鼻咽癌抗独特型单克隆抗体的制备和鉴定

用针对鼻咽癌癌细胞相关抗原的单克隆抗体Ｆｃ１（Ａｂ１）作免疫原，采用常规免疫和杂交瘤制备方法，获得了一株抗Ｆｃ１Ｖ区独特型的杂交瘤：２Ａ９。双夹心ＥＬＩＳＡ显示２Ａ９所分泌的抗体（Ａｂ２）对Ｆｃ１有效强的亲和力。ＥＬＩＳＡ结合抑制试验结果显示，Ａｂ２能抑制Ｆｃ１对鼻咽癌细胞ＣＮＥ１的反应。这就证明Ａｂ２作用于Ｆｃ１抗体的Ｖ区。用Ａｂ２与钥孔戚血蓝素（ＫＬＨ）交联物免疫小鼠产生的抗－抗独特型抗体（Ａｂ３）的血清，能与Ｆｃ１竞争ＣＮＥ１细胞株上的原始靶抗原。免疫组化证实，Ａｂ３与Ｆｃ１对鼻咽癌细胞有相同的反应，均为细胞膜染色。可以看出Ａｂ３与Ａｂ１（Ｆｃ１）具有相同的配位。以上结果表明：２Ａ９杂交瘤细胞所分泌的抗独特型抗体Ａｂ２是带有鼻咽癌相关抗原内影像的单克隆抗体。     

The production of a bispecific anti-CEA, anti-hapten (4-amino-phthalate) hybrid-hybridoma.

A standard hybridoma fusion technique was used to produce a monoclonal antibody capable of binding both carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and the hapten 4-amino-phthalate. A hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT) sensitive anti-CEA hybridoma and KLH-phthalate immunized spleen cells were hybridized to yield clones producing bispecific monoclonal antibodies. The desired bispecific antibody was identified using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radio-immunoassay. The resultant hybrid-hybridoma or "tridoma" was subcloned and expanded to yield a stable population. Bifunctional antibody was then isolated from the various possible recombinants by ion exchange chromatography. This general method may be used to produce bispecific monoclonals against a wide variety of tumor associative antigens and reagents for immunodetection or treatment.     

抗人红细胞膜抗原非凝集型单克隆抗体的研制及特性鉴定

目的:制备抗人红细胞膜抗原的非凝集型单克隆抗体(mAb)并鉴定其特性。方法:应用杂交瘤技术,以人O型红细胞膜抗原免疫BALB/c小鼠。取免疫小鼠的脾细胞与Sp2/0骨髓瘤细胞融合,用聚凝胺试管法筛选识别红细胞表面共同抗原的抗体,玻片凝集实验剔除凝集型抗体(完全抗体),再将分泌非凝集型mAb(不完全抗体)的杂交瘤细胞株用有限稀释法克隆化3次。对杂交瘤细胞的稳定性和mAb的特性进行鉴定。结果:获得1株可稳定分泌mAb的杂交瘤细胞2E8。mAb2E8为IgG1类,可特异性地识别红细胞膜上的H抗原,没有种属交叉血凝反应。杂交瘤细胞的培养上清与人的A、B、AB和O型红细胞均能产生强凝集,凝集效价为1∶1024,腹水mAb的凝集效价达到1∶64×106。mAb的亲和力用凝集试验检测,出现血凝的时间为7s,3min以内凝块>1mm。结论:成功地制备了针对红细胞膜H抗原的非凝集性mAb,此mAb的凝集效价、相对亲和力及特异性均较良好,为构建双特异性抗体奠定了基础。     

Antigen binding properties of highly purified bispecific antibodies.

A panel of three bispecific monoclonal antibodies (bsMAbs) binding to follitropin (FSH) and to beta-galactosidase have been prepared by fusion of hybridoma cell lines resistant to oubain and neomycin. One of these bispecific antibodies contains heavy chains of the same IgG subclass, and two are composed of heavy chains of different IgG subclasses. We have investigated methods for the purification of bispecific antibodies from hybrid hybridoma supernatant fluids grown in serum-free medium. Following ammonium sulfate precipitation, bispecific antibodies can be purified in a single step by mixed mode ion-exchange HPLC on Bakerbond Abx columns. In one case, three species were resolved by ion-exchange HPLC and functional analysis showed that two peaks contained parental antibodies, and the third contained the bispecific. Ion-exchange HPLC purification of serum-free preparations from two other hybrid hybridomas resolved seven protein-containing peaks, only one of which was active in a bispecific ELISA. The equilibrium affinity constants for each of the parental antibodies for both FSH and beta-galactosidase were determined and found to be similar to those of the purified bsMAbs. Further, the association of FSH to one binding site on a bispecific antibody was shown to have no effect on the equilibrium binding constant for beta-galactosidase binding to the other site. Our results suggest that bsMAbs can be readily purified from hybrid hybridomas by a simple and rapid method, and the binding of antigen to one binding site on a bsMAb is independent of antigen binding to the second site.     

Monoclonal antibodies identify new Toxoplasma gondii soluble antigens

In order to characterize Toxoplasma gondii antigens, we have produced a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for the parasite. A total of 22 hybridomas were derived from the spleen cells of mice immunized either with a 100,000 g supernatant of a sonicate from the RH strain (called F3), or chronically infected with the Wiktor or the 76K strain. Except for one hybridoma producing an IgM, all the hybridomas derived from mice immunized with F3 produced IgG1 antibodies while those obtained from chronically infected mice produced antibodies belonging to the IgG2b, IgG2a and IgM subclasses. Western-blot analysis showed that the panel of monoclonal antibodies defines at least 7 distinct antigens or antigen families. An antigen of apparent Mw 25 kD present exclusively in the 100,000 g supernatant of the T. gondii sonicate was recognized by the majority of monoclonal antibodies derived from mice immunized with the F3 fraction. Two other antigens of apparent Mw 27 kD and 29 kD present in the soluble and insoluble fractions of the sonicate were also identified. Monoclonal antibodies against the previously described 21 kD and 31 kD surface antigens and belonging to the IgG2a but also to the IgG1 subclasses were able to mediate lysis of the parasite in the presence of human non immune serum. The 22 monoclonal antibodies did not identify antigenic differences between the two independently isolated RH and Wiktor strains.     

Relationship between histocompatibility antigens, other surface determinants and the IgE receptor on rat mast cells.

Rat alloantibodies recognizing classical transplantation antigens (CTA) or non-H-1 determinants were able to compete effectively with monomeric IgE or IgG-coated sheep erythrocytes for receptor sites on the rat mast cell surface. Inhibitory capacity, however, was entirely confined to anti-CTA antibodies of the IgG2a subclass, whereas IgG1 antibodies lacked this ability. Analogously, F(ab')2 fragments of anti-CTA antibody consistently failed to affect IgE binding, but exposure of cell-bound F(ab')2 to anti-rat IgG restored its inhibitory capacity. From these results it was concluded that receptor sites recognizing the Fc portion of the anti-CTA molecule are involved in the inhibition process. Based on a cytotoxicity assay and on comparative absorption studies on alloantisera, the existence and relative amount of CTA and I region-associated antigens on purified rat mast cells and lymph node cells were analyzed. Whereas the CTA concentration per unit surface area on both cell types was very similar, rat mast cells consistently lacked Ia antigens.     

Mechanisms of G-CSF- or GM-CSF-stimulated tumor cell killing by Fc receptor-directed bispecific antibodies

Studies with gene-modified mice have recently reinforced the importance of Fc receptor-mediated effector mechanisms for the therapeutic efficacy of rituxan and herceptin - two clinically approved antibodies for the treatment of tumor patients. We investigated Fc receptor-dependent tumor cell killing by mononuclear and granulocytic effector cells - comparing human IgG1 antibodies against CD20 or HER-2/neu with their respective FcgammaRI (CD64)-, FcgammaRIII (CD16)-, or FcalphaRI (CD89)-directed bispecific derivatives. With blood from healthy donors as effector source, human IgG1 and FcgammaRIII (CD16)-directed bispecific antibodies proved most effective in recruiting mononuclear effector cells, whereas tumor cell killing by granulocytes was most potently triggered by FcalphaRI-directed bispecific constructs. Granulocyte-mediated tumor cell lysis was significantly enhanced when blood from G-CSF- or GM-CSF-treated patients was investigated. Interestingly, however, both myeloid growth factors improved effector cell recruitment by different mechanisms, which were furthermore dependent on the tumor target antigen, and on the selected cytotoxic Fc receptor.     

Cooperation of IgG monoclonal antibodies in macrophage antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) to tumor targets

Six IgG monoclonal antibodies representing the four murine IgG isotypes were active individually in ADCC to T-lymphoma targets mediated by murine macrophages and human blood K cells. The monoclonals were directed against four antigens (Thy-1.2, H-2k, Ly 2.1, Ly 9.2). None was as effective in ADCC as allo-anti-Thy-1.2 serum or rabbit anti-mouse spleen serum, even at plateau levels of killing. Monoclonals gave the highest levels of ADCC at relatively low amounts of antibody bound to targets; increasing the amount of bound antibody by 10- to 100-fold did not increase murine macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity. In contrast, ADCC using alloantiserum continued to increase over the same range of antibody bound to the tumor targets. The activity of individual monoclonals was not enhanced by the presence of various dilutions of normal mouse or rabbit serum, suggesting that the superiority of the allo- and hetero-antisera was due to their content of heterogeneous antibodies. IgG monoclonals of different isotypes and recognizing different antigens gave enhanced ADCC in combination; monoclonals to the same antigen did not. An IgM anti-Thy-1.2 monoclonal was inactive in ADCC and inhibited the activity of IgG monoclonals of the same specificity. These studies show that IgG antibodies of different specificity and class can collaborate in ADCC, and that this cooperative effect is not due simply to increased amounts of antibody bound to the tumor targets.     

Construction and screening of attenuated ΔphoP/Q Salmonella typhimurium vectored plague vaccine candidates

Preclinical studies evaluating plague vaccine candidates have demonstrated that the F1 and V protein antigens of Yersinia pestis confer protection against challenge from virulent strains. Live-attenuated ΔphoP/Q Salmonella typhimurium recombinants were constructed expressing either F1, V antigens, F1 and V antigens, or a F1-V fusion from Asd (+) balanced-lethal plasmids. To improve antigen delivery, genes encoding plague antigens were modified in order to localize antigens to specific bacterial cellular compartments which include cytoplasmic, outer membrane, or secreted. Candidate vaccine strains were evaluated for growth characteristics, full-length lipopolysaccharide (LPS), plasmid stability, and antigen expression in vitro. Plague vaccine candidate strains with favorable in vitro profiles were evaluated in murine or rabbit preclinical oral immunogenicity studies. Attenuated S. typhimurium strains expressing cytoplasmically localized F1-V and V antigen antigens were more immunogenic than strains that secreted or localized plague antigens to the outer membrane. In particular, S. typhimurium M020 and M023, which express Asd (+) - plasmid derived soluble F1-V and soluble V antigen, respectively, at high levels in the bacterial cell cytoplasm were found to induce the highest levels of plague-specific serum antibodies. To further evaluate balanced-lethal plasmid retention capacity, ΔphoP/Q S. typhimurium PurB (+) and GlnA (+) balanced-lethal plasmid systems harboring F1-V were compared with M020 in vitro and in BALB/c mice in a immunogenicity study. Although there was no detectable difference in plague antigen expression in vitro, S. typhimurium M020 was the most immunogenic plague antigen vector strain evaluated, inducing high-titer serum IgG antibodies specific against F1, V and F1-V.     

Serological and immunochemical characterization of monoclonal antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii.

The fusion of mouse NS-1 myeloma cells with spleen cells from mice chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii resulted in eight clones of hybridomas producing monospecific antibodies against membrane or cytoplasmic antigens of Toxoplasma tachyzoites. One of the antibodies to a cytoplasmic determinant was an IgM; the others directed to membrane or cytoplasmic antigens belonged to the IgG2 or IgG3 isotypes. Antibodies of clones 1E11 (IgG3), 2G11, and 3E6 (IgG2) directed to membrane antigens, bound complement and were reactive in the complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay of Sabin-Feldman. These IgG2 antibodies were strongly agglutinating to parasites, whereas the IgG3 was relatively weak. Another IgG2 antibody (5B6), possibly recognizing a shared antigen of membrane and cytoplasm, exhibited a low titre in the cytotoxicity assay as well as in the agglutination assay. Two other antibodies to membrane antigens (2B7 and 2F8) as well as an antibody to a cytoplasmic antigen (3G3) did not bind complement and did not cause agglutination. The pattern of parasite staining produced by monoclonal antibodies to membrane antigens in an IFA test was different from that of polyvalent antisera. A strictly localized or 'beaded' staining was observed, as well as a smooth, rim fluorescence. Toxoplasma tachyzoites were surface radio-iodinated and the solubilized membrane proteins were immunoprecipitated with monoclonal antibodies and analysed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two independently arising monoclonal antibodies to membrane antigens (2G11 and 3E6) consistently precipitated both the solubilized 35,000 and 14,000 mol. wt proteins, while 1E11 precipitated the 27,000 mol. wt protein.     

A solid phase assay with radioactively-labelled antibody for the detection of Brucella abortus.

An assay for the detection of Brucella abortus is described. IgG from rabbit antisera against live brucellae or brucella extracts was chemically linked to cellulose to form a solid phase reagent capable of binding brucella antigens present in buffer solutions or serum. After washing away any unbound material the presence of bound antigen was revealed by incubation with radioactively-labelled anti-brucella antibodies. The assay was capable of detecting less than 100 pg brucella antigen in a 20 microliter sample. Experiments in which IgG of non-related specificity was used in place of anti-brucella IgG showed that the test was specific. Normal human serum had only a slight inhibitory effect but anti-brucella antibodies were strongly inhibitory if present in the test sample. The extent of this effect and its relationship to antibody titre was investigated in 12 sera from brucellosis patients.     

Selection of hybrid hybridomas by flow cytometry using a new combination of fluorescent vital stains.

A new combination of fluorescent dyes (rhodamine 123 and hydroethidine) was used to internally label hybridoma fusion partners. Murine hybridoma 520C9 (recognizing human c-erbB-2) was labeled with hydroethidine. Murine hybridoma 3G8 (recognizing human Fc gamma receptor III) was labeled with rhodamine 123, and verapamil was used to block rhodamine efflux via P-glycoprotein. Viability assays showed little cytotoxicity from these dyes at the concentrations used. The labeled cells were fused with polyethylene glycol, sorted for dual fluorescence on an Epics V cell sorter, and cloned. Hybrid hybridomas producing bispecific antibodies were selected for ability to promote lysis of SK-Br-3 breast cancer cells by human mononuclear cells. Several positive clones were obtained and shown to have a double content of DNA. Bispecific antibody produced by subclone 2B1 was purified by anion exchange chromatography and shown to bind both tumor cells and Fc gamma R III bearing cells. Using two parameter flow cytometric analysis, we were able to measure a 'bridging' effect of this bispecific antibody, which caused formation of complexes between PMNs and SK-Br-3 cells. Either parental antibody could compete with bispecific antibody to block such complexing. This fusion method provides several advantages over other techniques presently used (speed, convenience, low toxicity and automatic exclusion of dead cells) and can be applied to produce other hybrid hybridomas.     

Two distinct monoclonal antibodies raised against mouse beta nerve growth factor. Generation of bi-specific anti-nerve growth factor anti-horseradish peroxidase antibodies for use in a homogeneous enzyme immunoassay

Two hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies against mouse beta nerve growth factor (NGF) were obtained from the fusion of hyperimmune splenocytes from rats immunized with polymerized beta-NGF and Sp2/0.Ag mouse myeloma cells. The monoclonal antibodies coded IgG 24 and 30 produced and secreted by the hybrid cells are both of the IgG2a subclass. Both monoclonal antibodies are capable of recognizing native NGF coated on microassay plates as well as the denatured factor on Western blots. However, only IgG 30 has been found to block NGF-induced process outgrowth from the rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12) as well as NGF-induced increase in choline acetyltransferase activity in rat primary septal cell cultures. In addition, only IgG 30 was able to detect immunocytochemically NGF-immunoreactive sites in fixed tissue. And, finally, IgG 24 could not compete for IgG 30 binding to immobilized native NGF. Consequently, it appears that these antibodies are recognizing different epitopes on the NGF molecule. Neither monoclonal antibody displayed any crossreactivity with serum albumin, aprotinin, epidermal growth factor or insulin. A hybrid-hybridoma producing bi-specific anti-NGF anti-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) monoclonal antibodies was generated from the fusion of an azaguanine resistant anti-HRP hybridoma, coded RAP2.Ag and the anti-NGF IgG 30 hybridoma treated with emetine. The potential merits of using these bi-specific antibodies in combination with their mono-specific anti-NGF parent in a homogeneous sandwich immunoassay for the quantitation of NGF are discussed.     

Autoimmunity induced by lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus: monoclonal autoantibodies against Golgi antigens and other subcellular elements

Immunocompetent mice infected with LDVAGIA developed autoantibodies against Golgi antigen as early as 6-7 days postinfection preceding anti-viral antibodies for nearly a week. The anti-Golgi antibody titres peaked between two and three weeks postinfection independent of the applied virus dose. Already one week postinfection anti-Golgi autoantibodies were prominent in IgG subclasses IgG2a and b. Spleen cells from these mice were fused with myeloma cells and the culture fluids were screened by indirect immunofluorescence for antibodies reactive with the Golgi antigen of normal cultured cells. A panel of cloned stable antibody-producing hybridomas has been obtained. Some antibodies showed broad cross-species reactivity, recognizing similar antigenic determinants in the Golgi region of mouse, rat and other mammalian cells and also in avian and piscine cells, whereas others recognized determinants in this cell compartment only in mammalian cells and one recognized Golgi antigen only in particular murine tumor cells. From 19 Golgi antibody producing hybridomas 3 secreted IgM-antibodies, 10 synthesized autoantibodies of the subclass IgG2a and 6 of IgG2b. Applied in immunoelectron microscopy mABs decorated the Golgi organelle. A considerable amount of LDVAGIA-induced hybridomas produced antibodies against conserved antigens associated with the cytoskeleton, mitochondria, and the nucleus, LDV-induced monoclonal anti-Golgi antibodies decorated the Golgi area in LDV- and mock-infected macrophages. However, cytoplasmic fluorescence characteristic for LDV-infected cells was not observed indicating that the anti-Golgi autoantibodies do not cross-react with the virus.     

21.1.1, a novel activation marker of T and B cells

A new rat mAb designated mAb 21.1.1 was raised against a T cell hybridoma of mouse origin, T2D4. This antibody, an IgG2b, immunoprecipitates from the membrane extracts of iodinated T2D4 cells a 56-kDa glycoprotein of apparent pI 4.6 which gives a 34-kDa polypeptide after treatment with endoglycosidase F. MAb 21.1.1 reacts with an antigen expressed on murine mitogen-activated thymocytes and T cells, and on B cells stimulated by anti-IgM antibodies. Cells isolated from the spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow are negative, as are purified resting B cells or T cells. This antigen is strongly expressed on most day-16 fetal thymocytes whereas adult thymocytes are almost negative. mAb 21.1.1 may be useful for the study of activation and differentiation of T and B cells.     

Binding Specificities of a Polyreactive and a Monoreactive Human Monoclonal IgG Rheumatoid Factor: Role of Oligosaccharides

The immunological specificites of two human rheumatoid factor-reactive IgG monoclonal antibodies derived from unstimulated rheumatoid synovial lymphocytes have been analysed. A malaria antigen-reactive IgG monoclonal antibody from an immune donor served as a control. Purified IgG monoclonal antibody from one IgG-RF hybridoma (L1), but not from the other IgG-RF hybridoma (D1) or the anti-malaria monoclonal antibody, exhibited dose-dependent binding to multiple self and non-self antigens such as ds-DNA, cytochrome-c, bovine thyroglobulin, transferrin, cellulose and lipopolysaccharide and therefore was considered polyreactive. The immunological specificity was confirmed by inhibition experiments using the same soluble antigens as inhibitors. The polyreactivity of the IgG-RF MoAb was markedly inhibited by absorption with glycoproteins such as thyroglobulin, a commonly used target for xenoreactive natural antibodies, and cytochrome-c, indicating that the monoclonal antibody is reactive with epitopes expressed on these ligands. Since some naturally occurring antibodies are carbohydrate specific, the authors tested the IgG-RF MoAb for possible carbohydrate specificity. Absorption with certain polysaccharides containing only one or two different sugar moieties did not inhibit the binding reactivities to any of the tested antigens. Polyreactivity of the monoclonal antibody, unlike most xenoreactive natural antibodies, was not caused by reactivity with (galα1-3gal) as indicated by the remaining binding reactivity after α-galactosidase treatment of the antigen. Removal of the N-linked glycosylation sites within the Fc portion of target IgG markedly reduced the antibody binding. The findings suggest that the carbohydrate content of the antigen is necessary for binding of the polyreactive IgG-RF MoAb. Reactivity to carbohydrate antigens may readily explain the so-called multispecificity of certain antibodies.     

Differential macrophage modulation of asymmetric IgG antibody synthesis by soluble or particulate stimuli

Asymmetric IgG antibodies behave as antigen-blocking due to the presence of a mannose-rich oligosaccharide residue in one of the Fab fragments of the molecule. This feature prevents the interaction of this antibody with the antigenic epitope, then they are unable to activate of the immune effector mechanisms. Taking into account that macrophages modulate the adaptive immune response according to the nature of the stimulating antigen and that IL-6 increases the synthesis of asymmetric IgG, in this work we analysed the differential modulation of the synthesis of asymmetric IgG by culture supernatants from peritoneal macrophages (CSPM) stimulated with either OVA-polystyrene beads or soluble OVA. The levels of IL-10, IL-6 and TNFalpha were determined in CSPM to find elevated levels of IL-6 and TNFalpha only in those cultures stimulated with OVA-coated polystyrene beads. The 112D5 hybridoma was cultured in the presence of CSPM from cells stimulated with OVA-polystyrene beads or soluble OVA. There was an increase in the synthesis of asymmetric IgG only in those cultures of the hybridoma treated with CSPM stimulated with OVA-polystyrene beads this CSPM also had an antiproliferative effect on the hybridoma. A neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibody inhibited the synthesis of asymmetric IgG but could not revert the effect of such CSPM on the viability of the hybridoma. In addition, our results demonstrated that the murine TNFalpha, at a concentration similar to that found in the particle-stimulated CSPM, had an inhibitory effect on cell growth. In summary, IL-6 and TNFalpha are secreted at different concentrations by peritoneal macrophages depending upon the physicochemical nature of the stimulus, thus conditioning the humoral immune response elicited. The IL-6 present in the CSPM can regulate the secretion of asymmetric IgG and, together with TNFalpha can also regulate cell proliferation. Results obtained in this work would contribute to the knowledge of the role of macrophages in the modulation of the quality of the humoral immune response generated upon stimulation with particulate antigens.     

Recent advances in tumor associated carbohydrate antigen based chimeric antigen receptor T cells and bispecific antibodies for anti-cancer immunotherapy

Tumor associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) are a class of attractive antigens for the development of anti-cancer immunotherapy. Besides monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) targeting TACA are exciting directions to harness the power of the immune system to fight cancer. In this review, we focus on two TACAs, i.e., the GD2 ganglioside and the mucin-1 (MUC1) protein. The latest advances in CAR T cells and bispecific antibodies targeting these two antigens are presented. The roles of co-stimulatory molecules, structures of the sequences for antigen binding, methods for CAR and antibody construction, as well as strategies to enhance solid tumor penetration and reduce T cell exhaustion and death are discussed. Furthermore, approaches to reduce “on target, off tumor” side effects are introduced. With further development, CAR T cells and BsAbs targeting GD2 and MUC1 can become powerful agents to effectively treat solid tumor.     

A central anti-DNA idiotype in human and murine systemic lupus erythematosus

The monoclonal anti-DNA autoantibody A52 (IgG2b) was obtained from a (NZB X NZW)F1 (B/W) hybridoma. Two rabbits were immunized with the pure monoclonal antibody and produced anti-idiotypic (Id) antibodies. The purified anti-Id reacted with three different B/W monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies at or close to their DNA binding sites. Moreover, the rabbit antibodies had a profound inhibitory effect on the polyclonal anti-DNA activity in the majority of sera derived from B/W mice and human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The A52 IgG must, therefore, represent a major cross-reactive Id of anti-DNA immunoglobulins. In addition, the rabbit anti-Id antibodies may act as the "internal image" of antigen and should prove useful in modulation of the autoimmune response to DNA in SLE.     

In vitro and in vivo properties of a dimeric bispecific single-chain antibody IgG-fusion protein for depletion of CCR2+ target cells in mice

The chemokine receptor CCR2 is highly expressed on leukocytes in several inflammatory diseases of both mice and men. Apart from blockade of CCR2 to prevent chemokine-dependent cell migration, depletion of CCR2(+) cells might be a promising strategy for treatment of inflammatory diseases. We therefore designed a bispecific antibody construct with the ability to deplete CCR2(+) target cells in vitro and in vivo. The bispecific antibody construct consists of two single-chain antibody variable fragments (scFv) - one recognizing murine CD3epsilon and the other recognizing murine CCR2 - joined by a short linker and fused to a modified hinge region and the C(H)2 and C(H)3 domains of murine IgG1 for dimerization. The protein was expressed in mammalian cells and purified via its C-terminal histidine tail. In vitro this construct leads to efficient antigen-specific and costimulation-independent activation of T cells and strong lysis of CCR2(+) target cells. In vivo the construct induces an almost complete depletion of CCR2(+)CD11b(+) monocytes from the peripheral blood and spleens of BALB/c mice within 24 h. This recombinant protein construct is a dimeric, bispecific antibody with markedly improved serum levels compared to conventional bispecific single-chain antibodies and the ability to deplete CCR2(+)CD11b(+) monocytes in vivo.