Patent Grant
11932673
This patent application claims the benefit of priority of Great Britain Application Number 1711208.7, filed Jul. 12, 2017, which application is herein incorporated by reference.
This invention relates to binding members with altered diversity scaffold domains, the production of libraries of such binding members and the selection and screening of binding members from such libraries. The invention also relates binding members that inhibit ion channels, especially sodium or calcium channels, and their use in therapy.
Nav1.7 is one of nine members of the Nav1.x family of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs). Nav1.7 ion channels are found in membranes of neurons of peripheral nervous system and open (or gate) in response to membrane depolarisation. This channel opening allows the influx of sodium ions across the membrane and into cells, generating and propagating depolarising action potentials along neurons. In this role of peripheral neuronal action potential generation and propagation, Nav1.7 has been found to be a critical protein in pain signalling126. A number of inherited diseases arising from mutant ion channels (channelopathies) have been identified for Nav1.7: both gain-of-function genetic mutations which cause pain hypersensitivity (e.g., inherited erythrolmelalgia, IEM, and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, PEPD127-129) and loss-of-function mutations which cause loss of pain sensation (e.g. congenital insensitivity to pain, CIP130-131). Further, genetically modified animals where the SCN9A gene (and hence Nav1.7 protein) is knocked-out have shown that Nav1.7 is critical in signalling for acute, inflammatory and/or neuropathic forms of pain132. Further details of the Nav1x VGSC family are shown in Table 30 herein (tables are annexed at the end of the present description).
A number of clinical applications and disease treatments have used compounds that target Nav1.7, blocking the influx of sodium ions into neurons and reducing action potential generation and propagation137-139. Local anesthetics such as lidocaine and tetracaine have been in use for decades in surgery and dental treatments. Other examples include the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias with propafenone and epilepsy medications such as lamotrigine, phenytoin and carbamazepine. For reviews on the use of Nav1.7 inhibiting compounds to treat several pain states (e.g. acute, chronic, inflammatory and neuropathic) see references 126 and 140-142. Further, a number of pharmaceutical drug discovery programmes have targeted Nav1.7, aiming to find new small molecules to treat pain143-144.
One challenge in developing small molecules to target Nav1.7 is that it is difficult to engineer selectivity for the target ion channel, as their relatively small binding footprint may be found in other, “off-target” ion channels. Biological molecules such as polypeptides, e.g., antibodies, offer the potential to make more extensive contacts with the target molecule, which would in principle enable greater selectivity to target ion channels such as Nav1.7. In practice, however, generating effective biological binders and inhibitors of VGSCs is difficult, at least in part because the extracellular peptide regions of these channels are extremely limited.
The molecular structure of Nav1.7, and other members of the VGSC family, is based on a single pore-forming, voltage-sensing a subunit and associated β auxiliary subunits133. The α subunit is formed of four domains (D1-D4); each domain has six α-helical transmembrane spanning segments (S1-S6). The four domains each have the following structure: S1-S4 form the voltage-sensing domain (VSD); S5 and S6 transmembrane segments form the pore and ion selectivity filter; and the N- and C-termini are intracellular. Thus, based on numerous structural studies, including bacterial Nay crystal structures134, most of the Nav1.7 protein is buried in lipid membrane or found intracellularly, with only limited externally facing peptide loops linking transmembrane segments.
As noted, the membrane-buried structure makes it challenging to generate antibodies to Nav1.7 channels. Indeed, when reports of selective Nav1.7 targeting monoclonal antibodies have been made (e.g., SVmab1135), independent, follow-up studies have failed to replicate the reported Nav1.7 inhibitory activity136.
In nature, small cysteine rich ion channel blocking peptide knottins are found in a multitude of venomous species across the animal kingdom (e.g., spiders)145-148. Most Nav1.7 inhibiting toxins from spiders share high sequence homology and target similar sites on Nav1.7 protein to achieve channel blockade. Knottins have been investigated as potential therapeutics e.g., Nav1.7 knottin-based molecules have been developed to potentially treat pain149-151.
However, a drawback to using knottin-based molecules as therapeutics is their short half life in vivo, due to rapid renal clearance152.
WO2012/064658 and Moore & Cochran156 described fusion proteins comprising engineered knottins, and the use of knottins as scaffolds for engineering molecular recognition. Fusion proteins were created including knottin peptides, in which a portion of the knottin peptide was replaced with a sequence created for binding to a particular target. Libraries of engineered knottins, and screening of such libraries for binders that recognise targets of interest, were described. Multi-specific fusion proteins, able to bind and/or inhibit two or more targets, were also described. Subsequently, WO2014/063012 described knottin peptides containing non-natural amino acids, and knottin variants engineered to contain integrin-binding loops.
The use of non-antibody scaffolds (including knottins) for generating therapeutic molecules was reviewed by Vasquez-Lombardi et al in 2015157.
In the antibody field, as is well known, antibody humanisation involves combining animal CDRs with human frameworks. CDR grafting is a well-established method used for antibody humanisation. Antibodies generated by immunisation of an animal are sequenced, CDR loops identified and a hybrid molecule is prepared consisting of a human framework with one or more CDRs derived for the animal antibody1. In CDR grafting, it is likely that the incoming peptide is required to adopt a particular structure to maintain the original binding specificity and it is often necessary to “fine-tune” the humanisation process by changing addition residues including supporting residues within the framework region.
Non-antibody peptides have also been transplanted into antibody frameworks. Barbas et al (1993) inserted a naturally-occurring integrin binding sequence in to the VH CDR3 region of a human antibody and Frederickson et al (2006)3 cloned a 14-mer peptide which was known to bind to the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor into the several CDR regions of an anti-tetanus toxoid antibody. 2 amino acids at each end of the peptide were randomized and the resultant library selected by phage display. This same work was described in US 20100041012A1, along with insertion of an 18 amino acid peptide known to bind to the erythropoietin receptor4. The original erythropoietin receptor binding peptide sequence contained two cysteines which were removed due to anticipated problems with antibody disulphide bond formation. In these cases, 2-3 codons were randomised at the junction between the inserted peptide coding region and the recipient framework to select optimal junctional sequences from the resultant phage display libraries. Liu et al inserted a 14-16 amino acid peptide with binding activity to CXCR4 into 2 different CDRs (VH CDR3 and VH CDR25). Kogelberg inserted an αVβ6 17 mer peptide which adopts a hairpin:alpha helix motif, into VH CDR3 of a murine antibody6. This peptide contained core RGDLxxL element known to direct binding to αVβ6. This work led on to a library-based approach focused on VH CDR3, which sought to mimic the hairpin:alpha helix structure7 of the original insert. In all these cases, the antibody acted as a carrier for the incoming peptide without contributing to target binding.
Gallo et al have inserted peptides into a VH CDR3 using an alternative approach for diversification. Antibody diversification naturally occurs within in B cells and U.S. Pat. No. 8,012,714 describes a method replicating this diversification process within heterologous mammalian cells. In maturing B cells antibody genes are assembled by recombination of separate V, D and J segments through the activities of “recombination activating genes” (RAG1 and RAG2) resulting in deletion of large segments of intervening sequences. In U.S. Pat. No. 8,012,714, RAG1, and RAG2 were introduced into human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) along with plasmids encompassing recombination substrates to replicate recombination V-D-J joining in non-B cells. This RAG1/2 recombination-based approach utilizes DNA repair and excision mechanisms of mammalian cells and has not been demonstrated in prokaryotic cells.
The same mammalian cell-based in vitro system was used in WO2013134881A1 with the D segment being effectively replaced by DNA which encodes peptide fragments derived from two other binding molecules. Since RAG1/RAG2 driven diversification only occurs in mammalian cells this system cannot be used directly in prokaryotic approaches such as phage display. WO2013134881A1 exemplifies the introduction into the heavy chain CDR3 of the same 14-mer peptide fragments used by Frederickson3 and Bowdish (US20100041012 A1). The TPO receptor binding construct was introduced into the middle of CDR3 and so retained the CDR sequences as well as grafting in additional amino acids to create a total of 12 or more amino acids between the antibody framework and the incoming peptide. WO2013134881A1 also exemplifies antibody fusions with extendin-4 which were generated with combined linker length between the antibody framework and the incoming peptide ranging from 9-14 amino acids.
Saini et al8, 9 reported the occurrence of ultra-long cysteine-rich CDR3s within the VH domain of bovine antibodies. These ultra-long VH CDRs of 40-67 amino acids which constitute 9% of the bovine antibody response were typically restricted to pairing with a specific Vλ1 light chains. Recently the structure of two such bovine antibodies has been determined through X ray crystallography10 revealing an unusual stalk structure formed by an ascending and descending β strands which is topped by a “knob” comprising a peptide with multiple disulphide bonds formed from cysteine pairs. This stalk: knob structure is formed by CDR3 of the VH domain but the stalk is supported by interactions with VH CDR1, VH CDR2, as well as all CDRs of the partner-Vλ1 chain. Thus the entire CDR diversity of these antibodies is devoted to the presentation of the “knob” structure which itself is presented at a distance of approximately 38 Angstroms from the supporting framework to the first cysteine of the “knob”11. The potential of the other CDRs to interact with the same epitope recognized by the knob is therefore abolished or severely limited.
In subsequent work, “the knob” was replaced by cytokines, such as granulocyte colony stimulating factor12 and erythropoietin13, which were linked to the stalk by a flexible Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Ser (SEQ ID NO: 1) sequence (Gly4Ser) at the N and C terminal junctions. It was subsequently shown that the rigid β sheet stalk structure could be replaced with a rigid anti-parallel coiled coil structure11. Flexible Gly4Ser and Gly-Gly-Ser-Gly (SEQ ID NO: 2) linkers were again placed at each end of the coiled: coil sequence to “optimize the folding and stability of the resulting antibody”. This construction also allowed the presentation granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Liu et al have taken the same approach of using rigid stalk structures coupled with a flexible peptides at both junctions to fuse leptin and Growth Hormone into VH CDR3 and VH CDR2 and VL CDR314. In this example, retained antibody binding was seen as a potential disadvantage and the suggestion was made of using a “null” antibody partner e.g. anti-RSV antibody to avoid contribution of binding of the host antibody.
Peng et al (2015) reports the insertion of two natural agonists (leptin and follicle stimulating hormone) as “guests” into an antibody VH CDR3 in a way which retained agonistic activity15. A library of fusions was created wherein flexible peptides of 5-15 amino acids were inserted between the domains at each of the N terminal and C terminal ends along with a random 3 amino acids at each end (i.e. total linker lengths of 16-36 amino acids). A library of 107 fusion variants was expressed in HEK293 cells and fusions which retained agonist activity of the “guest” were identified through reporter gene activation in an autocrine-based screening approach. The beneficial half-life properties of the antibody are extended to the incoming guest.
The approach of Peng et al (2015) was carried out in mammalian cells using an autocrine reporter system wherein cells are grown in semi-solid medium and secreted antibody fusions are retained in the vicinity of the producing cell. Thus, relatively high concentrations of the secreted product accumulated in the immediate vicinity of the cell16 making it difficult to distinguish clones within a library with altered expression/stability or binding properties. Thus, there is a limitation on stringency within the system described by Peng et al (2015). Furthermore the functional screening approach is also limited to screens for which a relevant receptor/reporter system is available. The proportion of clones which worked was low (despite the benefit of endogenous chaperone-assisted folding within mammalian cells).
Antibodies represent a commonly used binding scaffold. As an alternative, the generation of binding members based on non-antibody scaffolds has been demonstrated38, 39 These engineered proteins are derived from libraries of variants wherein exposed surface residues are diversified upon a core scaffold38-40.
Betton et al (1997)17 reports fusing 13 lactamase into several accommodating permissive sites in maltose binding proteins using 9-10 amino acid linkers (DPGG-insert-YPGDP (SEQ ID NOS: 3, 4) and PDPGG-insert-YPGGP (SEQ ID NOS: 5, 6). Collinet18 reports inserting β lactamase or dihydrofolate reductase into permissive sites of phosphoglycerate kinase using amino acid residues SGG or GG at the N terminal insertion point and GAG at the C terminal insertion point. Studies of the enzyme β-lactamase, which confers bacterial resistance to ampicillin, have also revealed potential sites into which peptide insertions could be accommodated19. Vandevenne et al reports the insertion into one of these sites of a chitin binding domain protein of the human macrophage chitotriosidase20, using a construct that introduced 6-7 amino acids each at the N and C termini of the insertion. Crasson et al21 have demonstrated functionalization of a nanobody by inserting it into a permissive site of β lactamase joining two helices.
The present invention provides knottins that are fused into polypeptide scaffolds, such as antibody variable domains, to generate binding members for ion channels, particularly voltage gated ion channels, including sodium channels and calcium channels. It is demonstrated herein that such binding members can inhibit ion flux through such voltage gated ion channels.
Voltage gated sodium and calcium channels are closely related in overall structure and function. Details of the present invention are illustrated with reference to human Nav1.7 but it is to be understood that the invention extends to other sodium channels, such as those identified in Table 30 (Nav1.1, Nav1.2, Nav1.3, Nav1.4, Nav1.5, Nav1.6, and Nav1.8 and Nav1.9), and to calcium channels also. Thus, unless the context demands otherwise, reference to a sodium channel such as Nav1.7 herein should be taken as illustrative rather than limiting, and the same disclosure may be applied to a calcium channel or a Nav1.1, Nav1.2, Nav1.3, Nav1.4, Nav1.5, Nav1.6, and Nav1.8 or Nav1.9 sodium channel. Binding members that target these ion channels represent candidate therapeutic molecules for clinical development in treating conditions and disorders that are associated with activity of the ion channel. For sodium channels (e.g., Nav1.7), this includes pain and epilepsy.
Binding members according to the present invention can advantageously combine the ion channel modulatory activity of the knottin with the increased half-life and expanded, engineerable binding surfaces of a larger polypeptide scaffold domain (e.g., antibody variable domain). An extended half-life renders a binding member product more convenient for use as a medicament by reducing or slowing its elimination from the body, thereby increasing efficacy and enabling less frequent dosing. Engineering of a binding member for selective binding to the target ion channel, reducing binding to and/or inhibition of other ion channels, has the advantage of reducing off-target effects and may also increase efficacy as a greater proportion of the binding member will be available for interaction with the intended target ion channel. More generally, the incorporation of an entire binding domain (“donor diversity scaffold domain”) within a second binding domain (“a recipient scaffold domain”) increases the diversity of populations of binding members and allows the selection and isolation of binding members with advantageous properties from these populations. This may be useful in selecting binding members which bind to target sodium or calcium channels, e.g., Nav1.7.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a binding member that binds and inhibits a human sodium or calcium channel, the binding member comprising a fusion protein and optionally a partner domain, wherein the fusion protein comprises a donor diversity scaffold domain inserted into a recipient diversity scaffold domain wherein the donor diversity scaffold domain comprises a donor scaffold and a donor interaction sequence and the recipient diversity scaffold domain comprises a recipient scaffold and a recipient interaction sequence.
In embodiments described herein, the donor diversity scaffold domain binds a human voltage-gated sodium channel or a human voltage-gated calcium channel. In various embodiments, the donor diversity scaffold domain is a cysteine rich peptide, examples of which include:
Examples of variant sequences are described herein and others will be apparent to the person skilled in the art based on the present disclosure.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the donor diversity scaffold domain is a knottin that binds a human sodium channel, e.g., Nav1.7. Binding may be to the alpha subunit of the channel, optionally domain 2 and/or optionally to the region composed of membrane spanning regions S1 to S4. As an example, the knottin may bind domain 2 of the Nav1.7 alpha subunit, optionally binding the voltage sensing domain which is composed of membrane spanning regions S1 to S4 of domain 2. The human sodium channel may be Nav1.7 as encoded by the DNA sequence shown in
In other embodiments, the donor diversity scaffold domain is a knottin that binds a human calcium channel, e.g., a Cav alpha subunit.
Inhibition of ion channel activity may be determined by assays as described herein, e.g., patch clamp. Inhibition may be determined with reference to an appropriate negative control molecule (optionally buffer only, or buffer comprising an antibody that does not exhibit binding to the ion channel). A statistically significant inhibition of ion flux in a patch clamp assay, relative to control, may be used as an indication of ion channel inhibition.
A binding member according to the invention may inhibit ion flux through the ion channel by at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or at least 95%, e.g., as determined by a whole cell patch clamp assay in which the binding member is applied at a concentration of about 15 μM. IC50 values for inhibition of ion flux may be calculated from such assays. Preferably, a binding member of the present invention has an IC50 of less than 100 μM, less than 50 μM, less than 40 μM, less than 30 μM, less than 20 μM, less than 10 μM, less than 5 μM or less than 1 μM, preferably <0.5 μM, <0.4 μM, <0.3 μM, <0.2 μM or <0.1 μM in a whole cell patch clamp assay of ion flux through the channel. Preferably, a binding member of the present invention has an IC50 of less than 10 nM, preferably <1 nM, <0.5 nM, <0.4 nM, <0.3 nM, <0.2 nM or <0.1 nM in a whole cell patch clamp assay of ion flux through the channel. Suitable example assay protocols are detailed elsewhere herein, including in Example 19.
The present invention also provides a fusion protein comprising a donor diversity scaffold domain inserted into a recipient diversity scaffold domain wherein the donor diversity scaffold domain comprises a donor scaffold and a donor interaction sequence and the recipient diversity scaffold domain comprises a recipient scaffold and a recipient interaction sequence. The donor diversity scaffold domain is a knottin that binds the ion channel. As noted, a knottin may for example bind domain 2 of a human sodium channel Nav1.7 alpha subunit. The knottin may comprise an amino acid sequence of ProTx-III 2M, HwTx-IV 3M, GpTx-1 4M or ProTx-III as shown in Table 31. Variant sequences can also be used. Variants may be derived from a sequence shown in Table 31 or from a native knottin sequence such as ProTx-III, HwTx-IV or GpTx-1. Generation of variants is described elsewhere herein. A variant of a reference donor diversity scaffold domain may comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% sequence identity to the reference sequence, e.g., wherein the reference sequence is a sequence shown in Table 31. Particular amino acid sequence variants may differ from a sequence in Table 31 by insertion, addition, substitution or deletion of 1 amino acid, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more than 10 amino acids. The variant may for example have between one and five amino acid alterations in said sequence, alteration being a substitution, insertion or deletion of an amino acid. Variants may be tested to confirm binding to and/or inhibition of the ion channel. Variants may retain cysteine residues for disulphide bridge formation in the knottin. Optionally, a variant comprises the ProTx-III 2M, HwTx-IV 3M, GpTx-1 4M or ProTx-III sequence with one, two or three conservative amino acid substitutions.
A glycine residue may be added at the native C terminus of the knottin. It may be positioned immediately prior to a linker sequence or adjacent to the flanking sequence of the recipient scaffold domain. The glycine may promote activity of the knottin in the context of the fusion protein, as knottins in their native form have been shown to undergo the post translational C-terminal amidation149, 154-155.
Incorporation of donor diversity scaffold domains into recipient diversity scaffold domains, optionally using linkers and/or cyclisation of the donor scaffold sequence, is described in detail elsewhere herein. Preferably, a knottin is fused into a recipient diversity scaffold domain that is all or part of an immunoglobulin, e.g., all or part of an antibody variable domain, to generate a KnotBody as described in detail elsewhere herein. Example VL domains are shown in Table 34, which may be modified by inserting the knottin in place of the underlined sequence indicated. The KnotBody VL domain may be paired with the VH domain shown in Table 34.
The recipient diversity scaffold domain may also bind to the ion channel, optionally to the alpha subunit. It may bind the same or a different domain as the knottin. Optionally, the recipient diversity scaffold domain binds the voltage sensing domain of the ion channel.
A binding member (e.g., KnotBody), may further comprise a partner domain, e.g., a partner VH domain may pair with a VL domain fusion protein, or a partner VL domain may pair with a VH domain fusion protein. A partner domain may contribute to binding to the ion channel, e.g., it may include one or more peptide loops that binds the same or a different domain of the ion channel as the knottin. As noted, a knottin sequence may recognise domain 2 of an ion channel, e.g., sodium channel, e.g., Nav1.7. A partner domain in a binding member may bind domain 2, or it may bind domain 1, domain 3 or domain 4.
In some embodiments, the binding member may comprise a partner domain that increases the selectivity of the binding member for the human sodium or calcium channel. For example, the donor diversity scaffold domain may bind to the voltage sensing domain of a human calcium or sodium channel, such as Nav1.7, and the partner domain may bind to the extracellular linker sequence connecting the S1-S2 or S3-S4 transmembrane regions of the human calcium or sodium channel. Since these extracellular linker sequences differ between different human calcium and sodium channels, this increases the selectivity of the interaction between the binding member and the human sodium or calcium channel. For example, the the partner domain may bind to the S1-S2 or S3-S4 extracellular linker sequence of Nav1.7 and not bind to the S1-S2 or S3-S4 extracellular linker sequence of Nav1.1, Nav1.2, Nav1.3 or Nav1.6.
Optionally a binding member may, in addition to binding the sodium or calcium channel, also bind a second target molecule, optionally via a partner domain. Thus, multispecific (e.g., bispecific) binding members can be provided, which bind for example to molecules that facilitate crossing of the blood brain barrier or blood neuron barrier. This may be desirable in binding members that are intended for therapeutic use to treat neurological conditions such as epilepsy or certain types of pain.
Binding members according to the present invention may be used for treating diseases or conditions associated with or characterised by activity (e.g., hyperactivity) or dysfunction of sodium channels, e.g., Nav1.7, or calcium channels. Binding members may be used for treating pain. Pain may be chronic or acute. Pain may be neuropathic pain, (e.g., peripheral neuropathic pain). Pain may be associated with a genetic disorder or may result from trauma. Pain may be post-operative pain, cancer pain, acute inflammatory pain, or pain hypersensitivity (e.g., erythromelalgia or paroxysmal extreme pain disorder).
Fusion proteins and binding members of the present invention may be used for the production of variants and/or may be isolated by screening libraries.
A method of screening may comprise;
In some embodiments, the linkers are diverse in said founder library.
The method may further comprise;
In some embodiments, diverse amino acid residues may be introduced into the donor interaction sequence, recipient interaction sequence and/or partner domain of the one or more identified founder binding members.
The method may further comprise;
A method of producing a library of binding members may comprise;
A library of binding members may comprise;
A fusion protein may comprise a donor diversity scaffold domain inserted into a recipient diversity scaffold domain
Another aspect of the invention provides a binding member comprising a fusion protein described herein and a partner domain associated with the fusion protein.
Other aspects of the invention provide isolated donor diversity scaffold domains, recipient diversity scaffold domains or partner domains from binding members identified and/or isolated as described herein, for example isolated donor diversity scaffold domains engineered as described herein or isolated recipient diversity scaffold domains or partner domains which may be useful in heterologous binding members, for example binding members which do not include the original donor diversity scaffold domain.
In some embodiments, the donor diversity scaffold domain is not one disclosed in GB patent application no. GB1600341.0 filed on Jan. 8, 2016. In some embodiments, the donor diversity scaffold domain is not a knottin having a sequence of Huwentoxin-IV, ProTx-II or Ssm6a as disclosed in GB patent application no. GB1600341.0. In some embodiments, the donor diversity scaffold domain is not one disclosed GB patent application no. GB1621070.0 filed on 12 Dec. 2016. In some embodiments, the donor diversity scaffold domain is not a knottin having a sequence of Huwentoxin-IV, ProTx-II or Ssm6a as disclosed in GB patent application no. GB1621070.0. In some embodiments, the binding member or fusion protein has an amino acid sequence that is not the amino acid sequence of a binding member or fusion protein disclosed in GB patent application no. GB1600341.0 or in GB1621070.0.
This invention relates to diverse populations and libraries of binding members that comprise a donor diversity scaffold domain inserted within a recipient diversity scaffold domain, and binding members isolated from such populations and libraries.
The present inventors have shown that an entire donor diversity scaffold domain is capable of folding correctly into a stable functional conformation following insertion into a recipient binding domain, with both domains remaining biologically active. The recipient binding domain is found to accommodate the incoming donor domain without its structure being compromised. Furthermore, donor and recipient domains with multiple cysteine residues each form the correct disulphide bond patterns within the fusion protein.
Combinations of donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains as described herein are useful in increasing the diversity of the populations and libraries of binding members. For example, antibodies are naturally-evolved diversity scaffolds but most of the diversity is focused within the CDR3 region and in particular the CDR3 region of the antibody heavy chain. The introduction of a donor diversity scaffold domain into a recipient antibody VH and/or VL domain greatly increases the available diversity of the chimaeric donor/antibody binding member.
Furthermore, if the donor diversity scaffold domain is predisposed to binding a particular class of target molecule, such as an ion channel, this predisposition may be conferred on the binding member comprising the donor diversity scaffold domain. Thus, the binding member may retain the binding activity of the donor diversity scaffold domain (for example, knottin binding to an ion channel) whilst also displaying the in vivo half-life of the recipient diversity scaffold domain (for example, an antibody).
Preferably, the donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains of the chimaeric binding member of the invention are joined directly together or linked by short linkers to limit or constrain flexibility and relative movement between the domains, so that the binding member is relatively rigid. Longer, unstructured linkers are more liable to proteolytic degradation and may also facilitate the formation of incorrect disulphide bonds through increased conformational flexibility. In addition, the conformational flexibility of longer, relatively unstructured peptides compromises the affinity of interaction. In an interaction between 2 molecules, such as an antibody and an antigen, conformational entropy is lost upon complex formation. With longer linkers between donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains, there are potentially many more conformations available, making complex formation energetically unfavourable. In contrast, complex formation involving a more structured fusion protein with short or absent linkers will be entropically more favourable, potentially leading to a higher affinity interaction30,31,32,33.
Since conformational flexibility carries a thermodynamic “entropic penalty” for binding interactions, constraining the conformational relationship between the donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains as described herein minimises the entropic penalty of interactions, with a resultant benefit in affinity of the resulting interaction of the binding member.
Given the close proximity of the donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains, amino acids on the surface of both donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains may contribute to the paratope that binds to the target molecule or different target molecules within a complex. This may increase affinity or specificity of the binding member compared to either diversity scaffold domain alone. A partner domain of either the donor or recipient diversity scaffold domain may also contribute to binding of target molecule. Any of the donor, recipient or partner domains may contact closely apposed sites on a target molecule or complex.
A binding member described herein may comprise a fusion protein. The fusion protein is a chimaeric molecule comprising two diversity scaffold domains; a donor diversity scaffold domain and a recipient diversity scaffold domain.
The donor diversity scaffold domain is located within the recipient diversity scaffold domain i.e. the donor diversity scaffold domain is flanked at both its N and C termini by the recipient diversity scaffold domain.
Preferably, both the donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains of the fusion protein contribute to the binding activity of the fusion protein, for example binding to the same or different target molecules.
In other embodiments, one of the donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains of the fusion protein, preferably the donor diversity scaffold domain is responsible for the binding activity of the fusion protein, for example the binding of the target molecule.
In some preferred embodiments, the fusion protein is suitable for display on the surface of a bacteriophage, for example for selection by phage display. A fusion protein for display may further comprise a phage coat protein, such as pIII, pVI, pVIII, pVII and pIX from Ff phage or the gene 10 capsid protein of T7 phage. The phage coat protein may be located at the N or the C terminal of the fusion protein, preferably at the C terminal of the fusion protein.
A diversity scaffold domain is an independently folding structural domain with a stable tertiary structure which is able to present diverse interaction sequences with potential to mediate binding to a target molecule. Diversity scaffold domains include domains represented within paralogous or orthologous groups which have been utilized in evolution for driving interactions of said scaffold with other molecules. Diversity scaffold domains also include natural domains which have been engineered to display diversity as well as entirely synthetic proteins evolved or designed to form a stable self-folding structure.
Examples of diversity scaffold domains known in the art include immunoglobulin domains41, cysteine-rich peptides, such as knottins and venom toxin peptides, affibodies (engineered Z domain of Protein A domain)42, 43, monobodies (i.e. engineered fibronectins)44, designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins)45, adhirons46, anticalins47, thioredoxin48, single domain antibodies49, 50 and T7 phage gene 2 protein (Gp2)51.
In some preferred embodiments, a diversity scaffold domain may comprise multiple disulphide bridges formed by cysteine residues within the scaffold domain.
Preferred diversity scaffold domains for use as described herein include the VH and VL domains of an antibody. The binding of T cell receptors to their targets is also directed by CDR loops present within variable Ig domains (α and β) with greatest diversity present in CDR3 of the β chain. These have been used in vitro to present diverse sequences34,35. Other Ig domains, such as the constant Ig domains in antibody heavy chains (e.g. CH1, CH2, and CH3) and light chains (C kappa, C lambda) may also be used as diversity scaffolds36,37.
Beyond antibodies and T cell receptors, the Ig domain has acted as a diversity scaffold expanding and evolving on an evolutionary timescale and Ig domains are found in many hundreds of different proteins involved in molecular recognition. Ig domains from such proteins may be used as diversity scaffold domains as described herein,
The scaffold of the diversity scaffold domain is the framework which maintains the secondary structural elements which combine to form the stable core structure of the domain. The scaffold comprises multiple contiguous or non-contiguous scaffold residues which form covalent and non-covalent interactions with the side chains or the peptide backbone of other scaffold residues in the domain. Interactions may include hydrogen bonds, disulphide bonds, ionic interactions and hydrophobic interactions. The scaffold residues may form secondary structural elements of the domain, such as a helices, β strands, β sheets, and other structural motifs. Because they contribute to the core structure of the diversity scaffold domain, scaffold residues are conserved and substitution of scaffold residues within the diversity scaffold domain is constrained.
Examples of scaffolds include the framework regions of an antibody variable domain or the cysteine knot framework of knottins (e.g. the six or more cysteine residues which form the characteristic knot structure) together with the knottin beta sheets and 310 helix motif.
The interaction sequence of a diversity scaffold domain is a contiguous or non-contiguous amino acid sequence which is presented by the stable core structure of the scaffold. The interaction sequence may interact with other molecules and mediate the binding activity of the domain, for example binding to a target molecule. In some embodiments, the interaction sequence of a domain may comprise one or more diverse residues, allowing selection of binding members with specific binding activity to be isolated from a library.
The residues of the interaction sequence may be entirely non-structural and may not support or contribute to the tertiary structure of the domain. For example, the interaction residues may be located at the loops or turns between secondary structural elements or motifs. Because they do not contribute to the core structure of the diversity scaffold domain, the residues of the interaction sequence are less conserved and substitution of interaction residues within the diversity scaffold domain is less constrained. In some embodiments, the interaction sequence of a diversity scaffold domain may comprise residues in the non-loop faces of the protein43,44,52.
Examples of interaction sequences include the CDRs of an antibody variable domain and the loops joining secondary structural elements of stable, self-folding protein domains e.g. the joining loops of a knottin, such as the PRIL motif of loop 1 of EETI-II. Other examples of interaction sequences within scaffold domains are known in the art34-38, 41-48,51, 53.
In some embodiments, a domain may contain residues which contribute to both binding and secondary structure. These residues may constitute both scaffold and interaction sequences. This is illustrated with affibodies (the engineered Z domain of protein A domain)43, 52 and monobodies (engineered scaffolds based on a fibronectin domain)44. Residues which contribute to both secondary structure and binding may be diversified in the binding members described herein. Binding members which retain secondary structure may, for example, be identified in libraries using routine selection techniques. In some embodiments, residues which contribute to both secondary structure and binding may not be diversified.
Diversity scaffold domains may be used as either donor or recipient diversity scaffold domains in the fusion proteins and binding members described herein.
The donor diversity scaffold domain comprises a donor scaffold and a donor interaction sequence.
Preferably, donor diversity scaffold domains have N and C termini that are proximal to each other within the native structure of the domain. The distance between the termini of the donor may, for example, be within 20% of the distance between the ends of the insertion site in the recipient diversity scaffold domain, more preferably the same distance. Examples of donor domains with proximal termini include knottins54, adhirons46 and Gp2 scaffolds51.
In other embodiments, donor diversity scaffold domains may have N and C termini that are not proximal in the native structure of the domain. Donor diversity scaffold domains with non-proximal N and C termini may be inserted into the recipient diversity scaffold domain as described herein using linkers that are sufficiently long to allow fusion of the termini of the donor domain with the loops of the recipient diversity scaffold domain, such that the linkers bridge the gap between the termini of donor and recipient domains. Alternatively, the donor diversity scaffold domain may be truncated to create a donor domain where the N and C termini are in proximity, or the recipient diversity scaffold domain may be truncated to create a recipient domain in which the termini of the insertion site are in proximity with the termini of the donor domain. The net result will be a loss of residues arising from the fusion of the donor and recipient structural domains. Linkers or truncations may reduce the distance between the termini of the donor domain to within 20% of the distance between the termini of the insertion site in the recipient scaffold or more preferably the same distance.
The donor diversity scaffold domain may consist of at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30 or at least 40 amino acids. The donor diversity scaffold domain may consist of 400 or fewer, 300 or fewer, 200 or fewer or 100 or fewer amino acids. For example, the donor diversity scaffold domain may consist of from 20 to 400 amino acids.
The donor diversity scaffold domain may comprise 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or more cysteine residues which form disulphide bonds in the scaffold domain (i.e. the domain may contain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more disulphide bonds).
In some embodiments, a donor diversity scaffolds may consist of at least 15 amino acids and contain 4 or more cysteine residues.
Examples of suitable donor diversity scaffold domains include an immunoglobulin, an immunoglobulin domain, a VH domain, a VL domain, an affibody, a cysteine-rich peptide, such as a venom toxin peptide or knottin, a “Designed ankyrin repeat protein” (DARPin), an adhiron, a fibronectin domain, an anticalin, a T7 phage gene 2 protein (Gp2) a monobody, a single domain antibody49, 50 or an affibody.
Preferred donor diversity scaffold domains include cysteine-rich peptides, such as ion channel-modulating peptides, venom toxin peptides and knottins.
Cysteine-rich peptides comprise a network of disulphide bonds as a core structural element. The structural conformations of cysteine-rich peptides are well-known in the art55, 6.
Ion channel-modulating peptides (both agonistic and antagonistic) comprising multiple disulphide bonds are well-known in the art. Examples include venom toxin peptides from venomous species, such as spiders, snakes, scorpions and venomous snails26, 55.
The structural conformations and disulphide linkage patterns of venom toxin peptides are also well known in the art. For example, an analysis of venoms of spiders and other animals reveals a multitude of conformations and patterns of disulphide linkage55, 65, 66, 67 For example, spider toxin huwentoxin-II has a disulphide linkage pattern of I-III, II-V, IV-VI68 and “Janus-faced atracotoxins” (J-ACTXs) has a disulphide linkage pattern of I-IV, II-VII, III-IV and V-VIII (including an unusual “vicinal” disulphide bond between 2 neighbouring cysteines)56, where the pairs of roman numeral refer to the order where each cysteine appears in the sequence and the position of the partner cysteine with which it forms a di-sulphide bond.
Cysteine-rich peptides may have a “disulphide-directed beta hairpin” (DDH) structure comprising an anti-parallel beta hairpin stabilised by 2 disulphide bonds56. The DDH core structure is found in the widely studied “inhibitory cysteine knot” structure (hereafter referred to as cysteine-knot miniproteins or knottins).
Knottins are small cysteine rich proteins that have an interwoven disulfide-bonded framework, triple-stranded β-sheet fold, and one or more solvent exposed loops. Knottins typically comprise at least 3 disulfide bridges and are characterised by a disulphide knot which is achieved when a disulfide bridge between cysteines III and VI crosses the macrocycle formed by the two other disulfides (disulfides I-IV and II-V) and the interconnecting backbone. These bridges stabilise the common tertiary fold formed of antiparallel β-sheets and in some cases a short 310 helix. (The pairs of Roman numeral refers to the order where each cysteine appears in the sequence and the position of the partner cysteine with which it forms a disulphide bond). Knottins are 20-60 residues long, usually 26-48 residues, and are found in diverse organisms ranging from arthropods, mollusks, and arachnids to plants57. Knottins arising from conus snails (conotoxins) in particular have been widely studied54, 58-60. Many thousands of other knottins have been identified and their sequences and structures are publically available57,61,62 for example from on-line databases (such as the Knottin on-line database57, Centre de Biochimie Structural, CNRS, France).
In some embodiments, the overall correct secondary structure of the knottin may be conferred by the correct distribution and spacing of cysteines. In other embodiments one or more additional scaffold residues may be required to confer the correct secondary structure. For example, residues 11-15 and 22-25 of EETI-II direct the folding propensity towards the 11-15 310-helix region and a 22-25 β-turn region respectively in the absence of any disulphides63.
Knottins display a high degree of sequence flexibility and can accommodate large amounts of non-native sequence. For example, EETI-II can accommodate over 50% non-native sequence (by randomising 2 of the loops)24.
A suitable cysteine-rich peptide for use as a diversity scaffold as described herein may for example comprise the amino acid sequence of Huwentoxin-IV, ProTx-II, ProTx-III, Ssm6a, Kaliotoxin, mokatoxin-1, Conotoxin-ω, MCoTI-II, Shk, PcTX1 or mambalgin (as shown in Table 8A; SEQ ID NOS: 7-25) or other sequence set out in the Knottin database or may be a fragment or variant of this sequence which retains the correct fold structure.
A knottin which is a variant of a reference knottin sequence, such as sequence shown in Table 8A (SEQ ID NOS: 7-25) or set out in the Knottin database, may comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% sequence identity to the reference sequence. Particular amino acid sequence variants may differ from a knottin sequence of Table 8A (SEQ ID NOS: 7-25) by insertion, addition, substitution or deletion of 1 amino acid, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more than 10 amino acids.
Sequence similarity and identity are commonly defined with reference to the algorithm GAP (Wisconsin Package, Accelerys, San Diego USA). GAP uses the Needleman and Wunsch algorithm to align two complete sequences that maximizes the number of matches and minimizes the number of gaps. Generally, default parameters are used, with a gap creation penalty=12 and gap extension penalty=4. Use of GAP may be preferred but other algorithms may be used, e.g. BLAST (which uses the method of Altschul et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215: 405-410), FASTA (which uses the method of Pearson and Lipman (1988) PNAS USA 85: 2444-2448), or the Smith-Waterman algorithm (Smith and Waterman (1981) J. Mol Biol. 147: 195-197), or the TBLASTN program, of Altschul et al. (1990) supra, generally employing default parameters. In particular, the psi-Blast algorithm (Nucl. Acids Res. (1997) 25 3389-3402) may be used.
Sequence comparison may be made over the full-length of the relevant sequence described herein.
One or more residues within a loop of a knottin, for example, one or more residues within loop 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 of a knottin may be diversified or randomised. In some embodiments, one or more within the target binding motif, such as the trypsin binding motif PRIL in loop 1 of EETI-II, or the corresponding residues in a different knottin, may be diversified. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more residues may be diversified.
The formation of native disulphide linkage patterns in the donor and recipient diversity together and the adoption of correct secondary structures within the scaffold domains of a fusion protein is exemplified below.
In other preferred embodiments, the donor diversity scaffold is an adhiron. Adhirons are peptides of about 80-100 amino acids based on plant-derived phytocystatins46. Suitable adhiron sequences are well-known in the art and described elsewhere herein. A suitable adhiron for use as a diversity scaffold as described herein may for example comprise an amino acid sequence shown in Table 12 (SEQ ID NOS: 26, 27) or may be a fragment or variant of this sequence.
An adhiron which is a variant of a reference adhiron sequence, such as sequence shown in Table 12 (SEQ ID NOS: 26 & 27) may comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% sequence identity to the reference sequence. Particular amino acid sequence variants may differ from a sequence of Table 12 (SEQ ID NOS: 26 & 27) by insertion, addition, substitution or deletion of 1 amino acid, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more than 10 amino acids.
The methods described herein do not require knowledge of the structure of the donor diversity scaffold domain. Selection of binding members may be based on binding to the target molecule (if known) or the correct folding of the recipient domain. The donor diversity scaffold domain may be provided within a library from which clones with proper folding of the recipient scaffold can be selected or may be inserted into an existing recipient diversity scaffold which accommodates an incoming donor diversity scaffold.
The failure of one scaffold domain to fold will affect the overall expression and stability of the resultant fusion protein and so it will also be possible to introduce diversification in the absence of structural knowledge and screen for retained expression of a folded scaffold domain. However, where the structure of the donor diversity scaffold domain is known, sites for diversification in the construction of libraries may be guided by this structure.
The recipient diversity scaffold domain and the donor diversity scaffold domain are preferably heterologous i.e. they are associated by artificially by recombinant means and are not associated in nature. In some preferred embodiments, the donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains are from different scaffold classes e.g. they are not both immunoglobulins, both cysteine-rich proteins, both knottins or both adhirons.
The recipient diversity scaffold domain comprises a recipient scaffold and a recipient interaction sequence.
In some embodiments, the recipient diversity scaffold domain may lack cysteine residues which form disulphide bonds. For example, the scaffold domain may comprise 0 or 1 cysteine residue. In other embodiments, the recipient diversity scaffold domain may comprise 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or more cysteine residues which form disulphide bonds in the scaffold domain (i.e. the domain may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more disulphide bonds).
Examples of suitable recipient diversity scaffold domains include an immunoglobulin domain, a VH domain, a VL domain, a knottin, a Protein A, cysteine-rich peptide, venom toxin, a Designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin), an adhiron, a fibronectin domain, an anticalin and a T7 phage gene 2 protein (Gp2).
Selection of the insertion site for the donor diversity scaffold domain and linker sequences may be guided by the structure of the recipient domain, where the structure is known64, 53, 23, 75, 39, 43. For example, a suitable insertion site may be located in a region which joins secondary structural elements of the recipient diversity scaffold domain, such as beta strands or alpha helices. Suitable regions for the insertion site within the 10th type III cell adhesion domain of fibronectin are shown in
Preferably, the recipient diversity scaffold domain is all or part of an immunoglobulin, most preferably, all or part of an antibody variable domain. For example, the recipient diversity scaffold domain may be an antibody light chain variable (VL) domain or an antibody heavy chain variable (VH) domain.
The incoming donor diversity scaffold domain separates the recipient diversity scaffold domain into N terminal and C terminal parts at the point of insertion into the recipient. The donor diversity scaffold domain is fused internally within the recipient diversity scaffold domain such that the N terminus and C terminus of the donor diversity scaffold domain are connected either directly or via a linker to the N and C terminal parts respectively of the recipient diversity scaffold domain. In some embodiments, one or more residues at the N and/or C terminals of the donor diversity scaffold domain or the recipient diversity scaffold domain may be removed and/or randomised. The recipient diversity scaffold domain retains its original N and C termini, which are not affected by the insertion of the donor diversity scaffold domain into the internal insertion site.
In some embodiments, the orientation of the incoming donor diversity scaffold domain relative to the recipient diversity scaffold domain may be altered by linking the recipient diversity scaffold domain to different positions within the donor diversity scaffold domain. For example, a rotated donor diversity scaffold domain may be designed by cyclising the donor diversity scaffold domain through linkage of the native N and C terminals and linearizing at a different position in the amino acid sequence to generate artificial N and C terminals. These artificial terminals may be linked to the recipient diversity scaffold domain within the fusion protein. In other words, the native N and C termini of a donor diversity scaffold domain, such as a cysteine-rich peptide, may be joined together directly or via a peptide sequence and artificial N and C termini generated at a different position in the sequence of the donor diversity scaffold domain. In a fusion protein generated using these artificial N and C termini, the donor diversity scaffold domain is rotated relative to the recipient diversity scaffold domain compared to a fusion protein comprising the donor diversity scaffold domain with native N and C terminals. For example, the order of the loops within the donor diversity scaffold domain may be altered. Examples of EETI-II donor diversity scaffold domains with altered orientation are shown in Table 28 (SEQ ID NOS: 302-307).
Preferably, the donor diversity scaffold domain completely replaces some or all of a loop sequence of the recipient diversity scaffold domain, such that the donor diversity scaffold domain is directly linked to scaffold residues of the recipient diversity scaffold domain. For example, loop sequences joining secondary structural elements in the recipient domain (e.g. a CDR joining 2 β strands of a β sheet framework elements in an antibody variable domain) may be removed in their entirety. In some embodiments, one or more scaffold residues may be removed or replaced from the donor diversity scaffold domain or the recipient diversity scaffold domain to reduce the distance between them while enabling folding of the component parts of the fusion protein.
Preferably, the donor diversity scaffold domain is positioned in the fusion protein close to the interaction sequence of the recipient diversity scaffold domain. For example, donor diversity scaffold may be located less than 20 Angstroms from the recipient donor scaffold, for example 8-13 Angstroms in the case of the knottin insertion exemplified herein; calculated from the end of the preceding framework to the first cysteine of the donor/knot motif. This proximity allows both interaction sequences to interact with the same or closely apposed sites on the target molecule or complex, such that both donor and recipient domains may contribute simultaneously to binding. For example, the fusion protein may lack rigid stalks and flexible linkers to connect the donor diversity scaffold domain to the recipient diversity scaffold domain.
In some preferred embodiments, the recipient diversity scaffold is an antibody variable domain, for example an antibody VH or VL domain.
The scaffold of a VH, VL kappa or VL lambda recipient domain may comprise residues 1-26, 39-55 and 66-104 (IMGT numbering) of the domain. The scaffold may also comprise residues of framework 4 which are encoded by the last 11 residues encoded by the J segments of the heavy chain and by the last 10 residues encoded by the J segments of the kappa and lambda light chains. The interaction sequence of a VH, VL kappa or VL lambda domain may comprise residues 27 to 38 (CDR1), 56 to 65 (CDR2) and 105 to 117 (CDR3) (IMGT numbering).
Examples of preferred recipient diversity scaffold domains are shown in Table 1 with inserted donor diversity scaffold domains.
Other preferred recipient scaffolds include antibody constant domains, for example a heavy or light chain CH1, CH2 or CH3 domain.
The donor diversity scaffold domain may replace part or more preferably all of a CDR (i.e. CDR1, CDR2 or CDR3) in the recipient antibody variable domain.
Preferably, the donor diversity scaffold domain replaces all or part of the CDR1 or CDR2 of the antibody variable domain. This allows the more diverse and central CDR3 to contribute to the binding activity, as well as the partner antibody variable domain. Insertion of the donor diversity scaffold domain into CDR1 and CDR2 is exemplified below.
The interaction sequence of the donor diversity scaffold domain and one or more CDRs of the recipient antibody variable domain or partner domain may interact with the same epitope on the target molecule. For example, the interaction sequence of the donor diversity scaffold domain and the CDR3 of the antibody variable domain and/or partner domain may interact with the same epitope on the target molecule.
In some preferred embodiments, the recipient diversity scaffold domain is an antibody variable domain, for example a VH or VL domain, and the donor diversity scaffold domain is a knottin or adhiron. Examples of binding members comprising a knottin donor diversity scaffold domain and a VL domain recipient diversity scaffold are shown in Table 1. A binding member comprising an antibody variable domain recipient and a cysteine rich donor domain is termed a “Knotbody” herein.
In one set of preferred embodiments, the recipient diversity scaffold domain is an antibody VL domain, and the donor diversity scaffold domain is a knottin which replaces the CDR2 of the VL domain. Suitable knottins may bind to an ion channel, such as Kv1.3, and may include ShK and Kaliotoxin. The recipient antibody VL domain may show no target binding or may bind to the same target molecule as the knottin, an associated protein in complex with the knottin target molecule or a different target molecule to the knottin.
A suitable binding member may for example comprise a fusion protein having the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 31 to 35 (as shown in Table 8B), an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleotide sequence shown in Table 33 or an amino acid sequence as shown in Table 36, or may be a fragment or variant of such a sequence. The binding member may further comprise a partner domain which associates with the fusion protein. Suitable partner domains include any VH domain, for example the D12 A12 VH domain shown in Table 8B (SEQ ID NO: 30) or Table 34.
Suitable VH domains may be non-binders, may bind to a different target molecule to the fusion protein or may bind to the same target molecule as the fusion protein, for example to increase the binding affinity or binding specificity of the fusion protein.
A fusion protein which is a variant of a reference sequence, such as sequence shown in Table 1 (SEQ ID NOS: 84-139) Table 8B (SEQ ID NOS: 31 to 35), Table 29 (SEQ ID NOS: 308-317),
In other preferred embodiments, the recipient diversity scaffold domain may be an immunoglobulin constant domain, for example an immunoglobulin constant domain from an antibody heavy or light chain, and the donor diversity scaffold domain may be a knottin or adhiron.
Preferably, the distance between the framework residues of the recipient diversity scaffold domain and the donor diversity scaffold domain is minimised to reduce proteolytic lability and/or relative flexibility between the domains. This may be useful in promoting binding affinity. For example, the N and C terminals of the donor diversity scaffold domain may each be linked directly to the recipient diversity scaffold domain without a linker or through linkers of 1, 2, 3 or 4 amino acids. The same or different linker sequences may be used to link the N and C terminals of the donor diversity scaffold domain to the recipient diversity scaffold domain.
Examples of suitable linker sequences are shown in Tables 2, 26 and 27.
In some embodiments, it may be preferred that the donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains are joined by a linker other than GGSG (SEQ ID NO: 2), a linker other than GGGS (SEQ ID NO: 32) or a linker that does not comprise GG, such as SGG or GG.
Linker length refers to the number of amino acid residues that are gained or lost from the scaffold elements of the donor and recipient domains when fused together. For example, the removal of scaffold residues and the use of an equal number of randomized residues to join the donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains is considered herein to be randomization of the removed framework residues rather than the introduction of additional linker residues.
In some embodiments, 1, 2, 3 or 4 amino acids at the N and/or C terminal of the donor diversity scaffold domain and/or 1, 2, 3 or 4 amino acids on each side of the insertion site in the recipient scaffold may be replaced through mutagenesis and/or randomisation.
The fusion protein may be associated with the partner domain through a covalent or non-covalent bond.
The partner domain may be associated with the recipient diversity scaffold domain and/or the donor diversity scaffold domain of the fusion protein. Preferably, the partner domain is associated with the recipient diversity scaffold domain.
In some preferred embodiments, the recipient diversity scaffold domain is an antibody light chain variable (VL) domain and the partner domain is an antibody heavy chain variable (VH) domain. In other preferred embodiments, the recipient diversity scaffold domain is an antibody heavy chain variable (VH) domain and the partner domain is an antibody light variable (VL) domain.
In some embodiments, antibody heavy and light chain variable domains of a binding member as described herein may be connected by a flexible linker, for example in a scFv format.
A binding member described herein comprises the fusion protein. The binding member may further comprise a partner domain that is associated with the fusion protein. For example, the binding member may be a heterodimer.
In some embodiments, the binding member may comprise two or more fusion proteins or partner domains. For example, the binding member may be multimeric. In some embodiments, the recipient or donor diversity scaffold domain of the binding member may form a homomultimer, such as a homodimer. The recipient or donor diversity scaffold domain of the binding member may partner with a different form of the same domain, such as a wild-type or mutagenized form of the domain.
As noted, preferred examples of binding members are knotbodies comprising an antibody variable domain recipient domain and a cysteine rich donor domain. The binding member may include a VH-VL domain pair, in which the donor domain is inserted in either the VH or VL as described. Optionally, the VH and VL are joined by a flexible linker, and example formats include scFv or scFv-Fc. Alternatively the VH and VL may be non-covalently paired, such as in a whole immunoglobulin format comprising paired antibody heavy and light chains, e.g., IgG. Where a binding member includes an antibody constant region, this is preferably a human antibody Fc domain such as a human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4.
As is well known in the art, the Fc region of an antibody is largely responsible for mediating cellular effector functions such as complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) or antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). In some embodiments of the present invention a binding member comprises a human Fc region that is “effector null”, i.e., does not mediate CDC and/or ADCC. Suitable constant regions may be selected accordingly, optionally including mutations that alter (e.g., reduce) Fc effector function. Thus, for example, a binding member may comprise a human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 Fc region or an effector null variant thereof.
In addition to the fusion protein and optional partner domain, the binding member may further comprise a therapeutic moiety, half-life extension moiety or detectable label. The moiety or label may be covalently or non-covalently linked to the fusion protein or the partner domain.
In some embodiments, a binding member may be displayed on a particle or molecular complex, such as a cell, ribosome or phage, for example for screening and selection. The binding member may further comprise a display moiety, such as phage coat protein, to facilitate display on a particle or molecular complex. The phage coat protein may be fused or covalently linked to the fusion protein or the partner domain.
In some embodiments, a binding member as described herein may display advantageous properties, such as increased affinity, stability, solubility, expression, specificity or in vivo half-life relative to the isolated donor and/or recipient diversity scaffold domain.
Other aspects of the invention relate to the generation of libraries of binding members as described herein.
A method of producing a library of binding members may comprise;
The population of nucleic acids may be provided by a method comprising inserting a first population of nucleic acids encoding a donor diversity scaffold domain into a second population of nucleic acids encoding a recipient diversity scaffold domain, optionally wherein the first and second nucleic acids are linked with a third population of nucleic acids encoding linkers of up to 4 amino acids, wherein the one, two or all three of the first, second and third populations of nucleic acids are diverse.
The nucleic acids may be contained in vectors, for example expression vectors. Suitable vectors include phage-based76 or phagemid-based77 phage display vectors.
The nucleic acids may be recombinantly expressed in a cell or in solution using a cell-free in vitro translation system such as a ribosome, to generate the library. In some preferred embodiments, the library is expressed in a system in which the function of the binding member enables isolation of its encoding nucleic acid. For example, the binding member may be displayed on a particle or molecular complex to enable selection and/or screening. In some embodiments, the library of binding members may be displayed on beads, cell-free ribosomes, bacteriophage, prokaryotic cells or eukaryotic cells. Alternatively, the encoded binding member may be presented within an emulsion where activity of the binding member causes an identifiable change. Alternatively, the encoded binding member may be expressed within or in proximity of a cell where activity of the binding member causes a phenotypic change or changes in the expression of a reporter gene16, 78, 79.
Eukaryotic cells benefit from chaperone systems to assist the folding of secreted protein domains80 and these are absent within bacterial expression systems. The data set out below shows that mammalian chaperone systems are not required for the correct folding of the binding members described herein. In addition, binding members identified using prokaryotic phage display systems are by definition amenable to further engineering within the phage display system to create improved binders. Prokaryotic systems, such as phage display, also facilitate construction of larger libraries and facilitate selection, screening and identification of binding members from such libraries. In contrast binding members identified in eukaryotic systems may not be amenable for further engineering within prokaryotic systems.
Preferably, the nucleic acids are expressed in a prokaryotic cell, such as E. coli. For example, the nucleic acids may be expressed in a prokaryotic cell to generate a library of binding members that is displayed on the surface of bacteriophage. Suitable prokaryotic phage display systems are well known in the art, and are described for example in Kontermann, R & Dubel, S, Antibody Engineering, Springer-Verlag New York, LLC; 2001, ISBN: 3540413545, WO92/01047, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,969,108, 5,565,332, 5,733,743, 5,858,657, 5,871,907, 5,872,215, 5,885,793, 5,962,255, 6,140,471, 6,172,197, 6,225,447, 6,291,650, 6,492,160 and 6,521,404. Phage display systems allow the production of large libraries, for example libraries with 108 or more, 109 or more, or 1010 or more members.
In other embodiments, the cell may be a eukaryotic cell, such as a yeast, insect, plant or mammalian cell.
A library of binding members, for example a library generated by a method described above, may comprise;
The sequences of one, two or all three of the donor interaction sequence, the recipient interaction sequence and the linkers may be diverse. For example, the binding members in the library may have diverse donor interaction sequences and the same recipient interaction sequence; diverse recipient interaction sequences and the same donor interaction sequence; diverse linker sequences and the same recipient and donor interaction sequences or; diverse recipient and donor interaction sequences.
A diverse sequence as described herein is a sequence which varies between the members of a population i.e. the sequence is different in different members of the population. A diverse sequence may be random i.e. the identity of the amino acid or nucleotide at each position in the diverse sequence may be randomly selected from the complete set of naturally occurring amino acids or nucleotides or a sub-set thereof.
Diversity may be targeted to donor interaction sequence, recipient interaction sequence, linkers or sequences within the partner domain using approaches known to those skilled in the art, such as oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis22, 23, Molecular Cloning: a Laboratory Manual: 3rd edition, Russell et al., 2001, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, and references therein). For example, where the recipient diversity scaffold domain is an antibody variable domain and the donor diversity scaffold domain has replaced one CDR region, amino acid changes, such as diverse sequences, may be introduced into the other CDRs of the recipient domain or partner chain. Where the donor domain is a knottin, diverse sequences may be introduced into regions linking core scaffold elements such as the cysteine knot. The knottin structure has been shown to be able to accommodate over 50% non-native structure24. The introduction of diversity into the knottin scaffolds, such as EETI-II24, kaliotoxin25, ProTx-126, and TRPA126 to generate libraries is known in the art.
Diverse sequences may be contiguous or may be distributed within the domain. Suitable methods for introducing diverse sequences into domains are well-described in the art. For example, diversification may be generated using oligonucleotide mixes created using partial or complete randomisation of nucleotides or created using codons mixtures, for example using trinucleotides. Alternatively, a population of diverse oligonucleotides may be synthesised using high throughput gene synthesis methods and combined to create a precisely defined and controlled population of variant domains. Alternatively “doping” techniques in which the original nucleotide predominates with alternative nucleotide(s) present at lower frequency may be used. As an alternative, Example 2 below describes methods for introducing diversity into a domain using diversity from a natural source (an antibody repertoire in this example).
Either donor or recipient domains could be part of a multimeric protein with potential additional diversity being introduced by the partner chain. The entire partner chain can be replaced e.g. by chain shuffling27. Alternatively, diversity could be introduced into regions of an existing partner chain of the recipient or donor e.g. the VH partner of a VL recipient of the donor. In general the heterodimeric nature of antibodies and the ability to select variants of the partner chain independently of the recipient chain supporting the donor adds to the power of this approach.
Preferably, the library is a display library. The binding members in the library may be displayed on the surface of particles, or molecular complexes such as beads, ribosomes, cells or viruses, including replicable genetic packages, such as yeast, bacteria or bacteriophage (e.g. Fd, M13 or T7) particles, viruses, cells, including mammalian cells, or covalent, ribosomal or other in vitro display systems. Each particle or molecular complex may comprise nucleic acid that encodes the binding member that is displayed by the particle and optionally also a displayed partner domain if present.
In some preferred embodiments, the binding members in the library are displayed on the surface of a bacteriophage. Suitable methods for the generation and screening of phage display libraries are well known in the art. Phage display is described for example in WO92/01047 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,969,108, 5,565,332, 5,733,743, 5,858,657, 5,871,907, 5,872,215, 5,885,793, 5,962,255, 6,140,471, 6,172,197, 6,225,447, 6,291,650, 6,492,160 and 6,521,404.
Libraries as described herein may be screened for binding members which display binding activity, for example binding to a target molecule.
Binding may be measured directly or may be measured indirectly through agonistic or antagonistic effects resulting from binding.
Binding to the target molecule may be mediated by one or more of the donor diversity scaffold domain, the recipient diversity scaffold domain and the partner domain of the binding member.
The interaction sequences of the donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains of the fusion protein may bind to the target molecule, and more preferably the same epitope of the target molecule. The fusion protein and the partner domain of a binding member may bind to the same target molecule or different target molecules. For example, the fusion protein may bind to a first target molecule and the partner domain may bind to a second target molecule.
A binding member may bind the target molecule with the same affinity of a parent donor or recipient diversity scaffold domain, or with a lower or higher affinity. In some embodiments, a binding member may neutralise a biological activity of the target molecule. In other embodiments, a binding member may activate a biological activity of the target molecule.
Suitable target molecules include biological macromolecules, such as proteins. The target molecule may be a receptor, enzyme, antigen or oligosaccharide. In some preferred embodiments, the target may be an integral membrane protein. In some embodiments, the target may be G protein coupled receptor (GPCR). Target molecules which are difficult to target with antibodies, such as ion transporters, may be particularly suitable.
In some preferred embodiments, the target molecule may be an ion transporter, such as an ion pump or ion channel.
Suitable ion channels are well known in the art and include Kir1.1, Kir2.1, Kir6.2, SUR2, Kv1.1, KCNQ1, KCNQ, KCNQ4, TRPP2, TRPA1, TRPC6, CNGA1, BK, Nav1.1, Nav1.5, Nav1.6, Nav2.1, Cav1.2, Cav2.1, glycine receptors, GABA-A, CHRNA482 Other suitable ion channels include voltage-gated potassium channels such as Kv1.3, L-Type voltage-gated calcium channels, Cav2.2, hERG, ASICs and Eag1.
A binding member described herein may bind to two or more different target epitopes (i.e. the binding member may be multi-specific). The target epitopes bound by the binding member may be on the same or different target molecules. For example, one or more of the donor diversity scaffold domain, recipient diversity scaffold domain and/or partner domain of a multi-specific binding member may bind to a different target epitope to the other domains.
In some embodiments, the binding member may be bi-specific i.e. it may bind to two different epitopes.
A bi-specific binding member may bind to two different target epitopes concurrently. This may be useful in bringing a first and a second epitope into close proximity for example to cross-link molecules or cells. When the target epitopes are located on different target molecules, the target molecules may be brought into close proximity by concurrent binding to the binding member. When the target molecules are located on different cells, concurrent binding of the target molecules to the binding member may bring the cells into close proximity, for example to promote or enhance the interaction of the cells. For example, a binding member which binds to a tumour specific antigen and a T cell antigen, such as CD3, may be useful in bringing T cells into proximity to tumour cells.
Concurrent binding of different target epitopes by a binding member described herein may also be useful in stabilizing a particular conformation of a target molecule or complex of target molecules.
A binding member may bind to the two different target epitopes sequentially i.e. the binding member may bind to one target epitope and then the other. This may be useful, for example in crossing the blood:brain barrier (BBB120) or blood:nerve barrier (BNB121). For example, a binding member may bind to an epitope on a BBB or BNB receptor. Suitable receptors are well-known in the art and include transferrin (TFR), insulin (IR), leptin (LEP-R), glucose (GLUT1), CD98 (LAT1) and lipoprotein (LRP-1) receptors. Once bound to the BBB or BNB receptor, the binding member may be transcytosed across the BBB or BNB, after which it may then bind independently to an epitope on a second target molecule in the brain or peripheral nervous system, for example an ion channel or protease.
In some preferred embodiment, a binding member may bind to TFR. For example, the binding member may comprise a partner domain that binds to TFR and a fusion protein that binds to a second target molecule in the brain or peripheral nervous system. The recipient scaffold in the fusion protein may be a VL domain and the partner domain may be a VH domain. Suitable VH partner domains for targeting TFR may comprise a sequence shown in Table 20 (SEQ ID NOs: 237-245) or a variant thereof.
Suitable in vitro systems for screening libraries for bi-specific binding members able to cross the BBB or BNB are well known in the art (Nakagawa, S. et al. Neurochem. Int. 54, 253-263 (2009); Yosef, N. et al J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol. 69, 82-97 (2010)) and described in more detail below.
In some preferred embodiments, a first domain on the binding member (e.g. one of the donor diversity scaffold domain, recipient diversity scaffold domain and partner domain) may be directed to a first cell surface target molecule. Binding to this first target molecule may sequester the binding member on the cell surface, thereby facilitating interaction of a second binding domain (e.g. another of the donor diversity scaffold domain, recipient diversity scaffold domain and partner domain) to a second target molecule by increasing the local concentration of the binding member on the cell surface. For example, A bi-specific binding member may consist of a VH partner domain which binds with high affinity to an abundant first target molecule on T cells coupled with a VL-knottin fusion which binds and blocks a second target molecule, such as an ion channel e.g. Kv1.3. A cell-specific binding domain (VH in this example) may be generated, for example, by selecting on recombinant protein representing a candidate target molecule (as described in example 6) or by selecting a library on the cell surface of a target cell to look for a partner domain (VH in this example) which enhances the binding of the second domain. Binding of the first domain to the first target molecule sequesters the binding member on the cell surface and may overcome low affinity, low density or relative inaccessibility of the second binding domain for the second target molecule. This may increase the potency of the second binding domain on cells which express the target recognised by the first binding domain. This approach may also increase the specificity of the binding member, since optimal binding/blocking require both target molecules to be on the same cell. The presence of a first binding molecule has been shown to effect a binding enhancement of a second binding molecule over several orders of magnitude based on affinity and antigen density (Rhoden et al (2016) J Biol. Chem. 291 p 11337-11347).
Target molecules for use in selection and screening may be produced using any convenient technique. For example, integral membrane proteins may be produced using bacterial, baculoviral or mammalian expression systems86,87, proteoliposomes88, “nanodiscs”89 or cell lysates90.
In some embodiments described herein, an initial “founder” library of binding members may be used to identify one or more founder binding members which allow simultaneous folding of both donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains. These founder binding members may be selected for retained donor and recipient domains which display the desired binding activity, such as binding to a target molecule. In subsequent steps, the founder binding members may be subjected to further modification and screening to optimise binding activity and other properties. Alternatively, an initial “founder” library of binding members may include any library that combines a recipient diversity scaffold domain, a donor diversity scaffold domain and, optionally a linker, as described herein, in which diversity is introduced into any of said recipient diversity scaffold domain, a donor diversity scaffold domain or linker sequence.
A method of screening as described herein may comprise;
The one or more identified binding members may be recovered from the founder library.
In some preferred embodiments, the linker sequences may be diverse in the library. This may be useful in identifying functional fusions of donor and recipient diversity scaffold domains. Examples of diverse linker sequences are presented herein. In some embodiments, diverse linkers of 1, 2, 3, or 4 amino acids may be introduced at the junctions between the donor diversity scaffold domain and the recipient diversity scaffold domain to allow selection of optimal junctional sequences from the resultant libraries.
Optionally, sequences within the recipient diversity scaffold domain may also be diversified to facilitate the identification of a recipient diversity scaffold domain that supports functional fusion to a donor diversity scaffold domain. In some embodiments, one or more amino acid residues of the donor diversity scaffold domain and/or recipient diversity scaffold domain at one or both junctions between the two domains may be diversified (i.e. one or more residues of a domain directly adjacent one or both junctions with the other domain may be diversified). Examples in which framework residues of donor and recipient scaffolds are diversified are provided below. For example, 1, 2, 3, or 4 residues at the N and C terminal junctions of the donor diversity scaffold domain and/or 1, 2, 3, or 4 residues within the recipient diversity scaffold domain at the junctions with the donor domain may be diversified.
The binding activity may be binding to a target molecule. A method of screening a library may comprise;
The one or more identified or selected binding members may be recovered and subjected to further selection and/or screening.
Multiple rounds of panning may be performed in order to identify binding members which display the binding activity. For example, a population of binding members enriched for the binding activity may be recovered or isolated from the founder library and subjected to one or more further rounds of screening for the binding activity to produce one or more further enriched populations. Founder binding members which display binding activity may be identified from the one or more further enriched populations and recovered, isolated and/or further investigated.
Founder binding members which display the binding activity may be further engineering to improve activity or properties or introduce new activity or properties, for example binding properties such as affinity and/or specificity, increased neutralization of the target molecule and/or modulation of a specific activity of the target molecule. Binding members may also be engineered to improve stability, solubility or expression level.
For example, the identified linker sequence of an identified founder binding member may be retained in a modified library with diverse sequences introduced into one or more of the recipient, donor or partner domains depending on the application and desired outcome. In some cases further diversification of the linker may be useful in optimising function of the binding member.
A method of screening as described herein may further comprise;
The binding activity may be binding to a target molecule. A method of screening a library may comprise;
The one or more identified or selected binding members may be recovered and subjected to further rounds of screening.
The diverse amino acids may be introduced by any suitable technique as described elsewhere herein, including random mutagenesis or site directed mutagenesis.
One or more modified binding members may be identified which display increased or improved binding activity, for example increased binding affinity and/or specificity, relative to the one or more founder binding members identified in step (iii).
Multiple rounds of panning may be performed in order to identify modified binding members which display the improved binding activity. For example, a population of binding members enriched for the improved binding activity may be recovered or isolated from the library and subjected to one or more further rounds of screening for the binding activity to produce one or more further enriched populations. Modified binding members which display improved binding activity may be identified from the one or more further enriched populations and isolated and/or further investigated.
Founder or modified binding members may be further subjected to further mutagenesis, for example to generate further modified libraries and select binding members with improved or new activity or properties. Amino acid residues may be mutated at one or more positions in the amino acid sequence of one or more identified binding members from the library and/or modified library. For example, amino acid residues within the donor scaffold, donor interaction sequence, recipient scaffold, recipient interaction sequence, linker or partner domain of the one or more identified binding members may be mutated.
The mutation may introduce diverse amino acid residues at the one or more positions to produce a library of further modified binding members. Examples of the deletion or replacement of interaction and scaffold residues of recipient and donor and their replacement with randomised residues are shown below.
To generate binding members in which a partner domain, such as a partner VH or VL domain, contributes additional interaction contacts with a target molecule, a library may be generated in which the original partner domain is replaced by a whole repertoire of alternative partner domain to create a “chain-shuffled” library. Binding members with improved activity due to the beneficial contribution of the newly selected partner domain may be identified, recovered and isolated.
A method of screening as described herein may further comprise;
One or more shuffled binding members may be identified which display increased binding activity relative to the one or more founder binding members identified in step (iii) and/or modified binding members identified in step (vi).
Multiple rounds of panning or functional screening may be performed in order to identify shuffled binding members which display the increased or improved binding activity. For example, a population of shuffled binding members enriched for the improved binding activity may be isolated from the shuffled library and subjected to one or more further rounds of screening for the binding activity to produce one or more further enriched shuffled populations. Shuffled binding members which display improved binding activity may be identified from the one or more further enriched populations and isolated and/or further investigated.
The founder library, modified library or shuffled library may be screened by determining the binding of the binding members in the library to a target molecule
Binding may be determined by any suitable technique. For example, the founder library, modified library or shuffled library may be contacted with the target molecule under binding conditions for a time period sufficient for the target molecule to interact with the library and form a binding reaction complex with a least one member thereof.
Binding conditions are those conditions compatible with the known natural binding function of the target molecule. Those compatible conditions are buffer, pH and temperature conditions that maintain the biological activity of the target molecule, thereby maintaining the ability of the molecule to participate in its preselected binding interaction. Typically, those conditions include an aqueous, physiologic solution of pH and ionic strength normally associated with the target molecule of interest.
The founder library, modified library or shuffled library may be contacted with the target molecule in the form of a heterogeneous or homogeneous admixture. Thus, the members of the library can be in the solid phase with the target molecule present in the liquid phase. Alternatively, the target molecule can be in the solid phase with the members of the library present in the liquid phase. Still further, both the library members and the target molecule can be in the liquid phase.
Suitable methods for determining binding of a binding member to a target molecule are well known in the art and include ELISA, bead-based binding assays (e.g. using streptavidin-coated beads in conjunction with biotinylated target molecules, surface plasmon resonance, flow cytometry, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, immunoprecipitation, and affinity chromatography. Alternatively, biochemical or cell-based assays, such as an HT-1080 cell migration assay or fluorescence-based or luminescence-based reporter assays may be employed.
In some embodiments, binding may be determined by detecting agonism or antagonism (including blocking activity in the case of ion channels and enzymes) resulting from the binding of a binding member to a target molecule, such as a ligand, receptor or ion channel. For example, the founder library, modified library or shuffled library may be screened by expressing the library in reporter cells and identifying one or more reporter cells with altered gene expression or phenotype. Suitable functional screening techniques for screening recombinant populations of binding members are well-known in the art16, 78, 79, 91.
Systems suitable for the construction of libraries by cloning repertoires of genes into reporter cells have been reported16, 78. These systems combine expression and reporting within one cell, and typically introduce a population of antibodies selected against a pre-defined target (e.g. using phage or mammalian display).
A population of nucleic acids encoding binding members as described herein may be introduced into reporter cells to produce a library using standard techniques. Clones within the population with a binding member-directed alteration in phenotype (e.g., altered gene expression or survival) may be identified. For this phenotypic-directed selection to work there is a requirement to retain a linkage between the binding member gene present within the expressing cell (genotype) and the consequence of binding member expression (phenotype). This may be achieved for example by tethering a binding member to the cell surface, as described for antibody display or through the use of semi-solid medium to retain secreted antibodies in the vicinity of producing cells105. Alternatively, binding members may be retained inside the cell. Binding members retained on the cell surface or in the surrounding medium may interact with an endogenous or exogenous receptor on the cell surface causing activation of the receptor. This in turn may cause a change in expression of a reporter gene or a change in the phenotype of the cell. As an alternative the binding member may block the receptor or ligand to reduce receptor activation. The nucleic acid encoding the binding member which causes the modified cellular behaviour may then be recovered for production or further engineering.
As an alternative to this “target-directed” approach, it is possible to introduce into a cell a “naïve” binding member population which has not been pre-selected to a particular target molecule. The cellular reporting system is used to identify members of the population with altered behaviour. Since there is no prior knowledge of the target molecule, this non-targeted approach has a particular requirement for a large repertoire, since pre-enrichment of the binding member population to the target molecule is not possible.
The “functional selection” approach may be used in other applications involving libraries in eukaryotic cells, particularly higher eukaryotes such as mammalian cells. For example, a binding member may be fused to a signalling domain such that binding to target molecule causes activation of the receptor. Suitable signalling domains include cytokine receptor domains, such as thrombopoeitin (TPO) receptor, erythropoietin (EPO) receptor, gp130, IL-2 receptor and the EGF receptor. Binding member-receptor chimaeras may be used to drive target molecule dependent gene expression or phenotypic changes in primary or stable reporter cells. This capacity may be used to identify fused binding members in the library which drive a signalling response or binders which inhibit the response123-125.
Combinations of recipients and linker sequences identified using the methods described herein may be used to present different donor diversity scaffold domains of the same class, for example a cysteine-rich protein with the same number of cysteine residues, or a different class.
The donor diversity scaffold domain may be replaced in the one or more identified binding members from the library, the modified library and/or the shuffled library with a substitute donor diversity scaffold domain.
The donor diversity scaffold domain and the substitute donor diversity scaffold domain may be from the same scaffold class. For example, the donor diversity scaffold domain and the substitute donor diversity scaffold domain may comprise the same scaffold and different interaction sequences. In some embodiments, the donor diversity scaffold domain may be a knottin which binds to a first target molecule and the substitute donor diversity scaffold domain may be a knottin which binds to a second target molecule. A recipient diversity scaffold domain which has been optimised for one knottin donor diversity scaffold domain as described herein may be useful for all knottin donor diversity scaffold domains. For example, a donor knottin domain within the recipient antibody variable domain of a founder binding member may be replaced with a different knottin donor domain, as exemplified below.
The donor diversity scaffold domain and the substitute donor diversity scaffold domain may be from the different scaffold classes. For example, the donor diversity scaffold and the substitute donor diversity scaffold may comprise a different donor scaffold and a different donor interaction sequence. For example, a donor knottin domain within the recipient antibody variable domain of a founder binding member may be replaced with an adhiron donor diversity scaffold domain, as exemplified below.
An additional amino acid sequence may be introduced into the fusion proteins or partner domains of the one or more identified binding members from the library and/or modified library. For example, the donor diversity scaffold domain, for example a knottin donor domain, may be engineered to introduce new binding specificities, for example by rational design, loop grafting and combinatorial library based approaches using in vitro display technologies.
The additional amino acid sequence may be a target binding sequence, such as a VEGF-A binding sequence92 or a Thrombopoietin (TPO) binding sequence54.
In some embodiments, a diverse sequence may be introduced into a binding member as described herein to generate a further library for selection of improved variants. For example, diversity may be introduced into the donor or recipient diversity scaffold domain or the partner domain. Suitable diverse sequences may be introduced by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis or random mutagenesis22.
In some embodiments, binding mediated by a first domain selected from the donor diversity scaffold domain, recipient diversity scaffold domain and partner domain within a binding member may be used as a guide domain to direct selection from a library using the method described herein to identify modified or shuffled binding members in which a second domain also contributes to binding.
The second domain may interact with the same target molecule as the first guide domain or may interact with a second target molecule that is closely associated with it. For example, binding to the alpha sub-unit of an ion channel, such as a voltage gated sodium or potassium channel (e.g. a Nav or Kv channel) by a knottin donor diversity scaffold domain may be increased or extended by additional contacts from a partner VH domain or recipient VL domain binding either to the same alpha sub-unit or to an associated sub-unit, such as the beta subunit of an ion channel.
In a second round, the original guide domain may also be modified or replaced. For example, one of the donor diversity scaffold domain, recipient diversity scaffold domain or partner domain of a binding member may act as a first guide domain which binds to the target molecule. Having identified a second domain which contributes to binding the target molecule, a method may comprise modifying or replacing said first guide domain to produce a library of binding members comprising the second domain and a diverse first domain. This results in a final fusion protein which benefitted from the availability of the original guide domain during its development as described herein but does not contain the original guide domain. This may be useful, for example if a final binding member is desired which does not contain the fusion of a donor diversity scaffold domain within a recipient diversity scaffold domain.
For example, if a knottin donor diversity scaffold domain within a binding member was used to isolate a partner antibody variable domain (e.g. a VH domain) in a first round of selection, then this partner antibody variable domain can in turn act as a guide in a second round to select for an alternative complementary variable domain (e.g. a VL domain). This complementary domain may be a recipient diversity scaffold domain with a fused donor diversity scaffold domain or may be a normal (i.e. unfused) antibody variable domain. In some embodiments, the antibody variable domain (e.g. VH domain) identified from the first cycle through use of an ion channel binding donor diversity scaffold domain may bind to an associated sub-unit of the ion channel, such as a beta chain which interacts with different alpha chains. This antibody variable domain could then guide the selection of complementary antibody variable domains or VL-donor diversity scaffold domain fusion proteins towards different alpha chains which associate with the same β chain.
In some embodiments, the first domain may bind to the target molecule with low to moderate affinity. For example, affinity may be less than a KD 100 nM. This allows the improvements in binding due to the contribution of the second domain which may bind to the same protein or a closely associated sub-unit. Alternatively the second domain may bind to a non-interacting or weakly interacting molecule on the same cell which sequesters the second domain on the target cell facilitating its interaction with target.
In some embodiments, the target molecule may be presented on the surface of a cell in a tagged or untagged form to determine binding93. For example, an integral membrane protein, such as an ion transporter or GPCR, may be expressed with a tag. A library of binding members comprising a partner domain which binds the tag (e.g. an antibody VH or VL domain) and a diverse population of donor diversity scaffold domains presented on a VL or VH recipient domain may be subjected to selection for improved binding to the tagged, cell surface expressed target protein. This may allow the identification of fusion proteins and donor diversity scaffold domains that bind the target protein outside the tag. These fusion proteins and donor diversity scaffold domains may be used in further rounds of screening, for example with diverse partner domains, to identify binding members that bind the untagged target protein.
Various suitable tags are known in the art, including, for example, MRGS(H)6 (SEQ ID NO: 36), DYKDDDDK (SEQ ID NO: 37) (FLAG™), T7-, S-(KETAAAKFERQHMDS; SEQ ID NO: 38), poly-Arg (R5-6), poly-His (H2-10), poly-Cys (C4) poly-Phe (F11) poly-Asp(D5-16), Strept-tag II (WSHPQFEK; SEQ ID NO: 39), c-myc (EQKLISEEDL; SEQ ID NO: 40), Influenza-HA tag (Murray, P. J. et al (1995) Anal Biochem 229, 170-9), Glu-Glu-Phe tag (Stammers, D. K. et al (1991) FEBS Lett 283, 298-302), Tag.100 (Qiagen; 12 aa tag derived from mammalian MAP kinase 2), Cruz tag 09™ (MKAEFRRQESDR; (SEQ ID NO: 41), Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc.) and Cruz tag 22™ (MRDALDRLDRLA; (SEQ ID NO: 42), Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc.). Known tag sequences are reviewed in Terpe (2003) Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 60 523-533.
In some embodiments, a library, modified library and/or shuffled library as described herein may be subjected to selection for binding members in which the donor diversity scaffold domain and/or the recipient diversity scaffold domain adopt their native structure i.e. they are correctly folded into an active conformation.
For example, when the donor diversity scaffold domain binds to a known target molecule, the founder library, modified library and/or shuffled library as described herein may be subjected to selection for binding members bind to the target molecule. Binding members that bind to the target molecule comprise a donor diversity scaffold domain that is active and correctly folded into its native structure. This may be useful, for example, when the actual structure of the donor diversity scaffold domain is not known.
As well as affinity based selection for the correct folding of the donor diversity scaffold, selection systems such as phage display may provide additional selectivity for correct folding of the recipient since it has been shown that phage display enriches for fusions with superior structural integrity94. When the recipient diversity scaffold domain is an immunoglobulin or a fragment or domain thereof, the library, modified library and/or shuffled library as described herein may be subjected to selection for binding members that bind to an immunoglobulin binding molecule95. Binding members that bind to the immunoglobulin binding molecule comprise a recipient diversity scaffold domain that is active and correctly folded into its native structure despite the fusion of a donor domain. The stringency of the system could be improved further by subjecting the population of displayed elements (e.g. a phage display population) to more disruptive conditions e.g. increased temperature, as has been done previously94,96.
Suitable immunoglobulin binding molecules are well known in the art and include wild type and engineered forms of protein L, protein G and protein A, as well as anti-Ig antibodies and antibody fragments. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin binding molecule may be contained in an affinity chromatography medium. Suitable affinity chromatography media are well-known in the art and include KappaSelect™, Lambda Select™, IgSelect™, and GammaBind™ (GE Healthcare).
One or more binding members identified as described above may be further tested, for example to determine the functional effect of binding to the target molecule. A method may comprise determining the effect of the one or more binding members identified from the library, the modified library and/or the shuffled library on the activity of a target molecule.
In some embodiments, the target molecule may be an ion channel and the effect of the one or more identified binding members on ion flow through the channel may be determined
Ion flux through a channel may be determined using routine electrophysiological techniques such as patch-clamping. For example, ion flux may be measured using a two electrode voltage clamp following endogenous or heterologous expression of the ion channel. In some embodiments, ion channel function may be determined using fluorescence based screens. For example, cells expressing an endogenous or heterologous ion channel, for example a voltage-gated calcium channel (Cav), may be loaded with a fluorophore, such as Fura3 or Calcium Green. Activation of the ion channel by K+ induced depolarisation causes a transient increase in intracellular ion concentration which can be readily measured. Suitable systems for depolarising cell membranes and recording responses are available in the art (e.g. FlexStation™; Molecular Devices Inc USA). Optimal protocols and techniques for patch clamp assays were recently illustrated by Bell & Dallas144 and are incorporated herein by reference.
Inhibition of ion flux may be determined by a whole cell patch clamp assay using cells transfected with the ion channel of interest (e.g., human Nav1.7) or its alpha subunit. The assay may use a holding voltage of −100 mV and activating pulses of −10 mV may be applied for 30 ms every 10 s or 30 s. Temperature is typically room temperature, e.g., 18-25 degrees C., optionally 20 degrees C. A worked example of a whole cell patch clamp assay is set out in Example 19. Assay steps and/or conditions, including buffer compositions, pH and temperature, may be as described in that example.
Ion flux through a channel may also be determined using a fluorescent protein ion sensor. Suitable fluorescent protein ion sensors are available in the art97.
In some embodiments, the effect of the one or more identified binding members on a panel of target molecules may be determined. For example, the effect of the one or more identified binding members on ion flow through a panel of ion channels may be determined. This may be useful for example, in determining or characterising the specificity of the binding member. Alternatively the effect of the one or more identified binding members on protease activity may be determined where the target is a protease. Alternatively the effect of the one or more identified binding members on cellular signalling may be determined where the target is a receptor.
Following identification as described above, one or more identified binding members may be recovered, isolated and/or purified from a library, modified library and/or shuffled library.
In preferred embodiments, each binding member in the library may be displayed on the surface of a particle, such as a bead, ribosome, cell or virus which comprises the nucleic acid encoding the binding member.
Following selection of binding members which display the binding activity (e.g. bind the target molecule) and are displayed on bacteriophage or other library particles or molecular complexes, nucleic acid may be taken from a bacteriophage or other particle or molecular complex displaying a selected binding member.
Particles displaying the one or more identified binding members may be isolated and/or purified from the library, the modified library and/or the shuffled library. Nucleic acid encoding the one or more identified binding members may be isolated and/or purified from the particles.
The isolated nucleic acid encoding the one or more identified binding members may be amplified, cloned and/or sequenced.
Suitable methods of nucleic acid amplification, cloning and/or sequencing are well known in the art (see for example Protocols in Molecular Biology, Second Edition, Ausubel et al. eds. John Wiley & Sons).
The sequence of the isolated nucleic acid may be used in subsequent production of the binding member or fusion protein.
The one or more identified binding members or encoding nucleic acid may be synthesised. For example, the one or more binding members may be generated wholly or partly by chemical synthesis. For example, binding members, or individual donor or recipient diversity scaffold domains or fusion proteins and partner domains thereof may be synthesised using liquid or solid-phase synthesis methods; in solution; or by any combination of solid-phase, liquid phase and solution chemistry, e.g. by first completing the respective peptide portion and then, if desired and appropriate, after removal of any protecting groups being present, by introduction of the residue X by reaction of the respective carbonic or sulfonic acid or a reactive derivative thereof.
Chemical synthesis of polypeptides is well-known in the art (J. M. Stewart and J. D. Young, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2nd edition, Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Illinois (1984); M. Bodanzsky and A. Bodanzsky, The Practice of Peptide Synthesis, Springer Verlag, New York (1984); J. H. Jones, The Chemical Synthesis of Peptides. Oxford University Press, Oxford 1991; in Applied Biosystems 430A User's Manual, ABI Inc., Foster City, California; G. A. Grant, (Ed.) Synthetic Peptides, A User's Guide. W. H. Freeman & Co., New York 1992, E. Atherton and R. C. Sheppard, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, A Practical Approach. IRL Press 1989 and in G. B. Fields, (Ed.) Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (Methods in Enzymology Vol. 289). Academic Press, New York and London 1997).
The one or more identified binding members may be recombinantly expressed from encoding nucleic acid. For example, a nucleic acid encoding a binding member may be expressed in a host cell and the expressed polypeptide isolated and/or purified from the cell culture.
Nucleic acid sequences and constructs as described above may be comprised within an expression vector. Suitable vectors can be chosen or constructed, containing appropriate regulatory sequences, including promoter sequences, terminator fragments, polyadenylation sequences, enhancer sequences, marker genes and other sequences as appropriate. Preferably, the vector contains appropriate regulatory sequences to drive the expression of the nucleic acid in a host cell. Suitable regulatory sequences to drive the expression of heterologous nucleic acid coding sequences in expression systems are well-known in the art and include constitutive promoters, for example viral promoters such as CMV or SV40, and inducible promoters, such as Tet-on controlled promoters. A vector may also comprise sequences, such as origins of replication and selectable markers, which allow for its selection and replication and expression in bacterial hosts such as E. coli and/or in eukaryotic cells.
Many known techniques and protocols for expression of recombinant polypeptides in cell culture and their subsequent isolation and purification are known in the art (see for example Protocols in Molecular Biology, Second Edition, Ausubel et al. eds. John Wiley & Sons, 1992; Recombinant Gene Expression Protocols Ed R S Tuan (March 1997) Humana Press Inc).
Suitable host cells include bacteria, mammalian cells, plant cells, filamentous fungi, yeast and baculovirus systems and transgenic plants and animals. The expression of antibodies and antibody fragments in prokaryotic cells is well established in the art. A common bacterial host is E. coli.
Expression in eukaryotic cells in culture is also available to those skilled in the art as an option for production of a binding member. Mammalian cell lines available in the art for expression of a heterologous polypeptide include Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, HeLa cells, baby hamster kidney cells, NS0 mouse melanoma cells, YB2/0 rat myeloma cells, human embryonic kidney cells (e.g. HEK293 cells), human embryonic retina cells (e.g. PerC6 cells) and many others.
One or more of the identified binding members may be re-formatted. For example, a binding member comprising an immunoglobulin recipient binding domain or immunoglobulin partner domain may be re-formatted as an scFv, Fab, scFv-Fc, Fc, IgA, IgD, IgM, IgG, or half-antibody. A method may comprise isolating nucleic acid encoding the immunoglobulin domain (e.g. a VH or VL domain) from cells of a clone, amplifying the nucleic acid encoding said domain, and inserting the amplified nucleic acid into a vector to provide a vector encoding the antibody molecule. Re-formatting from an scFv format to a Fab and an IgG format is exemplified below.
In some embodiments, the donor diversity scaffold domain from the one or more identified binding members may be isolated. A method described herein may further comprise synthesising or recombinantly expressing an isolated donor diversity scaffold domain from one or more of the identified binding members from the founder library, the modified library and/or the shuffled library.
The isolated donor diversity scaffold domain may be re-formatted. For example, the donor diversity scaffold domain may be inserted into a different recipient diversity scaffold domain in a binding member described herein or may be inserted into different binding member format, such as a N or C terminal fusion
In some embodiments, the isolated donor diversity scaffold domain may be used as an independent binding molecule, free of any recipient domain or fusion partner.
A detectable or functional label or half-life extension moiety may attached to the one or more identified binding members.
A label can be any molecule that produces or can be induced to produce a signal, including but not limited to fluorescers, radiolabels, enzymes, chemiluminescers or photosensitizers.
Thus, binding may be detected and/or measured by detecting fluorescence or luminescence, radioactivity, enzyme activity or light absorbance.
Suitable labels include enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (“G6PDH”), alpha-D-galactosidase, glucose oxidase, glucose amylase, carbonic anhydrase, acetylcholinesterase, lysozyme, malate dehydrogenase and peroxidase e.g. horseradish peroxidase; dyes; fluorescent labels or fluorescers, such as fluorescein and its derivatives, fluorochrome, rhodamine compounds and derivatives, GFP (GFP for “Green Fluorescent Protein”), dansyl, umbelliferone, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, o-phthaldehyde, and fluorescamine; fluorophores such as lanthanide cryptates and chelates e.g. Europium etc (Perkin Elmer and Cis Biointernational); chemoluminescent labels or chemiluminescers, such as isoluminol, luminol and the dioxetanes; bio-luminescent labels, such as luciferase and luciferin; sensitizers; coenzymes; enzyme substrates; radiolabels including bromine77, carbon14, cobalt57, fluorine8, gallium67, gallium 68, hydrogen3 (tritium), indium111, indium 113m, iodine123m, iodine125, iodine126, iodine131, iodine133, mercury107, mercury203, phosphorous32, rhenium99m, rhenium101, rhenium105, ruthenium95, ruthenium97, ruthenium103, ruthenium105, scandium47, selenium75, sulphur35, technetium99, technetium99m, tellurium131m, tellurium122m, tellurium125m, thulium165, thulium167, thulium168 and yttrium199; particles, such as latex or carbon particles; metal sol; crystallite; liposomes; cells, etc., which may be further labelled with a dye, catalyst or other detectable group; and molecules such as biotin, digoxygenin or 5-bromodeoxyuridine; toxin moieties, such as for example a toxin moiety selected from a group of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE or a cytotoxic fragment or mutant thereof), Diptheria toxin or a cytotoxic fragment or mutant thereof, a botulinum toxin A, B, C, D, E or F, ricin or a cytotoxic fragment thereof e.g. ricin A, abrin or a cytotoxic fragment thereof, saporin or a cytotoxic fragment thereof, pokeweed antiviral toxin or a cytotoxic fragment thereof and bryodin 1 or a cytotoxic fragment thereof.
Suitable enzymes and coenzymes are disclosed in Litman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,149, and Boguslaski, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,980, Suitable fluorescers and chemiluminescers are disclosed in Litman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,149. Labels further include chemical moieties, such as biotin that may be detected via binding to a specific cognate detectable moiety, e.g. labelled avidin or streptavidin. Detectable labels may be attached to antibodies of the invention using conventional chemistry known in the art.
Suitable half-life extension moieties include fusions to Fc domains or serum albumin, unstructured peptides such as XTEN98 or PAS99 polyethylene glycol (PEG),
A method described herein may further comprise formulating the one or more identified binding members from the library, the modified library and/or the shuffled library or the isolated donor diversity scaffold domain with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” as used herein pertains to compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgement, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of a subject (e.g., human) without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Each carrier, excipient, etc. must also be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation. Suitable carriers, excipients, etc. can be found in standard pharmaceutical texts, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th edition, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1990.
Another aspect of the invention provides a nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein or a binding member described herein.
Nucleic acid may comprise DNA or RNA and may be wholly or partially synthetic. Reference to a nucleotide sequence as set out herein encompasses a DNA molecule with the specified sequence, and encompasses a RNA molecule with the specified sequence in which U is substituted for T, unless context requires otherwise.
Another aspect of the invention provides a vector comprising a nucleic acid described herein, as well as transcription or expression cassettes comprising the nucleic acid. Vectors may be plasmids, viral e.g. ‘phage, or phagemid, as appropriate. For further details see, for example, Molecular Cloning: a Laboratory Manual: 3rd edition, Russell et al., 2001, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
Another aspect of the invention provides a population of nucleic acids encoding a library of binding members described herein.
The nucleic acids encoding the library may be contained in expression vectors, such as phage or phagemid vectors.
Another aspect of the invention provides a population of particles comprising a library described herein and/or a population of nucleic acids encoding a library described herein.
The library may be displayed on the surface of the viral particles. Each binding member in the library may further comprise a phage coat protein to facilitate display. Each viral particle may comprise nucleic acid encoding the binding member displayed on the particle. Suitable viral particles include bacteriophage, for example filamentous bacteriophage such as M13 and Fd. Techniques for the production of phage display libraries are well known in the art.
Other aspects of the invention provide a host cell comprising a binding member, nucleic acid or vector as described herein, and a population of host cells comprising a library, population of nucleic acids and/or population of viral particles described herein.
Another aspect of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion protein or a binding member described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
The pharmaceutical composition may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods well-known in the art of pharmacy. Such methods include the step of bringing the binding member into association with a carrier which may constitute one or more accessory ingredients. In general, pharmaceutical compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active compound with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then if necessary shaping the product.
Pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of liquids, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, elixirs, syrups, tablets, lozenges, granules, powders, capsules, cachets, pills, ampoules, suppositories, pessaries, ointments, gels, pastes, creams, sprays, mists, foams, lotions, oils, boluses, electuaries, or aerosols.
A binding member or pharmaceutical composition comprising the binding member may be administered to a subject by any convenient route of administration, whether systemically/peripherally or at the site of desired action, including but not limited to, oral (e.g. by ingestion); topical (including e.g. transdermal, intranasal, ocular, buccal, and sublingual); pulmonary (e.g. by inhalation or insufflation therapy using, e.g. an aerosol, e.g. through mouth or nose); rectal; vaginal; parenteral, for example, by injection, including subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous, intraarterial, intracardiac, intrathecal, intraspinal, intracapsular, subcapsular, intraorbital, intraperitoneal, intratracheal, subcuticular, intraarticular, subarachnoid, and intrasternal; by implant of a depot, for example, subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for oral administration (e.g., by ingestion) may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets, each containing a predetermined amount of the active compound; as a powder or granules; as a solution or suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion; as a bolus; as an electuary; or as a paste.
Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for parenteral administration (e.g. by injection, including cutaneous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal), include aqueous and non-aqueous isotonic, pyrogen-free, sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, preservatives, stabilisers, bacteriostats, and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents, and liposomes or other microparticulate systems which are designed to target the compound to blood components or one or more organs. Examples of suitable isotonic vehicles for use in such formulations include Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Solution, or Lactated Ringer's Injection. Typically, the concentration of the active compound in the solution is from about 1 ng/ml to about 10 μg/ml, for example, from about 10 ng/ml to about 1 μg/ml. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose sealed containers, for example, ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilised) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injections, immediately prior to use.
It will be appreciated that appropriate dosages of the binding member, can vary from patient to patient. Determining the optimal dosage will generally involve the balancing of the level of diagnostic benefit against any risk or deleterious side effects of the administration. The selected dosage level will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of the imaging agent, the amount of contrast required, other drugs, compounds, and/or materials used in combination, and the age, sex, weight, condition, general health, and prior medical history of the patient. The amount of imaging agent and route of administration will ultimately be at the discretion of the physician, although generally the dosage will be to achieve concentrations of the imaging agent at a site, such as a tumour, a tissue of interest or the whole body, which allow for imaging without causing substantial harmful or deleterious side-effects.
Administration in vivo can be effected in one dose, continuously or intermittently (e.g., in divided doses at appropriate intervals). Methods of determining the most effective means and dosage of administration are well known to those of skill in the art and will vary with the formulation used for therapy, the purpose of the therapy, the target cell being treated, and the subject being treated. Single or multiple administrations can be carried out with the dose level and pattern being selected by the physician.
Binding members described herein may be used in methods of diagnosis or treatment in human or animal subjects, e.g. human. The subject to be treated may be an adult human, aged 18 years or over, and may be male or female. Paediatric patients under 18 years of age may also be treated, with adjustments to the administered dose as appropriate. A paediatric patient may optionally be aged at least 12 months, at least 24 months or at least 36 months. Methods of administering binding members to human subjects are described herein.
Binding members for a target molecule, such as an ion channel may be used to treat disorders associated with the target molecule.
Other aspects of the invention provide a fusion protein, binding member or composition described herein for use as a medicament; a fusion protein, binding member or composition described herein for use in the treatment of pain or autoimmune disease; and the use of a fusion protein, binding member or composition described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a condition associated with ion channel activity or dysfunction.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treatment comprising administration of a binding member or composition described herein to an individual in need thereof, optionally for the treatment of a condition associated with ion channel activity or dysfunction.
An effective amount of a binding member or composition described herein alone or in a combined therapeutic regimen with another appropriate medicament known in the art or described herein may be used to treat or reduce the severity of at least one symptom of any of a disease or disorder associated with the target molecule in a patient in need thereof, such that the severity of at least one symptom of any of the above disorders is reduced.
Other aspects and embodiments of the invention provide the aspects and embodiments described above with the term “comprising” replaced by the term “consisting of” and the aspects and embodiments described above with the term “comprising” replaced by the term “consisting essentially of”.
It is to be understood that the application discloses all combinations of any of the above aspects and embodiments described above with each other, unless the context demands otherwise. Similarly, the application discloses all combinations of the preferred and/or optional features either singly or together with any of the other aspects, unless the context demands otherwise.
Modifications of the above embodiments, further embodiments and modifications thereof will be apparent to the skilled person on reading this disclosure, and as such, these are within the scope of the present invention.
The contents of all documents, websites, databases and sequence database entries mentioned in this specification, including the amino acid and nucleotide sequences disclosed therein, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
“and/or” where used herein is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of the two specified features or components with or without the other. For example “A and/or B” is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) A and B, just as if each is set out individually herein.
The following numbered clauses, statements and configurations set out further embodiments of the invention and are part of the present description.
Clauses
1. A method of screening comprising;
Statements:
1. A binding member that binds and inhibits a human sodium or calcium channel, the binding member comprising a fusion protein and optionally a partner domain, wherein
Certain aspects and embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example and with reference to the Figures described above.
1. Summary
The fusion of a donor diversity scaffold (e.g. a knottin) into a recipient diversity scaffold domain (e.g. an antibody VL domain) was first exemplified herein using the trypsin inhibitor; Ecballium elaterium trypsin inhibitor-II (EETI-II). In this knottin scaffold, high affinity binding to trypsin is dependent on correct folding of the knottin. The knottin gene was cloned into either CDR1 or CDR2 of an antibody light chain recipient (demonstrated for both kappa and lambda light chains). A library of variants of the recipient was created to allow selection of those recipient variants which could accommodate the incoming donor. The donor and recipient domains were in close apposition. In the example below, the incoming donor replaced a CDR loop and the ends of the incoming donor domain were fused to the flanking antibody framework residues i.e. β strand sequences of the core structure. In some examples below, framework residues were replaced by random sequences. The binding member was thus constructed in a way that limited the length of sequence joining the donor and recipient scaffold such that few or no additional residues were added. In some cases, there were fewer residues within the junction between framework residues and the donor domain compared to what would be have been generated by a direct fusion of the secondary structural elements of donor and recipient. A library of variants was created wherein the sequence of amino acid residues at the N and C terminal boundary of the incoming domain was varied while maintaining a short linker length to limit conformational flexibility. This library was designed to identify correct fusion combinations having a fixed kappa or lambda sequence preceding the knottin with diversity introduced from a natural light chain repertoire in the region that followed the knottin insertion. Thus, for knottin insertion into CDR1, the sequence from framework 2 (FW2) to the end of the VL domain was from a natural repertoire. Likewise insertion into CDR2 was followed from framework 3 to the end of the VL domain by sequences from a natural repertoire.
The population of genes encoding the fusion of the donor and recipient diversity scaffolds was cloned into a phage display vector, phage particles displaying the fusion were recovered and the population selected on immobilized trypsin using phage display technology28,100. In this way, selections were carried out for retained trypsin binding and therefore correct folding of the knottin donor. As well as affinity based selection for the correct folding of the donor, phage display provides additional selectivity for correct folding of the recipient since it has been shown that phage display enriches for fusions with superior structural integrity94. Thus, if the donor was correctly folded (and therefore capable of binding trypsin) but folding of the recipient was compromised, then display of the donor would still be compromised (possibly through degradation of the misfolded fusion). Selectivity for folding of an antibody recipient may thus be further enhanced by preselecting on protein L or protein A which have both been shown to bind to certain VL and VH domains respectively95 with a requirement for correct folding. The stringency of the system may be improved further by subjecting the phage population to more disruptive conditions94,96.
A panel of light chain variants which support folding and trypsin binding of EETI-II was selected. Once a scaffold has been selected for one member of a donor diversity scaffold family (knottins, in this case) it may be used for additional members of the same donor diversity scaffold family given the shared structural constraints within the donor family. Using two of the selected recipient antibody light chain scaffolds a range of other knottins which block sodium channels71 72 70, potassium channels25,73,74 and acid sensitive ion channels118, 122 were used as donors within the previously selected recipient antibody domain. Some of these were shown to retain blocking activity on the target ion channel, in the case of the voltage gated potassium channel Kv1.3 and the acid sensitive ion channel 1a. Thus the selected recipient domain was shown to provide a generic scaffold which can be used for multiple, distinct donors of the same class of diversity scaffold.
The two binding scaffolds were joined by short, non-flexible linkers to limit flexibility and relative movement between the domains. Given the close proximity of the fused binding scaffolds there is an opportunity for amino acids on the surface of both donor and recipient diversity scaffolds to contribute to the paratope involved in interaction with the same epitope on a single protein. Likewise the surface of partner domains of either donor or recipient diversity scaffolds may contribute to binding of target. Alternatively, both scaffolds may contact closely apposed sites on a target protein complex. Conformational flexibility carries a thermodynamic “entropic penalty” for binding interactions. For the same reason, fixing the conformational relationship between the two fused domains is advantageous, and so it is preferable to avoid flexible linker sequences to join the two domains.
A binding member comprising a donor knottin inserted into a recipient antibody variable domain were crystallised and the protein structure determined. This confirmed the correct folding of the knottin and showed that the knottin presented within the recipient antibody variable domain had the same structure as shown previously for the free knottin. The structure also confirmed correct folding of the antibody and the close apposition of the two domains. Both domains showed the expected structure and the expectation of a relative rigid conformation between the domains is supported by the crystal structure. The fusion of a cysteine-rich donor domain to an antibody recipient domain is hereafter referred to as a KnotBody™
The phage display vector pSANG428 is a phagemid-based phage display vector which allows the facile cloning of single chain Fv (scFv) formatted antibodies. In the scFv format the VH gene and the VL gene are joined by DNA encoding a flexible linker peptide. With pSANG4 scFv genes are cloned into the Nco1 and Not 1 sites to create an in-frame fusion with the M13 leader sequence which precedes the Nco1 site and the minor coat protein encoded by gene 3 which follows the Not1 site (
A pair of synthetic scFv gene encompassing a fixed VH gene (D12) which does not interact with trypsin (
The VH gene is coupled to a synthetic gene encoding the N terminal part of either the IGKV1D-39 germline gene (a member of the V kappa 1 family) or the IGLV1-36 germline gene (a member of the V lambda 1 family) up to the end of FR2 segment followed by a Not 1 restriction site.
This synthetic gene encompassing a partial VL gene will allow the insertion of a knottin gene at either the CDR1 position or the CDR2 position (
These 2 synthetic gene encoding either a kappa or lambda light chain germline gene segment were amplified using primers 2561 (GGTACCTCGCGAATGCATCTAG; SEQ ID NO: 43) and 2562 (CATGCAGGCCTCTGCAGTCG; SEQ ID NO: 44). Purified PCR products were digested with Nco1 and Not1 before ligating into pSANG4 vector28 cut with the same restriction enzymes. Ligations were transformed into E. coli DH5-alpha cells (Life technologies) according to manufacturer's instructions. Plasmid DNA was prepared from the sequence confirmed transformants using Macherey Nagel Midi prep kit (according to the manufacturer's instructions). These vector were named as “pIONTAS1_KB_Kappa” and “pIONTAS1_KB_lambda” and the sequences from the Nco1 site to the Not1 site are shown in
To demonstrate the potential of fusing a folded knottin donor with an antibody recipient, Ecballium elaterium trypsin inhibitor-II (EETI-II), a plant derived knottin with trypsin inhibitory activity was used. EETI-II has free N and C termini and trypsin binding is driven by the constrained sequence “PRIL” present in loop 1 (
This knottin donor diversity scaffold was fused into either the CDR1 or CDR2 position of either kappa or lambda VL domains. This was done by replacing residues within the incoming knottin donor and the VL recipient with random amino acids in a way that limited the number of added amino acids between the 2 domains or even reduced them (
Insertion of Knottins into CDR1
A synthetic EETI-II Knottin donor gene was made and was used to replace the CDR1 positions in the light chain recipient by creating a PCR fragment with Pml1 and Mfe sites (which were introduced by PCR) and cloning into pIONTAS1_KB_Kappa and pIONTAS1_KB_lambda. Framework and CDR designations are as described by the International Immunogenetics Information System (IMGT)29. The PCR primers also introduced variable amino acid sequences between the restriction sties and the knottin gene. The PCR primers Pm11-5EETa and Pm11-5EETb each introduced 3 variable codons encoded by the sequence VNS (V=AC or G, N=ACG or T, S═C or G) immediately after the Pm1 restriction site. The “VNS” degenerate codons encode 16 amino acids (excluding cysteine, tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylalanine and stop codons) at each randomised position from 24 codon combinations.
The 5′ end of these sequences represents the site created by Pml1, a restriction enzyme recognising the sequence “CACGTG” (SEQ NO: 47) to create a blunt end. To facilitate blunt end cloning of the PCR product primers with 5′ phosphorylated termini were synthesised.
The introduction of the PCR products at this point has the effect of replacing the last 3 residues of FW1 and the first residue of EETI-II (which forms part of a β sheet within the knottin) with 3 randomised residues. The net effect is the loss of an amino acid in the join between the framework and donor. Primer Pm11-5EETb encodes an additional Gly residue which restores the number of residues between them (
At the 3′ end of the knottin gene the antisense primers 1-5EETMfe (encoding an Mfe1 site) was used to amplify EETI-II. The Mfe1 site used for cloning encodes the 2 and 3rd amino acids of FW2 (Asn-Trp). This primer also retained the terminal glycine found in EETI-II and introduced 2 random amino acids encoded by VNS or VNC codons followed by an Mfe1 site. The consequence of this strategy for introducing a knottin donor gene is to remove the first amino acid of FW2 and join the 2 domains using 2 randomised amino acids (
Sequences encoding the Mfe1 site are underlined. As an example, the constructs resulting from amplification with Pm11-5EETa and 1-5EETMfe followed by cloning into either pIONTAS1_KB_lambda and pIONTAS1_KB_Kappa are shown in
Insertion of Knottins into CDR2 The knottin donor was introduced into the CDR2 positions of pIONTAS1_KB_lambda and pIONTAS1_KB_Kappa by creating a PCR fragment with Pst1 and BspE1 sites which was introduced by PCR. It was possible to introduce a Pst1 site into the first two residues of the CDR2 region of the IGKV1D-39 V kappa gene (within the Ala-Ala sequence). For convenience in cloning the same restriction site and encoded residues were introduced at the end of framework 2 of the V lambda germline gene IGLV1-36. In the lambda germline it was also possible to introduce a BspE1 site into the 4th and 5th residues of the FW3 region encoding Ser-Gly) (
The PCR primers PST1-5EETa was used to amplify EETI-II and introduces 2 Ala codons encompassing a Pst1 site for cloning (underlined) followed by 2 variable codons encoded by the sequence GNS (encoding Val, Ala, Asp or Gly) and VNS (encoding 16 amino acids within 24 codons) immediately after the Pst1 restriction site and preceding the knottin sequence. The VNS codon replaces the first amino acid of EETI-II with the net effect of adding 3 amino acids (2 Ala residues and one of Val, Asp, Ala or Gly) between the donor and recipient framework (
At the 3′ end of the incoming knottin donor, The PCR primers −5EETBse was used to amplify EETI-II. This introduces a BspE1 site for cloning. The PCR product introduces the knottin donor followed by the glycine which naturally follows the last cysteine of EETI-II (
As an example, the constructs resulting from amplification with PST1-5EETa and 1-5EETBse followed by cloning into either pIONTAS1_KB_Kappa or pIONTAS1_KB_lambda are shown in
In humans there are 2 different classes of antibody light chain, (kappa or lambda) which are encoded by approximately 50 and 40 germline genes respectively. These can each be arranged into families on the basis of sequence homology with 7 different kappa families (V kappa 1-Vkappa 7) and 11 different lambda families (V lambda 1-Vlambda 11). Examination of the germline sequences29 permits the design of sense strand primers (“forward primers”) specific for different germline VL gene families.
In the course of antibody maturation individual VL germline genes are recombined with approximately 5 different kappa or lambda-specific J segments at their 3′ end. It is possible therefore to design a small number of forward and reverse primers to enable the amplification of re-arranged VL genes from human donors for construction of antibody phage display libraries as described for example in Schofield et al (2007)28. In this example we demonstrate how a similar approach can be used to amplify fragments of VL genes beginning at either FW2 or FW3 to the end of the VL gene. This allows introduction of diversity into recipient VL domains which have donor insertions in either CDR1 or CDR2. This approach therefore allows the introduction of additional diversity into a recipient domain downstream of the inserted donor.
Amplification of VL Repertoires Beginning at Framework 2.
Sequences of the families of V kappa and V lambda germline genes were aligned (data from IMGT29) and PCR primers were designed to allow amplification of VL repertoires from the beginning at Framework 2. Lambda-specific primers (“Mfelam”) capable of amplifying from the FW2 region of V lambda 1, 2 and 3 were designed. These primers were also designed to introduce an Mfe1 site (underlined) which is compatible and in frame with the Mfe1 site introduced at the end of the knottin gene described above. In a similar way, kappa-specific primers (“Mfekap”) capable of amplifying from the FW2 region of V kappa 1, 2 and 3, were designed.
These sense strand forward primers were used to amplify a repertoire of VL genes from a library which had previously been pre-cloned into the Nhe1/Not1 site of a phage display vector (as shown in
Amplification with the paired kappa or lambda forward and reverse primers generated a PCR product encoding:
The primers introduce an Mfe1 site at the 5 end and a Not 1 site at the 3′ end, compatible and in frame with the knottin PCR products described above and the phagemid display vector shown in
Amplification of VL Repertoires Beginning at Framework 3
By a similar approach, sense strand forward primers were designed which hybridised with the beginning of FW3 of lambda VL genes (“Bsplam” primers) or kappa (“BspKap” primers) while introducing a BspE1 restriction site compatible with the BspE1 site introduced into the knottin constructs described above. The introduced BspE1 site is underlined and the sequence of Bsplam1a and BspKap1a are represented at the beginning of FW3 in
When lambda-specific forward primers were used with the lambda-specific reverse primer (JLFORQP2) or when kappa-specific forward primers were used with the kappa-specific reverse primers ((JKFOR_Thr2) then a PCR product encoding the sequence below was produced.
BspE1-FW3-CDR3-FW4-Not1
This allowed the amplification of libraries of VL genes which can be fused to constructs with a knottin gene insertions at CDR2 by using restriction enzymes BspE1 and Not 1. This introduced additional CDR3 diversity into the recipient VL domain.
Using standard molecular biology techniques, constructs (as depicted in
Phage display technology facilitates isolation of binders to any given target from large combinatorial repertoires based on proteins and peptides that can be presented on the surface of filamentous phage105. In order to isolate functional knottin-antibody fusions from the KnotBody libraries multiple rounds of phage display selections on trypsin (cognate antigen for the EETI-II donor) were carried out. Phage particles were prepared by rescuing KnotBody libraries using trypsin cleavable helper phage102,106 Two rounds of phage display selections were performed on 10 μg/ml biotinylated trypsin immobilised on Streptavidin (for Round-1) or Neutravidin (for round-2) coated Maxisorp™ immunotubes (Thermo Scientific, Cat No. 444202). In both rounds of selection, phage libraries were pre-incubated with streptavidin coated paramagnetic beads (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. 11205D). These beads were removed prior to the addition the phage to the antigen tubes to limit the streptavidin binders entering the selection. Polyclonal phage preparations from round-2 selection outputs were analysed for trypsin binding using a time resolved fluorescence (TRF) binding assay. In this assay, polyclonal phage binding to biotinylated trypsin immobilised on neutravidin (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No 31000) coated Maxisorp™ plates (Thermo Scientific, Cat. No. 437111) was detected using a mouse anti-M13 antibody (GE Healthcare, Cat. No. 27-9420-01) followed by europium conjugated anti-mouse antibody (Perkin Elmer, Cat. No. AD0124).
Polyclonal phage from both EETI-II libraries showed good binding to trypsin in this assay, demonstrating the success of phage display selection in enriching KnotBodies that bind to trypsin (
In order to identify monoclonal KnotBodies with desired binding characteristics, 94 individual clones derived from 2 rounds of selection using EETI-II CDR1 or CDR2 libraries were picked into 96 well culture plates and phage were prepared from each clone. Methods for screening by monoclonal phage ELISA are known in the art107. The phage supernatant from each clone was tested for binding to biotinylated trypsin immobilised on neutravidin coated Maxisorp™ plates using a TRF assay (as described above). A representative example of the monoclonal binding assay is shown in
In order to generate crystal structures of KnotBodies, 18 clones isolated from the EETI-II CDR2 library (Table 3) were reformatted as Fabs. In this format the VH (from D1A12) gene is fused to a human IgG1 heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1) and the recipient VL chains containing the EETI-II are fused to a light chain constant domain (CL). Methods for expressing antibodies by transient expression in mammalian cells are well known to those skilled in the art108. In order to enable the expression of these KnotBody Fabs in mammalian cells, VL chains encoding the knottin were PCR amplified using primers LLINK2 (CTCTGGCGGTGGCGCTAGC; SEQ ID NO: 69) and NotMycSeq (GGCCCCATTCAGATCCTCTTCTGAGATGAG; SEQ ID NO: 70). Amplified VL genes were digested with restriction enzymes NheI and NotI and ligated into the pINT12 vector (encoding D1A12 heavy chain) pre-digested with the same enzymes. The pINT12 vector (
In order to express the KnotBody Fabs in HEK-293F cells, transfection quality DNA was prepared using Plasmid Plus Kit (Qiagen, Cat. No 12945). 24 μg of plasmid DNA was incubated with 48 μg of polyethylenimine (PEI) in 2 mls of Freestyle 293 expression medium (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. 12338-018) for 15 minutes. After the incubation, DNA:PEI mix was added to 20 mls of HEK-293F cells (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. R790-07) seeded at a density of 1×106 cells/ml in 125 ml tissue culture flasks. Culture flasks were incubated at 37° C. for 5 days (with 5% CO2, 75% humidity and shaking at 800 rpm). All transfection except KB_A03 successfully expressed KnotBody Fabs. Expressed proteins were purified from the cell culture supernatants using CaptureSelect IgG-CH1 affinity matrix (Life Technologies, Cat. No. 194320005) according to manufacturer's instructions. Purified proteins were dialysed against 2×PBS overnight and dialysed samples were visualised on a SDS-PAGE gel using Quick Coomassie staining (Generon, product reference, GEN-QC-STAIN). A representative example is shown in
In order to confirm the trypsin binding ability of KnotBodies in Fab format, purified proteins were tested for binding to trypsin using a TRF binding assay. In this assay binding of KnotBody Fabs (at 10 μg/ml, 2.4 μg/ml and 0.5 μg/ml) to biotinylated trypsin (immobilised on streptavidin coated Maxisorp™ plates) was detected using a mouse anti-CH1 antibody followed by a europium conjugated anti-mouse antibody (Table 4). 7 KnotBodies (KB_A04, KB_A01, KB_A05, KB_A07, KB_A08, KB_A10, KB_A12) were chosen for crystallisation. DNA prepared for these clones were transfected into 500 ml HEK-293F cells as described before. Expressed proteins were purified using CaptureSelect IgG-CH1 affinity matrix. Purified proteins were initially subjected to crystallisation trials using commercially available crystallisation screens (Supplier). Well-defined crystals were readily obtained for KB_A12 and KB_A05. Crystallisation conditions for these two clones were further optimised and the following condition was used to generate diffraction quality crystals: 0.1 M MES pH=6.5, 25% w/v PEG MME 2000 and 0.1M Tris.Cl, 50% PEG MME, 10 mM NiCl2. Complete diffraction data was collected on these crystals at 100K under liquid nitrogen stream. Collected data was processed using PROTEUM2 software (Bruker). The crystal structure of the knottin-fused Fab antibodies was resolved using molecular replacement technique109 using Phenix software v 1.8.1-1168110. Resulting structure was further refined using Phenix.Refine111. The templates for molecular replacement were downloaded from PDB website (www.rcsb.org/pdb, PDB codes: 3G04 for light chain and 3QOS for heavy chain). KnotBody KB_A12 and KB_A05 sequences are given below. An additional AlaSer sequence is introduced at the N terminus of the light chain from the Nhe1 site used in cloning.
For both the data sets, molecular replacement solutions were successful indicating that the overall fold of the knottin-fused Fab did not change. Upon fine refinement (
The concept of bi-specific antibodies that can bind to two different target antigens is increasingly popular in drug development112. Conventional bi-specific antibodies are typically composed of two VH-VL pairs with different specificities (i.e. two distinct VH-VL domain pairs that each recognise a different antigen). In this example, we describe the development of a bi-specific KnotBody format. In this format, the binding determinants required for recognition of two distinct antigens are incorporated within a single VH-VL pair. This was achieved by using the VH to mediate one binding specificity and the knottin-VL fusion to mediate the other binding specificity.
Two well-characterised KnotBody trypsin binders (KB_A07 and KB_A12, see example 3) were used here as model scaffolds for engineering the bi-specific functionality. These KnotBodies contains a common heavy chain gene from D1A12 antibody (anti-TACE antibody)101 and two distinct light chain genes displaying EETI-II as a CDR2 fusion. The trypsin binding capability of these KnotBodies is completely attributed to the VL domain displaying EETI-II. Therefore, these fusions of recipient VL:donor knottin were recombined with a large repertoire of naïve VH genes28 to generate a library from which novel molecules with additional VH mediated binding specificities can be isolated.
In a previous work Schofield and colleagues described the cloning of VH and VL gene repertoires into an intermediate antibody library28. This intermediate antibody library was used to create a functional antibody phage display library (“McCafferty library” and the “Iontas antibody library”28). The same repertoire of VH genes was used in this example for the construction of the KnotBody heavy chain shuffled library. This was achieved by PCR amplifying VH genes from the Iontas antibody library bacterial stocks using primers M13 leaderseq (AAATTATTATTCGCAATTCCTTTGGTTGTTCCT; SEQ ID NO: 75) and HLINK3 (CTGAACCGCCTCCACCACTCGA; SEQ ID NO: 76). Amplified VH genes were digested with restriction enzymes NcoI and XhoI and ligated into the pIONTAS1_KB vector (encoding KB_A017 and KB_A12 light chain) pre-digested with the same enzymes. The ligation product was purified using MiniElute PCR purification kit (Qiagen, Cat. No. 28004) and electroporated into E. coli TG1 cells (Lucigen, Cat. No. 60502-2). Phage was rescued from this library as described in example 3107
In order to identify bi-specific KnotBodies with novel binding specificities mediated by the VH domain, two rounds of phage display selections were carried out against 5 different antigens (human-cMET-Fc fusion, mouse-FGFR4-CD4 fusion, human-GAS6-CD4 fusion, human-urokinase type plasminogen activator and β-galactosidase). cMET-Fc, FGFR4-CD4, GAS6-CD4 and urokinase type plasminogen activator (UPA) were immobilised directly on Maxisorp™ immunotubes. biotinylated β-galactosidase (bio-B-gal) was indirectly immobilised on Maxisorp™ immunotubes coated with streptavidin (round-1) or neutravidin (round-2). Phage selections were performed as described in example 3. Polyclonal phage prepared from the round-2 selection outputs were tested in a TRF binding assay (as described in example 3) against all 5 antigens, trypsin and the immobilisation partners (streptavidin and neutravidin). All polyclonal phage populations showed specific binding to trypsin and the antigen they were selected against but not other antigens (
In the previous example we demonstrated the capability of a knottin scaffold to bind to two different antigens via distinct paratopes, one located on the recipient-donor fusion (ie VL-knottin) and the other on the VH. The same principle can be applied to target two different epitopes within a single target antigen where VH directed binding could be used for increasing the affinity and/or specificity of the original interaction (mediated by the knottin). By this approach, the additional binding properties of the VH domain can be utilised to improve the potency or specificity of knottin based drugs. Alternatively, such additional contribution to binding can also be directed by VL CDR3 using the approach described in example 2. In this example, we demonstrate bi-epitopic binding capability of the knottin scaffolds by improving the affinity of anti-trypsin KnotBodies (KB_A07 and KB_A12, see example 3) by introducing novel heavy chain partners that bind independently to trypsin. KB_A07 and KB_A12 contain a common VH domain (D12) that binds to the dis-cys domain of tumour necrosis factor-α converting enzyme101 and a VL domain that binds to trypsin via EETI-II (displayed at the CDR2 position). In order to identify novel heavy chain partners that bind to a distinct epitope on trypsin (and improve the overall affinity), a phage display library was generated by replacing the D1A12 VH of these two KnotBodies with a large repertoire of naïve heavy chains (see example 5). Affinity improved clones were isolated from this “chain-shuffled” library by performing three rounds of phage display selections on trypsin under stringent conditions that favour preferential enrichment of high affinity clones. The stringency of selection was controlled by using decreasing amounts of trypsin in each round of selection (
KnotBody genes from round 2 (20 nM selection) and round 3 (2 nM and 0.2 nM selections) outputs were PCR amplified using primers M13 leaderseq (See example 4) and NotMycSeq (GGCCCCATTCAGATCCTCTTCTGAGATGAG; SEQ ID NO: 70). PCR products were digested with NcoI and NotI restriction enzymes and cloned into the pBIOCAM5-3F vector via NcoI and NotI. The pBIOCAM5-3F allows the expression of antibodies as soluble scFv-Fc fusion proteins in mammalian cells113, hence facilitating the screening for affinity improved KnotBody binders. 352 clones (resulting from the pBIOCAM5-3F cloning) were picked into 4×96 well cultural plates. Transfection quality plasmid DNA was prepared for each clone using the Plasmid Plus 96 kit (Qiagen. Cat. No. 16181). 600 ng of each plasmid DNA was incubated with 1.44 μg of polyethylenimine (PEI) in Freestyle HEK-293F expression medium (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. R790-07) for 15 minutes before adding to 96-well deep well plates containing 500 μl/well of exponentially growing HEK-293F cells at a density of 1×106 cells/ml. Plates were sealed with gas permeable seals and incubated at 37° C. for 5 days (with 5% CO2, 75% humidity and shaking at 800 rpm). Cell culture supernatant containing KnotBody-Fc fusion proteins was used for screening to identify affinity-improved clones.
The binding signal observed for a particular clone in the primary binding screen (e.g. TRF binding assay using monoclonal phage supernatant) is a combined function of affinity and expression. Since protein expression can vary significantly from clone to clone, ranking KnotBodies by their binding signal in the primary screen might not necessarily correlate with their affinities. Therefore two expression-independent screening assays were used to rank the KnotBody clones by affinity and compare to them with parent clones. There were (i) TRF capture assay and (ii) Biacore off-rate screen. In the “TRF capture assay” (
Aberrations in normal ion channel functioning are involved in the pathogenesis of number of disease conditions including pain disorders and auto-immunity. For example defects in the function of the voltage gated sodium channel 1.7 (Nav1.7) play a major role in both hypersensitivity and insensitivity to pain. The voltage gated potassium channel 1.3 (Kv1.3) is implicated in T-cell mediated autoimmunity. The acid sensitive ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is involved in the sensing and processing of pain signals. Thus, specific modulators of ion channels offer a great therapeutic potential in the treatment of pain and various autoimmune disorders. Number of naturally occurring knottins function as ion channel blocking toxins. As discussed earlier, the only knottin based drug (Ziconotide) approved for therapy is an N-type voltage gated calcium channel blocker derived from the venom of the conus snail.
This example describes the fusion of alterative cysteine-rich toxin donors into the previously selected recipient VL scaffolds to create KnotBodies directed towards ion channels (Table 7). This was achieved by cloning three Nav1.7 blockers, three Kv1.3 blockers and three acid sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC 1a) blocker into the CDR2 position of two KnotBodies KB_A07 and KB_A12 (i.e. replacing the EETI-II gene at that position, as described in example 3). Genes encoding all toxins (Table 8) were synthesised as gene fragments (from Integrated DNA Technologies). Each toxin gene was PCR amplified using primer sets that encodes junctional sequences specific to KB_A07 and KB_A12 (Table 9). An additional variant of Ssm6a (Ssm6s_GGS) incorporating linker sequences (GGS at the N-terminus and SGG at the C-terminus) was also PCR amplified. In this example, the KnotBody constructs were formatted as IgG molecules where the VH gene is fused to IgG1 heavy chain constant domains (CH1-CH2-CH3) and the recipient VL chains containing the new donor toxins are fused to a light chain constant domain (CL). In order to express these KnotBody constructs in mammalian cells, PCR fragments were cloned into the PstI and BspEI sites of KB_A12 and KB_A07 VL chain (encoded by the pINT3-hg1 vector,
In order to express the KnotBodies in mammalian cells, transfection quality DNA was prepared using Plasmid Plus Kit (Qiagen, Cat. No 12945). 60 μg of plasmid DNA was incubated with 120 μg of polyethylenimine (PEI) in 5 mls Freestyle 293 expression medium (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. 12338-018) for 15 minutes before adding to 50 mls of HEK-293F cells (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. R790-07) seeded at a density of 1×106 cells/ml in a 250 ml tissue culture flask. Culture flasks were incubated at 37° C. for 5 days (with 5% CO2, 75% humidity and shaking at 800 rpm). Expressed proteins were purified from the cell culture supernatants using Protein-A affinity chromatography (Protein-A sepharose from Generon, Cat. No. PC-A5). Purified proteins were dialysed against 2×PBS and dialysed samples were visualised on a SDS-PAGE gel using Quick Coomassie staining (Generon, product reference, GEN-QC-STAIN). A representative example is shown in
In summary, results described in this example illustrate that (i) ion channel blocking toxins can be expressed as donors within a fusion with VL domain recipients (e.g. KnotBodies); (ii) knottin scaffolds other than EETI-II can be formatted as KnotBodies or in other words, the KnotBody format is capable of functional presentation of multiple knottins (ii) These fusion molecules can be expressed and purified efficiently as IgGs.
Knottin Kv 1.3 and ASIC1a blockers expressed in the KnotBody format (see examples 6 and 7) were tested for their ability to inhibit the function of the ion channel targets. The effect of these KnotBodies on cells expressing the human Kv 1.3 (huKv1.3) or human ASIC1a channels was assessed using QPatch automated whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology (Sophion).
For the testing of Kv1.3, CHO cells stably expressing huKv1.3 (Charles River Lab) were analysed using the QPatch electrophysiology assay in the presence or absence of the KnotBody fusions or the antibody isotypes (negative) controls. Internal and external physiological solutions were freshly prepared prior to the assay. The extracellular solution contained 145 mM NaCl, 4 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl2, 1 mM MgCl2, 10 mM HEPES and 10 mM glucose; the pH was adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH; the osmolarity was ˜305 mOsm/L. The intracellular solution contained: KF (120 mM), KCl (20 mM), HEPES (10 mM) and EGTA (10 mM); the pH was adjusted to 7.2 with KOH; osmolarity was ˜320 mOsm/L.
A series of depolarising voltage (channel activating) pulses were used to monitor the channel currents upon adding control (extracellular solution) to define a control baseline of current activity. To these measured control currents ascending concentrations of KnotBodies or parental antibody isotypes (control molecules) were applied to the external bathing solution (2.2 μM-0.5 nM, diluted in the extracellular solution). KnotBodies KB_A12 and KB_A07 (EETI-II fusions) were used as isotype controls for the testing. From a holding voltage of −80 mV a depolarising, activating voltage pulses of +30 or +80 mV were applied for 300 ms, every 5 or 10 seconds. The elicited, maximum outward current values measured during the activating step for each solution exchange period were averaged (n=3-8 for each concentration applied) and plotted as concentration-response curves. From these concentration-response curves (see example plots in
To functionally assess the ASIC1a KnotBodies, HEK293 cells stably expressing huASIC1a (Sophion) were analysed using a QPatch electrophysiology assay in the presence or absence of the KnotBody fusions (using KB_A12 as a recipient and replacing the original EETI-II donor as shown in Table 8). The “parental” KB_A12 with the EETI-II donor was used as a negative control. Internal and external physiological solutions were freshly prepared prior to the assay. The extracellular solution contained 145 mM NaCl, 4 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl2, 1 mM MgCl2, 10 mM HEPES and 10 mM glucose; the pH was adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH (for control, resting-state pH) or 6.0 with MES (for acidic, activating-state pH); the osmolarity was ˜305 mOsm/L. The intracellular solution contained: CsF (140 mM), HEPES (10 mM), NaCl (10 mM) and EGTA/CsOH (1 mM/5 mM); the pH was adjusted to 7.3 with CsOH; osmolarity was ˜320 mOsm/L.
Throughout ASIC1a recordings the recording cell membrane voltage was clamped at −60 mV. ASIC1a baseline control currents were elicited by applying external solution at activating pH 6.0 for 3000 ms. This activating pH application was repeated three further times, giving four baseline control ASIC1a currents. The recording cells were then pre-incubated with KnotBody diluted in external solution at pH 7.4 for 15-20 minutes. Following this KnotBody pre-incubation the same concentration of KnotBody in external solution at activating pH 6.0 was applied to the cell recording.
At the end of each KnotBody incubation and subsequent ASIC1a current activation, a full blocking concentration (300 nM) of the ASIC1a knottin inhibitor PcTx1 (positive control) was perfused onto the cell recording and a final activating pH 6.0 external solution was applied. The percentage remaining signal between activating pH 6.0 baseline (i.e. pre-KnotBody) and post-KnotBody incubation was determined. From these figures (see Table 11B), it can be seen that KnotBodies KB_A12 PcTx1 and KB_A07 PcTx1 were active, reducing the ASIC1a current to 4.8% which is the same level as seen with positive control application of PcTx1 (1.9-3.8%). KB_A12_Mba-1 and KB_A12_Mba-2 showed the same level of current as the KB_A12 negative control or the “buffer only” control.
The data above illustrates the potential to fuse knottins which have therapeutic potential (i.e. ion channel blockers) into a recipient antibody scaffold which was originally selected for fusing to a different knottin (i.e. EETI-II).
This example describes the fusion of a non-knottin donor diversity scaffold domain to a recipient VL domain. Non-knottin donor diversity scaffold domains that lack disulfide bonds could be valuable alternative to knottins. As discussed before a diverse number of protein scaffolds have been engineered for novel binding specificities38, 114 Here we use a small protein scaffold (approx. 100 amino acids) called an Adhiron, which is based on consensus sequence of plant-derived phystostatins (protein inhibitors of cysteine proteases). Adhirons shows high thermal stability and express well in E. coli46. They are structurally distinct from knottins and do not contain any cysteine residues.
As donors we chose two engineered adhirons, which bind the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) to replace EETI-II at the VL CDR2 position of VL chains (recipients) from KB_A07 and KB_A12 (example 3). Sequences for these adhirons (referred to as Ad-LOX1-A and Ad-LOX1-B, Table 12) were obtained from patent WO2014125290 A1 and were as synthesised as gene fragments to enable cloning (Table 13). Each adhiron gene was amplified using primer sets specific for KB_A07 and KB_A12 (Table 14) using PCR. PCR products were cloned into the PstI and BspEI sites of the pIONTAS1_KB phage display vector (
In order to test the functionality of these adhiron-antibody fusions, monoclonal phage prepared from each clone was assessed for binding to LOX-1 in a TRF binding assay. In this assay, LOX-1 (immobilised directly on Maxisorp™ plates) binding of phage displaying adhiron-antibody fusion was detected using a mouse anti-M13 antibody (GE Healthcare) followed by europium conjugated anti-mouse antibody (Perkin Elmer). Parent KnotBodies KB_A07 and KB_A12 (EETI-II fusions) were included as controls. Proteins cMET-FC, GAS6-CD4, FGFR4-CD4, UPA and B-gal were used to examine non-specific binding. The result from this assay (
In this example, we have demonstrated that non-knottin donor diversity scaffolds can be inserted into a recipient VL scaffolds to create alternative KnotBody formats.
The method described in example 1 to insert a donor knottin sequence into a recipient Ig domain can be applied to the identification of sequences which join secondary structural elements of other scaffolds as potential sites for donor insertion.
For Ig domains, the framework and CDR designations are as described by the International Immunogenetics Information System (IMGT) database. According to the IMGT v3.1.10, numbering CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences occupy amino acid positions 27-38, 56-65 and 105-117 respectively (for all VH and VL sequences). FW1, FW2 and FW3 residues occupy 1-26, 39-55 and 66-104. At the end of the re-arranged V gene FW4 is encode by 6 J segments for VH, 5 J segments for V kappa and 7 J segments for V lambda (in each case encoding 11, 10 and 10 amino acids respectively for each FW4).
In one approach, an individual CDR may be removed in its entirety and replaced by an incoming donor sequence which is flanked by linkers of no more than 4 amino acid residues at each of the N and C termini. In another approach, some CDR residues may be retained but the total number of residues, including CDR residues, which link the incoming donor diversity scaffold to the scaffold of the recipient Ig diversity scaffold may not exceed 4 amino acids at each terminus (to retain close proximity between donor and recipient). In yet another approach, variation framework residues at the boundary of the junction may be removed from the donor or recipient scaffolds and replaced by randomized codons encompassing some or all amino acids. The overall linkage at N and C termini (excluding the replacement framework residues) shall not exceed 4 amino acids.
The gene or population of genes encoding the fusion designed in this way can be created using methods known to those skilled in the art (also exemplified in examples herein). The gene may be made entirely as a synthetic gene or created from gene fragments arising from restriction digestion or PCR and incorporated into the final fusion gene by PCR assembly or ligation. Gene fragments and/or PCR products can be joined ligation independent cloning, Gibson cloning, NEB Builder (NEB) or other methods known to those skilled in the art. The resultant genes can then be cloned into an appropriate expression vector as discussed above.
The approach above takes advantage of the IMGT database as a curated source of sequence information on Ig domains. The same approach described above may be used to cover all domains with a known structure. References to the pdb files which describe individual protein structures can be found in original citations (e.g. in references cited herein or references therein). The RCSB protein data bank (“pdb server”) represents a portal to structural information on biological macromolecules such as protein domains. Other sources for accessing structural data, including PDBSUM have been summarised115. The data associated with such files also allows identification of secondary structure elements by viewing 3D structures or by using software such as DSSB or websites running such software116. Using this approach, secondary structural representations upon a primary amino acid sequence may be derived. Alternatively, structural model or direct sequence alignment between a desired recipient domain and orthologues or paralogues with known structure could be used to identify secondary structure elements. Alternatively, algorithms for prediction of secondary structure elements could be used
The structure of the 10th type III cell adhesion domain of fibronectin117 may be used to exemplify an approach to identify potential sites within a candidate recipient domain for insertion donor sequences. The same approach can be used to identify regions which could be amenable to diversification in both donor, recipient and partner chains.
As an example, the pdb file describing the 10th type III cell adhesion domain of fibronectin (FnIII-10) is “1FNA”. Using the pdb file (e.g. by viewing on the pdb server) a representation of the linear amino acid sequence of FnIII-10 annotated with secondary structural elements can be generated (
These “joining sequence” represented in lower case represent regions which could be replaced partially or in their entirety while maintaining a short linker between donor and recipient. As discussed above, framework residues may be removed at the boundary of the junction of the recipient scaffolds and replaced by randomized codons encompassing some or all amino acids. These same residues represented in
Gp2 is a small protein domain of 64 amino acids with N and C termini which are in proximity and so this molecule also represents an ideal candidate for a donor domain. In addition it has been shown that the N and C termini of Gp2 can be truncated without affecting folding of the domain allowing fusion in close proximity to a recipient domain.
In contrast to peptide fusion approaches employed by others which utilise long flexible linkers for joining domains, the KnotBody format uses short non-flexible linker sequences to limit the relative movement between the donor and recipient domains. This is an important aspect of the invention. In order to identify suitable linkers permitting correct folding of 2 fused structural domains we have adopted the approach of making a library with variation in the linker. In example 3 and example 12 we have described the isolation of several functional KnotBody molecules with selected, short, non-flexible linker sequences joining the EETI-II (donor domain) with framework residues of VL or VH domains (recipient).
To demonstrate the importance of linker selection the selected short linkers of two well characterised KnotBodies, KB_A07 and KB_A12, were replaced with the long flexible N- and C terminal linkers typically used by others11, 13, 15 (See table 15). The performance of these linker variants were then compared to that of the original KnotBodies with short non-flexible linkers selected from the library using a trypsin binding assay.
In this example, the KnotBody variants were formatted as Fabs where the VH gene is fused to the heavy chain constant domain-1 (CH1) and the VL chains containing KnotBody linker variants are fused to the light chain constant domain (CL). The VL genes encoding the knottin and linker sequences were synthesised as gene fragments (Integrated DNA Technologies, See table 16). In order to express the KnotBody linker variants in mammalian cells, these gene fragments were cloned into the pINT12 expression vector (encoding D1A12 heavy chain) using NheI and NotI restriction sites.
The pINT12 vector (
In order to express the KnotBodies in mammalian cells transfection quality DNA was prepared using NucleoBond Xtra Midi plus kit (Macherey Nagel, Cat. No. 740412.50). 25 μg of plasmid DNA was incubated with 80 μl of ExpiFectamine CHO transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher scientific, Cat. No. A29129) in 2 mls of OptiPRO Serum Free Medium (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. 12309050) for 5 minutes before adding to 25 mls of Expi-CHO cells (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. A29133) seeded at a density of 6×106 cells/ml in a 125 ml tissue culture flask. Culture flasks were incubated at 37° C. for 7 days (with 5% CO2, 75% humidity and shaking at 800 rpm) with a single feed 18-22 hour post transfection. The feed included 6 mls of ExpiCHO feed containing 150 μl of enhancer solution. Expressed proteins were purified from cell culture supernatants using CaptureSelect IgG-CH1 affinity matrix (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. 194320005) according to manufacturer's instructions. Purified proteins were dialysed against 2×PBS overnight. Protein concentrations were determined using absorbance at 280 nm and theoretical extinction co-efficient.
In order to compare the performance of the KnotBodies with short and long linkers, purified Fabs were tested for binding to trypsin by ELISA. In this assay binding of KnotBody Fabs (at 0.5 μg/ml) to biotinylated trypsin (5 μg/ml immobilised on streptavidin coated Maxisorp™ plates) was detected using a mouse anti-CH1 antibody (Hybridoma Reagent Laboratories) followed by a europium conjugated anti-mouse antibody (Perkin Elmer, Cat. No. AD0124). The trypsin binding capability of KB_A07 and KB_A12 KnotBodies were greatly diminished when the short selected linkers were replaced with long and flexible linkers (
Examples 5 and 6 showed the use of VH shuffling to generate sequence diversity within the binding partner domain of a KnotBody to select for variants with additional specificity or improved binding kinetics. In both examples, diversification was performed on the partner domain (VH domain) and the original binding specificity of the donor domain (knottin) was unchanged. In examples 2 and 3 we illustrated the introduction of diversity into the VL recipient domain. In this example, we demonstrate a different approach to introduce sequence diversity in the donor domain of a KnotBody: replacing the existing loops in the donor knottin with random amino acid sequences. The trypsin binding capability of the KnotBodies described in this patent was conferred by the loop 1 sequences (PRILMR) of the knottin-EETI-II. Here we replaced the loop 1 sequences of KB_A12 KnotBody with randomised sequences of varying lengths (6, 8, 9 and 10 residues) to increase diversity as well as potential binding surface. The resulting loop libraries were then used to generate cMET and β-galactosidase binding specificities using phage display technology.
In order to create large phage display libraries with high proportion of loop substituted variants an oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis approach using Kunkel mutagenesis (Kunkel, T. A., et al. Meth. Enzymol. 154, 367-382 (1987), and selective rolling circle amplification Huovinen, T. et al. PLoS ONE 7, e31817 (2012) was used. Oligonucleotides used encoded VNS codons (V=A/C/G, N=A/G/C/T and S=G/C) that encode 16 amino acids (excludes cystiene, tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylalanine and stop codons) at a given position. The mutagenic oligonucleotides used, representing the antisense strand (where B=TGC), are given in Table 18.
The template DNA encoding KB_A12 (in the phage display vector, pSANG428) was purified as uracil containing single stranded DNA (dU-ss DNA) from phage rescued from E. coli CJ236 (a dut−/ung− strain). The antisense oligonucleotides described above were annealed to the dU-ssDNA template and extended using T7 polymerase to produce the complimentary strand. Newly synthesised heteroduplex DNA was subjected to rolling circle amplification using random hexamers (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. S0142) and Phi29 polymerase (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. EP0091) to selectively amplify the mutant strand. The product of rolling circle amplification was cut to plasmid size units using NotI restriction endonuclease (New England Bio labs, Cat. No. R3189S) and re-circularised by self-ligation. The ligation product was purified using MiniElute PCR purification kit (Qiagen, Cat. No. 28004) and electroporated into E. coli TG1 cells (Lucigen, Cat. No. 60502-2). Methods for kunkel mutagenesis and selective rolling circle amplification are known to those skilled in the art. Phage was rescued from this library as described in example 3.
In order to isolate KnotBody loop binders with novel specificities, two rounds of phage display selections were carried out against human cMET and β-galactosidase immobilised directly on directly on Maxisorp™ immunotubes. Phage selections were performed as described in example 3. KnotBody VL genes from round 2 outputs were PCR amplified using primers LLINK2 (SEQ ID NO: 69) and NotMycSeq (SEQ ID NO: 70). Amplified KnotBody VL genes were digested with NheI and NotI and ligated into the pSANG4 vector (encoding D1A12 heavy chain) pre-digested with the same enzymes. The ligation products were transformed into E. coli TG1 cells. In order to identify monoclonal binders, 47 individual clones were picked from each transformation and monoclonal phage was prepared from each clone (as described in example 3). Monoclonal phage supernatant from each clone was tested for binding to the antigen used for selection using a TRF binding assay. 30/47 clones tested bound c-Met and 37/47 clones bound β-galactosidase (
This example clearly demonstrates that additional diversity can be introduced on to a KnotBody by substituting the existing knottin loops with random sequences of varying lengths. This loop substitution/randomisation approach can be used to acquire a new specificity (as described in examples 5) or fine tune the existing specificity or affinity mediated by the donor or recipient domain.
Crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) constitutes a major challenge for the delivery of peptides and antibodies into the brain for the treatment of neurological disorders (e.g. chronic pain, Alzheimers disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy). For example, approximately 0.1% of circulating antibodies cross into the brain (Zuchero, Y. J. Y. et al. Neuron 89 p 70-82 (2015). Alternatively, therapeutics such as Ziconotide (a knottin from Conus snail venom) are administrated using intrusive and expensive intrathecal injection procedures. Hence, the development of effective strategies to deliver molecules across the BBB has been a long-standing goal for the pharmaceutical industry (Niewoehner, J. et al. Neuron 81, 49-60 (2014). In recent years, the main focus of this research has been the generation of molecules capable of shuttling drug moieties across the BBB by taking advantage of endogenous nutrient transport systems for example receptor mediated transcytosis (RMT). This is generally achieved using a bi-specific format that includes a “molecular shuttle” and an active the drug moiety. For example, Yu and co-workers have reported a conventional bi-specific antibody which transports an anti-Beta secretase-1 (BACE) inhibitor across the BBB using a “molecular shuttle” that binds transferrin receptor (TFR) (Yu, Y. J. et al. Sci Transl Med 3, 84ra44-84ra44 (2011)). This bi-specific antibody format consists of 2 distinct VH: VL pairs (ie 2 different Fab arms) which individually recognise either TFR or BACE. In example 5, we have demonstrated the generation of bi-specific KnotBodies where the binding determinants required for recognition of two distinct antigens are incorporated within a single VH-VL pair. In this example, we describe the generation of bi-specific KnotBodies in the same format where VH domains selected against TFR shuttle their partner Knottin-VL fusion domains across the BBB via RMT.
Example 5 describes VH shuffled libraries composed of trypsin binding KnotBody light chains (KB_A07 and KB_A12) partnered with a repertoire of VH genes isolated from non-immunised donors. Anti-TFR bi-specific KnotBodies were selected from these libraries using 2-3 rounds of phage display selections on TFR antigen directly immobilised on Maxisorp™ immunotubes. Round 1 selection was carried out on mouse TFR followed by round 2 selection on rat TFR. In another case, 3 rounds of selections were carried on mouse TFR-mouse TFR-rat TFR (representing antigens used in rounds 1, 2 and 3 respectively). Alternatively, selections were carried out on mouse TFR-human TFR-mouse TFR. 736 individual clones were then picked from the final round of selections and monoclonal phage was prepared from each clone (as described in example 3). Monoclonal phage supernatant from each clone was tested for binding to rat TFR by ELISA (a representative example of the screen is shown in
In order to enable the expression of these TFR binding KnotBodies as Fabs, VH genes were PCR amplified using primers M13 leaderseq (see example 4) and HLINK3 (CTGAACCGCCTCCACCACTCGA: SEQ ID 76). Amplified VH genes were digested with restriction enzymes NcoI and XhoI and ligated into the pINT12 vector (encoding KB_A07 or KB_A12 light chain) pre-digested with the same enzymes. The pINT12 vector (
In order to assess the ability of these KnotBodies to cross the BBB, a ready to use in vitro rat BBB model system (Pharmacocell, Cat. No. RBT-24H) was used. In this model system rat brain endothelial cells were co-cultured with pericytes and astrocytes to mimic the in vivo BBB anatomy (Nakagawa, S. et al. (2009) Neurochem. Int. 54, 253-263). The in vitro rat BBB kit was cultured according to manufacturer's instructions and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured prior to testing of KnotBodies to verify the integrity of the barrier. All wells had a TEER measurement of >200 Ω/cm2. 21 KnotBody Fabs were tested for their ability to cross the in vitro BBB model system. OX-26, a well characterised anti-rat TFR antibody that has been shown to cross BBB in vivo models (albeit at low levels) was used a positive control (Jefferies, W. A., Brandon, M. R., Williams, A. F. & Hunt, S. V. Immunology 54, 333-341 (1985), Moos, T. & Morgan, E. H. Journal of Neurochemistry 79, 119-129 (2001)). The parent KnotBody KB_A12 was used as a negative control. Both positive and negative controls were expressed and purified in the Fab format as described above. For the assay, test KnotBodies were prepared as 7 oligoclonal mixes each containing 3 different Fab antibodies at a final concentration of 2 μM in the assay buffer (DMEM-F12 with 15 mM HEPES, 0.5% BSA, 500 nM hydrocortisone and 10 μg/ml Na—F). The positive and negative controls were prepared at 1 μM in the same assay buffer. These Fab oligoclonal mixes and controls were added to the upper chamber (referred as blood side) of the co-culture kit and incubated at 37° C. for 6 hours (with 5% CO2 and 75% humidity). The concentration of transcytosed Fabs in the lower chamber (referred as brain side) was determined using a sandwich ELISA. In this ELISA, Fabs were captured using an anti-CH1 antibody (provided by Hybridoma Reagent Laboratories) and detected using rabbit anti-human IgG Kappa light chain antibody (Abcam, Cat. No. ab195576) or anti-human IgG Lambda light chain antibody (Abcam, Cat. No. ab124719) followed by europium conjugated anti-rabbit antibody (Perkin Elmer, Cat. No. AD0105). Oligoclonal KnotBody Fab mixes in wells C2, C3, and C4 showed significant levels of transcytosis compared to the negative controls (see table 19). VH sequences of KnotBodies present in these wells are shown in Table 20. This example demonstrates the use of a VH domain specific to a receptor (i.e. TFR) involved in macromolecule transport into the brain to deliver a Knottin-VL fusion with a different specificity (trypsin binding in this example). The same approach could be used to generate functional Knottin-VL fusions that can modulate the activity of targets that are expressed in the brain (e.g. ion channels inside central nervous system, proteases such as BACE). The level of transcytosis observed can be further improved by optimising the VH domain specificity and/or affinity using methods known to those skilled in the art.
Bovine antibodies have been described with natural ultra-long VH CDR3s containing a solvent exposed double stranded antiparallel sheet approximately 20 A° in length (referred to as the stalk) presenting a folded domain stabilised by 3 disulfide bonds (referred to as the Knob)10. Zhang and colleagues have shown that the Knob domains of these cow ultra-long VH CDR3 antibodies (ULVC-Ab) can be replaced with other folded proteins such as erythropoietin13. In this example, we assess the ability of a cow ULVC-Ab to present functional knottin fusions on phage in comparison with a KnotBody. In order to create a Knottin-cow UCLA fusion, the sequence between the first and the last cysteines of the knob region of the Cow ULVC-Ab BLV1H12 was replaced with the sequence of the trypsin binding knottin; EETI-II (EETI-II cow ULVC-Ab). A gene fragment encoding this construct was synthesised (Integrated DNA technologies, Table 21). This synthetic gene was cloned into the phage display vector pSANG4 using restriction sites NcoI and NotI and transformed into E. coli TG1 cells. The performance of the Knottin-Cow ULVC-Ab fusion was then compared to the KnotBody KB_A12 (which presents the knottin EETI-II as VL CDR2 fusion) using a trypsin binding assay. In this assay, the binding of phage rescued from EETI-II cow ULVC-Ab and KB_A12 to trypsin was detected using an anti-M13 antibody followed by europium conjugated anti-mouse antibody (as described in example 3). The KnotBody KB_A12 exhibited superior binding to trypsin compared to the EET-II-Cow ULVC-Ab fusion (
In examples 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 12 and 13 phage display technology was employed to enable the display of KnotBodies or derivative libraries and their selection. As an alternative to phage display, display of binders has been carried out on bacterial, yeast and mammalian cells. In these methods, it is possible to use flow sorting to measure binding and expression of the binding molecule as well as binding to target. Thus, the display of libraries of KnotBodies on the surface of cells e.g. mammalian cells will enable the screening and selection of tens of millions of clones by fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) for increased affinity to the target and expression level in their final scFv-Fc, Fab or IgG format. Methods for constructing and using display libraries in other systems are known to those skilled in the art.
Libraries of KnotBodies, (e.g. within recipient, donor, linkers or partner domains) may also be used for direct functional screening for altered cellular phenotypes in mammalian cells as described above. Thus, libraries of displayed or secreted KnotBodies in mammalian cells may provide an efficient route to discovery of the drug candidates or lead molecules. Methods for the construction of libraries in mammalian cells by nuclease directed integration are provided, for example, in WO2015166272 and the references cited therein, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In this example, we demonstrate that it is possible to display a membrane anchored KnotBody scFv-Fc on the surface of mammalian cells. This was achieved by cloning the KnotBodies KB_A07 and KB_A12 scFv into the targeting vector pD6 (
The KnotBody genes KB_A07 and KB_A12 were prepared for insertion into a mammalian display vector in a way that can be modified to create linker libraries. 3 fragments were produced and assembled by PCR using overlap at the boundaries to drive the association. In an N terminal to C terminal direction fragment 1 consists of a PCR product encoding the N terminal part of the scFv gene up to the donor insertion point (encoding in this case Nco1 site, entire VH, scFv linker, FW1, CDR1, FW2, overlap). Fragment 2 consists of overlap, incoming knottin donor, overlap. Fragment 3 consists of overlap, FW3, CDR3, FW4 Not 1 site). Description of potential linker sizes and sites are given below. The position of the overlap can be chosen but will typically be homologous to the antibody framework or the donor coding region (allowing diversity to be introduced in one or other fragment internally to the overlap. In examples below the fragments include between 18 to 27 nucleotide homology overlaps to enable their assembly and amplification by PCR. The final scFv product, encompassing the donor is generated by a 3-fragment assembly. This 3-fragment assembly approach is described in detail using the parental KnotBody (without diversification).
Primers described are listed in Table 22. KB_A07 scFv fragment 1 (569 bp) was created by PCR with forward primer 2985 and reverse primer 2999 and DNA template pIONTAS1 harbouring the KB_A07 gene. KB_A07 scFv fragment 2 was created by PCR with primers 2979 and 2980 in the absence of template. Here the primers simply annealed and extended to yield the 137 bp KB_A07 fragment 2. KB_A07 scFv fragment 3 (170 bp) was created by PCR with forward primer 3000 and reverse primer 2995 and DNA template pIONTAS1 harbouring the KB_A07. KB_A12 scFv fragment 1 (572 bp) was created by PCR with forward primer 2985 and reverse primer 3003 and DNA template pIONTAS1 harbouring the KnotBody A12. KB_A12 scFv fragment 2 was created by PCR with primers 2983 and 2984 in the absence of template. Here, the primers simply annealed and extended to yield the 137 bp A12 fragment 2. KB_A12 scFv fragment 3 (179 bp) was created by PCR with forward primer 3004 and reverse primer 3002) and DNA template pIONTAS1 harbouring the KB_A12. Fragments 2 and 3 were gel purified and fragment 1 was purified by spin column. The three fragments were then combined (100 nM each in 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH8)) in a total volume of 10 μl, To this was added 10 μl of KOD Hot Start Master Mix (Merck Millipore, catalogue number 71842). The fragments were then assembled by incubation at 95° C. for 2 minutes followed by 20 cycles of 95° C. (20s), 60° C. (1 min, 40s) and 70° C. (30s). 1 μl of this assembly reaction product was then used as a template in a PCR reaction mix with the outer primers 2985 and 2995 (A07) or 2985 and 3002 (A12). The assembled PCR products encoding the KB_A07 and KB_A12 scFv genes were then digested with NcoI and NotI, gel purified and cloned into the mammalian display targeting vector pD6 (
Electroporation is an efficient way of introducing DNA into cells and the protocols developed by Maxcyte combine high efficiency transfection of mammalian cells combined with high cell viability. HEK293 cells were centrifuged and re-suspended in a final volume of 108 cells/ml in the manufacturer's electroporation buffer (Maxcyte Electroporation buffer, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cat. No. NC0856428)). An aliquot of 4×107 cells (0.4 ml) was added to an OC-400 electroporation cuvette (Maxcyte, Cat. No. OC400R10) with 88 μg DNA (i.e., 2.2 μg/106 cells). The DNA mix consisted of 80 μg of plasmid DNA encoding AAVS-SBI TALENs (pZT-AAVS1 L1 and pZT-AAVS R1 Systems Bioscience Cat. No. GE601A-1) as an equimolar mix and 8 μg of the “donor” plasmid pD6 DNA encoding the KB_A07 or KB_A12. Control electroporations were also performed where the TALEN or donor DNA was replaced by pcDNA3.0. Electroporations were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions (Maxcyte). 2 days after transfection (2dpt) blasticidin selection was initiated (5 μg/ml). After 13 days (15 dpt) cells were analysed by flow cytometry for scFv-Fc expression using an anti-Fc phycoerythrin (PE) labelled antibody. The presence of correctly folded knottin was detected by staining the cells with biotinylated trypsin pre-conjugated with allophycocyanin (APC) labeled streptavidin. Analysis was focused on viable cells using forward scatter and 7AAD staining in the FL3 channel. Cells positive for staining in the FL3 channel (representing non-viable cells which took up 7-AAD) were excluded.
Purified trypsin was biotinylated using EZ-Link Sulfo-NHS-LC-Biotin kit (Pierce Cat. No. 21327) according to manufacturer's instructions. Biotinylated trypsin (1.25 μl, 0.1 mg/ml, 4.3 μM) and streptravidin-APC (Molecular Probes, Cat. No. SA1005, 1 μl, 0.2 mg/ml, 3.8 μM) were pre-incubated in PBS/1% BSA (100 μl) for 30 min at room temperature. Cells (106) per sample, pre-washed with PBS, were re-suspended in the biotinylated trypsin/streptavdin-APC mix prepared above and to this was added anti-human Fc-PE (BioLegend, Cat #409304, 200 μg/ml, 0.5 μl) and incubated for 30 minutes at 4° C. The cells were washed twice in PBS/0.1% BSA, re-suspended in PBS/0.1% BSA containing 7-AAD Viability Staining Solution (eBioscience, Cat #00-6993-50 and analysed using a flow cytometer (Intellicyt iQUE screener).
Examples 1, 2 and 3 demonstrated knottin insertion into antibody VL CDR1 and VL CDR2, display of the resultant KnotBody on the surface of phage and the selection of functional knotbodies. In Examples 1, 2 and 3 libraries were created where variable fusion sequences were introduced between the donor and recipient which were then selected by phage display and screened to identify the optimal fusion sequences for the display of functional knottins. This identified short linker sequences, which were superior to long flexible linkers for the display of functional knottins, as described in Example 11. Insertion of a knottin into VL CDR1 or VL CDR2 enables additional binding contributions from VL and VH CDRs. For some applications there may be an advantage in alternative configurations where the knottin is inserted into alternative CDRs on either VH or VL. It is likely, as described in Example 3, that only a fraction of variable fusion sequences, linking the donor knottin, to each CDR enable the functional display of knottins. To demonstrate that it is possible to display functional knottin in all the antibody CDRs, variants of D1A12 formatted as a scFv (Tape, C. J. et al. (2011) PNAS USA 108, p 5578-5583), were designed with knottin insertions in VH CDR1, VH CDR2, VH CDR3, VL CDR1, VL CDR2 and VL CDR3 where the two codons flanking the knottin were randomised to enable the creation of “linker library” knottin constructs as shown in
The strategy and methodology for the preparation of the scFv knottin linker library inserts by a three fragment PCR assembly is detailed in Example 15 and the primers to create the inserts are listed in Tables 22 and 24. The primer pairs required to create the three fragments for each of the libraries, the DNA template (if required) and product sizes are listed in Table 25 and the method to prepare and purify the individual inserts is described in Example 15. The three fragments for each of the libraries A to G, listed in Table 25, were then combined in an equimolar ratio (e.g. fragments A1, A2 and A3 were combined to create library A) and assembled as described in example 15. It was possible to create fragment E (where diversification was near the end of the scFv gene) using a 2 fragment assembly. The products were amplified by PCR with the forward primer 2985 and either reverse primers D1A12 NotI Rev (libraries A to F) or 2995 (library G). The assembled PCR products encoding libraries A to G were then digested with NcoI and NotI, gel purified and ligated into the phage display vector pSANG4 (pre-digested with the same enzymes) and the ligated product electroporated into E. coli TG1 cells (Lucigen, Cat. No. 60502-2) as described in Example 2. Library sizes of between 0.7 to 1.6×108 were achieved. Phage was rescued from the libraries as described in Example 3 to create seven libraries: library A (knottin linker library inserted into D1A12 VH CDR1); library B (knottin linker library inserted into D1A12 VH CDR2); library C (knottin linker library inserted into D1A12 VH CDR3); library D (knottin linker library inserted into D1A12 VL CDR1); library E (knottin linker library inserted into D1A12 VL CDR2); library F (knottin linker library inserted into D1A12 VL CDR3); and library G (knottin linker library inserted into KB_A07 VL CDR2).
To isolate functional knottin-antibody fusions, each of the knottin-antibody linker phage display libraries A to G, described above, were subject to two rounds of phage display selection with biotinylated trypsin as described in Example 3. Individual clones (46 per selection) were picked into 96 well culture plates, phage produced and the phage supernatant from each clone was tested for binding to biotinylated trypsin immobilised on Streptavidin coated Maxisorp™ plates with binding detected using a TRF assay as described in Example 3 (using a coating concentration of biotinylated trypsin of 2.5 μg/ml). The ELISA signals on each 96-well plate were background subtracted with the signal obtained from the average of two negative control readings on the same plate where no phage was added to the well. Specificity for trypsin was confirmed by lack of binding to Streptavidin coated Maxisorp™ in the absence of added trypsin. Screening of clones picked from the unselected knottin linker antibody libraries C, E and G gave 0%, 1% and 32% positive clones respectively indicating that a limited proportion of library members are capable of displaying a functional knottin donor. The hit-rates of clones obtained after phage display selection and monoclonal phage ELISA for libraries A, B, C, D, E, F and G was 11%, 17%, 28%, 4%, 74%, 24% and 93% respectively, demonstrated an enrichment for KnotBodies that display a functional knottin.
Positive clones were sequenced to determine the flanking linker sequences that enabled the display of functional knottins with VH CDR1, VH CDR2, VH CDR3, VL CDR1, VL CDR2 and VL CDR3. The sequences of the linkers sequences identified are listed in Tables 26 and 27. Examples of functional KnotBodies with unique linker sequences were isolated (Table 26) thus demonstrating the insertion of functional knottins into antibody VH CDR1, VH CDR2, VH CDR3, VL CDR1, VL CDR2 and VL CDR3.
In the examples above the native N terminus and C terminus of cys-rich peptides (hereafter referred to as knottins irrespective of structure and disulphide bond pattern) are inserted into an antibody CDR residues in a way that retains the natural linear sequence of the knottin with native N and C termini fused to the antibody frameworks. Alternative “framing” strategies between the recipient antibody and donor knottin are possible however and this is exemplified here. In the following description, the sequences between sequential cysteines in the donor are referred to as “loops” and are numbered 1-5 based on their natural order. For example loop 1 extends between the first cysteine and the second cysteine. Loop 5 extends between the 5th and 6th cysteine. Some cysteine-rich peptides, such as cyclotides are found in a cyclic form where the N and C termini are joined by a peptide sequence. For example MoCoT can be found in a “linear” form (i.e. with free N and C termini) or a cyclic form. The additional peptide sequence joining the first (N terminal) and 6th (C terminal) cysteine in the cyclic form is referred to as “loop 6” (Jagadish et al, (2010) Peptide Science 94 p 611-616) and is used in the examples below to join the original N and C termini.
From one perspective the N and C termini of the donor knottin in a KnotBody are joined by an antibody which might be considered the equivalent of “loop 6” “joining” the N and C terminal cysteines in a cyclic knottin. From that same perspective one could consider alternative “framings” where the antibody replaces alternative loops. In this arrangement the native N and C termini of the donor could be linked by an additional “loop 6” peptide as found in cyclic MoCoTI-II. These alternative framing strategies would allow variation in the juxtaposition of different loops relative to the antibody recipient with potential benefits in creation of optimal bi-specific orientations and in engineering strategies e.g. improving affinity or specificity through contact of both donor and recipient with target proteins or complexes. The effective “rotation” of the donor relative to the recipient could increase availability of certain critical loops eg the trypsin binding loop in EET 5-3 is moved to a more central location within the donor relative to EET 1-5 (see below). The addition of an alternative “loop 6” further increases the possibilities for additional contact with target proteins. Finally such framing alternatives could provide superior expression or folding compared to the native KnotBody construct in some cases.
When a knottin is inserted in its native configuration as described in earlier examples the N terminal segment of the antibody recipient is followed by the first cysteine and loop 1 of the donor knottin. The donor ends at loop 5 followed by the terminal cysteine. In the nomenclature adopted here this is referred to as a “1-5” configuration, representing the order of knottin loops 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. In this case the antibody may be considered as the equivalent of loop 6 of a cyclic knottin. Table 28 illustrates different potential strategies for altering the framing between a knottin and antibody. In Table 28, the natural loop 1 is underlined in each case. The original N and C termini of EETI-II are joined to create “loop 6” and the peptide sequence of loop 6 of MoCOTI-II is used (represented in italics). A more detailed representation of the arrangement of loops in the EET_5-3 configuration is given in
To exemplify selection of knottins inserted in an alternative frame, a knottin donor with framing in a EET_5-3 configuration was fused into either the CDR1 or CDR2 position of either kappa or lambda VL domains. This was done by replacing residues within the VL recipient with random amino acids in a way that limited the number of added amino acids between the 2 domains (
Insertion of Knottins with Modified Framing into CDR1
A synthetic EETI-II Knottin donor gene with 5-3 framing was made and was used to replace the CDR1 positions in the light chain recipient by creating a PCR fragment with Pml1 and Mfe sites (which were introduced by PCR) and cloning into pIONTAS1_KB_Kappa and pIONTAS1_KB_lambda. Framework and CDR designations are as described by the International Immunogenetics Information System (IMGT)29. The PCR primers also introduced variable amino acid sequences between the restriction sites and the knottin gene. The PCR primers Pm15-3EETa and Pm15-3EETb each introduced 3 variable codons encoded by the sequence VNS (V=A, C or G, N=A, C, G or T, S═C or G) immediately after the Pm1 restriction site. The “VNS” degenerate codons encode 16 amino acids (excluding cysteine, tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylalanine and stop codons) at each randomised position from 24 codon combinations. Pm15-3EETb also introduces an additional glycine residue between donor and recipient compared to Pm15-3EETa.
The 5′ end of these sequences represents the site created by Pml1, a restriction enzyme recognising the sequence “CACGTG” to create a blunt end. To facilitate blunt end cloning of the PCR product primers with 5′ phosphorylated termini were synthesised.
At the 3′ end of the knottin gene the antisense primers 5-3EETMfe (encoding an Mfe1 site) was used to amplify the 5-3 frame of EETI-II. The Mfe1 site used for cloning encodes the 2 and 3rd amino acids of FW2 (Asn-Trp). This primer introduces 2 random amino acids encoded by VNS or VNC codons followed by an Mfe1 site (underlined).
Insertion of Knottins into CDR2
The knottin donor was introduced into the CDR2 positions of pIONTAS1_KB_lambda and pIONTAS1_KB_Kappa by creating a PCR fragment with Pst1 and BspE1 sites which were introduced by PCR. It was possible to introduce a Pst1 site into the first two residues of the CDR2 region of the IGKV1D-39 V kappa gene (within the Ala-Ala sequence). For convenience in cloning the same restriction site and encoded residues were introduced at the end of framework 2 of the V lambda germline gene IGLV1-36. In the lambda germline it was also possible to introduce a BspE1 site into the 4th and 5th residues of the FW3 region encoding Ser-Gly) (
The PCR primers PSTS-3EETa was used to amplify EETI-II and introduces 2 Ala codons encompassing a Pst1 site for cloning (underlined) followed by 2 variable codons encoded by the sequence GNS (encoding Val, Ala, Asp or Gly) and VNS (encoding 16 amino acids within 24 codons) immediately after the Pst1 restriction site and preceding the knottin sequence. The VNS codon replaces the first amino acid of EETI-II with the net effect of adding 3 amino acids (2 Ala residues and one of Val, Asp, Ala or Gly) between the donor and recipient framework (
At the 3′ end of the incoming knottin donor, The PCR primers 5-3EETBse was used to amplify the 5-3 framed EETI-II. This introduces a BspE1 site for cloning. The PCR product introduces the knottin donor followed by the glycine which naturally follows the last cysteine of EETI-II (
A repertoire of light chain fragments encompassing Framework 3-framework 4 was also cloned after the knottin donor as previously described in example 2.
Using standard molecular biology techniques known to those skilled in the art e.g. Schofield et al 200728, constructs (as depicted in
Following selection on trypsin, as described in example 3, positive clones were identified by monoclonal phage ELISA and their sequences determined. Examples of positive clones in CDR1 or CDR 2 of kappa and lambda light chains are shown in Table 29 with the linker sequences shown in lower case and the knottin donor in a 5-3 frame shown in italics. Also shown is the value of ELISA signal attained from monoclonal phage ELISA. The specificity of interaction was further confirmed by mutating the pair of Proline-Arginine residues involved in interaction with trypsin to alanine-alanine which diminished binding (as described in example 3).
Kv1.3 plays a key role in maintenance of calcium signalling following activation of T cell receptors thereby modulating T cell activation, proliferation and cytokine release in effector memory T (TEM) cells. TEM cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of T lymphocyte mediated autoimmune diseases and so blockade of Kv1.3 activity represents a potential point of therapeutic intervention.
Example 7 describes the generation of Kv1.3 blockers by replacing the trypsin binding knottin EETI-II at the CDR2 position of KnotBodies KB_A07 and KB_A12 with the cysteine rich miniproteins Shk or Kaliotoxin (naturally occurring Kv1.3 blockers from sea anemone venom and scorpion venom respectively). Example 8 demonstrates the blocking activity of these KnotBodies on Kv1.3 determined by electrophysiology. In this example, we assess the ability of KB_A12 Shk to modulate the cytokine secretion by activated T cells.
Methods for measuring cytokine release from T cells are well known to those skilled in the art (eg Tarcha et al, (2012) J Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 342 p 642-653). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 5 healthy donors and were simulated by culturing in 96-well plates pre-coated with 500 ng/ml of the anti-CD3 antibody OKT3 (ebioscience, Cat. No. 16-0037-85). PBMCs were suspended at 2×106 cells/ml and 100 ul of cells suspension mixed with 100 ul of test sample (KB_A12_ShK) or positive control (free Shk toxin, Alomone labs, STS-400) or negative control (parental KnotBody KB_A12) at a final concentration of 100 nM. (Samples were in triplicate for KB_A12_Shk or duplicate for KB_A12 and free Shk). Cells were incubated at 37° C. for 72 hours, centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 5 mins at room temperature before removing 150 ul of supernatant. After 72 hours incubation, the concentration of cytokines and Granzyme-B was determined using a Luminex bead based assay according to manufacturer's instructions (Thermo Fisher).
Secretion of Interferon gamma, Granzyme B, interleukin-17A and TNF-alpha was reduced in PBMCs from all 5 different donors when incubated with KB_A12_Shk compared to controls incubated with a control KnotBody (KB_A12) (
In this example, three Nav1.7 blockers (ProTx-III, GpTx-1, and Huwentoxin-IV, see Table 31) were inserted into the CDR2 position of the KnotBody KB_A12 (i.e., replacing the EETI-II gene at that position—see Example 3). The knottins used for VL CDR2 insertion were:
Sequences and reference information for these toxins is shown in Table 31 and Table 32.
Glycine extended versions of the GpTx1, ProTx-III and Huwentoxin-IV knottins were used for antibody fusion. It is known that the wild type sequences of these toxins undergo post translational C-terminal amidation149, 154-155. Recombinant or synthetic versions of these peptides lacking C-terminal amidation are known to show diminished ion channel blocking activity compared with the native peptides154. Addition of glycine residue at the C-terminus has been reported to mimic the carboxymide and recover some of the lost potencyl55.
KnotBody VL genes encoding the inserted knottin toxins were synthesised as gene fragments. See Table 33. For expression of the KnotBody constructs as IgGs, the gene fragments were cloned into the pINT3-hg expression vector encoding the D1A12 heavy chain using NheI and NotI restriction sites, as described in Example 7.
In order to express the KnotBodies in mammalian cells, transfection quality DNA was prepared using Plasmid Plus Kit (Qiagen, Cat. No 12945). 90 μg of plasmid DNA was incubated with 3.6 ml of OptiPRO Serum Free Medium (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. 12309050) and was mixed with 3.6 ml of OptiPRO Serum Free Medium containing 288 μl of ExpiFectamine CHO transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher scientific, Cat. No. A29129). This mix was incubated for 5 minutes before adding to 83 mls of Expi-CHO cells (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. A29133) seeded at a density of 6×106 cells/ml in a 500 ml tissue culture flask. Culture flasks were incubated at 37° C. for 7 days (with 5% CO2, 75% humidity and shaking at 800 rpm) with a single feed 18-22 hour post transfection. The feed included 27 mls of ExpiCHO feed containing 540 μl of enhancer solution. Expressed proteins were purified from cell culture supernatants using CaptureSelect IgG-CH1 affinity matrix (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. 194320005) according to manufacturer's instructions. Purified proteins were dialysed against EC00 buffer (145 mM NaCl, 4 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl2, 1 mM MgCl2, 10 mM HEPES and 10 mM glucose; the pH was adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH; the osmolarity was ˜305 mOsm/L). Protein concentrations were determined using absorbance at 280 nm and theoretical extinction co-efficient.
The effect of these KnotBodies on cells expressing human Nav1.7 (huNav1.7) channel was assessed using QPatch automated patch-clamp platform (Sophion). For the testing of Nav1.7 ion channel currents, CHO cells stably expressing human Nav1.7 (GenBank accession number NM 002977; cell line catalogue number CT6003, Charles River Discovery, Cleveland, USA) were subjected to the QPatch electrophysiology assay in the presence or absence of the KnotBody fusions or the antibody isotypes (negative controls). Internal and external physiological solutions were freshly prepared prior to the assay. The extracellular solution contained 145 mM NaCl, 4 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl2, 1 mM MgCl2, 10 mM HEPES and 10 mM glucose; the pH was adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH; the osmolarity was ˜305 mOsm/L. The intracellular solution contained: KF (120 mM), KCl (20 mM), HEPES (10 mM) EGTA (10 mM); the pH was adjusted to 7.2 with KOH; osmolarity was ˜300 mOsm/L.
A series of depolarising voltage (channel activating) pulses were used to monitor the channel currents upon adding control (extracellular solution) to define a control baseline of current activity. To these measured control channel currents KnotBody or parental antibody isotypes (control molecules) were applied to the external bathing solution. The parental KnotBody KB_A12 (with trypsin inhibitor knottin EETI-II at CDR2) were used as test molecule isotype controls for the testing. From a holding voltage of −100 mV a depolarising, channel activating voltage pulses of −10 mV were applied for 30 ms, every 10 or 30 seconds. The elicited, maximum outward current values measured during the −10 mV activating step for each solution period (a control, baseline level of current was determined at 10 minutes after application of the control external recording solution and a test level of current was determined after 20 minutes of application of KnotBody or its isotype) and average inhibition was determined between the current from the 10 minute baseline control current and the subsequent 20 minute KnotBody application. Over 20 minutes of recording the current reduction was also determined for ‘test’ applications where control, external solution was applied—this non-specific reduction or ‘run-down’ of current was averaged and subtracted from the KnotBody or isotype inhibitions to avoid this non-specific reduction in current being included in the KnotBody or isotype dependent inhibition measured. The average inhibition values (with external control reduction subtracted) for KnotBodies and isotypes was calculated. Using a t-test, statistical significance was determined comparing average inhibitions between a KnotBody and its isotype: all KnotBodies tested showed statistically significant difference to the isotype, with p values <0.01. In comparison, the isotype (parental KnotBody) KB_A12 showed small inhibition in measured current, which was not statistically significant when compared to the reduction in current recordings made in control external solution applications over the same 20 minute test time period. The results are shown in Table 35.
A number of small molecule inhibitors targeting Nav1.7 are approved for the treatment of pain. However, due to the high homology between the members of Nav family, these molecules suffer from poor selectivity for Nav1.7 leading to dose limiting side effects and modest clinical efficacy. Despite the attractiveness of targeting Nav1.7 channel with antibodies which generally provide high specify in target binding, no antibody molecule targeting Nav1.7 has been progressed to clinical use. Creating functional antibody blockers to Nav1.7 is very challenging because voltage gated ion channels offer very limited epitope space outside the lipid membrane for antibody binding and functional epitopes that are buried in the lipid bilayer cannot be accessed by a relatively flat binding surface formed by antibody CDR loops. In contrast, several knottins from animal venom, aided by their compact structure and membrane interacting properties, potently block Nav1.7 by binding epitopes on voltage sensing domains that may be partially buried in the lipid bilayer. However, these toxins lack the exquisite specificity required for therapeutic use and often require further engineering. For example, HwTx-IV 3M used for generating functional KnotBodies (see example 19) blocks Nav1.7 by interacting with the S3-S4 loop of domain-II (DII) voltage sensor, but it also inhibits Nav1.1, Nav1.2, Nav1.3 and Nav1.6 channels158. There is high sequence homology shared by these Nav subtypes at this binding site in the S3-S4 loop (
This example describes the utilisation of the modular binding surface of the KnotBody format to generate potent and selective ion channel inhibitors, such as Nav1.7 inhibitors. A KnotBody (e.g. a VL containing a donor Knottin such as HwTx-IV or ProTx-III) provides the Nav1.7 blocking functionality by targeting functional epitopes of the ion channel (which may be partially buried or in the lipid bilayer). The VH partner chains of the KnotBody provide Nav1.7 selectivity by binding to extracellular epitopes that are distinct between different Nav subtypes. For example, extracellular linker sequences connecting S1-S2 transmembrane regions of the Domain II of Nav1.7 are substantially different from the equivalent sequences on Nav1.1, Nav1.2, Nav1.3 and Nav1.6 (
In order to aid antibody VH generation to these particular epitopes of interest, the extracellular loops connecting S1-S2 transmembrane regions of DII and S3-S4 transmembrane regions of DII of human Nav1.7 may be grafted onto the bacterial channel (NavAb) to create a chimeric ion channel protein. The resulting chimera has been shown to form functional single domain homo tetramers that can be expressed and purified159. Since the use “bi-epitopic” approach to improve selectivity and potency could also be applied to S1-S2 linkers of other domains, similar chimeras can be created for DI, DIII and DIV domains. This allows generation of VH binders to regions of interest on specific Nav1.7 domains rather than random regions on the entire Nav1.7 protein. The binder generation can be achieved using in vitro display technologies (phage display, ribosome display, mRNA display etc) or cell surface display technologies (mammalian display, yeast display etc). Enrichment of unwanted binders to bacterial segments of the chimera during selections can be easily excluded by performing cross selection on cells expressing native human Nav1.7 channel or by ‘deselecting’ against the native NavAb channel (methods for such cross selection and deselection are well known to those skilled in the art). Similarly, chimeras of other Nav subtypes can be generated and used for “deselection” of cross-reactive/non-selective binders and specificity screening. The methods for expressing and purifying of DII and DIV chimeras has been described previously159,160 Moreover, such chimeras may be expressed using bacterial, baculovirus, mammalian (example: HEK293 or CHO cells), or insect (example: drosophila eye) expression systems using previously described methods161-165
This example describes the generation and detailed characterisation of two additional Nav1.7 KnotBodies based on ProTx-III. These KnotBodies were generated by cloning ProTx-III variants (Table 36) into the VL CDR2 position of KnotBody KB_A12 or KB_A07 and tested along with KB_A12 ProTx-III 2M Gly (described in Example 19) for the inhibition of human Nav1.7 currents.
Materials & Methods:
KnotBody VL genes encoding the ProTx-III variants (Table 37) were synthesised as gene fragments (from Integrated DNA Technologies). For expression of the KnotBody constructs as IgGs, the gene fragments were cloned into the pINT3-hg expression vector and expressed in ExpiCHO cells (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. A29133), as described in Example 19. Expressed KnotBodies were purified in a 3 step process using the Äkta Pure system (GE Healthcare). The initial purification was performed using HiTrap MabSelect SuRe 5 ml column (GE Healthcare, Cat. No. 11-0034-94) and 0.1M Citrate buffer (pH3.0) was used for elution. Eluted proteins were subsequently desalted using HiTrap 5 ml desalting column (GE Healthcare, Cat. No. 17-0031-01) equilibrated with EC000 buffer (145 mM NaCl, 4 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl2, 1 mM MgCl2, 10 mM HEPES and 10 mM glucose; the pH was adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH; the osmolarity was ˜305 mOsm/L). Finally, the desalted proteins were subjected to size exclusion chromatography using Superdex 200 Increase 10/300 GL column (GE Healthcare, Cat. No. 28-9909-44). Protein concentrations were determined using absorbance at 280 nm and theoretical extinction co-efficient.
The effect of these KnotBodies on cells expressing human Nav1.7 (huNav1.7) channel was then assessed using QPatch automated patch-clamp platform (Sophion). For the testing of Nav1.7 ion channel currents, CHO cells stably expressing human Nav1.7 (GenBank accession number NM 002977; cell line catalogue number CT6003, Charles River Discovery, Cleveland, USA) were subjected to the QPatch electrophysiology assay in the presence or absence of the KnotBody fusions or the antibody isotypes (negative controls). Internal and external physiological solutions were freshly prepared prior to the assay. The extracellular solution contained 145 mM NaCl, 4 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl2, 1 mM MgCl2, 10 mM HEPES and 10 mM glucose; the pH was adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH; the osmolarity was ˜305 mOsm/L. The intracellular solution contained: KF (120 mM), KCl (20 mM), HEPES (10 mM) EGTA (10 mM); the pH was adjusted to 7.2 with KOH; osmolarity was 300 mOsm/L. A series of depolarising voltage (channel activating) pulses were used to monitor the channel currents upon adding control (extracellular solution) to define a control baseline of current activity. To these measured control currents four ascending concentrations (0.37, 1.1, 3.3 and 10 μM) of KnotBody or parental antibody isotypes (control molecules) were applied to the external bathing solution containing 0.1% BSA. The parental KnotBody KB_A12 (with trypsin inhibitor knottin EETI-II at CDR2) was used as an isotype control for the testing. From a holding voltage of −100 mV a depolarising, channel activating voltage pulses of −10 mV were applied for 30 ms, every 30 seconds. The elicited, maximum outward current values measured during the −10 mV activating step for each solution period (a control, baseline level of current was determined at 15 minutes after application of the control external recording solution and a test level of current was determined after 15 minutes of application of each concentration of KnotBody or its isotype control) and average inhibition was determined. The elicited, maximum outward current values measured during the activating step for each solution exchange period were averaged and plotted as concentration-response (% current remaining) curves. From these concentration-response curves IC50 values were calculated.
Results:
Concentration-response curves (
Tables
PKTANSGVSDRFSAAKSGTSASLAINGLRSEDEADYYCAAWDDSL
KTSRSGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQGASPPYTF
CHRMSGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 211)
CKRLMSGAGRC (SEQ ID NO: 212)
CQRQSGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 213)
CRASSGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 214)
CPKRHTGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 215)
CGHLSGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 216)
CGRASGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 217)
CNRASGAGRC (SEQ ID NO: 218)
CRGMTGVGRC (SEQ ID NO: 219)
CQTGRSGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 220)
CDRKAGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 221)
CAKKSGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 222)
CAKRSGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 223)
CPQMTGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 224)
CNLTSGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 225)
CEKHSGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 226)
CAKRTGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 227)
CPHQTGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 228)
CRSLMSGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 229)
CKAQSGSGRC (SEQ ID NO: 230)
CNKSGGTGRC (SEQ ID NO: 231)
CRKKSGANRC (SEQ ID NO: 232)
CARLSGSGRC (SEQ ID NO: 233)
CRTTSTIRRRC
CLDTVNLRRRC
CNQTMSIRRPC
CLATTSIRRPC
CRETSSLRRPC
CIATSHIRRHC
CHETAQIRRRC
CTQTALIRRRC
CEQTSVIRRHC
CLATTSIRRHC
CRTTANVRRHC)
TTTTTTCTCGAGACGGTCACCAGG(SEQ ID NO: 289)
TTTTTTGCTAGCGACATCCAGATGACC (SEQ ID NO: 293)
TTTTTTGCTAGCCAGTCTGTGCTGAC(SEQ ID NO: 299)
SGSDGGVCPRILMRCKQDSDCLAGC
gihSGVSDRFSDSKSGTSASLAISGLQSEDEADYYCA
SGSDGGVCPRILMRCKQDSDCLAGC
giqSGIPERFSGSKSGTSASLAISGLRSEDEADYYCA
SGSDGGVCPRILMRCKQDSDCLAGCgaqSGIPERFSGSKSGTSASLAISGLQSEDEAHYYCA
GSDGGVCPRINMRCKQDSDCLAGC
grdSGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQ
SGSDGGVCPRILMRCKQDSDCLAGCgrnSGIPERFSGSKSGHTATLTISRVEAGDEADYYCQ
SGSDGGVCPRILMRCKQDSDCLAGCggqSGVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAISRLQSEDEADYYCA
SGSDGGVCPRILMRCKQDSDCLAGCgtqSGIPERFSGSKSGTSASLAISGLRSEDEADYYCA
SGGDGGVCPRILMRCKQDSDCLAGCgahSGIPERFSGSKSGTSASLAISGLRSEDEADYYCA
SGSDGGVCPRILMRCKQDSDCLAGCgqsSGVSDRFSGSKSGTSATLDITGLQTGDEADYYCG
DKCCSGLKCGSNHNWCKWHI
GSRSGVPSRFSGS
NDKCCSGLKCGSNHNWCKWHIG
GANSGVSDRFS
Grammostola rosea
Haplopelma schmidti
Thrixopelma pruriens
Thrixopelma pruriens
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|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019/012014 | 1/17/2019 | WO | A |
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