PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M W Fanger

Publications and source records attributed to M W Fanger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Lysis of small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) cells by cytokine-activated monocytes and natural killer cells in the presence of bispecific immunoconjugates containing a gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) analog or a GRP antagonist.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. We have developed a new immunotherapeutic approach to the treatment of small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) by targeting the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) expressed on the surface of these cells. Bispecific immunoconjugates were constructed by chemical fusion of a GRP analog or a GRP antagonist with monoclonal antibodies directed to the cytotoxic trigger molecules Fc gamma RI and Fc gamma RIII on various immune effector cells. We demonstrated that these bispecific immunoconjugates bound to target SCCL cells in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of these immunoconjugates, more than 80% of SCCL cells were lysed by cytokine-activated monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells measured by a 51Cr-release assay. These data indicate that bifunctional antibodies targeting GRP may have clinical use.

Antibodies, Bispecific↗

Anti-body-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) function of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) after autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT).

Rapid recovery of the number and function of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) is critical to recovery from bone marrow transplantation. Although it is relatively easy to measure PMN number recovery, the evaluation of the functional recovery of these cells has not been adequately examined. The ability of peripheral blood PMNs to perform antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was assessed in 25 patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). PMNs were evaluated at a single cell level for ADCC function as measured by their ability to form plaques in antibody-sensitized ox erythrocyte (oxE) monolayers. The PMNs demonstrated low or absent ADCC function in the first week after completion of high-dose chemotherapy, regardless of primary diagnoses or myeloablative regimens. Although recovery to a neutrophil count of 500/microliters was prolonged in patients with AML (mean 40.2 days; range 25-67 days), functional activity of PMNs appeared much earlier (mean 19.6 +/- 6.1 days; range 2-65 days) in this group of patients compared to the group of patients with other diagnoses in which recovery to a neutrophil count of 500/microliters and the recovery of functional activity of PMNs occurred at roughly the same time. This single cell assay provided a useful method for determining ADCC functional ability of recovering PMNs post-BMT since few cells were required for each assay. This approach may also be useful in determining optimal timing of immune therapies post-ABMT, relying on myeloid cells as effector cells.

Adult↗

Targeting HIV-1 to Fc gamma R on human phagocytes via bispecific antibodies reduces infectivity of HIV-1 to T cells.

In addition to CD4, the primary receptor to which the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) binds, mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes) express three classes of Fc receptors for immunoglobulin G (Fc gamma R). We have previously shown that infection of monocytes by HIV-1 is inhibited when bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are used to target the virus to either the type I, type II, or type III Fc gamma R on these cells. Infection of monocytes was not inhibited when HIV-1 was targeted to either human leukocyte antigen class I or CD33. We have extended these studies to examine the ability of BsAbs plus polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils, PMNs) and monocytes to reduce infectivity of HIV-1 to cells from the human T cell lymphoma line, H9. The production of HIV-1 following interaction of virus with BsAb and phagocytes was determined in an indicator cell assay by mixing BsAb, HIV-1, and phagocytes with uninfected H9 cells. Productive infection of H9 cells was quantitated on subsequent days by measuring p24 gag antigen levels in supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our findings show that the addition of interferon-gamma-activated PMNs or monocytes to cultures of HIV-1 plus H9 cells in the absence of BsAb results in a marked reduction in p24 levels equivalent to 85 to 90% of control levels. With the combination of BsAb (anti-Fc gamma RI x anti-gp120) plus IFN-gamma-activated phagocytes, levels of p24 in H9 cultures were below those at culture initiation. These findings demonstrate that IFN-gamma-activated phagocytes can affect the natural course of HIV-1 infection of T cells, a finding of potential clinical importance.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Role of Fc gamma receptors in cancer and infectious disease.

Receptors for the Fc domain of immunoglobulin G (Fc gamma R) provide an interface between specific humoral immunity and the cellular branch of the immune system through their interaction with antibody. Cross-linking Fc gamma R on myeloid cells triggers such diverse functions as clearance of immune complexes, phagocytosis of opsonized pathogens, secretion of reactive oxygen intermediates, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The Fc gamma R play a major role in the removal of antibody-coated infectious agents and are the exclusive trigger molecules for tumor cell killing by human myeloid cells. Studies of Fc gamma R function have been aided by the use of Fc gamma R specific monoclonal antibodies, self-directed target cells, and bispecific antibodies that link target cells or pathogens to specific host cell molecules, including Fc gamma R. These reagents have contributed significantly to our understanding of the role of the different classes of Fc gamma R in mediating protection from various infectious agents and in mediating tumor cell killing. Taken together, these approaches have provided insight into the utility of manipulating Fc gamma R function in the therapy of cancer and infectious disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Production and use of anti-FcR bispecific antibodies.

Bispecific antibodies (BsAb) are antibodies with two different specificities. BsAb composed of anti-Fc gamma R Ab linked to anti-target Ab have been useful in exploring the function of the three classes of human Fc gamma R. In addition, BsAb have been developed as new agents for immunotherapy which can join together different molecules or cells. In directed or redirected cytotoxicity, BsAb that bind both to target cells (pathogens or tumors) and to triggering molecules on leukocytes such as Fc gamma R are used to focus normal cellular immune defense mechanisms specifically to the tumor cell or infectious agent. Limited clinical trials have demonstrated little toxicity and promising responses. This ability to redirect normal cytotoxic mechanisms to kill tumors, infectious agents, or infected cells makes BsAb powerful new therapeutic tools. In addition, BsAb are being used to target other appropriate molecules to Fc gamma R, including antigens as vaccine adjuvants and immune complexes. This review focuses on BsAb in which one specificity is directed to Fc gamma R on human leukocytes. It considers applications of these reagents and discusses the progress toward an understanding of the construction and use of BsAb in therapy.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Comparison of cytotoxic properties of neonatal and adult neutrophils and monocytes and enhancement by cytokines.

We studied cytotoxic capabilities of newborn polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and monocytes and their enhancement by cytokines and antibodies. Umbilical cord PMNs were assessed for their ability to kill various target cells spontaneously, after activation with phorbol myristate acetate, in the presence of antiserum (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity), and in the presence of dually specific antibody (heteroantibody-mediated cytotoxicity). Target cells included the K562 cell line (natural killer cell target), chicken erythrocytes (CRBCs), and herpes simplex virus-infected CEM cell lines. Newborn PMNs were equivalent to adult PMNs in their cytotoxic capacity in several cytotoxicity assays. Neither adult nor newborn PMNs lyse tumor cell targets (i.e., K562 cells) spontaneously, but both lyse K562 cells following activation with phorbol myristate acetate. Both adult and newborn PMNs lyse CRBCs and herpes simplex virus-infected CEM cells in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays, and this lysis could be enhanced by the cytokines granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and gamma interferon. PMN heteroantibody-mediated cytotoxicity, resulting from the use of an antibody with dual specificity to CRBCs and immunoglobulin G FcRII, was greater in newborn PMNs than in adult PMNs; however, monocyte heteroantibody-mediated cytotoxicity, resulting from the use of an antibody to CRBCs and monocyte immunoglobulin G FcRI, was lower in newborn monocytes than in adult monocytes. The percentage, but not the density, of PMNs expressing FcRII was significantly reduced in newborn PMNs compared with that in adult PMNs, while the percentages and densities of FcRI expression were equivalent in newborn and adult monocytes. We conclude that the cytotoxic capability in term newborn PMNs is equivalent to that in adult PMNs, that the activity of newborn PMNs can be enhanced by antibody and/or cytokines, and that PMNs can contribute to the newborn's ability to kill virus-infected cells.

Adult↗

The effect of recombinant human interleukin-3 and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on Fc gamma receptor expression and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of hematopoietic progenitor cells during in vitro myeloid maturation.

Enriched progenitor cell fractions from human bone marrow were induced to undergo myeloid maturation in culture using recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhIL-3) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF). A negative selection method using the murine monoclonal antibodies (MABs) PM81 (anti-CD15), AML-2-23 (anti-CD14), PC251 (anti-CD33), OKT11 (anti-CD2), and SCCL-1 (anti-CD71) and immunomagnetic beads coated with sheep anti-mouse IgG (Dynal A.S., Oslo, Norway) was used to remove the more mature cellular components of mononuclear cells from normal donor bone marrow samples. The resulting fraction of cells contained 35 to 40% CD34-positive cells, and less than 1% of cells expressed the receptors for the constant portion of immunoglobulin G Fc gamma RI or Fc gamma RII. A small population (3-5%) expressed Fc gamma RIII on day 0, and these cells were found by two-color flow cytometry to be primarily natural killer (NK) cells. The level of Fc gamma R expression was determined every 2 to 3 days on aliquots of the differentiating cells. Thirteen percent of the cultured bone marrow cells expressed Fc gamma RII after 48 hours in liquid culture with rhIL-3 and rhGM-CSF. The percent of cells expressing Fc gamma RII increased to a peak of 78% of the gated population on day 10. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) remained low for the first 8 to 10 days of culture, but at that time the MFI more than doubled. Fc gamma RI and Fc gamma RIII expression remained low throughout the culture period. The ability of the differentiating cells to perform antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was determined at a single-cell level in a modified plaque assay using monolayers of ox erythrocyte (oxE) target cells. The purified progenitor cells, when placed in oxE monolayers sensitized with polyclonal rabbit anti-oxE antibody (AB), showed no plaque formation over control oxE layers. No increase in ability to generate cytolytic plaques in antibody-sensitized oxE layers was seen compared with unsensitized oxE layers until after 10 days of incubation in liquid culture. At that time, the percent of cells forming plaques in the AB-sensitized oxE layers was 34.4 +/- 10.7% (average +/- standard error of the mean [SEM]; n = 4) compared with 10.0 +/- 0.7% on the control oxE layers. The peak plaque formation appeared to coincide with the increase in MFI of a large population of the cultured cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Use of bispecific antibodies in the therapy of tumors.

Progress toward an understanding of the construction and use of BsAb in therapy has been considerable. The importance of accessory (adhesion) molecules as well as the requirements for killing and the mechanisms by which cytotoxicity is mediated are being clarified. New approaches to simultaneous activation and targeting of effector cells have been developed. Most important, limited clinical trials have demonstrated little toxicity and in several instances promising responses and long-term survivals, if not cures. It seems likely, therefore, that BsAb will be very useful tools for therapy of tumors that may be most efficacious as an adjunct tumor therapy after surgery, chemotherapy, and/or irradiation in order to further reduce, and to potentially eliminate, tumor cells in the patient. Clearly, much remains to be done before BsAb are used routinely for therapy, but the results thus far demonstrate the considerable potential of BsAb to redirect and focus natural immune mechanisms in the treatment of tumors.

Animals↗

Role of oxygen intermediates in cytotoxicity: studies in chronic granulomatous disease.

The ability of human neutrophils to lyse various target cells was investigated using cells from normal individuals and from patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) whose cells lack the ability to form reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Cytolysis was stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), rabbit antiserum, and a heteroantibody that binds to both the FcRII receptor of neutrophils and to the target. The PMA-activated CGD neutrophils were deficient compared to controls in killing both tumor and chicken erythrocyte (CRBC) targets at all effector-target ratios in 18-h assays. When CRBC were sensitized with rabbit antiserum, the normal cells still killed slightly more. When killing of CRBC was mediated by the heteroantibody, however, cytotoxicity of CGD neutrophils exceeded that of normal cells. CGD mononuclear cells (MNC) killed tumor cell targets as well as or better than normal MNC. Thus, PMA-mediated cytolysis appears to depend primarily upon the ability of the cell to generate ROI whereas antibody-mediated cytotoxicity and MNC-mediated lysis of tumor cells do not require ROI formation.

Animals↗

Neuraminidase augments Fc gamma receptor II-mediated antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue virus infection.

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of dengue virus infection occurs when neutralizing antibodies at sub-neutralizing concentrations or non-neutralizing antibodies form complexes with the virus. These virus-antibody complexes can then attach to a Fc gamma receptor-bearing cell, via the Fc portion of the immunoglobulin, resulting in an increased number of infected cells. ADE may be responsible in part for the most severe clinical manifestations of dengue virus infection which include haemorrhage and shock. Three classes of human Fc gamma receptors exist, Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RII and Fc gamma RIII. In this study, we examined the effects of neuraminidase on ADE of dengue virus infection mediated by the low-affinity Fc gamma RII. K562 cells, which express only Fc gamma RII, treated with neuraminidase resulted in augmentation of ADE of dengue virus infection by human anti-dengue antibodies. This augmented ADE of infection could be blocked by anti-Fc gamma RII monoclonal antibody IV.3. Incubation of neuraminidase-treated K562 cells with IgG-coated human red blood cells resulted in an increase in the percentage of rosette formations compared with the untreated K562 cells. A bispecific antibody directed against Fc gamma RII and dengue virus (IV.3 x 2H2) enhanced virus infection. Neuraminidase also augmented ADE mediated by this antibody, but to a much lesser degree (by 50%) compared with that seen using conventional human anti-dengue antibody (by 200 to 300%). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of neuraminidase-treated K562 cells showed that the number of Fc gamma RII-specific antibodies that bind to Fc gamma RII increases by 15 to 20% after treatment with neuraminidase. These results indicate that neuraminidase augments ADE of dengue virus infection and that the augmented ADE is mediated through Fc gamma RII.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Fc gamma receptors in cancer and infectious disease.

Through interaction with antibody, IgG Fc receptors provide an interface between specific humoral immunity and Fc gamma R-bearing host cells. Fc gamma R trigger such diverse functions as immune complex clearance, phagocytosis of opsonized pathogens, reactive oxygen intermediate and enzyme secretion, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Moreover, Fc gamma R are the exclusive trigger molecules for tumor cell killing by human myeloid cells. Studies of Fc gamma R function have been aided by the use of bispecific antibodies to link cells or pathogens to specific host cell molecules, including Fc gamma R. These reagents have permitted determination of the role of Fc gamma R in ADCC of the protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii, by human effector cells. This approach has also indicated that Fc gamma R do not serve as entry points for viruses such as dengue virus and HIV. Taken together, these results provide insight into the utility of manipulating Fc gamma R function in the therapy of cancer and infectious disease.

Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity↗

Initial trial of bispecific antibody-mediated immunotherapy of CD15-bearing tumors: cytotoxicity of human tumor cells using a bispecific antibody comprised of anti-CD15 (MoAb PM81) and anti-CD64/Fc gamma RI (MoAb 32).

The high-affinity receptor for IgG, Fc gamma RI, expressed on monocytes and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-stimulated neutrophils, is a trigger molecule for cell-mediated cytotoxicity. We have prepared murine monoclonal antibodies (MoAb 22 and MoAb 32) that bind to Fc gamma RI outside the ligand binding site and thus bind to and trigger cytotoxicity that is not competed by other immunoglobulins. Because of these properties, it seemed that these MoAbs would be very useful for the development of bispecific antibodies (BsAb) for targeting normal cellular immune defense mechanisms as a new form of immunotherapy for treatment of cancer. BsAbs incorporate into a single molecule the binding specifities of two different antibodies, and, thus, can be used to target myeloid cells to tumors, ensure activation of cellular cytotoxic mechanisms, and target cell lysis and/or phagocytosis. BsAbs were prepared using anti-Fc gamma RI MoAb and an anti-myeloid cell MoAb, PM81, reactive with the CD15 antigen, for studies of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Conjugates were made by cross-linking sulfhydryl groups of Fab fragments of MoAb 32 or 22 (both IgG1) and sulfhydryl groups added to intact PM81 (an IgM) using N-succinimdyl-acetyl-S-thioacetate (SATA). The resulting product was purified by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. The ability of the BsAbs to mediate attachment of human monocytes to tumor target cells was confirmed in a microtiter well assay of binding of MTT-labeled U937 cells (a human Fc gamma RI-bearing cell line) to SKBR-3 (PM81-reactive breast carcinoma) target cells. The ability of the BsAbs to mediate killing of HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells was studied using a 6-hour Chromium-51 release assay. Effector cells were monocytes obtained by cytopheresis and cultured for 18 hours with IFN-gamma. Monocytes alone caused minimal killing (5-20%), monocytes plus BsAb caused moderate killing (20-50%), and monocytes plus BsAb plus human serum resulted in maximal killing (50-80%). Experiments were performed to test the ability of the BsAb to purge bone marrow of small numbers of leukemia cells using bone marrow mononuclear phagocytes treated for 18 hours with IFN-gamma prior to adding target cells. Without the addition of human serum as a source of complement, a 90% depletion of clonogenic HL-60 cells could be demonstrated. With human complement, up to 95% depletion was seen. Thus, this BsAb possessed the ability to lyse tumor cell targets by two different mechanisms, complement and cell-mediated lysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Redirected targeting of LDL to human monocyte Fc gamma receptors with bispecific antibodies.

Recent studies indicate that low density lipoprotein (LDL)-immune complexes consisting of anti-LDL antibodies bound to LDL may contribute to macrophage foam cell development by uptake through immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc receptors. As human mononuclear phagocytes possess three structurally and functionally distinct classes of IgG Fc receptors, we developed a system whereby the effects of LDL-immune complexes could be studied with respect to each type of IgG Fc receptor. Novel bispecific antibodies consisting of anti-Fc gamma receptor antibodies linked to anti-LDL antibodies were used to prepare bispecific LDL-immune complexes for targeting to specific Fc gamma receptors. In this report, the effects of bispecific LDL-immune complexes directed to Fc gamma receptor types I, II, and III were studied primarily with monocytes and were compared with the effects of similarly prepared bispecific complexes that targeted LDL to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens. Each type of bispecific antibody was effective in targeting 125I-LDL to its respective site on the cell surface. Using fluorophore-labeled LDL and flow cytometry, bispecific complexes directed to Fc gamma receptor types I or II but not to HLA class I antigens caused a two- to sevenfold increase in cell-associated fluorescence relative to control cells treated with LDL in the absence of bispecific antibody. Uptake occurred in the presence of excess unlabeled LDL, acetylated LDL, and antioxidants. That the bispecific complexes triggered metabolic uptake was supported by studies of kinetics and temperature dependence. Using 125I-labeled complexes, metabolic degradation of LDL was demonstrated in association with each of the three types of Fc gamma receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies↗

Bispecific antibodies.

Bispecific antibodies--molecules combining two different antigenic specificities--are currently being developed as new agents for immunotherapy and for basic studies in cell biology. Bispecific antibodies (BsAb) are prepared by chemically linking two different monoclonal antibodies or by fusing two hybridoma cell lines to produce a hybrid-hybridoma. Both of these approaches present challenges with respect to yield and purity that should eventually be solved through newer molecular genetic approaches. BsAb have been used to demonstrate that specific surface molecules can trigger leukocytes to either phagocytose or kill tumor cells, viruses, parasites, and infected cells. Such trigger molecules include CD3 on T lymphocytes and Fc receptors for IgG on monocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells. BsAb have also been used experimentally to localize toxins to tumor sites and fibrinolytic agents to areas of thrombosis, to study the molecular specificity of particular receptors, and as adjuvants in in vitro models of vaccines for infectious disease. The limited clinical trials that have occurred to date, primarily for therapy of tumors, suggest that BsAb may offer considerable promise for therapeutic applications, including cancer, heart disease, infectious disease, allergy, and autoimmunity.

Animals↗

Fc receptors for IgG (Fc gamma Rs) on human monocytes and macrophages are not infectivity receptors for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1): studies using bispecific antibodies to target HIV-1 to various myeloid cell surface molecules, including the Fc gamma R.

Fc gamma Rs (Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RII, and Fc gamma RIII) are highly expressed on human mononuclear phagocytes and function in the clearance of immune complexes and opsonized pathogens. We have examined the role of Fc gamma R in mediating antibody-dependent clearance of HIV-1 by human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages by using bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) to independently target the virus to Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RII, or Fc gamma RIII. Virus production was markedly reduced in monocytes cultured with strain HIV-1IIIB opsonized with BsAbs that target the virus to either Fc gamma RI or Fc gamma RII compared to monocytes cultured with virus in the absence of BsAbs or in the presence of BsAbs that target the virus to non-Fc gamma R surface antigens (CD33 and HLA-A,B,C). These results were confirmed using the monotropic isolate HIV-1JRFL. Interaction of HIV-1JRFL with Fc gamma RI or Fc gamma RII on human monocytes and Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RII, or Fc gamma RIII on monocyte-derived macrophages resulted in markedly reduced levels of virus production in these cultures. Moreover, HIV-1 infection of monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages was completely blocked by anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies, indicating that interaction with CD4 is required for infectivity even under conditions of antibody-mediated binding of HIV-1 to Fc gamma R. Thus, we propose that highly opsonized HIV-1 initiates high-affinity multivalent interactions with Fc gamma R that trigger endocytosis and intracellular degradation of the antibody-virus complex. At lower levels of antibody opsonization, there are two few interactions with Fc gamma R to initiate endocytosis and intracellular degradation of the antibody-virus complex, but there are enough interactions to stabilize the virus at the cell surface, allowing antibody-dependent enhancement of HIV-1 infection through high-affinity CD4 interactions. However, our results suggest that interaction of highly opsonized HIV-1 with Fc gamma Rs through BsAbs may reduce viral infectivity through Fc gamma R-mediated cytotoxic mechanisms and, therefore, that BsAbs offer promise as therapeutic reagents in HIV-1 infections.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

Antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue virus infection mediated by bispecific antibodies against cell surface molecules other than Fc gamma receptors.

It is known that antibodies to dengue viruses at subneutralizing concentrations enhance dengue virus infection of Fc gamma R+ cells. This phenomenon called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) occurs when virus-antibody complexes bind to the Fc gamma R via the Fc portion of the Ig. It has been hypothesized that ADE may be responsible for the pathogenesis of the severe manifestations of dengue virus infection including dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome. To further analyze the mechanisms of ADE, we prepared bispecific antibodies by chemically cross-linking antidengue virus antibodies to antibodies specific for Fc gamma RI or Fc gamma RII and the non-Fc R molecules beta2 microglobulin, CD15 or CD33 and examined whether these bispecific antibodies could enhance infection. Bispecific antibodies targeting dengue virus to Fc gamma RI or Fc gamma RII enhanced dengue virus infection, consistent with previous reports using conventional antibodies. Furthermore, bispecific antibodies targeting dengue virus to beta2 microglobulin, CD15 or CD33 also enhanced dengue virus infection. Bispecific antibody mediated ADE was inhibited by pretreating the cells with the appropriate blocking mAb. These results indicate that cell surface molecules other than Fc gamma R can mediate ADE and suggest that the Fc gamma R does not provide a unique signal necessary for enhanced infection. We hypothesize that directing dengue virus to the cell surface by a bispecific antibody facilitates the interaction between dengue virus and its receptor, thereby increasing its infectivity.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Functions of the various IgG Fc receptors in mediating killing of Toxoplasma gondii.

The three types of IgG FcR (Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RII, Fc gamma RIII) on human leukocytes play an important role in elimination of antibody-coated infectious agents. To further understand the role of the different Fc gamma R in mediating this killing, we examined the ability of human myeloid and lymphoid cells to kill the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii in the presence of antitoxoplasma IgG or bispecific antibodies. Although human myeloid cells (monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils) all lysed unsensitized T. gondii, killing by these cells was significantly enhanced by opsonization with antitoxoplasma rabbit IgG. Human lymphocytes, however, did not lyse T. gondii unless the parasites were coated with antibody. The role of antibody and Fc gamma R in mediating ADCC of T. gondii was then examined using bispecific antibodies made by chemically cross-linking Fab fragments of antitoxoplasma antibodies to Fab fragments of antibodies specific for human leukocyte surface Ag, including Fc gamma R. Thus, simultaneous binding of these bispecifics to parasites and effector cells allowed an evaluation of killing when T. gondii were targeted to each Ag independently. Bispecifics which targeted T. gondii to Fc gamma RI, II or III enhanced lysis by monocytes. However, similar results were obtained with bispecifics targeting T. gondii to non-Fc gamma R Ag (CD11b or beta 2-microglobulin) on monocytes. Likewise, polymorphonuclear leukocytes mediated significantly more lysis in the presence of bispecifics linking T. gondii to Fc gamma RII, Fc gamma RIII, or the two non-Fc gamma R Ag CD11b and beta 2-microglobulin. Thus, although human myeloid cells did not require antibody-Fc gamma R triggering to kill T. gondii, antibody appeared to enhance lysis by capturing and directing the parasites to the effector cell surface. Human lymphocytes, in contrast, mediated significant lysis of T. gondii only in the presence of bispecifics targeting T. gondii to Fc gamma RIII, indicating a requirement for specific triggering of Fc gamma RIII for killing by large granular lymphocytes. Consequently, using bispecifics to compare targeting to specific Ag, both non-Fc gamma R and Fc gamma R, allowed determination of the role of antibody-Fc gamma R interactions in T. gondii killing. In addition, these studies demonstrate the potential of bispecifics in determining the role of specific Ag in killing of or infection by pathogens.

Animals↗