ELISA, we showed that polyclonal RF from rheumatoid arthritis patients bound IgG1, 2, and 4 strongly; IgG3 was also bound, although less well. The majority of 18 monoclonal RF from patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia bound IgG1, 2, and 4 only. In contrast to RF from RA, 14 of 18 monoclonal RF did not react with IgG3. Only 3 of 18 monoclonal RF bound IgG3 well. By shuffling C region domains between IgG3 and IgG4, we showed that sequence variation in the CH3 domain is responsible for the differential binding of monoclonal RF to IgG3 and IgG4. Hybrid IgG3/IgG4 antibodies containing the CH3 domain of IgG4 were bound by monoclonal RF, whereas those containing the CH3 domain of IgG3 were not. To evaluate the contribution of the N-linked carbohydrate moiety at Asn-297 to RF binding sites on IgG, we measured RF binding to aglycosylated IgG antibodies produced by mutating Asn-297 to another amino acid. Glycosylated and aglycosylated IgG1, 2, and 4 were bound identically by monoclonal and polyclonal RF. Aglycosylated IgG3, however, was bound better than glycosylated IgG3 by polyclonal RF and by IgG3-reactive monoclonal RF.

Animals↗

Antibody variable region glycosylation: position effects on antigen binding and carbohydrate structure.

The presence of N-linked carbohydrate at Asn58 in the VH of the antigen binding site of an antibody specific for alpha(1----6)dextran (TKC3.2.2) increases its affinity for dextran 10- to 50-fold. Site-directed mutagenesis has now been used to create novel carbohydrate addition sequences in the CDR2 of a non-glycosylated anti-dextran at Asn54 (TST2) and Asn60 (TSU7). These antibodies are glycosylated and the carbohydrates are accessible for lectin binding. The amino acid change in TSU7 (Lys62----Thr62) decreases the affinity for antigen; however, glycosylation of TSU7 increased its affinity for antigen 3-fold, less than the greater than 10-fold increase in affinity seen for glycosylated TKC3.2.2. The difference in impact of glycosylation could result either from the position of the carbohydrate or from its structure; unlike the other antibodies, TSU7 attaches a high mannose, rather than complex, carbohydrate in CDR2. In contrast, glycosylation of TST2 at amino acid 54 inhibits dextran binding. Thus slight changes in the position of the N-linked carbohydrate in the CDR2 of this antibody result in substantially different effects on antigen binding. Unlike what was observed for the anti-dextrans, a carbohydrate addition site placed in a similar position in an anti-dansyl is not utilized.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A comparison of apparent mRNA half-life using kinetic labeling techniques vs decay following administration of transcriptional inhibitors.

Several different techniques were used to determine the apparent half-lives of immunoglobulin gamma 2b heavy chain and kappa light chain mRNA's in mouse myeloma 4T001 and a mutant derived from 4T001, i.e., mutant I17. The mutant I17 Ig heavy chain mRNA lacks CH1 and has fused CH2 and CH3 domains resulting in a truncated protein. By all four techniques the Ig heavy chain mRNA from mutant I17 displays a half-life that is approximately 70% the half-life of Ig mRNA in 4T001 cells. However, the absolute values of apparent half-life varied by greater than twofold for both lines among several of the techniques employed. The half-life of Ig gamma 2b mRNA in 4T001 cells was found to be 6.4 h by measuring decay following administration of the adenosine analog DRB to block new mRNA synthesis and 5.7 hr by measuring accumulation in an approach to steady-state labeling protocol. In contrast, the observed Ig mRNA half-lives determined by measuring decay following administration of actinomycin D to block new mRNA synthesis, or in a pulse-chase analysis were 2.9 and 3.8 h, respectively. The apparent half-life for Ig kappa light chain mRNA was the same in the 4T001 and I17 lines using any one technique but the value varied depending on the technique from a high value of 5.9 h following DRB to a low value of 2.4 h with actinomycin decay. Approach to steady-state is theoretically the most accurate method to measure mRNA half-life when that value is less than the doubling time of the cells. Pulse-chase analyses are accurate for measuring mRNA half-life when that value is longer than the effective chase period. Measuring preformed message decay following administration of drugs to block new mRNA synthesis is adaptable over a range of half-lives, but the cells must be shown to retain correct RNA metabolism over the time frame of the experiment. Determining a correct half-life for a particular mRNA may not be feasible using only one method and may, in fact, require several different approaches until a consensus value emerges.

Animals↗

The plasmacytoma J558L lacks constitutively active NF-kappa B and is deficient in early response gene activation.

In mature B cells the nuclear factor NF-kappa B which binds within the kappa enhancer is constitutively present in the nucleus. However, the lambda light chain producing myeloma J558L has been found to lack constitutively functional NF-kappa B. Deoxycholate released functional NF-kappa B from cytoplasmic extracts and functional NF-kappa B was present in J558L following cycloheximide but not phorbol ester treatment. J558L was also unable to respond to phorbol ester stimulation with synthesis of mRNA from the early response gene TIS11. J558L differs from S107, another myeloma which was found to be deficient in the synthesis of NF-kappa B but not in the activation of TIS11. Somatic cell hybrids were used to further define the defect in J558L; hybrids were made with the myelomas S107 and S194 and the pre-B cell line 70Z/3. In general, complementation of the defect in J558L was observed; however there was not a direct correlation between the levels of TIS11 mRNA and NF-kappa B expression in the somatic cell hybrids, suggesting that the pathways of activation of these genes, while possibly sharing common elements, are not identical. The defect in J558L was surprising given that it has frequently been used for the expression of transfected light chain genes.

Blotting, Northern↗

Two Ig framework I epitopic specificities recognized by a rabbit antiserum and a monoclonal antibody to mouse VH chains.

The reactivity of 23 mouse monoclonal Ig with a rabbit polyclonal antiserum to VH of anti-alpha(1----6)dextran 19.22.1 and with a monoclonal anti-VH of anti-DNP MOPC315, when correlated with amino acid sequence, identified several residues in the first and third framework regions as being of potential importance in forming the epitope. Inhibition studies using synthetic peptides corresponding to residues 1-15 of the monoclonal Ig used to produce the poly- and monoclonal reagents provide evidence that the epitopes are predominantly, if not exclusively, specific for the N-terminal strand of the domain. Examination of known x-ray structures of mouse VH suggests that the primary difference between the two epitopes in the N-terminal strands is determined by the peptide chain structure due to Pro at position 9. Pro 9 appears essential for the epitope reactive with anti-VH MOPC315.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rabbit antisera to the variable region domains of an anti-alpha(1----6) dextran using E. coli-produced VL and VH fusion proteins as immunogens.

Bacteria were engineered for the expression of mouse immunoglobulin light chain variable region (VL) and heavy chain variable region (VH) fusion proteins. cDNAs encoding the VL and VH of anti-alpha(1----6)dextran hybridoma protein 19.22.1 were inserted into the pATH 10 prokaryotic expression vector downstream of trp operon sequences. V domains joined to approximately 330 amino acids of the trp E gene product encoded by the expression plasmids accumulated at high levels in E. coli. In addition, the VL domain was expressed with a 15 amino acid extension at low levels in lon mutant bacteria. The trp E-VL and trp E-VH proteins were used to raise antisera in rabbits and the V specificity of the sera demonstrated.

Animals↗

Alexithymia and stimulus augmenting/reducing.

Alexithymia is thought to be a trait that predisposes individuals to psychosomatic and drug abuse disorders. It was hypothesized that alexithymic characteristics would lead an individual to augment stimuli in order to prevent ignoring stimuli that might be dangerous. Subjects (N = 175) were administered alexithymia and augmenting-reducing questionnaires. These concepts were related as expected for male, but not female, subjects. In addition, it was found that alexithymic characteristics in general, rather than a specific difficulty in discriminating physical and emotional stimuli, contributed to this relationship.

Adolescent↗

Expression of genes containing the IgH enhancer in non-lymphoid cells.

Nuclear run-on experiments were used to verify the hypothesis that extinction of expression of Ig synthesis in L cell x myeloma hybrids occurs at the transcriptional level. Both the H chain enhancer and promoter have been shown to be the targets for extinction in myeloma x T cell hybrids. To examine the expression of genes containing the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IgH) enhancer in stably transfected non-B cells, we used a vector with two selectable markers, one of which (gpt providing resistance to mycophenolic acid) either lacks an enhancer or contains the IgH enhancer, the other (neo providing resistance to G418) contains an SV40 enhancer. Stable transfectants of both myeloma (J558L) and L cells selected using G418 were tested to determine if they are also mycophenolic acid resistant. When the IgH enhancer is positioned 3' to the gpt gene, transfected J558L are mycophenolic acid resistant whereas stably transfected L-cells are mycophenolic acid sensitive. However, when large numbers of L cell transfectants are exposed to mycophenolic acid for a prolonged period, resistant subclones emerge. When the 700-bp IgH enhancer fragment was used, the majority of the subclones examined had amplified the vector, between 3 and 38 copies; when a 400-bp subfragment was used no change in the integrated genes was seen. In both cases, in the mycophenolic acid resistant subclones, increased accumulation of gpt and neo mRNA is seen. However, the gpt specific transcripts are heterogeneous in size whereas the neo transcripts are of a discrete size. The heterogeneity of the gpt transcripts results at least in part from heterogeneous initiation. When HXM-resistant L cell subclones are fused to the gamm 2b, k myeloma 4T001, extinction of Ig production occurs; therefore these cells are still capable of negatively regulating Ig expression. These results are discussed from the standpoint of both cis and trans regulatory elements and factors in non-lymphoid cells.

Animals↗

Influence of the hinge region on complement activation, C1q binding, and segmental flexibility in chimeric human immunoglobulins.

We have characterized a series of genetically engineered chimeric human IgG3 and IgG4 anti-dansyl (DNS) antibodies with identical antibody-combining sites but different hinge region amino acid compositions to determine how the hinge region influences Fab fragment segmental flexibility, C1q binding, and complement activation. Our data support the correlation between "upper hinge" length and Fab segmental flexibility; moreover, we confirm that a hinge region is essential for C1q binding and complement activation. However, the hinge length by itself is not sufficient for complement activity in IgG molecules. We have demonstrated that the IgG4 hinge, which imparts restricted segmental flexibility, reduces the ability of IgG3 molecules to activate complement. We also find that the IgG3 hinge region, which imparts greater segmental motion, is not sufficient to create complement activation activity in IgG4 anti-DNS antibodies. Finally, we conclude that (i) segmental motion is correlated with "upper hinge" length, (ii) hinge length and segmental flexibility is not enough to alter complement binding and activation, and (iii) segmental flexibility does not correlate with proficiency to activate the complement cascade.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression and characterization of an antibody binding specificity joined to insulin-like growth factor 1: potential applications for cellular targeting.

To create antibody molecules with improved functional properties, a growth factor (insulin-like growth factor 1, IGF1) was used to replace the constant region of a chimeric mouse-human IgG3 anti-dansyl antibody. The chimeric heavy chain was expressed with an anti-dansyl-specific chimeric kappa light chain. The IgG3-IGF1 chimeric protein retained its specificity for the antigen dansyl. The chimeric proteins bound to the IGF1 receptors of the human lymphoblast IM-9, albeit with reduced affinity, and elicited some of the same biologic effects (increased glucose and amino acid uptake) in human KB cells as did human IGF1, but with reduced specific activity. The reduced affinity and biologic activity may result from several things: the presence of the unprocessed IGF1 moiety, the large size of the IgG3-IGF1 chimeric protein (160 kDa) compared with IGF1 (7 kDa), and three amino acid substitutions in rat IGF1 compared with human IGF1, which may lead to decreased affinity for the human IGF1 receptor. The chimeric proteins show that it is feasible to produce a new family of immunotherapeutic molecules targeted to growth factor receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetically engineered (chimeric) antibodies.

The diversity, specificity, and biologic activity of antibodies make them potentially ideal reagents in the clinic and the laboratory, but conventional antibodies do not always fill the bill. Naturally occurring antibodies are heterogeneous, and human hybridoma antibodies are hard to produce. Genetic engineering techniques offer antibodies with just the properties desired.

Animals↗

Studies of aglycosylated chimeric mouse-human IgG. Role of carbohydrate in the structure and effector functions mediated by the human IgG constant region.

Chimeric mouse-human IgG was used to study the structural and functional roles of the carbohydrate present in the CH2 domain of human IgG molecules. To remove this N-linked carbohydrate, Asn-297, the oligosaccharide attachment residue, was changed to either Gln (a conservative replacement) or His for IgG1 or Lys for IgG3 (nonconservative replacements) by site-directed mutagenesis. Carbohydrate-deficient antibodies are properly assembled and secreted and bind Ag and protein A. However, aglycosylated IgG are more sensitive to most proteases than their corresponding wild-type IgG, indicating some conformational changes have occurred. Aglycosylated IgG do not bind to the human Fc gamma RI and do not activate C; depending on the isotype, C1q binding ability is either completely lost (IgG1) or dramatically decreased (IgG3). The serum half-life in mice of aglycosylated IgG1-Gln remains the same as wild-type IgG1, 6.5 +/- 0.5 days, whereas aglycosylated IgG3-Gln has a shorter half-life, 3.5 +/- 0.2 days, compared to that of wild-type IgG3, 5.1 +/- 0.4 days. These results indicate the carbohydrate interposed between CH2 domain of human IgG is necessary to maintain the appropriate structure for the maintenance of many of the effector functions dependent on the CH2 domain.

Animals↗