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Description
Title of Invention: ANTI-MYOSTATIN ANTIBODIES
POLYPEPTIDES CONTAINING VARIANT FC REGIONS, AND
METHODS OF USE
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to anti-myostatin antibodies and
methods of using the
same. The present invention also relates to polypeptides containing variant Fc
regions
and methods of using the same.
Background Art
[0002] Myostatin, also referred to as growth differentiation factor-8
(GDF8), is a secreted
protein and is a member of the transforming growth factor- beta (TGF-beta) su-
perfamily of proteins. Members of this superfamily possess growth-regulatory
and
morphogenetic properties (see, e.g., NPL 1, NPL 2, and PTL 1). Myostatin is
expressed primarily in the developing and adult skeletal muscle and functions
as a
negative regulator of muscle growth. Systemic overexpression of myostatin in
adult
mice leads to muscle wasting (see, e.g., NPL 3) while, conversely, a myostatin
knockout mouse is characterized by hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the skeletal
muscle
resulting in two- to threefold greater muscle mass than their wild type
littermates (see,
e.g., NPL 4).
[0003] Like other members of the TGF-beta family, myostatin is synthesized
as a large
precursor protein containing an N-terminal propeptide domain, and a C-terminal
domain considered as the active molecule (see, e.g., NPL 5; PTL 2). Two
molecules of
myostatin precursor are covalently linked via a single disulfide bond present
in the C-
terminal growth factor domain. Active mature myostatin (disulfide-bonded
homodimer
consisting of the C-terminal growth factor domain) is liberated from myostatin
precursor through multiple steps of proteolytic processing. In the first step
of the
myostatin activation pathway, a peptide bond between the N-terminal propeptide
domain and the C-terminal growth factor domain, Arg266-Asp267, is cleaved by a
furin-type proprotein convertase in both chains of the homodimeric precursor.
But the
resulting three peptides (two propeptides and one mature myostatin (i.e., a
disulfide-
bonded homodimer consisting of the growth factor domains)) remain associated,
forming a noncovalent inactive complex that is referred to as "latent
myostatin."
Mature myostatin can then be liberated from latent myostatin through
degradation of
the propeptide. Members of the bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP1) family of
met-
alloproteinases cleave a single peptide bond within the propeptide, Arg98-
Asp99, with
concomitant release of mature, active myostatin, a homodimer (see, e.g., NPL
6).
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Moreover, the latent myostatin can be activated in vitro by dissociating the
complex
with either acid or heat treatment as well (see, e.g., NPL 7).
[0004] Myostatin exerts its effects through a transmembrane
serine/threonine kinase het-
erotetramer receptor family, activation of which enhances receptor
transphospho-
rylation, leading to the stimulation of serine/threonine kinase activity. It
has been
shown that the myostatin pathway involves an active myostatin dimer binding to
the
activin receptor type IIB (ActRIB3) with high affinity, which then recruits
and
activates the transphosphorylation of the low affinity receptor, the activin-
like kinase 4
(ALK4) or activin-like kinase 5 (ALK5). It has also been shown that the
proteins Smad
2 and Smad 3 are subsequently activated and form complexes with Smad 4, which
are
then translocated to the nucleus for the activation of target gene
transcription. It has
been demonstrated that ActRIIB is able to mediate the influence of myostatin
in vivo,
as expression of a dominant negative form of ActRILB in mice mimics myostatin
gene
knockout (see, e.g., NPL 8).
[0005] A number of disorders or conditions are associated with muscle
wasting (i.e., loss of
or functional impairment of muscle tissue), such as muscular dystrophy (MD;
including Duchenne muscular dystrophy), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),
muscle
atrophy, organ atrophy, frailty, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD),
sarcopenia, and cachexia resulting from cancer or other disorders, as well as
renal
disease, cardiac failure or disease, and liver disease. Patients will benefit
from an
increase in muscle mass and/or muscle strength; however, there are presently
limited
treatments available for these disorders. Thus, due to its role as a negative
regulator of
skeletal muscle growth, myostatin becomes a desirable target for therapeutic
or pro-
phylactic intervention for such disorders or conditions, or for monitoring the
pro-
gression of such disorders or conditions. In particular, agents that inhibit
the activity of
myostatin may be therapeutically beneficial.
[0006] Inhibition of myostatin expression leads to both muscle hypertrophy
and hyperplasia
(NPL 4). Myostatin negatively regulates muscle regeneration after injury and
lack of
myostatin in myostatin null mice results in accelerated muscle regeneration
(see, e.g.,
NPL 9). Anti-myostatin (GDF8) antibodies described in, e.g., PTL 3, PTL 4, PTL
5,
PTL 6, and PTL 7, and PTL 8, PTL 9, and PTL 10 have been shown to bind to
myostatin and inhibit myostatin activity in vitro and in vivo, including
myostatin
activity associated with the negative regulation of skeletal muscle mass.
Myostatin-
neutralizing antibodies increase body weight, skeletal muscle mass, and muscle
size
and strength in the skeletal muscle of wild type mice (see, e.g., NPL 10) and
the mdx
mice, a model for muscular dystrophy (see, e.g., NPL 11; NPL 12). However,
these
prior art antibodies are all specific for mature myostatin but not for latent
myostatin,
and the strategies described for inhibiting myostatin activity have utilized
antibodies
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that can bind to and neutralize mature myostatin.
[0007] Antibodies are drawing attention as pharmaceuticals since they are
highly stable in
blood and have few side effects (see, e.g., NPL 13 and NPL 14). Almost all
therapeutic
antibodies currently on the market are antibodies of the human IgG1 subclass.
One of
the known functions of IgG class antibodies is antibody-dependent cell-
mediated cyto-
toxicity (hereinafter denoted as ADCC activity) (see, e.g., NPL 15). For an
antibody to
exhibit ADCC activity, the antibody Fc region must bind to an Fe gamma
receptor
(hereinafter denoted as Fc gamma R) which is an antibody-binding receptor
present on
the surface of effector cells such as killer cells, natural killer cells, and
activated
macrophages.
[0008] In humans, the Fc gamma RIa (CD64A), Fc gamma RIIa (CD32A), Fc gamma
Ruth
(CD32B), Fc gamma RIIIa (CD16A), and Fc gamma RIIIb (CD16B) isoforms have
been reported as the Fc gamma R protein family, and the respective allotypes
have also
been reported (see, e.g., NPL 16). Fc gamma RIa, Fc gamma RIIa, and Fc gamma
RIIIa are called activating Fc gamma R since they have immunologically active
functions, and Fc gamma RIIb is called inhibitory Fc gamma R since it has
immuno-
suppressive functions (see, e.g., NPL 17).
[0009] In the binding between the Fc region and Fc gamma R, several amino
acid residues
in the antibody hinge region and CH2 domain, and a sugar chain attached to Asn
at
position 297 (EU numbering) bound to the CH2 domain have been shown to be
important (see, e.g., NPL 18, NPL 19, and NPL 20). Various variants having Fc
gamma R-binding properties, mainly antibodies with mutations introduced into
these
sites, have been studied so far; and Fc region variants having higher binding
activities
towards activating Fc gamma R have been obtained (see, e.g., PTL 11, PTL 12,
PTL
13, and PTL 14).
[0010] When an activating Fc gamma R is cross-linked with an immune
complex, it phos-
phorylates immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activating motifs (ITAMs) contained
in the
intracellular domain or FcR common gamma-chain (an interaction partner),
activates a
signal transducer SYK, and triggers an inflammatory immune response by
initiating an
activation signal cascade (see, e.g., NPL 21).
[0011] Fc gamma RIB) is the only Fc gamma R expressed on B cells (see,
e.g., NPL 22). In-
teraction of the antibody Fc region with Fc gamma Ruth has been reported to
suppress
the primary immune response of B cells (see, e.g., NPL 23). Furthermore, it is
reported
that when Fc gamma RIM on B cells and B cell receptor (BCR) are cross-linked
via an
immune complex in blood, B cell activation and antibody production by B cells
is
suppressed (see, e.g., NPL 24). In this immunosuppressive signal transduction
mediated by BCR and Fc gamma RIlb, the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based
inhibitory
motif (ITIM) contained in the intracellular domain of Fc gamma MTh is
necessary (see,
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e.g., NPL 25 and NPL 26). When ITIM is phosphorylated upon signaling,
SH2-containing inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (SHIP) is recruited,
transduction
of other activating Fc gamma R signal cascades is inhibited, and inflammatory
immune
response is suppressed (see, e.g., NPL 27). Furthermore, aggregation of Fc
gamma
RIM alone has been reported to transiently suppress calcium influx due to BCR
cross-
linking and B cell proliferation in a BCR-independent manner without inducing
apoptosis of IgM-producing B cells (see, e.g., NPL 28).
[0012] Fc gamma RI% is also expressed on dendritic cells, macrophages,
activated neu-
trophils, mast cells, and basophils. Fc gamma RIM inhibits the functions of
activating
Fc gamma R such as phagocytosis and release of inflammatory cytokines in these
cells,
and suppresses inflammatory immune responses (see, e.g., NPL 17).
[0013] The importance of immunosuppressive functions of Fc gamma RIIb has
been
elucidated so far through studies using Fc gamma RIM knockout mice. There are
reports that in Fc gamma RIM knockout mice, humoral immunity is not
appropriately
regulated (see, e.g., NPL 29), sensitivity towards collagen-induced arthritis
(CIA) is
increased (see, e.g., NPL 30), lupus-like symptoms are presented, and
Goodpasture's
syndrome-like symptoms are presented (see, e.g., NPL 31).
[0014] Additionally, regulatory inadequacy of Fc gamma RIM has been
reported to be
related to human autoimmnue diseases. For example, the relationship between
genetic
polymorphism in the transmembrane region and promoter region of Fc gamma RIM,
and the frequency of development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (see,
e.g.,
NPL 32, NPL 33, NPL 34, NPL 35, and NPL 36), and decrease of Fc gamma RIIb ex-
pression on the surface of B cells in SLE patients (see, e.g., NPL 37 and NPL
38) have
been reported.
[0015] From mouse models and clinical findings as such, Fc gamma RIM is
considered to
play the role of controlling autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases
through
involvement in particular with B cells, and it is a promising target molecule
for con-
trolling autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases.
[0016] IgGl, mainly used as a commercially available therapeutic antibody,
is known to
bind not only to Fc gamma RIM, but also strongly to activating Fc gamma R
(see, e.g.,
NPL 39). It may be possible to develop therapeutic antibodies having greater
immuno-
suppressive properties compared with those of IgG I, by utilizing an Fe region
with
enhanced Fc gamma RIM binding, or improved Fc gamma RIIb-binding selectivity
compared with activating Fc gamma R. For example, it has been suggested that
the use
of an antibody having a variable region that binds to BCR and an Fc with
enhanced Fc
gamma RIM binding may inhibit B cell activation (see, e.g., NPL 40). It has
been
reported that crosslinking Fc gamma RIIb on B cells and IgE bound to a B-cell
receptor suppresses differentiation of B cells into plasma cells, which as a
result causes
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suppression of IgE production; and in human PBMC-transplanted mice, human IgG
and IgM concentrations are maintained whereas the human IgE concentration is
decreased (see, e.g., NPL 41). Besides IgE, it has been reported that when Fc
gamma
RIIB and CD79b which is a constituent molecule of a B-cell receptor complex
are
cross-linked by an antibody, B cell proliferation is suppressed in vitro, and
arthritis
symptoms are alleviated in the collagen arthritis model (see, e.g., NPL 42).
[0017] Besides B cells, it has been reported that crosslinlcing of Fc
epsilon RI and Fc gamma
Ruth on mast cells using molecules, in which the Fc portion of an IgG with
enhanced
Fc gamma RIM binding is fused to the Fc portion of IgE that binds to an IgE
receptor
Fc epsilon RI, causes phosphorylation of Fc gamma RIIb, thereby suppressing Fc
epsilon RI-dependent calcium influx. This suggests that inhibition of
degranulation via
Fc gamma 1211b stimulation is possible by enhancing Fc gamma RIIb binding
(see, e.g.,
NPL 43).
[0018] Accordingly, an antibody having an Fc with improved Fc gamma RIIb-
binding
activity is suggested to be promising as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory
diseases
such as an autoimmune disease.
[0019] Furthermore, it has been reported that activation of macrophages and
dendritic cells
via Toll-like receptor 4 due to LPS stimulation is suppressed in the presence
of an
antibody-antigen immune complex, and this effect is also suggested to be
actions of the
immune complex via Fc gamma Ruth (see, e.g., NPL 44 and NPL 45). Therefore,
use
of antibodies with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb binding is expected to enable en-
hancement of TLR-mediated activation signal-suppressing actions; thus such an-
tibodies have been suggested as being promising as therapeutic agents for in-
flammatory diseases such as autoimmune diseases.
[0020] Additionally, mutants with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb binding have been
suggested to
be promising therapeutic agents for cancer, as well as therapeutic agents for
in-
flammatory diseases such as autoimmune diseases. So far, Fc gamma RIIb has
been
found to play an important role in the agonistic activity of agonist
antibodies against
the anti-TNF receptor superfamily. Specifically, it has been suggested that
interaction
with Fc gamma RIIb is required for the agonistic activity of antibodies
against CD40,
DR4, DRS, CD30, and CD137, which are included in the TNF receptor family (see,
e.g., NPL 46, NPL 47, NPL 48, NPL 49, NPL 50, NPL 51 and NPL 52). NPL 46
shows that the use of antibodies with enhanced Fc gamma RIB) binding enhances
the
anti-tumor effect of anti-CD40 antibodies. Accordingly, antibodies with
enhanced Fc
gamma RIlb are expected to have an effect of enhancing agonistic activity of
agonist
antibodies including antibodies against the anti-TNF receptor superfamily.
[0021] In addition, it has been shown that cell proliferation is suppressed
when using an
antibody that recognizes Kit, a type of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), to
crosslink Fc
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gamma RIM and Kit on Kit-expressing cells. Similar effects have been reported
even
in cases where this Kit is constitutively activated and has mutations that
cause
oncogenesis (see, e.g., NPL 53). Therefore, it is expected that use of
antibodies with
enhanced Fc gamma RIM binding may enhance inhibitory effects on cells
expressing
RTK having constitutively activated mutations.
[0022] Antibodies having an Fc with improved Fc gamma RIM-binding activity
have been
reported (see, e.g., NPL 40). In this Literature, Fc gamma REM-binding
activity was
improved by adding alterations such as S267E/L328F, G236D/S267E, and
5239D/5267E to an antibody Fc region. Among them, the antibody introduced with
the S267E/L328F mutation most strongly binds to Fc gamma RIM, and maintains
the
same level of binding to Fc gamma RIa and Fc gamma RIIa type H in which a
residue
at position 131 of Fc gamma RIM is His as that of a naturally-occurring IgGl.
However, another report shows that this alteration enhances the binding to Fc
gamma
RIIa type R in which a residue at position 131 of Fc gamma RIIa is Arg several
hundred times to the same level of Fc gamma RIM binding, which means the Fc
gamma RIM-binding selectivity is not improved in comparison with type-R Fc
gamma
RIIa (see, e.g., PTL 15).
[0023] Only the effect of enhancing Fc gamma RIIa binding and not the
enhancement of Fc
gamma RIIb binding is considered to have influence on cells such as platelets
which
express Fc gamma RIIa but do not express Fc gamma RIM (see, e.g., NPL 17). For
example, the group of patients who were administered bevacizumab, an antibody
against VEGF, is known to have an increased risk for thromboembolism (see,
e.g.,
NPL 54). Furthermore, thromboembolism has been observed in a similar manner in
clinical development tests of antibodies against the CD40 ligand, and the
clinical study
was discontinued (see, e.g., NPL 55). In both cases of these antibodies, later
studies
using animal models and such have suggested that the administered antibodies
aggregate platelets via Fc gamma RIIa binding on the platelets, and form blood
clots
(see, e.g., NPL 56 and NPL 57). In systemic lupus erythematosus which is an au-
toimmune disease, platelets are activated via an Fc gamma RIIa-dependent
mechanism,
and platelet activation has been reported to correlate with the severity of
symptoms
(see, e.g., NPL 58). Administering an antibody with enhanced Fc gamma RIIa
binding
to such patients who already have a high risk for developing thromboembolism
will
increase the risk for developing thromboembolism, thus is extremely dangerous.
[0024] Furthermore, antibodies with enhanced Fc gamma RIIa binding have
been reported
to enhance macrophage-mediated antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP)
(see, e.g., NPL 59). When antigens to be bound by the antibodies are
phagocytized by
macrophages, antibodies themselves are considered to be also phagocytized at
the
same time. When antibodies are administered as pharmaceuticals, it is supposed
that
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peptide fragments derived from the administered antibodies are likely to be
also
presented as an antigen, thereby increasing the risk of production of
antibodies against
therapeutic antibodies (anti-therapeutic antibodies). More specifically,
enhancing Fc
gamma RIM binding will increase the risk of production of antibodies against
the
therapeutic antibodies, and this will remarkably decrease their value as
pharma-
ceuticals. Furthermore, Fc gamma Rill) on dendritic cells have been suggested
to
contribute to peripheral tolerance by inhibiting dendritic cell activation
caused by
immune complexes formed between antigens and antibodies, or by suppressing
antigen
presentation to T cells via activating Fc gamma receptors (see, e.g., NPL 60).
Since Fc
gamma RIIa is also expressed on dendritic cells, when antibodies having an Fc
with
enhanced selective binding to Fc gamma MEI are used as pharmaceuticals,
antigens
are not readily presented by dendritic cells and such due to enhanced
selective binding
to Fc gamma RIB), and risk of anti-drug antibody production can be relatively
decreased. Such antibodies may be useful in that regard as well.
[0025] More specifically, the value as pharmaceuticals will be considerably
reduced when
Fc gamma RIIa binding is enhanced, which leads to increased risk of thrombus
formation via platelet aggregation and increased risk of anti-therapeutic
antibody
production due to an increased immunogenicity.
[0026] From such a viewpoint, the aforementioned Fc variant with enhanced
Fc gamma
Ruth binding shows significantly enhanced type-R Fc gamma RIIa binding
compared
with that of a naturally-occurring IgGl. Therefore, its value as a
pharmaceutical for
patients carrying type-R Fc gamma RIIa is considerably reduced. Types H and R
of Fc
gamma RIIa are observed in Caucasians and African-Americans with approximately
the same frequency (see, e.g., NPL 61 and NPL 62). Therefore, when this Fc
variant
was used for treatment of autoimmune diseases, the number of patients who can
safely
use it while enjoying its effects as a pharmaceutical will be limited.
100271 Furthermore, in dendritic cells deficient in Fc gamma RIIb or
dendritic cells in which
the interaction between Fc gamma RIIb and the antibody Fc portion is inhibited
by an
anti-Fc gamma RIIb antibody, dendritic cells have been reported to mature
(see, e.g.,
NPL 63 and NPL 64). This report suggests that Fc gamma RIlb is actively
suppressing
maturation of dendritic cells in a steady state where inflammation and such
are not
taking place and activation does not take place. Fc gamma RIla is expressed on
the
dendritic cell surface in addition to Fc gamma RIlb; therefore, even if
binding to in-
hibitory Fc gamma MED is enhanced and if binding to activating Fc gamma R such
as
Fc gamma RIIa is also enhanced, maturation of dendritic cells may be promoted
as a
result. More specifically, improving not only the Fe gamma RIIb-binding
activity but
also the ratio of Fc gamma RIM-binding activity relative to Fc gamma RIIa-
binding
activity is considered to be important in providing antibodies with an
immunosup-
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pressive action.
[0028] Therefore, when considering the generation of a pharmaceutical that
utilizes the Fc
gamma Ruth binding-mediated immunosuppressive action, there is a need for an
Fc
variant that not only has enhanced Fc gamma RIlb-binding activity, but also
has
binding to both Fc gamma RIIa types H and R allotypes, which is maintained at
a
similar level or is weakened to a lower level than that of a naturally-
occurring IgGl.
[0029] Meanwhile, cases where amino acid alterations were introduced into
the Fc region to
increase the Fc gamma RIlb-binding selectivity have been reported so far (see,
e.g.,
NFL 65). However, all variants said to have improved Fc gamma RIlb selectivity
as
reported in this literature showed decreased Fc gamma Mb binding compared with
that of a naturally-occurring IgGl. Therefore, it is considered to be
difficult for these
variants to actually induce an Fc gamma RIlb-mediated immunosuppressive
reaction
more strongly than IgGl.
[0030] Furthermore, since Fc gamma RIIb plays an important role in the
agonist antibodies
mentioned above, enhancing their binding activity is expected to enhance the
agonistic
activity. However, when Fc gamma RIIa binding is similarly enhanced,
unintended ac-
tivities such as ADCC activity and ADCP activity will be exhibited, and this
may
cause side effects. Also from such viewpoint, it is preferable to be able to
selectively
enhance Fc gamma RIM-binding activity.
[0031] From these results, in producing therapeutic antibodies to be used
for treating au-
toimmune diseases and cancer utilizing Fc gamma RIlb, it is important that
compared
with those of a naturally-occurring IgG, the activities of binding to both Fc
gamma
Rita allotypes are maintained or decreased, and Fc gamma RIlb binding is
enhanced.
However, Fc gamma RIB) shares 93% sequence identity in the extracellular
region
with that of Fc gamma RIIa which is one of the activating Fc gamma Rs, and
they are
very similar structurally. There are allotypes of Fc gamma RIIa, H type and R
type, in
which the amino acid at position 131 is His (type H) or Arg (type R), and yet
each of
them reacts differently with the antibodies (see, e.g., NPL 66). Therefore,
the difficult
problem may be producing an Fc region variant with enhanced selective Fc gamma
RIlb binding as compared to each allotype of Fc gamma Rita, which involves
distin-
guishing highly homologous sequences between Fc gamma RIIa and Fc gamma RIIb.
In spite of those difficulties, several Fc region variants have been
identified so far,
which has selective binding activity to Fc gamma RIM as compared to Fc gamma
RIIa,
by conducting comprehensive amino acid modification analysis in the Fc region
(see,
e.g., PTL 16, PTL 17, PTL 18, PTL 19 and PTL 20).
[0032] There has been a report on an Fc region variant with binding
selectivity for Fc
gamma RIM in relation to human Fc gamma R so far, whereas there has been no
report
on an Fc region variant with binding selectivity for Fc gamma RIIb in relation
to
CA 03002422 29018-04-17
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monkey Fc gamma R. Owing to the absence of such an Fc variant, the effects of
the Fc
variant selectively binding to Fc gamma RIM have not been thoroughly tested
yet in
monkey.
[0033] Apart from the above, it is reported that by modifying the charge of
amino acid
residues which may be exposed on the surface of an antibody so as to increase
or
decrease the isoelectric point (pI) of the antibody, it is possible to
regulate the half-life
of the antibody in blood (see, e.g., PTL 21 and PTL 22). They show that it is
possible
to prolong the plasma half-life of an antibody by reducing the antibody's pI
and vice
versa.
[0034] Further, it is reported that incorporation of an antigen into cells
can be promoted by
modifying the charge of specified amino acid residues particularly in its CH3
domain
to increase the antibody's pI (see, e.g., PTL 23). Also, it has been reported
that
modifying the charge of amino acid residues in the constant region (mainly CH1
domain) of an antibody to reduce pI can prolong the half-life of the antibody
in plasma
(see, e.g., PTL 24).
Citation List
Patent Literature
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PTL 3: US Patent No. 6,096,506
PTL 4: US Patent No. 7,261,893
PTL 5: US Patent No. 7,320,789
PTL 6: US Patent No. 7,807,159
PTL 7: US Patent No. 7,888,486
PTL 8: WO 2005/094446
PTL 9: WO 2007/047112
PTL 10: WO 2010/070094
PTL 11: WO 2000/042072
PTL 12: WO 2006/019447
PTL 13: WO 2004/099249
PTL 14: WO 2004/029207
PTL 15: US Appl. Publ. No. U52009/0136485
PTL 16: WO 2012/115241
PTL 17: WO 2013/047752
PTL 18: WO 2013/125667
PTL 19: WO 2014/030728
PTL 20: WO 2014/163101
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PTL 21: WO 2007/114319
PTL 22: WO 2009/041643
PTL 23: WO 2014/145159
PTL 24: WO 2012/016227
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Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0037] An objective of the invention is to provide anti-myostatin
antibodies, polypeptides
containing variant Fc regions, and methods of using the same.
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Solution to Problem
[0038] The invention provides anti-myostatin antibodies and methods of
using the same.
The invention also provides proteins containing a variant Fc region and
methods of
using the same.
[0039] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present invention
binds to latent myostatin. In further embodiments, the antibody binds to an
epitope
within a fragment consisting of amino acids 21-100 of myostatin propeptide
(SEQ ID
NO: 78). In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present
invention inhibits activation of myostatin. In further embodiments, the
antibody blocks
the release of mature myostatin from latent myostatin. In further embodiments,
the
antibody blocks the proteolytic release of mature myostatin. In further
embodiments,
the antibody blocks the spontaneous release of mature myostatin. In further em-
bodiments, the antibody does not bind to mature myostatin. In further
embodiments,
the antibody binds to the same epitope as an antibody described in Table 13.
In further
embodiments, the antibody binds to the same epitope as an antibody comprising
a VH
and a VL pair described in Table 13. In further embodiments, the antibody
binds to the
same epitope as an antibody described in Table 2a. In further embodiments, the
antibody binds to the same epitope as an antibody comprising a VH and a VL
pair
described in Table 2a. In further embodiments, the antibody binds to the same
epitope
as an antibody described in Table 1 la. . In further embodiments, the antibody
binds to
the same epitope as an antibody comprising a VH and a VL pair described in
Table
lla. In further embodiments, the antibody binds to the same epitope as an
antibody
described in Table 2a, 11 a, or 13. In further embodiments, the antibody binds
to the
same epitope as an antibody comprising a VH and a VL pair described in Table
2a,
11a, or 13.
[0040] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present invention
binds to latent myostatin with higher affinity at neutral pH than at acidic
pH. In some
embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody binds to latent myostatin with higher
affinity at pH7.4 than at pH5.8. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-
myostatin
antibody of the present invention binds to a polypeptide fragment consisting
of amino
acids 21-100 of myostatin propeptide (SEQ ID NO: 78) with higher affinity at
pH7.4
than at pH5.8. In some embodiments, the antibody binds to the same myostatin
epitope
as an antibody described in Table 13 with a higher affinity at neutral pH than
at acidic
pH. In additional embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody binds to the same
epitope
as an antibody described in Table 13 with a higher affinity at pH7.4 than at
pH5.8. In
further embodiments, the antibody binds to the same epitope as an antibody
comprising a VH and a VL pair described in Table 13 with a higher affinity at
pH7.4
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than at pH5.8. In some embodiments, the antibody binds to the same myostatin
epitope
as an antibody described in Table 2a with a higher affinity at neutral pH than
at acidic
pH. In some embodiments, the antibody binds to the same myostatin epitope as
an
antibody described in Table 2a with a higher affinity at pH7.4 than at pH5.8.
In further
embodiments, the antibody binds to the same epitope as an antibody comprising
a VH
and a VL pair described in Table 2a with a higher affinity at pH7.4 than at
pH5.8. In
additional embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody binds to the same epitope
as an
antibody described in Table lla with a higher affinity at neutral pH than at
acidic pH.
In further embodiments, the antibody binds to the same myostatin epitope as an
antibody described in Table lla with a higher affinity at pH7.4 than at pH5.8.
In
further embodiments, the antibody binds to the same epitope as an antibody
comprising a VH and a VL pair described in Table 11 a with a higher affinity
at pH7.4
than at pH5.8. In additional embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody binds to
the
same epitope as an antibody described in Table 2a, 11a, or 13 with a higher
affinity at
neutral pH than at acidic pH. In further embodiments, the antibody binds to
the same
myostatin epitope as an antibody described in Table 2a, 11a, or 13 with a
higher
affinity at pH7.4 than at pH5.8. In further embodiments, the antibody binds to
the same
epitope as an antibody comprising a VH and a VL pair described in Table 2a,
lla, or
13 with a higher affinity at pH7.4 than at pH5.8.
[0041] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present invention
competes for binding latent myostatin with an antibody provided herein.In some
em-
bodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention
competes for
binding latent myostatin with an antibody described in Table 13. In some em-
bodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention
competes for
binding latent myostatin with an antibody comprising a VH and VL pair
described in
Table 13. In some embodiments, the antibody competes for binding latent
myostatin
with an antibody described in Table 2a. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-
myostatin antibody of the present invention competes for binding latent
myostatin with
an antibody comprising a VH and VL pair described in Table 2a. In some em-
bodiments, the antibody competes for binding latent myostatin with an antibody
described in Table Ila. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin
antibody of
the present invention competes for binding latent myostatin with an antibody
comprising a VH and VL pair described in Table lla. In additional embodiments,
an
anti-myostatin antibody competes for binding latent myostatin with an antibody
described in Table 2a, 11 a, or 13. In additional embodiments, an anti-
myostatin
antibody competes for binding latent myostatin with an antibody comprising a
VH and
VL pair described in Table 2a, 11a, or 13. In further embodiments, the anti-
myostatin
antibody binds to latent myostatin with a higher affinity at neutral pH than
at acidic
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pH. In further embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody binds to latent
myostatin with
a higher affinity at pH7.4 than at pH5.8. In further embodiments, the anti-
myostatin
antibody binds to a polypeptide fragment consisting of amino acids 21-100 of
myostatin propeptide (SEQ ID NO: 78) with higher affinity at pH7.4 than at
pH5.8.
Methods for assessing the ability of an antibody to compete with a reference
antibody
for binding latent myostatin are described herein and known in the art.
[0042] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present invention is
a monoclonal antibody. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin
antibody of
the present invention is a human, humanized, or chimeric antibody. In some em-
bodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention is an
antibody
fragment that binds to myostatin. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-
myostatin
antibody of the present invention is an antibody fragment that binds to latent
myostatin. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present
invention is an antibody fragment that binds to a polypeptide fragment
consisting of
amino acids 21-100 of myostatin propeptide (SEQ ID NO: 78). In some
embodiments,
an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention is a full length
IgG
antibody.
[0043] In some embodiments, a anti-myostatin antibody of the invention
comprises:
(a) (i) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence GVPAXISX2GGDX3, wherein
X1 is Y or H, X2 is T or H, X3 is L or K (SEQ ID NO: 128), (ii) a HVR-L3
comprising
the amino acid sequence AGGYGGGXIYA, wherein X1 is L or R (SEQ ID NO: 131),
and (iii) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence IISX1AGX2X3YX4X5X6
WAKX7, wherein X1 is Y or H, X2 is S or K, X3 is T, M or K, X4 is Y or K, X5
is A, M
or E, X6 is S or E, X7 is G or K (SEQ ID NO: 127);
(b) (i) a HVR-Hl comprising the amino acid sequence XIX2DIS, wherein XI is S
or
H, X2 is Y, T, D or E (SEQ ID NO: 126), (ii) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino
acid
sequence IISX1AGX2X3YX4X5X6WAKX7, wherein XI is Y or H, X2 is S or K, X3 is T,
M or K, X4 is Y or K, X5 is A, M or E, X6 is S or E, X7 is G or K (SEQ ID NO:
127),
and (iii) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence GVPAX1SX2GGDX3,
wherein X1 is Y or H, X2 is T or H, X3 is L or K (SEQ ID NO: 128);
(c) (i) a HVR-Hl comprising the amino acid sequence X1X2DIS, wherein X1 is S
or
H, X2 is Y, T, D or E (SEQ ID NO: 126), (ii) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino
acid
sequence IISX1AGX2X3YX4X5X6WAKX7, wherein XI is Y or H, X2 is S or K, X3 is T,
M or K, X4 is Y or K, X5 is A, M or E, X6 is S or E, X7 is G or K (SEQ ID NO:
127),
(iii) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence GVPAXISX2GGDX3, wherein X1
is Y or H, X2 is T or H, X3 is L or K (SEQ ID NO: 128), (iv) a HVR-Li
comprising the
amino acid sequence X1X2SQX3VX4X5X6NWLS, wherein XI is Q or T, X2 is S or T, X
3 is S or E, X4 is Y or F, X5 is D or H, X6 is N, D, A or E (SEQ ID NO: 129);
(v) a
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HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence WAXITLAX2, wherein X1 is S or E, X2
is S, Y, F or W (SEQ ID NO: 130); and (vi) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid
sequence AGGYGGGXIYA, wherein X1 is L or R (SEQ ID NO: 131);
(d) (i) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence XiX2SQX3VX4X5X6NWLS,
wherein X1 is Q or T, X2 is S or T, X3 is S or E, X4 is Y or F, X5 is D or H,
X6 is N, D,
A or E (SEQ ID NO: 129); (ii) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence WAX1
TLAX2, wherein X1 is S or E, X2 is S, Y, F or W (SEQ ID NO: 130); and (iii) a
HVR-
L3 comprising the amino acid sequence AGGYGGGX1YA, wherein X1 is L or R (SEQ
ID NO: 131). In some embodiments the antibody of (b) further comprises a heavy
chain variable domain framework FR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any
one
of SEQ ID NOs: 132-134; FR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ
ID NOs: 135-136; FR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 137; and
FR4 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 138. In some embodiments,
the antibody of (d), further comprises a light chain variable domain framework
FR1
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 139; FR2 comprising the amino
acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 140-141; FR3 comprising the amino acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 142-143; and FR4 comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144.
[0044] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present invention
comprises (a) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence GVPAXISX2GGDX3,
wherein X1 is Y or H, X2 is T or H, X3 is L or K (SEQ ID NO: 128), (b) a HVR-
L3
comprising the amino acid sequence AGGYGGGXIYA, wherein X1 is L or R (SEQ ID
NO: 131), and (c) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence IISX1AGX2X3YX4X
5X6WAKX7, wherein X1 is Y or H, X2 is S or K, X3 is T, M or K, X4 is Y or K,
X5 is A,
M or E, X6 iS S or E, X7 is G or K (SEQ ID NO: 127).
[0045] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present invention
comprises (a) a HVR-Hl comprising the amino acid sequence XIX2DIS, wherein X1
is
S or H, X2 is Y, T, D or E (SEQ ID NO: 126), (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino
acid sequence IISXIAGX2X3YX4X5X6WAKX7, wherein XI is Y or H, X2 is S or K, X3
is T, M or K, X4 is Y or K, X5 is A, M or E, X6 is S or E, X, is G or K (SEQ
ID NO:
127), and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence GVPAXISX2GGDX3,
wherein X1 is Y or H, X2 is T or H, X3 is L or K (SEQ ID NO: 128). In further
em-
bodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable domain framework FR1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 132-134; FR2
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 135-136; FR3
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 137; and FR4 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:138. In further embodiments, the antibody
addi-
tionally comprises (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence X1X2SQX3VX4
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X5X6NWLS, wherein X1 is Q or T, X2 is S or T, X3 is S or E, X4 is Y or F, X5
is D or
H, X6 is N, D, A or E (SEQ ID NO: 129); (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid
sequence WAXITLAX2, wherein Xi is S or E, X2 is S, Y, F or W (SEQ ID NO: 130);
and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence AGGYGGGX1YA, wherein Xi
is L or R (SEQ ID NO: 131).
[0046] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present invention
comprises (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence XIX2SQX3VX4X5X6
NWLS, wherein X1 is Q or T, X2 is S or T, X3 is S or E, X4 is Y or F, X5 is D
or H, X6
is N, D, A or E (SEQ ID NO: 129); (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid
sequence
WAXITLAX2, wherein XI is S or E, X2 is 5, Y, F or W (SEQ ID NO: 130); and (c)
a
HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence AGGYGGGX1YA, wherein XI is L or R
(SEQ ID NO: 131). In a further embodiment, the antibody further comprises a
light
chain variable domain framework FR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID
NO: 139; FR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
140-141; FR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
142-143; and FR4 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144.
[0047] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present invention
comprises a heavy chain variable domain framework FR1 comprising the amino
acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 132-134; FR2 comprising the amino acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 135-136; FR3 comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 137; and FR4 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO: 138. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present
invention comprises a light chain variable domain framework FR1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 139; FR2 comprising the amino acid sequence
of
any one of SEQ ID NOs: 140-141; FR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any
one of SEQ ID NOs: 142-143; and FR4 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO: 144.
[0048] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-myostatin antibody of the
present invention
comprises (a) a VH sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino
acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13, 16-30, 32-34, and 86-95; (b) a VL
sequence
having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ
ID NOs: 15, 31, 35-38, and 96-99; or (c) a VH sequence as in (a) and a VL
sequence as
in (b). In further embodiments, the antibody comprises a VH sequence of any
one of
SEQ ID NOs: 13, 16-30, 32-34, and 86-95. In further embodiments, the antibody
comprises a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 15, 31, 35-38, and 96-99. In
some embodimments, the antibody comprises a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID
NOs: 13, 16-30, 32-34, and 86-95. In further embodimments, the antibody
comprises a
VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13, 16-30, 32-34, and 86-95; and a VL
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sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 15, 31, 35-38, and 96-99.
[0049] The invention also provides isolated nucleic acids encoding an anti-
myostatin
antibody of the present invention. The invention also provides host cells
comprising a
nucleic acid of the present invention. The invention also provides a method of
producing an antibody comprising culturing a host cell of the present
invention so that
the antibody is produced.
[0050] In some apsects the invention provides a method of producing an anti-
myostatin
antibody comprising: (a) culturing a host cell of the present invention so
that the
antibody is produced; or (b) immunizing an animal against a polypeptide,
wherein the
polypeptide comprises the region corresponding to amino acids at positions 21
to 100
of myostatin propeptide (SEQ ID NO: 78).
[0051] The invention further provides a method of producing an anti-
myostatin antibody. In
some embodiments, the method comprises immunizing an animal against a
polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises the region corresponding to
amino
acids at positions 21-100 of myostatin propeptide (SEQ ID NO: 78).
[0052] The invention also provides a pharmaceutical formulation comprising
an anti-
myostatin antibody of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier.
[0053] Anti-myostatin antibodies of the present invention may be for use as
a medicament.
In some embodiments, the antibody is used in the manufacture of a medicament
for:
(a) treatment of a muscle wasting disease; (b) increasing mass of muscle
tissue; (c) in-
creasing strength of muscle tissue; or (d) reducing body fat accumulation. In
some em-
bodiments, anti-myostatin antibodies of the present invention may be for use
in
treating a muscle wasting disease. Anti-myostatin antibodies of the present
invention
may be for use in increasing mass of muscle tissue. Anti-myostatin antibodies
of the
present invention may be for use in increasing strength of muscle tissue. Anti-
myostatin antibodies of the present invention may be for use in reducing body
fat accu-
mulation.
[0054] In some embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody provided herein has
use in: (a)
treating a muscle wasting disease; (b) increasing mass of muscle tissue; (c)
increasing
strength of muscle tissue; or (d) reducing body fat accumulation.
[0055] Anti-myostatin antibodies of the present invention may be used in
the manufacture of
a medicament. In some embodiments, the antibody is used in the manufacture of
a
medicament for: (a) treatment of a muscle wasting disease; (b) increasing mass
of
muscle tissue; (c) increasing strength of muscle tissue; or (d) reducing body
fat accu-
mulation. In some embodiments, the medicament is for treatment of a muscle
wasting
disease. In some embodiments, the medicament is for increasing mass of muscle
tissue.
In some embodiments, the medicament is for increasing strength of muscle
tissue. In
some embodiments, the medicament is for reducing body fat accumulation.
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[0056] The invention also provides a method of treating an individual
having a muscle
wasting disease. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering to
the in-
dividual an effective amount of an anti-myostatin antibody of the present
invention.
The invention also provides a method of increasing mass of muscle tissue in an
in-
dividual. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering to the
individual
an effective amount of an anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention to
increase
mass of muscle tissue. The invention also provides a method of increasing
strength of
muscle tissue in an individual. In some embodiments, the method comprises
admin-
istering to the individual an effective amount of an anti-myostatin antibody
of the
present invention to increase strength of muscle tissue. The invention also
provides a
method of reducing body fat accumulation in an individual. In some
embodiments, the
method comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of an
anti-
myostatin antibody of the present invention to reduce body fat accumulation.
[0057] The invention provides polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions
and methods of
making and using the same.
[0058] In one embodiment, the invention provides Fc gamma RIB-binding
polypeptides
comprising variant Fc regions and methods of using the same. In some
embodiments, a
variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity of the present
invention comprises at least one amino acid alteration in a parent Fc region.
In further
embodiments, the ratio of [KD value of the parent Fc region for monkey Fc
gamma
RIIb]/[KD value of the variant Fc region for monkey Fc gamma RIM] is 2.0 or
greater.
In further embodiments, the ratio of [KD value of the parent Fc region for
monkey Fc
gamma RIIIa]/[KD value of the variant Fc region for monkey Fc gamma RIIIal is
0.5
or smaller. In further embodiments, the ratio of [KD value of the parent Fc
region for
human Fc gamma RIINAKD value of the variant Fc region for human Fc gamma RIIb]
is 2.0 or greater. In further embodiments, the ratio of [KD value of the
parent Fc region
for human Fc gamma RIIIa]/[KD value of the variant Fc region for human Fc
gamma
RIIIa] is 0.5 or smaller. In further embodiments, the ratio of [KD value of
the parent Fe
region for human Fc gamma RIIa (type H)]/[KD value of the variant Fc region
for
human Fc gamma RIIa (type H)] is 5.0 or smaller. In further embodiments, the
ratio of
[KD value of the parent Fc region for human Fc gamma RIIa (type R)1/[KD value
of
the variant Fc region for human Fc gamma RIIa (type R)] is 5.0 or smaller. In
another
embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc region for monkey Fc gamma RIM is
1.0x10 6 M or smaller. In another embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc
region
for monkey Fc gamma RIIIa is 5.0x10 7 M or greater. In another embodiment, the
KD
value of the variant Fc region for human Fc gamma 1211b is 2.0x106 M or
smaller. In
another embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc region for human Fc gamma
RIIIa
is 1.0x106 M or greater. In another embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc
region
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for human Fc gamma RIla (type H) is 1.0x107 M or greater. In another
embodiment,
the KD value of the variant Fc region for human Fc gamma RIIa (type R) is
2.0x10 7 M
or greater.
[0059] In some embodiments, a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-
binding
activity of the present invention comprises at least one amino acid alteration
of at least
one position selected from the group consisting of: 231, 232, 233, 234, 235,
236, 237,
238, 239, 264, 266, 267, 268, 271, 295, 298, 325, 326, 327, 328, 330, 331,
332, 334,
and 396, according to EU numbering.
[0060] In further embodiments, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RIM-binding
activity comprises at least two amino acid alterations comprising: (a) one
amino acid
alteration at position 236, and (b) at least one amino acid alteration of at
least one
position selected from the group consisting of: (i) position 231, 232, 233,
234, 235,
237, 238, 239, 264, 266, 267, 268, 271, 295, 298, 325, 326, 327, 328, 330,
331, 332,
334, and 396; (ii) position: 231, 232, 235, 239, 268, 295, 298, 326, 330, and
396; or
(iii) position 268, 295, 326, and 330; according to EU numbering.
[0061] In further embodiments, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RIM-binding
activity comprises at least two amino acid alterations comprising: (a) one
amino acid
alteration at position 236, and (b) at least one amino acid alteration of at
least one
position selected from the group consisting of: 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 237,
238, 239,
264, 266, 267, 268, 271, 295, 298, 325, 326, 327, 328, 330, 331, 332, 334, and
396,
according to EU numbering.
[0062] In further embodiments, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RIM-binding
activity comprises at least two amino acid alterations comprising: (a) one
amino acid
alteration at position 236, and (b) at least one amino acid alteration of at
least one
position selected from the group consisting of: 231, 232, 235, 239, 268, 295,
298, 326,
330, and 396, according to EU numbering.
[0063] In further embodiments, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RIM-binding
activity comprises at least two amino acid alterations comprising: (a) one
amino acid
alteration at position 236, and (b) at least one amino acid alteration of at
least one
position selected from the group consisting of: 268, 295, 326, and 330
according to EU
numbering.
[0064] In some embodiments, a variant Fe region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-
binding
activity of the present invention comprises at least one amino acid selected
from the
group consisting of: (a) Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, He, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro,
Gin,
Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp, Tyr at position 231; (b) Ala, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly,
His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp, Tyr at position 232; (c) Asp at
position
233; (d) Trp, Tyr at position 234; (e) Trp at position 235; (f) Ala, Asp, Glu,
His, Ile,
Leu, Met, Asn, Gin, Ser, Thr, Val at position 236; (g) Asp, Tyr at position
237; (h)
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Glu, Ile, Met, Gin, Tyr at position 238; (i) Ile, Leu, Asn, Pro, Val at
position 239; (j)
Ile at position 264; (k) Phe at position 266; (1) Ala, His, Leu at position
267; (m) Asp,
Glu at position 268; (n) Asp, Glu, Gly at position 271; (o) Leu at position
295; (p) Leu
at position 298; (q) Glu, Phe, Ile, Leu at position 325; (r) Thr at position
326; (s) Ile,
Asn at position 327; (t) Thr at position 328; (u) Lys, Arg at position 330;
(v) Glu at
position 331; (w) Asp at position 332; (x) Asp, Ile, Met, Val, Tyr at position
334; and
(y) Ala, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr,
Val, Trp,
Tyr at position 396; according to EU numbering.
[0065] In further embodiments, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RIM-binding
activity comprises at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting
of: (a)
Gly, Thr at position 231; (b) Asp at position 232; (c) Trp at position 235;
(d) Asn, Thr
at position 236; (e) Val at position 239; (f) Asp, Glu at position 268; (g)
Leu at position
295; (h) Leu at position 298; (i) Thr at position 326; (j) Lys, Arg at
position 330, and
(k) Lys, Met at position 396; according to EU numbering.
[0066] In another embodiment, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising an iso-
electric point (p1)-increased variant Fc region and a method of using the
same. In some
embodiments, a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with increased pI
comprises at least two amino acid alterations in a parent Fc region. In
further em-
bodiments, each of the amino acid alterations increases the isoelectric point
(pI) of the
variant Fc region compared with that of the parent Fc region. In further
embodiments,
the amino acid can be exposed on the surface of the variant Fc region. In
further em-
bodiments, a polypeptide comprises the variant Fc region and an antigen-
binding
domain. In further embodiments, antigen-binding activity of the antigen-
binding
domain changes according to ion concentration conditions. In further
embodiments, the
variant Fc region with increased pI of the present invention comprises at
least two
amino acid alterations of at least two positions selected from the group
consisting of:
285, 311, 312, 315, 318, 333, 335, 337, 341, 342, 343, 384, 385, 388, 390,
399, 400,
401, 402, 413, 420, 422, and 431 according to EU numbering. In further
embodiments,
the variant Fc region with increased pI comprises Arg or Lys at each of the
positions
selected.
[0067] In some embodiments, a variant Fc region of the present invention
comprises amino
acid alterations described in Tables 14-30.
[0068] In some embodiments, a polypeptide comprises a variant Fc region of
the present
invention. In further embodiments, the parent Fc region is derived from human
IgGl.
In further embodiments, the polypeptide is an antibody. In further
embodiments, the
polypeptpide is an Fc fusion protein.
[0069] The invention provides a polypeptide comprising the amino acid
sequence of any one
of SEQ ID NOs: 229-381.
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[0070] The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid encoding the
polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention. The invention also
provides a
host cell comprising the nucleic acid of the present invention. The invention
also
provides a method of producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region
comprising culturing the host of the present invention so that the polypeptide
is
produced.
[0071] The invention further provides a pharmaceutical formulation
comprising the
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention and a
pharma-
ceutically acceptable carrier.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0072] [fig. l]Figure 1 illustrates inhibition of proteolytic activation of
latent myostatin by
anti-latent myostatin antibody, as described in Example 3. The activity of
active
myostatin released from latent myostatin by BMP1 protease was measured in the
presence of anti-latent myostatin antibody, using HEK Blue Assay.
[fig.2]Figure 2 illustrates inhibition of spontaneous activation of latent
myostatin by
anti-latent myostatin antibody, as described in Example 4. The activity of
active
myostatin released from latent myostatin by 37 degrees C incubation was
measured in
the presence of anti-latent myostatin antibody, using HEK Blue Assay.
[fig.3]Figure 3 illustrates binding of anti-latent myostatin antibody to
propeptide
domain, as described in Example 5.
[fig.4]Figure 4 illustrates Western Blot analysis against myostatin
propeptide, as
described in Example 6. Proteolytic cleavage of myostatin propeptide by BMP1
was
assessed in the presence and absence of anti-latent myostatin antibody.
[fig.5]Figures 5A-5C illustrate BIACORE (registered trademark) sensorgrams of
anti-
latent myostatin antibody MST1032-G1m towards human latent myostatin (A),
cynomolgus monkey latent myostatin (B), and mouse latent myostatin (C), as
described in Example 7.
[fig.6A]Figure 6A illustrates in vivo efficacy of anti-latent myostatin
antibody and
anti-mature myostatin antibody on muscle mass and fat mass, as described in
Example
8. Anti-latent myostatin antibody (MST1032-Glm; described as MST1032 in the
Figures) or anti-mature myostatin antibody (41C1E4) was administered to SCID
mice,
and full body lean mass (or lean body mass: LBM) was measured.
[fig.6B]Figure 6B illustrates in vivo efficacy of anti-latent myostatin
antibody and anti-
mature myostatin antibody on muscle mass and fat mass, as described in Example
8.
Anti-latent myostatin antibody (MST1032-G1m; described as MST1032 in the
Figures) or anti-mature myostatin antibody (41C1E4) was administered to SCID
mice,
and change of full body fat mass from Day 0 to Day 14 was measured.
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[fig.6C]Figure 6C illustrates in vivo efficacy of anti-latent myostatin
antibody and anti-
mature myostatin antibody on muscle mass and fat mass, as described in Example
8.
Anti-latent myostatin antibody (MST1032-G1m; described as MST1032 in the
Figures) or anti-mature myostatin antibody (41C1E4) wasadministered to SCID
mice,
and gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscle mass was measured.
[fig.7A]Figure 7A illustrates comparison of in vivo efficacy among several
anti-
myostatin antibodies, as described in Example 9. Anti-latent myostatin
antibody
(MST1032-G1m; described as MST1032 in the Figures) or anti-mature myostatin
antibody (41C1E4, REGN, OGD, or MY0-029) was administered to SCID mice, and
full body lean mass was measured.
[fig.7B]Figure 7B illustrates comparison of in vivo efficacy among several
anti-
myostatin antibodies, as described in Example 9. Anti-latent myostatin
antibody
(MST1032-Glm; described as MST1032 in the Figures) or anti-mature myostatin
antibody (41C1E4, REGN, OGD, or MY0-029) was administered to SCID mice, and
grip strength was measured.
[fig.7C]Figure 7C illustrates comparison of in vivo efficacy among several
anti-
myostatin antibodies, as described in Example 9. Anti-latent myostatin
antibody
(MST1032-G1m; described as MST1032 in the Figures) or anti-mature myostatin
antibody (41C1E4, REGN, OGD, or MY0-029) was administered to SCID mice, and
change of full body fat mass from Day 0 to Day 14 was measured.
[fig.8]Figure 8 illustrates inhibition of proteolytic and spontaneous
activation of latent
myostatin by humanized anti-latent myostatin antibody, as described in Example
10.
The activity of active myostatin released from latent myostatin by BMP1
protease
(proteolytic) or by 37 degrees C incubation without BMP1 (spontaneous) was
measured in the presence of anti-latent myostatin antibody, using HEK Blue
Assay.
[fig.9]Figure 9 illustrates BIACORE (registered trademark) sensorgrams of
histidine
substituted variants of anti-latent myostatin antibody, as described in
Example 11. The
antibody/antigen complexes were allowed to dissociate at pH7.4, followed by ad-
ditional dissociation at pH5.8 (pointed by an arrow) to assess the pH-
dependent in-
teractions. Antibodies tested in this experiment are: Ab001 (black solid
curve), Ab002
(black short-dashed curve), Ab003 (black dotted curve), Ab004 (gray short-
dashed
curve), Ab005 (gray solid curve), Ab006 (gray long-dashed curve), and Ab007
(black
long-dashed curve).
[fig.10]Figure 10 illustrates inhibition of proteolytic and spontaneous
activation of
latent myostatin by pH-dependent anti-latent myostatin antibodies, as
described in
Example 13. The activity of active myostatin released from latent myostatin by
BMP1
protease (proteolytic) or by 37 degrees C incubation without BMP1
(spontaneous) was
measured in the presence of anti-latent myostatin antibodies, using HEK Blue
Assay.
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Antibodies MS1032L001-SG1, MS1032L002-SG1, MS1032L003-SG1, and
MS1032L004-SG1 are described respectively as MSLO-01, MSLO-02, MSLO-03,
and MSLO-04 in the Figure. Comparable inhibition of proteolytic and
spontaneous ac-
tivation of latent myostatin to M51032L000-SG1 was achieved by
MS1032L001-SG1, MS1032L002-SG1, MS1032L003-SG1, and
MS1032L004-SG1.
[fig.11]Figures 11A-11F illustrate BIACORE (registered trademark) sensorgrams
of
pH-dependent anti-latent myostatin antibody, as described in Example 14.
Kinetic pa-
rameters of MST1032-SG1 (A), MS1032L000-SG1 (B), MS1032L001-SG1 (C),
M51032L002-SG1 (D), M51032L003-SG1 (E), and M51032L004-SG1 (F), were
measured at neutral pH and acidic pH.
[fig.12]Figure 12 illustrates the time course of plasma myostatin
concentration after in-
travenous administration of an anti-myostatin antibody in mice, as described
in
Example 15. The effects of Fc gamma R-mediated cellular uptake of
antibody/antigen
complexes on myostatin clearance in vivo was assessed by comparing anti-
myostatin
antibodies with Fc gamma R binding (MS1032L000-SG1) and anti-myostatin an-
tibodies with abolished Fc gamma R binding (MS1032L000-F760).
[fig.13]Figure 13 illustrates the time course of plasma myostatin
concentration after in-
travenous administration of an anti-myostatin antibody in mice, as described
in
Example 16. The effects of pH-dependent binding of anti-myostatin antibody on
myostatin clearance in vivo was assessed by comparing pH-dependent anti-
myostatin
antibody (MS1032L001-SG1 or MS1032L001-F760) and non pH-dependent anti-
myostatin antibody (MS1032L000-SG1 or MS1032L000-F760).
[fig.14]Figures 14A-14E illustrate in vivo efficacy of pH-dependent and non pH-
dependent anti-latent myostatin antibodies, as described in Example 17. pH-
dependent
anti-latent myostatin antibody (MS1032L001-SG1; described as MSLO1 in the
Figure) or non pH-dependent anti-latent myostatin antibody (MS1032L000-SG1;
described as MSLOO in the Figure) was administered to SCID mice, and full body
lean
mass (A), full body fat mass (B), quadriceps muscle mass (C), gastrocnemius
muscle
mass (D), and grip strength (E) were measured.
[fig.15]Figure 15 illustrates binding activity of anti-latent myostatin
antibody
MST1032 to latent myostatin and GDF11, as described in Example 19.
[fig.16]Figure 16 illustrates the inhibitory activity of anti-latent myostatin
antibody
MST1032 against proteolytic and spontaneous activation of GDF11, as described
in
Example 20. The activity of active GDF11 released by BMP1 protease
(proteolytic) or
by 37 degrees C incubation without BMP1 (spontaneous) was measured in the
presence of anti-latent myostatin antibody, using HEK Blue Assay.
[fig.17]Figure 17 illustrates inhibition of proteolytic activation of latent
myostatin by
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anti-latent myostatin antibody, as described in Example 22. The activity of
active
myostatin released from latent myostatin by BMP1 protease was measured in the
presence of anti-latent myostatin antibody, using HEK Blue Assay.
[fig.18]Figure 18 illustrates the time course of plasma myostatin
concentration after in-
travenous administration of anti-latent myostatin antibodies in mice, as
described in
Example 23. The effects of pH dependency on myostatin clearance in vivo was
assessed by comparing non-pH dependent anti-latent myostatin antibody
(MS1032L000-SG1) and different pH-dependent anti-latent myostatin antibodies
(MS1032L001-SG1, M51032L006-SG1, MS1032L011-SG1, M51032L018-SG1,
MS1032L019-SG1, MS1032L021-SG1 and MS1032L025-SG1).
[fig.19]Figures 19A and 19B illustrate the time course of plasma myostatin con-
centration after intravenous administration of anti-latent myostatin
antibodies in
cynomolgus monkey, as described in Example 24. (A) The effect of pH-dependency
and Fc engineering on myostatin clearance in vivo was assessed by comparing
non pH-
dependent anti-latent myostatin antibody (MS1032L000-SG1) and pH-dependent
anti-
latent myostatin antibodies with Fc engineering (MS1032L006-SG1012,
MS1032L006-SG1016, MS1032L006-SG1029, MS1032L006-SG1031,
M51032L006-5G1033, M51032L006-5G1034). (B) The effect of Fc engineering on
myostatin clearance in vivo was assessed by comparing anti-latent myostatin an-
tibodies (MS1032L019-5G1079, MS 1032L019-5G1071, MS1032L019-SG1080,
M51032L019-5G1074, M51032L019-5G1081, and M51032L019-5G1077).
[fig.20A]Figure 20A, together with Figures 20B-201, illustrates in vivo
efficacy of
anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MS1032 variants) on lean body mass (LBM),
grip
strength, and body fat mass, as described in Example 25. MS1032L006-SG1,
M51032L011-SG1, and M51032L018-SG1 were administered to Scid mice, and lean
body mass (A)was measured.
[fig.20B]Figure 20B, together with Figures 20A, 20C-201, illustrates in vivo
efficacy
of anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MS1032 variants) on lean body mass (LBM),
grip
strength, and body fat mass, as described in Example 25. M51032L006-SG1,
M51032L019-SG1, and MS1032L025-SG1 were administered to Scid mice, and lean
body mass (B) was measured.
[fig.20CIFigure 20C, together with Figures 20A-B, 20D-I, illustrates in vivo
efficacy
of anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MS1032 variants) on lean body mass (LBM),
grip
strength, and body fat mass, as described in Example 25. MS1032L001-SG,
MS1032L006-SG1, and MS1032L011-SG1 were administered to Scid mice, and lean
body mass (C) was measured.
[fig.20D1Figure 20D, together with Figures 20A-C, 20E-I, illustrates in vivo
efficacy
of anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MS1032 variants) on lean body mass (LBM),
grip
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strength, and body fat mass, as described in Example 25. MS1032L006-SG1,
MS1032L011-SG1, and MS1032L018-SG1 were administered to Scid mice, and grip
strength (D) was measured.
[fig.20E]Figure 20E, together with Figures 20A-D, 20F-20I, illustrates in vivo
efficacy
of anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MS1032 variants) on lean body mass (LBM),
grip
strength, and body fat mass, as described in Example 25. MS1032L006-SG1,
MS1032L019-SG1, and MS1032L025-SG1 were administered to Scid mice, and grip
strength (E) was measured.
[fig.20F]Figure 20F, together with Figures 20A-E, 20G-I, illustrates in vivo
efficacy of
anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MS1032 variants) on lean body mass (LBM),
grip
strength, and body fat mass, as described in Example 25. MS1032L001-SG,
MS1032L006-SG1, and MS1032L011-SG1 were administered to Scid mice, and grip
strength (F) was measured.
[fig.20G]Figure 20G, together with Figures 20A-F, 20H-I, illustrates in vivo
efficacy
of anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MS1032 variants) on lean body mass (LBM),
grip
strength, and body fat mass, as described in Example 25. MS1032L006-SG1,
M51032L011-SG1, and M51032L018-SG1 were administered to Scid mice, and
body fat mass (G) was measured.
[fig.20H]Figure 20H, together with Figures 20A-G, 201, illustrates in vivo
efficacy of
anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MS1032 variants) on lean body mass (LBM),
grip
strength, and body fat mass, as described in Example 25. M51032L006-SG1,
MS1032L019-SG1, and M51032L025-SG1 were administered to Scid mice, and
body fat mass (H) was measured.
[fig.201]Figure 201, together with Figures 20A-H, illustrates in vivo efficacy
of anti-
latent myostatin antibodies (MS1032 variants) on lean body mass (LBM), grip
strength, and body fat mass, as described in Example 25. MS1032L001-SG,
MS1032L006-SG1, and MS1032L011-SG1 were administered to Scid mice, and
body fat mass (1) was measured.
[fig.21[Figure 21 illustrates inhibitory activity on latent myostatin
activation by anti-
latent myostatin antibodies, as described in Example 26. The amounts of mature
myostatin released from latent myostatin by BMP1 protease were measured in the
presence of anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MST1032, MST1504, M5T1538,
MST1551, M5T1558, M5T1572, and MST1573).
[fig.22A1Figure 22A illustrates a schematic diagram of latent myostatin
fragments of
100 amino acid each, designed for epitope mapping of anti-latent myostatin
antibodies,
as described in Example 26.
[fig.22B]Figure 22B illustrates Western blotting analysis against GST tagged
human
latent myostatin fragments (GST-hMSTN) by an anti-GST antibody, as described
in
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Example 26. Each lane indicates: 1, GST-hMSTN 1-100aa; 2, GST-hMSTN 21-120aa;
3, GST-hMSTN 41-140aa; 4, GST-hMSTN 61-160aa; 5, GST-hMSTN 81-180aa; 6,
GST-hMSTN 101-200aa; 7, GST-hMSTN 121-220aa; 8, GST-hMSTN 141-241aa; 9,
GST control.
[fig.22C1Figure 22C illustrates Western blotting analysis against GST tagged
human
latent myostatin fragments (GST-hMSTN) by anti-latent myostatin antibodies
(MST1032, MST1538, MST1572, and MST1573), as described in Example 26. Each
lane indicates: 1, GST-hMSTN 1-100aa; 2, GST-hMSTN 21-120aa; 3, GST-hMSTN
41-140aa; 4, GST-hMSTN 61-160aa; 5, GST-hMSTN 81-180aa; 6, GST-hMSTN
101-200aa; 7, GST-hMSTN 121-220aa; 8, GST-hMSTN 141-241aa; 9, GST control;
10, human latent myostatin (10Ong).
[fig.22D1Figure 22D illustrates summarized results of Western blotting
analysis and
deduced epitope positions for anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MST1032,
MST1538,
MST1572, and MST1573), as described in Example 26.
[fig.23]Figure 23 illustrates an alignment of amino acid sequences of
cynomolgus
(cyno) Fc gamma RIIal, Fc gamma RIIa2, Fc gamma RIIa3, Fc gamma RIM, human
Fc gamma RIIaH, Fc gamma RIIaR, and Fc gamma RIM. Squared regions indicate
putative residues which interact with Fc domain.
[fig.24]Figure 24 illustrates the time course of total myostatin concentration
in plasma
after intravenous administration of an anti-myostatin antibody with an Fc
gamma RIM-
enhanced Fc variant in all human Fc gamma R transgenic mice, as described in
Example 28. The effects of Fc gamma RIM-enhanced Fc variants on antigen
elimination through human Fc gamma RIM, were evaluated.
[fig.25]Figure 25 illustrates the time course of antibody concentration in
plasma after
intravenous administration of an anti-myostatin antibody with an Fc gamma RIM-
enhanced Fc variant in all human Fc gamma R transgenic mice, as described in
Example 28. The effects of Fc gamma RIM-enhanced Fc variants on antibody
pharma-
cokineties were evaluated.
[fig.26]Figures 26A and 26B illustrate the time course of plasma myostatin con-
centration after intravenous administration of anti-latent myostatin
antibodies in
cynomolgus monkey, as described in Example 29. (A) The effect of pH-dependency
and Fe engineering on myostatin clearance in vivo was assessed by comparing
non pH-
dependent anti-latent myostatin antibody (MS1032L000-SG1) and pH-dependent
anti-
latent myostatin antibodies with Fc engineering (MS1032L006-SG1012,
MS1032L006-SG1016, MS1032L006-SG1029, MS1032L006-5G1031,
M51032L006-5G1033, M51032L006-5G1034). (B) The effect of Fc engineering on
myostatin clearance in vivo was assessed by comparing anti-latent myostatin an-
tibodies (MS1032L019-SG1079, MS1032L019-SG1071, MS1032L019-SG1080,
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WO 2017/104783 PCT/JP2016/087487
MS1032L019-SG1074, MS1032L019-5G1081, and MS1032L019-SG1077).
[fig.27A]Figure 27A illustrates the time course of total myostatin
concentration in
plasma after intravenous administration of an anti-myostatin antibody with a
p1-
increased Fc variant in human FcRn transgenic mice, as described in Example
30. The
effects of p1-increased Fc variants on antigen elimination were evaluated.
[fig.27131Figure 27B illustrates the time course of antibody concentration in
plasma
after intravenous administration of an anti-myostatin antibody with a p1-
increased Fc
variant in human FcRn transgenic mice, as described in Example 30. The effects
of p1-
increased Fc variants on antibody pharmacokinetics were evaluated.
[fig.28A]Figure 28A illustrates the time course of total myostatin
concentration in
plasma after intravenous administration of an anti-myostatin antibody with a
p1-
increased Fc variant in human FcRn transgenic mice, as described in Example
30. The
effects of p1-increased Fc variants on antigen elimination were evaluated. In
this assay,
an excess of human normal immunogloblin were co-administered with the anti-
myostatin antibody in order to mimic the situation of human plasma.
[fig.28131Figure 28B illustrates the time course of antibody concentration in
plasma
after intravenous administration of an anti-myostatin antibody with a p1-
increased Fc
variant in human FcRn transgenic mice, as described in Example 30. The effects
of p1-
increased Fc variants on antibody pharmacokinetics were evaluated. In this
assay, an
excess of human normal immunogloblin were co-administered with the anti-
myostatin
antibody in order to mimic the situation of human plasma.
[fig.29]Figure 29 illustrates the time course of total myostatin concentration
in plasma
after intravenous administration of an anti-myostatin antibody with an Fc
gamma RIM-
enhanced Fc variant in human Fc gamma RIM transgenic mice, as described in
Example 31. The effects of Fc gamma RIM-enhanced Fc variants on antigen
elimination through human Fc gamma RI% were evaluated.
[fig.30]Figure 30 illustrates the time course of antibody concentration in
plasma after
intravenous administration of an anti-myostatin antibody with an Fc gamma RIM-
enhanced Fc variant in human Fc gamma RIIb transgenic mice, as described in
Example 31. The effects of Fc gamma RIM-enhanced Fc variants on antibody
pharina-
cokinetics were evaluated.
[fig.31]Figure 31 illustrates results of cell imaging analysis of anti-
myostatin an-
tibodies with an Fc gamma RIM-enhanced Fc variant, as described in Example 33.
Each antibody was complexed with fluorescence-labelled myostatin and
intracellular
uptake of the antigen-antibody complex into cells expressing human Fc gamma
RI%
was measured.
Description of Embodiments
28
[0073] The techniques and procedures described or referenced herein are
generally well un-
derstood and commonly employed using conventional methodology by those skilled
in
the art, such as, for example, the widely utilized methodologies described in
Sambrook
et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual 3d edition (2001) Cold Spring
Harbor
Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Current Protocols in Molecular
Biology
(F.M. Ausubel, et al., eds., (2003)); the series Methods in Enzymology
(Academic
Press, Inc.): PCR 2: A Practical Approach (M.J. MacPherson, B.D. Hames and
G.R.
Taylor eds. (1995)), Harlow and Lane, eds. (1988) Antibodies, A Laboratory
Manual,
and Animal Cell Culture (R.I. Freshney, ed. (1987)); Oligonucleotide Synthesis
(M.J.
Gait, ed., 1984); Methods in Molecular Biology, Humana Press; Cell Biology: A
Laboratory Notebook (J.E. Cellis, ed., 1998) Academic Press; Animal Cell
Culture
(R.I. Freshney), ed., 1987); Introduction to Cell and Tissue Culture (J. P.
Mather and
P.E. Roberts, 1998) Plenum Press; Cell and Tissue Culture: Laboratory
Procedures (A.
Doyle, J.B. Griffiths, and D.G. Newell, eds., 1993-8) J. Wiley and Sons;
Handbook of
Experimental Immunology (D.M. Weir and C.C. Blackwell, eds.); Gene Transfer
Vectors for Mammalian Cells (J.M. Miller and M.P. Cabs, eds., 1987); PCR: The
Polymerase Chain Reaction, (Mullis et al., eds., 1994); Current Protocols in
Im-
munology (J.E. Coligan et al., eds., 1991); Short Protocols in Molecular
Biology
(Wiley and Sons, 1999); Immunobiology (CA. Janeway and P. Travers, 1997); An-
tibodies (P. Finch, 1997); Antibodies: A Practical Approach (D. Catty., ed.,
IRL Press,
1988-1989); Monoclonal Antibodies: A Practical Approach (P. Shepherd and C.
Dean,
eds., Oxford University Press, 2000); Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual
(E.
Harlow and D. Lane, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1999); The Antibodies
(M.
Zanetti and J. D. Capra, eds., Harwood Academic Publishers, 1995); and Cancer:
Principles and Practice of Oncology (V.T. DeVita et al., eds., J.B. Lippincott
Company, 1993).
I. DEFINITIONS
[0074] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein
have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
this
invention belongs. Singleton et al., Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular
Biology
2nd ed., J. Wiley & Sons (New York, N.Y. 1994), and March, Advanced Organic
Chemistry Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons (New
York, N.Y. 1992), provide one skilled in the art with a general guide to many
of the
terms used in the present application.
[0075] For purposes of interpreting this specification, the following
definitions will apply
and whenever appropriate, terms used in the singular will also include the
plural and
vice versa. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the
purpose of
Date Recite/Date Received 2023-04-14
29
describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. In
the event
that any definition set forth below conflicts with any document cited, the
definition set
forth below shall control.
[0076] An "acceptor human framework" for the purposes herein is a framework
comprising
the amino acid sequence of a light chain variable domain (VL) framework or a
heavy
chain variable domain (VH) framework derived from a human immunoglobulin
framework or a human consensus framework, as defined below. An acceptor human
framework "derived from" a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus
framework may comprise the same amino acid sequence thereof, or it may contain
amino acid sequence changes. In some embodiments, the number of amino acid
changes are 10 or less, 9 or less, 8 or less, 7 or less, 6 or less, 5 or less,
4 or less, 3 or
less, or 2 or less. In some embodiments, the VL acceptor human framework is
identical
in sequence to the VL human immunoglobulin framework sequence or human
consensus framework sequence.
[0077] "Affinity" refers to the strength of the sum total of noncovalent
interactions between
a single binding site of a molecule (e.g., an antibody) and its binding
partner (e.g., an
antigen). Unless indicated otherwise, as used herein, "binding affinity"
refers to
intrinsic binding affinity which reflects a 1:1 interaction between members of
a binding
pair (e.g., antibody and antigen). The affinity of a molecule X for its
partner Y can
generally be represented by the dissociation constant (Kd). Affinity can be
measured
by common methods known in the art, including those described herein. Specific
il-
lustrative and exemplary embodiments for measuring binding affinity are
described in
the following.
[0078] An "affinity matured" antibody refers to an antibody with one or
more alterations in
one or more hypervariable regions (HVRs), compared to a parent antibody which
does
not possess such alterations, such alterations resulting in an improvement in
the
affinity of the antibody for antigen.
[0079] The terms "anti-myostatin antibody" and "an antibody that binds to
myostatin" refer
to an antibody that is capable of binding myostatin with sufficient affinity
such that the
antibody is useful as a diagnostic and/or therapeutic agent in targeting
myostatin. In
one embodiment, the extent of binding of an anti-myostatin antibody to an
unrelated,
non-myostatin protein is less than about 10% of the binding of the antibody to
myostatin as measured, e.g., by a radioimmunoassay (RIA). In certain
embodiments,
an antibody that binds to myostatin has a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1
micro M or
less, 100 nM or less, 10 nM or less, 1 nM or less, 0.1 nM or less, 0.01 nM or
less, or
0.001 nM or less (e.g., 10-'M or less, e.g., from 10-'M to 1013M, e.g., from
10-9M to
10's M). In certain embodiments, an anti myostatin antibody binds to an
epitope of
myostatin that is conserved among myostatin from different species.
Date Recite/Date Received 2023-04-14
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[0080] The term "antibody" herein is used in the broadest sense and
encompasses various
antibody structures, including but not limited to monoclonal antibodies,
polyclonal an-
tibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), and antibody
fragments
so long as they exhibit the desired antigen-binding activity.
[0081] An "antibody fragment" refers to a molecule other than an intact
antibody that
comprises a portion of an intact antibody that binds the antigen to which the
intact
antibody binds. Examples of antibody fragments include but are not limited to
Fv, Fab,
Fab', Fab'-SH, F(ab')2; diabodies; linear antibodies; single-chain antibody
molecules
(e.g., scFv); and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.
[0082] An "antibody that binds to the same epitope" as a reference antibody
refers to an
antibody that blocks binding of the reference antibody to its antigen in a
competition
assay, and/or conversely, the reference antibody blocks binding of the
antibody to its
antigen in a competition assay. An exemplary competition assay is provided
herein.
[0083] The term "chimeric" antibody refers to an antibody in which a
portion of the heavy
and/or light chain is derived from a particular source or species, while the
remainder of
the heavy and/or light chain is derived from a different source or species.
[0084] The "class" of an antibody refers to the type of constant domain or
constant region
possessed by its heavy chain. There are five major classes of antibodies: IgA,
IgD, IgE,
IgG, and 1gM, and several of these may be further divided into subclasses
(isotypes),
e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgAi, and IgA2. The heavy chain constant domains
that
correspond to the different classes of immunoglobulins are called alpha,
delta, epsilon,
gamma, and mu, respectively.
[0085] The term "cytotoxic agent" as used herein refers to a substance that
inhibits or
prevents a cellular function and/or causes cell death or destruction.
Cytotoxic agents
include, but are not limited to, radioactive isotopes (e.g., At211, 1131,
1125, y90, Re186, Rem
SmI53, Bi212, p32, pb2I2 and radioactive isotopes of Lu); chemotherapeutic
agents or
drugs (e.g., methotrexate, adriamycin, vinca alkaloids (vincristine,
vinblastine,
etoposide), doxorubicin, melphalan, mitomycin C, chlorambucil, daunorubicin or
other
intercalating agents); growth inhibitory agents; enzymes and fragments thereof
such as
nucleolytic enzymes; antibiotics; toxins such as small molecule toxins or
enzymatically
active toxins of bacterial, fungal, plant or animal origin, including
fragments and/or
variants thereof; and the various antitumor or anticancer agents disclosed
below.
[0086] "Effector functions" refer to those biological activities
attributable to the Fc region of
an antibody, which vary with the antibody isotype. Examples of antibody
effector
functions include: Clq binding and complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC); Fc
receptor binding; antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC);
phagocytosis; down regulation of cell surface receptors (e.g., B cell
receptor); and B
cell activation.
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[0087] An "effective amount" of an agent, e.g., a pharmaceutical
foimulation, refers to an
amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the
desired
therapeutic or prophylactic result.
[0088] The term "epitope" includes any determinant capable of being bound
by an antibody.
An epitope is a region of an antigen that is bound by an antibody that targets
that
antigen, and includes specific amino acids that directly contact the antibody.
Epitope
determinants can include chemically active surface groupings of molecules such
as
amino acids, sugar side chains, phosphoryl or sulfonyl groups, and can have
specific
three dimensional structural characteristics, and/or specific charge
characteristics.
Generally, antibodies specific for a particular target antigen will
preferentially
recognize an epitope on the target antigen in a complex mixture of proteins
and/or
macromolecules.
[0089] "Fc receptor" or "FcR" describes a receptor that binds to the Fc
region of an
antibody. In some embodiments, an FcR is a native human FcR. In some
embodiments,
an FcR is one which binds an IgG antibody (a gamma receptor) and includes
receptors
of the Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma Rh, and Fc gamma RIII subclasses, including
allelic
variants and alternatively spliced forms of those receptors. Fc gamma RH
receptors
include Fc gamma RIIA (an "activating receptor") and Fc gamma RIIB (an
"inhibiting
receptor"), which have similar amino acid sequences that differ primarily in
the cy-
toplasmic domains thereof. Activating receptor Fc gamma RIIA contains an im-
munoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) in its cytoplasmic domain.
In-
hibiting receptor Fc gamma RHB contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based in-
hibition motif (ITIM) in its cytoplasmic domain. (See, e.g., Dacron, Annu.
Rev.
Immunol. 15:203-234 (1997).) FcRs are reviewed, for example, in Ravetch and
Kinet,
Annu. Rev. Immunol. 9:457-92 (1991); Capel et al., Immunomethods 4:25-34
(1994);
and de Haas et al., J. Lab. Clin. Med. 126:330-41 (1995). Other FcRs,
including those
to be identified in the future, are encompassed by the term "FcR" herein.
[0090] The term "Fc receptor" or "FcR" also includes the neonatal receptor,
FcRn, which is
responsible for the transfer of maternal IgGs to the fetus (Guyer et al., J.
Immunol.
117:587 (1976) and Kim et al., J. Immunol. 24:249 (1994)) and regulation of
homeostasis of immunoglobulins. Methods of measuring binding to FcRn are known
(see, e.g., Ghetie and Ward., Immunol. Today 18(12):592-598 (1997); Ghetie et
al.,
Nature Biotechnology 15(7):637-640 (1997); Hinton et al., J. Biol. Chem.
279(8):6213-6216 (2004); WO 2004/92219 (Hinton et al.). Binding to human FcRn
in
vivo and serum half life of human FcRn high affinity binding polypeptides can
be
assayed, e.g., in transgenic mice or transfected human cell lines expressing
human
FcRn, or in primates to which the polypeptides with a variant Fc region are ad-
ministered. WO 2000/42072 (Presta) describes antibody variants with improved
or di-
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minished binding to FcRs. See also, e.g., Shields et al., J. Biol. Chem.
9(2):6591-6604
(2001).
[0091] The term "Fc region" herein is used to define a C-terminal region of
an im-
munoglobulin heavy chain that contains at least a portion of the constant
region. The
term includes native sequence Fc regions and variant Fc regions. In one
embodiment, a
human IgG heavy chain Fc region extends from Cys226, or from Pro230, to the
carboxyl-terminus of the heavy chain. However, the C-terminal lysine (Lys447)
or
glycine-lysine (residues 446-447) of the Fc region may or may not be present.
Unless
otherwise specified herein, numbering of amino acid residues in the Fc region
or
constant region is according to the EU numbering system, also called the EU
index, as
described in Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest,
5th Ed.
Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 1991.
[0092] The term "Fc region-comprising antibody" refers to an antibody that
comprises an Fc
region. The C-terminal lysine (residue 447 according to the EU numbering
system) or
C-terminal glycine-lysine (residues 446-447) of the Fc region may be removed,
for
example, during purification of the antibody or by recombinant engineering of
the
nucleic acid encoding the antibody. Accordingly, a composition comprising an
antibody having an Fc region according to this invention can comprise an
antibody
with G446-K447, with G446 and without K447, with all G446-K447 removed, or a
mixture of three types of antibodies described above.
[0093] "Framework" or "FR" refers to variable domain residues other than
hypervariable
region (HVR) residues. The FR of a variable domain generally consists of four
FR
domains: FR1, FR2, FR3, and FR4. Accordingly, the HVR and FR sequences
generally appear in the following sequence in VH (or VL):
FR1-H1(L1)-FR2-H2(L2)-FR3-H3(L3)-FR4.
[0094] The terms "full length antibody," "intact antibody," and "whole
antibody" are used
herein interchangeably to refer to an antibody having a structure
substantially similar
to a native antibody structure or having heavy chains that contain an Fc
region as
defined herein.
[0095] A "functional Fc region" possesses an "effector function" of a
native sequence Fc
region. Exemplary "effector functions" include Clq binding; CDC; Fc receptor
binding; A DCC; phagocytosis; down regulation of cell surface receptors (e.g.,
B cell
receptor; BCR), etc. Such effector functions generally require the Fc region
to be
combined with a binding domain (e.g., an antibody variable domain) and can be
assessed using various assays as disclosed, for example, in definitions
herein.
[0096] The terms "host cell," "host cell line," and "host cell culture" are
used inter-
changeably and refer to cells into which exogenous nucleic acid has been
introduced,
including the progeny of such cells. Host cells include "transformants" and
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"transformed cells," which include the primary transformed cell and progeny
derived
therefrom without regard to the number of passages. Progeny may not be
completely
identical in nucleic acid content to a parent cell, but may contain mutations.
Mutant
progeny that have the same function or biological activity as screened or
selected for in
the originally transformed cell are included herein.
[0097] A "human antibody" is one which possesses an amino acid sequence
which cor-
responds to that of an antibody produced by a human or a human cell or derived
from a
non-human source that utilizes human antibody repertoires or other human
antibody-
encoding sequences. This definition of a human antibody specifically excludes
a
humanized antibody comprising non-human antigen-binding residues.
[0098] A "human consensus framework" is a framework which represents the
most
commonly occurring amino acid residues in a selection of human immunoglobulin
YL
or VH framework sequences. Generally, the selection of human immunoglobulin VL
or VH sequences is from a subgroup of variable domain sequences. Generally,
the
subgroup of sequences is a subgroup as in Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins
of Im-
munological Interest, Fifth Edition, NIH Publication 91-3242, Bethesda MD
(1991),
vols. 1-3. In one embodiment, for the VL, the subgroup is subgroup kappa I as
in
Kabat et al., supra. In one embodiment, for the VH, the subgroup is subgroup
III as in
Kabat et al., supra.
[0099] A "humanized" antibody refers to a chimeric antibody comprising
amino acid
residues from non-human HVRs and amino acid residues from human FRs. In
certain
embodiments, a humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least
one, and
typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the HVRs
(e.g.,
CDRs) correspond to those of a non-human antibody, and all or substantially
all of the
FRs correspond to those of a human antibody. A humanized antibody optionally
may
comprise at least a portion of an antibody constant region derived from a
human
antibody. A "humanized form" of an antibody, e.g., a non-human antibody,
refers to an
antibody that has undergone humanization.
[0100] The term "hypervariable region" or "HVR" as used herein refers to
each of the
regions of an antibody variable domain which are hypervariable in sequence
("complementarity determining regions" or "CDRs") and/or form structurally
defined
loops ("hypervariable loops") and/or contain the antigen-contacting residues
("antigen
contacts"). Generally, antibodies comprise six HVRs: three in the VH (H1, H2,
H3),
and three in the VL (L1, L2, L3). Exemplary HVRs herein include: (a)
hypervariable
loops occurring at amino acid residues 26-32 (L1), 50-52 (L2), 91-96 (L3), 26-
32 (H1),
53-55 (H2), and 96-101 (H3) (Chothia and Lesk, J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917
(1987));
(b) CDRs occurring at amino acid residues 24-34 (L1), 50-56 (L2), 89-97 (L3),
31-35b
(H1), 50-65 (H2), and 95-102 (H3) (Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Im-
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munological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, NIH, Bethesda, MD
(1991)); (c)
antigen contacts occurring at amino acid residues 27c-36 (L1), 46-55 (L2), 89-
96 (L3),
30-35b (HI), 47-58 (H2), and 93-101 (H3) (MacCallum et al., J. Mol. Biol. 262:
732-745 (1996)); and (d) combinations of (a), (b), and/or (c), including HVR
amino
acid residues 46-56 (L2), 47-56 (L2), 48-56 (L2), 49-56 (L2), 26-35 (HI), 26-
35b
(H1), 49-65 (H2), 93-102 (H3), and 94-102 (H3).
[0101] Unless otherwise indicated, HVR residues and other residues in the
variable domain
(e.g., FR residues) are numbered herein according to Kabat et al., supra.
[0102] An "immunoconjugate" is an antibody conjugated to one or more
heterologous
molecule(s), including but not limited to a cytotoxic agent.
[0103] An "individual" or "subject" is a mammal. Mammals include, but are
not limited to,
domesticated animals (e.g., cows, sheep, cats, dogs, and horses), primates
(e.g.,
humans and non-human primates such as monkeys), rabbits, and rodents (e.g.,
mice
and rats). In certain embodiments, the individual or subject is a human.
[0104] An "isolated" antibody is one which has been separated from a
component of its
natural environment. In some embodiments, an antibody is purified to greater
than
95% or 99% purity as determined by, for example, electrophoretic (e.g., SDS-
PAGE,
isoelectric focusing (IEF), capillary electrophoresis) or chromatographic
(e.g., ion
exchange or reverse phase HPLC). For review of methods for assessment of
antibody
purity, see, e.g., Flatman et al., J. Chromatogr. B 848:79-87 (2007).
[0105] An "isolated" nucleic acid refers to a nucleic acid molecule that
has been separated
from a component of its natural environment. An isolated nucleic acid includes
a
nucleic acid molecule contained in cells that ordinarily contain the nucleic
acid
molecule, but the nucleic acid molecule is present extrachromosomally or at a
chromosomal location that is different from its natural chromosomal location.
[0106] "Isolated nucleic acid encoding an anti-myostatin antibody" refers
to one or more
nucleic acid molecules encoding antibody heavy and light chains (or fragments
thereof), including such nucleic acid molecule(s) in a single vector or
separate vectors,
and such nucleic acid molecule(s) present at one or more locations in a host
cell.
[0107] The term "monoclonal antibody" as used herein refers to an antibody
obtained from a
population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual
antibodies
comprising the population are identical and/or bind the same epitope, except
for
possible variant antibodies, e.g., containing naturally occurring mutations or
arising
during production of a monoclonal antibody preparation, such variants
generally being
present in minor amounts. In contrast to polyclonal antibody preparations,
which
typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants
(epitopes),
each monoclonal antibody of a monoclonal antibody preparation is directed
against a
single determinant on an antigen. Thus, the modifier "monoclonal" indicates
the
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character of the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous
population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production
of the
antibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonal antibodies to
be used
in accordance with the present invention may be made by a variety of
techniques,
including but not limited to the hybridoma method, recombinant DNA methods,
phage-display methods, and methods utilizing transgenic animals containing all
or part
of the human immunoglobulin loci, such methods and other exemplary methods for
making monoclonal antibodies being described herein.
[0108] A "naked antibody" refers to an antibody that is not conjugated to a
heterologous
moiety (e.g., a cytotoxic moiety) or radiolabel. The naked antibody may be
present in a
pharmaceutical formulation.
[0109] "Native antibodies" refer to naturally occurring immunoglobulin
molecules with
varying structures. For example, native IgG antibodies are heterotetrameric
glyco-
proteins of about 150,000 daltons, composed of two identical light chains and
two
identical heavy chains that are disulfide-bonded. From N- to C-terminus, each
heavy
chain has a variable region (VH), also called a variable heavy domain or a
heavy chain
variable domain, followed by three constant domains (CH1, CH2, and CH3).
Similarly,
from N- to C-terminus, each light chain has a variable region (VL), also
called a
variable light domain or a light chain variable domain, followed by a constant
light
(CL) domain. The light chain of an antibody may be assigned to one of two
types,
called kappa (kappa) and lambda (lambda), based on the amino acid sequence of
its
constant domain.
[0110] A "native sequence Fc region" comprises an amino acid sequence
identical to the
amino acid sequence of an Fc region found in nature. Native sequence human Fc
regions include a native sequence human IgG1 Fc region (non-A and A
allotypes);
native sequence human IgG2 Fc region; native sequence human IgG3 Fc region;
and
native sequence human IgG4 Fc region as well as naturally occurring variants
thereof.
[0111] The term "package insert" is used to refer to instructions
customarily included in
commercial packages of therapeutic products, that contain information about
the in-
dications, usage, dosage, administration, combination therapy,
contraindications and/or
warnings concerning the use of such therapeutic products.
[0112] "Percent (go) amino acid sequence identity" with respect to a
reference polypeptide
sequence is defined as the percentage of amino acid residues in a candidate
sequence
that are identical with the amino acid residues in the reference polypeptide
sequence,
after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve
the
maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative sub-
stitutions as part of the sequence identity. Alignment for purposes of
determining
percent amino acid sequence identity can be achieved in various ways that are
within
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the skill in the art, for instance, using publicly available computer software
such as
BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN, Megalign (DNASTAR) software, or GENETYX
(registered trademark) (Genetyx Co., Ltd.). Those skilled in the art can
determine ap-
propriate parameters for aligning sequences, including any algorithms needed
to
achieve maximal alignment over the full length of the sequences being
compared. The
ALIGN-2 sequence comparison computer program was authored by Genentech, Inc.,
and the source code has been filed with user documentation in the US Copyright
Office, Washington D.C., 20559, where it is registered under US Copyright Reg-
istration No. TXU510087. The ALIGN-2 program is publicly available from
Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, or may be compiled from the
source
code. The ALIGN-2 program should be compiled for use on a UNIX operating
system,
including digital UNIX V4.0D. All sequence comparison parameters are set by
the
ALIGN-2 program and do not vary.
[0113] In situations where ALIGN-2 is employed for amino acid sequence
comparisons, the
% amino acid sequence identity of a given amino acid sequence A to, with, or
against a
given amino acid sequence B (which can alternatively be phrased as a given
amino
acid sequence A that has or comprises a certain % amino acid sequence identity
to,
with, or against a given amino acid sequence B) is calculated as follows: 100
times the
fraction X/Y; where X is the number of amino acid residues scored as identical
matches by the sequence alignment program ALIGN-2 in that program's alignment
of
A and B, and where Y is the total number of amino acid residues in B. It will
be ap-
preciated that where the length of amino acid sequence A is not equal to the
length of
amino acid sequence B, the % amino acid sequence identity of A to B will not
equal
the % amino acid sequence identity of B to A. Unless specifically stated
otherwise, all
% amino acid sequence identity values used herein are obtained as described in
the im-
mediately preceding paragraph using the ALIGN-2 computer program.
[0114] The term "pharmaceutical formulation" refers to a preparation which
is in such form
as to permit the biological activity of an active ingredient contained therein
to be
effective, and which contains no additional components which are unacceptably
toxic
to a subject to which the formulation would be administered.
[0115] A "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" refers to an ingredient in a
pharmaceutical
formulation, other than an active ingredient, which is nontoxic to a subject.
A pharma-
ceutically acceptable carrier includes, but is not limited to, a buffer,
excipient,
stabilizer, or preservative.
[0116] The term "myostatin", as used herein, may refer to any native
myostatin from any
vertebrate source, including mammals such as primates (e.g., humans) and
rodents
(e.g., mice and rats). Unless otherwise indicated, the term "myostatin" refers
to a
human myostatin protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1
and
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containing the terminal propeptide domain of human myostatin as shown in SEQ
ID
NO: 75 or 78. The teini encompasses "full-length", unprocessed myostatin as
well as
any form of myostatin that results from processing in the cell. The term also
en-
compasses naturally occurring variants of myostatin, e.g., splice variants or
allelic
variants. The amino acid sequence of an exemplary human myostatin
(promyostatin) is
shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. The amino acid sequence of an exemplary C-terminal
growth
factor domain of human myostatin is shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. The amino acid
sequence of an exemplary N-terminal propeptide domain of human myostatin is
shown
in SEQ ID NO: 75 or 78. Active mature myostatin is a disulfide-bonded
homodimer
consisting of two C-terminal growth factor domains. Inactive latent myostatin
is a non-
covalently-associated complex of two propeptides and the mature myostatin. As
disclosed herein, the antibodies of the invention bind inactive latent
myostatin, but do
not bind the mature active myostatin homodimer. In some embodiments, the
antibodies
of the invention bind an epitope within a fragement consisting of amino acids
21-100
of myostatin propeptide (SEQ ID NO:78), but do not bind the mature active
myostatin
homodimer.The amino acid sequence of an exemplary cynomolgus monkey and
murine myostatin (promyostatin) are shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 and 5, respectively.
The
amino acid sequence of an exemplary C-terminal growth factor domain of
cynomolgus
monkey and murine myostatin are shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 and 6, respectively. The
amino acid sequence of an exemplary N-terminal propeptide domain of cynomolgus
monkey and murine myostatin are shown in SEQ ID NO: 76 or 79, and 77 or 80, re-
spectively. GDF-11 (BMP-11) is a closely related molecule to myostatin, both
of
which are members of TGF-beta superfamily. Similarly to myostatin, GDF11 is
syn-
thesized as a precursor polypeptide first, and then cleaved into an N-terminal
prodomain and C-terminal mature GDF11. The amino acid sequence of human GDF11
(precursor) is shown in SEQ ID NO: 81. The amino acid sequence of C-terminal
mature human GDF11 is shown in SEQ ID NO: 82. The amino acid sequence of an N-
teiminal prodomain of human GDF11 is shown in SEQ ID NO: 83 or 84. Amino acid
sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 78, 79, 80, 81, and 84 include a signal
sequence.
Amino acids 1-24 of them correspond to it and they are removed during
processing in
the cell.
[0117] As used herein, "treatment" (and grammatical variations thereof such
as "treat" or
"treating") refers to clinical intervention in an attempt to alter the natural
course of the
individual being treated, and can be performed either for prophylaxis or
during the
course of clinical pathology. Desirable effects of treatment include, but are
not limited
to, preventing occurrence or recurrence of disease, alleviation of symptoms,
di-
minishment of any direct or indirect pathological consequences of the disease,
preventing metastasis, decreasing the rate of disease progression,
amelioration or
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palliation of the disease state, and remission or improved prognosis. In some
em-
bodiments, antibodies of the invention are used to delay development of a
disease or to
slow the progression of a disease.
[0118] The term "variable region" or "variable domain" refers to the domain
of an antibody
heavy or light chain that is involved in binding the antibody to antigen. The
variable
domains of the heavy chain and light chain (VH and VL, respectively) of a
native
antibody generally have similar structures, with each domain comprising four
conserved framework regions (FRs) and three hypervariable regions (HVRs).
(See,
e.g., Kindt et al., Kuby Immunology, 6'h ed., W.H. Freeman and Co., page 91
(2007).)
A single VH or VL domain may be sufficient to confer antigen-binding
specificity.
Furthermore, antibodies that bind a particular antigen may be isolated using a
VH or
VL domain from an antibody that binds the antigen to screen a library of com-
plementary VL or VH domains, respectively. See, e.g., Portolano et al., J.
Immunol.
150:880-887 (1993); Clarkson et al., Nature 352:624-628 (1991).
[0119] A "variant Fc region" comprises an amino acid sequence which differs
from that of a
native sequence Fc region by virtue of at least one amino acid modification
(alteration), preferably one or more amino acid substitution(s). Preferably,
the variant
Fc region has at least one amino acid substitution compared to a native
sequence Fc
region or to the Fc region of a parent polypeptide, e.g., from about one to
about ten
amino acid substitutions, and preferably from about one to about five amino
acid sub-
stitutions in a native sequence Fc region or in the Fc region of the parent
polypeptide.
The variant Fc region herein will preferably possess at least about 80%
homology with
a native sequence Fc region and/or with an Fc region of a parent polypeptide,
and most
preferably at least about 90% homology therewith, more preferably at least
about 95%
homology therewith.
[0120] The term "vector," as used herein, refers to a nucleic acid molecule
capable of
propagating another nucleic acid to which it is linked. The term includes the
vector as a
self-replicating nucleic acid structure as well as the vector incorporated
into the
genome of a host cell into which it has been introduced. Certain vectors are
capable of
directing the expression of nucleic acids to which they are operatively
linked. Such
vectors are referred to herein as "expression vectors".
H. COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS
[0121] In one aspect, the invention is based, in part, on anti-myostatin
antibodies and uses
thereof. In certain embodiments, antibodies that bind to myostatin are
provided. An-
tibodies of the invention are useful, e.g., for the diagnosis or treatment of
a muscle
wasting disease.
[0122] In another aspect, the invention is based, in part, on polypeptides
comprising variant
Fc regions and uses thereof. In one embodiment, polypeptides comprising
variant Fc
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regions with enhanced Fe gamma RIIb-binding activity are provided. In another
em-
bodiment, polypeptides comprising variant Fe regions with increased pI are
provided.
In particular embodiments, the polypeptides of the invention are antibodies.
Polypeptides comprising a variant Fe region of the invention are useful, e.g.,
for the
diagnosis or treatment of diseases.
A. Exemplary Anti-myostatin Antibodies and Polypeptides comprising variant Fe
regions
[0123] In one aspect, the invention provides isolated antibodies that bind
to myostatin. In
certain embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention binds
to
latent myostatin. In further embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody of the
present
invention binds to the myostatin propeptide (human: SEQ ID NO: 75 or 78;
cynomolgus monkey: SEQ ID NO: 76 or 79; mouse: SEQ ID NO: 77 or 80). In
further
embodiments, the antibody binds to an epitope within a fragment consisting of
amino
acids 21-100 of myostatin propeptide (SEQ ID NO: 78). Propeptide is contained
in
latent myostatin as one of the components, as described above. In certain em-
bodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention inhibits
activation of
myostatin. In certain embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody blocks the
release of
mature myostatin from latent myostatin. It has been reported that mature
myostatin is
released via proteolytic and non-proteolytic processes from latent myostatin.
The anti-
myostatin antibody of the present invention may block the proteolytic and/or
non-
proteolytic release of mature myostatin from latent myostatin. In certain
embodiments,
the anti-myostatin antibody blocks the proteolytic cleavage of latent
myostatin. In
certain embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody blocks access of a protease
to latent
myostatin (especially, to the proteolytic cleavage site (Arg98-Asp99) of
latent
myostatin). In further embodiments, the protease may be a BMP1/TLD family
metallo-
protease such as BMP1, TED, tolloid-like protein-1 (TLL-1), or tolloid-like
protein-2
(TLL-2). In another embodiment, the anti-myostatin antibody blocks the non-
proteolytic release of mature myostatin from latent myostatin. The non-
proteolytic
release as used herein means a spontaneous release of mature myostatin from
latent
myostatin, which is not accompanied by the proteolytic cleavage of latent
myostatin.
The non-proteolytic release includes, for example, a release of mature
myostatin by in-
cubating latent myostatin e.g., at 37 degrees C in the absence of a protease
that cleaves
the latent myostatin. In certain embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody of
the
present invention does not bind to mature myostatin. In some embodiments, the
anti-
myostatin antibody binds to the same epitope as an antibody described in Table
2a. In
some embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody competes for binding latent
myostatin
with an antibody described in Table 2a. In additional embodiments, an anti-
myostatin
antibody competes for binding latent myostatin with an antibody comprising a
VH and
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VL pair described in Table 2a. In some embodiments, the anti-myostatin
antibody
competes for binding a fragment consisting of amino acids 21-100 of myostatin
propeptide (SEQ ID NO: 78) with an antibody described in Table 2a. In further
em-
bodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody binds to the same epitope as an
antibody
described in Table lla or 13. In some embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody
competes for binding latent myostatin with an antibody described in Table 11 a
or 13.
In some embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody competes for binding a
fragment
consisting of amino acids 21-100 of myostatin propeptide (SEQ ID NO: 78) with
an
antibody described in Table Ila or 13.
In some embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention binds
to
latent myostatin and inhibits the activation of myostatin. In further
embodiments, the
antibody: (a) blocks the release of mature myostatin from latent myostatin;
(b) blocks
the proteolytic release of mature myostatin; (c) blocks the spontaneous
release of
mature myostatin; or (d) does not bind to mature myostatin; or binds to an
epitope
within a fragment consisting of amino acids 21-100 of myostatin propeptide
(SEQ ID
NO: 78). In further embodiments, the antibody competes for binding latent
myostatin
with, or binds the same epitope as, an antibody comprising a VH and VL pair
described in Tables 2a, 11a, or 13. In further embodiments, the antibody binds
to latent
myostatin with higher affinity at neutral pH (e.g., pH7.4) than at acidic pH
(e.g.,
pH5.8). In further embodiments, the antibody is (a) a monoclonal antibody, (b)
a
human, humanized, or chimeric antibody; (c) a full length IgG antibody or (d)
an
antibody fragment that binds to latent myostatin or myostatin propeptide.
[0124] In another embodiment, an anti-myostatin antibody of the present
invention does not
bind to GDF11. In certain embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody of the
present
invention does not inhibit activation of GDF11. In certain embodiments, the
anti-
myostatin antibody does not block the release of mature GDF11 from latent
GDF11.
The anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention does not block either
proteolytic
or non-proteolytic release of mature GDF11 from latent GDF11. In certain em-
bodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody does not block the proteolytic cleavage
of
latent GDF11. In certain embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody does not
block
access of a protease to latent GDF11 (especially, to the proteolytic cleavage
site of
latent GDF11). In further embodiments, the protease may be a BMP1/TLD family
met-
alloprotease such as BMP1, TED, tolloid-like protein-1 (TLL-1), or tolloid-
like
protein-2 (TLL-2). The non-proteolytic release as used herein means a
spontaneous
release of mature GDF11 from latent GDF11, which is not accompanied by the pro-
teolytic cleavage of latent GDF11. The non-proteolytic release includes, for
example, a
release of mature GDF11 by incubating latent GDF11 e.g., at 37 degrees C in
the
absence of a protease that cleaves the latent GDF11. Most of the anti-
myostatin an-
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tibodies known to date were not specific for myostatin. These antibodies have
high
affinity for other members of the TGF-beta superfamily, such as GDF11 and
neutralize
the biological activities of them. GDF11 plays an important role during em-
bryogenesis, and is responsible for homeotic transfolination of the axial
skeleton. Ho-
mozygous GDF11 knockout mice are perinatal lethal, mice with one wild type
copy of
the GDF11 gene are viable but have skeletal defects. Since GDF11 plays an
important
role during embryogenesis, an antagonist that inhibits GDF11 poses theoretical
safety
risks that could present either as toxicity in treated patients or as
reproductive toxicity
in, e.g., women of childbearing potential. Thus, there is a need for specific
inhibition of
myostatin activity in treatments of myostatin-associated disorders for which
it is
desirable to increase muscle mass, size, strength, etc., particularly in women
with
childbearing potential.
[0125] In another aspect, the invention provides anti-myostatin antibodies
that exhibit pH-
dependent binding characteristics. As used herein, the expression "pH-
dependent
binding" means that the antibody exhibits "reduced binding to myostatin at
acidic pH
as compared to its binding at neutral pH" (for purposes of the present
disclosure, both
expressions may be used interchangeably). For example, antibodies "with pH-
dependent binding characteristics" include antibodies that bind to myostatin
with
higher affinity at neutral pH than at acidic pH. In certain embodiments, the
antibodies
of the present invention bind to myostatin with at least 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20,
25, 30, 35,
40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 200, 400, 1000, 10000, or
more
times higher affinity at neutral pH than at acidic pH. In some embodiments,
the an-
tibodies bind to myostatin (e.g., latent myostatin or propeptide myostatin)
with higher
affinity at pH7.4 than at pH5.8. In further embodiments, the antibodies bind
to
myostatin with at least 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60,
65, 70, 75, 80,
85, 90, 95, 100, 200, 400, 1000, 10000, or more times higher affinity at pH7.4
than at
pH5.8.
[0126] When an antigen is a soluble protein, the binding of an antibody to
the antigen can
result in an extended half-life of the antigen in plasma (i.e., reduced
clearance of the
antigen from plasma), since the antibody can have a longer half-life in plasma
than the
antigen itself and may serve as a carrier for the antigen. This is due to the
recycling of
the antigen-antibody complex by FcRn through the endosomal pathway in cell
(Roopenian, Nat. Rev. Immunol. 7(9): 715-725 (2007)). However, an antibody
with
pH-dependent binding characteristics, which binds to its antigen in neutral
extra-
cellular environment while releasing the antigen into acidic endosomal
compartments
following its entry into cells, is expected to have superior properties in
terms of antigen
neutralization and clearance relative to its counterpart that binds in a pH-
independent
manner (Igawa et al., Nature Biotechnol. 28(11):1203-1207 (2010); Devanaboyina
et
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al., mAbs 5(6):851-859 (2013); WO 2009/125825).
[0127] The "affinity" of an antibody for myostatin, for purposes of the
present disclosure, is
expressed in terms of the KD of the antibody. The KD of an antibody refers to
the
equilibrium dissociation constant of an antibody-antigen interaction. The
greater the
KD value is for an antibody binding to its antigen, the weaker its binding
affinity is for
that particular antigen. Accordingly, as used herein, the expression "higher
affinity at
neutral pH than at acidic pH" (or the equivalent expression "pH-dependent
binding")
means that the KD of the antibody binding to myostatin at acidic pH is greater
than the
KD of the antibody binding to myostatin at neutral pH. For example, in the
context of
the present invention, an antibody is considered to bind to myostatin with
higher
affinity at neutral pH than at acidic pH if the KD of the antibody binding to
myostatin
at acidic pH is at least 2 times greater than the KD of the antibody binding
to myostatin
at neutral pH. Thus, the present invention includes antibodies that bind to
myostatin at
acidic pH with a KD that is at least 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,
50, 55, 60,
65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 200, 400, 1000, 10000, or more times greater
than the
KD of the antibody binding to myostatin at neutral pH. In another embodiment,
the KD
value of the antibody at neutral pH can be 10 7 M, 108 M, 10 9 M, 10 10M, 10 "
M, 10-
12 M, or less. In another embodiment, the KD value of the antibody at acidic
pH can be
10-9 M, 10-8M, 10-7 M, 10-6M, or greater.
[0128] In further embodiments an antibody is considered to bind to
myostatin (e.g., latent
myostatin or propeptide myostatin) with a higher affinity at neutral pH than
at acidic
pH if the KD of the antibody binding to myostatin at pH5.8 is at least 2 times
greater
than the KD of the antibody binding to myostatin at pH7.4. In some embodiments
the
provided antibodies bind to myostatin at pH5.8 with a KD that is at least 3,
5, 10, 15,
20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 200, 400,
1000,
10000, or more times greater than the KD of the antibody binding to myostatin
at
pH7.4. In another embodiment, the KD value of the antibody at pH7.4 can be 10
7 M,
10-8 M, 10-9M, 10 '9M, 10" M, 10 12 M, or less. In another embodiment, the KD
value
of the antibody at pH5.8 can be 10 9 M, 108 M, 10 7 M, 10-6 M, or greater.
[0129] The binding properties of an antibody for a particular antigen may
also be expressed
in terms of the kd of the antibody. The kd of an antibody refers to the
dissociation rate
constant of the antibody with respect to a particular antigen and is expressed
in terms
of reciprocal seconds (i.e., sec-'). An increase in kd value signifies weaker
binding of
an antibody to its antigen. The present invention therefore includes
antibodies that bind
to myostatin with a higher kd value at acidic pH than at neutral pH. The
present
invention includes antibodies that bind to myostatin at acidic pH with a kd
that is at
least 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85,
90, 95, 100,
200, 400, 1000, 10000, or more times greater than the kd of the antibody
binding to
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myostatin at neutral pH. In another embodiment, the kd value of the antibody
at neutral
pH can be 10-2 us, 10 3 us, 10 4 its, 10 5 its, 10-6 its, or less. In another
embodiment,
the kd value of the antibody at acidic pH can be 10-3 its, 10-2 its, 104 its,
or greater.
The invention also includes antibodies that bind to myostatin (e.g., latent
myostatin or
propeptide myostatin) with a higher kd value at pH5.8 than at pH7.4. The
invention
includes antibodies that bind to myostatin at pH5.8 with a kd that is at least
3, 5, 10,
15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 200,
400, 1000,
10000, or more times greater than the kd of the antibody binding to myostatin
at
pH7.4. In another embodiment, the kd value of the antibody at pH7.4 can be 10-
2 its,
3 1/s, 10 4 its, 10 5 its, i06 its, or less. In another embodiment, the kd
value of the
antibody at pH5.8 can be 10-3 1/s, 10-2 1/s, 104 1/s, or greater.
[0130] In certain instances, a "reduced binding to myostatin at acidic pH
as compared to its
binding at neutral pH" is expressed in terms of the ratio of the KD value of
the
antibody binding to myostatin at acidic pH to the KD value of the antibody
binding to
myostatin at neutral pH (or vice versa). For example, an antibody may be
regarded as
exhibiting "reduced binding to myostatin at acidic pH as compared to its
binding at
neutral pH", for purposes of the present invention, if the antibody exhibits
an acidic/
neutral KD ratio of 2 or greater. In certain embodiments, the pH5.8/pH7.4 KD
ratio for
an anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention is 2 or greater. In
certain exemplary
embodiments, the acidic/neutral KD ratio for an antibody of the present
invention can
be 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85,
90, 95, 100, 200,
400, 1000, 10000, or greater. In another embodiment, the KD value of the
antibody at
neutral pH can be 10-7M, 10-g M, 10-9M, 104 M, 10-" M, 1042M, or less. In
another
embodiment, the KD value of the antibody at acidic pH can be 10-9 M, 10-8M, 10-
7M,
10-6 M, or greater. In further instances an antibody may be regarded as
exhibiting
"reduced binding to myostatin (e.g., latent myostatin) at acidic pH as
compared to its
binding at neutral pH", if the antibody exhibits an pH5.8/pH7.4 KD ratio of 2
or
greater. In certain exemplary embodiments, the pH5.8/pH7.4 KD ratio for the
antibody
can be 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85,
90, 95, 100,
200, 400, 1000, 10000, or greater. In another embodiment, the KD value of the
antibody at pH7.4 can be 10-7 M, 10-g M, 10-9M, 1040M, 10-" M, 1042M, or less.
In
another embodiment, the KD value of the antibody at pH5.8 can be 10-9M, 10-8
M, 10-7
M, 10-6 M, or greater.
[0131] In certain instances, a "reduced binding to myostatin at acidic pH
as compared to its
binding at neutral pH" is expressed in terms of the ratio of the kd value of
the antibody
binding to myostatin at acidic pH to the kd value of the antibody binding to
myostatin
at neutral pH (or vice versa). For example, an antibody may be regarded as
exhibiting
"reduced binding to myostatin at acidic pH as compared to its binding at
neutral pH",
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for purposes of the present invention, if the antibody exhibits an
acidic/neutral kd ratio
of 2 or greater. In certain exemplary embodiments, the pH5.8/pH7.4 kd ratio
for an
antibody of the present invention is 2 or greater. In certain exemplary
embodiments,
the acidic/neutral kd ratio for an antibody of the present invention can be 2,
3, 5, 10,
15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 200,
400, 1000,
10000, or greater. In another embodiment, the kd value of the antibody at
neutral pH
can be 10-2 its, i0- its, 1/s, i0- its, 1/s, 10 5 its, 10-6 its, or less. In
another embodiment, the
kd value of the antibody at acidic pH can be 10 3 1/s, 102 Vs, 10' 1/s, or
greater. In
certain exemplary embodiments, the pH5.8/pH7.4 kd ratio for an antibody of the
present invention can be 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60,
65, 70, 75,
80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 200, 400, 1000, 10000, or greater. In another embodiment,
the kd
value of the antibody at pH7.4 can be 102 1/s, 10 3 1/s, 10 4 1/S, 10 5 1/s,
10-6 1/s, or
less. In another embodiment, the kd value of the antibody at pH5.8 can be 10 3
1/s, 10-2
1/s, 10 ' 1/s, or greater.
[0132] As used herein, the expression "acidic pH" means a pH of 4.0 to 6.5.
The expression
"acidic pH" includes pH values of any one of 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5,
4.6, 4.7, 4.8,
4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3,
6.4, and 6.5. In
particular aspects, the "acidic pH" is 5.8.
[0133] As used herein, the expression "neutral pH" means a pH of 6.7 to
about 10Ø The ex-
pression "neutral pH" includes pH values of any one of 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0,
7.1, 7.2, 7.3,
7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8,
8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3,
9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, and 10Ø In particular aspects, the "neutral
pH" is 7.4.
[0134] KD values, and kd values, as expressed herein, may be determined
using a surface
plasmon resonance-based biosensor to characterize antibody-antigen
interactions. (See,
e.g., Example 7, herein.) KD values, and kd values can be determined at 25
degrees C
or 37 degrees C.
[0135] In certain embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody of the present
invention binds to
myostatin from more than one species. In further embodiments, the anti-
myostatin
antibody binds to myostatin from a human and non-human animal. In further em-
bodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody binds to myostatin from human, mouse,
and
monkey (e.g., cynomolgus, rhesus macaque, marmoset, chimpanzee, or baboon).
[0136] In certain embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody of the present
invention binds to
latent myostatin from more than one species. In further embodiments, the anti-
myostatin antibody binds to latent myostatin from a human and non-human
animal. In
further embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody binds to latent myostatin
from
human, mouse, and monkey.
[0137] In certain embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody of the present
invention binds to
propeptide myostatin from more than one species. In further embodiments, the
anti-
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myostatin antibody binds to propeptide myostatin from a human and non-human
animal. In further embodiments, the anti-myostatin antibody binds to
propeptide
myostatin from human, mouse, and monkey.
[0138] In a further aspect, the invention provides an anti-myostatin
antibody that fonds an
immune complex (i.e. antigen-antibody complex) with myostatin. In certain em-
bodiments, two or more anti-myostatin antibodies bind to two or more myostatin
molecules to form an immune complex. This is possible because myostatin exists
as a
homodimer containing two myostatin molecules while an antibody has two antigen-
binding sites. The anti-myostatin antibody may bind to the same epitope on a
myostatin molecule or may bind to different epitopes on a myostatin molecule,
much
like a bispecific antibody. Generally speaking, when two or more antibodies
form an
immune complex with two or more antigens, the resulting immune complex can
strongly bind to Fc receptors existing on cell surfaces due to avidity effects
through the
Fc regions of the antibodies in the complex and can then be taken up into the
cell with
high efficiency. Thus, the above-mentioned anti-myostatin antibody capable of
forming an immune complex containing two or more anti-myostatin antibodies and
two or more myostatin molecules can lead to a rapid clearance of myostatin
from
plasma in a living body, via the strong binding to Fc receptors due to avidity
effects.
[0139] Furthermore, an antibody with pH-dependent binding characteristics
is thought to
have superior properties in terms of antigen neutralization and clearance
relative to its
counterpart that binds in a pH-independent manner (Igawa et al., Nature
Biotech.
28(11):1203-1207 (2010); Devanaboyina et al. mAbs 5(6):851-859 (2013); WO
2009/125825). Therefore, an antibody having both properties above, that is, an
antibody which has pH-dependent binding characteristics and which forms an
immune
complex containing two or more antibodies with two or more antigens, is
expected to
have even more superior properties for highly accelerated elimination of
antigens from
plasma (WO 2013/081143).
[0140] In another aspect, the invention provides an anti-myostatin antibody
comprising at
least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-H1
comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57, 114-115, 126; (b) a
HVR-
H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-60, 116-
120,
127; (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
61-64, 121, 128; (d) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ ID NOs: 65-69, 122-124, 129; (e) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70-72, 125, 130; and (f) a HVR-L3 comprising the
amino
acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74, 131.
[0141] In another aspect, the invention provides an anti-myostatin antibody
comprising at
least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-Hl
comprising
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the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57; (b) a HVR-H2
comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-60; (c) a HVR-H3
comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61-64; (d) a HVR-L1
comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 65-69; (e) a HVR-L2
comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70-72; and (1) a HVR-L3
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74.
[0142] In one aspect, the invention provides an anti-myostatin antibody
comprising at least
one, two, three, four, five, or six hypervariable regions (HVRs) selected from
(a) a
HVR-Hl comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:114-115;
(b)
a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 116-120;
(c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121; (d) a HVR-
L1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 122-124; (e) a
HVR-
L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 125; and (f) a HVR-L3
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74.
[0143] In another aspect, the invention provides an anti-myostatin antibody
comprising at
least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-Hl
comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58; (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 63; (d) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:
122; (e) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; and (f)
a
HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74. In another aspect,
the invention provides an anti-myostatin antibody comprising at least one,
two, three,
four, five, or six HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-Hl comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO: 58; (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
63; (d) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123; (e) a
HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; and (f) a HVR-L3
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74.
[0144] In another aspect, the invention provides an anti-myostatin antibody
comprising at
least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-Hl
comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 126; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127; (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 128; (d) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO: 129; (e) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 130;
and
(f) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131.
[0145] In one aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at
least one, at least
two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from(a) a HVR-H1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57, 114-115, 126; (b) a HVR-
H2
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comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-60, 116-120,
127;
(c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61-
64,
121, 128. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61-64, 121, 128. In another em-
bodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence
of
any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61-64, 121, 128 and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74, 131. In a further embodiment, the
antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ
ID NOs: 61-64, 121, 128, HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one
of
SEQ ID NOs: 73-74, 131, and HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any
one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-60, 116-120, 127. In a further embodiment, the antibody
comprises (a) a HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID
NOs: 55-57, 114-115, 126; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of
any
one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-60, 116-120, 127; and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino
acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61-64, 121, 128.
[0146] In one aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at
least one, at least
two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-H1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising
the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-60; and (c) a HVR-H3
comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61-64. In one embodiment,
the
antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ
ID NOs: 61-64. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3
comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61-64 and HVR-L3 comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74. In a further
embodiment,
the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one
of
SEQ ID NOs: 61-64, HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ
ID NOs: 73-74, and HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ
ID NOs: 58-60. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57; (b) a HVR-
H2
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-60; and (c) a
HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61-64.
[0147] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at
least one, at least
two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-H1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 114-115; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 116-120; and (c) a HVR-H3
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121. In one embodiment, the
antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
121. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the
amino
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acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121 and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence
of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74. In a further embodiment, the antibody
comprises a
HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121, HVR-L3
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74, and HVR-H2
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 116-120. In a
further
embodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 114-115; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino
acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 116-120; and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising
the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121.
In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at least one,
at least
two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-H1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58; and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 63. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3
comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63. In another embodiment, the antibody
comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63 and
HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74. In a further em-
bodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence
of
SEQ ID NO: 63, HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74, and
HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58. In a further em-
bodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 114; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO: 58; and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63.
[0148] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at
least one, at least
two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-Hl comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 126; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127; and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 128. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 128. In another embodiment,
the
antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
128 and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131. In a
further embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 128, HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO: 131, and HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127.
In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-H1 comprising the
amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 126; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 127; and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO: 128.
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[0149] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at
least one, at least
two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 65-69,122-124, 129; (b) a HVR-L2
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70-72, 125, 130;
and
(c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-
74,
131. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the
amino
acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 65-69,122-124, 129; (b) a HVR-L2
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70-72, 125, 130;
and
(c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-
74,
131.
[0150] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at
least one, at least
two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 65-69; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising
the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70-72; and (c) a HVR-L3
comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74. In one embodiment,
the
antibody comprises (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one
of
SEQ ID NOs: 65-69; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one
of
SEQ ID NOs: 70-72; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any
one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74.
[0151] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at
least one, at least
two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 122-124; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 125; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the
amino
acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74. In one embodiment, the antibody
comprises (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID
NOs: 122-124; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
125; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID
NOs: 73-74.
In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at least one,
at least
two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 74. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-L1
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the
amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74. In another aspect, the invention provides an
antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences
selected
from (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123; (b) a
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HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; and (c) a HVR-L3
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74. In one embodiment, the
antibody comprises (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:
123; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; and (c)
a
HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74.
[0152] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at
least one, at least
two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 129; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 130; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 131. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-Ll
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 129; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 130; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the
amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 131.
[0153] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises (a) a VH
domain
comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected
from (i)
a HVR-Hl comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57,
114,115,126 (ii) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ
ID
NOs: 58-60, 116-120, 127, and (iii) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid
sequence of
any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61-64, 121, 128; and (b) a VL domain comprising at
least
one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) a HVR-Ll
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 65-69, 122-124,
129,
(ii) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70-
72,
125, 130 and (iii) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ
ID NOs: 73-74, 131.
[0154] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises (a) a VH
domain
comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected
from (i)
a HVR-Hl comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57,
(ii)
a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-60,
and (iii) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID
NOs:
61-64; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three
VL HVR
sequences selected from (i) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any
one
of SEQ ID NOs: 65-69, (ii) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any
one
of SEQ ID NOs: 70-72, and (iii) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of
any
one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74.
[0155] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises (a) a VH
domain
comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected
from (i)
a HVR-Hl comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 114-115,
(ii) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
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116-120, and (iii) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
121;
and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR
sequences selected from (i) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any
one
of SEQ ID NOs: 122-124, (ii) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of
SEQ
ID NO: 125, and (iii) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one
of
SEQ ID NOs: 73-74.
In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises (a) a VH domain
comprising
at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (i) a
HVR-H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114, (ii) a HVR-H2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, and (iii) a HVR-H3 comprising the
amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one,
at
least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) a HVR-L1 comprising
the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122, (ii) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71, and (iii) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 74. In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises
(a) a VH
domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences
selected
from (i) a HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114, (ii) a
HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, and (iii) a HVR-H3
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; and (b) a VL domain
comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected
from (i) a
HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123, (ii) a HVR-L2
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71, and (iii) a HVR-L3
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74.
[0156] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises (a) a VH
domain
comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected
from (i)
a HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 126, (ii) a HVR-H2
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127, and (iii) a HVR-H3
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 128; and (b) a VL domain
comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected
from (i) a
HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 129, (ii) a HVR-L2
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 130, and (iii) a HVR-L3
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131.
[0157] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising (a)
a HVR-H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57, 114-115,
126;
(b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-
60,
116-120, 127; (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ
ID NOs: 61-64, 121, 128; (d) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of
any
one of SEQ ID NOs: 65-69, 122-124, 129; (e) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid
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sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70-72, 125, 130; and (0 a HVR-L3 comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74, 131.
[0158] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising (a)
a HVR-H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57, 114-115;
(b) a
HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-60,
116-120; (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID
NOs: 61-64, 121; (d) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ ID NOs: 65-69, 122-124; (e) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of
any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70-72, 125; and (f) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74.
[0159] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising (a)
a HVR-H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 114-115; (b) a
HVR-
H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 116-120; (c) a
HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121; (d) a HVR-L1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 122-124; (c) a
HVR-
L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 125; and (f) a HVR-L3
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ 11) NOs: 73-74.
In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising (a) a HVR-H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58; (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino
acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; (d) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO: 122; (e) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
71; and (0 a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74. In
another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising (a) a HVR-H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58; (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino
acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; (d) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO: 123; (e) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
71; and (f) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74.
[0160] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising (a)
a HVR-H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 126; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127; (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 128; (d) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of SEQ ID NO: 129; (e) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO: 130; and (0 a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131.
[0161] In certain embodiments, any one or more amino acids of an anti-
myostatin antibody
as provided above are substituted at the following HVR positions: (a) in HVR-
H1
(SEQ ID NO: 55), at positions 1, and 2; (b) in HVR-H2 (SEQ ID NO: 58), at
positions
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4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 16; (c) in HVR-H3 (SEQ ID NO: 61), at positions 5,7,
and 11;
(d) in HVR-L 1 (SEQ ID NO: 65), at positions 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, and 9; (e) in HVR-
L2 (SEQ
ID NO:70), at positions 3, and 7; and (f) in HVR-L3 (SEQ ID NO:73), at
position 8.
[0162] In certain embodiments, the one or more amino acid substitutions of
an anti-
myostatin antibody are conservative substitutions, as provided herein. In
certain em-
bodiments, any one or more of the following substitutions may be made in any
com-
bination: (a) in HVR-Hl (SEQ ID NO: 55), S1H; Y2T, D, or E; (b) in HVR-H2 (SEQ
ID NO: 58), Y4H; S7K; T8M or K; YlOK; A 11M or E; S12E; G16K; (c) in HVR-H3
(SEQ ID NO: 61), Y5H; T7H; L11K; (d) in HVR-L1 (SEQ ID NO: 65), Q1T; S2T;
S5E; Y7F; D8H; N9D or A or E; (e) in HVR-L2 (SEQ ID NO: 70), S3E; S7Y, F or W;
and (f) in HVR-L3 (SEQ ID NO: 73), L8R.
[0163] All possible combinations of the above substitutions are encompassed
by the
consensus sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, and 131 for HVR-
H1,
HVR-H2, HVR-H3, HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3, respectively.
[0164] In any of the above embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody can be
humanized. In
one embodiment, an anti-myostatin antibody comprises HVRs as in any of the
above
embodiments, and further comprises an acceptor human framework, e.g., a human
im-
munoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework. In another embodiment,
an anti-myostatin antibody comprises HVRs as in any of the above embodiments,
and
further comprises a VH or VL comprising an FR sequence. In a further
embodiment,
the anti-myostatin antibody comprises the following heavy chain and/or light
chain
variable domain FR sequences: For the heavy chain variable domain, the FR1
comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 132-134, FR2
comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 135-136, FR3
comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 137, FR4 comprises the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 138. For the light chain variable domain, FR1
comprises
the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 139, FR2 comprises the amino acid
sequence
of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 140-141, FR3 comprises the amino acid sequence of
any
one of SEQ ID NOs: 142-143, FR4 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:
144.
[0165] In one aspect, the invention provides an anti-myostatin antibody
comprising at least
one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-Hl comprising
the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 157-162; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 163-168; (c) a HVR-H3
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 169-174; (d) a
HVR-
Ll comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 175-180; (e) a
HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 181-186;
and (f) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
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187-192.
[0166] In one aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at
least one, at least
two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-H1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 157-162; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 163-168; and (c) a HVR-H3
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 169-174. In one
em-
bodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence
of
any one of SEQ ID NOs: 169-174. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises
a
HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 169-174
and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
187-192. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 comprising
the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 169-174, HVR-L3 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 187-192, and a HVR-H2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 163-168. In a further em-
bodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 157-162; (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 163-168; and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 169-174.
[0167] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at
least one, at least
two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 175-180; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising
the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 181-186; and (c) a HVR-L3
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 187-192. In one
em-
bodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 175-180; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 181-186; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 187-192.
[0168] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises (a) a VH
domain
comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected
from (i)
a HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 157-162,
(ii) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
163-168, and (iii) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ
ID NOs: 169-174; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or
all
three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 175-180, (ii) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino
acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 181-186, and (iii) a HVR-L3 comprising
the
amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 187-192.
[0169] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising (a)
a HVR-H1
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comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ 11) NOs: 157-162; (b) a
HVR-
H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 163-168; (c) a
HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 169-174;
(d) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
175-180; (e) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID
NOs: 181-186; and (1) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one
of
SEQ ID NOs: 187-192.
[0170] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody comprises a heavy
chain variable
domain (VH) sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%,
98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ
ID NOs: 13, 16-30, 32-34, and 86-95. In certain embodiments, a VH sequence
having
at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains
substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions), insertions, or deletions
relative to the
reference sequence, but an anti-myostatin antibody comprising that sequence
retains
the ability to bind to myostatin. In certain embodiments, a total of 1 to 10
amino acids
have been substituted, inserted and/or deleted in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13,
16-30,
32-34, and 86-95. In certain embodiments, substitutions, insertions, or
deletions occur
in regions outside the HVRs (i.e., in the FRs). Optionally, the anti-myostatin
antibody
comprises the VH sequence in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13, 16-30, 32-34, and 86-
95,
including post-translational modifications of that sequence. In a particular
em-
bodiment, the VH comprises one, two or three HVRs selected from: (a) a HVR-H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57, 114-115,
126,
(b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-
60,
116-120, 127, and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one
of
SEQ ID NOs: 61-64, 121, 128. Post-translational modifications include but are
not
limited to a modification of glutamine or glutamate in N-terminal of heavy
chain or
light chain to pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.
[0171] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody comprises a VH
sequence having at
least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence
identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13, 16-30, 32,
33,and
34. In certain embodiments, a VH sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%,
94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains substitutions (e.g.,
conservative
substitutions), insertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence,
but an anti-
myostatin antibody comprising that sequence retains the ability to bind to
myostatin. In
certain embodiments, a total of 1 to 10 amino acids have been substituted,
inserted
and/or deleted in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13, 16-30, 32, 33 and34. In certain
em-
bodiments, substitutions, insertions, or deletions occur in regions outside
the HVRs
(i.e., in the FRs). Optionally, the anti-myostatin antibody comprises the VH
sequence
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in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13, 16-30, 32, 33, and 34, including post-
translational
modifications of that sequence. In a particular embodiment, the VH comprises
one,
two or three HVRs selected from: (a) a HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55-57, (b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid
sequence
of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58-60, and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61-64. Post-translational modifications
include
but are not limited to a modification of glutamine or glutamate in N-terminal
of heavy
chain or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.
[0172] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody comprises a VH
sequence having at
least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence
identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 86-95. In
certain em-
bodiments, a VH sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%,
97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative
substitutions), in-
sertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence, but an anti-
myostatin antibody
comprising that sequence retains the ability to bind to myostatin. In certain
em-
bodiments, a total of 1 to 10 amino acids have been substituted, inserted
and/or deleted
in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 86-95. In certain embodiments, substitutions,
insertions, or
deletions occur in regions outside the HVRs (i.e., in the FRs). Optionally,
the anti-
myostatin antibody comprises the VH sequence in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 86-95,
including post-translational modifications of that sequence. In a particular
em-
bodiment, the VH comprises one, two or three HVRs selected from: (a) a HVR-H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 57, 114-115, 126,
(b)
a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58,
116-120, 127, and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one
of
SEQ ID NOs: 63, 121, 128. Post-translational modifications include but are not
limited
to a modification of glutamine or glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or
light chain
to pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.
In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody comprises a VH sequence having
at
least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence
identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86. In certain embodiments,
a VH
sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%
identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions),
insertions, or deletions
relative to the reference sequence, but an anti-myostatin antibody comprising
that
sequence retains the ability to bind to myostatin. In certain embodiments, a
total of 1 to
amino acids have been substituted, inserted and/or deleted in SEQ ID NO: 86.
In
certain embodiments, substitutions, insertions, or deletions occur in regions
outside the
HVRs (i.e., in the FRs). Optionally, the anti-myostatin antibody comprises the
VH
sequence in SEQ ID NO: 86, including post-translational modifications of that
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sequence. In a particular embodiment, the VH comprises one, two or three HVRs
selected from: (a) a HVR-Hl comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
114,
(b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, and (c) a
HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63. Post-translational
modifications include but are not limited to a modification of glutamine or
glutamate
in N-terminal of heavy chain or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by
pyroglutamylation.
In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody comprises a VH sequence having
at least
90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity
to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92. In certain embodiments, a VH
sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%
identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions),
insertions, or deletions
relative to the reference sequence, but an anti-myostatin antibody comprising
that
sequence retains the ability to bind to myostatin. In certain embodiments, a
total of 1 to
amino acids have been substituted, inserted and/or deleted in SEQ ID NO: 92.
In
certain embodiments, substitutions, insertions, or deletions occur in regions
outside the
HVRs (i.e., in the FRs). Optionally, the anti-myostatin antibody comprises the
VH
sequence in SEQ ID NO: 92, including post-translational modifications of that
sequence. In a particular embodiment, the VH comprises one, two or three HVRs
selected from: (a) a HVR-Hl comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
114,
(b) a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, and (c) a
HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63. Post-translational
modifications include but are not limited to a modification of glutamine or
glutamate
in N-terminal of heavy chain or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by
pyroglutamylation.
[0173] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody is provided, wherein
the antibody
comprises a VL having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%,
99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID
NOs: 15, 31, 35-38, and 96-99. In certain embodiments, a VL sequence having at
least
90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains sub-
stitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions), insertions, or deletions
relative to the
reference sequence, but an anti-myostatin antibody comprising that sequence
retains
the ability to bind to myostatin. In certain embodiments, a total of 1 to 10
amino acids
have been substituted, inserted and/or deleted in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 15,
31,
35-38, and 96-99. In certain embodiments, the substitutions, insertions, or
deletions
occur in regions outside the HVRs (i.e., in the 1-4(s). Optionally, the anti-
myostatin
antibody comprises the VL sequence in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 15, 31, 35-38,
and
96-99, including post-translational modifications of that sequence. In a
particular em-
bodiment, the VL comprises one, two or three HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-L1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 65-69, 122-124,
129;
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(b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70-
72,
125, 130; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of
SEQ
ID NOs: 73-74, 131. Post-translational modifications include but are not
limited to a
modification of glutamine or glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or light
chain to
pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.
[0174] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody is provided, wherein
the antibody
comprises a VL having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%,
99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID
NOs: 15, 31, 35, 36, 37, and 38. In certain embodiments, a VL sequence having
at least
90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains sub-
stitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions), insertions, or deletions
relative to the
reference sequence, but an anti-myostatin antibody comprising that sequence
retains
the ability to bind to myostatin. In certain embodiments, a total of 1 to 10
amino acids
have been substituted, inserted and/or deleted in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 15,
31, 35,
36, 37, and 38. In certain embodiments, the substitutions, insertions, or
deletions occur
in regions outside the HVRs (i.e., in the FRs). Optionally, the anti-myostatin
antibody
comprises the VL sequence in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 15, 31, 35, 36, 37, and
38,
including post-translational modifications of that sequence. In a particular
em-
bodiment, the VL comprises one, two or three HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-L1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 65-69; (b) a HVR-
L2
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70-72; and (c) a
HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 73-74.
Post-
translational modifications include but are not limited to a modification of
glutamine or
glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by
pyroglu-
tamylation.
[0175] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody is provided, wherein
the antibody
comprises a VL having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%,
99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID
NOs: 96-99. In certain embodiments, a VL sequence having at least 90%, 91%,
92%,
93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains substitutions (e.g.,
con-
servative substitutions), insertions, or deletions relative to the reference
sequence, but
an anti-myostatin antibody comprising that sequence retains the ability to
bind to
myostatin. In certain embodiments, a total of 1 to 10 amino acids have been
sub-
stituted, inserted and/or deleted in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 96-99. In certain
em-
bodiments, the substitutions, insertions, or deletions occur in regions
outside the
HVRs. Optionally, the anti-myostatin antibody comprises the VL sequence in any
one
of SEQ ID NOs: 96-99, including post-translational modifications of that
sequence. In
a particular embodiment, the VL comprises one, two or three HVRs selected from
(a) a
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HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 122-124,
129; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
71, 125, 130; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:
74, 131. Post-translational modifications include but are not limited to a
modification
of glutamine or glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or light chain to
pyroglutamic
acid by pyroglutamylation.
In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody is provided, wherein the
antibody
comprises a VL having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%,
99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 96. In
certain embodiments, a VL sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%,
95%,
96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative sub-
stitutions), insertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence, but
an anti-
myostatin antibody comprising that sequence retains the ability to bind to
myostatin. In
certain embodiments, a total of 1 to 10 amino acids have been substituted,
inserted
and/or deleted in SEQ ID NO: 96. In certain embodiments, the substitutions,
insertions,
or deletions occur in regions outside the HVRs. Optionally, the anti-myostatin
antibody comprises the VL sequence in SEQ ID NO: 96, including post-
translational
modifications of that sequence. In a particular embodiment, the VL comprises
one, two
or three HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-Li comprising the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO: 122; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
71; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74. Post-
translational modifications include but are not limited to a modification of
glutamine or
glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by
pyroglu-
tamylation. In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody is provided, wherein
the
antibody comprises a VL having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%,
97%,
98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
97.
In certain embodiments, a VL sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%,
95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative
sub-
stitutions), insertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence, but
an anti-
myostatin antibody comprising that sequence retains the ability to bind to
myostatin. In
certain embodiments, a total of 1 to 10 amino acids have been substituted,
inserted
and/or deleted in SEQ ID NO: 97. In certain embodiments, the substitutions,
insertions,
or deletions occur in regions outside the HVRs. Optionally, the anti-myostatin
antibody comprises the VL sequence in SEQ ID NO: 97, including post-
translational
modifications of that sequence. In a particular embodiment, the VL comprises
one, two
or three HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO: 123; (b) a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
71; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74. Post-
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translational modifications include but are not limited to a modification of
glutamine or
glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by
pyroglu-
tamylation.
[0176] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody is provided, wherein
the antibody
comprises a VH as in any of the embodiments provided above, and a VL as in any
of
the embodiments provided above. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises the
VH
and VL sequences in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13, 16-30, 32-34, and 86-95 and any
one of SEQ ID NOs: 15, 31, 35-38, and 96-99, respectively, including post-
translational modifications of those sequences. In one embodiment, the
antibody
comprises the VH and VL sequences in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13, 16-30, and 32-
34
and any one of SEQ ID NOs: 15, 31, and 35-38, respectively, including post-
translational modifications of those sequences. In one embodiment, the
antibody
comprises the VH and VL sequences in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 86-95 and any one
of
SEQ ID NOs: 96-99, respectively, including post-translational modifications of
those
sequences. Post-translational modifications include but are not limited to a
modi-
fication of glutamine or glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or light chain
to py-
roglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.
[0177] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody is provided, wherein
the antibody
comprises a VH as in any of the embodiments provided above, and a VL as in any
of
the embodiments provided above. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises the
VH
and VL sequences in SEQ ID NO: 86 and SEQ ID NO: 96, respectively, including
post-translational modifications of those sequences. In one embodiment, the
antibody
comprises the VH and VL sequences in SEQ ID NO: 92 and SEQ ID NO: 97, re-
spectively, including post-translational modifications of those sequences.
Post-
translational modifications include but are not limited to a modification of
glutamine or
glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by
pyroglu-
tamylation.
[0178] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody comprises a VH
sequence having at
least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence
identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12, 145-150. In
certain
embodiments, a VH sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%,
97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative
substitutions), in-
sertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence, but an anti-
myostatin antibody
comprising that sequence retains the ability to bind to myostatin. In certain
em-
bodiments, a total of 1 to 10 amino acids have been substituted, inserted
and/or deleted
in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12, 145-150. In certain embodiments, substitutions,
in-
sertions, or deletions occur in regions outside the HVRs (i.e., in the FRs).
Optionally,
the anti-myostatin antibody comprises the VH sequence in any one of SEQ ID
NOs:
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12, 145-150, including post-translational modifications of that sequence. In a
particular
embodiment, the VH comprises one, two or three HVRs selected from: (a) a HVR-
H1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55, 157-162, (b)
a
HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58,
163-168, and (c) a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ
ID NOs: 61, 169-174. Post-translational modifications include but are not
limited to a
modification of glutamine or glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or light
chain to
pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutarnylation.
[0179] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody is provided, wherein
the antibody
comprises a light chain variable domain (VL) having at least 90%, 91%, 92%,
93%,
94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid
sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14, 151-156. In certain embodiments, a VL
sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%
identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions),
insertions, or deletions
relative to the reference sequence, but an anti-myostatin antibody comprising
that
sequence retains the ability to bind to myostatin. In certain embodiments, a
total of 1 to
amino acids have been substituted, inserted and/or deleted in any one of SEQ
ID
NOs: 14, 151-156. In certain embodiments, the substitutions, insertions, or
deletions
occur in regions outside the HVRs (i.e., in thel-Rs). Optionally, the anti-
myostatin
antibody comprises the VL sequence in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14, 151-156,
including post-translational modifications of that sequence. In a particular
em-
bodiment, the VL comprises one, two or three HVRs selected from (a) a HVR-L1
comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 65, 175-180; (b)
a
HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 70,
181-186; and (c) a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ
ID
NOs: 73, 187-192. Post-translational modifications include but are not limited
to a
modification of glutamine or glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or light
chain to
pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.
[0180] In another aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody is provided, wherein
the antibody
comprises a VH as in any of the embodiments provided above, and a VL as in any
of
the embodiments provided above. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises the
VH
and VL sequences in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12, 145-150 and any one of SEQ ID
NOs: 14, 151-156, respectively, including post-translational modifications of
those
sequences. Post-translational modifications include but are not limited to a
modi-
fication of glutamine or glutamate in N-terminal of heavy chain or light chain
to py-
roglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.
[0181] In certain embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody of the present
invention
comprises a VH as in any of the embodiments provided above and a heavy chain
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constant region comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:
7, 9,
11, 193, 195-198, 227, 228, 229-381. In certain embodiments, an anti-myostatin
antibody of the present invention comprises a VL as in any of the embodiments
provided above, and a light chain constant region comprising the amino acid
sequence
of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 and 10.
[0182] In a further aspect, the invention provides an antibody that binds
to the same epitope
as an anti-myostatin antibody provided herein. In a further aspect, the
invention
provides an antibody that binds to the same epitope as an antibody described
in Table
2a. In a further aspect, the invention provides an antibody that binds to the
same
epitope as an antibody described in Tables lla or 13. In certain embodiments,
an
antibody is provided that binds to an epitope within a fragment of myostatin
propeptide
consisting of amino acids 21-100 of SEQ ID NO: 78. Alternatively, the antibody
binds
a myostatin propeptide fragment consisting of amino acids 21-80, 41-100, 21-
60,
41-80, 61-100, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, or 81-100, of SEQ ID NO: 78.
[0183] In a further aspect of the invention, an anti-myostatin antibody
according to any of
the above embodiments is a monoclonal antibody, including a chimeric,
humanized or
human antibody. In one embodiment, an anti-myostatin antibody is an antibody
fragment, e.g., a Fv, Fab, Fab', scFv, diabody, or F(ab1)2 fragment. In
another em-
bodiment, the antibody is a full length IgG antibody, e.g., an intact IgG1 or
IgG4
antibody or other antibody class or isotype as defined herein.
[0184] In a further aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody according to any of
the above em-
bodiments may incorporate any of the features, singly or in combination, as
described
in Sections 1-7 below.
1. Antibody Affinity
[0185] In certain embodiments, an antibody provided herein has a
dissociation constant (Kd)
of 1 micro M or less, 100 nM or less, 10 nM or less, 1 nM or less, 0.1 nM or
less, 0.01
nM or less, or 0.001 nM or less (e.g., 10-' M or less, e.g., from 10 M to 10-
13M, e.g.,
from 10-9M to 10-13M).
[0186] In one embodiment, Kd is measured by a radiolabeled antigen binding
assay (RIA).
In one embodiment, an RIA is performed with the Fab version of an antibody of
interest and its antigen. For example, solution binding affinity of Fabs for
antigen is
measured by equilibrating Fab with a minimal concentration of 025.0-labeled
antigen in
the presence of a titration series of unlabeled antigen, then capturing bound
antigen
with an anti-Fab antibody-coated plate (see, e.g., Chen et al., J. Mol. Biol.
293:865-881
(1999)). To establish conditions for the assay, MICROTITER (registered
trademark)
multi-well plates (Thermo Scientific) are coated overnight with 5 micro g/m1
of a
capturing anti-Fab antibody (Cappel Labs) in 50 mM sodium carbonate (pH9.6),
and
subsequently blocked with 2% (w/v) bovine serum albumin in PBS for two to five
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hours at room temperature (approximately 23 degrees C). In a non-adsorbent
plate
(Nunc #269620), 100 pM or 26 pM [1251,- [ antigen are mixed with serial
dilutions of a
Fab of interest (e.g., consistent with assessment of the anti-VEGF antibody,
Fab-12, in
Presta et al., Cancer Res. 57:4593-4599 (1997)). The Fab of interest is then
incubated
overnight; however, the incubation may continue for a longer period (e.g.,
about 65
hours) to ensure that equilibrium is reached. Thereafter, the mixtures are
transferred to
the capture plate for incubation at room temperature (e.g., for one hour). The
solution
is then removed and the plate washed eight times with 0.1% polysorbate 20
(TWEEN-20 (registered trademark)) in PBS. When the plates have dried, 150
micro 1/
well of scintillant (MICROSCINT-20 TM; Packard) is added, and the plates are
counted
on a TOPCOUNT TM gamma counter (Packard) for ten minutes. Concentrations of
each
Fab that give less than or equal to 20% of maximal binding are chosen for use
in com-
petitive binding assays.
[0187] According to another embodiment, Kd is measured using a BIACORE
(registered
trademark) surface plasmon resonance assay. For example, an assay using a
BIACORE
(registered trademark)-2000 or a BIACORE (registered trademark)-3000 (BIACORE
(registered trademark), Inc., Piscataway, NJ) is perfonned at 25 degrees C
with im-
mobilized antigen CM5 chips at -10 response units (RU). In one embodiment, car-
boxymethylated dextran biosensor chips (CMS, BIACORE (registered trademark),
Inc.) are activated with N-ethyl-N'- (3-dimethylaminopropy1)-carbodiimide hy-
drochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) according to the supplier's
in-
structions. Antigen is diluted with 10 m1\4 sodium acetate, pH4.8, to 5 micro
g/ml
(-0.2 micro M) before injection at a flow rate of 5 micro 1/minute to achieve
ap-
proximately 10 response units (RU) of coupled protein. Following the injection
of
antigen, 1 M ethanolamine is injected to block unreacted groups. For kinetic
mea-
surements, two-fold serial dilutions of Fab (0.78 nM to 500 nM) are injected
in PBS
with 0.05% polysorbate 20 (TWEEN-20Tm) surfactant (PBST) at 25 degrees C at a
flow rate of approximately 25 micro 1/min. Association rates (kon) and
dissociation
rates (koff) are calculated using a simple one-to-one Langmuir binding model
(BIACORE (registered trademark) Evaluation Software version 3.2) by
simultaneously
fitting the association and dissociation sensorgrams. The equilibrium
dissociation
constant (Kd) is calculated as the ratio koff/kon See, e.g., Chen et al., J.
Mol. Biol.
293:865-881 (1999). If the on-rate exceeds 106 M' s by the surface plasmon
resonance assay above, then the on-rate can be determined using a fluorescent
quenching technique that measures the increase or decrease in fluorescence
emission
intensity (excitation = 295 nm; emission = 340 nm, 16 nm band-pass) at 25
degrees C
of a 20 nM anti-antigen antibody (Fab form) in PBS, pH7.2, in the presence of
in-
creasing concentrations of antigen as measured in a spectrometer, such as a
stop-flow
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equipped spectrophotometer (Aviv Instruments) or a 8000-series SLM-AMINCO TM
spectrophotometer (ThermoSpectronic) with a stirred cuvette.
2. Antibody Fragments
[0188] In certain embodiments, an antibody provided herein is an antibody
fragment.
Antibody fragments include, but are not limited to, Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH,
F(abt)2, Fv, and
scFv fragments, and other fragments described below. For a review of certain
antibody
fragments, see Hudson et al. Nat. Med. 9:129-134 (2003). For a review of scFv
fragments, see, e.g., Pluckthun, in The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies,
vol.
113, Rosenburg and Moore eds., (Springer-Verlag, New York), pp. 269-315
(1994);
see also, WO 1993/16185; and US Patent Nos. 5,571,894 and 5,587,458. For
discussion of Fab and F(abl)2 fragments comprising salvage receptor binding
epitope
residues and having increased in vivo half-life, see US Patent No. 5,869,046.
[0189] Diabodies are antibody fragments with two antigen-binding sites that
may be
bivalent or bispecific. See, for example, EP 404,097; WO 1993/01161; Hudson et
al.,
Nat. Med. 9:129-134 (2003); and Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
90:6444-6448 (1993). Triabodies and tetrabodies are also described in Hudson
et al.,
Nat. Med. 9:129-134 (2003).
[0190] Single-domain antibodies are antibody fragments comprising all or a
portion of the
heavy chain variable domain or all or a portion of the light chain variable
domain of an
antibody. In certain embodiments, a single-domain antibody is a human single-
domain
antibody (Domantis, Inc., Waltham, MA; see, e.g., US Patent No. 6,248,516 B1).
[0191] Antibody fragments can be made by various techniques, including but
not limited to
proteolytic digestion of an intact antibody as well as production by
recombinant host
cells (e.g., E. coli or phage), as described herein.
3. Chimeric and Humanized Antibodies
[0192] In certain embodiments, an antibody provided herein is a chimeric
antibody. Certain
chimeric antibodies are described, e.g., in US Patent No. 4,816,567; and
Morrison et
al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6851-6855 (1984)). In one example, a
chimeric
antibody comprises a non-human variable region (e.g., a variable region
derived from a
mouse, rat, hamster, rabbit, or non-human primate, such as a monkey) and a
human
constant region. In a further example, a chimeric antibody is a "class
switched"
antibody in which the class or subclass has been changed from that of the
parent
antibody. Chimeric antibodies include antigen-binding fragments thereof.
[0193] In certain embodiments, a chimeric antibody is a humanized antibody.
Typically, a
non-human antibody is humanized to reduce immunogenicity to humans, while
retaining the specificity and affinity of the parental non-human antibody.
Generally, a
humanized antibody comprises one or more variable domains in which HVRs, e.g.,
CDRs, (or portions thereof) are derived from a non-human antibody, and FRs (or
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portions thereof) are derived from human antibody sequences. A humanized
antibody
optionally will also comprise at least a portion of a human constant region.
In some
embodiments, some FR residues in a humanized antibody are substituted with
corre-
sponding residues from a non-human antibody (e.g., the antibody from which the
HVR
residues are derived), e.g., to restore or improve antibody specificity or
affinity.
[0194] Humanized antibodies and methods of making them are reviewed, e.g.,
in Almagro,
Front. Biosci. 13:1619-1633 (2008), and are further described, e.g., in
Riechmann et
al., Nature 332:323-329 (1988); Queen et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA
86:10029-10033 (1989); US Patent Nos. 5, 821,337, 7,527,791, 6,982,321, and
7,087,409; Kashmiri et al., Methods 36:25-34 (2005) (describing specificity de-
termining region (SDR) grafting); Padlan, Mol. Immunol. 28:489-498 (1991)
(describing "resurfacing"); Dall'Acqua et al., Methods 36:43-60 (2005)
(describing
"FR shuffling"); and Osbourn et al., Methods 36:61-68 (2005) and Klimka et
al., Br. J.
Cancer, 83:252-260 (2000) (describing the "guided selection" approach to FR
shuffling).
[0195] Human framework regions that may be used for humanization include
but are not
limited to: framework regions selected using the "best-fit" method (see, e.g.,
Sims et al.
J. Immunol. 151:2296 (1993)); framework regions derived from the consensus
sequence of human antibodies of a particular subgroup of light or heavy chain
variable
regions (see, e.g., Carter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:4285 (1992);
and Presta
et al. J. Immunol. 151:2623 (1993)); human mature (somatically mutated)
framework
regions or human germline framework regions (see, e.g., Almagro and Fransson,
Front.
Biosci. 13:1619-1633 (2008)); and framework regions derived from screening FR
libraries (see, e.g., Baca et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272:10678-10684 (1997) and
Rosok et
al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:22611-22618 (1996)).
4. Human Antibodies
[0196] In certain embodiments, an antibody provided herein is a human
antibody. Human
antibodies can be produced using various techniques known in the art. Human an-
tibodies are described generally in van Dijk and van de Winkel, Curr. Opin.
Pharmacol. 5:368-374 (2001) and Lonberg, Curr. Opin. Immunol. 20:450-459
(2008).
[0197] Human antibodies may be prepared by administering an immunogen to a
transgenic
animal that has been modified to produce intact human antibodies or intact
antibodies
with human variable regions in response to antigenic challenge. Such animals
typically
contain all or a portion of the human immunoglobulin loci, which replace the
en-
dogenous immunoglobulin loci, or which are present extrachromosomally or
integrated
randomly into the animal's chromosomes. In such transgenic mice, the
endogenous im-
munoglobulin loci have generally been inactivated. For review of methods for
obtaining human antibodies from transgenic animals, see Lonberg, Nat. Biotech.
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23:1117-1125 (2005). See also, e.g., US Patent Nos. 6,075,181 and 6,150,584 de-
scribing XENOMOUSETm technology; US Patent No. 5,770,429 describing HUMAB
(registered trademark) technology; US Patent No. 7,041,870 describing K-M
MOUSE
(registered trademark) technology, and US Patent Application Publication No.
US
2007/0061900, describing VELOCIMOUSE (registered trademark) technology).
Human variable regions from intact antibodies generated by such animals may be
further modified, e.g., by combining with a different human constant region.
[0198] Human antibodies can also be made by hybridoma-based methods. Human
myeloma
and mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines for the production of human
monoclonal
antibodies have been described. (See, e.g., Kozbor J. Immunol., 133:3001
(1984);
Brodeur et al., Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications,
pp.
51-63 (Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1987); and Boerner et al., J. Immunol.
147:86
(1991).) Human antibodies generated via human B-cell hybridoma technology are
also
described in Li et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103:3557-3562 (2006).
Additional
methods include those described, for example, in US Patent No. 7,189,826
(describing
production of monoclonal human IgM antibodies from hybridoma cell lines) and
Ni,
Xiandai Mianyixue 26(4):265-268 (2006) (describing human-human hybridomas).
Human hybridoma technology (Trioma technology) is also described in Vollmers
and
Brandlein, Histology and Histopathology 20(3):927-937 (2005) and Vollmers and
Brandlein, Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology
27(3):185-191 (2005).
[0199] Human antibodies may also be generated by isolating Fv clone
variable domain
sequences selected from human-derived phage display libraries. Such variable
domain
sequences may then be combined with a desired human constant domain.
Techniques
for selecting human antibodies from antibody libraries are described below.
5. Library-Derived Antibodies
[0200] Antibodies of the invention may be isolated by screening
combinatorial libraries for
antibodies with the desired activity or activities. For example, a variety of
methods are
known in the art for generating phage display libraries and screening such
libraries for
antibodies possessing the desired binding characteristics. Such methods are
reviewed,
e.g., in Hoogenboom et al. in Methods in Molecular Biology 178:1-37 (2000);
O'Brien
et al., ed., Human Press, Totowa, NJ, 2001) and further described, e.g., in
the Mc-
Cafferty et al., Nature 348:552-554; Clackson et al., Nature 352:624-628
(1991);
Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol. 222:581-597 (1992); Marks and Bradbury, in Methods
in
Molecular Biology 248:161-175 (Lo, ed., Human Press, Totowa, NJ, 2003); Sidhu
et
al., J. Mol. Biol. 338(2):299-310 (2004); Lee et al., J. IMol. Biol.
340(5):1073-1093
(2004); Fellouse, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101(34):12467-12472 (2004); and
Lee et
al., J. Immunol. Methods 284(1-2): 119-132 (2004).
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[0201] In certain phage display methods, repertoires of VH and VL genes are
separately
cloned by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and recombined randomly in phage
libraries, which can then be screened for antigen-binding phage as described
in Winter
et al., Ann. Rev. Immunol. 12:433-455 (1994). Phage typically display antibody
fragments, either as single-chain Fv (scFv) fragments or as Fab fragments.
Libraries
from immunized sources provide high-affinity antibodies to the immunogen
without
the requirement of constructing hybridomas. Alternatively, the naive
repertoire can be
cloned (e.g., from human) to provide a single source of antibodies to a wide
range of
non-self and also self antigens without any immunization as described by
Griffiths et
al., EMBO J, 12:725-734 (1993). Finally, naive libraries can also be made syn-
thetically by cloning unrearranged V-gene segments from stem cells, and using
PCR
primers containing random sequence to encode the highly variable CDR3 regions
and
to accomplish rearrangement in vitro, as described by Hoogenboom and Winter,
J.
Mol. Biol. 227:381-388 (1992). Patent publications describing human antibody
phage
libraries include, for example: US Patent No. 5,750,373, and US Publ. Nos.
2005/0079574, 2005/0119455, 2005/0266000, 2007/0117126, 2007/0160598,
2007/0237764, 2007/0292936, and 2009/0002360.
[0202] Antibodies or antibody fragments isolated from human antibody
libraries are
considered human antibodies or human antibody fragments herein.
6. Multispecific Antibodies
[0203] In certain embodiments, an antibody provided herein is a
multispecific antibody, e.g.,
a bispecific antibody. Multispecific antibodies are monoclonal antibodies that
have
binding specificities for at least two different sites. In certain
embodiments, one of the
binding specificities is for myostatin and the other is for any other antigen.
In certain
embodiments, bispecific antibodies may bind to two different epitopes of
myostatin.
Bispecific antibodies may also be used to localize cytotoxic agents to cells
which
express myostatin. Bispecific antibodies can be prepared as full length
antibodies or
antibody fragments.
[0204] Techniques for making multispecific antibodies include, but are not
limited to, re-
combinant co-expression of two immunoglobulin heavy chain-light chain pairs
having
different specificities (see, Milstein and Cuello, Nature 305:537 (1983)), WO
1993/08829, and Traunecker et al., EMBO J. 10: 3655 (1991)), and "knob-in-
hole" en-
gineering (see, e.g., US Patent No. 5,731,168). Multi-specific antibodies may
also be
made by engineering electrostatic steering effects for making antibody Fc-
heterodimeric molecules (WO 2009/089004A1); cross-linking two or more
antibodies
or fragments (see, e.g., US Patent No. 4,676,980, and Brennan et al., Science,
229:81
(1985)); using leucine zippers to produce bi-specific antibodies (see, e.g.,
Kostelny et
al., J. Immunol. 148(5):1547-1553 (1992)); using "diabody" technology for
making
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bispecific antibody fragments (see, e.g., Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA
90:6444-6448 (1993)); and using single-chain Fv (sFv) dimers (see,e.g., Gruber
et al.,
J. Immunol. 152:5368 (1994)); and preparing trispecific antibodies as
described, e.g.,
in Tutt et al., J. Immunol. 147:60 (1991).
[0205] Engineered antibodies with three or more functional antigen binding
sites, including
"Octopus antibodies," are also included herein (see, e.g., US 2006/0025576A1).
[0206] The antibody or fragment herein also includes a "Dual Acting FAb" or
"DAF"
comprising an antigen binding site that binds to myostatin as well as another,
different
antigen (see, US 2008/0069820, for example).
7. Antibody Variants
[0207] In certain embodiments, amino acid sequence variants of the
antibodies provided
herein are contemplated. For example, it may be desirable to improve the
binding
affinity and/or other biological properties of the antibody. Amino acid
sequence
variants of an antibody may be prepared by introducing appropriate
modifications into
the nucleotide sequence encoding the antibody, or by peptide synthesis. Such
modi-
fications include, for example, deletions from, and/or insertions into and/or
sub-
stitutions of residues within the amino acid sequences of the antibody. Any
com-
bination of deletion, insertion, and substitution can be made to arrive at the
final
construct, provided that the final construct possesses the desired
characteristics, e.g.,
antigen-binding.
a. Substitution, Insertion, and Deletion Variants
[0208] In certain embodiments, antibody variants having one or more amino
acid sub-
stitutions are provided. Sites of interest for substitutional mutagenesis
include the
HVRs and FRs. Conservative substitutions are shown in Table 1 under the
heading of
"preferred substitutions." More substantial changes are provided in Table 1
under the
heading of "exemplary substitutions," and as further described below in
reference to
amino acid side chain classes. Amino acid substitutions may be introduced into
an
antibody of interest and the products screened for a desired activity, e.g.,
retained/
improved antigen binding, decreased immunogenicity, or improved ADCC or CDC.
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[Table 1]
Original Residue Exemplary Substitutions Preferred
Substitution
Ala (A) Val; Leu; Ile Val
Arg (R) Lys; Gin; Asn Lys
A sn (N) Gin; His; Asp, Lys; Arg Gin
Asp (D) Glu; Asn Glu
Cys (C) Ser Ala Ser
Gin (Q) Asn; Glu Asn
Glu (E) Asp; Gin Asp
Gly (G) Ala Ala
His (H) Asn; Gin; Lys; Arg Arg
Ile (I) Leu; Val; Met; Ala; Phe; Norleucine Leu
Leu (L) Norleucine; Ile; Val; Met; Ala; Phe Ile
Lys (K) Arg; Gin; Asn Arg
Met (M) Leu; Phe; Ile Leu
Phe (F) Trp; Leu; Val; Ile; Ala; Tyr Tyr
Pro (P) Ala Ala
Ser (S) Thr Thr
Thr (T) Val; Ser Ser
Trp (W) Tyr; Phe Tyr
Tyr (Y) Trp; Phe; Thr; Ser Phe
Val (V) Ile; Leu; Met; Phe; Ala; Norleucine Leu
[0209] Amino acids may be grouped according to common side-chain
properties: (1) hy-
drophobic: Norleucine, Met, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile; (2) neutral hydrophilic: Cys,
Ser, Thr,
Asn, Gin; (3) acidic: Asp, Glu; (4) basic: His, Lys, Arg; (5) residues that
influence
chain orientation: Gly, Pro; and (6) aromatic: Trp, Tyr, Phe. Non-conservative
sub-
stitutions will entail exchanging a member of one of these groups for a member
of
another group.
[0210] One type of substitutional variant involves substituting one or more
hypervariable
region residues of a parent antibody (e.g., a humanized or human antibody).
Generally,
the resulting variant(s) selected for further study will have modifications
(e.g., im-
provements) in certain biological properties (e.g., increased affinity,
reduced immuno-
genicity) relative to the parent antibody and/or will have substantially
retained certain
biological properties of the parent antibody. An exemplary substitutional
variant is an
affinity matured antibody, which may be conveniently generated, e.g., using
phage
display-based affinity maturation techniques such as those described herein.
Briefly,
one or more HVR residues are mutated and the variant antibodies displayed on
phage
and screened for a particular biological activity (e.g., binding affinity).
[0211] Alterations (e.g., substitutions) may be made in HVRs, e.g., to
improve antibody
affinity. Such alterations may be made in HVR "hotspots," i.e., residues
encoded by
codons that undergo mutation at high frequency during the somatic maturation
process
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(see, e.g., Chowdhury, Methods Mol. Biol. 207:179-196 (2008)), and/or residues
that
contact antigen, with the resulting variant VH or VL being tested for binding
affinity.
Affinity maturation by constructing and reselecting from secondary libraries
has been
described, e.g., in Hoogenboom et al. in Methods in Molecular Biology 178:1-37
(O'Brien et al., ed., Human Press, Totowa, NJ, (2001).) In some embodiments of
affinity maturation, diversity is introduced into the variable genes chosen
for
maturation by any of a variety of methods (e.g., error-prone PCR, chain
shuffling, or
oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis). A secondary library is then created.
The library
is then screened to identify any antibody variants with the desired affinity.
Another
method to introduce diversity involves HVR-directed approaches, in which
several
HVR residues (e.g., 4-6 residues at a time) are randomized. HVR residues
involved in
antigen binding may be specifically identified, e.g., using alanine scanning
mu-
tagenesis or modeling. CDR-H3 and CDR-L3 in particular are often targeted.
[0212] In certain embodiments, substitutions, insertions, or deletions may
occur within one
or more HVRs so long as such alterations do not substantially reduce the
ability of the
antibody to bind antigen. For example, conservative alterations (e.g.,
conservative sub-
stitutions as provided herein) that do not substantially reduce binding
affinity may be
made in HVRs. Such alterations may, for example, be outside of antigen
contacting
residues in the HVRs. In certain embodiments of the variant VH and VL
sequences
provided above, each HVR either is unaltered, or contains no more than one,
two or
three amino acid substitutions.
[0213] A useful method for identification of residues or regions of an
antibody that may be
targeted for mutagenesis is called "alanine scanning mutagenesis" as described
by
Cunningham and Wells (1989) Science, 244:1081-1085. In this method, a residue
or
group of target residues (e.g., charged residues such as arg, asp, his, lys,
and glu) are
identified and replaced by a neutral or negatively charged amino acid (e.g.,
alanine or
polyalanine) to determine whether the interaction of the antibody with antigen
is
affected. Further substitutions may be introduced at the amino acid locations
demon-
strating functional sensitivity to the initial substitutions. Alternatively,
or additionally,
a crystal structure of an antigen-antibody complex may be analyzed to identify
contact
points between the antibody and antigen. Such contact residues and neighboring
residues may be targeted or eliminated as candidates for substitution.
Variants may be
screened to determine whether they contain the desired properties.
[0214] Amino acid sequence insertions include amino- and/or carboxyl-
terminal fusions
ranging in length from one residue to polypeptides containing a hundred or
more
residues, as well as intrasequence insertions of single or multiple amino acid
residues.
Examples of terminal insertions include an antibody with an N-terminal
methionyl
residue. Other insertional variants of the antibody molecule include the
fusion to the N-
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or C-terminus of the antibody to an enzyme (e.g., for ADEPT) or a polypeptide
which
increases the serum half-life of the antibody.
b. Glycosylation variants
[0215] In certain embodiments, an antibody provided herein is altered to
increase or
decrease the extent to which the antibody is glycosylated. Addition or
deletion of gly-
cosylation sites to an antibody may be conveniently accomplished by altering
the
amino acid sequence such that one or more glycosylation sites is created or
removed.
[0216] Where the antibody comprises an Fc region, the carbohydrate attached
thereto may
be altered. Native antibodies produced by mammalian cells typically comprise a
branched, biantennary oligosaccharide that is generally attached by an N-
linkage to
Asn297 of the CH2 domain of the Fc region. See, e.g., Wright et al., TIBTECH
15:26-32 (1997). The oligosaccharide may include various carbohydrates, e.g.,
mannose, N-acetyl glucosamine (G1cNAc), galactose, and sialic acid, as well as
a
fucose attached to a GlcNAc in the "stem" of the biantennary oligosaccharide
structure.
In some embodiments, modifications of the oligosaccharide in an antibody of
the
invention may be made in order to create antibody variants with certain
improved
properties.
[0217] In one embodiment, antibody variants are provided having a
carbohydrate structure
that lacks fucose attached (directly or indirectly) to an Fc region. For
example, the
amount of fucose in such antibody may be from 1% to 80%, from 1% to 65%, from
5% to 65% or from 20% to 40%. The amount of fucose is determined by
calculating
the average amount of fucose within the sugar chain at Asn297, relative to the
sum of
all glycostructures attached to Asn 297 (e. g. complex, hybrid and high
mannose
structures) as measured by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, as described in WO
2008/077546, for example. Asn297 refers to the asparagine residue located at
about
position 297 in the Fc region (Eu numbering of Fc region residues); however,
Asn297
may also be located about +/- 3 amino acids upstream or downstream of position
297,
i.e., between positions 294 and 300, due to minor sequence variations in
antibodies.
Such fucosylation variants may have improved ADCC function. See, e.g., US
Publ.Nos. US 2003/0157108 (Presta, L.); US 2004/0093621 (Kyowa Hakko Kogyo
Co., Ltd). Examples of publications related to "defucosylated" or "fucose-
deficient"
antibody variants include: US 2003/0157108; WO 2000/61739; WO 2001/29246; US
2003/0115614; US 2002/0164328; US 2004/0093621; US 2004/0132140; US
2004/0110704; US 2004/0110282; US 2004/0109865; WO 2003/085119; WO
2003/084570; WO 2005/035586; WO 2005/035778; WO 2005/053742; WO
2002/031140; Okazaki et al., J. Mol. Biol. 336:1239-1249 (2004); Yamane-Ohnuki
et
al., Biotech. Bioeng. 87:614 (2004). Examples of cell lines capable of
producing defu-
cosylated antibodies include Lec13 CHO cells deficient in protein fucosylation
(Ripka
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CA 03002422 2018-04-17
WO 2017/104783 PCT/JP2016/087487
et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 249:533-545 (1986); US Pat Appl No US
2003/0157108 Al, Presta, L; and WO 2004/056312, Adams et al., especially at
Example 11), and knockout cell lines, such as alpha-1,6-fucosyltransferase
gene,
FUT8, knockout CHO cells (see, e.g., Yamane-Ohnuki et al., Biotech. Bioeng.
87:614
(2004); Kanda et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng. 94(4):680-688 (2006); and WO
2003/085107).
[0218] Antibodies variants are further provided with bisected
oligosaccharides, e.g., in
which a biantennary oligosaccharide attached to the Fc region of the antibody
is
bisected by GleNAc. Such antibody variants may have reduced fucosylation
and/or
improved ADCC function. Examples of such antibody variants are described,
e.g., in
WO 2003/011878 (Jean-Mairet et al.); US Patent No. 6,602,684 (Umana et al.);
and
US 2005/0123546 (Umana et al.). Antibody variants with at least one galactose
residue
in the oligosaccharide attached to the Fc region are also provided. Such
antibody
variants may have improved CDC function. Such antibody variants are described,
e.g.,
in WO 1997/30087 (Patel et al.); WO 1998/58964 (Raju, S.); and WO 1999/22764
(Raju, S.).
c. Fc region variants
[0219] In certain embodiments, one or more amino acid modifications may be
introduced
into the Fc region of an antibody provided herein, thereby generating an Fc
region
variant. The Fc region variant may comprise a human Fc region sequence (e.g.,
a
human IgGI, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4 Fc region) comprising an amino acid
modification
(e.g., a substitution) at one or more amino acid positions.
[0220] In certain embodiments, the invention contemplates an antibody
variant that
possesses some but not all effector functions, which make it a desirable
candidate for
applications in which the half life of the antibody in vivo is important yet
certain
effector functions (such as complement and ADCC) are unnecessary or
deleterious. In
vitro and/or in vivo cytotoxicity assays can be conducted to confirm the
reduction/
depletion of CDC and/or ADCC activities. For example, Fe receptor (FcR)
binding
assays can be conducted to ensure that the antibody lacks Fc gamma R binding
(hence
likely lacking ADCC activity), but retains FcRn binding ability. The primary
cells for
mediating ADCC, NK cells, express Fc gamma RIII only, whereas monocytes
express
Fe gamma RI, Fc gamma Rh and Fc gamma RIII. FeR expression on hematopoietic
cells is summarized in Table 3 on page 464 of Ravetch and Kinet, Annu. Rev.
Immunol. 9:457-492 (1991). Non-limiting examples of in vitro assays to assess
ADCC
activity of a molecule of interest is described in US Patent No. 5,500,362
(see, e.g.,
Hellstrom, et al. Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 83:7059-7063 (1986)) and
Hellstrom, I et
al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 82:1499-1502 (1985); 5,821,337 (see
Bruggemann, et
al., J. Exp. Med. 166:1351-1361 (1987)). Alternatively, non-radioactive assays
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methods may be employed (see, for example, ACT I'm non-radioactive
cytotoxicity
assay for flow cytometry (CellTechnology, Inc. Mountain View, CA); and CytoTox
96
(registered trademark) non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay (Promega, Madison,
WI)).
Useful effector cells for such assays include peripheral blood mononuclear
cells
(PBMC) and Natural Killer (NK) cells. Alternatively, or additionally, ADCC
activity
of the molecule of interest may be assessed in vivo, e.g., in an animal model
such as
that disclosed in Clynes et al. Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 95:652-656 (1998).
Clq
binding assays may also be carried out to confirm that the antibody is unable
to bind
Clq and hence lacks CDC activity. See, e.g., Clq and C3c binding ELISA in WO
2006/029879 and WO 2005/100402. To assess complement activation, a CDC assay
may be performed (see, for example, Gazzano-Santoro et al., J. Immunol.
Methods
202:163 (1996); Cragg et al., Blood 101:1045-1052 (2003); and Cragg, Blood
103:2738-2743 (2004)). FcRn binding and in vivo clearance/half life
determinations
can also be performed using methods known in the art (see, e.g., Petkova et
al., Int'l.
Immunol. 18(12):1759-1769 (2006)).
[0221] Antibodies with reduced effector function include those with
substitution of one or
more of Fc region residues 238, 265, 269, 270, 297, 327 and 329 (US Patent No.
6,737,056). Such Fc mutants include Fc mutants with substitutions at two or
more of
amino acid positions 265, 269, 270, 297 and 327, including the so-called
"DANA" Fc
mutant with substitution of residues 265 and 297 to alanine (US Patent No.
7,332,581).
[0222] Certain antibody variants with improved or diminished binding to
FcRs are
described. (See, e.g., US Patent No. 6,737,056; WO 2004/056312, and Shields et
al., J.
Biol. Chem. 9(2): 6591-6604 (2001).)
[0223] In certain embodiments, an antibody variant comprises an Fc region
with one or
more amino acid substitutions which improve ADCC, e.g., substitutions at
positions
298, 333, and/or 334 of the Fc region (EU numbering of residues).
[0224] In some embodiments, alterations are made in the Fc region that
result in altered (i.e.,
either improved or diminished) Clq binding and/or Complement Dependent Cyto-
toxicity (CDC), e.g., as described in US Patent No. 6,194,551, WO 1999/51642,
and
Idusogie et al., J. Immunol. 164:4178-4184 (2000).
[0225] Antibodies with increased half lives and improved binding to the
neonatal Fc
receptor (FcRn), which is responsible for the transfer of maternal IgGs to the
fetus
(Guyer et al., J. Immunol. 117:587 (1976) and Kim et al., J. Immunol. 24:249
(1994)),
are described in U52005/0014934A1 (Hinton et al.). Those antibodies comprise
an Fc
region with one or more substitutions therein which improve binding of the Fc
region
to FcRn. Such Fc variants include those with substitutions at one or more of
Fc region
residues: 238, 256, 265, 272, 286, 303, 305, 307, 311, 312, 317, 340, 356,
360, 362,
376, 378, 380, 382, 413, 424 or 434, e.g., substitution of Fc region residue
434 (US
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Patent No. 7,371,826). See also, Duncan, Nature 322:738-40 (1988); US Patent
Nos.
5,648,260 and 5,624,821; and WO 1994/29351 concerning other examples of Fc
region variants.
d. Cysteine engineered antibody variants
[0226] In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to create cysteine
engineered antibodies,
e.g., "thioMAbs," in which one or more residues of an antibody are substituted
with
cysteine residues. In particular embodiments, the substituted residues occur
at ac-
cessible sites of the antibody. By substituting those residues with cysteine,
reactive
thiol groups are thereby positioned at accessible sites of the antibody and
may be used
to conjugate the antibody to other moieties, such as drug moieties or linker-
drug
moieties, to create an immunoconjugate, as described further herein. In
certain em-
bodiments, any one or more of the following residues may be substituted with
cysteine:
V205 (Kabat numbering) of the light chain; A118 (EU numbering) of the heavy
chain;
and S400 (EU numbering) of the heavy chain Fc region. Cysteine engineered an-
tibodies may be generated as described, e.g., in US Patent No. 7,521,541.
e. Antibody Derivatives
[0227] In certain embodiments, an antibody provided herein may be further
modified to
contain additional nonproteinaceous moieties that are known in the art and
readily
available. The moieties suitable for derivatization of the antibody include
but are not
limited to water soluble polymers. Non-limiting examples of water soluble
polymers
include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycol (PEG), copolymers of
ethylene
glycol/propylene glycol, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol,
polyvinyl
pyrrolidone, poly-1, 3-dioxolane, poly-1,3,6-trioxane, ethylene/maleic
anhydride
copolymer, polyaminoacids (either homopolymers or random copolymers), and
dextran or poly(n-vinyl pyrrolidone)polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol
ho-
mopolymers, polypropylene oxide/ethylene oxide co-polymers, polyoxyethylated
polyols (e.g., glycerol), polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.
Polyethylene glycol
propionaldehyde may have advantages in manufacturing due to its stability in
water.
The polymer may be of any molecular weight, and may be branched or unbranched.
The number of polymers attached to the antibody may vary, and if more than one
polymer are attached, they can be the same or different molecules. In general,
the
number and/or type of polymers used for derivatization can be determined based
on
considerations including, but not limited to, the particular properties or
functions of the
antibody to be improved, whether the antibody derivative will be used in a
therapy
under defined conditions, etc.
[0228] In another embodiment, conjugates of an antibody and
nonproteinaceous moiety that
may be selectively heated by exposure to radiation are provided. In one
embodiment,
the nonproteinaceous moiety is a carbon nanotube (Kam et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci.
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USA 102:11600-11605 (2005)). The radiation may be of any wavelength, and
includes, but is not limited to, wavelengths that do not harm ordinary cells,
but which
heat the nonproteinaceous moiety to a temperature at which cells proximal to
the
antibody-nonproteinaceous moiety are killed.
8. Variant Fc regions
[0229] In one aspect, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc
region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity. In some apsects, the
polypeptide is an antibody. In some apsects, the polypeptide is an Fc fusion
protein. In
certain embodiments, the variant Fc region comprises at least one amino acid
residue
alteration (e.g., substitution) compared to the corresponding sequence in the
Fc region
of a native or reference variant sequence (sometimes collectively referred to
herein as a
"parent" Fc region). In certain embodiments, the variant Fc region of the
invention has
enhanced binding activity for monkey Fc gamma RIM compared to the parent Fc
region. In particular embodiments, the monkey Fc gamma RIIb is cynomolgus
monkey
Fc gamma RIM (SEQ ID NO: 223).
[0230] In certain embodiments, the ratio of [KD value of a parent Fc region
for monkey Fc
gamma RIIb]/[KD value of a variant Fc region for monkey Fc gamma RIM] can be
2.0
or greater, 3.0 or greater, 4.0 or greater, 5.0 or greater, 6.0 or greater,
7.0 or greater, 8.0
or greater, 9.0 or greater, 10 or greater, 15 or greater, 20 or greater, 25 or
greater, 30 or
greater, 40 or greater, or 50 or greater. In further embodiments, the variant
Fc region
has decreased binding activity for monkey Fc gamma RIIIa. In certain
embodiments,
the ratio of [KD value of a parent Fc region for monkey Fc gamma RIIIa]/[KD
value of
a variant Fc region for monkey Fc gamma RIIIa] can be 0.50 or smaller, 0.40 or
smaller, 0.30 or smaller, 0.20 or smaller, 0.10 or smaller, 0.09 or smaller,
0.08 or
smaller, 0.07 or smaller, 0.06 or smaller, 0.05 or smaller, 0.04 or smaller,
0.03 or
smaller, 0.02 or smaller, or 0.01 or smaller. In certain embodiments, the
monkey Fc
gamma RIM has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:223 (cynomolgus monkey). In certain
embodiments, the monkey Fc gamma RIlla has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:224
(cynomolgus monkey).
[0231] In further embodiments, the variant Fc region has enhanced binding
activity for
human Fc gamma RM. In certain embodiments, the ratio of [KD value of a parent
Fc
region for human Fc gamma RIMAKD value of a variant Fc region for human Fc
gamma RIM] can be 2.0 or greater, 3.0 or greater, 4.0 or greater, 5.0 or
greater, 6.0 or
greater, 7.0 or greater, 8.0 or greater, 9.0 or greater, 10 or greater, 15 or
greater, 20 or
greater, 25 or greater, 30 or greater, 40 or greater, or 50 or greater. In
further em-
bodiments, the variant Fc region has decreased binding activity for human Fc
gamma
RIIIa. In certain embodiments, the ratio of [KD value of a parent Fc region
for human
Fc gamma RIIIa]/[KD value of a variant Fc region for human Fc gamma RIIIa] can
be
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0.50 or smaller, 0.40 or smaller, 0.30 or smaller, 0.20 or smaller, 0.10 or
smaller, 0.09
or smaller, 0.08 or smaller, 0.07 or smaller, 0.06 or smaller, 0.05 or
smaller, 0.04 or
smaller, 0.03 or smaller, 0.02 or smaller, or 0.01 or smaller. In certain
embodiments,
the human Fc gamma Ruth has the sequence of SEQ ID NOS:212, 213, or 214. In
certain embodiments, the human Fc gamma RIIIa has the sequence of SEQ ID
NO:215, 216, 217, or 218.
[0232] In further embodiments, the variant Fc region has decreased binding
activity for
human Fc gamma Rila (type H) than for human Fc gamma RIM. In certain em-
bodiments, the ratio of [KD value of a parent Fc region for human Fc gamma
Rlla
(type H)1/[KD value of a variant Fc region for human Fc gamma RIIa (type H)]
can be
5.0 or smaller, 4.0 or smaller, 3.0 or smaller, 2.0 or smaller, 1.0 or
smaller, 0.9 or
smaller, 0.8 or smaller, 0.7 or smaller, 0.6 or smaller, 0.5 or smaller, 0.4
or smaller, 0.3
or smaller, 0.2 or smaller, or 0.1 or smaller. In further embodiments, the
variant Fc
region has decreased binding activity for human Fc gamma RIIa (type R) than
for
human Fc gamma RIR). In certain embodiments, the ratio of [KD value of a
parent Fc
region for human Fc gamma RIM (type R)]/[KD value of a variant Fc region for
human Fc gamma RIIa (type R)j can be 5.0 or smaller,4.0 or smaller, 3.0 or
smaller,
2.0 or smaller, 1.0 or smaller, 0.9 or smaller, 0.8 or smaller, 0.7 or
smaller, 0.6 or
smaller, 0.5 or smaller, 0.4 or smaller, 0.3 or smaller, 0.2 or smaller, or
0.1 or smaller.
In certain embodiments, the human Fc gamma RIIa (type H) has the sequence of
SEQ
ID NO:211. In certain embodiments, the human Fc gamma RIIa (type R) has the
sequence of SEQ ID NO:210.
[0233] In certain embodiments, the ratio of [KD value of a parent Fc region
for monkey Fc
gamma RI1a1/[KD value of a variant Fc region for monkey Fc gamma RIIa] can be
2.0
or greater, 3.0 or greater, 4.0 or greater, 5.0 or greater, 6.0 or greater,
7.0 or greater, 8.0
or greater, 9.0 or greater, 10 or greater, 15 or greater, 20 or greater, 25 or
greater, 30 or
greater, 40 or greater, or 50 or greater. In certain embodiments, monkey Fc
gamma
RIIa is selected from monkey Fc gamma RIIal (e.g., cynomolgus Fc gamma RlIal
(SEQ ID NO:220)), monkey Fc gamma RIIa2 (e.g., cynomolgus Fc gamma RIIa2
(SEQ ID NO:221)), and monkey Fc gamma RIIa3 (e.g., cynomolgus Fc gamma RIIa3
(SEQ ID NO:222).
[0234] In another embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc region for
monkey Fc gamma
RIM can be 1.0x106 M or smaller, 9.0x107 M or smaller, 8.0x107 M or smaller,
7.0x107 M or smaller, 6.0x107 M or smaller, 5.0x107 M or smaller, 4.0x107 M or
smaller, 3.0x10 7 M or smaller, 2.0x107 M or smaller, or 1.0x10 7 M or
smaller. In
another embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc region for monkey Fc gamma
RIIIa can be 5.0x107 M or greater, 6.0x107 M or greater, 7.0x107 M or greater,
8.0x10
7 M or greater, 9.0x107 M or greater, 1.0x10 6 M or greater, 2.0x10' M or
greater,
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3.0x106 M or greater, 4.0x106 M or greater, 5.0x106 M or greater, 6.0x106 M or
greater, 7.0x10 6 M or greater, 8.0x10-6 M or greater, 9.0x10 6 M or greater,
or 1.0x10 5
M or greater. In another embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc region for
human
Fc gamma RIlb can be 2.0x10-6M or smaller, 1.0x10 6 M or smaller, 9.0x10 7 M
or
smaller, 8.0x10-7 M or smaller, 7.0x107 M or smaller, 6.0x107 M or smaller,
5.0x107
M or smaller, 4.0x10-7 M or smaller, 3.0x10-7 M or smaller, 2.0x10-7 M or
smaller, or
1.0x10-7 M or smaller. In another embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc
region
for human Fc gamma RIM can be 1.0x10 6 M or greater, 2.0x10 6 M or greater,
3.0x10-
6 M or greater, 4.0x106 M or greater, 5.0x10 6 M or greater, 6.0x106 M or
greater,
7.0x10 6 M or greater, 8.0x10-6 M or greater, 9.0x10 6 M or greater, 1.0x10-5
M or
greater, 2.0x10-5 M or greater, 3.0x10-5 M or greater, 4.0x10-5 M or greater,
or 5.0x10-5
M or greater. In another embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc region for
human
Fc gamma RIIa (type H) can be 1.0x107 M or greater, 2.0x107 M or greater,
3.0x107
M or greater, 4.0x10-7 M or greater, 5.0x10-7 M or greater, 6.0x10-7 M or
greater,
7.0x10-7 M or greater, 8.0x 1 0-7 M or greater, 9.0x10-7 M or greater, 1.0x10-
6 M or
greater, 2.0x10-6M or greater, 3.0x10 6 M or greater, 4.0x10-6M or greater, or
5.0x106
M or greater. In another embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc region for
human
Fc gamma Rila (type R) can be 2.0x107 M or greater, 3.0x107 M or greater,
4.0x107
M or greater, 5.0x107 M or greater, 6.0x10-7 M or greater, 7.0x107 M or
greater,
8.0x107 M or greater, 9.0x10-7M or greater, 1.0x10-6 M or greater, 2.0x10-6M
or
greater, 3.0x10-6 M or greater, 4.0x10-6 M or greater, or 5.0x10-6 M or
greater.
[0235] In another embodiment, the KD value of the variant Fc region for
monkey Fc gamma
RIIa can be 1.0x10-6M or smaller, 9.0x107 M or smaller, 8.0x10-7 M or smaller,
7.0x10-7 M or smaller, 6.0x10-7M or smaller, 5.0x107 M or smaller, 4.0x107 M
or
smaller, 3.0x10-7 M or smaller, 2.0x107 M or smaller, or 1.0x107 M or smaller.
In
certain embodiments, monkey Fc gamma RIM can be selected from any one of
monkey
Fc gamma RlIal, monkey Fc gamma RIIa2, and monkey Fc gamma RIIa3.
[0236] When we develop a pharmaceutical product for the treatment of human
diseases,
evaluation of its efficacy and safety in monkey are important because of its
biological
proximity to human. From such viewpoints, a pharmaceutical product to be
developed
is preferable to have cross-reactivity to both human and monkey in the target
binding
activity.
[0237] "Fc gamma receptors" (herein, referred to as Fc gamma receptors, Fc
gamma R or
FcgR) refers to receptors that may bind to the Fc region of IgGl, IgG2, IgG3,
and
IgG4 monoclonal antibodies, and practically means any member of the family of
proteins encoded by the Fc gamma receptor genes. In humans, this family
includes Fc
gamma RI (CD64) including isoforms Fc gamma RIa, Fc gamma Rlb, and Fc gamma
RIc; Fc gamma Rh (CD32) including isoforms Fc gamma RIM (including allotypes
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H131 (type H) and R131 (type R)), Fe gamma RHb (including Fe gamma RIlb-1 and
Fe gamma RIlb-2), and Fe gamma Rile; and Fe gamma RH' (CD16) including
isoforms Fe gamma RIIIa (including allotypes V158 and F158), and Fe gamma
RIIIb
(including allotypes Fe gamma RIilb-NA1 and Fe gamma RIIIb-NA2), and any human
Fe gamma Rs, Fe gamma R isofoniis or allotypes yet to be discovered, but is
not
limited thereto. Fe gamma RI1b1 and Fe gamma RIIb2 have been reported as
splicing
variants of human Fe gamma RIlb. In addition, a splicing variant named Fe
gamma
RIIb3 has been reported (J Exp Med, 1989, 170: 1369-1385). In addition to
these
splicing variants, human Fe gamma RHb includes all splicing variants
registered in
NCBI, which are NP_001002273.1, NP_001002274.1, NP_001002275.1,
NP 001177757.1, and NP 003992.3. Furthermore, human Fe gamma RIlb includes
every previously-reported genetic polymorphism, as well as Fe gamma Ruth
(Arthritis
Rheum. 48:3242-3252 (2003); Kono et al., Hum. Mol. Genet. 14:2881-2892 (2005);
and Kyogoju et al., Arthritis Rheum. 46:1242-1254 (2002)), and every genetic
poly-
morphism that will be reported in the future.
[0238] In Fe gamma RIIa, there are two allotypes, one where the amino acid
at position 131
of Fe gamma Rila is histidine (type H) and the other where the amino acid at
position
131 is substituted with arginine (type R) (Warrmerdam, J. Exp. Med. 172:19-25
(1990)).
[0239] The Fe gamma R includes human, mouse, rat, rabbit, and monkey-
derived Fe gamma
Rs but is not limited thereto, and may be derived from any organism. Mouse Fe
gamma Rs include Fe gamma RI (CD64), Fe gamma RII (CD32), Fe gamma RIII
(CD16), and Fe gamma RI11-2 (CD16-2), and any mouse Fe gamma Rs, or Fe gamma
R isoforms, but are not limited thereto. Unless otherwise specified, the term
"monkey
Fe gamma R" or variation thereof, refers to cynomolgus Fe gamma RIIal (SEQ ID
NO :220), Fe gamma RIIa2 (SEQ ID NO:221), Fe gamma RIIa3 (SEQ ID NO:222), Fe
gamma Ruth (SEQ ID NO:223), or Fe gamma RIIIaS (SEQ ID NO:224).
[0240] The polynucleotide sequence of human Fe gamma RI is set forth in SEQ
ID NO: 199
(NM_000566.3); the polynucleotide sequence of human Fe gamma RIIa is set forth
in
SEQ ID NO: 200 (BCO20823.1) or SEQ ID NO:201 (NM 001136219.1); the polynu-
cleotide sequence of human Fe gamma RIIb is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 202
(BC146678.1) or SEQ ID NO:203 (NM 004001.3); the polynucleotide sequence of
human Fe gamma RIIIa is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 204 (BC033678.1) or SEQ ID
NO :205 (NM 001127593.1); and the polynucleotide sequence of human Fe gamma
RIIIb is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 206 (BC128562.1).
[0241] The amino acid sequence of human Fc gamma RI is set forth in SEQ ID NO:
207
(NP_000557.1); the amino acid sequence of human Fe gamma RIIa is set forth in
SEQ
ID NO: 208 (AAH20823.1), SEQ ID NO:209, SEQ ID NO:210 or SEQ ID NO:211;
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the amino acid sequence of human Fc gamma R1113 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 212
(AAI46679.1), SEQ ID NO: 213 or SEQ ID NO:214; the amino acid sequence of
human Fc gamma RIM is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 215 (AAH33678.1), SEQ ID
NO:216, SEQ ID NO:217 or SEQ ID NO:218; and the amino acid sequence of human
Fc gamma RIIIb is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 219 (AAI28563.1).
[0242] The amino acid sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIIa is set
forth in SEQ
ID NO: 220 (Fc gamma RHal), SEQ ID NO:221 (Fc gamma RIIa2) or SEQ ID
NO :222 (Fc gamma RIIa3); the amino acid sequence of cynomolgus Fc gamma RIM
is
set forth in SEQ ID NO: 223; and the amino acid sequence of cynomolgus monkey
Fc
gamma RIIIa is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 224.
[0243] In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides containing
variant Fc regions with
enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity compared to a corresponding reference
Fc
gamma RIM-binding polypeptide. In further aspects, the polypeptide of the
invention
comprises at least one amino acid alteration of at least one position selected
from the
group consisting of: 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 264, 266,
267, 268,
271, 295, 298, 325, 326, 327, 328, 330, 331, 332, 334, and 396, according to
EU
numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIM has the sequence of
cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma Ruth (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the
Fc gamma RIM has the sequence of human Fc gamma RIM (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212,
213, or 214).
[0244] In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fc regions
with enhanced Fc gamma RH-II-binding activity comprising at least two amino
acid al-
terations comprising: (a) one amino acid alteration at position 236, and (b)
at least one
amino acid alteration of at least one position selected from the group
consisting of:
231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 237, 238, 239, 264, 266, 267, 268, 271, 295, 298,
325, 326,
327, 328, 330, 331, 332, 334, and 396, according to EU numbering. In certain
em-
bodiments, the Fc gamma RID) has the sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma
RHb (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma Ruth has the
sequence
of human Fc gamma RIIID (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0245] In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising a
variant Fc region
with enhanced Fc gamma RIlb-binding activity comprising an amino acid
alteration at
position 236 according to EU numbering.
[0246] In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising a
variant Fc region
with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity comprising at least two amino acid
al-
terations comprising: (a) one amino acid alteration at position 236, and (b)
at least one
amino acid alteration of at least one position selected from the group
consisting of:
231, 232, 235, 239, 268, 295, 298, 326, 330, and 396, according to EU
numbering. In a
further embodiment, the variant Fc region comprises an amino acid alteration
of at
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least one position selected from the group consisting of: 231, 232, 235, 239,
268, 295,
298, 326, 330, and 396, according to EU numbering. In a further embodiment,
the
variant Fc region comprises an amino acid alteration of at least one position
selected
from the group consisting of: 268, 295, 326, and 330, according to EU
numbering. In
certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIlb has the sequence of cynomolgus monkey
Fc
gamma Run) (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma Mb has the
sequence of human Fc gamma Rill) (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0247] In another aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fc regions
with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity comprising amino acid alterations
of
any one of the following (1)-(37): (1) positions 231, 236, 239, 268 and 330;
(2)
positions 231, 236, 239, 268, 295 and 330; (3) positions 231, 236, 268 and
330; (4)
positions 231, 236, 268, 295 and 330; (5) positions 232, 236, 239, 268, 295
and 330;
(6) positions 232, 236, 268, 295 and 330; (7) positions 232, 236, 268 and 330;
(8)
positions 235, 236, 268, 295, 326 and 330; (9) positions 235, 236, 268, 295
and 330;
(10) positions 235, 236, 268 and 330; (11) positions 235, 236, 268, 330 and
396; (12)
positions 235, 236, 268 and 396; (13) positions 236, 239, 268, 295, 298 and
330; (14)
positions 236, 239, 268, 295, 326 and 330; (15) positions 236, 239, 268, 295
and 330;
(16) positions 236, 239, 268, 298 and 330; (17) positions 236, 239, 268, 326
and 330;
(18) positions 236, 239, 268 and 330; (19) positions 236, 239, 268, 330 and
396; (20)
positions 236, 239, 268 and 396; (21) positions 236 and 268; (22) positions
236, 268
and 295; (23) positions 236, 268, 295, 298 and 330; (24) positions 236, 268,
295, 326
and 330; (25) positions 236, 268, 295, 326, 330 and 396; (26) positions 236,
268, 295
and 330; (27) positions 236, 268, 295, 330 and 396; (28) positions 236, 268,
298 and
330; (29) positions 236, 268, 298 and 396; (30) positions 236, 268, 326 and
330; (31)
positions 236, 268, 326, 330 and 396; (32) positions 236, 268 and 330; (33)
positions
236, 268, 330 and 396; (34) positions 236, 268 and 396; (35) positions 236 and
295;
(36) positions 236, 330 and 396; and (37) positions 236 and 396, according to
EU
numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIlb has the sequence of
cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIlb (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the
Fc gamma RID has the sequence of human Fc gamma RIM (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212,
213, or 214).
[0248] In a further embodiment, the variant Fe region with enhanced Fc
gamma RIlb-
binding activity comprises at least one amino acid selected from the group
consisting
of: (a) Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, He, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser,
Thr, Val,
Trp, Tyr at position 231; (b) Ala, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn,
Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp, Tyr at position 232; (c) Asp at position 233;
(d) Trp, Tyr
at position 234; (e) Trp at position 235; (f) Ala, Asp, Glu, His, Ile, Leu,
Met, Asn, Gin,
Ser, Thr, Val at position 236; (g) Asp, Tyr at position 237; (h) Glu, Ile,
Met, Gin, Tyr
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at position 238; (i) Ile, Leu, Asn, Pro, Val at position 239; (j) Ile at
position 264; (k)
Phe at position 266; (1) Ala, His, Leu at position 267; (m) Asp, Glu at
position 268; (n)
Asp, Glu, Gly at position 271; (o) Leu at position 295; (p) Leu at position
298; (q) Glu,
Phe, Ile, Leu at position 325; (r) Thr at position 326; (s) Ile, Asn at
position 327; (t)
Thr at position 328; (u) Lys, Arg at position 330; (v) Glu at position 331;
(w) Asp at
position 332; (x) Asp, Ile, Met, Val, Tyr at position 334; and (y) Ala, Asp,
Glu, Phe,
Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp, Tyr at
position 396;
according to EU numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma Ruth has the
sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIIb (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain em-
bodiments, the Fc gamma RID) has the sequence of human Fc gamma RIIb (e.g.,
SEQ
ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0249] In a further embodiment, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc
gamma RIIb-
binding activity comprises at least one amino acid alteration (e.g.,
substitution)
selected from the group consisting of: (a) Gly, Thr at position 231; (b) Asp
at position
232; (c) Trp at position 235; (d) Asn, Thr at position 236; (e) Val at
position 239; (0
Asp, Glu at position 268; (g) Leu at position 295; (h) Leu at position 298;
(i) Thr at
position 326; (j) Lys, Arg at position 330; and (k) Lys, Met at position 396;
according
to EU numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant Fc region with enhanced
Fc
gamma RIIb-binding activity comprises amino acid alterations (e.g.,
substitutions) of:
Asn at position 236, Glu at position 268, Lys at position 330, and Met at
position 396;
according to EU numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant Fc region with
enhanced Fc gamma RIIb-binding activity comprises amino acid alterations
(e.g., sub-
stitutions) of: Asn at position 236, Asp at position 268, and Lys at position
330;
according to EU numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant Fc region with
enhanced Fc gamma RID-binding activity comprises amino acid alterations (e.g.,
sub-
stitutions) of: Asn at position 236, Asp at position 268, Leu at position 295,
and Lys at
position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant
Fc
region with enhanced Fc gamma RID-binding activity comprises amino acid al-
terations (e.g., substitutions) of: Thr at position 236, Asp at position 268,
and Lys at
position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant
Fc
region with enhanced Fc gamma RID-binding activity comprises amino acid al-
terations (e.g., substitutions) of: Asn at position 236, Asp at position 268,
Leu at
position 295, Thr at position 326, and Lys at position 330; according to EU
numbering.
In a further embodiment, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RID-
binding
activity comprises amino acid alterations (e.g., substitutions) of: Trp at
position 235,
Asn at position 236, Asp at position 268, Leu at position 295, Thr at position
326, and
Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering.
[0250] In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fc regions
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with enhanced Fe gamma RIM-binding activity comprising an amino acid
alteration at
position 238 according to EU numbering.
[0251] In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fe regions
with enhanced Fe gamma RIM-binding activity comprising at least one amino acid
al-
teration of at least one position selected from the group consisting of: 234,
238, 250,
264, 267, 307, and 330 according to EU numbering. In further embodiments, the
polypeptide comprises at least one amino acid alteration of at least one
position
selected from the group consisting of: 234, 250, 264, 267, 307, and 330
according to
EU numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fe gamma RIM has the sequence of
cynomolgus monkey Fe gamma RIM (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the
Fe gamma RIM has the sequence of human Fe gamma RIM (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212,
213, or 214).
[0252] In another aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fe regions
with enhanced Fe gamma RIM-binding activity comprising amino acid alterations
of
any one of the following (1)-(9): (1) positions 234, 238, 250, 307 and 330;
(2)
positions 234, 238, 250, 264, 307 and 330; (3) positions 234, 238, 250, 264,
267, 307
and 330; (4) positions 234, 238, 250, 267, 307 and 330; (5) positions 238,
250, 264,
307 and 330; (6) positions 238, 250, 264, 267, 307 and 330; (7) positions 238,
250,
267, 307 and 330; (8) positions 238, 250 and 307; and (9) positions 238, 250,
307 and
330, according to EU numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fe gamma RIM has
the
sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fe gamma RIM (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain em-
bodiments, the Fe gamma RIM has the sequence of human Fe gamma RIM (e.g., SEQ
ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0253] In a further embodiment, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fe
gamma RIM-
binding activity comprises at least one amino acid alteration (e.g.,
substitution)
selected from the group consisting of: (a) Tyr at position 234; (b) Asp at
position 238;
(c) Val at position 250, (d) Ile at position 264; (e) Ala at position 267; (f)
Pro at
position 307; and (g) Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering. In a
further em-
bodiment, the variant Fe region with enhanced Fe gamma RIM-binding activity
comprises amino acid alterations (e.g., substitutions) of: Asp at position
238; according
to EU numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant Fe region with enhanced
Fe
gamma RIIb-binding activity comprises amino acid alterations (e.g.,
substitutions) of:
Asp at position 238, Val at position 250, and Pro at position 307; according
to EU
numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant Fe region with enhanced Fe
gamma
RIM-binding activity comprises amino acid alterations (e.g., substitutions)
of: Asp at
position 238, Val at position 250, Pro at position 307, and Lys at position
330;
according to EU numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant Fe region with
enhanced Fe gamma RIM-binding activity comprises amino acid alterations (e.g.,
sub-
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stitutions) of: Asp at position 238, Val at position 250, Ile at position 264,
Pro at
position 307, and Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further
em-
bodiment, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity
comprises amino acid alterations (e.g., substitutions) of: Asp at position
238, Val at
position 250, Ala at position 267, Pro at position 307, and Lys at position
330;
according to EU numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant Fc region with
enhanced Fc gamma RH-ID-binding activity comprises amino acid alterations
(e.g., sub-
stitutions) of: Tyr at position 234, Asp at position 238, Val at position 250,
Pro at
position 307, and Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further
em-
bodiment, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma Ruth-binding activity
comprises amino acid alterations (e.g., substitutions) of: Tyr at position
234, Asp at
position 238, Val at position 250, Ala at position 267, Pro at position 307,
and Lys at
position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant
Fc
region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity comprises amino acid al-
terations (e.g., substitutions) of: Asp at position 238, Val at position 250,
Ile at position
264, Ala at position 267, Pro at position 307, and Lys at position 330;
according to EU
numbering. In a further embodiment, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc
gamma
Ruth-binding activity comprises amino acid alterations (e.g., substitutions)
of: Tyr at
position 234, Asp at position 238, Val at position 250, Ile at position 264,
Pro at
position 307, and Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further
em-
bodiment, the variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb-binding activity
comprises amino acid alterations (e.g., substitutions) of: Tyr at position
234, Asp at
position 238, Val at position 250, Ile at position 264, Ala at position 267,
Pro at
position 307, and Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering. In certain
em-
bodiments, the Fc gamma RIM has the sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma
RIR) (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIM has the
sequence
of human Fc gamma RIB) (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0254] In another aspect, the invention provides isolated polypeptides
comprising variant Fc
regions with increased isoelectric point (pI). In certain embodiments, a
variant Fc
region described herein comprises at least two amino acid alterations in a
parent Fc
region. In certain embodiments, each of the amino acid alterations increases
the iso-
electric point (pI) of the variant Fc region compared with that of the parent
Fc region.
They are based on the findings that antigen elimination from plasma can be
promoted
with an antibody whose pI has been increased by modification of at least two
amino
acid residues, for example when the antibody is administered in vivo.
[0255] In the present invention, pI may be either a theoretical or an
experimentally de-
termined pi. The value of pI can be detei mined, for example, by
isoelectric focusing
known to those skilled in the art. The value of a theoretical pI can be
calculated, for
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example, using gene and amino acid sequence analysis software (Genetyx, etc.).
[0256] In one embodiment, the pI value may be increased, for example, at
least by 0.01,
0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, or more, at least by 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9,
or more, at least
by 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, or more, or at least by 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,
2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3,
2.4, 2.5, 3.0 or more, as compared to before modification.
[0257] In certain embodiments, the amino acid for increased pI can be
exposed on the
surface of the variant Fc region. In the present invention, an amino acid that
can be
exposed on the surface generally refers to an amino acid residue located on
the surface
of a polypeptide constituting a variant Fc region. An amino acid residue
located on the
surface of a polypeptide refers to an amino acid residue whose side chain can
be in
contact with solvent molecules (which in general are mostly water molecules).
However, the side chain does not necessarily have to be wholly in contact with
solvent
molecules, and when even a portion of the side chain is in contact with the
solvent
molecules, the amino acid is defined as an "amino acid residue located on the
surface".
The amino acid residues located on the surface of a polypeptide also include
amino
acid residues located close to the surface and thereby can have an electric
charge
influence from another amino acid residue whose side chain, even partly, is in
contact
with the solvent molecules. Those skilled in the art can prepare a homology
model of a
polypeptide for example, using commercially available softwares.
Alternatively, it is
possible to use methods known to those skilled in the art, such as X-ray
crystal-
lography. The amino acid residues that can be exposed on the surface are
determined,
for example, using coordinates from a three-dimensional model using a computer
program such as InsightII program (Accelrys). Surface-exposable sites may be
de-
termined using algorithms known in the technical field (for example, Lee and
Richards
(J. Mol. Biol. 55:379-400 (1971)); Connolly (J. Appl. Cryst. 16:548-558
(1983)).
Surface-exposable sites can be determined using software suitable for protein
modeling
and three-dimensional structure information. Software available for such
purposes
includes, for example, the SYBYL Biopolymer Module software (Tripos
Associates).
When an algorithm requires a user input size parameter, the "size" of a probe
which is
used in the calculation may be set to about 1.4 Angstrom (A) or less in
radius. Fur-
thermore, methods for determining surface-exposable regions using software for
personal computers have been described by Pacios (Comput. Chem. 18(4):377-386
(1994); J. Mol. Model. 1:46-53 (1995)). Based on such information as described
above, appropriate amino acid residues located on the surface of a polypeptide
that
constitutes a variant Fc region can be selected.
[0258] In certain embodiments, a polypeptide comprises both the variant Fc
region and an
antigen-binding domain. In further embodiments, the antigen is a soluble
antigen. In
one embodiment, the antigen is present in biological fluids (for example,
plasma, in-
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terstitial fluid, lymphatic fluid, ascitic fluid, and pleural fluid) of
subjects. The antigen
may also be a membrane antigen.
[0259] In further embodiments, antigen-binding activity of the antigen-
binding domain
changes according to ion concentration conditions. In one embodiment, ion con-
centration is not particularly limited and refers to hydrogen ion
concentration (pH) or
metal ion concentration. Herein, metal ions refer to ions of group I elements
except
hydrogen, such as alkaline metals and the copper group elements, group II
elements
such as alkaline earth metals and zinc group elements, group III elements
except
boron, group IV elements except carbon and silicon, group VIII elements such
as iron
group and platinum group elements, elements belonging to subgroup A of groups
V.
VI, and VII, and metal elements such as antimony, bismuth, and polonium. In
the
present invention, metal ions include, for example, calcium ion, as described
in WO
2012/073992 and WO 2013/125667. In one embodiment, "ion concentration
condition" may be a condition that focuses on differences in the biological
behavior of
an antigen-binding domain between a low ion concentration and a high ion con-
centration. Furthermore, "antigen-binding activity of an antigen-binding
domain
changes according to ion concentration conditions" means that the antigen-
binding
activity of an antigen-binding domain changes between a low ion concentration
and a
high ion concentration (such an antigen-binding domain is referred to herein
as "ion
concentration-dependent antigen-binding domain"). The antigen-binding activity
of an
antigen-binding domain under a high ion concentration condition may be higher
(stronger) or lower (weaker) than that under a low ion concentration
condition. In one
embodiment, ion concentration-dependent antigen-binding domains (such as pH-
dependent antigen-binding domains or calcium ion concentration-dependent
antigen-
binding domains) can be obtained by known methods, for example, described in
WO
2009/125825, WO 2012/073992, and WO 2013/046722.
[0260] In the present invention, the antigen-binding activity of an antigen-
binding domain
under a high calcium ion concentration condition may be higher than under a
low
calcium ion concentration condition. The high calcium ion concentration is not
par-
ticularly limited to but may be a concentration selected between 100 micro M
and 10
mM, between 200 micro M and 5 mM, between 400 micro M and 3 mM, between 200
micro M and 2 mM, between 400 micro M and 1 mM, or between 500 micro M and
2.5 mM, which is preferable to be close to the plasma (blood) concentration of
calcium
ion in vivo. Meanwhile, the low calcium ion concentration is not particularly
limited to
but may be a concentration selected between 0.1 micro M and 30 micro M,
between
0.2 micro M and 20 micro M, between 0.5 micro M and 10 micro M, between 1
micro
M and 5 micro M, or between 2 micro M and 4 micro M, which is preferable to be
close to the concentration of calcium ion in early endosomes in vivo.
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[0261] In one embodiment, the ratio between the antigen-binding activities
under a low
calcium ion concentration condition and a high calcium ion concentration
condition is
not limited but the ratio of the dissociation constant (KD) under a low
calcium ion con-
centration condition to the KD under a high calcium ion concentration
condition, i.e.,
KD (low calcium ion concentration condition)/KD (high calcium ion
concentration
condition), is 2 or more, 10 or more, or 40 or more. The upper limit of the
ratio may be
400, 1000, or 10000, as long as such an antigen-binding domain can be produced
by
techniques known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, for example, the
dis-
sociation rate constant (kd) can be used instead of the KD. In this case, the
ratio of the
kd under a low calcium ion concentration condition to the kd under a high
calcium ion
concentration condition, i.e., kd (low calcium ion concentration condition)/kd
(high
calcium ion concentration condition), is 2 or more, 5 or more, 10 or more, or
30 or
more. The upper limit of the ratio may be 50, 100, or 200, as long as the
antigen-
binding domain can be produced based on the common technical knowledge of
those
skilled in the art.
[0262] In the present invention, the antigen-binding activity of an antigen-
binding domain
under a low hydrogen ion concentration (neutral pH) may be higher than under a
high
hydrogen ion concentration (acidic pH). The acidic pH may be, for example, a
pH
selected from pH4.0 to pH6.5, selected from pH4.5 to pH6.5, selected from
pH5.0 to
pH6.5, or selected from pH5.5 to pH6.5, which is preferable to be close to the
in vivo
pH in early endosomes. The acidic pH may also be, for example, pH5.8 or pH6Ø
In
particular embodiments, the acidic pH is pH5.8. Meanwhile, the neutral pH may
be, for
example, a pH selected from pH6.7 to pH10.0, selected from pH6.7 to pH9.5,
selected
from pH7.0 to pH9.0, or selected from pH7.0 to pH8.0, which is preferable to
be close
to the in vivo pH in plasma (blood). The neutral pH may also be, for example,
pH7.4
or pH7Ø In particular embodiments, the neutral pH is pH7.4.
[0263] In one embodiment, the ratio between the antigen-binding activities
under an acidic
pH condition and a neutral pH condition is not limited but the ratio of the
dissociation
constant (KD) under an acidic pH condition to the KD under a neutral pH
condition,
i.e., KD (acidic pH condition)/KD (neutral pH condition), is 2 or more, 10 or
more, or
40 or more. The upper limit of the ratio may be 400, 1000, or 10000, as long
as such an
antigen-binding domain can be produced by techniques known to those skilled in
the
art. Alternatively, for example, the dissociation rate constant (kd) can be
used instead
of the KD. In this case, the ratio of the kd under an acidic pH condition to
the kd under
a neutral pH condition, i.e., kd (acidic pH condition)/kd (neutral pH
condition) is 2 or
more, 5 or more, 10 or more, or 30 or more. The upper limit of the ratio may
be 50,
100, or 200, as long as the antigen-binding domain can be produced based on
the
common technical knowledge of those skilled in the art.
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[0264] In one embodiment, for example, at least one amino acid residue is
substituted with
an amino acid residue with a side-chain pKa of 4.0-8.0, and/or at least one
amino acid
with a side-chain pKa of 4.0-8.0 is inserted in the antigen-binding domain, as
described
in WO 2009/125825. The amino acid may be substituted and/or inserted at any
site as
long as the antigen-binding activity of the antigen-binding domain becomes
weaker
under an acidic pH condition than under a neutral pH condition as compared to
before
the substitution or insertion. When the antigen-binding domain has a variable
region or
CDR, the site may be within the variable region or CDR. The number of amino
acids
that are substituted or inserted can be appropriately determined by those
skilled in the
art; and the number may be one or more. Amino acids with a side-chain pKa of
4.0-8.0
can be used to change the antigen-binding activity of the antigen-binding
domain
according to the hydrogen ion concentration condition. Such amino acids
include, for
example, natural amino acids such as His (H) and Glu (E), and unnatural amino
acids
such as histidine analogs (US2009/0035836), m-NO2-Tyr (pKa 7.45), 3,5-Br2-Tyr
(pKa 7.21), and 3,5-12-Tyr (pKa 7.38) (Heyl et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem.
11(17):3761-3768 (2003)). Amino acids with a side-chain pKa of 6.0-7.0 can
also be
used, which include, e.g., His (H).
[0265] In another embodiment, preferable antigen-binding domains for the
variant Fc region
with increased pI are described and can be obtained by methods described in
Japanese
patent applications JP2015-021371 and JP2015-185254.
[0266] In certain embodiments, the variant Fe region with increased pI
comprises at least
two amino acid alterations of at least two positions selected from the group
consisting
of: 285, 311, 312, 315, 318, 333, 335, 337, 341, 342, 343, 384, 385, 388, 390,
399,
400, 401, 402, 413, 420, 422, and 431, according to EU numbering.
[0267] In further embodiments, the variant Fe region with increased pI
comprises at least
two amino acid alterations of at least two positions selected from the group
consisting
of: 311, 341, 343, 384, 399, 400, 401, 402, and 413, according to EU
numbering.
[0268] In another aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fe regions
with increased pI comprising amino acid alterations of any one of the
following
(1)-(10): (1) positions 311 and 341; (2) positions 311 and 343; (3) positions
311, 343
and 413; (4) positions 311, 384 and 413; (5) positions 311 and 399; (6)
positions 311
and 401; (7) positions 311 and 413; (8) positions 400 and 413; (9) positions
401 and
413; and (10) positions 402 and 413; according to EU numbering.
[0269] A method for increasing the pI of a protein is, for example, to
reduce the number of
amino acids with a negatively charged side chain (for example, aspartic acid
and
glutamic acid) and/or to increase the number of amino acids with a positively
charged
side chain (for example, arginine, lysine and histidine) at a neutral pH
condition.
Amino acids with a negatively charged side chain have a negative charge
represented
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as -1 at a pH condition that is sufficiently higher than their side chain pKa,
which is a
theory well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the theoretical
pKa for the
side chain of aspartic acid is 3.9, and the side chain has a negative charge
represented
as -1 at a neutral pH condition (for example, in a solution of pH7.0).
Conversely,
amino acids with a positively charged side chain have a positive charge
represented as
+1 at a pH condition that is sufficiently lower than their side chain pKa. For
example,
the theoretical pKa for the side chain of arginine is 12.5, and the side chain
has a
positive charge represented as +1 at a neutral pH condition (for example, in a
solution
of pH7.0). Meanwhile, amino acids whose side chain has no charge at a neutral
pH
condition (for example, in a solution of pH7.0) are known to include 15 types
of
natural amino acids, i.e., alanine, cysteine, phenylalanine, glycine,
isoleucine, leucine,
methionine, asparagine, proline, glutamine, serine, threonine, valine,
tryptophan, and
tyrosine. As a matter of course, it is understood that amino acids for
increasing the pI
may be unnatural amino acids.
[0270] From the above, a method for increasing the pI of a protein at a
neutral pH condition
(for example, in a solution of pH7.0) can confer a charge alteration of +1 to
a protein
of interest, for example, by substituting amino acids with non-charged side
chains for
aspartic acid or glutamic acid (whose side chain has a negative charge of -1)
in the
amino acid sequence of the protein. Furthermore, a charge alteration of +1 can
be
conferred to the protein, for example, by substituting arginine or lysine
(whose side
chain has a positive charge of +1) for amino acids whose side chain has no
charge.
Moreover, a charge alteration of +2 can be conferred at a time to the protein
by sub-
stituting arginine or lysine (whose side chain has a positive charge of +1)
for aspartic
acid or glutamic acid (whose side chain has a negative charge of -1).
Alternatively, to
increase the pI of a protein, amino acids with a side chain having no charge
and/or
preferably amino acids having a positively charged side chain can be added or
inserted
into the amino acid sequence of the protein, or amino acids with a side chain
having no
charge and/or preferably amino acids with a negatively charged side chain
present in
the amino acid sequence of the protein can be deleted. It is understood that,
for
example, the N-terminal and C-terminal amino acid residues of a protein have a
main
chain-derived charge (NH3+ of the amino group at the N-terminus and coo- of
the
carbonyl group at the C-terminus) in addition to their side chain-derived
charges. Thus,
the pI of a protein can also be increased by performing to the main chain-
derived
functional groups some addition, deletion, substitution, or insertion.
[0271] The substitution of an amino acid to increase the pI includes, for
example, sub-
stitution of an amino acid whose side chain has no charge for an amino acid
having a
negatively charged side chain, substitution of an amino acid having a
positively
charged side chain for an amino acid whose side chain has no charge, and
substitution
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of an amino acid having a positively charged side chain for an amino acid
having a
negatively charged side chain in the amino acid sequence of a parent Fc
region, which
are performed alone or in appropriate combinations.
[0272] The insertion or addition of an amino acid to increase the pI
includes, for example,
insertion or addition of an amino acid whose side chain has no charge, and/or
insertion
or addition of an amino acid having a positively charged side chain in the
amino acid
sequence of a parent Fc region, which are performed alone or in appropriate
com-
binations.
[0273] The deletion of an amino acid to increase the pI includes, for
example, deletion of an
amino acid whose side chain has no charge, and/or deletion of an amino acid
having a
negatively charged side chain in the amino acid sequence of a parent Fc
region, which
are performed alone or in appropriate combinations.
[0274] In one embodiment, natural amino acids used for increasing pI can be
classified as
follows: (a) an amino acid with a negatively charged side chain can be Glu (E)
or Asp
(D); (b) an amino acid whose side chain has no charge can be Ala (A), Asn (N),
Cys
(C), Gin (Q), Gly (G), His (H), Ile (I), Leu (L), Met (M), Phe (F), Pro (P),
Ser (S), Thr
(T), Trp (W), Tyr (Y), or Val (V); and (c) an amino acid with a positively
charged side
chain can be His (H), Lys (K), or Arg (R). In one embodiment, the amino acid
insertion or substitution after modification is Lys (K) or Arg (R).
[0275] In another aspect, the invention provides isolated polypeptides
comprising variant Fc
regions with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb-binding activity and increased pI. In
certain
embodiments, a variant Fc region described herein comprises at least two amino
acid
alterations in a parent Fc region.
[0276] In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fe regions
with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb-binding activity and increased pI comprising at
least
three amino acid alterations comprising: (a) at least one amino acid
alteration of at
least one position selected from the group consisting of: 231, 232, 233, 234,
235, 236,
237, 238, 239, 264, 266, 267, 268, 271, 295, 298, 325, 326, 327, 328, 330,
331, 332,
334, and 396, according to EU numbering, and (b) at least two amino acid
alterations
of at least two positions selected from the group consisting of: 285, 311,
312, 315, 318,
333, 335, 337, 341, 342, 343, 384, 385, 388, 390, 399, 400, 401, 402, 413,
420, 422,
and 431, according to EU numbering.
[0277] In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fc regions
with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb-binding activity and increased pI, and that
comprise at
least three amino acid alterations comprising: (a) at least one amino acid
alteration of
at least one position selected from the group consisting of: 231, 232, 235,
236, 239,
268, 295, 298, 326, 330, and 396, according to EU numbering, and (b) at least
two
amino acid alterations of at least two positions selected from the group
consisting of:
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311, 341, 343, 384, 399, 400, 401, 402, and 413, according to EU numbering.
[0278] In another aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fc regions
with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb-binding activity and increased pI comprising amino
acid alterations of any one of the following (1)-(9): (1) positions 235, 236,
268, 295,
311, 326, 330 and 343; (2) positions 236, 268, 295, 311, 326, 330 and 343; (3)
positions 236, 268, 295, 311, 330 and 413; (4) positions 236, 268, 311, 330,
396 and
399; (5) positions 236, 268, 311, 330 and 343; (6) positions 236, 268, 311,
330, 343
and 413; (7) positions 236, 268, 311, 330, 384 and 413; (8) positions 236,
268, 311,
330 and 413; and (9) positions 236, 268, 330, 396, 400 and 413; according to
EU
numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIlb has the sequence of
cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIM (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the
Fc gamma 1211b has the sequence of human Fc gamma RIlb (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212,
213, or 214).
[0279] In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fc regions
with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb-binding activity and increased pI comprising at
least
three amino acid alterations comprising: (a) at least one amino acid
alteration of at
least one position selected from the group consisting of: 234, 238, 250, 264,
267, 307,
and 330, and (b) at least two amino acid alterations of at least two positions
selected
from the group consisting of: 285, 311, 312, 315, 318, 333, 335, 337, 341,
342, 343,
384, 385, 388, 390, 399, 400, 401, 402, 413, 420, 422, and 431, according to
EU
numbering. In further embodiments, the polypeptides comprise at least two
amino acid
alterations of at least two positions selected from the group consisting of:
311, 341,
343, 384, 399, 400, 401, 402, and 413, according to EU numbering. In certain
em-
bodiments, the Fc gamma RBI) has the sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma
RIlb (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIlb has the
sequence
of human Fc gamma RIM, (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0280] In another aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising
variant Fc regions
with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity and increased pI comprising amino
acid alterations of any one of the following (1)-(16): (1) positions 234, 238,
250, 264,
307, 311, 330 and 343; (2) positions 234, 238, 250, 264, 307, 311, 330 and
413; (3)
positions 234, 238, 250, 264, 267, 307, 311, 330 and 343; (4) positions 234,
238, 250,
264, 267, 307, 311, 330 and 413; (5) positions 234, 238, 250, 267, 307, 311,
330 and
343; (6) positions 234, 238, 250, 267, 307, 311, 330 and 413; (7) positions
234, 238,
250, 307, 311, 330 and 343; (8) positions 234, 238, 250, 307, 311, 330 and
413; (9)
positions 238, 250, 264, 267, 307, 311, 330 and 343; (10) positions 238, 250,
264, 267,
307, 311, 330 and 413; (11) positions 238, 250, 264, 307, 311, 330 and 343;
(12)
positions 238, 250, 264, 307, 311, 330 and 413; (13) positions 238, 250, 267,
307, 311,
330 and 343; (14) positions 238, 250, 267, 307, 311, 330 and 413; (15)
positions 238,
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250, 307, 311, 330 and 343; and (16) positions 238, 250, 307, 311, 330 and
413;
according to EU numbering.
[0281] In a further embodiment, the variant Fc region comprises amino acid
alterations
selected from any single alteration, combination of single alterations, or
combination
alterations described in Tables 14-30.
[0282] In some embodiments, a polypeptide comprises a variant Fc region of
the present
invention. In a further embodiment, the polypeptide is an antibody heavy chain
constant region. In a further embodiment, the polypeptide is an antibody heavy
chain.
In a further embodiment, the polypeptide is an antibody. In a further
embodiment, the
polypeptide is an Fc fusion protein.
[0283] In a further embodiment, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising the amino
acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 229-381.
[0284] A "parent Fc region" as used herein refers to an Fc region prior to
introduction of
amino acid alteration(s) described herein. Preferred examples of the parent Fc
region
include Fc regions derived from native antibodies. Antibodies include, for
example,
IgA (IgAl, IgA2), IgD, IgE, IgG (IgGl, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4), and IgM, or such. An-
tibodies may be derived from human or monkey (e.g., cynomolgus, rhesus
macaque,
marmoset, chimpanzee, or baboon). Native antibodies may also include naturally-
occurring mutations. A plurality of allotype sequences of IgGs due to genetic
poly-
morphism are described in "Sequences of proteins of immunological interest",
NIH
Publication No. 91-3242, and any of them may be used in the present invention.
In
particular, for human IgGl, the amino acid sequence at positions 356 to 358
(EU
numbering) may be either DEL or EEM. Preferred examples of the parent Fc
region
include Fc regions derived from a heavy chain constant region of human IgG1
(SEQ
ID NO: 195), human IgG2 (SEQ ID NO: 196), human IgG3 (SEQ ID NO: 197), and
human IgG4 (SEQ ID NO: 198). Another preferred example of the parent Fc region
is
an Fc region derived from a heavy chain constant region SG1 (SEQ ID NO: 9).
Fur-
thermore, the parent Fc region may be an Fc region produced by adding an amino
acid
alteration(s) other than the amino acid alteration(s) described herein to an
Fc region
derived from a native antibody.
[0285] In addition, amino acid alterations performed for other purpose(s)
can be combined
in a variant Fc region described herein. For example, amino acid substitutions
that
improve FcRn-binding activity (Hinton et al., J. Immunol. 176(1):346-356
(2006);
Dall'Acqua et al., J. Biol. Chem. 281(33):23514-23524 (2006); Petkova et al.,
Intl.
Immunol. 18(12):1759-1769 (2006); Zalevsky et al., Nat. Biotechnol. 28(2):157-
159
(2010); WO 2006/019447; WO 2006/053301; and WO 2009/086320), and amino acid
substitutions for improving antibody heterogeneity or stability (WO
2009/041613) may
be added. Alternatively, polypeptides with the property of promoting antigen
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clearance, which are described in WO 2011/122011, WO 2012/132067, WO
2013/046704 or WO 2013/180201, polypeptides with the property of specifc
binding
to a target tissue, which are described in WO 2013/180200, polypeptides with
the
property for repeated binding to a plurality of antigen molecules, which are
described
in WO 2009/125825, WO 2012/073992 or WO 2013/047752, can be combined with a
variant Fc region described herein. Alternatively, with the objective of
conferring
binding ability to other antigens, the amino acid alterations disclosed in
EP1752471
and EP1772465 may be combined in CH3 of a variant Fc region described herein.
Al-
ternatively, with the objective of increasing plasma retention, amino acid
alterations
that decrease the pI of the constant region (WO 2012/016227) may be combined
in a
variant Fc region described herein. Alternatively, with the objective of
promoting
uptake into cells, amino acid alterations that increase the pI of the constant
region (WO
2014/145159) may be combined in a variant Fc region described herein.
Alternatively,
with the objective of promoting elimination of a target molecule from plasma,
amino
acid alterations that increase the pI of the constant region (Japanese patent
application
numbers JP2015-021371 and JP2015-185254) may be combined in a variant Fc
region
described herein. In one embodiment, such alteration may include, for example,
sub-
stitution at al least one position selected from the group consisting of 311,
343, 384,
399, 400, and 413 according to EU numbering. In a further embodiment, such sub-
stitution may be a replacement of an amino acid with Lys or Arg at each
position.
[0286] Amino acid alterations of enhancing human FcRn-binding activity
under acidic pH
can also be combined in a variant Fc region described herein. Specifically,
such al-
terations may include, for example, substitution of Leu for Met at position
428 and
substitution of Ser for Asn at position 434, according to EU numbering
(Zalevsky et
al., Nat. Biotechnol. 28:157-159 (2010)); substitution of Ala for Asn at
position 434
(Deng et al., Metab. Dispos. 38(4):600-605 (2010)); substitution of Tyr for
Met at
position 252, substitution of Thr for Ser at position 254 and substitution of
Glu for Thr
at position 256 (Dall'Acqua et al., J. Biol. Chem. 281:23514-23524 (2006));
sub-
stitution of Gin for Thr at position 250 and substitution of Leu for Met at
position 428
(Hinton et al., J. Immuno1.176(1):346-356 (2006)); substitution of His for Asn
at
position 434 (Zheng et al., Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 89(2):283-290 (2011), and
al-
terations described in WO 2010/106180, WO 2010/045193, WO 2009/058492, WO
2008/022152, WO 2006/050166, WO 2006/053301, WO 2006/031370, WO
2005/123780, WO 2005/047327, WO 2005/037867, WO 2004/035752, or WO
2002/060919. Such alterations may include, for example, at least one
alteration
selected from the group consisiting of substitution of Leu for Met at position
428, sub-
stitution of Ala for Asn at position 434 and substitution of Thr for Tyr at
position 436.
Those alterations may further include substitution of Arg for Gln at position
438 and/or
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substitution of Glu for Ser at position 440 (Japanese patent application
numbers
JP2015-021371 and JP2015-185254).
[0287] Two or more polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region described
herein can be
included in one molecule, wherein two polypeptides comprising variant Fc
regions are
associated, much like in an antibody. The type of antibody is not limited, and
IgA
(IgAl, IgA2), IgD, IgE, IgG (IgGl, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4), and IgM, or such can be
used.
[0288] The two associated polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions may be
polypeptides
comprising variant Fc regions into which the same amino acid alteration(s)
have been
introduced (hereinafter, referred to as homologous variant Fc regions), or
polypeptides
comprising variant Fc regions into which different amino acid alteration(s)
have been
introduced, or alternatively polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions where
amino
acid alteration(s) have been introduced into only one of the Fc regions
(hereinafter,
referred as a heterologous polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions). One of
the
preferable amino acid alterations is an alteration in the loop structure from
positions
233 to 239 (EU numbering) in the CH2 domain of the Fc region, which is
involved in
binding with Fc gamma RIR) and Fc gamma RIIa. Preferably, an alteration is in-
troduced in the loop structure of the CH2 domain of one of the Fc regions that
enhances Fc gamma RIM-binding activity and/or selectivity, and another
alteration is
introduced in the loop structure of the CH2 domain of the other Fc region that
destabilizes it. Examples of amino acid alterations that can destabilize the
loop
structure of the CH2 domain may be substitution of at least one amino acid
selected
from amino acids at positions 235, 236, 237, 238, and 239 to another amino
acid.
Specifically, it can be destabilized, for example, by altering the amino acid
at position
235 to Asp, Gin, Glu, or Thr, altering the amino acid at position 236 to Asn,
altering
the amino acid at position 237 to Phe or Trp, altering the amino acid at
position 238 to
Glu, Gly, or Asn, and altering the amino acid at position 239 to Asp or Glu,
according
to EU numbering.
[0289] For association of heterologous polypeptides comprising variant Fc
regions, a
technique of suppressing unintended association of homologous polypeptides
comprising variant Fc regions by introducing electrostatic repulsion into the
interface
of the CH2 or CH3 domain of the Fc region can be applied, as described in WO
2006/106905.
[0290] Examples of amino acid residues in contact at the interface of the
CH2 or CH3
domain of the Fc region include the residue at position 356 (EU numbering),
the
residue at position 439 (EU numbering), the residue at position 357 (EU
numbering),
the residue at position 370 (EU numbering), the residue at position 399 (EU
numbering), and the residue at position 409 (EU numbering) in the CH3 domain.
[0291] More specifically, for example, the Fc region in which one to three
pairs of amino
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acid residues selected from (1) to (3) shown below have the same charge can be
produced: (1) amino acid residues at positions 356 and 439 (EU numbering) in
the
CH3 domain; (2) amino acid residues at positions 357 and 370 (EU numbering) in
the
CH3 domain; and (3) amino acid residues at positions 399 and 409 (EU
numbering) in
the CH3 domain.
[0292] Furthermore, heterologous polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions
can be
produced, wherein one to three pairs of amino acid residues selected from (1)
to (3)
indicated above have the same charge in the CH3 domain of the first Fc region,
and the
pairs of amino acid residues selected in the aforementioned first Fc region
also have
the same charge in the CH3 domain of the second Fc region, provided that the
charges
in the first and second Fc regions are opposite.
[0293] In the above-mentioned Fc regions, for example, negatively-charged
amino acid
residues are preferably selected from glutamic acid (E) and aspartic acid (D),
and
positively-charged amino acid residues are preferably selected from lysine
(K),
arginine (R), and histidine (H).
[0294] Other known techniques can be used additionally for association of
heterologous
polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions. Specifically, such a technique is
conducted by substituting an amino acid side chain present in one of the Fc
regions
with a larger side chain (knob; which means "bulge"), and substituting an
amino acid
side chain present in the Fc region with a smaller side chain (hole; which
means
"void"), to place the knob within the hole. This can promote efficient
association
between Fc-region-containing polypeptides having different amino acid
sequences
from each other (WO 1996/027011; Ridgway et al., Prot. Eng. 9:617-621 (1996);
Merchant et al., Nat.Biotech. 16, 677-681 (1998)).
[0295] In addition, other known techniques can also be used for
heterologous association of
polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions. Association of polypeptides
comprising an
Fc region can be induced efficiently using strand-exchange engineered domain
CH3
heterodimers (Davis et al., Prot. Eng. Des. & Sel., 23:195-202 (2010)). This
technique
can also be used to efficiently induce association between Fc region-
containing
polypeptides having different amino acid sequences.
[0296] In addition, heterodimerized antibody production techniques that use
association of
antibody CHI and CL, and association of VH and VL, which are described in WO
2011/028952, can also be used.
[0297] As with the method described in WO 2008/119353 and WO 2011/131746,
it is also
possible to use the technique of producing heterodimerized antibodies by
producing
two types of homodimerized antibodies in advance, incubating the antibodies
under
reducing conditions to dissociate them, and allowing them to associate again.
[0298] As with the method described in Strop (J. Mol. Biol. 420:204-219
(2012)), it is also
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possible to use the technique of producing heterodimerized antibodies by
introducing
charged residues such as Lys, Arg, Glu, and Asp so that electrostatic
repulsion is in-
troduced into CH3 domains.
[0299] Furthermore, as with the method described in WO 2012/058768, it is
also possible to
use the technique of producing heterodimerized antibodies by adding
alterations to the
CH2 and CH3 domains.
[0300] When simultaneously expressing two polypeptides comprising a variant
Fc region
which have different amino acid sequences, in order to produce polypeptides
comprising heterologous variant Fc regions, polypeptides comprising homologous
variant Fc regions are also usually produced as impurities. In such cases,
polypeptides
comprising heterologous variant Fc regions can be efficiently obtained by
separating
and purifying them from polypeptides comprising homologous variant Fc regions
using known technologies. A method has been reported to efficiently separate
and
purify heterodimerized antibodies from a homodimerized antibodies using ion
exchange chromatography, by introducing amino acid alterations into the
variable
regions of the two types of antibody heavy chains to create a difference in
isoelectric
points between the homodimerized antibodies and the heterodimerized antibodies
(WO
2007/114325). Another method has been reported to purify heterodimerized
antibodies
using Protein A chromatography, by constructing a heterodimerized antibody
comprising two types of heavy chains derived from mouse IgG2a that binds to
Protein
A and rat IgG2b that does not bind to Protein A (WO 1998/050431 and WO
1995/033844).
[0301] Furthermore, a heterodimerized antibody can be efficiently purified
using Protein A
chromatography, by substituting amino acid residues at positions 435 and 436
(EU
numbering), which are located in the Protein A binding site of an antibody
heavy
chain, with amino acids such as Tyr or His, to yield different Protein A
binding
affinities.
[0302] In the present invention, amino acid alteration means any of
substitution, deletion,
addition, insertion, and modification, or a combination thereof. In the
present
invention, amino acid alteration may be rephrased as amino acid mutation.
[0303] When substituting amino acid residues, substitution to a different
amino acid residue
can be carried out with the objective of altering aspects such as (a)-(c)
described
below: (a) polypeptide backbone structure in the sheet-structure or helical-
structure
region; (b) electric charge or hydrophobicity at the target site; or (c) size
of the side
chain.
[0304] Amino acid residues are classified into the following groups based
on their general
side chain properties: (a) hydrophobic: Norleucine, Met, Ala, Val, Leu, and
Ile; (b)
neutral hydrophilic: Cys, Ser, Thr, Asn, and Gin; (c) acidic: Asp and Glu; (d)
basic:
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His, Lys, and Arg; (e) residues that affect the chain orientation: Gly and
Pro; and (f)
aromatic: Trp, Tyr, and Phe.
[0305] Amino acid alterations are produced by various methods known to
those skilled in
the art. Such methods include the site-directed mutagenesis method (Hashimoto-
Gotoh
et al., Gene 152:271-275 (1995); Zoller, Meth. Enzymol. 100:468-500 (1983);
Kramer
et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 12: 9441-9456 (1984)); Kramer and Fritz, Methods
Enzymol. 154: 350-367 (1987); and Kunkel, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:488-
492
(1985)), the PCR mutation method, and the cassette mutation method, but are
not
limited thereto.
[0306] The number of amino acid alterations introduced into an Fc region is
not limited. In
certain embodiments, it can be 1, 2 or less, 3 or less, 4 or less, 5 or less,
6 or less, 8 or
less, 10 or less, 12 or less, 14 or less, 16 or less, 18 or less, or 20 or
less.
[0307] Amino acid modification includes post-translational modification. A
specific post-
translational modification may be addition or deletion of a sugar chain. For
example,
the amino acid residue at position 297 (EU numbering) in the IgG1 constant
region
may be sugar chain-modified. The sugar chain structure for the modification is
not
limited. For example, sialic acid may be added to the sugar chain of an Fc
region
(MAbs 2010 Sep-Oct, 2(5): 519-527). Generally, antibodies expressed in
eukaryotic
cells comprise glycosylation in the constant region. For example, it is known
that some
type of sugar chain are normally added to antibodies expressed in cells such
as
naturally-occurring antibody-producing cells of mammals or eukaryotic cells
transformed with an expression vector comprising a DNA encoding an antibody.
[0308] Eukaryotic cells shown here include yeast and animal cells. For
example, CHO cells
and HEK293 cells are representative animal cells used in transformation with
an ex-
pression vector comprising an antibody-encoding DNA. On the other hand,
constant
regions without glycosylation are also included in the present invention.
Antibodies
whose constant region is not glycosylated can be obtained by expressing an
antibody-
encoding gene in prokaryotic cells such as Escherichia coli.
[0309] Furthermore, a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the
present invention
may be chemically modified with various molecules such as polyethylene glycol
(PEG) and cytotoxic substances. Methods for such chemical modification of a
polypeptide are established in the art.
[0310] In one aspect, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc
region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity. In some apsects, the
polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the polypeptide is an Fc fusion
protein.
In certain embodiments, an antibody is a chimeric antibody, or a humanized
antibody.
The origin of an antibody is not particularly limited, but examples include a
human
antibody, a mouse antibody, a rat antibody, and a rabbit antibody. In some
apsects, the
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polypeptide is an Fc fusion protein.
[0311] The variable regions of antibodies that comprise a variant Fc region
provided herein
and the protein binding motifs of Fc fusion proteins comprising a variant Fc
region can
recognize any antigen. Examples of antigens that can be bound by such
antibodies and
fusion proteins include, but are not limited to ligands (cytokines,
chemokines, and
such), receptors, cancer antigens, MHC antigens, differentiation antigens, im-
munoglobulins, and immune complexes partly containing immunoglobulins.
[0312] Examples of cytokines that can be bound by an antibody or fusion
protein containing
a variant Fc region of the invention, and/or recombinantly fused with a
polypeptide
comprising a disclosed variant Fc region include but are not limited to,
interleukins 1
to 18, colony stimulating factors (G-CSF, M-CSF, GM-CSF, etc.), interferons
(IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IFN-gamma, etc.), growth factors (EGF, FGF, IGF, NGF,
PDGF, TGF, HGF, etc.), tumor necrosis factors (TNF-alpha and TNF-beta), lym-
photoxin, erythropoietin, leptin, SCF, TPO, MCAF, and BMP.
[0313] Examples of chemokines that can be bound by an antibody or fusion
protein
containing a variant Fc region of the invention, and/or recombinantly fused
with a
polypeptide comprising a disclosed variant Fc region include but are not
limited to, CC
chemokines such as CCL1 to CCL28, CXC chemokines such as CXCL1 to CXCL17,
C chemokines such as XCL1 to XCL2, and CX3C chemokines such as CX3CL1.
[0314] Examples of receptors that can be bound by an antibody or fusion
protein containing
a variant Fc region of the invention, and/or recombinantly fused with a
polypeptide
comprising a disclosed variant Fc region include but are not limited to,
receptors
belonging to receptor families such as the hematopoietic growth factor
receptor family,
cytokine receptor family, tyrosine kinase-type receptor family,
serine/threonine kinase-
type receptor family, TNF receptor family, G protein-coupled receptor family,
GPI
anchor-type receptor family, tyrosine phosphatase-type receptor family,
adhesion
factor family, and hormone receptor family. The receptors belonging to these
receptor
families and their characteristics have been described in many documents such
as
Cooke , ed. New Comprehesive Biochemistry Vo1.18B "Hormones and their Actions
Part II" pp.1-46 (1988) Elsevier Science Publishers BV; Patthy (Cell 61(1):13-
14
(1990)); Ullrich (Cell 61(2):203-212 (1990)); Massague (Cell 69(6):1067-1070
(1992)); Miyajima et al. (Annu. Rev. Immunol. 10:295-331 (1992)); Taga et al.
(FASEB J. 6:3387-3396 (1992)); Fantl et al. (Annu. Rev. Biochem. 62:453-481
(1993)); Smith et al. (Cell 76(6):959-962 (1994)); and Flower (Biochim.
Biophys. Acta
1422(3): 207-234 (1999)).
[0315] Examples of specific receptors belonging to the above-mentioned
receptor families
include human or mouse erythropoietin (EPO) receptors (Jones et al., Blood
76(1):31-35 (1990); D'Andrea et al., Cell 57(2):277-285 (1989)), human or
mouse
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granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptors (Fukunaga et al.,
Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 87(22):8702-8706 (1990), mG-CSFR; Fukunaga et al., Cell 61(2):
341-350 (1990)), human or mouse thrombopoietin (TPO) receptors (Vigon et al.,
Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 89(12):5640-5644 (1992); Skoda et al., EMBO J.
12(7):2645-2653 (1993)), human or mouse insulin receptors (Ullrich et al.,
Nature
313(6005):756-761 (1985)), human or mouse Flt-3 ligand receptors (Small et
al., Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 91(2):459-463 (1994)), human or mouse platelet-derived
growth
factor (PDGF) receptors (Gronwald et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA.
85(10):3435-3439 (1988)), human or mouse interferon (IFN)-alpha and beta
receptors
(Uze et al., Cell 60(2): 225-234 (1990); Novick et al., Cell 77(3):391-400
(1994)),
human or mouse leptin receptors, human or mouse growth hormone (GH) receptors,
human or mouse interleukin (IL)-10 receptors, human or mouse insulin-like
growth
factor (IGF)-I receptors, human or mouse leukemia inhibitory factor (Lll-.)
receptors,
and human or mouse ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptors.
[0316] Cancer antigens are antigens that are expressed as cells become
malignant, and they
are also called tumor-specific antigens. Abnormal sugar chains that appear on
cell
surfaces or protein molecules when cells become cancerous are also cancer
antigens,
and they are also called sugar-chain cancer antigens. Examples of cancer
antigens that
can be bound by an antibody or fusion protein containing a variant Fc region
of the
invention include but are not limited to, GPC3 which is a receptor belonging
to the GPI
anchor-type receptor family mentioned above, and is also expressed in several
cancers
including liver cancer (Midorikawa et al., Int. J. Cancer 103(4):455-465
(2003)), as
well as EpCAM which is expressed in several cancers including lung cancer
(Linnenbach et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86(1):27-31 (1989)), CA19-9,
CA15-3,
and sialyl SSEA-1 (SLX).
[0317] MHC antigens are roughly classified into MHC class I antigens and
MHC class II
antigens. MHC class I antigens include HLA-A, -B, -C, -E, -F, -G, and -H, and
MHC
class II antigens include HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP.
[0318] Examples of differentiation antigens that can be bound by an
antibody or fusion
protein containing a variant Fc region of the invention, and/or recombinantly
fused
with a polypeptide comprising a disclosed variant Fc region include but are
not limited
to, CD1, CD2, CD4, CD5, CD6, CD7, CD8, CD10, CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD13,
CD14, CD15s, CD16, CD18, CD19, CD20, CD21, CD23, CD25, CD28, CD29, CD30,
CD32, CD33, CD34, CD35, CD38, CD40, CD41a, CD41b, CD42a, CD42b, CD43,
CD44, CD45, CD45RO, CD48, CD49a, CD49b, CD49c, CD49d, CD49e, CD49f,
CD51, CD54, CD55, CD56, CD57, CD58, CD61, CD62E, CD62L, CD62P, CD64,
CD69, CD71, CD73, CD95, CD102, CD106, CD122, CD126, and CDw130.
[0319] Immunoglobulins include IgA, IgM, IgD, IgG, and IgE. Immune
complexes include
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a component of at least any of the immunoglobulins,
[0320] Other examples of antigens that can be bound by an antibody or
fusion protein
containing a variant Fc region of the invention, and/or recombinantly fused
with a
polypeptide comprising a disclosed variant Fc region include but are not
limited to,
17-IA, 4-1BB, 4Dc, 6-keto-PGF1a, 8-iso-PGF2a, 8-oxo-dG, Al adenosine receptor,
A33, ACE, ACE-2, activin, activin A, activin AB, activin B, activin C, activin
RIA,
activin RIA ALK-2, activin RIB ALK-4, activin RIIA, activin RIIB, ADAM,
ADAM10, ADAM12, ADAM15, ADAM17/TACE, ADAM8, ADAM9, ADAMTS,
ADAMTS4, ADAMTS5, addressin, aFGF, ALCAM, ALK, ALK-1, ALK-7, alpha-
1-antitrypsin, alpha-V/beta-1 antagonist, ANG, Ang, APAF-1, APE, APJ, APP,
APRIL, AR, ARC, ART, artemin, anti-Id, ASPARTIC, atrial natriuretic peptide,
av/b3
integrin, Axl, b2M, B7-1, B7-2, B7-H, B-lymphocyte stimulating factor (BlyS),
BACE, BACE-1, Bad, BAFF, BAFF-R, Bag-1, BAK, Bax, BCA-1, BCAM, Bel,
BCMA, BDNF, b-ECGF, bFGF, BID, Bik, BIM, BLC, BL-CAM, BLK, BMP, BMP-2
BMP-2a, BMP-3 Osteogenin, BMP-4, BMP-2b, BMP-5, BMP-6 Vgr-1, BMP-7
(0P-1), BMP-8 (BMP-8a, OP-2), BMPR, BMPR-IA (ALK-3), BMPR-IB (ALK-6),
BRK-2, RPK-1, BMPR-II (BRK-3), BMP, b-NGF, BOK, bombesin, bone-derived neu-
rotrophic factor, BPDE, BPDE-DNA, BTC, complement factor 3 (C3), C3a, C4, C5,
C5a, C10, CA125, CAD-8, calcitonin, cAMP, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA),
cancer associated antigen, cathepsin A, cathepsin B, cathepsin C/DPPL
cathepsin D,
cathepsin E, cathepsin H, cathepsin L, cathepsin 0, cathepsin 5, cathepsin V.
cathepsin
X/Z/P, CBL, CCI, CCK2, CCL, CCL1, CCL11, CCL12, CCL13, CCL14, CCL15,
CCL16, CCL17, CCL18, CCL19, CCL2, CCL20, CCL21, CCL22, CCL23, CCL24,
CCL25, CCL26, CCL27, CCL28, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL6, CCL7, CCL8,
CCL9/10, CCR, CCR1, CCRIO, CCR11, CCR2, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CCR7,
CCR8, CCR9, CD1, CD2, CD3, CD3E, CD4, CD5, CD6, CD7, CD8, CD10, CD11a,
CD11b, CD11c, CD13, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD18, CD19, CD20, CD21, CD22,
CD23, CD25, CD27L, CD28, C1D29, CD30, CD3OL, CD32, CD33 (p67 protein),
CD34, CD38, CD40, CD4OL, CD44, CD45, CD46, CD49a, CD52, CD54, CD55,
CD56, CD61, CD64, CD66e, CD74, CD80 (B7-1), CD89, CD95, CD123, CD137,
CD138, CD140a, CD146, CD147, CD148, CD152, CD164, CEACAM5, CFTR,
cGMP, CINC, IBotulinurn toxin, Clostridium perfringens toxin, CKb8-1, CLC,
CMV,
CMV UL, CNTF, CNTN-1, COX, C-Ret, CRG-2, CT-1, CTACK, CTGF, CTLA-4,
CX3CL1, CX3CR1, CXCL, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, CXCL4, CXCL5, CXCL6,
CXCL7, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, CXCL13, CXCL14,
CXCL15, CXCL16, CXCR, CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5,
CXCR6,cytokeratin tumor associated antigen, DAN, DCC, DcR3, DC-SIGN,
complement regulatory factor (Decay accelerating factor), des(1-3)-IGF-I
(brain IGF-
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1), Dhh, digoxin, DNAM-1, Dnase, Dpp, DPPIV/CD26, Dtk, ECAD, EDA, EDA-Al,
EDA-A2, EDAR, EGF, EGFR (ErbB-1), EMA, EMMPRIN, ENA, endothelin
receptor, enkephalinase, eNOS, Eot, eotaxin 1, EpCAM, ephrin B2/EphB4, EPO,
ERCC, E-selectin, ET-1, factor Ha, factor VII, factor VIIIc, factor IX,
fibroblast ac-
tivation protein (FAP), Fas, FcR1, FEN-1, ferritin, FGF, FGF-19, FGF-2, FGF3,
FGF-
8, FGFR, FGFR-3, fibrin, FL, FLIP, F1t-3, Flt-4, follicle stimulating hormone,
fractalkine, FZD1, FZD2, FZD3, FZD4, FZD5, FZD6, FZD7, FZD8, FZD9, FZD10,
G250, Gas6, GCP-2, GCSF, GD2, GD3, GDF, GDF-1, GDF-3 (Vgr-2), GDF-5
(BMP-14, CDMP-1), GDF-6 (BMP-13, CDMP-2), GDF-7 (BMP-12, CDMP-3), GDF8
(myostatin), GDF-9, GDF-15 (MIC-1), GDNF, GFAP, GFRa-1, GFR-alphal, GPR-
a1pha2, GFR-a1pha3, GITR, glucagon, Glut4, glycoprotein
(GPIIb/HIa), GM-
CSF, gp130, gp72, GRO, growth hormone releasing hormone, hapten (NP-cap or NIP-
cap), HB-EGF, HCC, HCMV gB envelope glycoprotein, HCMV gH envelope gly-
coprotein, HCMV UL, hematopoietic growth factor (HGF), Hep B gp120,
heparanase,
Her2, Her2/neu (ErbB-2), Her3 (ErbB-3), Her4 (ErbB-4), herpes simplex virus
(HSV)
gB glycoprotein, HSV gD glycoprotein, HGFA, high molecular weight melanoma-as-
sociated antigen (HMW-MAA), HIV gp120, HIV RIB gp 120 V3 loop, HLA, HLA-
DR, HM1.24, HMFG PEM, HRG, Hrk, human cardiac myosin, human cy-
tomegalovirus (HCMV), human growth hormone (HGH), HVEM, 1-309, IAP, ICAM,
ICAM-1, ICAM-3, ICE, ICOS, IFNg, Ig, IgA receptor, IgE, IGF, IGF binding
protein,
IGF-1R, IGFBP, IGF-I, IGF-II, IL, IL-1, IL-1R, IL-2, IL-2R, IL-4, IL-4R, IL-5,
IL-5R,
IL-6, IL-6R, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-18, IL-18R, IL-23,
interferon
(IFN)-alpha, IFN-beta, IFN-gamma, inhibin, iNOS, insulin A chain, insulin B
chain,
insulin-like growth factorl, integrin a1pha2, integrin a1pha3, integrin
a1pha4, integrin
a1pha4/betal, integrin a1pha4/beta7, integrin a1pha5 (alpha V), integrin
alpha5/betal,
integrin a1pha5Theta3, integrin alpha6, integrin beta 1, integrin beta2,
interferon gamma,
IP-10, I-TAC, JE, kallikrein 2, kallikrein 5, kallikrein 6, kallikrein 11,
kallikrein 12,
kallikrein 14, kallikrein 15, kallikrein Ll, kallikrein L2, kallikrein L3,
kallikrein L4,
KC, KDR, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), laminin 5, LAMP, LAP, LAP (TGF-1),
latent TGF-1, latent TGF-1 bpl, LBP, LDGF, LECT2, lefty, Lewis-Y antigen,
Lewis-
Y associated antigen, LFA-1, LFA-3, Lfo, LIF, LIGHT, lipoprotein, LIX, LKN,
Lptn,
L-selectin, LT-a, LT-b, LTB4, LTBP-1, lung surface, luteinizing hormone, lym-
photoxin beta receptor, Mac-1, MAdCAM, MAG, MAP2, MARC, MCAM, MCK-2,
MCP, M-CSF, MDC, Mer, METALLOPROTEASES, MGDF receptor, MGMT, MHC
(HLA-DR), MIF, MIG, MIP, MIP-1-alpha, MK, MMAC1, MMP, MMP-1, MMP-10,
MMP-11, MMP-12, MMP-13, MMP-14, MMP-15, MMP-2, MMP-24, MMP-3,
MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MPIF, Mpo, MSK, MSP, mucin (Mud), MUC18,
Mullerian-inhibiting substance, Mug, MuSK, NAIP, NAP, NCAD, N-Cadherin, NCA
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90, NCAM, neprilysin, neurotrophin-3, -4, or -6, neurturin, nerve growth
factor (NGF),
NGFR, NGF-beta, nNOS, NO, NOS, Npn, NRG-3, NT, NTN, OB, OGG1, OPG, OPN,
OSM, OX4OL, OX4OR, p150, p95, PADPr, parathyroid hormone, PARC, PARP, PBR,
PBSF, PCAD, P-cadherin, PCNA, PDGF, PDK-1, PECAM, PEM, PF4, PGE, PGF,
PGI2, PGJ2, PIN, PLA2, placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), PIGF, PLP, PP14,
proinsulin, prorelaxin, protein C, PS, PSA, PSCA, prostate-specific membrane
antigen
(PSMA), PTEN, PTHrp, Ptk, PTN, R51, RANK, RANKL, RANTES, relaxin A chain,
relaxin B chain, renin, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F, RSV Fgp, Ret,
Rheumatoid
factor, RLIP76, RPA2, RSK, S100, SCF/KL, SDF-1, SERINE, serum albumin, sFRP-
3, Shh, SIGIRR, SK-1, SLAM, SLPI, SMAC, SMDF, SMOH, SOD, SPARC, Stat,
STEAP, STEAP-II, TACE, TACI, TAG-72 (tumor-associated glycoprotein-72),
TARC, TCA-3, T-cell receptor (for example, T-cell receptor alpha/beta), TdT,
TECK,
TEM1, TEM5, TEM7, TEM8, TERT, testis PLAP-like alkaline phosphatase, TfR,
TGF, TGF-alpha, TGF-beta, TGF-beta Pan Specific, TGF-betaRI (ALK-5), TGF-
betaRII, TGF-betaRlIb, TGF-betaRIII, TGF-betal, TGF-beta2, TGF-beta3, TGF-
beta4, TGF-beta5, thrombin, thymus Ck-1, thyroid-stimulating hormone, Tie,
TIMP,
TIQ, tissue factor, TMEFF2, Tmpo, TMPRSS2, TNF, TNF-alpha, TNF-alphabeta,
TNF-beta2, TNFc, TNF-RI, TNF-RII, TNI-RSF10A (TRAIL R1 Apo-2, DR4),
TNFRSF1OB (TRAIL R2 DR5, KILLER, TRICK-2A, TRICK-B), TNFRSF10C
(TRAIL R3 DcR1, LIT, TRID), TNFRSF1OD (TRAIL R4 DcR2, TRUNDD),
TNFRSF11A (RANK ODF R, TRANCE R), TNFRSF11B (OPG OCIF, TR1),
TNFRSF12 (TWEAK R FN14), TNFRSF13B (TACT), TNFRSF13C (BAFF R),
TNFRSF14 (HVEM ATAR, HveA, LIGHT R, TR2), TNIFRSF16 (NGFR p75NTR),
TNFRSF17 (BCMA), TNFRSF18 (GITR AITR), TNFRSF19 (TROY TAJ, TRADE),
TNFRSF19L (RELT), TNFRSF1A (TNF RI CD120a, p55-60), TNFRSF1B (TNF RII
CD120b, p75-80), TNFRSF26 (TNFRH3), TNFRSF3 (LTbR TNF RIII, TNFC R),
TNFRSF4 (0X40 ACT35, TXGP1 R), TNFRSF5 (CD40 p50), TNFRSF6 (Fas Apo-1,
APT1, CD95), TNFRSF6B (DcR3 M68, TR6), TNFRSF7 (CD27), TNFRSF8 (CD30),
TNFRSF9 (4-1BB CD137, ILA), TNFRSF21 (DR6), TNFRSF22 (DcTRAIL R2
TNFRH2), TNFRST23 (DcTRAIL R1 TNFRH1), TNFRSF25 (DR3 Apo-3, LARD,
TR-3, TRAMP, WSL-1), TNFSF10 (TRAIL Apo-2 ligand, TL2), TNFSF11
(TRANCE/RANK ligand ODF, OPG ligand), TNFSF12 (TWEAK Apo-3 ligand, DR3
ligand), TNF5F13 (APRIL TALL2), TNFSF13B (BAFF BLYS, TALL1, THANK,
TNFSF20), TNFSF14 (LIGHT HVEM ligand, LTg), TNFSF15 (TL1A/VEGI),
TNFSF18 (GITR ligand AITR ligand, TL6), TNFSF1A (TNF-a Conectin, DIF,
TNFSF2), TNFSF1B (TNF-b ILTa, TNIFSF1), TNFSF3 (LTb TNFC, p33), TNFSF4
(0X40 ligand gp34, TXGP1), TNFSF5 (CD40 ligand CD154, gp39, HIGM1, IMD3,
TRAP), TNFSF6 (Fas ligand Apo-1 ligand, APT1 ligand), TNFSF7 (CD27 ligand
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CD70), TNFSF8 (CD30 ligand CD153), TNFSF9 (4-1BB ligand CD137 ligand), TP-1,
t-PA, Tpo, TRAIL, TRAIL R, TRAIL-R1, TRAIL-R2, TRANCE, transferrin receptor,
TRF, Trk, TROP-2, TSG, TSLP, tumor associated antigen CA125, tumor associated
antigen expressing Lewis-Y associated carbohydrates, TWEAK, TXB2, Ung, uPAR,
uPAR-1, urokinase, VCAM, VCAM-1, VECAD, VE-Cadherin, VE-cadherin-2,
VEFGR-1 (fit-1), VEGF, VEGFR, VEGFR-3 (fit-4), VEGI, VIM, virus antigen, VLA,
VLA-1, VLA-4, VNR integrin, von Willebrand factor, WIF-1, WNT1, WNT2,
WNT2B/13, WNT3, WNT3A, WNT4, WNT5A, WNT5B, WNT6, WNT7A, WNT7B,
WNT8A, WNT8B, WNT9A, WNT9B, WNT10A, WNT10B, WNT11, WNT16,
XCL1, XCL2, XCR1, XCR1, XEDAR, XIAP, XPD, HMGB1, IgA, A beta, CD81,
CD97, CD98, DDR1, DKK1, EREG, Hsp90, IL-17/IL-17R, IL-20/IL-20R, oxidized
LDL, PCSK9, prekallikrein, RON, TMEM16F, SOD1, Chromogranin A, Chro-
mogranin B, tau, VAP1, high molecular weight kininogen, IL-31, IL-31R, Nav1.1,
Nav1.2, Nav1.3, Nav1.4, Nav1.5, Nav1.6, Nav1.7, Nav1.8, Nav1.9, EPCR, Cl, Clq,
Clr, Cis, C2, C2a, C2b, C3, C3a, C3b, C4, C4a, C4b, C5, C5a, C5b, C6, C7, C8,
C9,
factor B, factor D, factor H, properdin, sclerostin, fibrinogen, fibrin,
prothrombin,
thrombin, tissue factor, factor V, factor Va, factor VII, factor VIIa, factor
VIII, factor
Villa, factor IX, factor IXa, factor X, factor Xa, factor XI, factor XIa,
factor XII, factor
XIIa, factor XIII, factor XIIIa, TFPI, antithrombin III, EPCR, thrombomodulin,
TAPI,
tPA, plasminogen, plasmin, PAT-1, PAI-2, GPC3, Syndecan-1, Syndecan-2,
Syndecan-
3, Syndecan-4, LPA, and SIP; and receptors for hormone and growth factors.
[0321] As discussed herein, one or more amino acid residue alterations are
allowed in the
amino acid sequences constituting the variable regions as long as their
antigen-binding
activities are maintained. When altering a variable region amino acid
sequence, there is
no particularly limitation on the site of alteration and number of amino acids
altered.
For example, amino acids present in CDR and/or FR can be altered
appropriately.
When altering amino acids in a variable region, the binding activity is
preferably
maintained without particular limitation; and for example, as compared to
before al-
teration, the binding activity may be 50% or more, 80% or more, and 100% or
more.
Furthermore, the binding activity may be increased by amino acid alterations.
For
example, the binding activity may be 2-, 5-, 10-times higher or such than that
before
alteration. Alteration of amino acid sequence may be at least one of amino
acid residue
substitution, addition, deletion, and modification.
[0322] For example, the modification of the N-terminal glutamine of a
variable region into
pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation is a modification well known to those
skilled
in the art. Thus, when the heavy-chain N terminus is glutamine, antibodies
described
herein may comprise the variable regions in which the glutamine is modified to
py-
roglutamic acid.
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[0323] Antibody variable regions described herein may have any sequences,
and they may
be antibody variable regions of any origin, such as mouse antibodies, rat
antibodies,
rabbit antibodies, goat antibodies, camel antibodies, humanized antibodies
produced by
humanizing these non-human antibodies, and human antibodies. Furthemiore,
these
antibodies may have various amino acid substitutions introduced into their
variable
regions to improve their antigen binding, pharmacokinetics, stability, and
immuno-
genicity. Variable regions may be able to bind antigens repeatedly due to
their pH de-
pendency in antigen binding (WO 2009/125825).
[0324] kappa chain and lambda chain are present in antibody light-chain
constant regions,
and either one is acceptable. Furthermore, they may have some amino acid
alterations
such as substitutions, deletions, additions, and/or insertions.
[0325] Furthermore, polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions described
herein may be
made into Fc fusion proteins by linking to other proteins such as
physiologically active
peptides. Such fusion proteins may be a multimer of at least two polypeptides
comprising the variant Fc regions. Examples of the other proteins include
receptors,
adhesion molecules, ligands, and enzymes, but are not limited thereto.
[0326] Examples of Fc fusion proteins include proteins fused with an Fc
region to a receptor
that binds to a target molecule, including TNFR-Fc fusion protein, IL1R-Fc
fusion
protein, VEGFR-Fc fusion protein, and CTLA4-Fc fusion protein (Economides et
al,.
Nat. Med. 9(1):47-52 (2003); Dumont et al., BioDrugs. 20(3):151-60 (2006)).
Fur-
thermore, proteins to be fused may be other molecules that have a target-
binding
activity, for example, scFvs (WO 2005/037989), single-domain antibodies (WO
2004/058821; WO 2003/002609), antibody-like molecules (Davinder, Curr. Op.
Biotech. 17:653-658 (2006); Current Opinion in Biotechnology 18:1-10 (2007);
Nygren et al., Curr. Op. Struct. Biol. 7:463-469 (1997); and Hoss. Protein
Science
15:14-27 (2006)) such as DARPins (WO 2002/020565), Affibody (WO 1995/001937),
Avimer (WO 2004/044011; WO 2005/040229), and Adnectin (WO 2002/032925).
Furthermore, antibodies and Fc fusion proteins may be multispecific and may
bind to
multiple types of target molecules or epitopes.
B. Recombinant Methods and Compositions
[0327] Antibodies may be produced using recombinant methods and
compositions, e.g., as
described in US Patent No. 4,816,567. In one embodiment, isolated nucleic acid
encoding an anti-myostatin antibody described herein is provided. In another
em-
bodiment, isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region
or a parent Fc region described herein is provided. Such nucleic acid may
encode an
amino acid sequence comprising the VL and/or an amino acid sequence comprising
the
VH of the antibody (e.g., the light and/or heavy chains of the antibody). In a
further
embodiment, one or more vectors (e.g., expression vectors) comprising such
nucleic
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acid are provided. In a further embodiment, a host cell comprising such
nucleic acid is
provided. In one embodiment, a host cell comprises (e.g., has been transformed
with):
(1) a vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence
comprising
the VL of the antibody and an amino acid sequence comprising the VH of the
antibody, or (2) a first vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an
amino acid
sequence comprising the VL of the antibody and a second vector comprising a
nucleic
acid that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising the VH of the antibody. In
one
embodiment, the host cell is eukaryotic, e.g., a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO)
cell or
lymphoid cell (e.g., a YO, NSO, and Sp20 cell). In one embodiment, a method of
making an anti-myostatin antibody is provided, wherein the method comprises
culturing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding the antibody, as
provided
above, under conditions suitable for expression of the antibody, and
optionally re-
covering the antibody from the host cell (or host cell culture medium). In
another em-
bodiment, a method of making a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region or a
parent Fc region is provided, wherein the method comprises culturing a host
cell
comprising the nucleic acid(s) encoding a polypeptide such as, an antibody, Fc
region,
or variant Fc region, as provided above, under conditions suitable for
expression of the
polypeptide, and optionally recovering the polypeptide from the host cell (or
host cell
culture medium).
[0328] For recombinant production of an anti-myostatin antibody, nucleic
acids encoding an
antibody, e.g., as described above, is isolated and inserted into one or more
vectors for
further cloning and/or expression in a host cell. For recombinant production
of an Fc
region, nucleic acid encoding an Fc region is isolated and inserted into one
or more
vectors for further cloning and/or expression in a host cell. Such nucleic
acid may be
readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., using
oligonu-
cleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the
heavy
and light chains of the antibody).
[0329] Suitable host cells for cloning or expression of antibody-encoding
vectors include
prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells described herein. For example, antibodies may
be
produced in bacteria, in particular when glycosylation and Fc effector
function are not
needed. For expression of antibody fragments and polypeptides in bacteria,
see, e.g.,
=US Patent Nos. 5,648,237, 5,789,199, and 5,840,523. (See also, Charlton,
Methods in
Molecular Biology, Vol. 248 (B.K.C. Lo, ed., Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, 2003),
pp.
245-254, describing expression of antibody fragments in E. coll.) After
expression, the
antibody may be isolated from the bacterial cell paste in a soluble fraction
and can be
further purified.
[0330] In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes such as filamentous
fungi or yeast
are suitable cloning or expression hosts for antibody-encoding vectors,
including fungi
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and yeast strains whose glycosylation pathways have been "humanized,"
resulting in
the production of an antibody with a partially or fully human glycosylation
pattern. See
Gerngross, Nat. Biotech. 22:1409-1414 (2004), and Li et al., Nat. Biotech.
24:210-215
(2006).
[0331] Suitable host cells for the expression of glycosylated antibody are
also derived from
multicellular organisms (invertebrates and vertebrates). Examples of
invertebrate cells
include plant and insect cells. Numerous baculoviral strains have been
identified which
may be used in conjunction with insect cells, particularly for transfection of
Spodoptera frugiperda cells.
[0332] Plant cell cultures can also be utilized as hosts. See, e.g., US
Patent Nos. 5,959,177,
6,040,498, 6,420,548, 7,125,978, and 6,417,429 (describing PLANTIBODIESTm
technology for producing antibodies in transgenic plants).
[0333] Vertebrate cells may also be used as hosts. For example, mammalian
cell lines that
are adapted to grow in suspension may be useful. Other examples of useful
mammalian
host cell lines are monkey kidney CV1 line transformed by SV40 (COS-7); human
embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells as described, e.g., in Graham et al.,
J. Gen
Virol. 36:59 (1977)); baby hamster kidney cells (BHK); mouse sertoli cells
(TM4 cells
as described, e.g., in Mather, Biol. Reprod. 23:243-251 (1980)); monkey kidney
cells
(CV1); African green monkey kidney cells (VERO-76); human cervical carcinoma
cells (HELA); canine kidney cells (MDCK; buffalo rat liver cells (BRL 3A);
human
lung cells (W138); human liver cells (Hep G2); mouse mammary tumor (MMT
060562); TRI cells, as described, e.g., in Mather et al., Annals N.Y. Acad.
Sci.
383:44-68 (1982); MRC 5 cells; and FS4 cells. Other useful mammalian host cell
lines
include Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, including DHFR- CHO cells (Urlaub
et
al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4216 (1980)); and myeloma cell lines such
as YO,
NSO and Sp2/0. For a review of certain mammalian host cell lines suitable for
antibody
production, see, e.g., Yazaki and Wu, Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 248
(B.K.C. Lo, ed., Humana Press, Totowa, NJ), pp. 255-268 (2003).
[0334] Antibodies with pH-dependent characteristics may be obtained using
screening
methods and/or mutagenesis methods e.g., as described in WO 2009/125825. The
screening methods may comprise any process by which an antibody having pH-
dependent binding characteristics is identified within a population of
antibodies
specific for a particular antigen. In certain embodiments, the screening
methods may
comprise measuring one or more binding parameters (e.g., KD or kd) of
individual an-
tibodies within an initial population of antibodies both at acidic and neutral
pH. The
binding parameters of the antibodies may be measured using, e.g., surface
plasmon
resonance, or any other analytic method that allows for the quantitative or
qualitative
assessment of the binding characteristics of an antibody to a particular
antigen. In
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certain embodiments, the screening methods may comprise identifying an
antibody
that binds to an antigen with an acidic/neutral KD ratio of 2 or greater. In
further em-
bodiments, the screening methods may comprise identifying an antibody that
binds to
an antigen with a pH5.8/pH7.4 KD ratio of 2 or greater. Alternatively, the
screening
methods may comprise identifying an antibody that binds to an antigen with an
acidic/
neutral kd ratio of 2 or greater. In further embodiments, the screening
methods may
comprise identifying an antibody that binds to an antigen with a pH5.8/pH7.4
kd ratio
of 2 or greater.
[0335] In another embodiment, the mutagenesis methods may comprise
incorporating a
deletion, substitution, or addition of an amino acid within the heavy and/or
light chain
of the antibody to enhance the pH-dependent binding of the antibody to an
antigen. In
certain embodiments, the mutagenesis may be carried out within one or more
variable
domains of the antibody, e.g., within one or more HVRs (e.g., CDRs). For
example,
the mutagenesis may comprise substituting an amino acid within one or more
HVRs
(e.g., CDRs) of the antibody with another amino acid. In certain embodiments,
the mu-
tagenesis may comprise substituting one or more amino acids in at least one
HVR
(e.g., CDR) of the antibody with a histidine. In certain embodiments,
"enhanced pH-
dependent binding" means that the mutated version of the antibody exhibits a
greater
acidic/neutral KD ratio, or a greater acidic/neutral kd ratio, than the
original "parent"
(i.e., the less pH-dependent) version of the antibody prior to mutagenesis. In
certain
embodiments, the mutated version of the antibody has an acidic/neutral KD
ratio of 2
or greater. In certain embodiments, the mutated version of the antibody has a
pH5.8/pH7.4 KD ratio of 2 or greater. Alternatively, the mutated version of
the
antibody has an acidic/neutral kd ratio of 2 or greater. In further
embodiments, the
mutated version of the antibody has a pH5.8/pH7.4 kd ratio of 2 or greater.
[0336] Polyclonal antibodies are preferably raised in animals by multiple
subcutaneous (Sc)
or intraperitoneal (ip) injections of the relevant antigen and an adjuvant. It
may be
useful to conjugate the relevant antigen to a protein that is immunogenic in
the species
to be immunized, e.g., keyhole limpet hemocyanin, serum albumin, bovine thy-
roglobulin, or soybean trypsin inhibitor using a bifunctional or derivatizing
agent, for
example, maleimidobenzoyl sulfosuccinimide ester (conjugation through cysteine
residues), N-hydroxysuccinimide (through ly sine residues), glutaraldehyde,
succinic
anhydride, S0C12, or R1N=C=NR, where R and R' are different alkyl groups.
[0337] Animals (usually non-human mammals) are immunized against the
antigen, im-
munogenic conjugates, or derivatives by combining, e.g., 100 micro g or 5
micro g of
the protein or conjugate (for rabbits or mice, respectively) with 3 volumes of
Freund's
complete adjuvant and injecting the solution intradermally at multiple sites.
One month
later the animals are boosted with 1/5 to 1/10 the original amount of peptide
or
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conjugate in Freund's complete adjuvant by subcutaneous injection at multiple
sites.
Seven to 14 days later the animals are bled and the serum is assayed for
antibody titer.
Animals are boosted until the titer plateaus. Preferably, the animal is
boosted with the
conjugate of the same antigen, but conjugated to a different protein and/or
through a
different cross-linking reagent. Conjugates also can be made in recombinant
cell
culture as protein fusions. Also, aggregating agents such as alum are suitably
used to
enhance the immune response.
[0338] Monoclonal antibodies are obtained from a population of
substantially homogeneous
antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are
identical except
for possible naturally occurring mutations and/or post-translational
modifications (e.g.,
isomerizations, amidations) that may be present in minor amounts. Thus, the
modifier
"monoclonal" indicates the character of the antibody as not being a mixture of
discrete
antibodies.
[0339] For example, the monoclonal antibodies may be made using the
hybridoma method
first described by Kohler et al., Nature 256(5517):495-497 (1975). In the
hybridoma
method, a mouse or other appropriate host animal, such as a hamster, is
immunized as
hereinabove described to elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of
producing
antibodies that will specifically bind to the protein used for immunization.
Alter-
natively, lymphocytes may be immunized in vitro.
[0340] The immunizing agent will typically include the antigenic protein or
a fusion variant
thereof. Generally either peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) are used if
cells of
human origin are desired, or spleen cells or lymph node cells are used if non-
human
mammalian sources are desired. The lymphocytes are then fused with an
immortalized
cell line using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form
a
hybridoma cell (Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice,
Academic
Press (1986), pp. 59-103).
[0341] Immortalized cell lines are usually transformed mammalian cells,
particularly
myeloma cells of rodent, bovine and human origin. Usually, rat or mouse
myeloma cell
lines are employed. The hybridoma cells thus prepared are seeded and grown in
a
suitable culture medium that preferably contains one or more substances that
inhibit
the growth or survival of the unfused, parental myeloma cells. For example, if
the
parental myeloma cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl
transferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the culture medium for the hybridomas typically
will
include hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (HAT medium), which are
substances that prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.
[0342] Preferred immortalized myeloma cells are those that fuse
efficiently, support stable
high-level production of antibody by the selected antibody-producing cells,
and are
sensitive to a medium such as HAT medium. Among these, preferred are murine
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myeloma lines, such as those derived from MOPC-21 and MPC-11 mouse tumors
available from the Salk Institute Cell Distribution Center, San Diego,
California USA,
and SP-2 cells (and derivatives thereof, e.g., X63-Ag8-653) available from the
American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Virginia USA. Human myeloma and
mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines also have been described for the
production of
human monoclonal antibodies (Kozbor et al. J. Immunol. 133(6):3001-3005
(1984);
Brodeur et al., Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications,
Marcel
Dekker, Inc., New York, pp. 51-63 (1987)).
[0343] Culture medium in which hybridoma cells are growing is assayed for
production of
monoclonal antibodies directed against the antigen. Preferably, the binding
specificity
of monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridoma cells is determined by
immunopre-
cipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or
enzyme-
linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Such techniques and assays are known in
the
art. For example, binding affinity may be determined by the Scatchard analysis
of
Munson, Anal. Biochem. 107(1):220-239 (1980).
[0344] After hybridoma cells are identified that produce antibodies of the
desired specificity,
affinity, and/or activity, the clones may be subcloned by limiting dilution
procedures
and grown by standard methods (Goding, supra). Suitable culture media for this
purpose include, for example, D-MEM or RPMI-1640 medium. In addition, the
hybridoma cells may be grown in vivo as tumors in a mammal.
[0345] The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones are suitably
separated from the
culture medium, ascites fluid, or serum by conventional immunoglobulin
purification
procedures such as, for example, protein A-Sepharose, hydroxyapatite chro-
matography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography.
[0346] Antibodies may be produced by immunizing an appropriate host animal
against an
antigen. In one embodiment, the antigen is a polypeptide comprising a full-
length
myostatin. In one embodiment, the antigen is a polypeptide comprising latent
myostatin. In one embodiment, the antigen is a polypeptide comprising a
myostatin
propeptide. In one embodiment, the antigen is a polypeptide comprising the
region cor-
responding to the amino acids at positions 21 to 100 of myostatin propeptide
(SEQ ID
NO: 78). In one embodiment, the antigen is a polypeptide comprising amino
acids at
positions 21-80, 41-100, 21-60, 41-80, 61-100, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, or 81-100
of
myostatin propeptide (SEQ ID NO: 78). Also included in the present invention
are an-
tibodies produced by immunizing an animal against the antigen. The antibodies
may
incorporate any of the features, singly or in combination, as described in
"Exemplary
Anti-myostatin Antibodies" above.
[0347] An Fc region may be obtained by re-eluting the fraction adsorbed
onto protein A
column after partially digesting IgGl, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 monoclonal antibodies
or
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such using a protease such as pepsin. The protease is not particularly limited
as long as
it can digest a full-length antibody so that Fab and F(ab')2 will be produced
in a re-
strictive manner by appropriately setting the enzyme reaction conditions such
as pH,
and examples include pepsin and papain.
[0348] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for producing a
polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb-binding activity in
comparison with a polypeptide comprising a parent Fc region, which comprises
in-
troducing at least one amino acid alteration to the parent Fc region. In some
apsects,
the produced polypeptide is an antibody. In certain embodiments, an antibody
is a
chimeric antibody, or a humanized antibody. In some apsects, the produced
polypeptide is an Fc fusion protein.
[0349] In certain embodiments, the production method comprises the
following steps: (a)
preparing a polypeptide comprising a parent Fc region; (b) introducing at
least one
amino acid alteration to the parent Fc region within the polypeptide; (c)
measuring the
monkey Fc gamma RIIb-binding activities of the polypeptide comprising the
parent Fc
region and the polypeptide comprising the Fc region in step (b); and (d)
selecting a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced monkey Fc gamma Ruth-
binding activity in comparison with the polypeptide comprising the parent Fc
region.
[0350] In certain embodiments, the production method comprises the
following steps: (a)
preparing a polypeptide comprising a parent Fc region; (b) introducing at
least one
amino acid alteration to the parent Fc region within the polypeptide; (c)
measuring the
monkey Fc gamma RIIIa-binding activities of the polypeptide comprising the
parent
Fc region and the polypeptide comprising the Fc region in step (b); and (d)
selecting a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with decreased monkey Fc gamma
Rilla-
binding activity in comparison with the polypeptide comprising the parent Fc
region.
[0351] In certain embodiments, the production method comprises the
following steps: (a)
preparing a polypeptide comprising a parent Fc region; (b) introducing at
least one
amino acid alteration to the parent Fc region within the polypeptide; (c)
measuring the
human Fc gamma RIIb-binding activities of the polypeptide comprising the
parent Fc
region and the polypeptide comprising the Fc region in step (b); and (d)
selecting a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced human Fc gamma RIIb-
binding activity in comparison with the polypeptide comprising the parent Fc
region.
[0352] In certain embodiments, the production method comprises the
following steps: (a)
preparing a polypeptide comprising a parent Fc region; (b) introducing at
least one
amino acid alteration to the parent Fc region within the polypeptide; (c)
measuring the
human Fc gamma Rffla-binding activities of the polypeptide comprising the
parent Fc
region and the polypeptide comprising the Fc region in step (b); and (d)
selecting a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with decreased human Fc gamma
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binding activity in comparison with the polypeptide comprising the parent Fc
region.
[0353] In certain embodiments, the production method comprises the
following steps: (a)
preparing a polypeptide comprising a parent Fc region; (b) introducing at
least one
amino acid alteration to the parent Fc region within the polypeptide; (c)
measuring the
human Fc gamma RIIa (type H)-binding activities of the polypeptide comprising
the
parent Fc region and the polypeptide comprising the Fc region in step (b); and
(d)
selecting a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with decreased human Fc
gamma RIIa (type H)-binding activity in comparison with the polypeptide
comprising
the parent Fc region.
[0354] In certain embodiments, the production method comprises the
following steps: (a)
preparing a polypeptide comprising a parent Fc region; (b) introducing at
least one
amino acid alteration to the parent Fc region within the polypeptide; (c)
measuring the
human Fc gamma RIIa (type R)-binding activities of the polypeptide comprising
the
parent Fc region and the polypeptide comprising the Fc region in step (b); and
(d)
selecting a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with decreased human Fc
gamma RIIa (type R)-binding activity in comparison with the polypeptide
comprising
the parent Fc region.
[0355] In one aspect, at least one amino acid is altered in the above-
mentioned method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RHb-binding activity, of at least one position selected from the group
consisting of:
231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 264, 266, 267, 268, 271, 295,
298, 325,
326, 327, 328, 330, 331, 332, 334, and 396, according to EU numbering. In
certain em-
bodiments, the Fc gamma RIM has the sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma
RHb (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RHb has the sequence
of human Fc gamma RIM (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0356] In another aspect, one amino acid is altered in the above-mentioned
method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RHb-binding activity, at position 236.
[0357] In another aspect, at least two amino acids are altered in the above-
mentioned
method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with
enhanced Fc
gamma RIM-binding activity, the alterations comprising: (a) one amino acid
alteration
at position 236, and (b) at least one amino acid alteration of at least one
position
selected from the group consisting of: 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 237, 238, 239,
264,
266, 267, 268, 271, 295, 298, 325, 326, 327, 328, 330, 331, 332, 334, and 396,
according to EU numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIM has the
sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIIb (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain em-
bodiments, the Fc gamma RH]) has the sequence of human Fc gamma RIM (e.g., SEQ
ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
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[0358] In another aspect, at least two amino acids are altered in the above-
mentioned
method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with
enhanced Fc
gamma RIM-binding activity, the alterations comprising: (a) one amino acid
alteration
at position 236, and (b) at least one amino acid alteration of at least one
position
selected from the group consisting of: 231, 232, 235, 239, 268, 295, 298, 326,
330, and
396, according to EU numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIM, has
the
sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIM (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain em-
bodiments, the Fc gamma RIM has the sequence of human Fc gamma RIM (e.g., SEQ
ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0359] In another aspect, at least two amino acids are altered in the above-
mentioned
method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with
enhanced Fc
gamma RIM-binding activity, the alterations comprising: (a) one amino acid
alteration
at position 236, and (b) at least one amino acid alteration of at least one
position
selected from the group consisting of: 268, 295, 326, and 330, according to EU
numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma Ruth has the sequence of
cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIM (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the
Fc gamma RIM has the sequence of human Fc gamma Rub (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212,
213, or 214).
[0360] In another aspect, amino acids are altered in the above-mentioned
method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RIM-binding activity, at positions of any one of the following (1)-(37): (1)
at positions
231, 236, 239, 268 and 330; (2) at positions 231, 236, 239, 268, 295 and 330;
(3) at
positions 231, 236, 268 and 330; (4) at positions 231, 236, 268, 295 and 330;
(5) at
positions 232, 236, 239, 268, 295 and 330; (6) at positions 232, 236, 268, 295
and 330;
(7) at positions 232, 236, 268 and 330; (8) at positions 235, 236, 268, 295,
326 and
330; (9) at positions 235, 236, 268, 295 and 330; (10) at positions 235, 236,
268 and
330; (11) at positions 235, 236, 268, 330 and 396; (12) at positions 235, 236,
268 and
396; (13) at positions 236, 239, 268, 295, 298 and 330; (14) at positions 236,
239, 268,
295, 326 and 330; (15) at positions 236, 239, 268, 295 and 330; (16) at
positions 236,
239, 268, 298 and 330; (17) at positions 236, 239, 268, 326 and 330; (18) at
positions
236, 239, 268 and 330; (19) at positions 236, 239, 268, 330 and 396; (20) at
positions
236, 239, 268 and 396; (21) at positions 236 and 268; (22) at positions 236,
268 and
295; (23) at positions 236, 268, 295, 298 and 330; (24) at positions 236, 268,
295, 326
and 330; (25) at positions 236, 268, 295, 326, 330 and 396; (26) at positions
236, 268,
295 and 330; (27) at positions 236, 268, 295, 330 and 396; (28) at positions
236, 268,
298 and 330; (29) at positions 236, 268, 298 and 396; (30) at positions 236,
268, 326
and 330; (31) at positions 236, 268, 326, 330 and 396; (32) at positions 236,
268 and
330; (33) at positions 236, 268, 330 and 396; (34) at positions 236, 268 and
396; (35)
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at positions 236 and 295; (36) at positions 236, 330 and 396; and (37) at
positions 236
and 396; according to EU numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma Run)
has
the sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIM) (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain
embodiments, the Fc gamma RIIb has the sequence of human Fc gamma RIIb (e.g.,
SEQ ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0361] In a further aspect, an amino acid alteration in the above-mentioned
method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
Ruth-binding activity, is selected at each position from the group consisting
of: (a)
Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr,
Val, Trp, Tyr
at position 231; (b) Ala, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn,
Gln, Arg,
Ser, Thr, Val, Trp, Tyr at position 232; (c) Asp at position 233; (d) Trp, Tyr
at position
234; (e) Trp at position 235; (f) Ala, Asp, Glu, His, Ile, Leu, Met, Asn, Gin,
Ser, Thr,
Val at position 236; (g) Asp, Tyr at position 237; (h) Glu, Ile, Met, Gin, Tyr
at position
238; (i) Ile, Leu, Asn, Pro, Val at position 239; (j) Ile at position 264; (k)
Phe at
position 266; (1) Ala, His, Leu at position 267; (m) Asp, Glu at position 268;
(n) Asp,
Glu, Gly at position 271; (o) Leu at position 295; (p) Leu at position 298;
(q) Glu, Phe,
Ile, Leu at position 325; (r) Thr at position 326; (s) Ile, Asn at position
327; (t) Thr at
position 328; (u) Lys, Arg at position 330; (v) Glu at position 331; (w) Asp
at position
332; (x) Asp, Ile, Met, Val, Tyr at position 334; and (y) Ala, Asp, Glu, Phe,
Gly, His,
Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp, Tyr at position 396;
according to
EU numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIIb has the sequence of
cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIM (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the
Fc gamma RIIb has the sequence of human Fc gamma RIB) (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212,
213, or 214).
[0362] In a further aspect, an amino acid alteration in the above-mentioned
method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
Ruth-binding activity, is selected at each position from the group consisting
of: (a) Gly,
Thr at position 231; (b) Asp at position 232; (c) Trp at position 235; (d)
Asn, Thr at
position 236; (e) Val at position 239; (f) Asp, Glu at position 268; (g) Leu
at position
295; (h) Leu at position 298; (i) Thr at position 326; (j) Lys, Arg at
position 330, and
(k) Lys, Met at position 396; according to EU numbering. In certain
embodiments, the
Fc gamma RIIb has the sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIIb (SEQ ID
NO:223). In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIIb has the sequence of human
Fc
gamma RIIb (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
In a further aspect, amino acid alterations in the above-mentioned method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RIIb-binding activity, are: Asn at position 236, Glu at position 268, Lys at
position
330, and Met at position 396; according to EU numbering. In a further aspect,
amino
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acid alterations in the above-mentioned method for producing a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity,
are:
Asn at position 236, Asp at position 268, and Lys at position 330; according
to EU
numbering. In a further aspect, amino acid alterations in the above-mentioned
method
for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc
gamma
RIM-binding activity, are: Asn at position 236, Asp at position 268, Leu at
position
295, and Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further aspect,
amino
acid alterations in the above-mentioned method for producing a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity,
are:
Thr at position 236, Asp at position 268, and Lys at position 330; according
to EU
numbering. In a further aspect, amino acid alterations in the above-mentioned
method
for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc
gamma
RHb-binding activity, are: Asn at position 236, Asp at position 268, Leu at
position
295, Thr at position 326, and Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering.
In a
further aspect, amino acid alterations in the above-mentioned method for
producing a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb-binding
activity, are: Trp at position 235, Asn at position 236, Asp at position 268,
Leu at
position 295, Thr at position 326, and Lys at position 330; according to EU
numbering.
[0363] In one aspect, at least one amino acid is altered in the above-
mentioned method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RHb-binding activity, of at least one position selected from the group
consisting of:
234, 238, 250, 264, 267, 307, and 330 according to EU numbering. In certain em-
bodiments, the Fc gamma RIM has the sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma
RHb (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RHb has the sequence
of human Fc gamma RIM (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0364] In another aspect, one amino acid is altered in the above-mentioned
method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RIM-binding activity, at position 238.
[0365] In another aspect, at least two amino acids are altered in the above-
mentioned
method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with
enhanced Fc
gamma RIM-binding activity, the alterations comprising: (i) one amino acid
alteration
at position 238, and (ii) at least one amino acid alteration of at least one
position
selected from the group consisting of: 234, 250, 264, 267, 307, and 330
according to
EU numbering. In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma RIR) has the sequence of
cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma RIM (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the
Fc gamma RIM has the sequence of human Fc gamma RIR) (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212,
213, or 214).
[0366] In another aspect, amino acids are altered in the above-mentioned
method for
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producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RIM-binding activity, at positions of any one of the following (1)-(9): (1) at
positions
234, 238, 250, 307 and 330; (2) at positions 234, 238, 250, 264, 307 and 330;
(3) at
positions 234, 238, 250, 264, 267, 307 and 330; (4) at positions 234, 238,
250, 267,
307 and 330; (5) at positions 238, 250, 264, 307 and 330; (6) at positions
238, 250,
264, 267, 307 and 330; (7) at positions 238, 250, 267, 307 and 330; (8) at
positions
238, 250 and 307; and (9) at positions 238, 250, 307 and 330; according to EU
numbering.
[0367] In a further aspect, an amino acid alteration in the above-mentioned
method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma
RIM-binding activity, is selected at each position from the group consisting
of: (a) Tyr
at position 234; (b) Asp at position 238; (c) Val at position 250; (d) Ile at
position 264;
(e) Ala at position 267; (f) Pro at position 307; and (g) Lys at position 330;
according
to EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino acid alterations in the above-
mentioned
method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with
enhanced Fc
gamma RIM-binding activity, are: Asp at position 238; according to EU
numbering. In
a further aspect, amino acid alterations in the above-mentioned method for
producing a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding
activity, are: Asp at position 238, Val at position 250, and Pro at position
307;
according to EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino acid alterations in the
above-
mentioned method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region
with
enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity, are: Asp at position 238, Val at
position
250, Pro at position 307, and Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering.
In a
further aspect, amino acid alterations in the above-mentioned method for
producing a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding
activity, are: Asp at position 238, Val at position 250, Ile at position 264,
Pro at
position 307, and Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further
aspect,
amino acid alterations in the above-mentioned method for producing a
polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity,
are:
Asp at position 238, Val at position 250, Ala at position 267, Pro at position
307, and
Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino
acid al-
terations in the above-mentioned method for producing a polypeptide comprising
a
variant Fc region with enhanced Fc gamma RIIb-binding activity, are: Tyr at
position
234, Asp at position 238, Val at position 250, Pro at position 307, and Lys at
position
330; according to EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino acid alterations in
the
above-mentioned method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region
with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity, are: Tyr at position 234, Asp at
position 238, Val at position 250, Ala at position 267, Pro at position 307,
and Lys at
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position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino acid
alterations in
the above-mentioned method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity, are: Asp at position 238,
Val at
position 250, Ile at position 264, Ala at position 267, Pro at position 307,
and Lys at
position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino acid
alterations in
the above-mentioned method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity, are: Tyr at position 234,
Asp at
position 238, Val at position 250, Ile at position 264, Pro at position 307,
and Lys at
position 330; according to EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino acid
alterations in
the above-mentioned method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region with enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity, are: Tyr at position 234,
Asp at
position 238, Val at position 250, Ile at position 264, Ala at position 267,
Pro at
position 307, and Lys at position 330; according to EU numbering. In certain
em-
bodiments, the Fc gamma RIM has the sequence of cynomolgus monkey Fc gamma
Rub (SEQ ID NO:223). In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma 12[1b has the
sequence
of human Fc gamma RIM (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:212, 213, or 214).
[0368] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for producing a
polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region with increased pI in comparison with a
polypeptide
comprising a parent Fc region, which comprises introducing at least two amino
acid al-
terations to the parent Fc region.
[0369] In certain embodiments, the production method for producing a
polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region provided herein comprises the following steps:
(a)
preparing a polypeptide comprising a parent Fc region; (b) introducing at
least two
amino acid alterations to the parent Fc region within the polypeptide; (c)
measuring the
pI's of the polypeptide comprising the parent Fc region and the polypeptide
comprising
the Fc region in step (b); and (d) selecting a polypeptide comprising a
variant Fc region
with increased pI in comparison with the corresponding polypeptide comprising
the
parent Fc region.
[0370] In one aspect, at least two amino acids are altered in the above-
mentioned method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with increased pI, of
at least
two positions selected from the group consisting of: 285, 311, 312, 315, 318,
333, 335,
337, 341, 342, 343, 384, 385, 388, 390, 399, 400, 401, 402, 413, 420, 422, and
431,
according to EU numbering. In a further aspect, the produced polypeptide
comprises a
variant Fc region with increased pI, which comprises at least two amino acid
al-
terations of at least two positions selected from the group consisting of:
311, 341, 343,
384, 399, 400, 401, 402, and 413, according to EU numbering.
[0371] In another aspect, amino acids are altered in the above-mentioned
method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with increased pI, at
positions
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of any one of the following (1)-(10): (1) at positions 311 and 341; (2) at
positions 311
and 343; (3) at positions 311, 343 and 413; (4) at positions 311, 384 and 413;
(5) at
positions 311 and 399; (6) at positions 311 and 401; (7) at positions 311 and
413; (8) at
positions 400 and 413; (9) at positions 401 and 413; and (10) at positions 402
and 413;
according to EU numbering.
In a further aspect, amino acid alterations in the above-mentioned method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with increased pI, are:
Arg at
position 400 and Lys at position 413; according to EU numbering. In a further
aspect,
amino acid alterations in the above-mentioned method for producing a
polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region with increased pI, are: Arg at position 311 and
Lys at
position 413; according to EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino acid
alterations in
the above-mentioned method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region with increased pI, are: Arg at position 311 and Arg at position 399;
according to
EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino acid alterations in the above-
mentioned
method for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with
increased pI,
are: Arg at position 311 and Arg at position 343; according to EU numbering.
In a
further aspect, amino acid alterations in the above-mentioned method for
producing a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with increased pI, are: Arg at
position 311
and Arg at position 413; according to EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino
acid
alterations in the above-mentioned method for producing a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fc region with increased pI, are: Arg at position 311, Arg at position
343, and
Arg at position 413; according to EU numbering. In a further aspect, amino
acid al-
terations in the above-mentioned method for producing a polypeptide comprising
a
variant Fc region with increased pI, are: Arg at position 311, Arg at position
384, and
Arg at position 413; according to EU numbering.
[0372] In a further aspect, the amino acid alterations in the above-
mentioned method for
producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with increased pI, are
selected
from Lys or Arg at each position.
[0373] In a further aspect, the amino acid alterations in the above-
mentioned production
methods are selected from any single alteration, combination of single
alterations, or
combination alterations described in Tables 14-30.
[0374] Optionally, the following additional steps can be included in the
above-mentioned
methods for producing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region, when the
polypeptide further comprises an antigen-binding domain: (e) assessing pharma-
cokinetic of the antigen in plasma, after administration of the polypeptide
comprising
the parent Fc region and the polypeptide comprising the variant Fc region in
animals
such as mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, monkeys, and humans; and (1) selecting a
polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region with enhanced ability of antigen elimination
from
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plasma in comparison with the polypeptide comprising the parent Fe region.
[0375] Polypeptides comprising a variant Fe region produced by any of the
above-
mentioned methods or other methods know in the art are included in the present
invention.
C. Assays
[0376] Anti-myostatin antibodies provided herein may be identified,
screened for, or char-
acterized for their physical/chemical properties and/or biological activities
by various
assays known in the art.
[0377] Variant Fe regions provided herein may be identified, screened for,
or characterized
for their physical/chemical properties and/or biological activities by various
assays
described herein or otherwise known in the art.
1. Binding assays and other assays
[0378] In one aspect, an antibody of the invention is tested for its
antigen binding activity,
by known methods such as ELISA, Western blot, BIACORE (registered trademark),
etc. In one aspect, a polypeptide comprising an variant Fe region of the
invention is
tested for its Fe receptor binding activity, by known methods such as BIACORE
(registered trademark), etc.
[0379] In another aspect, competition assays may be used to identify an
antibody that
competes for binding to myostatin with any anti-myostatin antibody described
herein.
In certain embodiments, when such a competing antibody is present in excess,
it blocks
(e.g., reduces) the binding of a reference antibody to myostatin by at least
10%, 15%,
20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75% or more. In some
instances, binding is inhibited by at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or more. In
certain
embodiments, such a competing antibody binds to the same epitope (e.g., a
linear or a
conformational epitope) that is bound by an anti-myostatin antibody described
herein
(e.g., an anti-myostatin antibody described in Tables 2a, 11a, or 13). In
further aspects,
the reference antibody has a VH and a VL pair described in Table 2a, 11a, or
13.
Detailed exemplary methods for mapping an epitope to which an antibody binds
are
provided in Morris (1996) "Epitope Mapping Protocols," in Methods in Molecular
Biology vol. 66 (Humana Press, Totowa, NJ).
[0380] In an exemplary competition assay, immobilized latent myostatin or
myostatin
propeptide is incubated in a solution comprising a first labeled antibody that
binds to
the myostatin and a second unlabeled antibody that is being tested for its
ability to
compete with the first antibody for binding to the myostatin. The second
antibody may
be present in a hybridoma supernatant. As a control, immobilized myostatin is
incubated in a solution comprising the first labeled antibody but not the
second
unlabeled antibody. After incubation under conditions permissive for binding
of the
first antibody to the myostatin, excess unbound antibody is removed, and the
amount
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of label associated with immobilized myostatin is measured. If the amount of
label as-
sociated with immobilized myostatin is substantially reduced in the test
sample relative
to the control sample, then that indicates that the second antibody is
competing with
the first antibody for binding to the myostatin. See, Harlow and Lane (1988)
An-
tibodies: A Laboratory Manual ch.14 (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold
Spring
Harbor, NY).
[0381] Assays for determining the binding activity of a polypeptide
containing a variant Fc
region towards one or more Fc gamma R family members are described herein or
otherwise known in the art. Such binding assays include but are not limited to
BIACORE (registered trademark) analysis, which utilizes the surface plasmon
resonance (SPR) phenomena, Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay
(ALPHA) screening, ELISA, and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS)
(Lazar et
al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2006) 103(11): 4005-4010).
[0382] In one embodiment, BIACORE (registered trademark) analysis can be
used to
evaluate whether the binding activity of a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region
is enhanced, or maintained or decreased with respect to a particular Fc gamma
R
family member, for example, by observing whether there is a decrease or an
increase in
the dissociation constant (KD) value obtained from sensorgram analysis, where
various
Fc gamma Rs are subjected to interaction as an analyte with polypeptides
comprising a
variant Fc region immobilized or captured onto the sensor chip using known
methods
and reagents (such as Protein A, Protein L, Protein A/G, Protein G, anti-lamda
chain
antibodies, anti-kappa chain antibodies, antigenic peptides, antigenic
proteins). Al-
terations in binding activity can also be determined by comparing changes in
the
resonance unit (RU) value on the sensorgram before and after the one or more
types of
Fc gamma Rs are subjected to interaction as analytes with the captured
polypeptides
comprising the variant Fc region. Alternatively, Fc gamma R can be immobilized
or
captured onto the sensor chips, and the polypeptides comprising the variant Fc
region
are used as an analyte.
[0383] In BIACORE (registered trademark) analysis, one of the substances
(the ligand) in
observation of an interaction is immobilized onto a gold thin film on a sensor
chip, and
by shining light from the reverse side of the sensor chip so that total
reflection takes
place at the interface between the gold thin film and glass, a portion of
reduced re-
flection intensity is formed in part of the reflected light (SPR signal). When
the other
one of the substances (the analyte) in observation of an interaction is made
to flow on
the sensor chip surface and the ligand binds to the analyte, the mass of the
immobilized
ligand molecule increases and the refractive index of the solvent on the
sensor chip
surface changes. The position of the SPR signal shifts as a result of this
change in re-
fractive index (on the other hand, the signal position returns when this
binding dis-
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sociates). The BIACORE (registered trademark) system indicates the amount of
shift
mentioned above, or more specifically the time variable of mass by plotting
the change
in mass on the sensor chip surface on the ordinate as the measurement data
(sensorgram). The amount of analyte bound to the ligand trapped on the sensor
chip
surface is determined from the sensorgram. Kinetic parameters such as
association rate
constants (ka) and dissociation rate constants (kd) are determined from the
curves of
the sensorgram, and the dissociation constants (KD) are determined from the
ratio of
these constants. In the BIACORE (registered trademark) method, a method for
measuring inhibition is preferably used. An example of the method for
measuring in-
hibition is described in Lazar et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103(11):4005-
4010
(2006).
[0384] ALPHA screening is performed by ALPHA technology which uses two
beads, a
donor and an acceptor, based on the following principles. Luminescent signals
are
detected only when molecules bound to donor beads physically interact with
molecules
bound to the acceptor beads, and the two beads are in close proximity to each
other.
Laser-excited photosensitizer in the donor beads converts ambient oxygen to
excited-
state singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen is dispersed around the donor beads, and
when it
reaches the adjacent acceptor beads, chemiluminescent reaction is induced in
the
beads, and light is ultimately emitted. When the molecules bound to the donor
beads
do not interact with the molecules bound to the acceptor beads, the
chemiluminescent
reaction does not take place because singlet oxygen produced by the donor
beads does
not reach the acceptor beads.
[0385] For example, a biotinylated polypeptide complex is bound to the
donor beads, and Fc
gamma receptor tagged with glutathione S transferase (GST) is linked to the
acceptor
beads. In the absence of a competing polypeptide complex comprising a variant
Fe
region, the polypeptide complex comprising a parent Fe region interacts with
the Fe
gamma receptor and produces 520-620 nm signals. The polypeptide complex
comprising an untagged variant Fe region competes with the polypeptide complex
comprising a parent Fe region for interaction with the Fe gamma receptor.
Relative
binding activities can be determined by quantifying the decrease in
fluorescence
observed as a result of the competition. Biotinylation of polypeptide
complexes such as
antibodies using Sulfo-NHS-biotin and such is well known. The method of
expressing
the Fe gamma receptor and GST in a cell carrying a fusion gene produced by
fusing a
polynucleotide encoding the Fe gamma receptor in frame with a polynucleotide
encoding GST in an expressible vector, and performing purification using a
glutathione
column is appropriately adopted as a method for tagging an Fe gamma receptor
with
GST. The obtained signals are preferably analyzed, for example, by fitting
them to a
one-site competition model which uses a non-linear regression analysis using
software
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such as GRAPHPAD PRISM (GraphPad, San Diego).
[0386] A variant Fc region with decreased Fc gamma R-binding activity
refers to an Fc
region which binds to Fc gamma R with essentially weaker binding activity than
a
parent Fc region when assays are performed using substantially the same amount
of a
corresponding parent Fc region and a variant Fc region. Furthermore, a variant
Fc
region with enhanced Fc gamma R-binding activity refers to an Fc region which
binds
to Fc gamma R with essentially stronger binding activity than a corresponding
parent
Fc region when assays are performed using substantially the same amount of a
parent
Fc region and a variant Fc region. A variant Fc region with maintained Fc
gamma R-
binding activity refers to an Fc region that binds to Fc gamma R with binding
activity
equivalent to or essentially not different from that of a parent Fe region
when assays
are performed using substantially the same amount of the corresponding parent
Fc
region and the polypeptide containing the variant Fc region.
[0387] Whether or not the binding activities of an Fc region towards
various Fc gamma Rs
were enhanced or decreased can be determined from the increase or decrease in
the
amount of binding of the various Fc gamma Rs to the Fc region, which were de-
termined according to the above-mentioned measurement method. Here, the amount
of
binding of the various Fc gamma Rs to the Fc region can be evaluated as a
value
obtained by dividing the difference in the RU values of sensorgrams that
changed
before and after interaction of various Fc gamma Rs as the analyte with the Fc
region,
by the difference in the RU values of sensorgrams that changed before and
after
capturing the Fc regions to the sensor chips.
[0388] In the present invention, enhanced Fc gamma RIM-binding activity
preferably
means, for example, that the ratio of [KD value of a parent Fc region for Fc
gamma
RIIb]/[KD value of a variant Fc region for Fc gamma RIlb] in the KD values
measured
by the above-mentioned measurement method preferably becomes 2.0 or greater,
3.0
or greater, 4.0 or greater, 5.0 or greater, 6.0 or greater, 7.0 or greater,
8.0 or greater, 9.0
or greater, 10 or greater, 15 or greater, 20 or greater, 25 or greater, 30 or
greater, 35 or
greater, 40 or greater, 45 or greater, or even 50 or greater, 55 or greater,
60 or greater,
65 or greater, 70 or greater, 75 or greater, 80 or greater, 85 or greater, 90
or greater, 95
or greater, or 100 or greater.
[0389] The KD value (mol/L) of a variant Fc region decribed herein for Fc
gamma RIlb is
preferably less than that of a parent Fc region for Fc gamma RIM, and may be,
for
example, 2.0x106 M or smaller, 1.0x106 M or smaller, 9.0x107 M or smaller,
8.0x107
M or smaller, 7.0x10 7 M or smaller, 6.0x10 7 M or smaller, 5.0x107 M or
smaller,
4.0x10 7 M or smaller, 3.0x10 7 M or smaller, 2.0x10 7 M or smaller, 1.0x107 M
or
smaller, 9.0x108 M or smaller, 8.0x10 8 M or smaller, 7.0x108 M or smaller,
6.0x10 8
M or smaller, 5.0x10 8 M or smaller.
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[0390] Furthermore, a variant Fc region with enhanced binding selectivity
to Fc gamma
RIM compared to Fc gamma RIIa refers to an Fc region where: (a) Fc gamma RIM-
binding activity is enhanced, and Fc gamma RIIa-binding activity is maintained
or
decreased; (b) Fc gamma Rilb-binding activity is enhanced and Fc gamma RIIa-
binding activity is also enhanced, but the degree of enhancement of Fc gamma
RIIa-
binding activity is lower than the degree of enhancement of Fc gamma RIM-
binding
activity; or (c) Fc gamma RIM-binding activity is decreased and Fc gamma Rila-
binding activity is also decreased, but the degree of decrease of Fc gamma
Rilb-
binding activity is less than the degree of decrease of Fc gamma RIIa-binding
activity.
Whether or not a variant Fc region has improved binding selectivity for Fc
gamma
RIM rather than for Fc gamma RIIa can be determined, for example, by comparing
the
ratio of the KD value for Fc gamma RIIa to the KD value for Fc gamma RIM of
the
variant Fc region (the ratio of [KD value of the variant Fc region for Fc
gamma
RIIa]/[KD value of the variant Fc region for Fc gamma Rilbp, with the ratio of
the KD
value for Fc gamma Rila to the KD value for Fc gamma Rilb of the parent Fc
region
(the ratio of [KD value of the parent Fc region for Fe gamma RIIal/[KD value
of the
parent Fc region for Fc gamma RII131), which were determined according to the
above-
mentioned examples. Specifically, when the KD ratio for the variant Fc region
is
greater than that of the parent Fc region, the variant Fc region can be
determined to
have an improved binding selectivity for Fc gamma RIM rather than for Fc gamma
RIIa in comparison with the parent Fc region. Especially in human, the Fc
gamma
RIM-binding activity is likely to correlate with binding activity to Fc gamma
RIIa
(type R) than to Fc gamma RIIa (type H) since the amino acid sequence of Fc
gamma
RHb shares higher identity with Fc gamma RIM (type R) than Fc gamma RIM (type
H). Therefore, finding amino acid alteration(s) that can enhance binding
selectivity to
human Fc gamma RIM compared to human Fc gamma RIIa (type R) is important for
enhancing binding selectivity to Fc gamma RIM compared to Fc gamma RIIa in
humans.
[0391] When a variant Fc region of the present invention has higher binding
activity against
Fc gamma Rilb and lower binding activity against Fc gamma RIII (such as Fc
gamma
RIIIa or Fc gamma RHlb) compared to those of a parent Fc region, the variant
Fc
region can be said to be Fc gamma RIM-specific.
2. Activity assays
[0392] In one aspect, assays are provided for identifying anti-myostatin
antibodies having
biological activity. Biological activity may include, e.g., inhibiting the
activation of
myostatin, blocking the release of mature myostatin from latent myostatin,
inhibiting
the proteolytic cleavage of latent myostatin, blocking the access of a
protease to latent
myostatin, etc. Antibodies having such biological activity in vivo and/or in
vitro are
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also provided. In certain embodiments, an antibody of the invention is tested
for such
biological activity.
[0393] In certain embodiments, whether a test antibody inhibits the
cleavage of latent
myostatin is determined by detecting the cleavage product of latent myostatin
(myostatin) using a method known in the art such as electrophoresis,
chromatography,
immunoblot analysis, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), or mass
spec-
trometry, after a protease that can cleave latent myostatin is contacted with
the latent
myostatin in the presence or absence of the test antibody (see, for example,
Thies et al.,
Growth Factors 18(4):251-259 (2001)). Where a decreased amount of the cleavage
product of latent myostatin (e.g., human myostatin propeptide) is detected in
the
presence of (or following contact with) the test antibody, the test antibody
is identified
as an antibody that can inhibit the cleavage of latent myostatin. In certain
em-
bodiments, whether a test antibody blocks access of a protease to latent
myostatin is
determined by methods for the detection of protein interactions between the
protease
and latent myostatin, e.g., ELISAs or BIACORE (registered trademark). Where a
decreased interaction between the protease and latent myostatin is detected in
the
presence of (or following contact with) the test antibody, the test antibody
is identified
as an antibody that can block access of the protease to latent myostatin.
[0394] In certain embodiments, whether a test antibody blocks the release
of mature
myostatin from latent myostatin is determined by detecting mature myostatin
activity,
for example, the activity of binding to a myostatin receptor, or the activity
of mediating
signal transduction in a cell expressing a myostatin receptor (e.g., ActRIIb).
Cells
useful for such an assay can be those that express an endogenous myostatin
receptor,
for example, L6 myocytes, or can be those that are genetically modified,
transiently or
stably, to express a transgene encoding a myostatin receptor, for example, an
activin
receptor such as an activin type II receptor (Thies et al, Supra). Binding of
myostatin to
a myostatin receptor can be detected using a receptor binding assay. Myostatin
mediated signal transduction can be detected at any level in the signal
transduction
pathway, for example, by examining phosphorylation of a Smad polypeptide,
examining expression of a myostatin regulated gene including a reporter gene,
or
measuring proliferation of a myostatin-dependent cell. Where a decreased
mature
myostatin activity is detected in the presence of (or following contact with)
the test
antibody, the test antibody is identified as an antibody that can block the
release of
mature myostatin from latent myostatin.
[0395] Inhibition of myostatin activation can also be detected and/or
measured using the
methods set forth and exemplified in the working examples. Using assays of
these or
other suitable types, test antibodies can be screened for those capable of
inhibiting the
activation of myostatin. In certain embodiments, inhibition of myostatin
activation
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includes at least a 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% or greater
decrease in
myostatin activation in the assay as compared to a negative control under
similar
conditions. In some embodiments, it refers to the inhibition of myostatin
activation of
at least 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% or greater.
[0396] In another aspect, assays for identifying anti-myostatin antibodies
that form an
immune complex (i.e., an antigen-antibody complex) with myostatin are
provided. An-
tibodies having such biological activity in vivo and/or in vitro are also
provided.
[0397] In certain embodiments, an antibody of the invention is tested for
such biological
activity.
[0398] In certain embodiments, the formation of an immune complex is
evaluated by a
method such as size exclusion (gel filtration) chromatography,
ultracentrifugation,
light scattering, electron microscope, or mass spectrometry (Mol. Immunol.
39:77-84
(2002), Mol. Immunol. 47:357-364 (2009)). These methods make use of the
property
that an immune complex is a larger molecule than an antibody alone, or an
antigen
alone. Where a large complex containing two or more antibodies and two or more
antigens (e.g., myostatin molecules) is detected in the presence of a test
antibody and
an antigen, the test antibody is identified as an antibody that can form an
immune
complex containing two or more antibodies and two or more molecules of
myostatin.
In another embodiment, formation of an immune complex is evaluated by a method
such as, ELISA, FACS, or SPR (surface plasmon resonance assay; for example,
using
BIACORE (registered trademark)) (Shields et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276(9):6591-
6604
(2001); Singh et al., J. Immunol. Methods 50:109-114 (1982); Suzuki et al., J.
Immunol. 184(4):1968-1976 (2010); Luo et al., mAbs 1(5):491-504 (2009)). These
methods make use of the property that an immune complex containing two or more
an-
tibodies and two or more antigens can bind more strongly to an Fc receptor or
a
complement component than an antibody or antigen alone can. Where an increased
binding to an Fc receptor or a complement component is detected in the
presence of
both a test antibody and an antigen compared to in the presence of an antibody
alone,
the test antibody is identified as an antibody that can form an immune complex
containing two or more antibodies and two or more molecules of myostatin. In
another
embodiment, formation of an immune complex is evaluated by administering a
test
antibody to an animal (e.g., a mouse) and measuring the clearance of antigen
from
plasma. As described above, an antibody which forms an immune complex
containing
two or more antibodies with two or more antigens is expected to accelerate the
elimination of antigens from plasma. Therefore, where an accelerated
elimination of
myostatin from plasma is observed in a test antibody-administered mouse
compared to
in a reference antibody-administered mouse, the test antibody is identified as
an
antibody that can form an immune complex containing two or more antibodies and
two
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or more molecules of myostatin more efficiently than the reference antibody.
D. Immunoconjugates
[0399] In some embodiments, the invention provides immunoconjugates
comprising an anti-
myostatin antibody herein conjugated to one or more cytotoxic agents, such as
chemotherapeutic agents or drugs, growth inhibitory agents, toxins (e.g.,
protein
toxins, enzymatically active toxins of bacterial, fungal, plant, or animal
origin, or
fragments thereof), or radioactive isotopes.
[0400] In some embodiments, the invention provides imrnunoconjugates
comprising a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region herein conjugated to one or more
cytotoxic
agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents or drugs, growth inhibitory agents,
toxins
(e.g., protein toxins, enzymatically active toxins of bacterial, fungal,
plant, or animal
origin, or fragments thereof), or radioactive isotopes.
[0401] In one embodiment, an immunoconjugate is an antibody-drug conjugate
(ADC) in
which an antibody is conjugated to one or more drugs, including but not
limited to a
maytansinoid (see US Patent Nos. 5,208,020, 5,416,064 and EP Patent EP 0 425
235
B1); an auristatin such as monomethylauristatin drug moieties DE and DF (MMAE
and MMAF) (see US Patent Nos. 5,635,483 and 5,780,588, and 7,498,298); a
dolastatin; a calicheamicin or derivative thereof (see US Patent Nos.
5,712,374,
5,714,586, 5,739,116, 5,767,285, 5,770,701, 5,770,710, 5,773,001, and
5,877,296;
Hinman et al., Cancer Res. 53:3336-3342 (1993); and Lode et al., Cancer Res.
58:2925-2928 (1998)); an anthracycline such as daunomycin or doxorubicin (see
Kratz
et al., Current Med. Chem. 13:477-523 (2006); Jeffrey et al., Bioorganic &
Med.
Chem. Letters 16:358-362 (2006); Torgov et al., Bioconj. Chem. 16:717-721
(2005);
Nagy et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:829-834 (2000); Dubowchik et al.,
Bioorg.
& Med. Chem. Letters 12:1529-1532 (2002); King et al., J. Med. Chem. 45:4336-
4343
(2002); and US Patent No. 6,630,579); methotrexate; vindesine; a taxane such
as
docetaxel, paclitaxel, larotaxel, tesetaxel, and ortataxel; a trichothecene;
and CC1065.
[0402] In another embodiment, an immunoconjugate comprises an antibody as
described
herein conjugated to an enzymatically active toxin or fragment thereof,
including but
not limited to diphtheria A chain, nonbinding active fragments of diphtheria
toxin,
exotoxin A chain (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa), ricin A chain, abrin A chain,
modeccin A chain, alpha-sarcin, Aleurites fordii proteins, dianthin proteins,
Phytolaca
americana proteins (PAPI, PAPII, and PAP-S), momordica charantia inhibitor,
curcin,
crotin, sapaonaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin, mitogellin, restrictocin,
phenomycin,
enomycin, and a tricothecene.
[0403] In another embodiment, an immunoconjugate comprises an antibody as
described
herein conjugated to a radioactive atom to form a radioconjugate. A variety of
ra-
dioactive isotopes are available for the production of radioconjugates.
Examples
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include At211, 1131, 1125, y90, Re'86, Rem, smi53, 13/212, p32, pb212 and
radioactive isotopes
of Lu. When the radioconjugate is used for detection, it may comprise a
radioactive
atom for scintigraphic studies, for example tc99m or 1123, or a spin label for
nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging (also known as magnetic resonance imaging,
mri), such as iodine-123 again, iodine-131, indium-111, fluorine-19, carbon-
13,
nitrogen-15, oxygen-17, gadolinium, manganese and iron.
[0404] Conjugates of an antibody and cytotoxic agent may be made using a
variety of bi-
functional protein coupling agents such as N-succinimidy1-3-(2-pyridyldithio)
propionate (SPDP), succinimidy1-4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-
carboxylate
(SMCC), iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such as
dimethyl
adipimidate HC1), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl suberate), aldehydes
(such as
glutaraldehyde), bis-azido compounds (such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl)
hexanediamine),
bis-diazonium derivatives (such as bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoy1)-ethylenediamine),
diiso-
cyanates (such as toluene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active fluorine compounds
(such
as 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). For example, a ricin immunotoxin can be
prepared
as described in Vitetta et al., Science 238:1098 (1987). Carbon-14-labeled
1-isothiocyanatobenzy1-3-methyldiethylene triaminepentaacetic acid (MX-DTPA)
is
an exemplary chelating agent for conjugation of radionucleotide to the
antibody. See
WO 1994/11026. The linker may be a "cleavable linker" facilitating release of
a
cytotoxic drug in the cell. For example, an acid-labile linker, peptidase-
sensitive linker,
photolabile linker, dimethyl linker or disulfide-containing linker (Chari et
al., Cancer
Res. 52:127-131 (1992); US Patent No. 5,208,020) may be used.
[0405] The immunoconjugates or ADCs herein expressly contemplate, but are
not limited to
such conjugates prepared with cross-linker reagents including, but not limited
to,
BMPS, EMCS, GMBS, HBVS, LC-SMCC, MBS, MPBH, SBAP, SIA, SIAB, SMCC,
SMPB, SMPH, sulfo-EMCS, sulfo-GMBS, sulfo-KMUS, sulfo-MBS, sulfo-SIAB,
sulfo-SMCC, and sulfo-SMPB, and SVSB (succinimidy1-(4-vinylsulfone)benzoate)
which are commercially available (e.g., from Pierce Biotechnology, Inc.,
Rockford,
IL., U.S.A).
E. Methods and Compositions for Diagnostics and Detection
[0406] In certain embodiments, any of the anti-myostatin antibodies
provided herein is
useful for detecting the presence of myostatin in a biological sample. The
term
"detecting" as used herein encompasses quantitative or qualitative detection.
In certain
embodiments, a biological sample comprises a cell or tissue, such as serum,
whole
blood, plasma, biopsy sample, tissue sample, cell suspension, saliva, sputum,
oral
fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, ascites fluid, milk, colostrum,
mammary
gland secretion, lymph, urine, sweat, lacrimal fluid, gastric fluid, synovial
fluid,
peritoneal fluid, ocular lens fluid or mucus.
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[0407] In one embodiment, an anti-myostatin antibody for use in a method of
diagnosis or
detection is provided. In a further aspect, a method of detecting the presence
of latent
myostatin or myostatin propeptide in a biological sample is provided. In
certain em-
bodiments, the method comprises contacting the biological sample with an anti-
myostatin antibody as described herein under conditions permissive for binding
of the
anti-myostatin antibody to myostatin, and detecting whether a complex is
formed
between the anti-myostatin antibody and myostatin. Such method may be an in
vitro or
in vivo method. In one embodiment, an anti-myostatin antibody is used to
select
subjects eligible for therapy with an anti-myostatin antibody, e.g., where
myostatin is a
biomarker for selection of patients.
[0408] Exemplary disorders that may be diagnosed using an antibody of the
invention
include but are not limited to, muscular dystrophy (MD; including Duchenne
muscular
dystrophy), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscle atrophy, organ
atrophy, carpal
tunnel syndrome, frailty, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
sarcopenia, cachexia, muscle wasting syndromes, HIV-induced muscle wasting,
type 2
diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, metabolic syndrome (including syndrome
X),
insulin resistance (including resistance induced by trauma, e.g., bums or
nitrogen
imbalance), adipose tissue disorders (e.g., obesity, dyslipidemia,
nonalcoholic fatty
liver disease, etc.), osteoporosis, osteopenia, osteoarthritis, and metabolic
bone
disorders (including low bone mass, premature gonadal failure, androgen
suppression,
vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism, nutritional deficiencies,
and
anorexia nervosa).
[0409] In certain embodiments, labeled anti-myostatin antibodies are
provided. Labels
include, but are not limited to, labels or moieties that are detected directly
(such as flu-
orescent, chromophoric, electron-dense, chemiluminescent, and radioactive
labels), as
well as moieties, such as enzymes or ligands, that are detected indirectly,
e.g., through
an enzymatic reaction or molecular interaction. Exemplary labels include, but
are not
limited to, the radioisotopes 32P, 14C, 1251, 3H, and 1311, fluorophores such
as rare earth
chelates or fluorescein and its derivatives, rhodamine and its derivatives,
dansyl, urn-
belliferone, luceriferases, e.g., firefly luciferase and bacterial luciferase
(US Patent No.
4,737,456), luciferin, 2,3-dihydrophthalazinediones, horseradish peroxidase
(HRP),
alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, glucoamylase, lysozyme, saccharide
oxidases, e.g., glucose oxidase, galactose oxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate
dehy-
drogenase, heterocyclic oxidases such as unease and xanthine oxidase, coupled
with an
enzyme that employs hydrogen peroxide to oxidize a dye precursor such as HRP,
lac-
toperoxidase, or microperoxidase, biotin/avidin, spin labels, bacteriophage
labels,
stable free radicals, and the like.
F. Pharmaceutical Formulations
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[0410] Pharmaceutical formulations of an anti-myostatin antibody as
described herein are
prepared by mixing such antibody having the desired degree of purity with one
or more
optional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers (Remington's Pharmaceutical
Sciences
16th edition, Osol, A. Ed. (1980)), in the form of lyophilized formulations or
aqueous
solutions.
[0411] Pharmaceutical formulations of a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region as
described herein are prepared by mixing such polypeptide having the desired
degree of
purity with one or more optional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers in the
form of
lyophilized formulations or aqueous solutions.
[0412] Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are generally nontoxic to
recipients at the
dosages and concentrations employed, and include, but are not limited to:
buffers such
as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including
ascorbic acid and
methionine; preservatives (such as octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride;
hex-
amethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride; benzethonium chloride; phenol,
butyl or
benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol;
resorcinol;
cyclohexanol; 3-pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecular weight (less than about
10
residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or
immunoglobulins;
hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as
glycine,
glutamine, asparagine, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides,
disaccharides,
and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating
agents such
as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose, mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming
counter-
ions such as sodium; metal complexes (e.g., Zn-protein complexes); and/or non-
ionic
surfactants such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). Exemplary pharmaceutically
acceptable
carriers herein further include insterstitial drug dispersion agents such as
soluble
neutral-active hyaluronidase glycoproteins (sHASEGP), for example, human
soluble
PH-20 hyaluronidase glycoproteins, such as rHuPH20 (HYLENEX (registered
trademark), Baxter International, Inc.). Certain exemplary sHASEGPs and
methods of
use, including rHuPH20, are described in US Publ. Nos. 2005/0260186 and
2006/0104968. In one aspect, a sHASEGP is combined with one or more additional
glycosaminoglycanases such as chondroitinases.
[0413] Exemplary lyophilized antibody formulations are described in US
Patent No.
6,267,958. Aqueous antibody formulations include those described in US Patent
No.
6,171,586 and WO 2006/044908, the latter formulations including a histidine-
acetate
buffer.
[0414] The formulation herein may also contain more than one active
ingredients as
necessary for the particular indication being treated, preferably those with
com-
plementary activities that do not adversely affect each other. Such active
ingredients
are suitably present in combination in amounts that are effective for the
purpose
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intended.
[0415] Active ingredients may be entrapped in microcapsules prepared, for
example, by
coacervation techniques or by interfacial polymerization, for example,
hydroxymethyl-
cellulose or gelatin-microcapsules and poly-(methylmethacylate) microcapsules,
re-
spectively, in colloidal drug delivery systems (for example, liposomes,
albumin mi-
crospheres, microemulsions, nano-particles and nanocapsules) or in
macroemulsions.
Such techniques are disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th
edition,
Osol, A. Ed. (1980).
[0416] Sustained-release preparations may be prepared. Suitable examples of
sustained-
release preparations include semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic
polymers
containing the antibody, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles,
e.g., films,
or microcapsules.
[0417] The formulations to be used for in vivo administration are generally
sterile. Sterility
may be readily accomplished, e.g., by filtration through sterile filtration
membranes.
G. Therapeutic Methods and Compositions
[0418] Any of the anti-myostatin antibodies provided herein may be used in
therapeutic
methods. Likewise, any of the polypeptpides comprising an variant Fc region
provided
herein may be used in therapeutic methods.
[0419] In one aspect, an anti-myostatin antibody for use as a medicament is
provided. In
further aspects, an anti-myostatin antibody for use in treating a muscle
wasting disease
is provided. In certain embodiments, an anti-myostatin antibody for use in a
method of
treatment is provided. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an anti-
myostatin antibody for use in a method of treating an individual having a
muscle
wasting disease comprising administering to the individual an effective amount
of the
anti-myostatin antibody. In one embodiment, the method further comprises admin-
istering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional
therapeutic
agent. In further embodiments, the invention provides an anti-myostatin
antibody for
use in increasing mass of muscle tissue. In certain embodiments, the invention
provides an anti-myostatin antibody for use in a method of increasing mass of
muscle
tissue in an individual comprising administering to the individual an
effective amount
of the anti-myostatin antibody to increase mass of muscle tissue. In further
em-
bodiments, the invention provides an anti-myostatin antibody for use in
increasing
strength of muscle tissue. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an
anti-
myostatin antibody for use in a method of increasing strength of muscle tissue
in an in-
dividual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of the
anti-
myostatin antibody to increase strength of muscle tissue. In further
embodiments, the
invention provides an anti-myostatin antibody for use in reducing body fat
accu-
mulation. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an anti-myostatin
antibody
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for use in a method of reducing body fat accumulation in an individual
comprising ad-
ministering to the individual an effective amount of the anti-myostatin
antibody to
reduce body fat accumulation. An "individual" according to any of the above em-
bodiments is preferably a human.
[0420] An anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention may exhibit pH-
dependent
binding characteristics. In further embodiments, the invention provides an
anti-
myostatin antibody for use in enhancing the clearance of myostatin from
plasma. In
certain embodiments, the invention provides an anti-myostatin antibody for use
in a
method of enhancing the clearance of myostatin from plasma in an individual
comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of the anti-
myostatin
antibody to enhance the clearance of myostatin from plasma. In one embodiment,
an
anti-myostatin antibody with pH-dependent binding characteristics enhances the
clearance of myostatin from plasma, compared to a conventional anti-myostatin
antibody which does not have pH-dependent binding characteristics. In a
further em-
bodiment, an anti-myostatin antibody with a pH-dependent binding
characteristic
between binding at pH5.$ and pH7.4 enhances the clearance of myostatin from
plasma,
compared to a conventional anti-myostatin antibody which does not have pH-
dependent binding characteristics. An "individual" according to any of the
above em-
bodiments is preferably a human.
[0421] In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of an anti-
myostatin antibody in
the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In one embodiment, the
medicament
is for treatment of a muscle wasting disease. In a further embodiment, the
medicament
is for use in a method of treating a muscle wasting disease comprising
administering to
an individual having a muscle wasting disease an effective amount of the
medicament.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the
individual an
effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent. In a further
embodiment,
the medicament is for increasing mass of muscle tissue. In a further
embodiment, the
medicament is for use in a method of increasing mass of muscle tissue in an
individual
comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of the
medicament to
increase mass of muscle tissue. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for
in-
creasing strength of muscle tissue. In a further embodiment, the medicament is
for use
in a method of increasing strength of muscle tissue in an individual
comprising admin-
istering to the individual an effective amount of the medicament to increase
strength of
muscle tissue. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for reducing body
fat accu-
mulation. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for use in a method of
reducing
body fat accumulation in an individual comprising administering to the
individual an
effective amount of the medicament to reduce body fat accumulation. An
"individual"
according to any of the above embodiments may be a human.
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[0422] An anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention may exhibit pH-
dependent
binding characteristics. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for
enhancing the
clearance of myostatin from plasma. In a further embodiment, the medicament is
for
use in a method of enhancing the clearance of myostatin from plasma in an
individual
comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of the
medicament to
enhance the clearance of myostatin from plasma. In one embodiment, an anti-
myostatin antibody with pH-dependent binding characteristics enhances the
clearance
of myostatin from plasma, compared to a conventional anti-myostatin antibody
which
does not have pH-dependent binding characteristics. In a further embodiment,
the anti-
myostatin antibody exhibits different pH-dependent binding characteristics
between
pH5.8 and pH7.4. An "individual" according to any of the above embodiments is
preferably a human.
[0423] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a
muscle wasting
disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to an
individual
having such a muscle wasting disease an effective amount of an anti-myostatin
antibody provided herein. In one embodiment, the method further comprises
admin-
istering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional
therapeutic
agent. The "individual" according to any of the above embodiments may be a
human.
[0424] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for increasing
mass of muscle
tissue in an individual. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering
to the
individual an effective amount of an anti-myostatin antibody provided herein
to
increase mass of muscle tissue. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a
human.
[0425] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for increasing
strength of muscle
tissue in an individual. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering
to the
individual an effective amount of an anti-myostatin antibody provided herein
to
increase strength of muscle tissue. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a
human.
[0426] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for reducing body
fat accu-
mulation in an individual. In one embodiment, the method comprises
administering to
the individual an effective amount of an anti-myostatin antibody provided
herein to
reduce body fat accumulation. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a human.
[0427] An anti-myostatin antibody of the present invention may exhibit pH-
dependent
binding characteristics. In a further embodiment, the invention provides a
method for
enhancing the clearance of myostatin from plasma in an individual. In one em-
bodiment, the method comprises administering to the individual an effective
amount of
an anti-myostatin antibody provided herein to enhance the clearance of
myostatin from
plasma. In one embodiment, an anti-myostatin antibody with pH-dependent
binding
characteristics enhances the clearance of myostatin from plasma, compared to a
con-
ventional anti-myostatin antibody which does not have pH-dependent binding
charac-
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teristics. In a further embodiment, the anti-myostatin antibody exhibits
different pH-
dependent binding characteristics between pH5.8 and pH7.4. In one embodiment,
an
"individual" is a human.
[0428] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising
any of the anti-myostatin antibodies provided herein, e.g., for use in any of
the above
therapeutic methods. In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical formulation comprises
any
of the anti-myostatin antibodies provided herein and a pharmaceutically
acceptable
carrier. In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical formulation comprises any of
the
anti-myostatin antibodies provided herein and at least one additional
therapeutic agent.
[0429] In a further aspect, the pharmaceutical formulation is for treatment
of a muscle
wasting disease. In a further embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is
for in-
creasing mass of muscle tissue. In a further embodiment, the pharmaceutical
for-
mulation is for increasing strength of muscle tissue. In a further embodiment,
the phar-
maceutical formulation is for reducing body fat accumulation. An anti-
myostatin
antibody of the present invention may exhibit pH-dependent binding
characteristics. In
a further embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is for enhancing the
clearance of
myostatin from plasma. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is ad-
ministered to an individual having a muscle wasting disease. An "individual"
according to any of the above embodiments is preferably a human.
[0430] In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for preparing a
medicament or a
phainiaceutical formulation, comprising mixing any of the anti-myostatin
antibodies
provided herein with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g., for use in
any of the
above therapeutic methods. In one embodiment, the methods for preparing a
medicament or a pharmaceutical formulation further comprise adding at least
one ad-
ditional therapeutic agent to the medicament or pharmaceutical foiniulation.
[0431] In certain embodiments, a muscle wasting disease is selected from
the group
consisting of muscular dystrophy (MD; including Duchenne muscular dystrophy),
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscle atrophy, organ atrophy, carpal
tunnel
syndrome, frailty, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
sarcopenia,
cachexia, muscle wasting syndromes, HIV-induced muscle wasting, type 2
diabetes,
impaired glucose tolerance, metabolic syndrome (including syndrome X), insulin
re-
sistance (including resistance induced by trauma, e.g., burns or nitrogen
imbalance),
adipose tissue disorders (e.g., obesity, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty
liver disease,
etc.), osteoporosis, osteopenia, osteoarthritis, and metabolic bone disorders
(including
low bone mass, premature gonadal failure, androgen suppression, vitamin D de-
ficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism, nutritional deficiencies, and
anorexia
nervosa).
[0432] Any of the polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region provided
herein may be used
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in therapeutic methods. In a further aspect, the invention provides
pharmaceutical for-
mulations comprising a polypeptide comprising any of the polypeptides
comprising
variant Fc regions provided herein, e.g., for use in therapeutic methods. In
one em-
bodiment, a pharmaceutical formulation comprises a polypeptide comprising any
of
the polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions provided herein and a
pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier. In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical formulation
comprises a
polypeptide comprising any of the variant Fc regions provided herein and at
least one
additional therapeutic agent.
[0433] In one aspect, a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region for use
as a medicament
is provided. In further aspects, a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region
for use in
treating a disorder is provided. In certain embodiments, a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fc region for use in a method of treatment is provided. In certain
embodiments,
the invention provides a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region for use in
a
method of treating an individual having a disorder comprising administering to
the in-
dividual an effective amount of the polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region
provided herein. In one embodiment, the method further comprises administering
to
the individual an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic
agent. In one
embodiment, the "individual" is a human.
[0434] In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fc region in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In one em-
bodiment, the medicament is for treatment of a disorder. In some apsects, the
polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the polypeptide is an Fc fusion
protein.
In a further embodiment, the medicament is for use in a method of treating a
disorder
comprising administering to an individual having the disorder to be treated an
effective
amount of the medicament. In one embodiment, the method further comprises
admin-
istering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional
therapeutic
agent. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a human.
[0435] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a
disorder. In one
embodiment, the method comprises administering to an individual having such a
disorder an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region.
In one
embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the individual an
effective
amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the
"in-
dividual" is a human.
[0436] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region provided herein, for use in a
therapeutic
method such as any of the therapeutic methods described herein. In one
embodiment, a
pharmaceutical formulation comprises a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region
provided herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another
embodiment, a
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pharmaceutical formulation comprises a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region
provided herein and at least one additional therapeutic agent.
[0437] In a further aspect, the pharmaceutical formulation is for treatment
of a disorder. In
one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is administered to an
individual
having a disorder. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a human.
[0438] In further embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc
region for use in suppressing the activation of B cells, mast cells, dendritic
cells, and/or
basophils. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fc region for use in a method of suppressing the activation of B
cells, mast
cells, dendritic cells, and/or basophils in an individual comprising
administering to the
individual an effective amount of the polypeptide comprising a variant Fc
region to
suppress the activation of B cells, mast cells, dendritic cells, and/or
basophils. In one
embodiment, the "individual" is a human.
[0439] In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fc region in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In some
apsects,
the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the polypeptide is an Fc
fusion
protein. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for suppressing the
activation of B
cells, mast cells, dendritic cells, and/or basophils. In a further embodiment,
the
medicament is for use in a method of suppressing the activation of B cells,
mast cells,
dendritic cells, and/or basophils in an individual comprising administering to
the in-
dividual an effective amount of the medicament to suppress the activation of B
cells,
mast cells, dendritic cells, and/or basophils. In one embodiment, the
"individual" is a
human.
[0440] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for suppressing
the activation of
B cells, mast cells, dendritic cells, and/or basophils in an individual. In
one em-
bodiment, the method comprises administering to the individual an effective
amount of
a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region to suppress the activation of B
cells, mast
cells, dendritic cells, and/or basophils. In one embodiment, the "individual"
is a
human.
[0441] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region. In a further embodiment, the
pharma-
ceutical formulation is for suppressing the activation of B cells, mast cells,
dendritic
cells, and/or basophils.
[0442] Polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention
can suppress the
activation of B cells, mast cells, dendritic cells, and/or basophils. Without
wishing to
be bound by theory, it is believed that this suppressed activation is the
result of the
selective binding of the provided variant Fc regions to Fc gamma RIIb without
ac-
tivating activating Fc gamma R. As used herein, "B cell activation" includes
pro-
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liferation, IgE production, IgM production, and IgA production. Without
wishing to be
bound by theory, it is believed that the suppressed activation of B cells is
the result of
the ability of the provided variant Fc regions on polypeptides comprising a
variant Fc
region of the present invention to crosslink Fc gamma RIR) with IgE to
suppress IgE
production of B cells, with IgM to suppress IgM production of B cells, and
with IgA to
suppress IgA production. Other than the above, suppressive effects similar to
those
mentioned above are exhibited by directly or indirectly cross-linking Fc gamma
RIlb
with molecules that are expressed on B cells and comprise the ITAM domain
inside the
cell or interact with the ITAM domain such as BCR, CD19, and CD79b. As used
herein, "activation of mast cells" includes proliferation, activation by IgE,
and de-
granulation. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the
suppressed
activation of mast cells is the result of the ability of the provided variant
Fc regions on
polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention to
directly or in-
directly cross-link Fc gamma RIR) with IgE receptor molecules that are
expressed on
mast cells and comprise the ITAM domain or interact with the ITAM domain such
as
Fc epsilon RI, DAP12, and CD200R3. As used herein, "activation of basophils"
includes proliferation and degranulation of basophils. Without wishing to be
bound by
theory, it is believed that the suppressed activation of basophils is the
result of the
ability of the provided variant Fc regions on polypeptides comprising a
variant Fc
region of the present invention to directly or indirectly cross-link Fc gamma
RIR) with
molecules on the cell membrane, which comprise the ITAM domain inside the cell
or
interact with the ITAM domain. As used herein, "activation of dendritic cells"
includes
proliferation and degranulation of dendritic cells. Without wishing to be
bound by
theory, it is believed that the suppressed activation of dendritic cells is
the result of the
ability of the provided variant Fc regions on polypeptides comprising a
variant Fc
region of the present invention to directly or indirectly cross-link Fc gamma
RIIb with
molecules on the cell membrane, which comprise the ITAM domain inside the cell
or
interact with the ITAM domain.
[0443] In further embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc
region provided herein for use in treating an immunological inflammatory
disease. In
certain embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide comprising a variant
Fc
region for use in a method of treating an immunological inflammatory disease
in an in-
dividual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of the
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region to treat an immunological
inflammatory
disease. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a human.
[0444] In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fc region provided herein in the manufacture or preparation of a
medicament.
In some apsects, the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the
polypeptide is an
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Fc fusion protein. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for treating an
im-
munological inflammatory disease. In a further embodiment, the medicament is
for use
in a method of treating an immunological inflammatory disease in an individual
comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of the
medicament to
treat immunological inflammatory diseases. An "individual" according to any of
the
above embodiments may be a human.
[0445] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for treating an
immunological in-
flammatory disease in an individual. In one embodiment, the method comprises
admin-
istering to the individual an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising a
variant Fe
region to treat immunological inflammatory diseases. In one embodiment, an "in-
dividual" is a human.
[0446] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising
any of the polypeptides comprising a variant Fe region provided herein. In a
further
embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is for treating an immunological in-
flammatory disease.
[0447] As described above, since polypeptides comprising a variant Fe
region of the present
invention can suppress activation of B cells, mast cells, dendritic cells
and/or
basophils, administration of the polypeptides comprising a variant Fe region
of the
present invention as a result can treat or prevent immunological inflammatory
diseases.
[0448] In certain embodiments, the treated immunological inflammatory
disease is selected
from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hepatitis,
autoimmune
thyroiditis, autoimmune blistering diseases, autoimmune adrenocortical
disease, au-
toimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, megalocytic
anemia, autoimmune atrophic gastritis, autoimmune neutropenia, autoimmune
orchitis,
autoimmune encephalomyelitis, autoimmune receptor disease, autoimmune
infertility,
chronic active hepatitis, glomerulonephritis, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis,
multiple
sclerosis, Paget's disease, osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, uveitis, acute and
chronic
spondylitis, gouty arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, adult respiratory
distress
syndrome (ARDS), psoriasis, Crohn's disease, Basedow's disease, juvenile
diabetes,
Addison's disease, myasthenia gravis, lens-induced uveitis, systemic lupus ery-
thematosus, allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, ulcerative colitis,
hypersensitivity,
muscle degeneration, cachexia, systemic scleroderma, localized scleroderma,
Sjogren's
syndrome, Behchet's disease, Reiter's syndrome, type I and type II diabetes,
bone re-
sorption disorder, graft-versus-host reaction, ischemia-reperfusion injury,
atherosclerosis, brain trauma, cerebral malaria, sepsis, septic shock, toxic
shock
syndrome, fever, malgias due to staining, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia,
id-
iopathic thrombocytopenia, Goodpasture's syndrome, Guillain-Barre syndrome,
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, pemphigus, IgA nephropathy, pollinosis,
antiphospholipid
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antibody syndrome, polymyositis, Wegener's granulomatosis, arteritis nodosa,
mixed
connective tissue disease, fibromyalgia, asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic
atrophic
gastritis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis,
autoimmune pan-
creatitis, aortitis syndrome, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis,
megaloblastic
anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, primary hypothyroidism,
idiopathic
Addison's disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, chronic discoid lupus
ery-
thematosus, pemphigoid, herpes gestationis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, epi-
dermolysis bullosa acquisita, alopecia areata, vitiligo vulgaris, leukoderma
acquisitum
centrifugum of Sutton, Harada's disease, autoimmune optic neuropathy,
idiopathic
azoospermia, habitual abortion, hypoglycemia, chronic urticaria, ankylosing
spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, reactive arthritis,
spondy-
loarthropathy, enthesopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue
syndrome, der-
matomyositis, inclusion body myositis, Schmidt's syndrome, Graves' disease,
pernicious anemia, lupoid hepatitis, presenile dementia, Alzheimer's disease,
de-
myelinating disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hypoparathyroidism,
Dressler's
syndrome, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, dermatitis herpetiformis, alopecia,
progressive
systemic sclerosis, CREST syndrome (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon,
esophageal
dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia), sarcoidosis, rheumatic fever,
erythema
multiforme, Cushing's syndrome, transfusion reaction, Hansen's disease,
Takayasu
arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, temporal arteritis, giant cell arthritis,
eczema, lym-
phomatoid granulomatosis, Kawasaki disease, endocarditis, endomyocardial
fibrosis,
endophthalmitis, fetal erythroblastosis, eosinophilic fasciitis, Felty
syndrome, Henoch-
Schonlein purpura, transplant rejection, mumps, cardiomyopathy, purulent
arthritis,
familial Mediterranean fever, Muckle-Wells syndrome, and hyper-IgD syndrome.
[0449] In further embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fe
region for use in treating or preventing an autoimmune diseases which may be
caused
by or associated with the production of antibodies against autoantigens
(autoantibodies). In certain embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fe region for use in a method of treating or preventing
an au-
toimmune disease which may be caused by, or associated with, the production of
an-
tibodies against an autoantigen (autoantibody) in an individual comprising
admin-
istering to the individual an effective amount of the polypeptide comprising a
variant
Fe region to treat or prevent the autoimmune disease. An "individual"
according to any
of the above embodiments is preferably a human.
[0450] In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fe region in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In some
apsects,
the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the polypeptide is an Fe
fusion
protein. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for treating or preventing
an au-
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toimmune disease which may be caused by or associated with production of
antibodies
against autoantigens (autoantibodies). In a further embodiment, the medicament
is for
use in a method of treating or preventing an autoimmune disease which may be
caused
by or associated with production of antibodies against autoantigens
(autoantibodies) in
an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount
of the
medicament to treat or prevent the autoimmune disease. An "individual"
according to
any of the above embodiments may be a human.
[0451] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for treating or
preventing an au-
toimmune disease which may be caused by or associated with production of
antibodies
against autoantigens (autoantibodies) in an individual. In one embodiment, the
method
comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region to treat or prevent the autoimmune disease. In
one em-
bodiment, an "individual" is a human.
[0452] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising
any of the polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region provided herein. In a
further
embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is for treating or preventing an au-
toimmune disease which may be caused by or associated with production of
antibodies
against an autoantigen (autoantibodies).
[0453] The polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region of the present
invention can treat or
prevent an autoimmune disease which may be caused by or associated with
production
of antibodies against an autoantigen (autoantibodies) by suppressing
production of
those autoantibodies. Use of a fusion molecule of an antibody Fc portion with
AchR
(an autoantigen of myasthenia gravis) has been reported to suppress
proliferation of B
cells which express AchR-recognizing BCR, and induce apoptosis (J.
Neuroimmunol
227: 35-43 (2010)). Use of a fusion protein formed between a variant Fc region
of the
present invention and an antigen recognized by an autoantibody enables
crosslinking
of Fc gamma RIP) with BCR for that autoantigen on a B cell, which causes sup-
pression of proliferation of the B cells and/or causes induction of apoptosis
of the B
cells.
[0454] In certain embodiments, an autoimmune disease that can be treated or
or prevented is
selected from the group consisting of Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia
gravis,
chronic atrophic gastritis, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis,
primary
sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune pancreatitis, aortitis syndrome,
Goodpasture's
syndrome, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, megaloblastic anemia,
autoimmune
hemolytic anemia, autoimmune neutropenia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura,
Basedow's disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, primary hypothyroidism, idiopathic
Addison's disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, chronic discoid lupus
ery-
thematosus, localized scleroderma, pemphigus, pemphigoid, herpes gestationis,
linear
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IgA bullous dermatosis, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, alopecia areata,
vitiligo
vulgaris, leukoderma acquisitum centrifugum of Sutton, Harada's disease,
autoimmune
optic neuropathy, idiopathic azoospermia, habitual abortion, type II diabetes,
hypo-
glycemia, and chronic urticarial.
[0455] In further embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc
region for use in treating a disease associated with a deficiency of a
biologically
essential protein. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a
polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region for use in a method of treating a disease
associated with
a deficiency of a biologically essential protein in an individual comprising
admin-
istering to the individual an effective amount of the polypeptide comprising a
variant
Fc region to treat the disease. An "individual" according to any of the above
em-
bodiments is preferably a human.
[0456] In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fc region in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In some
apsects,
the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the polypeptide is an Fc
fusion
protein. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for treating a disease
associated
with a deficiency of a biologically essential protein. In a further
embodiment, the
medicament is for use in a method of treating a disease associated with a
deficiency of
a biologically essential protein in an individual comprising administering to
the in-
dividual an effective amount of the medicament to treat the disease. An
"individual"
according to any of the above embodiments may be a human.
[0457] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a
disease associated
with a deficiency of a biologically essential protein in an individual. In one
em-
bodiment, the method comprises administering to the individual an effective
amount of
a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region to treat the disease. In one
embodiment,
an "individual" is a human.
[0458] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising
any of the polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region provided herein. In a
further
embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is for treating a disease
associated with a
deficiency of a biologically essential protein.
[0459] For diseases with deficiency of a biologically essential protein,
therapeutic methods
that administer and supplement the protein as a pharmaceutical agent are used.
However, since the patient lacks the protein from the beginning, the
externally sup-
plemented protein is recognized as a foreign substance and antibodies against
that
protein are produced. As a result, the protein becomes easily removed, and the
effect as
a pharmaceutical is reduced. Use of a fusion protein comprising such a protein
and a
variant Fc region of the present invention enables crosslinking between Fc
gamma
RIB, and BCR that recognizes the protein on B cells, which causes suppression
of
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antibody production against the protein.
[0460] In certain embodiments, the protein to be supplemented is selected
from the group
consisting of Factor VIII, Factor IX, TPO, EPO, alpha-iduronidase, iduronate
sulfatase,
A-type heparan N-sulfatase, B type alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase, C type
acetyl
CoA: alpha-glucosaminidase acetyltransferase, D type N-acetylglucosamine
6-sulfatase, galactose 6-sulfatase, N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase, beta-
glucuronidase, alpha-galactosidase, acidic alpha-galactosidase, and glucocere-
brosidase. These proteins may be supplemented for diseases such as hemophilia,
id-
iopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, renal anemia, and lysosomal disease
(mucopolysaccharidosis, Fabry's disease, Pompe disease, and Gaucher's
disease),
without being limited thereto.
[0461] In further embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc
region for use in treating a viral infection. In certain embodiments, the
invention
provides a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region for use in a method of
treating a
viral infection in an individual comprising administering to the individual an
effective
amount of the polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region to treat a viral
infection. An
"individual" according to any of the above embodiments is preferably a human.
[0462] In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fc region provided herein in the manufacture or preparation of a
medicament.
In some apsects, the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the
polypeptide is an
Fc fusion protein. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for treating a
viral
infection. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for use in a method of
treating a
viral infection in an individual comprising administering to the individual an
effective
amount of the medicament to treat a viral infection. An "individual" according
to any
of the above embodiments may be a human.
[0463] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a
viral infection in an
individual. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to the
individual
an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region to treat a
viral
infection. In one embodiment, an "individual" is a human.
[0464] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising
any of the polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region provided herein. In a
further
embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is for treating a viral infection.
[0465] Anti-virus antibodies that comprise a variant Fc region of the
present invention can
suppress antibody-dependent enhancement observed with conventional anti-virus
an-
tibodies. Antibody-dependent enhancement is a phenomenon where a virus bound
to
an antibody is phagocytosed via activating Fc gamma Rs so that infection of
the virus
to a cell is enhanced. Binding of anti-dengue-virus antibodies to Fc gamma
Ruth has
been reported to play an important role in suppressing antibody-dependent en-
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hancement (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 108:12479-12484, (2011)). Crosslinking
Fe
gamma Run) molecules by an immune complex of the anti-dengue-virus antibodies
and
dengue virus, inhibits Fe gamma R-mediated phagocytosis, resulting in the
suppression
of antibody-dependent enhancement. Examples of such viruses include dengue
virus
(DENV1, DENV2, DENV3, and DENV4) and HIV, but are not limited thereto.
[0466] In further embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fe
region for use in preventing or treating arteriosclerosis. In certain
embodiments, the
invention provides a polypeptide comprising a variant Fe region for use in a
method of
preventing or treating arteriosclerosis in an individual comprising
administering to the
individual an effective amount of the polypeptide comprising a variant Fe
region to
prevent or treat arteriosclerosis. In some apsects, the polypeptide is an
antibody. In
some aspsects, the polypeptide is an Fe fusion protein. An "individual"
according to
any of the above embodiments is preferably a human.
[0467] In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fe region in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In some
apsects,
the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the polypeptide is an Fe
fusion
protein. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for preventing or treating
arte-
riosclerosis. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for use in a method
of
preventing or treating arteriosclerosis in an individual comprising
administering to the
individual an effective amount of the medicament to prevent or treat
arteriosclerosis.
An "individual" according to any of the above embodiments may be a human.
[0468] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for preventing
or treating arte-
riosclerosis in an individual. In one embodiment, the method comprises
administering
to the individual an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising a variant Fe
region
to prevent or treat arteriosclerosis. In one embodiment, an "individual" is a
human.
[0469] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising
any of the polypeptides comprising a variant Fe region provided herein. In
some
apsects, the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the polypeptide is
an Fc
fusion protein. In a further embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is for
preventing or treating arteriosclerosis.
[0470] Antibodies against oxidized LDL, i.e., a cause for arteriosclerosis,
comprising a
variant Fe region of the present invention can prevent Fe gamma Rila-dependent
adhesion of inflammatory cells. It has been reported that while anti-oxidized
LDL an-
tibodies inhibit the interaction between oxidized LDL and CD36, anti-oxidized
LDL
antibodies bind to endothelial cells, and monocytes recognize their Fe portion
in an Fe
gamma RIIa-dependent or Fe gamma RI-dependent manner (Immunol. Lett.
108:52-61, (2007)). Using antibodies comprising a variant Fe region of the
present
invention may inhibit Fe gamma Rna-dependent binding and suppress monocyte
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adhesion by Fe gamma RIIb-mediated inhibitory signals.
[0471] In further embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fe
region for use in preventing or treating cancer. In certain embodiments, the
invention
provides a polypeptide comprising a variant Fe region for use in a method of
preventing or treating cancer in an individual comprising administering to the
in-
dividual an effective amount of the polypeptide comprising a variant Fe region
to
prevent or treat cancer. An "individual" according to any of the above
embodiments is
preferably a human.
[0472] In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fe region provided herein in the manufacture or preparation of a
medicament.
In some apsects, the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the
polypeptide is an
Fe fusion protein. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for preventing
or
treating cancer. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for use in a
method of
preventing or treating cancer in an individual comprising administering to the
in-
dividual an effective amount of the medicament to prevent or treat cancer. An
"in-
dividual" according to any of the above embodiments may be a human.
[0473] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for preventing
or treating cancer
in an individual. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to the
in-
dividual an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising a variant Fe region
to
prevent or treat cancer. In some apsects, the polypeptide is an antibody. In
some
aspsects, the polypeptide is an Fe fusion protein. In one embodiment, an
"individual" is
a human.
[0474] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising
any of the polypeptides comprising a variant Fe region provided herein. . In
some
apsects, the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the polypeptide is
an Fe
fusion protein. In a further embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is for
preventing or treating cancer.
[0475] As described above, it is known that enhancing the Fe gamma RIIb
binding increases
the agonistic activity of an agonist antibody, and enhances the antitumor
effect of the
antibody. Therefore, agonist antibodies comprising a variant Fe region of the
present
invention are useful for treatment or prevention of cancer. Specifically, a
variant Fe
region of the present invention enhances the agonistic activity of antibodies
against, for
example, receptors of the TNF receptor family such as, CD120a, CD120b, Lym-
photoxin beta receptor, CD134, CD40, FAS, TNI-RSF6B, CD27, CD30, CD137,
TNFRSF10A, TNFRSF10B, TNFRSF10C, TNFRSF10D, RANK, Osteoprotegerin,
TNFRSF12A, TNFRSF13B, TNFRSF13C, TNFRSF14, Nerve growth factor receptor,
TNFRSF17, TNFRSF18, TNFRSF19, TNFRSF21, TNFRSF25, and Ectodysplasin A2
receptor, and can be used for treating or preventing cancer. Furthermore,
agonistic
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activity is also enhanced for antibodies against other molecules, which
exhibit
agonistic activity through interaction with Fc gamma RIIb. In addition, by
incor-
porating a variant Fc region of the present invention into an antibody against
a receptor
tyrosine kinase (RTK) such as Kit, which suppresses cell proliferation upon
crosslinking with Fc gamma Ruth, the inhibitory effect of the antibody against
cell pro-
liferation may be enhanced.
[0476] In some embodiments, the invention provides a method for preventing
or treating a
cancer including but not limited to a member seclected from: small cell lung
cancer,
non-small cell lung cancer, pulmonary adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell
carcinoma
of the lung), large intestine cancer, rectal cancer, colon cancer, breast
cancer, liver
cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer,
ovarian cancer,
thyroid cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, peritoneal cancer, nnesothelioma, squamous
cell
carcinoma, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal
cancer,
head and neck cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, salivary gland tumor, thymoma,
skin
cancer, basal cell tumor, malignant melanoma, anal cancer, penile cancer,
testicular
cancer, Wilms' tumor, acute myeloid leukemia (including acute myeloleukemia,
acute
myeloblastic leukemia, acute promyelocytic leukemia, acute myelomonocytic
leukemia, and acute monocytic leukemia), chronic myelogenous leukemia, acute
lym-
phoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphatic leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-
Hodgkin's lymphoma (Burkitt's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mycosis
fungoides, mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, diffuse large-cell
lymphoma,
marginal zone lymphoma, pilocytic leukemia plasmacytoma, peripheral T-cell
lymphoma, and adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma), Langerhans cell histiocytosis,
multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, brain tumor (including glioma, as-
troglioma, glioblastoma, meningioma, and ependymoma), neuroblastoma,
retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, angiosarcoma,
and
hemangiopericytoma.
[0477] Antibodies which have been modified to have enhanced binding
activity to Fc
gamma Rs including Fc gamma RIIID by modification of at least one amino acid
residue can promote antigen elimination from the plasma, as described or
suggested in,
for example, WO 2013/047752, WO 2013/125667, WO 2014/030728, or WO
2014/163101.
[0478] Without being bound by a particular theory, an antibody having an
increased Fc
gamma R-binding activity under a neutral pH condition is rapidly taken up into
cells
together with its antigen complexed with the antibody, and as a result,
antigen
elimination from plasma can be promoted when the antibody is administered in
vivo.
[0479] Antibodies which have been modified to have an increased pI by
modification of at
least one amino acid residue that can be exposed on the antibody surface can
be in-
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corporated more rapidly into cells or can promote antigen elimination from the
plasma,
as described or suggested in, for example, WO 2007/114319, WO 2009/041643, WO
2014/145159, or WO 2012/016227.
[0480] Without being bound by a particular theory, it is believed that the
pH of biological
fluids (for example, plasma) is in a neutral pH range. In biological fluids,
the net
positive charge of a p1-increased antibody is increased due to the increased
pI, and as a
result the antibody is more strongly attracted by physicochemical Coulomb
interaction
to the endothelial cell surface that has a net negative charge compared to an
antibody
not having an increased pI. That means, via such non-specific binding, uptake
into
cells of the antibody complexed with its antigen is enhanced, which results in
en-
hancement of antigen elimination from plasma. These phenomena are expected to
occur commonly in vivo, regardless of cell type, tissue type, organ type, etc.
[0481] Herein, enhancement of antigen elimination from plasma means, for
example, that
the rate of antigen elimination from plasma is increased as compared to that
when a
polypeptide comprising a corresponding Fc region that has not been so modified
has
been administered. The increase of antigen elimination from plasma can be
assessed,
for example, by measuring the concentration of the antigen in plasma. Various
methods for measuring antigen concentration in plasma are known in the art.
[0482] In further embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc
region for use in promoting elimination of an antigen from plasma. In certain
em-
bodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region
for use
in a method of promoting elimination of an antigen from plasma in an
individual
comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of the
polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region to promote elimination of an antigen from
plasma. In
those embodiments, it is preferable that the polypeptide further comprises an
antigen-
binding domain. An "individual" according to any of the above embodiments is
preferably a human.
[0483] In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fc region in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In some
apsects,
the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspsects, the polypeptide is an Fc
fusion
protein. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for promoting elimination
of an
antigen from plasma. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for use in a
method
of promoting elimination of an antigen from plasma in an individual comprising
ad-
ministering to the individual an effective amount of the medicament to promote
elimination of an antigen from plasma. In those embodiments, it is preferable
that the
polypeptide further comprises an antigen-binding domain. An "individual"
according
to any of the above embodiments may be a human.
[0484] In a further embodiment, the invention provides a method for
promoting elimination
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of an antigen from plasma in an individual. In one embodiment, the method
comprises
administering to the individual an effective amount of a polypeptide
comprising a
variant Fc region to promote elimination of an antigen from plasma. In those
em-
bodiments, it is preferable that the polypeptide further comprises an antigen-
binding
domain. In one embodiment, an "individual" is a human.
[0485] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical
formulations comprising
any of the polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region provided herein. In a
further
embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is for promoting elimination of an
antigen from plasma. In that embodiment, it is preferable that the polypeptide
further
comprises an antigen-binding domain.
[0486] In one embodiment, when compared to before amino acid modification,
an antibody
having a variant Fc region of the present invention enhances antigen
elimination from
plasma, for example, by at least 1.1-fold, 1.25-fold, 1.5-fold, 1.75-fold, 2.0-
fold,
2.25-fold, 2.5-fold, 2.75-fold, 3.0-fold, 3.25-fold, 3.5-fold, 3.75-fold, 4.0-
fold,
4.25-fold, 4.5-fold, 4.75-fold, 5.0-fold, 5.5-fold, 6.0-fold, 6.5-fold, 7.0-
fold, 7.5-fold,
8.0-fold, 8.5-fold, 9.0-fold, 9.5-fold, or 10.0-fold or more, when the
antibody is ad-
ministered in vivo.
[0487] In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for preparing a
medicament or a
pharmaceutical formulation, comprising mixing any of the polypeptides
comprising a
variant Fc region provided herein with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,
e.g., for
use in any of the above therapeutic methods. In one embodiment, the methods
for
preparing a medicament or a pharmaceutical formulation further comprise adding
at
least one additional therapeutic agent to the medicament or pharmaceutical for-
mulation.
[0488] Antibodies of the invention can be used either alone or in
combination with other
agents in a therapy. For instance, an antibody of the invention may be co-
administered
with at least one additional therapeutic agent.
[0489] Likewise, polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region of the
invention can be used
either alone or in combination with other agents in a therapy. For instance, a
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the invention may be co-
administered
with at least one additional therapeutic agent.
[0490] Such combination therapies noted above encompass combined
administration (where
two or more therapeutic agents are included in the same or separate
formulations), and
separate administration, in which case, administration of the antibody or
polypeptide
comprising a variant Fc region of the invention can occur prior to,
simultaneously,
and/or following, administration of the additional therapeutic agent or
agents. In one
embodiment, the administration of the anti-myostatin antibody and the
administration
of an additional therapeutic agent occur within about one month, or within
about one,
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two or three weeks, or within about one, two, three, four, five, or six days,
of each
other.
[0491] In another embodiment, the administration of the polypeptide
comprising the variant
Fc region and the administration of an additional therapeutic agent occur
within about
one month, or within about one, two or three weeks, or within about one, two,
three,
four, five, or six days, of each other.
[0492] An antibody or a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the
invention (and
optionally any additional therapeutic agent) can be administered by any
suitable
means, including parenteral, intrapulmonary, and intranasal, and, if desired
for local
treatment, intralesional administration. Parenteral infusions include
intramuscular, in-
travenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous administration.
Dosing can be
by any suitable route, e.g., by injections, such as intravenous or
subcutaneous in-
jections, depending in part on whether the administration is brief or chronic.
Various
dosing schedules including but not limited to single or multiple
administrations over
various time-points, bolus administration, and pulse infusion are contemplated
herein.
[0493] Antibodies or polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region of the
invention can be
formulated, dosed, and administered in a fashion consistent with good medical
practice. Factors for consideration in this context include the particular
disorder being
treated, the particular mammal being treated, the clinical condition of the
individual
patient, the cause of the disorder, the site of delivery of the agent, the
method of ad-
ministration, the scheduling of administration, and other factors known to
medical
practitioners. The antibody need not be, but is optionally formulated with one
or more
agents currently used to prevent or treat the disorder in question. The
effective amount
of such other agents depends on the amount of antibody present in the
formulation, the
type of disorder or treatment, and other factors discussed above. These are
generally
used in the same dosages and with administration routes as described herein,
or about
from 1 to 99% of the dosages described herein, or in any dosage and by any
route that
is empirically/clinically determined to be appropriate.
[0494] For the prevention or treatment of disease, the appropriate dosage
of an antibody of
the invention (when used alone or in combination with one or more other
additional
therapeutic agents) will depend on the type of disease to be treated, the type
of
antibody, the type of polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region, the severity
and
course of the disease, whether the antibody or polypeptide comprising the
variant Fc
region, is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, previous
therapy, the
patient's clinical history and response to the antibody or polypeptide
comprising the
variant Fc region, and the discretion of the attending physician. The antibody
or
polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the invention is suitably
administered to
the patient at one time or over a series of treatments. Depending on the type
and
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severity of the disease, about 1 micro g/kg to 15 mg/kg (e.g., 0.1mg/kg-
10mg/kg) of
antibody can be an initial candidate dosage for administration to the patient,
whether,
for example, by one or more separate administrations, or by continuous
infusion. One
typical daily dosage might range from about 1 micro g/kg to 100 mg/kg or more,
depending on the factors mentioned above. For repeated administrations over
several
days or longer, depending on the condition, the treatment would generally be
sustained
until a desired suppression of disease symptoms occurs. One exemplary dosage
of the
antibody or polypeptide comprising the variant Fc region would be in the range
from
about 0.05 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg. Thus, one or more doses of about 0.5
mg/kg, 2.0
mg/kg, 4.0 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg (or any combination thereof) may be administered
to
the patient. Such doses may be administered intermittently, e.g., every week
or every
three weeks (e.g., such that the patient receives from about two to about
twenty, or e.g.,
about six doses of the antibody or polypeptide comprising the variant Fc
region). An
initial higher loading dose, followed by one or more lower doses may be
administered.
The progress of this therapy is easily monitored by conventional techniques
and
assays.
[0495] It is understood that any of the above formulations or therapeutic
methods may be
carried out using an immunoconjugate of the invention in place of or in
addition to an
anti-myostatin antibody.
[0496] It is likewise understood that any of the above formulations or
therapeutic methods
may be carried out using an immunoconjugate of the invention in place of or in
addition to a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region provided herein.
H. Articles of Manufacture
[0497] In another aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture
containing materials
useful for the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of the disorders
described above
is provided. The article of manufacture comprises a container and a label or
package
insert on or associated with the container. Suitable containers include, for
example,
bottles, vials, syringes, IV solution bags, etc. The containers may be formed
from a
variety of materials such as glass or plastic. The container holds a
composition which
is by itself or combined with another composition effective for treating,
preventing
and/or diagnosing the condition and may have a sterile access port (for
example the
container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper
pierceable by a
hypodermic injection needle). At least one active agent in the composition is
an
antibody of the invention. The label or package insert indicates that the
composition is
used for treating the condition of choice. Moreover, the article of
manufacture may
comprise (a) a first container with a composition contained therein, wherein
the com-
position comprises an antibody of the invention; and (b) a second container
with a
composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises a further
cytotoxic
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or otherwise therapeutic agent. The article of manufacture in this embodiment
of the
invention may further comprise a package insert indicating that the
compositions can
be used to treat a particular condition. Alternatively, or additionally, the
article of man-
ufacture may further comprise a second (or third) container comprising a
pharma-
ceutically-acceptable buffer, such as bacteriostatic water for injection
(BWFI),
phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution. It may
further
include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint,
including
other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, and syringes.
[0498] It is understood that any of the above articles of manufacture may
include an im-
munoconjugate of the invention in place of or in addition to an anti-myostatin
antibody.
Examples
[0499] The following are examples of methods and compositions of the
invention. It is un-
derstood that various other embodiments may be practiced, given the general de-
scription provided above.
Example 1
[0500] Expression and purification of human. cynomolgus monkey. and mouse
myostatin
latent and mature form
Human latent myostatin (also described herein as human myostatin latent form)
(SEQ ID NO: 1) was expressed transiently using FreeStyle293-F cells (F5293-F
cells)
(Thermo Fisher, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Conditioned media containing expressed
human
myostatin latent form was acidified to pH6.8 and diluted with 1/2 vol of
milliQ water,
followed by application to a Q-sepharose FF anion exchange column (GE
healthcare,
Uppsala, Sweden). The flow-through fraction was adjusted to pH5.0 and applied
to a
SP-sepharose HP cation exchange column (GE healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden), and
then
eluted with a NaCl gradient. Fractions containing the human myostatin latent
form
were collected and subsequently subjected to a Superdex 200 gel filtration
column (GE
healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden) equilibrated with lx PBS. Fractions containing
the
human myostatin latent form were then pooled and stored at -80 degrees C.
[0501] Human mature myostatin (also described herein as human myostatin
mature form)
(SEQ ID NO: 2) was purified from the purified human myostatin latent form. The
human myostatin latent form was acidified by addition of 0.1% trifluoroacetic
acid
(TFA) and applied to a Vydac 214TP C4 reverse phase column (Grace, Deerfield,
IL,
USA) and eluted with a TFA/CH3CN gradient. Fractions containing human mature
myostatin were pooled, dried and stored at -80 degrees C. To reconstitute,
human
mature myostatin was dissolved in 4m1VI HCl.
[0502] Expression and purification of myostatin latent and mature form from
cynomolgus
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monkey (cynomolgus or cyno) (SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, respectively) and mouse (SEQ
ID NOs: 5 and 6, respectively) were all performed exactly the same way as the
human
counterpart. The sequence homology of mature form among human, cyno, and mouse
are 100% identical, therefore, any of mature myostatin regardless of species
were used
as mature myostatin in all the necessary experiments.
Example 2
[0503] Identification of anti-latent myostatin antibody
Anti-latent myostatin antibodies were prepared, selected, and assayed as
follows.
[0504] Twelve to sixteen week old NZW rabbits were immunized intradermally
with mouse
latent myostatin and/or human latent myostatin (50-100 micro g/dose/rabbit).
This
dose was repeated 3-4 times over a one month period. One week after the final
immu-
nization, the spleen and blood from the immunized rabbit were collected.
Antigen-
specific B-cells were stained with labelled antigen, sorted with FCM cell
sorter (FACS
aria III, BD), and plated in 96-well plates at a one cell/well density
together with
25,000 cells/well of EL4 cells (European Collection of Cell Cultures) and with
rabbit
T-cell conditioned medium diluted 20 times, and were cultured for 7-12 days.
EL4
cells were treated with mitomycin C (Sigma) for 2 hours and washed 3 times in
advance. The rabbit T-cell conditioned medium was prepared by culturing rabbit
thymocytes in RPMI-1640 containing Phytohemagglutinin-M (Roche), phorbol
12-myristate 13-acetate (Sigma) and 2% FBS. After cultivation, B-cell culture
su-
pernatants were collected for further analysis and pellets were cryopreserved.
[0505] An ELISA assay was used to test the specificity of antibodies in a B-
cell culture su-
pernatant. Streptavidin (GeneScript) was coated onto a 384-well MAXISorp
(Nunc) at
50nM in PBS for 1 hour at room temperature. Plates were then blocked with
Blocking
One (Nacalai Tesque) diluted 5 times. Human or mouse latent myostatin was
labelled
with NHS-PEG4-Biotin (PIERCE) and was added to the blocked ELISA plates,
incubated for 1 hour, and washed with Tris-buffered saline with 0.05% Tween-20
(TBS-T). B-cell culture supernatants were added to the ELISA plates, incubated
for
lhour, and washed with TBS-T. Binding was detected by goat anti-rabbit IgG-
horseradish peroxidase (B ETHYL) followed by the addition of ABTS (KPL).
[0506] A total of 17,818 B-cell lines were screened for binding specificity
to mouse and/or
human latent myostatin and 299 lines were selected and designated M5T0255-287,
630-632, 677-759, 910, 932-1048, 1050-1055, 1057-1066, 1068, 1070-1073,
1075-1110, 1113-1119. RNA was purified from corresponding cell pellets using
ZR-96
Quick-RNA kits (ZYMO RESEARCH).
[0507] DNA encoding the variable regions of the heavy and light chain of
each selected cell
line was amplified by reverse transcription PCR and cloned into expression
vectors
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with the heavy chain constant region Glm sequence (SEQ ID NO: 50 (the amino
acid
sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 7)) and with the light chain constant region
kOMTC
or kOMC sequence (SEQ ID NO: 53 or 194 (the amino acid sequence (both are the
same) is shown in SEQ ID NO: 8)), respectively. Recombinant antibodies were
expressed transiently using the FreeStyle F5293-F cells and 293fectin (Life
tech-
nologies), according to the manufacturer's instructions. Culture supernatant
or re-
combinant antibodies were used for screening. Recombinant antibodies were
purified
with protein A (GE Healthcare) and eluted in D-PBS or His buffer (20mM
Histidine,
150mM NaC1, pH6.0). Size exclusion chromatography was further conducted to
remove high molecular weight and/or low molecular weight component, if
necessary.
Example 3
[0508]
Characterization of anti-latent myostatin antibody (HEK Blue Assay (BMP1 ac-
tivation))
A reporter gene assay was used to assess the biological activity of active
myostatin in
vitro. HEKBlueTM TGF-beta cells (Invivogen) which express a Smad3/4-binding
elements (SBE)-inducible SEAP reporter genes, allow the detection of bioactive
myostatin by monitoring the activation of the activin type 1 and type 2
receptors.
Active myostatin stimulates the production of SEAP which is secreted into the
cell su-
pernatant. The quantity of SEAP secreted is then assessed using QUANTIBlueTm
(Invivogen).
[0509] HEK-B1ueTM TGF-beta cells were maintained in DMEM medium (Gibco) sup-
plemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 50 micro g/mL streptomycin, 50 U/mL
penicillin, 100 micro g/mL NormocinTM, 30 micro g/mL of Blasticidin, 200 micro
g/
mL of HygroGoldTM and 100 micro g/mL of ZeocinTm. During the functional assay,
cells were changed to assay medium (DMEM with 0.1% bovine serum albumin,
streptomycin, penicillin and NormocinTM) and seeded to a 96-well plate. Human,
cynomolgus, or mouse latent myostatin was incubated with recombinant human
BMP1
(R&D Systems) and anti-latent antibody at 37degrees C overnight. The sample
mixtures were transferred to cells. After 24-hour incubation, the cell
supernatants were
mixed with QUANTIBluer" and the optical density at 620 nm was measured in a
col-
orimetric plate reader. As shown as Figure 1, mAb MST1032-G1m (see Table 2a
for
amino acid and nucleotide sequences) prevented protease-mediated activation of
human, cynomolgus, and mouse latent myostatin, as reflected by lowered concen-
trations of secreted SEAP. MST1032-Glm showed almost comparable inhibition
activity against human, cynomolgus, and mouse latent myostatin.
0
L..)
Anti-latent myostatin antibodies and their DNA and amino acid sequences (shown
as SEQ ID NOs) o
1-,
P
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--..
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________ cr .
o
Variable region Constant region
tv
-4
ot
Heavy Light
Heavy Light P to)
Antibody name Abbreviation DNA PROTEIN DNA
PROTEIN DNA PROTEIN DNA PROTEIN
MS_MST1032Ha-G1m/MST1032La-kOMC MST1032-Glm 039 012 041 014
050 007 194 008
MS_MST1032Ha-F760/MST1032La-kOMC MST1032-F760 039 012 041
014 051 011 194 008
MS_M103205H000-SG1/M103202L000-SK1 M51032L000-SG1 or Ab001 040 013
042 015 052 009 054 010
MS_M 103205H000-F760/M 103202L000-5K1 M51032L000-F760 040
013 042 015 051 011 054 010
MS_M103205H714-SG1/M103202L861-SK1 MS1032L001-SG1 043 032 046
035 052 009 054 010
MS_M103205H781-SG1/M103202L719-SK1 MS1032L002-SG1 044 033 047
036 052 009 054 010
P
MS_M103205H781-SG1/M103202L813-SK1 MS1032L003-SG1 044 033 048
037 052 009 054 010 .
Lo
MS_M103205H707-SG1/M103202L802-SK1 MS1032L004-SG1 045 034 049
038 052 009 054 010 .
MS_M103205H714-F760/M103202L861-SK1 MS1032L001-F760 043
032 046 035 051 011 054 010 A
N,
MS_M103205H781-F760/M103202L719-SK1 MS1032L002-F760 044
033 047 036 051 011 054 010 ¨
toy,
?,c)
MS_M103205H781-F760/M103202L813-SK1 MS1032L003-F760 044
033 048 037 051 011 054 010 00
i
MS_M103205H707-F760/M103202L802-SK1 MS1032L004-F760 045
034 049 038 051 011 054 010 A
,
1-,
,
v
n
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t-,...)
=
,-,
cA
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oc
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ot
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HVR amino acid sequences of anti-latent myostatin antibodies (shown as SEQ ID
NOs) 74 o
,-,
P -4
--,
0
CI-17. A
Hyper Variable region (HVR)
tv =-.1
oe
Antibody name Abbreviation H1 H2 H3
Li L2 L3
MS_MST1032Ha-G1m/MST1032La-k0MC MS11032-G1m 055 058 061
065 070 073
MS_MST1032Ha-F760/MST1032La-kOMC MST1032-F760 055 058 061
065 070 073
MS_M103205H000-SG1/M103202L000-SK1 MS1032L000-SG1 or
Ab001 055 058 061 065 070 073
MS_M 103205H 000-F760/M 103202L000-SK1 MS1032L000-F760
055 058 061 065 070 073
MS_M103205H714-SG 1/M 103202L861-SK1 M51032L001-SG1 057 058 063
067 071 074
MS_M103205H781-SG1/M103202L719-SK1 M51032L002-SG1 057 060 063
066 072 073 p
MS_M103205H781-SG1/M103202L813-SK1 M51032L003-SG1 057 060 063
068 070 074 .
L.
MS_M 103205H 707-SG 1/M 103202L802-SK1 MS10321004-SG1 056
058 063 069 071 073
MS_M103205H714-F760/M103202L861-SK1 MS1032L001-F760 057 058 063
067 071 074
MS_M103205H781-F760/M103202L719-SK1 MS1032L002-F760 057 060 063
066 072 073 T
MS_M103205H781-F760/M103202L813-SK1 MS1032L003-F760 057 060 063
068 070 074 .
,
,
M5_M 103205H 707-F760/M103202 L802-SK1 MS1032L004-F760
056 058 063 069 071 073
v
n
.i
L-...)
,-,
cA
,
o
x
-4
4,
oe
...1
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Example 4
[0510] Characterization of anti-latent myostatin antibody (HEK Blue Assay
(Spontaneous
activation))
Human, cynomolgus, or mouse latent myostatin was incubated with the anti-
latent
myostatin antibody at 37 degrees C overnight and the sample mixtures were
transferred
to HEK-BlueTm TGF-beta cells. After 24-hour incubation, cell supernatant was
mixed
with QUANTIBluem and the optical density at 620 nm was measured in a
colorimetric
plate reader. As shown as Figure 2, the liberation of active myostatin from
its latent
form was detected after incubation at 37 degrees C. In the presence of mAb
MST1032-G1m, myostatin activation was inhibited and thus a lower SEAP level
was
detected in the cell supernatant. MST1032-G1m inhibited spontaneous activation
of
latent myostatin, and showed almost comparable inhibition activity against
human,
cynomolgus, and mouse latent myostatin.
Example 5
[0511] Characterization of anti-latent myostatin antibody (ELISA)
Uncoated ELISA plates (NUNC-IMMUNO plate MAXISORP surface, Nalge Nunc
International) were coated with 20 micro L of 50nM streptavidin (GenScript)
for 1
hour at room temperature. Plates were then washed with PBST three times and
blocked
with 50 micro L 20% Blocking One (Nacalai Tesque) overnight. On the next day,
each
well of each plate was incubated with biotinylated mature myostatin, human or
mouse
biotinylated latent myostatin, or biotinylated recombinant mouse myostatin
propeptide-
Fc chimera protein (R&D Systems) at 4nM/well/20 micro L for 2 hours. After
washing, 20 micro L of antibody sample was added to the wells and the plates
were
left for 1 hour. The plates were washed and 20 micro L of anti-human IgG-
horseradish
peroxidase (HRP) (Abeam) diluted in HEPES-buffered saline was added, and the
plates were left for another hour. The plates were then washed again, and then
50
micro L ABTS (KPL) was added to each well, and the plates were incubated for 1
hour. The signal was detected at 405 nm in a colorimetric plate reader. The
results of
the binding experiment are shown in Figure 3. MST1032-Glm bound to latent
myostatin (i.e., the non-covalent complex of mature myostatin and propeptides)
and
propeptide, but did not bind to mature myostatin. These results show that
MST1032-G1m specifically binds to the myostatin propeptide (e.g., the
prppeptide
portion), but not to active myostatin (e.g., mature region).
Example 6
[0512] Characterization of anti-latent myostatin antibody (Western Blot)
Mouse latent myostatin was incubated with recombinant human BMP1 (R&D
Systems), with or without MST1032-Glm at 37 degrees C overnight. The samples
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were then mixed with 4x reducing SDS-PAGE sample buffer (Wako) and heated at
95
degrees C for 5 minutes and then loaded for SDS gel electrophoresis. Proteins
were
transferred to membrane by Trans-Blot (registered trademark) TurboTm Transfer
System (Bio-rad). Myostatin propeptide was detected using a sheep anti-mouse
GDF8
propeptide antibody (R&D Systems), which was then detected by anti-sheep IgG-
HRP
(Santa Cruz). The membrane was incubated with ECL substrate, and imaged using
an
ImageQuant LAS 4000 (GE Healthcare). As shown in Figure 4, propeptide cleavage
by BMP1 was inhibited by M5T1032-G1m.
Example 7
[0513] Characterization of anti-latent myostatin antibody (BIACORE
(registered
trademark))
The kinetic parameters of anti-latent myostatin antibodies against human,
cynomolgus monkey (cyno), and mouse latent myostatin were assessed at 37
degrees C
at pH7.4 using a BIACORE (registered trademark) T200 instrument (GE
Healthcare).
ProA/G (Pierce) was immobilized onto all flow cells of a CM4 chip using amine
coupling kit (GE Healthcare). Anti-latent myostatin antibody and analytes were
prepared in ACES pH7.4 (20 mM ACES, 150 mM NaCl, 1.2 mM CaCl2, 0.05% Tween
20, 0.005% NaN3). Antibody was captured onto the sensor surface by ProA/G.
Antibody capture levels were typically 150 to 220 resonance units (RU). Then
human,
cyno, or mouse latent myostatin was injected at 3.125 to 50 nM prepared by two-
fold
serial dilution, followed by dissociation. The sensor surface was regenerated
with 25
mM NaOH. Kinetic parameters were determined by processing and fitting the data
to a
1:1 binding model using BIACORE (registered trademark) T200 Evaluation
software,
version 2.0 (GE Healthcare). The sensorgrams are shown in Figure 5.
Association rate
(ka), dissociation rate (kd), and binding affinity (KD) are listed in Table 3.
The kinetic
parameters of M5T1032-Glm toward human, cyno, and mouse latent myostatin were
comparable.
[Table 3]
ka, kd, and KD of anti-latent myostatin antibody MST1032-G1m
ka (M"s") kd (S-1) KD (M)
Human latent myostatin 1.13E+06 8.65E-05 7.66E-11
Mouse latent myostatin 1.41E+06 8.16E-05 5.79E-11
Cyno latent myostatin 1.09E+06 7.79E-05 7.17E-11
Example 8
[0514] In vivo efficacy of anti-latent myostatin antibody on muscle mass
and fat mass
The in vivo efficacy of mAb MST1032-Glm was evaluated in mice. Anti-mature
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myostatin antibody 41C1E4 (as described in US Patent No. 7,632,499) was used
as
positive control in this study. To avoid potential immunomodulation due to a
mouse
anti-human antibody response, in vivo studies were performed in immune-
deficient
Severe Combined Immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Five-week-old SCID (C.B-17 SCID)
mice (Charles River Laboratories Japan, Inc.(Kanagawa, JAPAN)) were treated
with
monoclonal antibodies at various doses or vehicle (PBS) given intravenously
once per
week for two weeks. On day 0, 7 and 14, full body lean mass and fat mass of
the mice
were assessed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (the minispec LF-50, Bruker
Bio
Spin, (Kanagawa, JAPAN)). The animals were euthanized on day 14, and the gas-
trocnemius and quadriceps muscles were dissected and weighed.
[0515] Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA, a Student's t-test
and a Dunnett's
test with JMP 9 software (SAS, Inc.). A p value of less than 0.05 was
considered sig-
nificant.
[0516] The results of this experiment are shown in Figures 6A-C. Both
antibodies
(MST1032-G1m and 41C1E4) increased lean body mass dose-dependently, and
MST1032-G1m, when administered at 40 mg/kg, significantly decreased fat mass
compared with the vehicle (PBS) group on day 14.
[0517] After two-week treatment, the antibodies administrated at 10 mg/kg
and 40 mg/kg
resulted in significant increment of quadriceps and gastrocnemius wet weight
relative
to the vehicle group.
Example 9
[0518] Comparison of in vivo efficacy of various myostatin related
antibodies
All experimental settings for the comparison were the same as in Example 8.
Various
myostatin related antibodies, 41C1E4, REGN, OGD, and MY0-029 were tested in
five-week-old SCID mice for two weeks. REGN, OGD, and MY0-029 are anti-mature
myostatin antibodies described in WO 2011/150008 as H4H1657N2, WO
2013/186719 as OGD1Ø0., and WO 2004/037861 as MY0-029, respectively. These
antibodies were administrated intravenously once per week. Lean body mass and
fat
mass were examined by full-body NMR scanning on day 0 and 14. Grip strength
was
measured with a grip strength test meter (e.g., GPM-100B, MELQUEST Ltd.,
(Toyama, JAPAN)) on day 14. As shown in the results presented in Figures 7A-C,
the
lean body mass was increased by these antibodies except for MY0-029 (P>0.05).
Grip
strength of the MST1032-Glm-administered group was significantly increased
relative
to the vehicle (PBS) group, at 10 mg/kg (P<0.05). 41C1E4 and REGN also sig-
nificantly increased grip strength compared with the vehicle (PBS). Full body
fat mass
tended to be reduced by 10 mg/kg of MST1032-G1m. Fat mass reduction efficacy
of
MST1032-Glm was stronger than that of other anti-mature myostatin antibodies.
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Example 10
[0519] Humanization of anti-latent myostatin antibody
Amino acid residues of an antibody variable region are numbered according to
Kabat
(Kabat et al., Sequence of proteins of immunological interest, 5th Ed., Public
Health
Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (1991)).
[0520] Variable regions of the heavy and light chains for humanized MST1032
antibodies
were designed. Some of the humanized MST1032 antibodies contain back mutation
in
framework region. The polynucleotides of the designed heavy and light chain
variable
regions were synthesised by GenScript Inc., and were cloned into expression
vectors
containing the heavy chain constant region SG1 sequence (SEQ ID NO: 52 (the
amino
acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 9)) and the light chain constant region
SK1
sequence (SEQ ID NO: 54 (the amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 10)),
re-
spectively. Humanized antibodies were transiently expressed in F5293-F cells,
and
HEK Blue Assay and BIACORE (registered trademark) analysis were carried out as
described above. As shown in Figure 8 and Table 4, and compared to Figures 1
and 2,
humanized antibody (M51032L000-SG1) showed comparable inhibition activity and
affinity to chimeric antibody (MST1032-G1m).
[Table 4]
Kinetic parameters of humanized anti-latent myostatin antibody
ka (m-is-i) s-1
kd ( ) KD (M)
MST1032-G1m 1.13E+06 8.65E-
05 7.66E-11
MS1032L000-SG1 1.27E+06 9.52E-
05 7.50E-11
Example 11
[0521] Generation of pH-dependent anti-latent myostatin antibody
To generate pH-dependent anti-latent myostatin antibodies, histidine scanning
mu-
tagenesis was conducted for all CDRs of mAb MS1032L000-SG1. Each amino acid in
the CDRs was individually mutated to histidine using In-Fusion HD Cloning Kit
(Clontech Inc. or Takara Bio company) according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
After confirming through sequencing that each variant was mutated correctly,
variants
were transiently expressed and purified by the method described above. All
histidine-
substituted variants were evaluated by a modified BIACORE (registered
trademark)
assay as compared to that described above. Briefly, an additional dissociation
phase at
pH5.8 was integrated into the BIACORE (registered trademark) assay immediately
after the dissociation phase at pH7.4. This is to assess the pH-dependent
dissociation
between antibody (Ab) and antigen (Ag) from the complexes formed at pH7.4 as
opposed to the corresponding dissociation at pH5.8. The dissociation rate at
pH5.8
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buffer was determined by processing and fitting data using the Scrubber 2.0
(BioLogic
Software) curve fitting software.
[0522] As shown in Figure 9, the parental antibody (Ab001) showed no
reduction in binding
response at pH5.8 compared to the pH7.4 dissociation phase. Several of the
single-
histidine substitutions resulted in a moderate to strong reduction in binding
response at
pH5.8 compared to the pH7.4 dissociation phase. The dissociation rate at pH5.8
for
each of the single-histidine substitution variants are shown in Table 5. As
shown in
Table 5, Ab002 showed the fastest Ab/Ag complex dissociation rate at pH5.8,
more
than 200 fold faster than parental antibody (Ab001). Antibodies with a
combination of
these mutations in the CDRs were then generated. The CDR sequences of the an-
tibodies containing these various mutations are shown in Table 6.
[Table 51
pH5.8 dissociation rate for single histidine substituted anti-latent myostatin
antibodies
Name of variable region
Abbreviation kd (1/s)
Heavy chain Light chain
M103205H000 M103202L000 Ab001 2.92E-05
M103205H001 M103202L000 Ab002 6.09E-03
M103205H009 M103202L000 Ab003 8.80E-04
M103205H026 M103202L000 Ab004 1 .86E-04
M103205H028 M103202L000 Ab005 7.63E-05
M103205H000 M103202L008 Ab006 8.58E-05
M103205H028 M103202L008 Ab007 4.1 5E-04
0
ls)
CDR sequences and their SEQ ID NOs of histidine substituted anti-latent
myostatin antibodies 74
¨
Heavy chain
cr -,
Variable region Hyper Variable regioniHM Kabat No.
r,
.i.
Antibody name HI H2 H3 31 32 33 34 35
50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 95 96 97 98 99 100
100a100b100c 101 102 CA
00
.¨,
M20320514000 013 055 058 061
SYDIS 4 I SYAGST 1 YASWAKG GVPAYSTGGOL Cm
141011205H001 016 056 0541 061
HYD 1 5 1 ISVAGST YVASWAKG GVPAYSTGGOL
M10320311009 017 055 059 061
5 11) 1 5 1 4 SHAGST YYASWAKG GVPAYSTGGDL
M10320511026 018 055 058 062
3 11) 1 5 1 I S YAGSTYYASWAKG GVPAHSTGGOL
M10320511028 029 055 058 063
3112 1 S 1 ISTAGSTYYASWAKG GVPAYSHGGI) 1.
14103205H033 020 056 059 061
/I 10 1 S 1 1SHAGST YYASWAKG GVPAYSTGGOL
M103205H034 021 055 059 062
$ 10 1 5 I I SHAGS T YYASWAKG GVPAHSTGGOL
M10320511035 022 056 058 062
PI 10 1 5 1 ISVAGST YYASWAKG GYP AHSTGGDL
1410320511036 023 056 059 062
HYDIS 1 1 SHAGSTYYASWAKG GVPAHSTGGOL
1410320511707 024 056 058 063
HYD 1 5 1 I 3 YAGST YYASWAKG GVPAYSHGGOL
1410320511708 025 055 059 063
51 0 1 5 1 1 SHAGSTYYASWAKG GVPAYSHGGOL 0
1410320511709 026 055 058 064
$ 10 1 $ 1 4 3 YAGST 11ASWAKG GVPAHSHGGOL e
ko
o
1410320514710 027 056 059 063
il 11) i $ 1 1 SHAM' YYASWAKG GYP A 1 5 11 GGOL 0
m
a
1410320514711 028 OS 059 064 5104 S
1 ISHAGST YYASWAKG GVPAHSHGGOL m
m
M10320511712 029 056 058 064
Pi 10 1 5 1 1 5 YAGSTYVASWAKG GVPAHSHGGDL mt.71
o
M10320514713 030 056 059 064
44 10 1 5 1 !SHAGS T YYASWAKG GVPAHSHGGDL m---1
0
1
0
6
1
Light chain
r
4
Variable region Hyper Variable reelon (HVRI Kabat No.
Antibody name 11 U 13 24 25 26 27 27a 27b 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
50 51 52 53 54 55 56 .. 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 95a 96 97
141032021000 015 065 070 073
a 5 SQ 5 V 1 ON NWL 5 WASTL AS AGGYGGGI. YA
141032020308 031 066 070 073
4155Q 5 VY If 44 NWL 5 WASTE AS AGGYGGGLYA
v
n
1-3
,...
c.%
,.
=
cc
-4
4.
oo
-4
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Example 12
[0523] Affinity improvement of pH-dependent anti-latent myostatin antibody
To identify mutations which improve affinity at pH7.4 and/or in vitro
inhibition
activity, more than 500 variants were generated for heavy and light chain
respectively,
using at least one variant generated in Example 11 as a template. These
variants had
each amino acid in the CDRs substituted with 18 other amino acids, excluding
the
original amino acid and Cysteine. The binding ability of variants to human
latent
myostatin was assessed at 37 degrees C under pH7.4 using BIACORE (registered
trademark) 4000 instrument (GE Healthcare). Culture supernatant containing
variants
expressed in FS293-F cells was prepared with ACES pH7.4 buffer containing
10mg/m1
BSA and 0.1mg/mlcarboxymethyl dextran (CMD). Each antibody was captured onto
the flow cells until the capture level reached around 200 RU. Then 25 nM human
latent
myostatin was injected over the flow cells. An additional dissociation phase
at pH5.8
was integrated into the BIACORE (registered trademark) assay immediately after
the
dissociation phase at pH7.4. This additional dissociation phase assesses the
pH-
dependent dissociation between antibody (Ab) and antigen (Ag) from the
complexes
formed at pH7.4. The flow cell surface was regenerated with 25 mM NaOH.
Kinetic
parameters were determined using BIACORE (registered trademark) 4000
Evaluation
software, version 2.0 (GE Healthcare). Analysis of additional dissociation at
pH5.8
was performed using Scrubber2 (BioLogic Software).
[0524] Variants with improved affinity at pH7.4 and/or in vitro inhibition
activity were
selected, and combined with mutations improving pH dependency identified in
Example 11. After combination of these mutations, four variants (MS1032LO01,
02,
03, and 04) were selected, and transiently expressed with SG1 or F760 (SEQ ID
NO:
11 and 51) for BIACORE (registered trademark) binding kinetic analysis, in
vitro and/
or in vivo assays. Both SG1 and F760 are human heavy chain constant regions.
The
binding affinities of SG1 against human Fc gamma Rs are comparable to that for
the
natural IgG1 constant region, but that of F760 is abolished by Fc modification
(also
described herein as silent Fc). Amino acid and nucleotide sequences of the
four anti-
myostatin variants are shown in Table 2a.
Example 13
[0525] Characterization of pH-dependent MS1032 variants (HEK Blue Assay
(BMP1 and
Spontaneous activation))
All experimental settings were the same in Examples 3 and 4. As shown in
Figure
10, all variants showed comparable inhibition activity against human latent
myostatin
to M51032L000-SG1.
Example 14
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[0526] Characterization of pH-dependent MS1032 variants (BIACORE
(registered
trademark))
All experimental settings were the same as in Example 7, except that
measurements
were also performed in ACES pH5.8 buffer in addition to ACES pH7.4 condition.
Some antibodies were only measured against human latent myostatin. Antibody
capture level was aimed at 185 RU and 18.5 RU, for avidity and affinity assay,
re-
spectively. Kinetic parameters were determined using 1:1 Binding fitting using
BIACORE (registered trademark) T200 Evaluation software, version 2.0 (GE
Healthcare). The sensorgrams of all antibodies against human latent myostatin
with
avidity condition are shown in Figure 11, and ka, kd, and KD calculated from
different
conditions are listed in Tables 7-10. Under the avidity condition, all
antibodies except
M51032L000-SG1 showed a faster dissociation rate under acidic pH than neutral
pH.
Under the affinity condition, all antibodies except MS1032L000-SG1 showed a
weak
interaction with latent myostatin under acidic pH and therefore, kinetic
parameters
were not determined.
[Table 7]
ka, kd, and KD of avidity condition assay under neutral pH
I Human latent myostatin Mouse latent
myostatin Cyno latent myostatin
ka (V4s-1) kd (s-'1) KO (M) ka (Vis-1) kd (s-1)
KD (M) ka (M-1s-1) kd (s-1) KC, (M)
M510321.000-SG1 1.27E+06 9.52E-05 7.50E-11 1.52E+06 7.18E-05 4.71E-11 1.21E-f-
06 8,08E-05 6.66E-11
M510321.001-5G1 1.27E+06 2.16E-04 1.70E-10 1.45E+06 2.17E-04 1.49E-10 1.19E+06
1.97E-04 1.65E-10
MS10321.002-SG1 8.36E+05 2.49E-04 2.98E-10 N/T N/T N/T NfT
N/T N/T
M.510321003-SG1 9.81E+05 1.92E-04 1.96E-10 NIT N/T N/T NIT N/T
N/T
M510321004-5G1 L33E+06 2.17E-04 1.63E-10 N/T N/T N/T N/T N/T
N/1"
N/T: not tested
[Table 8]
ka, kd, and KD of avidity condition assay under acidic pit
Human latent myostatin Mouse latent
myostatin Cyno latent myostatin
/co (M-15-1) kd (s4) KD (M) ka (M1s-1) kd (s-1)
KD (M) ka (N1-10 kd (s1) KD (M)
MS10321,000-SG1 1.60E+06 1,28E-04 7.97E-11 232E+06 2.02E-05 8.70E-12 1.79E+06
1.58E-05 8.83E-12
MS10321001-5G1 1.22E+06 2.42E-02 1.99E-08 1.02E+06 6.25E-03 6.15E-09 7.64E+05
6.80E-03 &90E-09
M510321.002-5G1 1.70E+06 4.14E-02 2.43E-08 N/T N/T N/7 N/T
N/T N/T
M51032L003-5G/ 5.43E+05 5.24E-03 9.66E-09 N/T N/T N/T N/T N/7'
N/T
M510321004-SG1 7.81E+05 7.13E-03 9.13E-09 Ng N/T N/T NIT NIT
N/T
NIT: not tested
[Table 9]
ka, kd, and KD of affinity condition assay under neutral pH
Human latent myostatin Mouse latent
myostatin Cyno latent myostatin
ka (M-Is-1) kd (s-1) KD (M) ka (M-1s4) kd (s-1)
KD (M) ka (M71s-1) kd (s-1) Kb (M)
MS1032L000-5G1 1.07E+06 245E-04 2.30E-10 1.31E+06 1.60E-04 1.22E-10 102E+06
2.13E-04 2.09E-10
M51032L001-5G1 1.64E4-06 1.29E-03 7.88E-10 1.50E+06 1.07E-03 7.13E-10 1.15E+06
1.10E-03 9.54E-10
M510321.002-5G1 1.09E+06 1.79E-03 1.64E-09 N/T N/T N/T N/T
N/T N/T
M51032L003-5G1 1.08E+06 1.17E-03 1.08E-09 N/T N/T N/T N/T N/T
N/T
M510321004-5G1 1.54E+06 1.25E-03 8.12E-10 WT N/T N/T N/T N/T
N/T
N/T: not tested
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[Table 10]
ka, kd, and KD of affinity condition assay under acidic pH
Human latent myostatin Mouse latent myostatin Cyno
latent myostatin
ko (Mis-1) kd KD (M) ka (WO kd (4) KD (M) ka (M's') kd
KD (M)
M51032L000-5G1 1.09E+06 2.35E-04 2.15E-10 1.62E+06 7.08E-05 4.38E-11 1.41E+06
1.96E-04 1.39E-10
M51032L001-SG1 n. . n.d. n.d. n.d, n.d. n.d. n.d.
n.d. n.d.
MS1032L002-SG1 n.d. n.d. n.d. N/T NIT N/T
N/T N/T
11451032L003-5G1 n.d. n.d. n.d. N/T NfT N/T N/T
N/T NIT
MS1032L004-5G1 n.d. n.d. n.d. N/T N/T N/T N/T
N/T N/T
n.d.: not determined, NIT: not tested
Example 15
[0527] Comparison of plasma total myostatin concentration between
antibodies with Fc
gamma R binding and an abolished Fc gamma R binding in mice
In vivo test using C.B-17 SCID mice
The accumulation of endogenous myostatin was assessed in vivo upon
administration
of anti-latent myostatin antibody in C.B-17 SC1D mice (In Vivos, Singapore).
An anti-
latent myostatin antibody (3mg/m1) was administered at a single dose of 10
ml/kg into
the caudal vein. Blood was collected 5 minutes, 7 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3
days, 7 days,
14 days, 21 days, and 28 days after administration. The collected blood was
cen-
trifuged immediately at 14,000 rpm in 4 degrees C for 10 minutes to separate
the
plasma. The separated plasma was stored at or below -80 degrees C until
measurement.
The anti-latent myostatin antibodies used were MS1032L000-SG1 and
MS1032L000-F760.
Measurement of total myostatin concentration in plasma by electrochemilumi-
nescence (ECL)
[0528] The concentration of total myostatin in mouse plasma was measured by
ECL. Anti-
mature myostatin-immobilized plates were prepared by dispensing anti-mature
myostatin antibody RK35 (as described in WO 2009/058346) onto a MULTI-ARRAY
96-well plate (Meso Scale Discovery) and incubated overnight at 4 degrees C.
Mature
myostatin calibration curve samples and mouse plasma samples diluted 40-fold
or
more were prepared. The samples were mixed in an acidic solution (0.2 M
Glycine-
HC1, pH2.5) to dissociate mature myostatin from its binding protein (such as
propeptide). Subsequently, the samples were added onto an anti-mature
myostatin-
immobilized plate, and allowed to bind for 1 hour at room temperature before
washing.
Next, SULFO TAG labelled anti-mature myostatin antibody RK22 (as described in
WO 2009/058346) was added and the plate was incubated for 1 hour at room tem-
perature before washing. Read Buffer T (x4) (Meso Scale Discovery) was
immediately
added to the plate and signal was detected by SECTOR Imager 2400 (Meso Scale
Discovery). The mature myostatin concentration was calculated based on the
response
of the calibration curve using the analytical software SOFTmax PRO (Molecular
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Devices). The time course of total myostatin concentration in plasma after
intravenous
administration of anti-latent myostatin antibody measured by this method is
shown in
Figure 12.
Effect of Fe gamma R binding on myostatin accumulation in vivo
[0529] After administration of antibody MS1032L000-F760, the plasma total
myostatin
concentration at day 28 accumulated 248 fold compared to plasma total
myostatin con-
centration at 5 minutes. In contrast, after administration of MS1032L000-SG1,
plasma
total myostatin concentration at day 28 accumulated 37 fold compared to plasma
total
myostatin concentration at 5 minutes. An approximately 7 fold difference of
plasma
total myostatin concentration at day28 was observed between MS1032L000-F760
(silent Fe) and MS1032L000-SG1 due to Fe gamma R binding. In human soluble IL-
6R (hsIL-6R), no significant difference in plasma hsIL-6R concentration was
observed
between anti-hsIL-6R antibody-F760 (silent Fe) and -SG1 as described in WO
2013/125667. Since hsIL-6R is a monomeric antigen, antibody-hsIL-6R complex
contains only 1 Fe. Therefore, the result in WO 2013/125667 suggested that an
antibody-antigen complex with 1 Fe has no significant binding to Fe gamma R in
vivo
to accelerate the uptake of immune complex by cells. On the other hand, with a
multimeric antigen (such as myostatin), antibody can make a large immune
complex
and the antibody-antigen complex contains more than 2 Fe. Therefore, a
significant
difference in plasma antigen concentration can be observed between F760 and
SG1
due to strong avidity binding against Fe gamma R. The result suggests that
M5T1032
can form a large immune complex which contains more than 2 antibodies with
myostatin.
Example 16
[0530] Comparison of plasma total myostatin concentration between non-pH
dependent
anti-latent myostatin antibody and pH-dependent anti-latent myostatin antibody
in
mice
In vivo test using C.B-17 SCID mice
The in vivo accumulation of endogenous mouse myostatin was assessed after
admin-
istering anti-latent myostatin antibody in C.B-17 SCID mice (In Vivos,
Singapore) as
described in Example 15. The anti-latent myostatin antibodies used were
MS1032L001-SG1 and MS1032L001-F760.
Measurement of total myostatin concentration in plasma by ECL
[0531] The concentration of total myostatin in mouse plasma was measured by
ECL as
described in Example 15. The time course of plasma total myostatin
concentration
after intravenous administration of anti-latent myostatin antibody as measured
by this
method is shown in Figure 13.
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Effect of pH-dependent myostatin binding on myostatin accumulation in vivo
[0532] The pH-dependent anti-latent myostatin antibodies (MS1032L001-SG1
and
MS1032L001-F760) were tested in vivo and comparison of plasma total myostatin
concentration was made. The total myostatin concentration measurement results
after
administration of MS1032L000-SG1 and MS1032L000-F760 described in Example
15 are also shown in Figure 13. MS1032L000 is non pH-dependent antibody and
MS1032L001 is pH-dependent antibody. As shown in Figure 13, total myostatin
con-
centration after administration of MS1032L001-F760 was reduced compared to
MS1032L000-F760 due to pH-dependent binding. Moreover, total myostatin con-
centration after administration of M51032L001-SG1 was dramatically reduced
compared to that of MS1032L000-SG1 due to pH-dependent binding and increased
cellular uptake by Fc gamma R binding. It is expected that MS1032L001-SG1 has
a
superior property of enhancing myostatin clearance from plasma as a "sweeping
antibody".
Example 17
[0533] In vivo efficacy of pH-dependent anti-latent myostatin antibody
All experimental settings were the same as in Example 8. As shown in Figure
14,
when administrated intravenously to SCID mice at doses of 0.2, 1, and 5 mg/kg,
MS1032L000-SG1 (non-sweeping antibody) and MS1032L001-SG1 (sweeping
antibody) increased skeletal muscle mass dose-dependently after 2 weeks.
MS1032L001-SG1 significantly increased quadriceps wet weight and grip strength
at
1 and 5 mg/kg, and significantly increased lean body mass and gastrocnemius
wet
weight at 5 mg/kg relative to the vehicle group (PBS). MS1032L001-SG1 also sig-
nificantly decreased fat mass at 1 and 5 mg/kg relative to the vehicle group
(PBS).
MS1032L000-SG1 showed no increase in lean body mass at 0.2 mg/kg. On the other
hand, MS1032L001-SG1 drastically increased lean body mass, quadriceps wet
weight,
gastrocnemius wet weight and grip strength at 0.2 mg/kg. Hence, a pH-dependent
binding antibody shows greater muscle mass growth and muscle power improvement
relative to a non pH-dependent binding antibody.
Example 18
[0534] Expression and purification of human and mouse latent GDF11
Human GDF11 with Flag-tag on N-terminus (also described herein as Flag-hGDF11,
human latent GDF11, hGDF11, or human GDF11, SEQ ID NO: 85) were expressed
transiently using FreeStyle293-F cells (Thermo Fisher). Conditioned media
expressing
Flag-hGDF11 was applied to a column packed with anti-Flag M2 affinity resin
(Sigma) and eluted with Flag peptide (Sigma). Fractions containing Flag-hGDF11
were collected and subsequently subjected to a Superdex 200 gel filtration
column (GE
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healthcare) equilibrated with lx PBS. Fractions containing the Flag-hGDF11
were then
pooled and stored at -80 degrees C.
Example 19
[0535] Characterization of anti-latent myostatin antibody (ELISA)
Uncoated ELISA plates (NUNC-IMMUNO plate MAXISORP surface, Nalge Nunc
International) were coated with 20 micro L of 50nM streptavidin (GenScript)
for 2
hour at room temperature. Plates were then washed with PBST three times and
blocked
with 50 micro L 20% Blocking One (Nacalai Tesque) for overnight. On the next
day,
each well of the plates was incubated with biotinylated human latent myostatin
at
2nM/wel1/20 micro L or biotinylated human latent GDF11 at 20nM/we11/20 micro L
for 2 hours. After washing, 20 micro L of antibody sample was added to the
wells and
the plates were left for 1 hour. The plates were washed and 20 micro L of anti-
human
IgG-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (Abeam) diluted in HEPES-buffered saline was
added, and the plates were left for another hour. The wells were washed again,
and
then 50 micro L ABTS (KPL) was added to each well, and the plates were
incubated
for 1 hour. The signal was detected at 405 nm in a colorimetric plate reader.
The
results of the binding experiment are shown in Figure 15. M5T1032-G1m bound to
latent myostatin (i.e., non-covalent complex of mature myostatin and
propeptides), but
didn't bind to hGDF11. These results show that MST1032-G1m specifically binds
to
myostatin, not to hGDF11.
Example 20
[0536] Characterization of anti-latent myostatin antibody (HEK Blue Assay
(BMP1 and
spontaneous activation))
A reporter gene assay was used to assess the biological activity of active
GDF11 in
vitro. HEK-BlueTM TGF-beta cells (Invivogen) that express a Smad3/4-binding
element (SBE)-inducible SEAP reporter gene, allow the detection of bioactive
GDF11
by monitoring the activation of the activin type 1 and type 2 receptors.
Active GDF11
stimulates the production and secretion of SEAP into the cell supernatant. The
quantity
of SEAP secreted is then assessed using QUANTIBlueTm (Invivogen).
[0537] HEKBlueTM TGF-beta cells were maintained in DMEM medium (Gibco) sup-
plemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 50 micro g/mL streptomycin, 50U/mL
penicillin, 100 micro g/mL Normocin'TM, 30 micro g/mL of Blasticidin, 200
micro g/
mL of HygroGoldTm and 100 micro g/mL of ZeocinTm. During the functional assay,
cells were changed to assay medium (DMEM with 0.1% bovine serum albumin,
streptomycin, penicillin and NormocinTm) and seeded to a 96-well plate. Human
GDF11 was incubated with or without recombinant human BMP1 (Calbiochem) and
anti-latent antibody (MST1032-G1m) at 37 degrees C overnight. The sample
mixtures
164
CA 03002422 2018-04-17
WO 2017/104783 PCT/JP2016/087487
were transferred to cells. After 24-hour incubation, the cell supernatant was
mixed with
QUANTIBluerrm and the optical density at 620 nm was measured in a colorimetric
plate reader. As shown as Figure 16, MST1032-Glm did not prevent protease-
mediated or spontaneous activation of human GDF11 and thus failed to inhibit
the
secretion of SEAP.
Example 21
[0538] Further optimization of MS1032 variants to enhace the sweeping
effect
As the pH dependent antibody, MS1032L001-SG1, showed superior efficacy in
mouse, further optimization was conducted to increase pH dependency, to
enhance up-
take into cells, to increase stability, and so on by introducing mutations
into the
antibody CDRs or by changing framework regions. More than a thousand variants
were assessed in a BIACORE (registered trademark) and/or HEK Blue Assay as
descrived above, and MS1032L006-SG1, MS1032L007-SG1, MS1032L010-SG1,
MS1032L011-SG1, M51032L012-SG1, MS1032L018-SG1, MS1032L019-SG1,
MS1032L021-SG1, MS1032L023-SG1, MS1032L024-SG1, MS1032L025-SG1,
and M51032L026-SG1 were generated. Their amino acid and nucleotide sequences
of
these generate antibodies are shown in Table 11.
0
n.)
MS1032 variants and their DNA and amino acid sequences (shown as SEQ ID NOs)
*6
P
-4
--..
_______________________________________________________________________________
______________________ cr .
o
Variable region Constant region -4
ot
Heavy Light
Heavy Light
Antibody name Abbreviation DNA PROTEIN DNA
PROTEIN DNA PROTEIN DNA PROTEIN
MS_M103205H795-SG1/M103202L889-SK1 MS1032 L006-SG1 100 86 110
96 052 009 054 010
MS_M103205H1004-SG1/M103202L889-SK1 MS1032 L007-5G1 101 87 110
96 052 009 054 010
MS_M103205H1046-SG1/M103202L889-SK1 MS1032L010-5G1 102 88 110
96 052 009 054 010
MS_M103205H1047-SG1/M103202L889-SK1 MS1032L011-SG1 103 89 110
96 052 009 054 010
MS_M103205 H1057-SG 1/M 103202L889-SK1 MS1032L012-SG1 104 90 110
96 052 009 054 010
MS_M103205H1186-5G1/M103202L889-5K1 MS1032L018-5G1 105 91 110
96 052 009 054 010
MS_M103240H795-5G1/M103202L1045-5K1 MS1032 L019-5G1 106 92 111
97 052 009 054 010 P
MS_M103245 H795-SG 1/ M103202L1045-SK1 MS1032L021-SG1 107 93 111
97 052 009 054 010 .
Lo
MS_M103245H1233-5G 1/M 103202L1045-SK1 MS1032L023-SG1 108 94
111 97 052 009 054 010 .
A
MS_M103205 H795-SG 1/ M103202L1060-SK1 MS1032 L024-SG1 100 86 112
98 052 009 054 010 N,
N)--
MS_M103240H1246-5G1/M103202L1045-SK1 M51032L025-5G1 109 95
111 97 052 009 054 010 to ci,
(-A
' MS_M103240H795-561/M103209L1045-5K1 M51032L026-5G1 106 92 113
99 052 009 054 010 .
A
,
1-,
,
v
n
L-.....)
=
cA
,
c,
oc
-.)
4,
ot
....1
o
L..)
HVR amino acid sequences of MS1032 variants (shown as SEQ ID NOs)
74
P
-4
--,
0
Hyper Variable region (HVR)
=-.1
oe
Antibody name Abbreviation H1 H2 H3
L1 L2 L3 '
MS_M103205H795-SG1/M103202L889-SK1 M51032L006-SG1 114 58 63 122
71 74
MS_M103205H1004-SG1/M103202L889-SK1 M51032L007-SG1 114 116 121
122 71 74
MS_M103205H1046-SG1/M103202L889-SK1 M51032L010-SG1 57 117 63
122 71 74
MS_M103205H1047-SG1/M103202L889-SK1 M51032L011-SG1 57 118 63
122 71 74
MS_M103205H1057-5G1/M103202L889-SK1 M51032L012-SG1 57 119 63
122 71 74
MS_M103205H1186-SG1/M103202L889-SK1 M51032L018-SG1 114 118 63
122 71 74
MS_M103240H795-SG1/M103202L1045-SK1 MS1032L019-SG1 114 58
63 123 71 74 P
MS_M103245H795-5G1/M103202L1045-SK1 M51032L021-SG1 114 58
63 123 71 74 L.
MS_M103245H1233-SG1/M103202L1045-5K1 M51032L023-5G1 115 58 63
123 71 74 .
MS_M103205H795-SG1/M103202L1060-SK1 MS1032L024-SG1 114 58
63 124 125 74 ¨
toci,
MS_M103240H1246-SG1/M103202L1045-5K1 MS1032L025-SG1 115 120 63
123 71 74 i
, MS_M103240H795-SG1/M103209L1045-SK1 MS1032L026-5G1 114 58 63
123 71 74
,
v
n
.i
L-...)
cA
,
c,
oc
-4
4,
oe
...1
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