Fc variants with enhanced affinity for Fc receptors and improved thermal stability

Abstract

The present disclosure provides Fc domain variants, including effector-competent Fc domain variants.The present disclosure further provides nucleic acids encoding Fc domain variants, and host cells that produce Fc domain variants.Methods for increasing the yield of Fc domain variants and methods for using Fc domain variants to treat disease are also provided.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related Applications This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 193665, filed May 27, 2021, and European Patent Application No. 21315127.7, filed July 15, 2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. [Background technology]

[0002] Specific engagement between the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of an antibody and the Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) is an early step in effector functions such as antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) (Arnold et al., 2007). In humans, the activating FcγRIIIa is expressed on the surface of natural killer cells. FcγRIIIa is a low affinity receptor, and cross-linking of this surface receptor, accompanied by engagement of clustered Fc regions in antibody-antigen immune complexes, leads to cell activation. The Fc region also interacts with the fetal Fc receptor (FcRn). This interaction has been shown to reduce lysosomal degradation in endothelial cells and extend the half-life of IgG. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Fc engineering has been widely pursued to identify Fc domain variants that enhance affinity for Fc receptors and therefore improve ADCC activity and / or serum half-life. Novel Fc domain variants are needed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present disclosure is directed, in part, to the discovery that Fc domain variants with altered effector function have reduced thermal stability relative to wild-type Fc domains. Accordingly, the present disclosure is further directed, in part, to the discovery of novel Fc domain variants that have increased thermal stability and, unexpectedly, increased in vivo stability.

[0005] In one aspect, an isolated effector-competent polypeptide is provided comprising a glycosylated Fc domain comprising a first heavy chain and a second heavy chain, wherein at least one heavy chain comprises an engineered intrachain disulfide bond mediated by a pair of cysteines (C) replacing (i) a leucine (L) at amino acid position 242 and a lysine (K) at amino acid position 334; (ii) an alanine (A) at amino acid position 287 and a leucine (L) at amino acid position 306; or (iii) an arginine (R) at amino acid position 292 and a valine (V) at amino acid position 302; said amino acid positions are according to EU numbering; the glycosylated Fc domain is capable of interacting with an antibody effector molecule; and the effector-competent polypeptide has enhanced thermal stability compared to an effector-competent polypeptide having a glycosylated Fc domain capable of interacting with an antibody effector molecule that does not comprise an engineered intrachain disulfide bond.

[0006] In certain exemplary embodiments, the glycosylated Fc domain comprises a native glycan at amino acid position 297 according to EU numbering.

[0007] In certain exemplary embodiments, the glycosylated Fc domain comprises an engineered or non-natural glycan at amino acid position 297. In certain exemplary embodiments, the engineered or non-natural glycan is a modified glycan.

[0008] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide is N-glycosylated.

[0009] In certain exemplary embodiments, the glycosylated Fc domain comprises a modified glycan attached to a therapeutic molecule.

[0010] In certain exemplary embodiments, the first heavy chain comprises a pair of cysteines. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first and second heavy chains each comprise a pair of cysteines.

[0011] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain is an IgG1 Fc domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the IgG1 Fc domain is a human IgG1 Fc domain.

[0012] In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody effector molecule is FcRn. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide has enhanced binding affinity for FcRn compared to a wild-type Fc domain.

[0013] In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody effector molecule is FcγRIIIa. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has enhanced binding affinity for FcγRIIIa compared to a polypeptide comprising a wild-type Fc domain.

[0014] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has an altered serum half-life compared to the wild-type Fc domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has an improved serum half-life compared to the wild-type Fc domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has improved in vivo stability compared to the wild-type Fc domain.

[0015] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises a substitution at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering. In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 332 is glutamic acid (E). In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises one or more substitutions at amino acid positions 236, 239, or 330 according to EU numbering. In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 236 is alanine (A). In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 239 is aspartic acid (D). In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 330 is leucine (L).

[0016] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239 and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering.

[0017] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering.

[0018] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering.

[0019] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises substitutions at amino acid positions 256 and / or 307 according to EU numbering. In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 256 is an aspartic acid (D). In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 307 is a glutamine (Q).

[0020] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256 and a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering.

[0021] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256, and a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering.

[0022] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256, and a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering.

[0023] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256, and a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering.

[0024] In another aspect, an isolated effector-capable polypeptide is provided, comprising a glycosylated Fc domain comprising a first heavy chain and a second heavy chain, wherein at least one heavy chain is mediated by a pair of cysteines (C) replacing (i) a leucine (L) at amino acid position 242 and a lysine (K) at amino acid position 334; (ii) an alanine (A) at amino acid position 287 and a leucine (L) at amino acid position 306; or (iii) an arginine (R) at amino acid position 292 and a valine (V) at amino acid position 302. , an engineered intrachain disulfide bond; the glycosylated Fc domain is capable of interacting with an antibody effector molecule and comprises a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332; the effector-competent polypeptide has enhanced thermal stability compared to an effector-competent polypeptide having a glycosylated Fc domain that does not comprise an engineered intrachain disulfide bond, the glycosylated Fc domain being capable of interacting with an antibody effector molecule and comprising a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332, wherein amino acid positions are according to EU numbering.

[0025] In certain exemplary embodiments, the glycosylated Fc domain comprises a native glycan at amino acid position 297 according to EU numbering.

[0026] In certain exemplary embodiments, the glycosylated Fc domain comprises a native glycan at amino acid position 297 according to EU numbering. In certain exemplary embodiments, the engineered or non-native glycan is a modified glycan.

[0027] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide is N-glycosylated. In certain exemplary embodiments, a modified glycan is attached to a therapeutic molecule.

[0028] In certain exemplary embodiments, the first heavy chain comprises a pair of cysteines. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first and second heavy chains each comprise a pair of cysteines.

[0029] In certain exemplary embodiments, the modified Fc domain is a human modified Fc domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the modified Fc domain is a human IgG1 modified Fc domain.

[0030] In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody effector molecule is FcRn. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide has enhanced binding affinity for FcRn compared to a wild-type Fc domain.

[0031] In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody effector molecule is FcγRIIIa. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has enhanced binding affinity for FcγRIIIa compared to a polypeptide comprising a wild-type Fc domain.

[0032] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has an altered serum half-life compared to the wild-type Fc domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has an improved serum half-life compared to the wild-type Fc domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has improved in vivo stability compared to the wild-type Fc domain.

[0033] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide further comprises an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, a leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256, and / or a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 30.

[0034] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239 and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering.

[0035] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering.

[0036] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering.

[0037] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256 and a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering.

[0038] In certain exemplary embodiments, the one or more substitutions are on the same heavy chain as the engineered disulfide bond.

[0039] In certain exemplary embodiments, the one or more substitutions are on a different heavy chain than the engineered disulfide bond.

[0040] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide further comprises a binding domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the binding domain comprises one or more antigen binding domains. In certain exemplary embodiments, the one or more antigen binding domains specifically bind to a tumor antigen. In certain exemplary embodiments, the one or more antigen binding domains specifically bind to an antigen on an immune cell. In certain exemplary embodiments, the binding polypeptide comprises a therapeutic polypeptide. In certain exemplary embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide may be a receptor, a ligand, or an enzyme.

[0041] In certain exemplary embodiments, the polypeptide is an antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the polypeptide is a monoclonal antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody is a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, or a human antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody is a full-length antibody.

[0042] In certain exemplary embodiments, the polypeptide is a single domain antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the single domain antibody is a VHH antibody.

[0043] In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody is a multispecific antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the multispecific antibody is a format selected from the group consisting of DVD-Ig, CODV-based formats such as CODV-Ig, CrossMab, CrossMab-Fab, and tandem Fab. Multispecific antibodies based on the CROSSODILES® CODV platform are described, inter alia, in WO 2012135345, WO 2016116626, WO 2017180913. CROSSODILES® is a registered trademark of Sanofi. In certain exemplary embodiments, the multispecific antibody is a T cell engager. In certain exemplary embodiments, the multispecific antibody is a NK cell engager.

[0044] In certain exemplary embodiments, the binding polypeptide is linked to the N-terminus and / or C-terminus of the Fc domain.

[0045] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide is capable of eliminating target cells by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and / or complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC).

[0046] In certain exemplary embodiments, the target cell is a cancer cell.

[0047] In certain exemplary embodiments, the target cell is an immune cell.

[0048] In certain exemplary embodiments, the polypeptide is an Fc fusion polypeptide.

[0049] In another aspect, there is provided an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid encoding the isolated effector capable polypeptide described above.

[0050] In certain exemplary embodiments, a vector comprises an isolated nucleic acid molecule, hi certain exemplary embodiments, the vector is an expression vector.

[0051] In another aspect, a host cell comprising the vector is provided.

[0052] In certain exemplary embodiments, the host cell is of eukaryotic or prokaryotic origin. In certain exemplary embodiments, the host cell is of mammalian origin. In certain exemplary embodiments, the host cell is of bacterial origin.

[0053] In another aspect, a pharmaceutical composition is provided comprising the isolated effector-capable polypeptide described above.

[0054] In another aspect, there is provided a method of increasing the yield of an isolated effector-capable polypeptide, the method comprising expressing a glycosylated Fc domain comprising a first heavy chain and a second heavy chain, wherein at least one heavy chain has an engineered intrachain disulfide bond mediated by a pair of cysteines (C) replacing (i) a leucine (L) at amino acid position 242 and a lysine (K) at amino acid position 334; (ii) an alanine (A) at amino acid position 287 and a leucine (L) at amino acid position 306; or (iii) an arginine (R) at amino acid position 292 and a valine (V) at amino acid position 302. the amino acid positions are according to EU numbering; the glycosylated Fc domain is capable of interacting with an antibody effector molecule; the effector-capable polypeptide has enhanced thermal stability compared to an effector-capable polypeptide having a glycosylated Fc domain capable of interacting with an antibody effector molecule that does not comprise an engineered intrachain disulfide bond, and further the method comprises purifying the effector-capable polypeptide, wherein yield of the polypeptide is increased compared to a polypeptide comprising a wild-type glycosylated Fc domain.

[0055] In certain exemplary embodiments, the glycosylated Fc domain comprises a natural glycan at amino acid position 297 according to EU numbering. In certain exemplary embodiments, the glycosylated Fc domain comprises an engineered or non-natural glycan, which is optionally a modified glycan, at amino acid position 297. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide is N-glycosylated. In certain exemplary embodiments, the modified glycan can be attached to a therapeutic molecule.

[0056] In certain exemplary embodiments, the first heavy chain comprises a pair of cysteines.

[0057] In certain exemplary embodiments, each of the first and second heavy chains comprises a pair of cysteines.

[0058] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain is a human Fc domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain is an IgG1 Fc domain.

[0059] In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody effector molecule is FcRn. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide has enhanced binding affinity for FcRn compared to a wild-type Fc domain.

[0060] In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody effector molecule is FcγRIIIa. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has enhanced binding affinity for FcγRIIIa compared to a polypeptide comprising a wild-type Fc domain.

[0061] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has an altered serum half-life compared to a wild-type Fc domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide has an improved serum half-life compared to a wild-type Fc domain.

[0062] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated polypeptide further comprises one or more effector function enhancing amino acid substitutions, optionally at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering. In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 332 is glutamic acid (E). In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises one or more substitutions at amino acid positions 236, 239, or 330 according to EU numbering. In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 236 is alanine (A). In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 239 is aspartic acid (D). In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 330 is leucine (L).

[0063] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239 and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering.

[0064] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering.

[0065] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering.

[0066] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide further comprises a substitution at amino acid position 256 and / or 307 according to EU numbering. In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 256 is aspartic acid (D). In certain exemplary embodiments, the substitution at amino acid position 307 is glutamine (Q).

[0067] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256 and a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering.

[0068] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256, and a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering.

[0069] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256, and a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering.

[0070] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain further comprises an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256, and a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering. In certain exemplary embodiments, the one or more substitutions are on the same heavy chain as the engineered disulfide bond. In certain exemplary embodiments, the one or more substitutions are on a different heavy chain than the engineered disulfide bond.

[0071] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide further comprises a binding polypeptide. In certain exemplary embodiments, the binding polypeptide comprises one or more antigen binding domains. In certain exemplary embodiments, the one or more antigen binding domains specifically bind to a tumor antigen. In certain exemplary embodiments, the one or more antigen binding domains specifically bind to an antigen on an immune cell.

[0072] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated polypeptide with effector capability is an antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated polypeptide with effector capability is a monoclonal antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody is a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, or a human antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody is a full-length antibody.

[0073] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-capable polypeptide is a single domain antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the single domain antibody is a VHH antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the antibody is a multispecific antibody. In certain exemplary embodiments, the multispecific antibody is a format selected from the group consisting of DVD-Ig, CODV-based formats such as CODV-Ig, CrossMab, CrossMab-Fb, and tandem Fab. In certain exemplary embodiments, the multispecific antibody is a T cell engager. In certain exemplary embodiments, the multispecific antibody is a NK cell engager.

[0074] In certain exemplary embodiments, the binding polypeptide comprises a therapeutic polypeptide, which may be a receptor, a ligand, or an enzyme.

[0075] In certain exemplary embodiments, the binding polypeptide is linked to the N-terminus and / or C-terminus of the Fc domain.

[0076] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide can eliminate a target cell by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and / or complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). In certain exemplary embodiments, the target cell is a cancer cell. In certain exemplary embodiments, the target cell is an immune cell.

[0077] In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector capable polypeptide is an Fc fusion polypeptide.

[0078] In another aspect, there is provided a method of treating a disease or disorder in a subject in need of treatment comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an effector-capable polypeptide as described above.

[0079] In certain exemplary embodiments, the disease or disorder is cancer. In certain exemplary embodiments, the disease or disorder is an inflammatory disease. In certain exemplary embodiments, the disease or disorder is an autoimmune disease.

[0080] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0081] [Figure 1A] The average hydrophobic contact frequency is shown at 300 K and 370 K. Figure 1A shows the average frequency of hydrophobic contacts of glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332. Figure 1B shows the root-mean-square fluctuation (Angstroms) of the alpha carbon at 300 K. [Figure 1B] The average hydrophobic contact frequency is shown at 300 K and 370 K. Figure 1A shows the average frequency of hydrophobic contacts of glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332. Figure 1B shows the root-mean-square fluctuation (Angstroms) of the alpha carbon at 300 K. [Diagram 2] An example of DSB grafting on the Fc CH2 domain is shown (line-ribbon) by I332E (green CPK rendering) and the structurally adjacent L242C+K334C engineered disulfide bond (orange CPK rendering). [Diagram 3] An example of a non-covalent network is shown for I332 (left panel, hydrophobic contacts highlighted by dotted lines) and I332E (right panel, electrostatic contacts highlighted by dotted lines). [Figure 4] Examples of positions chosen for DSB mutations are shown: L242+K334 (bars in circles) in the left panel, and R292 and V302 (bars in circles) in the right panel. [Diagram 5] The positions of A287 and L306 (lower yellow bars), chosen as negative controls, are shown, as these two residues are close to the FcRn-binding surface and at the interface of the IgG CH2 domain, and have a predicted lower structural impact than the two previous DSB schemes. [Figure 6-1] Extracted ion chromatogram (XIC) peptide quantification profiles of disulfide bonds by mAb1 ADLE and DSB mutants are shown. In ADLE, eight disulfide bonds were detected, except for 218LC-223HC, which eluted in the dead volume. In ADLE_DQ_R292C_V302C, nine disulfide bonds were detected, except for 218LC-223HC, which eluted in the dead volume. In ADLE_DQ_L242C_K334C, eight disulfide bonds were detected, except for 218LC-223HC, which eluted in the dead volume, along with one common peptide (same for mutants and hinge). [Figure 6-2] Continued from Figure 6-1. [Figure 6-3] Continued from Figure 6-2. [Figure 7A-1] XIC peptide quantification profiles of disulfide bonds from mAb1 DE and DSB mutants (Figure 7A) and mAb1 ADE and DSB mutants (Figure 7B). Eight disulfide bonds were detected in DE, except for 218LC-223HC, which eluted in the dead volume. Nine disulfide bonds were detected in DE_DQ_R292C_V302C, except for 218LC-223HC, which eluted in the dead volume. Nine disulfide bonds were detected in DE_DQ_L242C_K334C, except for 218LC-223HC, which eluted in the dead volume, along with one common peptide (same for mutations and hinge). [Figure 7A-2] Continued from Figure 7A-1. [Figure 7A-3] Continued from Figure 7A-2. [Figure 7B-1]XIC peptide quantification profiles of disulfide bonds from mAb1 DE and DSB mutants (Figure 7A) and mAb1 ADE and DSB mutants (Figure 7B). Eight disulfide bonds were detected in DE, except for 218LC-223HC, which eluted in the dead volume. Nine disulfide bonds were detected in DE_DQ_R292C_V302C, except for 218LC-223HC, which eluted in the dead volume. Nine disulfide bonds were detected in DE_DQ_L242C_K334C, except for 218LC-223HC, which eluted in the dead volume, along with one common peptide (same for mutations and hinge). [Figure 7B-2] Continued from Figure 7B-1. [Figure 7B-3] Continued from Figure 7B-2. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows the thermal stability effect of disulfide stabilization on mAb1 ADLE variants as determined by nano-differential scanning fluorimetry (nano-DSF). [Figure 9A] FIG. 9 shows the thermostability effect of disulfide stabilization on mAb1 DE (FIG. 9A) and ADE (FIG. 9B) variants as determined by nanoDSF. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9 shows the thermostability effect of disulfide stabilization on mAb1 DE (FIG. 9A) and ADE (FIG. 9B) variants as determined by nanoDSF. [Figure 10-1] Figure 1 shows the thermal stability effect of disulfide stabilization on the DE, ADE, DE+DSB(R292C-V302C), and ADE+DSB(R292C-V302C) variants of mAb3 and mAb4 as determined by nano-differential scanning fluorimetry (nano-DSF). The left panel shows the mAb3 variants, and the right panel shows the mAb4 variants, with color coding as follows: DE (green), ADE (red), DE+DSB (purple), ADE DSB (blue), WT (black). [Figure 10-2] Continued from Figure 10-1. [Figure 11-1]CDC activity of ADLE, DE, and ADE variants is shown relative to IgG1 wild type for mAb1+ / -ADLE, DE, or ADE+ / -DSB (L242C_K334C or R292C_V302C). [Figure 11-2] Continued from Figure 11-1. [Figure 12-1] CDC activity of ADLE, DE, and ADE variants is shown relative to IgG1 wild type for mAb1+ / -ADLE, DE, or ADE- / +DQ+ / -R292C_V302C. [Figure 12-2] Continued from Figure 12-1. [Figure 13-1] CDC activity of ADLE, DE, and ADE variants is shown relative to IgG1 wild type for mAb1+ADLE, DE, or ADE- / +DQ+ / -L242C_K334C. [Figure 13-2] Continued from Figure 13-1. [Figure 14-1] The ADCC activity of ADLE, DE and ADE variants is shown relative to IgG1 wild type for mAb1+ / -ADLE, DE, or ADE+ / -L242C_K334C or R294C_V304C. [Figure 14-2] Continued from Figure 14-1. [Figure 15-1] The ADCC activity of ADLE, DE, and ADE variants is shown relative to IgG1 wild type for mAb1+ / -ADLE, DE, or ADE- / +DQ+ / -R292C_V302C. [Figure 15-2] Continued from Figure 15-1. [Figure 16-1] The ADCC activity of ADLE, DE, and ADE variants is shown relative to IgG1 wild type for mAb1+ / -ADLE, DE, or ADE- / +DQ+ / -DSB L242C_K334C. [Figure 16-2] Continued from Figure 16-1. [Figure 17]Figure 1 shows the cytotoxic activity of ADE and DE variants with and without the R292C-V302C DSB substitution, with the y-axis representing the percentage of specific lysis and the x-axis representing the mAb3 concentration in nM. [Figure 18-1] The mean PK profile of the mAb1 antibody in Tg32 mice is shown (logarithmic scale). [Figure 18-2] Continued from Figure 18-1. [Figure 18-3] Continued from Figure 18-2. [Figure 19-1] 1 shows the mean PK profile of an additional mAb1 antibody in Tg32 mice (log scale). [Figure 19-2] Continued from Figure 19-1. [Figure 19-3] Continued from Figure 19-2. [Figure 20] The mean PK profile of the mAb3 antibody in Tg32 mice is shown (logarithmic scale). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0082] The present disclosure provides novel Fc domain variants (e.g., novel binding polypeptides comprising Fc domain variants) with improved thermal stability. The present disclosure further provides novel Fc domain variants (e.g., novel binding polypeptides comprising Fc domain variants) with improved binding to Fc receptors. The present disclosure further provides novel Fc domain variants (e.g., binding polypeptides comprising Fc domain variants) that include a glycosylated Fc domain that enhances interaction with antibody effector molecules compared to a wild-type (e.g., unmodified) Fc domain. The present disclosure further provides nucleic acids encoding the Fc domain variants (e.g., novel binding polypeptides comprising Fc domain variants), recombinant expression vectors and host cells that produce the Fc domain variants (e.g., novel binding polypeptides comprising Fc domain variants), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the isolated Fc domain variants (e.g., novel binding polypeptides comprising Fc domain variants). Methods of using the Fc domain variants (e.g., novel binding polypeptides comprising Fc domain variants) of the present disclosure to treat one or more diseases or disorders are further provided.

[0083] It is to be understood that the methods described in this disclosure are not limited to the particular methods and experimental conditions disclosed herein, and as such, the methods and conditions may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0084] Furthermore, the experiments described herein use conventional molecular cell biology and immunological techniques that are within the skill of the art, unless otherwise specified.Such techniques are well known to skilled workers and are fully described in the literature.See, for example, Ausubel et al., eds., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, NY (1987-2008) (including all supplements), Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (4th Edition) by MR Green and J. Sambrook, and Harlow et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Chapter 14, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor (2013, 2nd Edition).

[0085] Unless otherwise defined, scientific and technical terms used herein have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art. In the unlikely event of potential ambiguity, the definitions provided herein take precedence over dictionary or extrinsic definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, the singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular. The use of "or" means "and / or" unless otherwise specified. The use of the term "including" and other forms such as "includes" and "included" is not limiting.

[0086] In general, the terminology used in the context of cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, genetics, protein and nucleic acid chemistry, and hybridization described herein is well known and commonly used in the art. The methods and techniques provided herein are generally performed according to conventional methods well known in the art, as described in various general and more specific references cited and discussed throughout this specification, unless otherwise specified. Enzymatic reactions and purification techniques are performed according to manufacturer's specifications, as commonly realized in the art, or as described herein. The terminology used in the context of analytical chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, as well as the testing methods and experimental techniques described herein are well known and commonly used in the art. Standard techniques are used for chemical synthesis, chemical analysis, pharmaceutical preparation, formulation, and delivery, and patient treatment.

[0087] In order that this disclosure may be more readily understood, select terms are defined below.

[0088] The term "polypeptide" refers to any polymeric chain of amino acids and includes, unless contradicted by context, natural or artificial proteins, polypeptide analogs, or variants of protein sequences, or fragments thereof. Polypeptides can be monomeric or polymeric. A polypeptide fragment contains, for example, at least about 5 contiguous amino acids, at least about 10 contiguous amino acids, at least about 15 contiguous amino acids, or at least about 20 contiguous amino acids.

[0089] The term "isolated protein" or "isolated polypeptide" refers to a protein or polypeptide that, by reason of its origin or derivation, is free from naturally associated components with which it is associated in its natural state; is substantially free of other proteins from the same species; is expressed by cells from a different species; or is not found in nature. Thus, a protein or polypeptide that is chemically synthesized or synthesized in a cellular system other than the cell from which it was naturally derived is "isolated" from its naturally associated components. A protein or polypeptide can also be rendered substantially free of naturally associated components by isolation using protein purification techniques well known in the art.

[0090] The term "binding protein" or "binding polypeptide" as used herein refers to a protein or polypeptide (e.g., an antibody or immunoadhesin) that contains at least one binding site that is responsible for selective binding to a target antigen of interest (e.g., a human target antigen). Exemplary binding sites include an antibody variable domain, a ligand binding site of a receptor, or a receptor binding site of a ligand. In certain embodiments, a binding protein or binding polypeptide comprises multiple (e.g., two, three, four, or more) binding sites. In certain embodiments, a binding protein or binding polypeptide is a therapeutic enzyme.

[0091] The term "ligand" refers to any substance that can bind or is bound to another substance. Similarly, the term "antigen" refers to any substance against which an antibody is generated. Although "antigen" is generally used in reference to antibody-binding substances and "ligand" is frequently used in reference to receptor-binding substances, these terms do not distinguish between the two and include a wide range of overlapping chemical entities. For the avoidance of doubt, antigen and ligand are used interchangeably throughout this specification. Antigens / ligands can be peptides, polypeptides, proteins, aptamers, polysaccharides, sugar molecules, carbohydrates, lipids, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, synthetic molecules, inorganic molecules, organic molecules, and any combination thereof.

[0092] The dissociation constant (K D ) can be determined, for example, by surface plasmon resonance. Generally, surface plasmon resonance analysis measures real-time binding interactions between a ligand (target antigen on a biosensor matrix) and an analyte (binding protein in solution) by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) using a BIAcore system (Pharmacia Biosensor; Piscataway, NJ). Surface plasmon analysis can further be performed by immobilizing the analyte (binding protein on a biosensor matrix) and presenting the ligand (target antigen). As used herein, the term "K D " refers to the dissociation constant of the interaction between a particular binding protein and a target antigen.

[0093] As used herein, the term "specifically binds" refers to an antibody or immunoadhesin that specifically binds to up to about 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -7 M, about 1 x 10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -9 M, about 1 x 10 -10 M, about 1 x 10 -11 M, about 1 x 10 -12 The dissociation constant (K D ) and / or the ability to bind to an antigen with an affinity at least 2-fold higher than its affinity to a non-specific antigen. The specific binding of an antibody can be to a target antigen via the CDR sequences. The antibody can further specifically bind to an FcR, such as FcRn or FcγRIIIa, via the Fc region.

[0094] The term "antibody" as used herein refers to such an assembly (e.g., an intact antibody molecule, an immunoadhesin, or a variant thereof) having a known significant specific immune reactive activity against an antigen of interest (e.g., a tumor-associated antigen). Antibodies and immunoglobulins comprise light and heavy chains, with or without interchain covalent bonds between them. Basic immunoglobulin structure in vertebrate systems is relatively well understood.

[0095] As discussed in more detail below, the generic term "antibody" includes five different, biochemically distinct classes of antibodies. While all five classes of antibodies are expressly within the scope of this disclosure, the following discussion is generally directed to the IgG class of immunoglobulin molecules. With respect to IgG, immunoglobulins contain two identical light chains of approximately 23,000 daltons molecular weight, and two identical heavy chains of 53,000-70,000 molecular weight. The four chains are joined by disulfide bonds in a "Y" configuration, with the light chains surrounding the heavy chains starting at the mouth of the "Y" and continuing through the variable region.

[0096] The light chains of immunoglobulins are classified as either kappa (κ) or lambda (λ). Each heavy chain class can bind to either kappa or lambda light chains. Generally, when immunoglobulins are produced by either hybridomas, B cells, or genetically engineered host cells, the light and heavy chains are covalently linked to each other, and the "tail" portions of the two heavy chains are linked to each other by covalent disulfide bonds or non-covalent bonds. In the heavy chains, the amino acid sequence runs from the N-terminus at the forked ends of the Y to the C-terminus at the bottom of each chain. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that heavy chains are classified as gamma (γ), mu (μ), alpha (α), delta (δ), or epsilon (ε), with several subclasses within them (e.g., γ1-γ4). The nature of the chain determines the "class" of the antibody, IgG, IgM, IgA, IgG, or IgE, respectively. Immunoglobulin isotype subclasses (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, etc.) are well characterized and are known to confer functional specialization. Modified versions of each of these classes and isotypes are readily discernible by the skilled artisan in view of the instant disclosure, and thus are within the scope of the instant disclosure.

[0097] Both light and heavy chains are divided into regions of structural and functional homology. The term "region" refers to a portion or part of an immunoglobulin or antibody chain, and includes the constant or variable region, as well as more specific portions or parts of said regions. For example, the light chain variable region includes "complementarity determining regions" or "CDRs" interspersed among "framework regions" or "FRs", as defined herein.

[0098] The regions of an immunoglobulin heavy or light chain are defined as "constant" (C) or "variable" (V) regions, with the former being based on the relative lack of sequence variation within the region of the various class members, and the latter being based on the significant variation within the region of the various class members. The terms "constant region" and "variable region" can also be used functionally. In this regard, it is understood that the variable region of an immunoglobulin or antibody determines antigen recognition and specificity. Conversely, the constant region of an immunoglobulin or antibody confers important effector functions, such as secretion, transplacental mobility, Fc receptor binding, complement fixation, etc. The subunit structures and three-dimensional configurations of the constant regions of the various immunoglobulin classes are well known.

[0099] The constant and variable regions of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains are folded into domains. The term "domain" refers to a globular region of a heavy or light chain, e.g., containing peptide loops stabilized by beta-pleated sheets and / or intrachain disulfide bonds (e.g., containing 3-4 peptide loops). The constant region domain on the light chain of an immunoglobulin is interchangeably referred to as a "light chain constant region domain", "CL region", or "CL domain". The constant region on the heavy chain (e.g., hinge, CH1, CH2, or CH3 domain) is interchangeably referred to as a "heavy chain constant region domain", "CH region domain", or "CH domain". The variable domain on the light chain is interchangeably referred to as a "light chain variable region domain", "VL region domain", or "VL domain". The variable domain on the heavy chain is interchangeably referred to as a "heavy chain variable region domain", "VH region domain", or "VH domain".

[0100] By convention, the numbering of the amino acids in the variable constant region domains increases distally from the antigen-binding site or amino terminus of the immunoglobulin or antibody. The N-terminus of each immunoglobulin heavy and light chain is the variable region, and the C-terminus is the constant region. The CH3 and CL domains comprise the carboxy termini of the heavy and light chains, respectively. Thus, the domains of the light chain immunoglobulin are arranged in a VL-CL orientation, and the domains of the heavy chain are arranged in a VH-CH1-hinge-CH2-CH3 orientation.

[0101] The amino acid assignment for each variable region domain follows the definition in Kabat, Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 1987 and 1991). Kabat further provides a widely used numbering convention (Kabat numbering) that assigns the same numbers to corresponding residues between different heavy chain variable regions or different light chain variable regions. CDR1, 2, and 3 of the VL domain are also referred to herein as CDR-L1, CDR-L2, and CDR-L3, respectively. CDR1, 2, and 3 of the VH domain are also referred to herein as CDR-H1, CDR-H2, and CDR-H3, respectively. If so acknowledged, the CDR assignment can follow IMGT® (Lefranc et al., Developmental & Comparative Immunology 27:55-77; 2003) instead of Kabat. Numbering of the heavy chain constant region is via the EU index as described in Kabat (Kabat, Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 1987 and 1991).

[0102] As used herein, the term "VH domain" comprises the amino-terminal variable domain of an immunoglobulin heavy chain, and the term "VL domain" comprises the amino-terminal variable domain of an immunoglobulin light chain.

[0103] As used herein, the term "CH1 domain" includes the first (most amino-terminal) constant region domain of an immunoglobulin heavy chain, e.g., spanning from about positions 114-223 in the Kabat numbering system (EU positions 118-215). The CH1 domain is adjacent to the VH domain and to the amino-terminal end of the hinge region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain molecule, and does not form part of the Fc region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain.

[0104] As used herein, the term "hinge region" includes the portion of a heavy chain molecule that connects the CH1 domain to the CH2 domain. The hinge region contains approximately 25 residues and is flexible, allowing the two N-terminal antigen-binding regions to move independently. The hinge region can be subdivided into three separate domains: the upper, middle, and lower hinge domains (Roux et al., J. Immunol. 1998, 161:4083).

[0105] The term "CH2 domain" as used herein includes, for example, the portion of a heavy chain immunoglobulin molecule spanning from about positions 244-360 in the Kabat numbering system (EU positions 231-340). The CH2 domain is unique in that it is not closely paired with other domains. Rather, two N-linked branched carbohydrate chains are sandwiched between the two CH2 domains in an intact native IgG molecule. In one embodiment, a binding polypeptide of the present disclosure comprises a CH2 domain derived from an IgG1 molecule (e.g., a human IgG1 molecule).

[0106] The term "CH3 domain" as used herein includes the portion of a heavy chain immunoglobulin molecule that extends from the N-terminus of the CH2 domain to approximately 110 residues, e.g., about positions 361-476 in the Kabat numbering system (EU positions 341-445). The CH3 domain typically forms the C-terminus of the antibody. However, in some immunoglobulins, additional domains extend from the CH3 domain to form the C-terminal portion of the molecule (e.g., the CH4 domain in the μ chain of IgM and the e chain of IgE). In one embodiment, a binding polypeptide of the present disclosure comprises a CH3 domain derived from an IgG1 molecule (e.g., a human IgG1 molecule).

[0107] As used herein, the term "CL domain" includes, for example, the constant region domain of an immunoglobulin light chain spanning from about Kabat position 107A to about Kabat position 216. The CL domain is adjacent to the VL domain. In one embodiment, a binding polypeptide of the disclosure includes a CL domain derived from a kappa light chain (e.g., a human kappa light chain).

[0108] The variable region of an antibody allows the antibody to selectively recognize and specifically bind to an epitope on an antigen. That is, the VL and VH domains of an antibody combine to form a variable region (Fv) that defines a three-dimensional antigen-binding site. This antibody quaternary structure forms the antigen-binding site that is presented at the end of each arm of the "Y" shape. In particular, the antigen-binding site is defined by three complementarity determining regions (CDRs) on each of the heavy and light chain variable regions. As used herein, the term "antigen-binding site" includes a site that specifically binds to an antigen (e.g., a cell-surface or soluble antigen). An antigen-binding site includes immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable regions, and the binding site formed by the variable regions determines the specificity of the antibody. The antigen-binding site is formed by the variable regions that differ from antibody to antibody. The altered antibodies of the present disclosure include at least one antigen-binding site.

[0109] In certain embodiments, the binding polypeptides of the present disclosure comprise at least two antigen-binding domains that allow the association of the binding polypeptide with a selected antigen. The antigen-binding domains need not be derived from the same immunoglobulin molecule. In this regard, the variable regions can be or are derived from any type of animal that is capable of inducing the formation of a humoral response and the production of immunoglobulins against a desired antigen. As such, the variable regions of the binding polypeptides can be, for example, of mammalian origin, such as human, mouse, rat, goat, sheep, non-human primates (e.g., cynomolgus monkeys, macaques, etc.), wolves, or camelids (e.g., camels, llamas, and related species).

[0110] In native antibodies, the six CDRs present on each monomeric antibody are short non-contiguous sequences of amino acids that are specifically arranged to form an antigen-binding site as the antibody assumes its three-dimensional configuration in an aqueous environment. The remainder of the heavy and light chain variable regions show low inter-molecular diversity in amino acid sequence and are called framework regions. The framework regions mainly adopt a β-sheet conformation, and the CDRs form loops that connect, and in some cases form part of, the β-sheet structure. Thus, the framework regions act to form a scaffold that allows the arrangement of the six CDRs in the correct orientation through inter-chain non-covalent interactions. The antigen-binding domain formed by the arranged CDRs defines a surface that is complementary to an epitope on an immunoreactive antigen. This complementary surface promotes the non-covalent binding of the antibody to the immunoreactive antigen epitope.

[0111] Exemplary binding polypeptides include antibody variants. The term "antibody variant" as used herein includes synthetic and engineered antibodies that are altered so that they are not naturally occurring, such as antibodies that contain at least two heavy chain portions but do not contain two complete heavy chains (e.g., domain-less antibodies or minibodies); multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific, trispecific, etc.) that are altered to bind to two or more different antigens or different epitopes on a single antigen; heavy chain molecules bound to scFv molecules, etc. Furthermore, the term "antibody variant" includes multivalent antibodies (e.g., trivalent, tetravalent, etc., antibodies that bind to three, four, or more copies of the same antigen).

[0112] The term "valency" as used herein refers to the number of potential target binding sites in a polypeptide. Each target binding site specifically binds to one target molecule or a specific site on a target molecule. If a polypeptide contains more than one target binding site, each target binding site may specifically bind to the same or different molecules (e.g., different ligands or different antigens, or different epitopes on the same antigen). A subject-binding polypeptide typically has at least one binding site specific for a human antigen molecule. For example, a typical IgG1 monoclonal antibody is specific for one target antigen. A bivalent antibody is an antibody that contains antigen binding domains that target two different antigens, or two antigen binding domains that target one antigen. Similarly, a trivalent antibody can be a monospecific antibody that contains three targeting domains for a single antibody. A trivalent antibody can be bispecific when it binds to a first antigen through two binding domains and to a second antigen through the other binding domain. A trivalent antibody can be trispecific and bind to three different targets.

[0113] The term "specificity" refers to the ability to specifically bind (e.g., immunoreact) with a given target antigen (e.g., a human target antigen). A binding polypeptide may be monospecific, containing one or more binding sites that specifically bind to one target, or a polypeptide may be multispecific, containing two or more binding sites that specifically bind to the same or different targets. In certain embodiments, a binding polypeptide is specific for two different (e.g., non-overlapping) portions of the same target. In certain embodiments, a binding polypeptide is specific for two or more targets. Exemplary binding polypeptides (e.g., antibodies) that contain an antigen-binding site that binds to an antigen expressed on a tumor cell are known in the art, and one or more CDRs from such antibodies are included in the antibodies described herein.

[0114] The term "antigen" or "target antigen" as used herein relates to a molecule or a portion of a molecule to which a binding site of a binding polypeptide can bind. A target antigen may have one or more epitopes.

[0115] The terms "about" or "approximately" mean within about 20%, for example, within about 10%, within about 5%, or within about 1% or less of a given value or range.

[0116] As used herein, "administering" or "administration" refers to the act of injecting or otherwise physically delivering an exogenous substance (e.g., an isolated binding polypeptide provided herein) to a patient, for example, but not limited to, pulmonary (e.g., inhalation), mucosal (e.g., intranasal), intradermal, intravenous, intramuscular delivery, and / or any other method of physical delivery described herein or known in the art. When managing or treating a disease or its symptoms, administration of the substance typically occurs after the onset of the disease or its symptoms. When preventing a disease or its symptoms, administration of the substance typically occurs before the onset of the disease or its symptoms and may continue chronically to postpone or reduce the appearance or magnitude of disease-related symptoms.

[0117] As used herein, the term "composition" is intended to include a product containing the specified ingredients (e.g., an isolated binding polypeptide provided herein), optionally in the specified amounts, as well as any product that results directly or indirectly from the combination of the specified ingredients, optionally in the specified amounts.

[0118] "Effective amount" refers to an amount of an active agent (e.g., an isolated binding polypeptide of the present disclosure) sufficient to bring about a desired physiological outcome in an individual in need of the agent. Effective amounts can vary from individual to individual, depending on the health and condition of the individual to be treated, the taxonomic group of the individual to be treated, the formulation of the composition, an evaluation of the individual's medical condition, and other relevant factors.

[0119] As used herein, the terms "subject" and "patient" are used interchangeably. As used herein, a subject can be a mammal, such as a non-primate (e.g., cows, pigs, horses, cats, dogs, rats, etc.), or a primate (e.g., monkeys and humans). In certain embodiments, the term "subject" as used herein relates to a vertebrate, such as a mammal. Mammals include, but are not limited to, humans, non-human primates, wild animals, feral animals, farm animals, sport animals, and pets.

[0120] The term "therapy" as used herein relates to any protocol, method, and / or agent that can be used in the prevention, management, treatment, and / or amelioration of a disease or a symptom associated therewith. In some embodiments, the term "therapy" relates to any protocol, method, and / or agent that can be used in the modulation of an immune response to an infection or a symptom associated therewith in a subject. In some embodiments, the term "therapy" relates to biological therapy, supportive therapy, and / or other therapies known to those skilled in the art, such as medical practitioners, that are useful in the prevention, management, treatment, and / or amelioration of a disease or a symptom associated therewith. In other embodiments, the term "therapy" relates to biological therapy, supportive therapy, and / or other therapies known to those skilled in the art, such as medical practitioners, that are useful in the modulation of an immune response to an infection or a symptom associated therewith in a subject.

[0121] The terms "treat", "treatment" and "treating" as used herein refer to the shortening or amelioration of the progression, severity, and / or duration of a disease or symptoms associated therewith resulting from the application of one or more therapies (including, but not limited to, the administration of one or more prophylactic or therapeutic agents, such as the isolated binding polypeptides provided herein). The term "treating" as used herein may further refer to alteration of the disease course in the subject being treated. The therapeutic effect of treatment includes, but is not limited to, prevention of the onset or recurrence of a disease, alleviation of symptoms, reduction of direct or indirect pathological consequences of a disease, slowing the rate of disease progression, amelioration or remission of the pathology, and remission or improved prognosis.

[0122] Fc domain In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, Fc domains, such as Fc domain variants, are provided. The term "Fc region" or "Fc domain" as used herein refers to the portion of the heavy chain constant region that begins at the hinge region immediately upstream of the papain cleavage site (i.e., residue 216 of IgG, considering the first residue of the heavy chain constant region to be 114) and ends at the C-terminus of the antibody. Thus, a complete Fc region includes at least the hinge domain, the CH2 domain, and the CH3 domain.

[0123] The Fc region of an antibody is involved in non-antigen binding and can mediate effector functions by binding to Fc receptors. There are several different types of Fc receptors, which are classified based on the type of antibody they recognize. For example, Fc gamma receptors (FcγR) bind IgG class antibodies, Fc alpha receptors (FcαR) bind IgA class antibodies, and Fc epsilon receptors (FcεR) bind IgE class antibodies. Fetal Fc receptors (FcRn) interact with the Fc region of antibodies to promote antibody recycling via rescue from normal lysosomal degradation. FcγR belongs to a family that includes several members, e.g., FcγRI, FcγRIIa, FcγRIIb, FcγRIIIa, and FcγRIIIb.

[0124] The term "native Fc" or "wild-type Fc" as used herein refers to a molecule, whether monomeric or multimeric, that corresponds to the sequence of a non-antigen-binding fragment resulting from the degradation of an antibody or produced by other means, and may contain a hinge region. The immunoglobulin source of the native Fc is typically of human origin and may be any immunoglobulin, such as IgG1 and IgG2. Native Fc molecules consist of monomeric polypeptides linked into dimeric or multimeric forms by covalent (i.e., disulfide bonds) and non-covalent associations. The number of intermolecular disulfide bonds between the monomeric subunits of native Fc molecules ranges from one to four, depending on the class (e.g., IgG, IgA, and IgE) or subclass (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgA1, and IgGA2). One example of a native Fc is a disulfide-bonded dimer resulting from papain digestion of IgG. As used herein, the term "native Fc" is a generic term for the monomeric, dimeric, and multimeric forms.

[0125] The term "Fc domain variant", "Fc variant" or "modified Fc" as used herein refers to a molecule or sequence that has been modified from a native / wild type Fc but still contains a binding site for an FcR. Thus, the term "Fc variant" can include a molecule or sequence that has been humanized from a non-human native Fc. Furthermore, a native Fc includes regions that can be removed to provide structural features or biological activities that are not required for the antibody-like binding polypeptides described herein. Thus, the term "Fc variant" includes a molecule or sequence that lacks one or more native Fc sites or residues or has one or more Fc sites or residues modified that affect or are involved in: (1) disulfide bond formation, (2) incompatibility with a selected host cell, (3) N-terminal heterogeneity upon expression in a selected host cell, (4) glycosylation, (5) interaction with complement, (6) binding to Fc receptors other than the salvage receptor, or (7) antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).

[0126] As used herein, "effector-capable Fc variant" or "effector-capable polypeptide" relates to an Fc domain having one or more Fc effector functions as further described herein.

[0127] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc variants characterized herein have one or more of increased serum half-life, increased FcRn binding affinity, increased FcRn binding affinity at acidic pH, increased FcγRIIIa binding affinity, and / or similar thermal stability compared to the wild-type Fc.

[0128] FcγRIIIa V158, or human CD16a-V receptor, or CD16a V relates to a polypeptide construct carrying a valine (V) at position 158, also reported in the literature as allotype CD16a V158, which comprises a fragment of the CD16 human receptor that binds to the Fc region of a natural antibody and mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

[0129] FcγRIIIa F158, or human CD16a-F receptor, or CD16a F relates to a polypeptide construct carrying a phenylalanine (F) at position 158, mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, comprising a fragment of the CD16 human receptor that binds to the Fc region of natural antibodies, also reported in the literature as allotype CD16a F158.

[0130] As used herein, the term "Fc domain" includes native / wild-type Fc and Fc variants and sequences as defined herein. As with Fc variants and native Fc molecules, the term "Fc domain" includes monomeric or multimeric forms of the molecule, whether resolved from a whole antibody or produced by other means.

[0131] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domains described herein are thermostabilized.

[0132] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain described herein is glycosylated (e.g., by N-linked glycosylation). In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain comprises an N-linked glycosylation motif, e.g., an N-linked glycosylation motif containing the amino acid sequence NXT or NXS (wherein X is any amino acid residue except proline). In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain is glycosylated at amino acid position 297 according to EU numbering.

[0133] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domains described herein have effector capability.

[0134] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domains described herein are any combination of thermostabilization, glycosylation, and effector capability.

[0135] Heat-stabilized Fc domain variants The structure of antibody constant domains is similar to that of variable domains, consisting of β-strands linked by loops and short helices. The CH2 domain of the heavy chain constant region shows weak carbohydrate-mediated interchain protein-protein interactions, in contrast to the extensive interchain interactions shown by other domains. Although the isolated mouse CH2 domain is relatively unstable at physiological temperatures (Feige et al., 2004, J. Mol. Biol. 344:107-118), previous efforts have demonstrated that the addition of intrachain disulfide bonds can increase the thermal stability of the CH2 domain and that it can be used as a binder scaffold (Gong et al., 2009, J. Biol. Chem. 284:14203-210).

[0136] Effector-enhancing Fc domain variants are known that have increased thermal instability (i.e., decreased thermal stability) relative to the wild-type Fc domain. For example, the S239D / I332E and S239D / I332E / A330L variants result in decreased stability of the CH2 domain, as shown by decreased melting temperature (Tm) in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. G236A / S239D / A330L / I332E has decreased protein thermal shift measurements compared to the wild type and has a significantly shortened half-life in hFcγR transgenic mice (see Liu et al. (2014) J. Biol. Chem. 289(6):3571, and Liu et al. (2020) Antibodies 9(4):64 for review).

[0137] Effector-enhancing Fc domain variants with improved FcγR binding that are not significantly reduced in stability compared to wild-type are known (e.g., Igawa et al., EP 2940135 A1, see e.g., Example 10).

[0138] Furthermore, it has been discovered that thermostabilized Fc domain variants can be produced by the introduction of one or more disulfide bonds in the Fc domain. Thus, in one aspect, the disclosure provides Fc domain variants that include one or more engineered (e.g., non-native) disulfide bonds, e.g., intrachain disulfide bonds mediated by one or more paired cysteines.

[0139] In certain exemplary embodiments, the disulfide bond is an intrachain disulfide bond between the two CH2 regions of the Fc domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the disulfide bond is an intrachain disulfide bond between the two CH3 regions of the Fc domain. In certain exemplary embodiments, two or more intrachain disulfide bonds exist between the two CH2 regions of the Fc domain and / or between the two CH2 regions of the Fc domain.

[0140] The thermal stability or unfolding tendency of an Fc domain (e.g., an Fc domain with or without a binding polypeptide) can be determined using various methods known in the art. For example, the unfolding or denaturation temperature can be measured by nano-differential scanning calorimetry (nano-DSC) or nano-differential scanning fluorimetry (nano-DSF) (Wen et al., 2020, Anal. Biochem. 593:113581). The temperature at which the onset of protein unfolding can be detected is the onset denaturation temperature (Tonset). The term "Tm" as used herein refers to the melting temperature of a molecule. The term "Tm1" as used herein refers to the unfolding temperature of the Fc domain of the present disclosure, in particular the unfolding temperature of the CH2 domain.

[0141] In certain exemplary embodiments, the denaturation onset temperature of a heat-stabilized Fc domain variant (e.g., having one or more engineered disulfide bonds) is increased relative to a non-heat-stabilized Fc domain variant. In certain exemplary embodiments, the denaturation onset temperature of a heat-stabilized Fc domain variant is increased by about 1.0°C, about 1.5°C, about 2.0°C, about 2.5°C, about 3.0°C, about 3.5°C, about 4.0°C, about 4.5°C, about 5.0°C, about 5.5°C, about 6.0°C, about 6.5°C, about 7.0°C, about 7.5°C, about 8.0°C, about 8.5°C, about 9.0°C, about 9.5°C, about 10.0°C, about 10.5°C, about 11.0°C, about 11.5°C relative to a non-heat-stabilized Fc domain variant. , about 12.0°C, about 12.5°C, about 13.0°C, about 13.5°C, about 14.0°C, about 14.5°C, about 15.0°C, about 15.5°C, about 16.0°C, about 16.5°C, about 17.0°C, about 17.5°C, about 18.0°C, about 18.5°C, about 19.0°C, about 19.5°C, about 20.0°C, about 20.5°C, about 21.0°C, about 21.5°C, about 22.0°C, about 22.5°C, about 23.0°C, about 23.5°C, about 24.0°C, about 24.5°C, or about 25.0°C.

[0142] In certain exemplary embodiments, the thermostabilized Fc domain variant has one or more pairs of amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of cysteine ​​substitutions at amino acid positions 242 and 334; amino acid positions 240 and 334; amino acid positions 287 and 306; amino acid positions 292 and 302; amino acid positions 323 and 332; amino acid positions 259 and 306; amino acid positions 350 and 441; amino acid positions 343 and 431; amino acid positions 375 and 404; amino acid positions 375 and 396; and amino acid positions 348 and 439 according to EU numbering (see, for reviews, Wozniak-Knopp et al., 2012, PLoS One 7: e30083; Jacobsen et al., 2017, J. Biol. Chem. 202:1865-75; see International Publication No. WO 2014153063).

[0143] In certain exemplary embodiments, the thermostabilized Fc domain variant comprises an engineered (e.g., non-native) intrachain disulfide bond mediated by a pair of cysteines replacing (i) a leucine (L) at amino acid position 242 and a lysine (K) at amino acid position 334; (ii) an alanine (A) at amino acid position 287 and a leucine (L) at amino acid position 306; or (iii) an arginine (R) at amino acid position 292 and a valine (V) at amino acid position 302, according to EU numbering.

[0144] In certain exemplary embodiments, the heat-stabilized Fc domain variant comprises an engineered (e.g., non-natural) intrachain disulfide bond mediated by a pair of cysteines replacing leucine (L) at amino acid position 242 and lysine (K) at amino acid position 334. In certain exemplary embodiments, the heat-stabilized Fc domain variant comprises an engineered (e.g., non-natural) intrachain disulfide bond mediated by a pair of cysteines replacing alanine (A) at amino acid position 287 and leucine (L) at amino acid position 306. In certain exemplary embodiments, the heat-stabilized Fc domain variant comprises an engineered (e.g., non-natural) intrachain disulfide bond mediated by a pair of cysteines replacing arginine (R) at amino acid position 292 and valine (V) at amino acid position 302. In certain exemplary embodiments, the heat-stabilized Fc domain variant may comprise at least one engineered intrachain disulfide bond. In certain exemplary embodiments, the thermostabilized Fc domain variant may contain two or more engineered intrachain disulfide bonds.

[0145] Effector-enhancing Fc domain variants In one aspect, the disclosure provides an Fc domain variant comprising an effector-enhancing amino acid substitution.

[0146] In one embodiment, the Fc domain variant with altered FcγRIIIa binding comprises one or more amino acid substitutions disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variant with enhanced FcγRIIIa binding affinity has one or more amino acid substitutions disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variant with enhanced FcγRIIIa binding affinity comprises two or more amino acid substitutions disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variant with enhanced FcγRIIIa binding affinity comprises three or more amino acid substitutions disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variant with enhanced FcγRIIIa binding affinity comprises four or more amino acid substitutions disclosed herein.

[0147] In one embodiment, the Fc domain variant with altered FcRn binding comprises an Fc domain with one or more amino acid substitutions disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variant with enhanced FcRn binding affinity comprises an Fc domain with one or more amino acid substitutions disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variant with enhanced FcRn binding affinity comprises an Fc domain with two or more amino acid substitutions disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variant with enhanced FcRn binding affinity comprises an Fc domain with three or more amino acid substitutions disclosed herein.

[0148] In some embodiments, the Fc domain variants may exhibit species-specific FcRn binding affinity. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variants may exhibit human FcRn binding affinity. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variants may exhibit cyno (cynomolgus monkey) FcRn binding affinity. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variants may exhibit cross-species FcRn binding affinity. Such Fc domain variants are said to be cross-reactive across one or more different species. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variants may exhibit both human and cynomolgus monkey FcRn binding affinity.

[0149] Fetal Fc receptor (FcRn) interacts with the Fc region of antibodies to facilitate recycling via rescue from normal lysosomal degradation. This process is a pH-dependent process that occurs in endosomes at acidic pH (e.g., below pH 6.5) but not in the bloodstream under physiological pH conditions (e.g., non-acidic pH). In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant has enhanced FcRn binding affinity at acidic pH compared to the wild-type Fc domain. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant has enhanced FcRn binding affinity at pH below 7, e.g., about pH 6.5, about pH 6.0, about pH 5.5, about pH 5.0 compared to the FcRn binding affinity of the wild-type Fc domain at high non-acidic pH. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant has enhanced FcRn binding affinity at pH below 7, e.g., about pH 6.5, about pH 6.0, about pH 5.5, about pH 5.0 compared to the FcRn binding affinity of the wild-type Fc domain at high non-acidic pH. A highly non-acidic pH can be, for example, greater than pH 7, about pH 7, about pH 7.4, about pH 7.6, about pH 7.8, about pH 8.0, about pH 8.5, about pH 9.0.

[0150] In certain embodiments, it may be desirable for the Fc domain variant to exhibit approximately the same FcRn binding affinity at non-acidic pH as the wild-type Fc domain. In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the Fc domain variant to exhibit lower FcRn binding affinity at non-acidic pH than a binding polypeptide comprising a modified Fc domain with the double amino acid substitution M428L / N434S according to EU numbering (see U.S. Pat. No. 8,088,376). Thus, it may be desirable for the Fc domain variant to exhibit minimal perturbation of pH-dependent FcRn binding.

[0151] In some embodiments, an Fc domain variant with enhanced FcRn binding affinity at acidic pH has a reduced (i.e., slower) FcRn off rate compared to the wild-type Fc domain. In some embodiments, an Fc domain variant with enhanced FcRn binding affinity at acidic pH compared to the FcRn binding affinity of the binding polypeptide at high non-acidic pH has an FcRn off rate at acidic pH that is slower compared to the FcRn off rate of the wild-type Fc domain at high non-acidic pH.

[0152] Certain embodiments include Fc domain variants in which at least one amino acid in one or more of the constant region domains has been deleted or otherwise altered to provide a desired biochemical characteristic, such as reduced or enhanced effector function, ability to non-covalently dimerize, increased ability to localize to tumor sites, shortened serum half-life, or extended serum half-life, as compared to an intact whole antibody of approximately the same immunogenicity.

[0153] In certain other embodiments, the Fc domain variant comprises a constant region derived from a different antibody isotype (e.g., constant regions derived from two or more of human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4). In other embodiments, the Fc domain variant comprises a chimeric hinge (i.e., hinge portions derived from hinge domains of different antibody isotypes, e.g., a hinge comprising an upper hinge domain from an IgG4 molecule and an IgG1 middle hinge domain). In certain embodiments, the Fc domain may be mutated to increase or decrease effector function using techniques known in the art.

[0154] In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant has an altered binding affinity to an Fc receptor. There are several different types of Fc receptors, which are classified based on the type of antibody they recognize. For example, Fc gamma receptors (FcγR) bind to IgG class antibodies, Fc alpha receptors (FcαR) bind to IgA class antibodies, and Fc epsilon receptors (FcεR) bind to IgE class antibodies. FcγR belongs to a family that includes several members, e.g., FcγRI, FcγRIIa, FcγRIIb, FcγRIIIa, and FcγRIIIb. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant has an altered FcγRIIIa binding affinity compared to the wild-type Fc domain. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant has a reduced FcγRIIIa binding affinity compared to the wild-type Fc domain. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant has an enhanced FcγRIIIa binding affinity compared to the wild-type Fc domain. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant modified Fc domain has approximately the same FcγRIIIa binding affinity as compared to the wild-type Fc domain.

[0155] In certain embodiments, the Fc domain variant comprises an antibody constant region (e.g., an IgG constant region, e.g., a human IgG constant region, e.g., a human IgG1 constant region) that mediates one or more effector functions. For example, binding of the C1 complex to an antibody constant region can activate the complement system. Activation of the complement system is important in opsonization and lysis of cellular pathogens. Activation of the complement system can also stimulate inflammatory responses and be involved in autoimmune hypersensitivity. Furthermore, antibodies bind to receptors on various cells via the Fc domain (the Fc receptor binding site on the antibody Fc region binds to the Fc receptor (FcR) on the cell). There are multiple Fc receptors that are specific for different classes of antibodies, including IgG (gamma receptors), IgE (epsilon receptors), IgA (alpha receptors), and IgM (mu receptors). Binding of antibodies to Fc receptors on cell surfaces induces several important and diverse biological responses, including phagocytosis and destruction of antibody-coated particles, clearance of immune complexes, lysis of antibody-coated target cells by killer cells (called antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, or ADCC), release of inflammatory mediators, placental passage, and management of immunoglobulin production. In some embodiments, Fc domain variants, e.g., binding polypeptides (e.g., antibodies or immunoadhesins), bind to Fc gamma receptors. In alternative embodiments, the Fc domain variants comprise a constant region that lacks one or more effector functions (e.g., ADCC activity) and / or is unable to bind to Fcγ receptors.

[0156] In certain exemplary embodiments, the effector enhancing Fc domain variants include, according to EU numbering: aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 221; cysteine ​​(C) at amino acid position 222; tyrosine (Y) at amino acid position 234; alanine (A) at amino acid position 236; tryptophan (W) at amino acid position 236; aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239; leucine (L) at amino acid position 243; glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 267; phenylalanine (F) at amino acid position 268; proline (P) at amino acid position 292; alanine (A) at amino acid position 298; leucine (L) at amino acid position 300; and one or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of: isoleucine (I) at amino acid position 305; threonine (T) at amino acid position 324; tryptophan (W) at amino acid position 326; alanine (A) at amino acid position 326; leucine (L) at amino acid position 330; glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332; alanine (A) at amino acid position 333; serine (S) at amino acid position 333; alanine (A) at amino acid position 334; alanine (A) at amino acid position 336; arginine (R) at amino acid position 345; and leucine (L) at amino acid position 396 (see Saunders, 2009, Front. Immunol. doi: 10.3389 / fimmu.2019.01296 for review).

[0157] In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant comprises an amino acid substitution at a position selected from amino acid positions 236, 239, 330, and 332 according to EU numbering. In some embodiments, the substitution may comprise an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant may comprise a double amino acid substitution at any two amino acid positions selected from an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, a leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, and a glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant may comprise a triple amino acid substitution at any three amino acid positions selected from alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant may comprise a quadruple amino acid substitution at any four amino acid positions selected from alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant may comprise a combination of amino acid substitutions including aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239 and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant may comprise a combination of amino acid substitutions including an alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 236, and a glutamic acid at amino acid position 332.

[0158] In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant may further comprise an amino acid substitution at amino acid positions 256 and / or 307 according to EU numbering. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variant may comprise a combination of amino acid substitutions, including an aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256 and a glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 (see Mackness et al., 2019, MAbs 11:1276-88; WO2019147973, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties).

[0159] Glycosylated Fc domain variants In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain variant is glycosylated. Glycosylation at conserved positions in the constant region of an antibody is known to have profound effects on antibody function, particularly effector functions as discussed above, see, for example, Boyd et al. (Mol. Immunol, 32:1311-1318, 1996). Glycosylation of the Fc domain variant of the invention is contemplated, in which one or more carbohydrate moieties are added, substituted, deleted, or modified. In some embodiments, the glycosylation of the Fc domain is N-linked glycosylation. The introduction of an asparagine-X-serine or asparagine-X-threonine motif creates a potential site suitable for enzymatic attachment of a carbohydrate moiety, and thus can be used to engineer the glycosylation of the Fc domain variant. Raju et al. (Biochemistry 40:8868-8876, 2001) increased the terminal sialylation of a TNFR-IgG immunoadhesin by the process of regalactosylation and / or resialylation using β-1,4-galactosyltransferase and / or alpha,2,3 sialyltransferase. Increasing terminal sialylation is expected to extend the half-life of the immunoglobulin.

[0160] Like most glycoproteins, antibodies are typically produced as a mixture of glycoforms. This mixture is particularly evident when antibodies are produced in eukaryotic cells, especially mammalian cells. Various methods have been developed to produce defined glycoforms (see Zhang et al., 2004, Science 303:371; Sears et al., 2001, Science 291:2344; Wacker et al., 2002, Science 298:1790; Davis et al., 2002, Chem. Rev. 102:579; Hang et al., 2001, Acc. Chem. Res. 34:727). In some embodiments, the glycosylated Fc domain comprises a natural glycan at amino acid position 297 according to EU numbering. Glycosylation of asparagine at amino acid position 297 in the CH2 domain of IgG1 is known to promote the interaction between the Fc domain and FcγR. Removal of this glycosylation site removes effector function (Leabman et al., 2013, MAbs 5:896-903). In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain comprises wild-type or near-wild-type levels of glycosylation at amino acid position 297 according to EU numbering.

[0161] In some embodiments, the glycosylated Fc domain variant comprises an engineered or non-natural glycan. In some embodiments, the engineered or non-natural glycan is a modified glycan that can be attached to a therapeutic molecule (e.g., an antibody-drug conjugate).

[0162] Fc Domain Variants with Improved In Vivo Stability In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an isolated Fc domain variant comprising improved in vivo stability (e.g., improved serum half-life or reduced clearance). As used herein, the term "in vivo stability" refers to the stability of the effector-competent polypeptide of the present disclosure to remain intact (e.g., limited degradation and / or unfolding), functional (e.g., retain binding activity), and thus retain sufficient serum concentration to induce measurable activity (e.g., killing of target tumor cells). In certain embodiments, the isolated effector-competent polypeptide has improved in vivo stability compared to the wild-type Fc domain. In certain embodiments, the isolated effector-competent polypeptide has reduced in vivo clearance compared to the wild-type Fc domain.

[0163] The term "serum half-life" as used herein refers to the time it takes for a substance (e.g., an isolated Fc domain variant) to go from its peak serum concentration to half of its peak serum concentration. Serum half-life may be improved in part by increasing the binding affinity of FcRn. In certain exemplary embodiments, the isolated effector-competent polypeptide has an increased binding affinity for FcRn compared to the wild-type Fc domain.

[0164] In vivo stability, serum half-life, and clearance can be determined by any method known in the art (see Valente et al., 2020 MAbs 12:13, https: / / doi.org / 10.1080 / 19420862.2020.1829337). As an example, the method described in Example 7 for performing pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis can be used.

[0165] Fc-containing binding polypeptides In one aspect, the disclosure provides an isolated Fc domain variant comprising at least one binding domain (e.g., at least one binding polypeptide) or complexed (e.g., fused) to at least one binding domain (e.g., at least one binding polypeptide). In certain embodiments, the binding domain comprises one or more antigen binding domains. The antigen binding domains need not be derived from the same molecule as the parent Fc domain. In certain embodiments, the Fc domain variant is present in an antibody.

[0166] In one embodiment, Fc domain variants are present in or complexed with antibodies.Any antibody from any origin or species can be used with the Fc domain variants disclosed herein.Suitable antibodies include, but are not limited to, chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, or human antibodies.Suitable antibodies include, but are not limited to, full-length antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, or single domain antibodies such as VHH antibodies.

[0167] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain variant is bound to or complexed with an antigen-binding fragment of an antibody. The term "antigen-binding fragment" refers to a polypeptide fragment of an immunoglobulin or antibody that binds to an antigen or competes for antigen binding (i.e., specific binding) with an intact antibody (i.e., the intact antibody from which it was derived). Antigen-binding fragments can be produced by recombinant or biochemical methods well known in the art. Exemplary antigen-binding fragments include Fv, Fab, Fab', and (Fab')2. In certain exemplary embodiments, a binding polypeptide of the present disclosure comprises at least one antigen-binding fragment and an Fc domain variant.

[0168] In some embodiments, the binding polypeptide comprises a single chain variable region sequence (ScFv). A single chain variable region sequence comprises a single polypeptide having one or more antigen binding sites, for example a VL domain linked to a VH domain by a flexible linker. ScFv molecules can be constructed in a VH-linker-VL orientation or a VL-linker-VH orientation. The flexible hinge linking the VL and VH domains that make up the antigen binding site comprises about 10 to about 50 amino acid residues. Linking peptides are known in the art. The binding polypeptide may comprise at least one scFv and / or at least one constant region. In one embodiment, the binding polypeptide of the present disclosure comprises at least one scFv linked or fused to an Fc domain variant.

[0169] In some embodiments, the binding polypeptides of the disclosure are multivalent (e.g., tetravalent) antibodies produced by fusing DNA sequences encoding antibodies with ScFv molecules (e.g., altered ScFv molecules). For example, in one embodiment, the sequences are combined such that the ScFv molecules (e.g., altered ScFv molecules) are linked at their N- or C-termini to Fc domain variants via flexible linkers (e.g., gly / ser linkers). In other embodiments, tetravalent antibodies of the disclosure can be made by fusing ScFv molecules fused to a linking peptide to an Fc domain variant to construct an ScFv-Fab tetravalent molecule.

[0170] In other embodiments, the binding polypeptide of the present disclosure is an altered minibody. The altered minibody of the present disclosure is a dimeric molecule consisting of two polypeptide chains, each of which contains an ScFv molecule fused to an Fc domain variant via a connecting peptide. Minibodies can be made by constructing ScFv and connecting peptide components using methods described in the art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,821 or WO 94 / 09817). In other embodiments, tetravalent minibodies can be constructed. Tetravalent minibodies can be constructed in the same manner as minibodies, except that two ScFv molecules are linked using a flexible linker. The linked scFv-scFv construct is then coupled to the Fc domain variant.

[0171] In other embodiments, the binding polypeptides of the present disclosure include diabodies. Diabodies are dimeric tetravalent molecules, each of which has a polypeptide similar to an scFv molecule, but typically has a short (less than 10, e.g., about 1 to about 5) amino acid residue linker connecting both variable domains, such that the VL and VH domains on the same polypeptide chain cannot interact. Instead, the VL and VH domains of one polypeptide chain interact with the VH and VL domains (respectively) on a second polypeptide chain (see, e.g., WO 02 / 02781). Diabodies of the present disclosure include scFv-like molecules fused to Fc domain variants.

[0172] In other embodiments, the binding polypeptides of the present disclosure comprise single domain antibodies (sdAbs), also called VHHs or nanobodies. Nanobody® is a registered trademark of Ablynx. VHHs comprise a variable heavy domain devoid of light chains. Like traditional VH domains, VHHs contain four FRs and three CDRs. VHHs have advantages over traditional antibodies. VHHs are approximately 10 times smaller than IgG molecules, allowing the production of properly folded functional VHHs in high yields by in vitro expression. Furthermore, VHHs are highly stable and resistant to the action of proteases. The properties and production of VHHs have been reviewed by Harmsen and De Haard HJ (Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2007 November;77(1):13-22).

[0173] In certain exemplary embodiments, the Fc domain is fused to one or more VHHs.

[0174] In other embodiments, the binding polypeptide comprises a multispecific or multivalent antibody comprising one or more variable domains in tandem on the same polypeptide chain, e.g., a tandem variable domain (TVD) polypeptide. An exemplary TVD polypeptide comprises a "double-headed" or "double Fv" configuration, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,830. In the double Fv configuration, the variable domains of two different antibodies are expressed in tandem orientation on two separate chains (one heavy and one light chain), where one polypeptide chain has two VH domains in tandem separated by a peptide linker (VH1-linker-VH2), and the other polypeptide chain consists of complementary VL domains linked in tandem by a peptide linker (VL1-linker-VL2). In the crossed double head configuration, the variable domains of two different antibodies are expressed in tandem orientation on two separate polypeptide chains (one heavy and one light), one polypeptide chain having two VH domains in tandem separated by a peptide linker (VH1-linker-VH2) and the other polypeptide chain consisting of complementary VL domains linked in tandem in the reverse orientation by a peptide linker (VL2-linker-VL1). Further antibody variants based on the "dual Fv" format include dual variable domain IgG (DVD-IgG) bispecific antibodies (see US Pat. No. 7,612,181, and the TBTI format (see US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0226923). In some embodiments, the binding polypeptide comprises a multispecific or multivalent antibody comprising one or more variable domains in tandem on the same polypeptide chain fused to an Fc domain variant.

[0175] In other embodiments, the binding polypeptide comprises a crossover dual variable domain IgG (CODV-IgG) bispecific antibody based on a "dual head" configuration (see U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20120251541, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).

[0176] In other embodiments, the binding polypeptide comprises a CrossMab or CrossMab-Fab multispecific format (see WO2009080253 and Schaefer et al., PNAS (2011), 108:11187-1191). Antibody variants based on the CrossMab format have an antibody domain crossover within one arm of a bispecific IgG antibody, allowing for correct chain association.

[0177] In other embodiments, the glycosylated effector-competent polypeptide comprises a multispecific antibody in a T cell engager format. "T cell engager" refers to a binding protein directed to the host's immune system, in particular the cytotoxic activity of T cells, as well as to a tumor target protein. In some embodiments, the isolated effector-competent polypeptide comprises a multispecific antibody in a NK cell engager format. "NK cell engager" refers to a binding protein comprising an activating NK cell receptor, an antigen-specific targeting region, and a monoclonal antibody fragment targeting the Fc region (Gauthier et al., Cell (2019), 177:1701-13).

[0178] A binding polypeptide of the disclosure that comprises an Fc domain variant as described herein may comprise the CDR or variable domain sequence of a known "parent" antibody. In some embodiments, the parent antibody and the antibody of the disclosure may share similar or identical sequences except for the modifications to the Fc domain as disclosed herein.

[0179] In other embodiments, the binding polypeptide comprises a therapeutic polypeptide. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide can be a receptor, a ligand, or an enzyme. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide can be a clotting factor. In some embodiments, the clotting factor is selected from the group consisting of FI, FII, FIII, FIV, FV, FVI, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, FXI, FXII, FXIII, VWF, prekallikrein, high molecular weight kininogen, fibronectin, antithrombin III, heparin cofactor II, protein C, protein S, protein Z, protein Z-related protease inhibitor (ZPI), plasminogen, alpha 2 antiplasmin factor, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI2), any zymogen thereof, any activated form thereof, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide can be a growth factor. The growth factor can be selected from any growth factor known in the art. In some embodiments, the growth factor is a hormone, and in other embodiments, the growth factor is a cytokine. In some embodiments, the growth factor is a chemokine. In some embodiments, the binding polypeptide comprises a therapeutic molecule or therapeutic polypeptide linked to the N-terminus and / or C-terminus of the Fc domain of the present invention. In some embodiments, the polypeptide is an Fc fusion polypeptide.

[0180] Nucleic acids and vectors In one aspect, polynucleotides are provided that encode the Fc domain variants and / or binding polypeptides disclosed herein. Methods for producing the Fc domain variants and / or binding polypeptides are also provided, comprising expressing the polynucleotides.

[0181] Polynucleotides encoding the Fc domain variants and / or binding polypeptides disclosed herein are typically inserted into expression vectors for introduction into host cells that can be used to produce desired amounts of the claimed antibodies, therapeutic polypeptides, and Fc fusion proteins. Thus, in certain aspects, the invention provides expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides disclosed herein, as well as host cells comprising those vectors and polynucleotides.

[0182] The term "vector" or "expression vector" is used herein for the purpose of the specification and claims to mean a vector used to introduce and express a desired gene into a cell. As known to those skilled in the art, such vectors can be easily selected from the group consisting of plasmids, phages, viruses, and retroviruses. Generally, vectors contain a selection marker, appropriate restriction sites to facilitate cloning of the desired gene, and the ability to enter and / or replicate in eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells.

[0183] A number of expression vector systems are available. For example, one type of vector utilizes DNA elements derived from animal viruses such as bovine papilloma virus, polyoma virus, adenovirus, vaccinia virus, baculovirus, retrovirus (RSV, MMTV, or MOMLV), or SV40 virus. Others include the use of polycistronic systems that contain internal ribosome binding sites. Additionally, cells that have integrated the DNA into their chromosomes can be selected by the introduction of one or more markers that allow for the selection of transfected host cells. Markers can confer prototrophy to auxotrophic hosts, biocide resistance (e.g., antibiotics), or resistance to heavy metals such as copper. The selectable marker gene is either directly linked to the DNA sequence to be expressed or introduced into the same cell by cotransformation. Additional elements may also be required for optimal synthesis of mRNA. These elements may include signal sequences, splice signals, as well as transcription promoters, enhancers, and termination signals. In some embodiments, the cloned variable region genes are inserted into an expression vector along with heavy and light chain constant region genes (eg, human genes), synthesized as discussed above.

[0184] In other embodiments, polycistronic constructs can be used to express the glycosylated effector-competent polypeptides described herein. In such expression systems, multiple gene products of interest, such as heavy and light chains of an antibody, can be produced from a single polycistronic construct. This system advantageously uses an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) to produce relatively high levels of polypeptides in eukaryotic host cells. A suitable IRES sequence is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,193,980, which is incorporated herein by reference. Those skilled in the art will understand that such expression systems can be used to effectively produce the full range of polypeptides disclosed in this application.

[0185] More generally, once a vector or DNA sequence encoding the Fc domain variants and / or binding polypeptides of the present disclosure is prepared, the expression vector can be introduced into a suitable host cell. That is, the host cell can be transformed. Introduction of the plasmid into the host cell can be achieved by various techniques well known to those skilled in the art. These techniques include, but are not limited to, transfection (including electrophoresis and electroporation), protoplast fusion, calcium phosphate precipitation, cell fusion with enveloped DNA, microinjection, and infection with intact virus. See, e.g., Ridgway, AAG, "Mammalian Expression Vectors," Chapter 24.2, pages 470-472 in Vectors, edited by Rodriguez and Denhardt (Butterworths, Boston, MA 1988). The transformed cells are grown under conditions appropriate for the production of the light and heavy chains and heavy and / or light chain protein synthesis is assayed. Exemplary assay techniques include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), or fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis (FACS), immunohistochemistry, and the like.

[0186] As used herein, the term "transformation" is intended in a broad sense to refer to the introduction of DNA into a recipient host cell, resulting in a change in the genotype and resulting in a change in the recipient cell.

[0187] Similarly, a "host cell" refers to a cell transformed with a vector constructed using recombinant DNA technology that encodes at least one heterologous gene. In the description of the process of isolating a polypeptide from a recombinant host, the terms "cell" and "cell culture" are used interchangeably to indicate the source of the antibody, unless otherwise clearly indicated. In other words, recovery of the polypeptide from the "cell" can mean either from spun down whole cells or from the cell culture containing both the medium and the suspended cells.

[0188] In one embodiment, the host cell line used for expression of the Fc domain variant and / or binding polypeptide is of eukaryotic or prokaryotic origin. In one embodiment, the host cell line used for expression of the Fc domain variant and / or binding polypeptide is of bacterial origin. In one embodiment, the host cell line used for expression of the Fc domain variant and / or binding polypeptide is of mammalian origin. Those skilled in the art can determine the particular host cell line that is most suitable for expressing the desired gene product therein. Exemplary host cell lines include, but are not limited to, DG44 and DUXB11 (Chinese hamster ovary line, DHFR minus), HELA (human cervical carcinoma), CVI (monkey kidney line), COS (a derivative of CVI containing the SV40 T antigen), R1610 (Chinese hamster fibroblasts) BALBC / 3T3 (mouse fibroblasts), HAK (hamster kidney line), SP2 / O (mouse myeloma), BFA-1c1BPT (bovine endothelial cells), RAJI (human lymphocytes), 293 (human kidney). In one embodiment, the cell line achieves altered glycosylation, e.g., afucosylation, of the antibodies it expresses (e.g., PER.C6.RTM. (Crucell) or a FUT8 knockout CHO cell line (POTELLIGENT™ cells) (Biowa, Princeton, NJ)). In one embodiment, NS0 cells may be used. Host cell lines are typically available from commercial services, the American Tissue Culture Collection or from published literature.

[0189] In vitro production allows for scale-up to provide large amounts of the desired Fc domain variants and / or binding polypeptides. Techniques for mammalian cell culture under tissue culture conditions are known in the art and include homogeneous suspension culture, for example in airlift reactors or continuous stirrer reactors, or immobilized or entrapped cell culture, for example in hollow fibers, in microcapsules, on agarose microbeads or ceramic cartridges. If necessary and / or desired, the solution of the polypeptide can be purified by conventional chromatographic methods, for example, gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, DEAE cellulose chromatography, and / or (immuno) affinity chromatography.

[0190] The one or more genes encoding the glycosylated Fc domain variants and / or binding polypeptides may further be expressed in non-mammalian cells, such as bacteria or yeast cells or plant cells. In this regard, it is understood that various unicellular non-mammalian microorganisms, such as bacteria, i.e., those that can be grown in culture or fermentation, can also be transformed. Bacteria that are amenable to transformation include strains of members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, such as Escherichia coli or Salmonella; Bacillus subtilis; Bacillaceae, such as Pneumococcus; Streptococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae. It is further understood that when expressed in bacteria, the Fc domain variants and / or binding polypeptides can become part of inclusion bodies. The Fc domain variants and / or binding polypeptides must be isolated and purified before assembly into functional molecules.

[0191] In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microorganisms can also be used. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or commonly known as baker's yeast, is the most commonly used among eukaryotic microorganisms, although several other strains are commonly available. For expression in Saccharomyces, for example, plasmid YRp7 (Stinchcomb et al., Nature, 282:39 (1979); Kingsman et al., Gene, 7:141 (1979); Tschemper et al., Gene, 10:157 (1980)) is commonly used. This plasmid already contains the TRP1 gene, which provides a selection marker for mutant strains of yeast that lack the ability to grow on tryptophan, such as ATCC No. 44076 or PEP4-1 (Jones, Genetics, 85:12 (1977)). In that case, the presence of the trpl lesion as a characteristic of the yeast host cell genome, by growth in the absence of tryptophan, provides an effective environment for detection of transformation.

[0192] Method of Use / Treatment In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating a disease or disorder in a subject in need of treatment comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an Fc domain variant disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides kits and methods for treating a disease or disorder, e.g., cancer, in a mammalian subject in need of such treatment.

[0193] The Fc domain variants of the present disclosure are useful in several different applications. For example, in one embodiment, the subject Fc domain variants are useful for the reduction or elimination of cells bearing an epitope recognized by the binding domain of the Fc domain variant. In other embodiments, the subject Fc domain variants are effective in reducing or eliminating the concentration of soluble antigens in the circulation. In other embodiments, the subject Fc domain variants are effective as T cell engagers. In one embodiment, the Fc domain variants may reduce tumor size, inhibit tumor growth, and / or prolong the survival of tumor-bearing animals. Thus, the present disclosure further relates to a method of treating tumors in humans or other animals by administering a non-toxic effective amount of an Fc domain variant to such human or animal.

[0194] In other embodiments, the subject Fc domain variants are useful for treating other disorders, including, but not limited to, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory disorders, pulmonary diseases, neurological or neurodegenerative diseases, liver diseases, spinal diseases, uterine diseases, depressive disorders, etc. Non-limiting examples of infectious diseases include those caused by RNA viruses (e.g., orthomyxoviruses (e.g., influenza), paramyxoviruses (e.g., respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, metapneumovirus), rhabdoviruses (e.g., rabies virus), coronaviruses (e.g., SARS-CoV), alphaviruses (e.g., chikungunya virus), lentiviruses (e.g., HIV), etc.), or DNA viruses. Examples of infectious diseases further include, but are not limited to, bacterial infections caused by, for example, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and other infections including, for example, those caused by Candida albicans. Other infectious diseases include, but are not limited to, malaria, SARS, yellow fever, Lyme borreliosis, leishmaniasis, anthrax, and meningitis. Exemplary autoimmune disorders include, but are not limited to, psoriasis and lupus. Thus, the present disclosure relates to methods of treating a variety of conditions that would benefit from the use of the subject effector-capable polypeptides having, for example, enhanced half-life.

[0195] Those skilled in the art can determine by routine experimentation what is the non-toxic effective amount of Fc domain variant for the purpose of treating malignant tumors.For example, the therapeutically active amount of the Fc domain variant of the present disclosure can vary according to factors such as the stage of the subject's disease (e.g., stage I vs. stage IV), age, sex, medical complications (e.g., immunosuppressive conditions or diseases), and weight, as well as the modified antibody induces the desired response in the subject.The administration regimen can be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeutic response.For example, several divided doses can be administered daily, or the dose can be proportionally reduced as dictated by the requirements of the therapeutic situation.

[0196] In general, the compositions provided in this disclosure can be used to prophylactically or therapeutically treat any neoplasm that contains an antigenic marker that allows for targeting of cancer cells by the Fc domain variant.

[0197] Pharmaceutical Compositions and Their Administration Methods for preparing and administering the Fc domain variants of the present disclosure to a subject are well known to and easily determined by those of skill in the art. The route of administration of the binding polypeptides of the present disclosure may be oral, parenteral, inhalation, or topical. The term parenteral as used herein includes intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, rectal, or vaginal administration. Although all of these administration forms are clearly contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure, one form of administration is a solution or infusion for injection, particularly intravenous or intraarterial injection. Typically, suitable injectable pharmaceutical compositions may include buffers (e.g., acetate, phosphate, or citrate buffers), surfactants (e.g., polysorbates), and optionally stabilizers (e.g., human albumin), etc. In some embodiments, the Fc domain variants may be delivered directly to the site of the harmful cell population, thereby increasing the exposure of the diseased tissue to the therapeutic agent.

[0198] Preparations for parenteral administration include sterile, aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. Aqueous carriers include water, alcoholic / aqueous solutions, emulsions, or suspensions, including saline and buffered media. In the compositions and methods of the present disclosure, pharma- ceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, 0.01-0.1M, e.g., 0.05M, phosphate buffer, or 0.8% saline. Other common parenteral vehicles include sodium phosphate solutions, Ringer's dextrose, dextrose-sodium chloride, lactated Ringer's, or fixed oils. Intravenous vehicles include fluid and nutrient replenishers, electrolyte replenishers (e.g., those based on Ringer's dextrose), and the like. Preservatives and other additives may also be present, such as, for example, antibacterial agents, antioxidants, chelating agents, and inert gases. In particular, pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injection include sterile, aqueous solutions (water soluble) or dispersions, and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. In such cases, the composition must be sterile and fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. The pharmaceutical composition is stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage, and typically is preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be, for example, a solvent or dispersion medium containing water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, etc.), and suitable mixtures thereof. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use of surfactants.

[0199] In many cases, isotonic agents, such as sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride, are included in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent that delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

[0200] In any case, sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active compound (e.g., Fc domain variant alone or in combination with other active agents) in the required amount in a suitable solvent containing one or a combination of ingredients listed herein, followed by filtration sterilization as required. In general, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound in a sterile vehicle containing a basic dispersion medium and other required ingredients from those listed above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, exemplary preparation methods include vacuum drying and freeze-drying, which yields a powder of the active ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution containing the active ingredient plus any desired additional ingredients. The injectable preparations are processed and filled into containers such as ampoules, bags, bottles, syringes or vials and sealed under aseptic conditions according to methods known in the art. In addition, the preparations may be packaged and sold in the form of a kit. Such products typically have a label or package insert indicating that the relevant composition is useful for treating subjects suffering from or susceptible to autoimmune or neoplastic disorders.

[0201] The effective dose of the composition of the present disclosure for treating the above-mentioned conditions varies depending on many different factors, including the means of administration, the target site, the physiological state of the patient, whether the patient is human or animal, other medications, and whether the treatment is preventive or therapeutic.Usually, the patient is a human, but non-human mammals, including transgenic mammals, can also be treated.The treatment dose can be titrated using routine methods known to those skilled in the art to optimize safety and efficacy.

[0202] The Fc domain variants of the present disclosure can be administered multiple times. The interval between single doses can be one week, one month, or one year. The interval can be irregular as indicated by measuring blood levels of the Fc domain variant or antigen in the patient. In some methods, the dose is adjusted to achieve a plasma concentration of about 1-1000 μg / ml, and in some methods about 25-300 μg / ml, of the modified binding polypeptide. Alternatively, the Fc domain variants can be administered as sustained release formulations, in which case less frequent administration is required. For antibodies, the dose and frequency will vary depending on the half-life of the antibody in the patient. Generally, humanized antibodies exhibit the longest half-life, followed by chimeric and non-human antibodies.

[0203] The dosage and frequency of administration may vary depending on whether the treatment is prophylactic or therapeutic. In prophylactic applications, compositions containing the polypeptides or a cocktail thereof are administered to patients not yet in a disease state to enhance the patient's resistance. Such an amount is defined as a "prophylactically effective dose." In this use, the exact amount again depends on the patient's health and general immunity, but generally ranges from about 0.1 to about 25 mg per dose, particularly about 0.5 to about 2.5 mg per dose. Relatively low doses are administered at relatively infrequent intervals over a long period of time. Some patients continue to receive treatment for the rest of their lives. In therapeutic applications, relatively high doses (e.g., about 1 to 400 mg / kg of antibody per dose, with doses of about 5 to 25 mg more commonly used for radioimmunoconjugates and higher doses for cytotoxic drug-modified antibodies) at relatively short intervals may be required until disease progression is reduced or terminated or the patient shows partial or complete improvement of disease symptoms. The patient may then be administered a prophylactic regime.

[0204] The Fc domain variants of the present disclosure can optionally be administered in combination with other agents that are effective in treating the disorder or condition in need of treatment (e.g., prophylactic or therapeutic). 90Effective single treatment doses (ie, therapeutically effective amounts) of Y-labeled modified antibodies range from between about 5 to about 75 mCi, for example, between about 10 to about 40 mCi. 131 Effective single treatment non-marrow ablative dosages of I-modified antibodies range from between about 5 to about 70 mCi, or between about 5 to about 40 mCi. 131 Effective single treatment ablative doses of I-labeled antibodies (i.e., may require autologous bone marrow transplantation) range between about 30 and about 600 mCi, e.g., between about 50 and less than about 500 mCi. In the context of chimeric antibodies, due to their longer circulating half-lives relative to murine antibodies, effective single treatment non-myeloablative doses of iodine-131 labeled chimeric antibodies range between about 5 and about 40 mCi, e.g., less than about 30 mCi. For example, 111 Imaging criteria for In labeling are typically less than about 5 mCi.

[0205] It should be emphasized that while the Fc domain variants can be administered as described immediately above, in other embodiments, the polypeptides can be administered as a first-line treatment to otherwise healthy patients. In such embodiments, the Fc domain variants may be administered to patients with and / or without normal or average red bone marrow reserve and to patients who have not received treatment. As used herein, administration of a polypeptide in conjunction with or in combination with adjunctive therapy refers to sequential, simultaneous, coextensive, concomitant, concomitant, or concurrent administration or application of the therapy and the disclosed antibody. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the administration or application of the various components of a combined therapeutic regimen can be timed to enhance the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

[0206] As discussed above, the disclosed Fc domain variants, antibodies, therapeutic polypeptides, or Fc domain variant fusion polypeptides thereof may be administered in a pharma- ceutical effective amount for the in vivo treatment of a mammalian disorder. In this regard, it is understood that the disclosed Fc domain variants are formulated for ease of administration and to promote stability of the active agent.

[0207] Pharmaceutical compositions according to the present disclosure may include pharma- ceutical acceptable, non-toxic, sterile carriers, such as saline, non-toxic buffers, preservatives, and the like. For the purposes of this application, a pharma- ceutical effective amount of an Fc domain variant, conjugated or unconjugated to a therapeutic agent, is taken to mean an amount sufficient to achieve effective binding to an antibody and obtain a benefit, e.g., to ameliorate symptoms of a disease or disorder, or to detect a substance or cell. In the case of tumor cells, the polypeptide can interact with selected antigens on neoplastic or immunoreactive cells, resulting in increased death of those cells. Of course, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present disclosure can be administered in a single dose or multiple doses to provide a pharma-ceutical effective amount of the modified binding polypeptide.

[0208] In view of the scope of the present disclosure, the Fc domain variants of the present disclosure can be administered to humans or other animals in an amount sufficient to produce a therapeutic or prophylactic effect according to the above-mentioned treatment method. The Fc domain variants of the present disclosure can be administered to such humans or other animals in a conventional dosage form prepared by combining the antibody of the present disclosure with a conventional pharma-ceutically acceptable carrier or diluent according to known techniques. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the form and characteristics of the pharma-ceutically acceptable carrier or diluent will depend on the amount of active ingredient with which it is combined, the route of administration, and other well-known variables. Those skilled in the art will further understand that a cocktail comprising one or more types of binding polypeptides described in the present disclosure may prove to be particularly effective.

[0209] The contents of the articles, patents, and patent applications, and all other documents and electronically available information mentioned or cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Applicants reserve the right to physically incorporate into this application any and all materials and information from any such articles, patents, patent applications, or other physical and electronic documents.

[0210] Although the present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the original spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other suitable modifications and adaptations of the methods described herein can be made using appropriate equivalents without departing from the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition, process, process steps to the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto. Having described certain embodiments in detail, the same will be more clearly understood in connection with the following examples, which are included for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. EXAMPLES

[0211] This invention is further illustrated by the following examples which should not be construed as further limiting. EXAMPLES

[0212] In Silico Model and Identification of Disulfide Bonds That Increase Stability To characterize the potential stabilizing effect of the engineered disulfide bonds within the CH2 region of the Fc domain, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the Fc domain obtained from the PDB structure 1HZH. All systems were simulated at 300K and 370K to estimate the effect of heat shock on the domain and to determine potential weak interactions on the domain. Simulations were performed for the following Fc variants: WT IgG1 Fc domain, DE+DQ, ADLE+DQ, DE+DQ+L242C / K334C, DE+DQ+R292C / V302C, ADLE+DQ+L242C / K334C, and ADLE+DQ+R292C / V302C. Results are reported as the average frequency of hydrophobic contacts for residue I332E at either 300 or 370 K (Figure 1A), as well as the flexibility of the region containing the mutation, as represented by the corresponding carbon alpha root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) index (Figure 1B).

[0213] result Introduction of a negative charge (I332E) within the CH2 domain leads to a loss of the average frequency of hydrophobic contacts due to potential disruption of the hydrophobic core of the domain (e.g., DQ+DE and DQ+ADLE systems - Figure 1A). Introduction of the R292C+V302C or L242C+K334C mutations partially restores or improves this contact.

[0214] To estimate the potential impact on half-life extension in all variants, the flexibility index of the DQ mutation (RMSF - Figure 1B) was monitored for all lines. Lines containing the I332E mutation in the background of the DQ mutation appear to show higher flexibility relative to the WT at positions 256 and 307. Introduction of DSB stabilization appears to partially improve the flexibility index relative to the WT behavior (e.g. DQ DE L242C+K334C - Figure 1B).

[0215] FIG. 2 shows an example (line-ribbon) of DSB grafting on the Fc CH2 domain by I332E (green CPK rendering) and the structurally adjacent L242C+K334C engineered disulfide bond (orange CPK rendering).

[0216] FIG. 3 shows an example of a non-covalent network for I332 (left panel, hydrophobic contacts highlighted by dotted lines) and I332E (right panel, electrostatic contacts highlighted by dotted lines).

[0217] Structural comparison between the two images in Figure 3 indicates that the I332E mutation introduced a negative charge within the hydrophobic core of the CH2 domain, which was identified as a potential driving phenomenon for the poor thermal stability, since it results in a loss of hydrophobic contacts within the hydrophobic core.

[0218] The rationale of the in silico study was to find possible positions of disulfide stabilization that would create novel covalent sulfur-sulfur contacts to recover the enthalpy loss caused by hydrophobic network disruption and rescue the hydrophobic network underlying the normally N-glycosylated CH2 domain fold. Several disulfide bonds were previously tested to stabilize aglycosylated IgG1 (see Gong et al., 2009, J. Biol. Chem. 284, 14203-14210; Jacobsen et al., 2017, J. Biol. Chem. 292, 1865-1875). Among them, two disulfide schemes fit the above hypothesis, the positions and mutations of which were L242C+K334C and R292C+V302C (see Figure 4).

[0219] As a negative control, two residues far from position 332 were chosen to introduce a disulfide bond, the position and mutations being A287C+L306C. This disulfide stabilization is adjacent to the hydrophobic core and is located at the boundary of the beta-fold that characterizes the IgG CH2 domain (see FIG. 5). Although the introduction of a covalent sulfur-sulfur bond may stabilize the aglycosylated IgG1 scaffold, the distance from the I332E mutation makes this disulfide stabilization considered inefficient within the enhanced effector function scaffold containing the I332E mutation.

[0220] Figure 4 shows an example of the positions chosen for DSB mutations: L242+K334 in the left panel (bars in circles), and R292 and V302 in the right panel (bars in circles).

[0221] Figure 5 shows the locations of A287 and L306 (lower yellow bars), which were chosen as negative controls. These two residues are close to the FcRn-binding surface and at the interface of the IgG CH2 domain, and are predicted to have less structural impact than the previous two DSB schemes.

[0222] In silico model and the effect of disulfide bonds on binding to C1q, FcγRIIIa, FcγRIIa, and FcRn In silico models were used to determine the effect of disulfide bonds on binding to C1q, FcγRIIIa, FcγRIIa, and FcRn.

[0223] material and method This analysis was performed using the available crystal structures, PDB ID: 6FCZ-C1q, FcγRIIIa in complex with 5D6D-GASDALIE Fc, 3RY6-FcγRIIa, and 4N0U-FcRn. The low resolution of two of the structures (a model based on the cryo-EM structure of Fc in complex with 6FCZ-C1q, and an X-ray structure of Fc in complex with 3RY6-FcγRIIa with a resolution of 3.80 Å) must be considered, and conclusions may be biased due to insufficient resolution. By selecting all Fc residues within 5 Å of the receptor, the interacting residues were determined and cross-checked with mutations enhancing effector function and DSB mutations. Since the chosen interaction distance is larger than the resolution of the two crystal structures (5 Å and 3.80 Å, respectively), it reduces the bias, which is only decisive when determining the evaluation of direct interactions between residues, and not when determining the entire interaction surface in this case.

[0224] Contact residues with C1q This analysis shows that the closest residues found in the two CH2 domains are as follows for Fc chain 1 and chain 2, respectively:

[0225] Fc chain 1: E233, L234, L235, G236, G237, K322, S324, N325, K326, A327, L328, P329, A330, P331, E333. Residues G236 and A330 have mutations G236A and A330L, respectively, in the ADLE and ADE schemes. A330 (L in ADLE) is in direct contact with the C1q receptor and may have a direct effect on binding if mutated to leucine. Additionally, P331 is in direct contact with C1q and is immediately preceding I332 (E in ADE / DE / ADLE).

[0226] Fc chain 2: H268, E269, E294, S298, Y300. These positions contain neither effector function enhancing nor stabilizing engineered mutations. Based on this analysis, the DE, ADE, and ADLE mutations may affect C1q binding because they are residues that contact or are close to the C1q receptor. The DSB position is not found within the residues closest to C1q and should not affect C1q binding. The T256D and T307Q mutations are far from the interaction surface and therefore should not affect C1q binding.

[0227] Contact residues with FcγRIIIa This analysis shows that the closest residues found in the two CH2 domains are as follows for Fc chain 1 and chain 2, respectively: Fc chain 1: A236, G237, P238, D239, D265, V266, S267, H268, D270, Y296, N297, S298, T299, and A327. Fc chain 2: G236, G237, P238, S239, K326, A327, L328, P329, A330, I332.

[0228] The bolded residues belong to the mutations that enhance DE, ADE and ADLE effector functions. It has been described and reported that it increases FcγRIIIa binding. However, none of the above positions contain any DSB mutations, and should not affect FcγRIIIa binding. The T256D and T307Q mutations are far from the interaction surface, and therefore should not affect FcγRIIIa binding.

[0229] Contact residues with FcγRIIa This analysis shows that the closest residues found in the two CH2 domains are as follows for Fc chain 1 and chain 2, respectively: Fc chain 1: L235, G236, G237, P238, K326, A327, L328, P329. Residue G236 has the mutation G236A in the ADLE and ADE schemes. Fc chain 2: L234, L235, G236, G237, P238, S239, V264, D265, V266, S267, N297, S298, T299.

[0230] Residues G236 and S239 have mutations G236A and S239D, respectively, in ADLE, ADE and DE schemes.Based on this analysis, ADLE mutations can affect FcγRIIa binding.On the other hand, DSB positions are not found in the residues closest to FcγRIIa, and should not affect FcγRIIa binding.T256D and T307Q mutations are far from the interaction surface, and therefore should not affect FcγRIIa binding.

[0231] Contact residues with FcRn Based on the structural analysis, the DSB position should have no effect on the FcRn binding surface. The position of the DSB mutation is not part of the FcRn binding surface and is not in the vicinity of the CH2-CH3 elbow where the binding surface is contained.

[0232] Effect of DSBs on Knob-Into-Hole (KIH) and RF mutations Based on the structural analysis, DSB should not have any effect on the RF or KIH schemes since they belong to different IgG domains of the Fc chain (CH2 domain for DSB and CH3 domain for KIH and RF mutations). EXAMPLES

[0233] Construction and characterization of stabilized variants Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with enhanced effector potential were formatted with Fc scaffolds by the introduction of point mutations (Lazar et al., PNAS, 103:4005-10 (2006)). The mutations introduced into the Fc domain were: 1) aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239 and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 ("DE" variant); 2) alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 ("ADE" variant); or 3) alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 ("ADLE" variant) (see Smith et al., PNAS, 109:6181-86 (2012)). Further mutations were introduced to extend the half-life of the Fc-bearing polypeptide: an aspartic acid (D) was introduced at amino acid position 256, and a glutamine (Q) was introduced at amino acid position 307. Amino acid position numbering was based on EU numbering.

[0234] To generate DE, ADE, and ADLE variants with higher thermal stability, cysteine ​​substitutions were introduced to engineer intrachain disulfide bonds. Paired cysteines replaced 1) leucine (L) at amino acid position 242 and lysine (K) at amino acid position 334; and 2) arginine (R) at amino acid position 292 and valine (V) at amino acid position 302. Amino acid position numbering was based on EU numbering.

[0235] Point mutations were introduced into the nucleic acid sequence encoding the Fc domain of human IgG1. The nucleic acid sequence was then fused to the coding sequence of the variable domain of mAb1 (an IgG1 antibody against a protein antigen present on the surface of immune cells) and cloned into a mammalian expression plasmid containing the cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer / promoter and SV40 polyA signal. The resulting plasmid was transfected into HEK293 cells according to the manufacturer's instructions.

[0236] Amino acid sequences of the human IgG1 heavy chain constant domains of mAb1 variants mAb1 mAb1(wt)(IgG1) ASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDG VEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPG

[0237] mAb1-DE (residues D239 and E332 are underlined) [ka]

[0238] mAb1-DE-DQ (residues D239, E332, D256, Q307 are underlined) [ka]

[0239] mAb1-DE-DQ-L242C-K334C (residues D239, E332, D256, Q307, C242, and C334 are underlined) [ka]

[0240] mAb1-DE-DQ-R292C-V302C (residues D239, E332, D256, Q307, C292, and C302 are underlined) [ka]

[0241] mAb1-DE-R292C-V302C (residues D239, E332, C292, and C302 are underlined) [ka]

[0242] mAb1-DE-L242C-K334C (residues D239, E332, C242, and C334 are underlined) [ka]

[0243] mAb1-ADE (residues A236, D239, and E332 are underlined) [ka]

[0244] mAb1-ADE-DQ (residues A236, D239, E332, D256, and Q307 are underlined) [ka]

[0245] mAb1-ADE-DQ-R292C-V302C (residues A236, D239, E332, D256, Q307, C292, and C302 are underlined) [ka]

[0246] mAb1-ADE-DQ-L242C-K334C (residues A236, D239, E332, D256, Q307, C242, and C334 are underlined) [ka]

[0247] mAb1-ADE-R292C-V302C (residues A236, D239, E332, C292, and C302 are underlined) [ka]

[0248] mAb1-ADE-L242C-K334C (residues A236, D239, E332, C242, and C334 are underlined) [ka]

[0249] mAb1-ADLE (residues A236, D239, L330, E332 are underlined) [ka]

[0250] mAb1-ADLE-DQ (residues A236, D239, L330, E332, D256, Q307 are underlined) [ka]

[0251] mAb1-ADLE-DQ-L242C-K334C (residues A236, D239, L330, E332, D256, Q307, C242, and C334 are underlined) [ka]

[0252] mAb1-ADLE-DQ-R292C-V302C (residues A236, D239, L330, E332, D256, Q307, C292, and C302 are underlined) [ka]

[0253] mAb1-ADLE-R292C-V302C (residues A236, D239, L330, E332, C292, and C302 are underlined) [ka]

[0254] mAb1-ADLE-L242C-K334C (residues A236, D239, L330, E332, C242, and C334 are underlined) [ka]

[0255] mAb1 variants were produced at 1.5 liter scale and purified by a two-step process including protein A affinity chromatography (HI Screen MAbSelect Sure protein A, Cytiva) and size exclusion chromatography (HI Load 26 / 600 superdex 200 pg, Cytiva) equilibrated with PBS. The pool of fractions was concentrated to 10 mg / mL using a Sartorius Vivaspin 10KDa. Samples were then filter sterilized and stored at 4°C until use. Batches were analyzed for quantitation, purity, and quality by UV, LabChip GXII touch HT (protein under reducing and non-reducing conditions), SEC-HPLC, and LC-MS. The engineered disulfide bonds were analyzed via extracted ion chromatography (XIC) with LC_MS (Q-Tof) after enzymatic digestion with Lys-C, trypsin, or trypsin+Glu-C serine protease mix for peptide mapping.

[0256] result

[0257] [Table 1]

[0258] Batches were produced and characterized with the expected profile. The sample yield of the A287C+L306C construct was very low compared to either of the other constructs. Disulfide bonds were determined by XIC, and as shown in Figure 6 (XIC profile of disulfide bonds by mAb1 ADLE DQ&DSB mutant) and Figure 7A and Figure 7B (XIC profile of disulfide bonds by mAb1_DE&DSB mutant and mAb1_ADE&DSB mutant), additional disulfide bonds were present as expected.

[0259] To test the thermal stability of mAbs with Fc variants, mAbs were diluted to 10 mg / mL in PBS. Thermal stability was determined by nano-type differential scanning fluorimetry (nanoDSF) using a Prometheus NT48 with standard capillaries and a linear temperature gradient from 20°C to 95°C at a heating rate of 1°C per minute.

[0260] NanoDSF uses the change in protein autofluorescence to monitor protein unfolding with increasing temperature. A light source with a wavelength of 266 nm is used to excite the protein solution and the fluorescence emission of tyrosine and tryptophan residues at 330 nm and 350 nm. The emission maxima and intensities of tyrosine and tryptophan residues depend significantly on their immediate environment and can change as the protein unfolds during thermal denaturation. Monitoring the change in the ratio of fluorescence intensities at 330 nm and 350 nm as a function of temperature results in a sigmoidal curve that represents the protein unfolding transition. The midpoint of the sigmoidal curve represents the melting temperature (Tm). The temperature at which the onset of protein unfolding can be detected is the onset denaturation temperature. There are three inflection points (IP), two corresponding to CH2 and CH3 of the Fc domain and the third to the Fab domain. Tagg is the temperature at which the protein shows a tendency to aggregate.

[0261] The results of the thermal stability test of the ADE, DE, and ADLE variants can be seen in Table 2 and in Figure 8 and Figure 9A-B. NanoDSF uses the change in protein autofluorescence to monitor protein unfolding with increasing temperature. Monitoring the change in the fluorescence intensity ratio at 330 nm and 350 nm as a function of temperature results in a sigmoidal curve that represents the protein unfolding transition. The midpoint of the sigmoidal curve represents the melting temperature (Tm). The temperature at which the onset of protein unfolding is detectable is the denaturation onset temperature. Three inflection points (IP) are recorded: two corresponding to CH2 and CH3 of the Fc domain and the third to the Fab domain. Tagg is the temperature at which the protein starts to aggregate.

[0262] [Table 2]

[0263] All Fabs were very stable with Tm between 82°C and 83°C. The onset temperature of denaturation for WT IgG1 (mAb1) was 65°C, and for mAb1 ADLE, ADE, and DE, with or without DQ mutations, it was below 50°C. On the other hand, when the R292C_V302C or L242C_K334C DSB was introduced, the onset temperature of denaturation was well above 50°C, similar to wild-type IgG1 molecules. IP Fc is above 60°C for molecules containing the R292C_V302C or L242C_K334C DSB, similar to wild-type IgG1. Introduction of the R292C_V302C or L242C_K334C DSB restored thermal stability in the background of ADCC-enhanced Fc ADLE, ADE, or DE, with or without half-life-enhancing DQ mutations.

[0264] The A287C_L306C DSB did not restore thermostability to the ADCC-enhanced Fc ADLE, ADE, or DE that do not contain half-life-enhancing DQ mutations.

[0265] mAb2 The following additional Fc variants were generated based on mAb2 (an IgG1 monoclonal antibody against G protein-coupled receptors (GCPRs) on the surface of immune cells): mAb2(wt) (wild type IgG1 Fc), mAb2-DE (corresponding to mAb2 with the additional substitutions S239D and I332E), mAb2-DE-R292C / V302C (corresponding to mAb2-DE with the additional substitutions R292C and V302C), and mAb2-R292C / V302C (corresponding to mAb2 wt with substitutions R292C and V302C).

[0266] The thermal stability of mAb2wt, mAb2-DE, mAb2-DE-R292C / V302C, and mAb2-R292C / V302C was tested by the same method described above for mAb1, and the results are provided in Table 3.

[0267] [Table 3]

[0268] The results show that the DE mutation in mAb2 results in lower thermal stability (Tm of 51.0°C for mAb2-DE versus Tm of 71.9°C for mAb2 wt) and that introduction of a disulfide bond restored thermal stability (Tm 67.9°C).

[0269] mAb3 The following additional Fc variants were generated based on mAb3 (a bivalent, bispecific IgG1 monoclonal CODV-OL1 antibody against protein antigens present on the surface of immune cells and cancer cells): mAb3(wt) (wild-type IgG1 Fc), mAb3-DE (corresponding to mAb3 with the additional substitutions S239D and I332E), mAb3-DE-R292C / V302C (corresponding to mAb3-DE with the additional substitutions R292C and V302C), mAb3-ADE (corresponding to mAb3 with the additional substitutions G236A, S239D, and I332E), and mAb3-ADE-R292C / V302C (corresponding to mAb3-ADE with the additional substitutions R292C and V302C).

[0270] The mAb3 antibody was produced as follows:

[0271] Expression plasmids encoding the different strands of the corresponding constructs were propagated in E. coli DH5a. Plasmids used for transfection were prepared from E. coli using the EndoFree Plasmid Mega kit (Qiagen). HEK293-FS cells grown in F17 serum-free suspension culture (Invitrogen) were transfected with the indicated plasmids using polyethylenimine transfection reagent. After 6 days of culture at 37°C and 8% CO2, cells were removed by centrifugation and the supernatant was passed through a 0.22 μm filter to remove particles. Proteins were captured on MabSelect SuRe (Cytiva), extracted with 0.1 M citrate buffer pH 3.0, and neutralized with 1 M Tris pH 9. Proteins were used for further characterization after being finalized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using Superdex200 26 / 60 (Cytiva), 0.22 μm filtration, and UV280 concentration quantification. The yields are reported in Table 4 below.

[0272] [Table 4]

[0273] Antibodies with a normal IgG1 Fc backbone demonstrated sample yields of >20 mg / L, while antibodies with ADE or DE mutations in the Fc backbone showed a drop in sample yield to <10 mg / L. Antibodies with IgG1 Fc with disulfide bonds in addition to ADE or DE mutations demonstrated sample yields similar to WT, and a 4- to 6-fold increase in sample yield, with mAb3-DE-R292C / V302C and mAb3-ADE-R292C / V302C showing sample yields of >20 mg / L.

[0274] The thermal stability of mAb3 was tested by the same method described above for mAb1, and the results are provided in Table 5.

[0275] [Table 5]

[0276] mAb3 with a normal IgG1 Fc backbone was stable with a Tm1 of 64.3°C and an onset temperature of 58.5°C. mAB3 molecules with ADE or DE mutations in the IgG1 Fc show a Tm1 and onset temperature of less than 50°C. Molecules with IgG1 Fc with disulfide bonds in addition to ADE or DE mutations show increased thermal stability. mAb3-DE-DSB molecule shows a Tm1 of 65.9°C and an onset temperature of 57.8°C, and mAb3-ADE-DSB shows a Tm1 of 65.9°C and an onset temperature of 57.5°C.

[0277] Chemical integrity of disulfide bond R292C / V302C in mAb3 Engineering a disulfide bond (DSB) on the Fc CH2 domain increases stability. To ensure that the engineered DSB, R292C_V302C, and ADE mutations (G236A / S239D / I332E) in mAb3 do not aberrantly affect DSB reduction behavior, reduction rates were measured by DTT followed by tryptic peptide mapping.

[0278] material and method Redox sensitivity assay A serial dilution of DTT in PBS-E was performed (final DTT concentrations in the assay: 20, 10, 5, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.2, and 0.1 mM). Protein batches FF-20-819-1, FF-20-821-1, and FF-21-170-5 were dialyzed into PBS-E buffer using spin desalting columns to ensure that a pH of 7.2 was obtained during reduction. Protein samples were normalized to 1.5 mg / mL in PBS-E. Two parts of the normalized samples were added to one part of each DTT dilution in the PCR plate and mixed after addition. This step was performed within 1 minute from the lowest to the highest concentration of DTT concentration. Reduction was performed by incubation at 25° C. for 10 minutes on a Thermostat C thermoblock. Three parts of NEM stock solution were added to all wells to quench the reaction. To ensure assay consistency, addition of NEM from the lowest to the highest DTT concentration was performed within 1 min and mixed after addition. Prepared plates were stored at room temperature until measurement by capillary gel electrophoresis (cGE) and mass spectrometry (peptide mapping).

[0279] Tables 6A and 6B below contain the reagent and materials lists for the reduction sensitivity assay and capillary gel electrophoresis, respectively.

[0280] [Table 6]

[0281] [Table 7]

[0282] Following reduction-sensitive assays, samples were measured using the non-reducing protocol of the Protein Clear HR assay according to the manufacturer's instructions.

[0283] To prepare the chip, all assay components were equilibrated to room temperature. Protein Clear HR gel matrix was mixed with Protein Clear HR dye solution, filtered, and added to the rinsed chip wells according to the manufacturer's instructions.

[0284] The provided assay control VeriMAb standard was diluted in non-reducing sample buffer according to the manufacturer's instructions and denatured at 70°C for 10 minutes, then mixed with water and placed in the LabChip GXII Touch instrument for assay calibration. Protein Clear HR ladder was diluted 1:10 in water, and the indicated volumes of ladder solution and Protein Clear HR wash buffer were transferred to the corresponding tubes and placed in the LabChip GXII Touch instrument. Samples were measured after the calibration process was successfully completed.

[0285] To prepare samples, 5 μL of each sample from the reduction-sensitive assay was added to 18 μL of non-reducing sample buffer in a PCR plate, sealed, and denatured for 10 minutes at 70°C on a Thermostat C thermoblock. After denaturation, samples were diluted with 35 μL of water. Prepared assay plates were stored at room temperature until run on a LabChip GXII Touch instrument.

[0286] After the measurements, the data were analyzed using LabChip Reviewer software. All peaks with a relative peak area of ​​≥ 0.85% were integrated. The relative peak area [%] of the remaining intact molecules was plotted against the DTT concentration and the curve was fitted by a 4-parameter logistic / sigmoidal dose-response model (XLfit, Dose Response One Site, model 205). The area of ​​the sample without added DTT was used for normalization and set to 100%. To evaluate the sensitivity of the molecules to reduction, the DTT concentration of each sample at which 50% of the intact molecules remained was used as the EC50 value.

[0287] Antibody sample preparation for tryptic peptide mapping experiments after reduction assay After performing the reduction sensitivity assay, the samples were subjected to the digestion method. 100 μg per antibody sample was denatured by buffer exchange with Zeba spin desalting columns 0.5 mL (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. 89883) using 0.2 mol / L histidine chloride, 5.6 mmol / L guanidinium hydrochloride pH 6. The buffer exchange was repeated once to ensure complete removal of NEM. Samples were then reduced by addition of 10 mmol / L TCEP (tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. T2556) for 1 h at 37°C. The buffer was then exchanged into 20 mmol / L histidine chloride, 0.5 mmol / L TCEP, pH 6 using Zeba spin desalting columns 0.5 mL (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cat. No. 89883). Antibodies were digested with trypsin at an enzyme to substrate ratio of 1:20 overnight at 37° C. Digestion was stopped by the addition of 7 μL of 10% formic acid solution and samples were frozen at −80° C. until further analysis.

[0288] Detection of modified peptides by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry Peptides were analyzed using a VANQUUISH™ Flex UHPLC system (Thermo Fisher Scientific, San Jose, CA, USA) coupled to an orbitrap FUSION™ LUMOS™ TRIBRID™ mass spectrometer equipped with an EASY-ETD ion source.

[0289] A binary solvent system was used for peptide separation: (A) 0.1% formic acid, and (B) 90% acetonitrile, 0.1% formic acid. A HYPERSIL GOLD™ C18 LC column (150 mm x 2.1 mm with 1.9 μm particle size, Thermo Fisher Scientific, catalog number 25003-152130-V) was used to separate 2 μg of trypsin-digested sample using a 1 h gradient of linearly increasing the concentration of solvent B over 50 min, followed by a 5 min wash with 95% B and a 5 min re-equilibration to 5% solvent B. Peptides separated on the column were detected with the following key settings: full MS spectra were acquired at a resolution of 120,000 (established at 200 m / z) with a mass range set to 375-2000, an automatic gain control (AGC) target of 4.0e5, a maximum allowed injection time of 50 ms, and a 1 μ scan. Data-dependent (MS / MS) spectra were acquired in top 5 data-dependent mode using a resolution of 15,000 (established at 200 m / z) after accumulation with an AGC target of 5.0e4 within 200 ms of injection time. Ions were isolated with a 1.6 Th isolation window and fragmented using HCD, EThcD or ETciD at a normalized collision energy of 30%. Dynamic exclusion was set to 10 s.

[0290] Data Processing The acquired MS data were processed using Expressionist software (GeneData version 13.5) and manually inspected to ensure correct assignment and relative quantification accuracy. Mass spectra were searched against the amino acid sequences of the sample molecules. Critical settings were the mass tolerances for MS and MS / MS spectra, which were set at 10 ppm, respectively. Post-translational modifications considered within the search parameters were NEM modifications on cysteines and general N-terminal glycosylation using an IgG N-glycan library from Expressionist.

[0291] result The EC50 values ​​shown in Table 6C below were calculated from dose-response curves. Reduction of the main peak of the non-reduced sample by DDT, as measured by capillary electrophoresis (cGE), was identical for mAb3 wt, mAb3ADE, and mAb3 ADE-DSB, indicating that neither the ADE mutations nor the engineered disulfide bonds in the CH2 domain have an effect on the reduction sensitivity of the protein.

[0292] Proteins from the reduction sensitivity assay, mAb3 wt, mAb3 ADE, and mAb3 ADE-DSB, analyzed by peptide mapping, show similar reduction behavior with respect to reduction-sensitive intermolecular disulfide bonds (DSBs). Based on dose-response curves, EC50 values ​​were estimated to be in the range of 1.2-1.5 mM DTT for the three proteins, indicating that the engineered DSBs are reduction-stable similar to typical intermolecular DSBs.

[0293] [Table 8]

[0294] mAb4 The following additional Fc variants were generated based on mAb4 (a tetravalent bispecific IgG1 monoclonal CODV antibody against protein antigens present on the surface of immune cells and on protein antigens present on the surface of cancer cells): mAb4(wt) (wild type IgG1 Fc), mAb4-DE (corresponding to mAb4 with the additional substitutions S239D and I332E), mAb4-DE-R292C / V302C (corresponding to mAb4-DE with the additional substitutions R292C and V302C), mAb4-R292C / V302C (corresponding to mAb4 wt with substitutions R292C and V302C), mAb4-ADE (corresponding to mAb4 with the additional substitutions G236A, S239D, and I332E), and mAb4-ADE-R292C / V302C (corresponding to mAb4-ADE with the additional substitutions R292C and V302C).

[0295] The mAb4 antibody was produced as follows:

[0296] Expression plasmids encoding the different strands of the corresponding constructs were propagated in E. coli DH5a. Plasmids used for transfection were prepared from E. coli using the EndoFree Plasmid Mega kit (Qiagen). HEK293-FS cells grown in F17 serum-free suspension culture (Invitrogen) were transfected with the indicated plasmids using polyethylenimine transfection reagent. After 6 days of culture at 37°C and 8% CO2, cells were removed by centrifugation and the supernatant was passed through a 0.22 μm filter to remove particles. Proteins were captured on MabSelect SuRe (Cytiva), extracted with 0.1 M citrate buffer pH 3.0, and neutralized with 1 M Tris pH 9. Proteins were used for further characterization after being finalized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using Superdex200 26 / 60 (Cytiva), 0.22 μm filtration, and UV280 concentration quantification. The yields are reported in Table 7 below.

[0297] [Table 9]

[0298] mAb4 molecules with normal IgG1 Fc demonstrated a sample yield of 30.6 mg / L, while mAb4 molecules with ADE or DE mutations in the Fc portion show a significant decrease in sample yield with values ​​below 5 mg / L. mAb4 molecules with IgG1 Fc with disulfide bonds in addition to ADE or DE mutations demonstrated an increase in sample yield. mAb4-DE-R292C / V302C showed a sample yield of 17.9 mg / L, and mAb4-ADE-R292C / V302C showed a sample yield of 19.4 mg / L.

[0299] The thermal stability of mAb4 was tested by the same method described above for mAb1, and the results are provided in Table 8.

[0300] [Table 10]

[0301] mAb4 with normal IgG1 Fc is stable with a Tm1 of 66.4°C and an onset temperature of 59°C. mAb4 molecules with ADE or DE mutations in IgG1 Fc show a Tm1 and onset temperature of 50°C or lower. mAb4 molecules with IgG1 Fc with disulfide bonds in addition to ADE or DE mutations show increased thermal stability. mAb4-DE-R292C / V302C molecule shows a Tm1 of 67.2°C and an onset temperature of 59.4°C, and mAb4-ADE-R292C / V302C shows a Tm1 of 66.6°C and an onset temperature of 58.2°C.

[0302] Figure 10 shows the thermal stability effect of disulfide stabilization on DE, ADE, DE+DSB, and ADE+DSB as determined by nano-differential scanning fluorimetry (nano-DSF). The left panel shows mAb3, and the right panel shows mAb4. Stabilization with R292C / V302C results in an increase in thermal stability by approximately 10°C. EXAMPLES

[0303] Binding parameters of stabilized mAb1 variants Methods and Materials Flow cytometry was used to determine the bivalent EC50 binding of mAb1 to several recombinant cell lines expressing the target antigen: human pre-B-300.19 cells, cynomolgus monkey pre-B-300.19 cells, HEK293T-FcγRIIIa F158, FcγRIIIa V158, and CHO-human FcRn expressing cells (GenScript; M00603). Cells were cultured in 96-well plates to reach a density of 40,000 cells / well. mAbs (100 μL / well) were added for 45 min at 4°C. After incubation, wells were washed three times with PBS+1% BSA. Goat anti-human IgG-Alexa488 antibody was added for 45 min at 4°C and washed three times with PBS+1% BSA. Antibody binding was assessed after centrifugation of the cells and resuspension by adding 200 μL / well of PBS+1% BSA, and binding was assessed using a Guava easyCyte 8HT flow cytometry system. Apparent KD and EC50 values ​​were estimated using BIOST@T-BINDING and BIOST@T-SPEED software, respectively.

[0304] The kinetics of antibody binding to huFcγRIIIa protein was measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay using a Biacore T200 instrument in HBS-EP+ buffer (10 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, and 0.05% v / v Surfactant P20, pH 7.4) at 25°C. Human FcγRIIIa_His protein (huFcγRIIIa_V158; huFcγRIIIa_F158) was captured at 0.05ug / mL on an anti-His surface (CM5 sensor chip immobilized with anti-His antibody). A series of antibody concentrations starting at 2.5μM was injected over 1 minute and dissociation was monitored over 3.5 minutes (30μL / min). The anti-His surface was regenerated with a 1 minute pulse of 10mM glycine-HCl pH 1.5 (10μL / min).

[0305] The kinetics of antibody binding to human FcRn (huFcRn) protein was measured by SPR using a Biacore T200 instrument in PBST buffer (1.5 mM KH2PO4, 2.7 mM Na2HPO4-7H2O, 300 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween-20, pH 6.0) at 25°C. huFcRn was captured on a SensorChip_CAP-Streptavidin. A series of antibody concentrations starting at 2 μM was injected over 1 min and dissociation was monitored over 1.5 min (30 μL / min). The surface was regenerated with a 2 min pulse of 6 M guanidinium hydrochloride, 0.25 M NaOH (10 μL / min).

[0306] Antibody binding (FACS) The results of mAb1 variant binding to both human and cynomolgus target antigens are seen in Table 9. Binding to the target antigens was similar regardless of the mutations introduced into the Fc domain. EC50 values ​​were between 0.65 and 0.85 nM for the human target antigens and EC50 values ​​were between 1.36 and 1.78 for the cynomolgus target antigens. Introduction of engineered disulfide bonds did not affect binding to the target antigens.

[0307] [Table 11]

[0308] Kinetics and FACS of huFcγRIIIa V / F158 Binding of the mAbs to human FcγRIIIa protein was measured by SPR and FACS. The results are seen in Table 10. For all variants with Fc domains containing DE, ADE, and ADLE mutations, binding to FcγRIIIa V158 or F158 was significantly improved compared to binding of antibodies with WT IgG1 to FcγRIIIa V158 or F158 as measured by FACS and SPR. 10-100 fold improvement as measured by FACS, and 6-20 fold (18-29 fold) improvement by SPR for FcγRIIIA V158 (FcγRIIIA F158), respectively. Introduction of either engineered disulfide bonds, L242C / K334C or R292C / V302C, did not affect mAb1 binding to FcγRIIIa V158 or F158.

[0309] [Table 12]

[0310] Kinetics and FACS of huFcγRIIa H / R131 Binding of the mAbs to human FcγRIIa protein was measured by SPR and FACS. The results are shown in Table 11. The improvement in affinity to FcyRIIA in the IgG1_ADE format compared to IgG1 was abolished when the DSB R292C_V302C or L242C_K334C mutations were introduced, regardless of the presence or absence of DQ mutations. In the IgG1_ADLE or DE formats, affinity to FcyRIIA remained low both in the presence and absence of DSB mutations.

[0311] [Table 13]

[0312] Kinetics and FACS of huFcRn The results of the huFcRn binding studies are seen in Table 12. For all mAbs with Fc variants with DQ mutations, binding to huFcRn was improved compared to Fc without DQ mutations. Introduction of DSB maintained this improvement when the Fc contained the DQ mutations.

[0313] [Table 14] EXAMPLES

[0314] Binding parameters of stabilized mAb2 variants Methods and Materials: Surface plasmon resonance assay Fcγ Receptor Binding Using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Analysis of antibody binding to recombinant human FcγRIIIa-V158 was performed using anti-His capture on a Biacore T200 instrument. Anti-tetra-His (Qiagen) was buffer exchanged into PBS pH 7.2 (Gibco), diluted to 25 μg / mL in 10 mM sodium acetate pH 4.0, and directly immobilized to a surface density of approximately 10,000 RU on a series S CM5 chip using an amine coupling kit from GE Healthcare. His-tagged recombinant human FcγRIIIa-V158 (produced in-house) was diluted to 0.5 and 1 μg / mL in HBS-EP+ (10 mM HEPES pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, 0.05% surfactant P20) and injected for 30 seconds at a flow rate of 10 μL / min, resulting in capture levels of 6 and 14 RU. mAb2-wt antibody was serially diluted 3-fold from 3000 to 37 nM in running buffer, and mAb2-DE antibody was diluted to 111, 37, 12, and 4 nM, and injected in duplicate over the captured receptor for 2 min before dissociating in buffer for 2 min. The surface was regenerated with 10 mM glycine pH 1.5 for 30 s. Sensograms were processed using BiaEvaluation software (GE Healthcare) and fitted to a 1:1 binding model to obtain kinetic constants. The reported KD was averaged from both capture levels.

[0315] FcRn Binding Using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Analysis of antibody binding to recombinant human, cynomolgus monkey (cyno), and mouse FcRn was performed using an anti-Fab capture method on a Carterra LSA instrument. Goat anti-human IgG (F(ab')2 specific) (Jackson Labs) was diluted to 20 μg / mL in 10 mM sodium acetate pH 4.5 and directly immobilized to a surface density of approximately 9,000 RU in 25 mM MES pH 6.0, 0.05% Tween-20 running buffer using the amine coupling reagent provided by Carterra to an HC200M chip. mAb2 antibodies were printed in duplicate on separate quadrants at 6 and 15 μg / mL in PBSP+pH 6.0 (20 mM NaPi, 2.7 mM KCl, 137 mM NaCl, 0.05% surfactant P20) on the anti-Fab surface in a capture array format. Each species of FcRn (produced in-house) was serially diluted 2-fold in PBSP+pH 6.0 and injected over the captured mAb2 and allowed to associate for 2 or 3 minutes before dissociating for 5 minutes to measure affinity at pH 6.0. Each concentration series contained a total of 10 concentrations of FcRn, with the highest concentrations being FcRn species specific: 4000 nM, 2000 nM cynomolgus monkey, and 500 nM mouse FcRn. Buffer injections were evenly distributed between receptor injections for appropriate blank subtraction. To measure FcRn binding at pH 7.4, mAb2 antibodies were captured as above, human and cynomolgus monkey FcRn were diluted to 1000 nM in PBSP+pH 7.4, while mouse FcRn was diluted to 500 nM, injected over the captured mAb2 and allowed to associate for 2 minutes before dissociating for 2 minutes. Sensograms were processed with the Carterra KIT inspection tool and fitted to a 1:1 binding model to obtain kinetic constants at pH 6.0 or to calculate steady-state responses at the end of the association phase at pH 7.4. Binding affinities reported were averaged from all mAb2 prints derived from two separate assay runs for human FcRn and a single assay run for cynomolgus monkey and mouse FcRn.

[0316] result:

[0317] [Table 15]

[0318] SPR results for binding to huFcgRIIIa-V158 show comparable affinities for mAb2-wt, mAb2-R292C / V302C. mAb2-DE and mAb2-DE-R292C / V302C show binding affinities to huFcgRIIIa-V158 that are 22-39 fold higher than WT or WT variants, and have comparable affinities to each other.

[0319] [Table 16]

[0320] The results show that the addition of the R292_V302C mutation on mAb2-wt or mAb2-DE had no significant effect on binding affinity to human, cynomolgus, or mouse FcRn. Affinities were comparable for all molecules for each species.

[0321] [Table 17]

[0322] The results show that none of the mAb2 molecules bound to human, cynomolgus, or mouse FcRn at neutral pH under the conditions tested. EXAMPLES

[0323] Binding parameters of stabilized mAb3 variants to human CD16a Both mAb3 and mAb4 have Fc domains that can bind to CD16a. To demonstrate that the DSB substitutions (R292C / V302C) do not eliminate CD16a binding, binding to CD16a was measured. As shown in Table 16, all DSB variants had equal or better binding to both CD16a variants (V158 or F158) compared to the DE or ADE variants alone.

[0324] [Table 18] EXAMPLES

[0325] In Vitro Characterization of Disulfide Bond Stabilized Variants mAb1 Assessment of the ability of A-variants to induce complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) in vitro material and method: The CDC ability of mAb1 was assessed using the target-expressing DND41 cell line (T-ALL, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Leukemia 8:425-434 (1994)). Cells were cultured at 3 × 10 in RHBP medium (RPMI 1640 phenol red-free, 0.1% BSA, 2 mM HEPES, 2 mM glutamine). 6 Suspended in pieces.

[0326] Cells were plated at 1.5 x 10 per well in a 96-well plate. 5 Cells were plated and pre-incubated with 25 μl of antibody variants at concentrations ranging from 167.5 nM to 0.08 nM in a dilution factor of 2 for 30 min at 4°C.

[0327] In a second step, 25 μL of human complement (Sigma, Ref: S1764-1mL, suspended in 1 mL H2O+4 mL RHBP) was added per well and the plate was incubated for 2 hours at 37° C. with 5.5% CO2. WST-1 solution (Roche, Ref 11644807001; 10 μL / well) was added and the plate was incubated again for 2 hours at 37° C. with 5.5% CO2.

[0328] Absorbance was measured at 440 nm using a SpectraMax Plus spectrophotometer (Molecular Devices) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Each point was performed in triplicate.

[0329] The % survival was calculated as follows: % Viability = ((OD_sample-OD medium) x 100) / (OD_cells without antibody-OD medium).

[0330] OD: optical density Data are summary of three independent experiments.

[0331] Results reported are geometric mean IC50 values, CV, and mortality delta (Tables 17-19), as well as representative examples of CDC activity for ADE, ADLE, and DE formats (Figures 11, 12, and 13). Values ​​were calculated using Biost@t-SPEED v2.4.

[0332] result:

[0333] [Table 19]

[0334] The ADLE format and all additional mutations that contain the ADLE format result in no detectable CDC activity, Table 17 and Figure 11. On the other hand, the DE or ADE formats measure CDC activity and are not altered by the additional disulfide bond mutations introduced into the DE or ADE formats.

[0335] [Table 20]

[0336] No CDC activity was detected with the ADLE format and the additional DQ and R292C_V302C disulfide bond mutations. On the other hand, CDC activity was measured in the DE and ADE formats. When the additional DQ and R292C_V302C disulfide bond mutations were introduced into the DE format, the activity was reduced. When the additional DQ and R292C_V302C disulfide bond mutations were introduced into the ADE format, the CDC activity was abolished (Table 18 and Figure 12).

[0337] [Table 21]

[0338] No CDC activity was detected with the ADLE format and the additional DQ and L242C_K334C disulfide bond mutations. On the other hand, CDC activity was measured in the DE and ADE formats. When the additional DQ and L242C_K334C disulfide bond mutations were introduced into the DE format, the activity was reduced. When the additional DQ and L242C_K334C disulfide bond mutations were introduced into the ADE format, the CDC activity was abolished (Table 19 and Figure 13).

[0339] Assessment of the ability of B-variants to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro material and method: The ADCC capacity was evaluated using the LP1 cell line (MM, human multiple myeloma cells, Blood. March 1989;73(4):1020-7) expressing the antigen recognized by mAb1 as target cells and the natural killer cell line NK92 FCGR3A 158V (Conkwest) as effector cells.

[0340] Target cells were labeled with calcein acetoxymethyl (2 mM; Invitrogen, Ref C3100MP) and plated at 2 × 10 in assay medium (RPMI 1640 phenol red-free, 1% SVF, 0.77 mg / mL probenecid, Invitrogen, P36400). 5 The mixture was resuspended in 10 ml of 100 ml of PBS.

[0341] Target cells (T) were cultured at 2 × 10 cells per well in a 96-well plate. 4 The plates were seeded with 50 μl of antibody variants at serial dilutions starting at 2.3 nM for wild-type IgG and at serial dilutions starting at 1.25 nM and at serial dilutions starting at 7 for ADLE, ADE, and DE variants, and pre-incubated for 30 minutes at 37°C with 5% CO2.

[0342] As a positive control for maximal levels of calcein release, target cells were incubated with 0.5% Triton.

[0343] Effector cells (E) were cultured at 6 × 10 5 Resuspend in 100 µL or 6 x 10 cells. 4 Effector cells are added per well to target cells (T:E ratio 1:3). After 3 h incubation at 37° C., 5% CO2, 100 μl of culture supernatant was transferred to a black 96-well plate and calcein release was measured by fluorescence at 492 nm excitation and 515 nm emission using an EnVision 2104 plate reader (PerkinElmer). Each point was performed in triplicate.

[0344] The % cytotoxicity was calculated as follows: % Cytotoxicity=((RLU_sample-RLU medium)×100) / (RLU_positive control Triton-RLU medium). RLU: Relative Light Unit

[0345] Data are summary of at least three independent experiments. For each variant and each experiment, IC50 values ​​and mortality delta were calculated. Results reported are geometric mean IC50 values, CV, and mortality delta (Table 20) as well as representative examples of ADCC activity for ADLE, ADE, and DE formats (Figures 14-16). Values ​​were calculated using Biost@t-SPEED v2.4.

[0346] result:

[0347] [Table 22]

[0348] ADCC activity measured in the ADLE format was maintained in the same range when either the L242C_K334C or R292C_V302C DSB mutations were introduced into this format. Similarly, ADCC activity measured in the DE and ADE formats was maintained when the DSB mutations were introduced into those formats (Table 20 and Figure 14).

[0349] [Table 23]

[0350] ADCC activity measured in the ADLE format was maintained in the same range when additional DQ mutations were introduced into the format, with or without R292C_V302C. Similarly, ADCC activity measured in the DE&ADE formats was maintained when additional DQ mutations were introduced into the formats, with or without R292C_V302C (Table 21 and Figure 15).

[0351] [Table 24]

[0352] ADCC activity measured in the ADLE format was maintained in the same range when additional DQ mutations were introduced into the format, with or without L242C_K334C. Similarly, ADCC activity measured in the DE&ADE formats was maintained when additional DQ mutations were introduced into the formats, with or without L242C_K334C (Table 22 and Figure 16).

[0353] mAb3 To demonstrate that the potency of antibodies with DSB substitutions in combination with ADE or DE substitutions was not diminished, a cytotoxicity assay was performed with mAb3.

[0354] As shown in FIG. 17, inclusion of the DSB substitution (R292C_V302C) did not affect the activity of mAb3 in either the ADE or DE background. EXAMPLES

[0355] PK analysis of disulfide bond stabilized variants This example describes the effect of DSB stabilizing variants on the PK profile.

[0356] mAb1 material and method: Mouse experiments were performed in homozygous transgenic Tg32 (B6.Cg-Fcgrttm1Dcr Tg(FCGRT)32Dcr / DcrJ) mice derived from C57BL / 6 mice and purchased from The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Maine). FcRn- / - hFcRn (line 32) Tg mice carry a null mutation in the mouse gene and a transgene expressing the hFcRn α-chain transgene under the control of its native human promoter.

[0357] All mice were treatment naive females aged between 8-12 weeks at the start of the study. For dosing, antibodies were prepared in DPBS 1x formulation buffer and administered as a single intravenous dose of 1 mg / kg in a dosing volume of 10 mL / kg into the tail vein. A total of three replicates for each antibody were evaluated using a sequential sampling approach (0.08 hours, 4 hours, 24 hours, 72 hours, 168 hours, 240 hours, 336 hours, 504 hours, and 672 hours) over the 28-day study period. Blood samples (approximately 20 μL) were collected according to sampling times. Blood samples were centrifuged at 1500 g for 10 minutes at 4°C, and 6 μL plasma samples were diluted in 60 μL DPBS 1x before being stored at -80°C until analysis.

[0358] Concentrations of each antibody at each time point were determined by bottom-up LC-MS / MS assay using the following general method for mAb1 WT antibody. After precipitation of an aliquot of plasma, the plasma pellet was subjected to protein denaturation, reduction, alkylation, trypsin digestion, and solid-phase extraction before surrogate peptide analysis. For quantification of each antibody, a surrogate peptide corresponding to a sequence of 17 amino acid residues belonging to the light chain of mAb1 was selected according to its selectivity and response factor. Calibration standards were prepared by spiking the antibody at 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 400 μg / mL into plasma. Peptide separation was performed on a Waters Acquity UPLC system using a reversed-phase XBridge BEH C18 column (2.1 × 150 mm, 3.5 μM, 300 Å, Waters) with a step gradient of 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile at a flow rate of 300 μL / min. Detection was performed using a Sciex API6500+ mass spectrometer in positive ion mode with a source temperature of 700° C., ion spray voltage of 5500 V, curtain and nebulizer gases of 40, and collision gas (at mid). For each transition, the dwell time was 30 ms and the entrance potential was 10 V. The declustering potential was 90 V and the collision energy was 26 V. Concentration quantification for standards and controls used a multiple reaction monitoring transition of the antibody's unique surrogate peptide (626.0 at 807.4 m / z) using peak areas from the MQIII integration algorithm in Analyst software.

[0359] For mAb1 variants (ADE, DE, ADLE, DE-DQ, and ADLE-DQ variants), the concentration of each antibody at each time point was determined by a generic immunoassay method using a stepwise sandwich format Gyrolab platform (Gyros). Samples (standards, quality control, and test samples) were diluted 100-fold in buffer and dispensed into a 96-well microtiter plate. Capture and detection reagents were dispensed into a second 96-well microtiter plate. The 96-well microtiter plate and bioaffy CD (CD200-containing 112 microstructured segments) were then loaded onto the Gyrolab platform. The following steps: addition of biotinylated donkey anti-hu-IgG (capture) onto a streptavidin bead column in a Gyrolab Bioaffy disc (CD200); then distribution of standards, quality control, and test samples; then addition of AlexaFluor-goat anti-hu-IgG (detection) were triggered automatically by the Gyrolab platform. On-column fluorescence measurements (λexc 633 nm, λemm 650 nm) were performed at each microstructured segment with photomultiplier set at 1%. All analyses were performed in duplicate and the range of quantification was 100-200,000 ng / mL.

[0360] PK parameters were determined from individual animal data using noncompartmental analysis in Phoenix WinNonlin version 8.1 (Certara LP).

[0361] The PK profile from one animal treated with mAb1-ADLE_DQ_L242C_K334C, which showed a rapid drop in concentration typical of ADA interference, was excluded from the PK calculations. One animal treated with mAb1-DE_DQ_R292C_V302C was also excluded from the PK analysis due to dosing issues.

[0362] result:

[0363] [Table 25]

[0364] Similar PK profiles & parameters were observed with two DSB positions (L242C-K334C and R292C-V302C) for DE_DQ and ADLE_DQ. The DSB positions improved the PK properties of the DE_DQ&ADLE_DQ mutated constructs with 3-9 fold increased elimination half-life and 4-10 fold decreased clearance. The elimination half-life of ADLE_DQ_DSB was slightly longer than WT, while the t1 / 2z of DE_DQ_DSB was similar to WT (Figure 18).

[0365] A PK profile was similarly generated for mAb1 without DQ substitutions, and the results are shown in Table 24 and FIG.

[0366] Similar PK profiles & parameters were observed with two DSB positions (L242C-K334C and R292C-V302C) regardless of the mutation (ADE, DE, or ADLE). The DSB positions clearly improved the PK properties of the DE&ADLE mutated constructs by extending the elimination half-life by 2.5-3 fold and decreasing the clearance by 2.5-3 fold compared to the DE&ADLE mutated constructs. The improvement of PK properties by the addition of DSBs was less evident in the ADE mutated constructs. Nevertheless, the PK parameters of the mutant constructs with DSBs were similar to the WT constructs, and the DSBs stabilize the mutant constructs in vivo.

[0367] [Table 26]

[0368] mAb3 material and method: For mAb3 ADE and ADE-DSB (R292C / V302C) variants, the concentration of each antibody at each time point was determined by a bottom-up LC-MS / MS assay using the following general method: after precipitation of an aliquot of plasma, the plasma pellet was subjected to protein denaturation, reduction, alkylation, trypsin digestion, and solid phase extraction before surrogate peptide analysis. For quantification of each antibody, the surrogate peptide VYACEVTHQGLSSPVTK, belonging to the Fab region (light chain), was selected depending on its selectivity and response factor. Calibration standards were prepared by spiking the antibodies at 1, 2.8, 7, 14, 40, 80, and 100 μg / mL in plasma. Peptide separation was performed on a Shimadzu UHPLC system using a reversed-phase XBridge BEH C18 column (2.1 x 150 mm, 3.5 μM, 300 Å, Waters) with a step gradient of 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile at a flow rate of 600 μL / min. Detection was performed using a Sciex API6600 TripleTOF mass spectrometer in positive ion mode with a source temperature of 500 °C, ion spray voltage of 5500 V, curtain gas of 35, and nebulizer gas of 50. The dwell time was 15 ms for each experiment. The declustering potential was 90 V and the collision energy was 26 V. Concentration quantification relative to standards and controls used the 807.4098 m / z fragment of the 626.0 m / z parent ion of the unique surrogate peptide of the antibody using the peak area from the MQ4 integration algorithm of the MultiQuant software.

[0369] For the mAb3DQ antibody, the concentration at each time point was determined by a general immunoassay method using the Gyrolab platform (Gyros) in a stepwise sandwich format. Samples (standards, quality control, and test samples) were diluted 100-fold in buffer and dispensed into a 96-well microtiter plate. Capture and detection reagents were dispensed into a second 96-well microtiter plate. The 96-well microtiter plate and bioaffy CD (CD200-containing 112 microstructured segments) were then loaded onto the Gyrolab platform. The following steps were automatically triggered by the Gyrolab platform: addition of biotinylated donkey anti-hu-IgG (capture) onto the streptavidin bead column in the Gyrolab Bioaffy disc (CD200); then distribution of standards, quality control, and test samples; then addition of AlexaFluor-goat anti-hu-IgG (detection). On-column fluorescence measurements (λexc 633 nm, λemm 650 nm) were performed in each microstructured segment with the photomultiplier set at 1%. All analyses were performed in duplicate and the range of quantification was 100-200,000 ng / mL.

[0370] Similar PK studies were performed with mAb3. As shown in Table 25 and Figure 20, the ADE mutations on mAb3 resulted in higher CL and shorter elimination half-life compared to mAb3 WT. The addition of DSB (R292C / V302C) on the mAb3-ADE construct clearly improved the PK properties of the compound. The mAb3 WT and mAb3-ADE-DSB constructs showed similar clearance and elimination half-life.

[0371] [Table 27]

Claims

1. An isolated effector - capable polypeptide comprising a glycosylated Fc domain comprising a first heavy chain and a second heavy chain, wherein at least one heavy chain contains (i) arginine (R) at amino acid position 292 and valine (V) at amino acid position 302; or (ii) leucine (L) at amino acid position 242 and lysine (K) at amino acid position 334 and contains engineered intra - chain disulfide bonds mediated by a pair of cysteines (C) that replace them, wherein the amino acid positions are according to EU numbering; the glycosylated Fc domain can interact with antibody effector molecules; the effector - capable polypeptide has enhanced thermal stability compared to an effector - capable polypeptide having a glycosylated Fc domain that can interact with an antibody effector molecule that does not contain the engineered intra - chain disulfide bonds. The isolated effector - capable polypeptide.

2. The glycosylated Fc domain contains a native glycan at amino acid position 297 according to EU numbering; the glycosylated Fc domain contains an engineered or non - native glycan, optionally wherein the engineered or non - native glycan is a modified glycan that can bind to a therapeutic molecule; and / or the isolated effector - capable polypeptide is N - glycosylated. The isolated effector - capable polypeptide according to claim 1.

3. The first and / or second heavy chain contains the pair of cysteines. The isolated effector - capable polypeptide according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The Fc domain is the Fc domain of IgG1, optionally the Fc domain of human IgG1. The isolated effector - capable poly peptide according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The antibody effector molecule is FcRn, optionally the isolated effector - capable polypeptide has enhanced binding affinity for the FcRn compared to the wild - type Fc domain; the antibody effector molecule is FcγRIIIa, optionally the isolated effector - capable polypeptide has enhanced binding affinity for the FcγRIIIa compared to a polypeptide containing the wild - type Fc domain; and / or The isolated effector polypeptide has an altered serum half-life compared to the wild-type Fc domain, and optionally, The isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the isolated effector polypeptide has an improved serum half-life compared to the wild-type Fc domain. **Claim 6** The Fc domain further comprises a substitution at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering, and optionally, the substitution at amino acid position 332 is glutamic acid (E), and optionally, the Fc domain further comprises one or more substitutions at amino acid positions 236, 239, or 330 according to EU numbering, and optionally, the substitution at amino acid position 236 is alanine (A), the substitution at amino acid position 239 is aspartic acid (D); and / or the substitution at amino acid position 330 is leucine (L), the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 1 to 5. **Claim 7** The Fc domain further comprises aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239 and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering; the Fc domain further comprises alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering; or the Fc domain further comprises alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering, the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 1 to 6. **Claim 8** The Fc domain further comprises a substitution at amino acid positions 256 and / or 307 according to EU numbering, and optionally, the substitution at amino acid position 256 is aspartic acid (D); and / or the substitution at amino acid position 307 is glutamine (Q), the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 1 to 7. **Claim 9** The Fc domain further has aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256 and glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering; aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256, and glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering; alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256, and glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering; or alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256, and glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering The isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. An isolated effector polypeptide, wherein at least one heavy chain (i) arginine (R) at amino acid position 292 and valine (V) at amino acid position 302; or (ii) leucine (L) at amino acid position 242 and lysine (K) at amino acid position 334 A glycosylated Fc domain comprising a first heavy chain and a second heavy chain, which contains engineered intra-chain disulfide bonds mediated by a pair of cysteines (C) that replace comprising The glycosylated Fc domain can interact with an antibody effector molecule and contains glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332; The effector polypeptide can interact with an antibody effector molecule and has enhanced thermal stability compared to an effector polypeptide having a glycosylated Fc domain that does not contain the engineered intra-chain disulfide bond and contains glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332; The amino acid positions are according to EU numbering for the isolated effector polypeptide.

11. The glycosylated Fc domain contains a native glycan at amino acid position 297 according to EU numbering; the glycosylated Fc domain comprises engineered or non-natural glycans, optionally, the engineered or non-natural glycans are modified glycans capable of binding to a therapeutic molecule; and / or the engineered or non-natural glycans are N-glycosylated, the isolated effector polypeptide according to claim 10. **Claim 12** the first and / or second heavy chain comprises the pair of cysteines, the isolated effector polypeptide according to claim 10 or 11. **Claim 13** the modified Fc domain is a human modified Fc domain, optionally, a modified Fc domain of human IgG1, the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 10 to 12. **Claim 14** the antibody effector molecule is FcRn, optionally, having an enhanced binding affinity for the FcRn as compared to the wild-type Fc domain; the antibody effector molecule is FcγRIIIa, optionally, the isolated effector polypeptide has an enhanced binding affinity for the FcγRIIIa as compared to a polypeptide comprising a wild-type Fc domain; and / or the isolated effector polypeptide has an altered serum half-life as compared to the wild-type Fc domain, optionally, having an improved serum half-life as compared to the wild-type Fc domain, the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 10 to 13. **Claim 15** (i) aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239; (ii) alanine (A) at amino acid position 236; (iii) leucine (L) at amino acid position 330; (iv) aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256; and / or (v) glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 further comprising, the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 10 to 14. **Claim 16** the Fc domain further comprises aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239 and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering; The Fc domain further comprises alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering; The Fc domain further comprises alanine (A) at amino acid position 236, aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 239, leucine (L) at amino acid position 330, and glutamic acid (E) at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering; or The isolated effector - capable polypeptide according to claim 15, wherein the Fc domain further comprises aspartic acid (D) at amino acid position 256 and glutamine (Q) at amino acid position 307 according to EU numbering. **Claim 17** The isolated effector - capable polypeptide according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the one or more substitutions are on the same heavy chain as the engineered disulfide bond or on a heavy chain different from the engineered disulfide bond. **Claim 18** The isolated effector - capable polypeptide further comprises a binding domain, optionally, the binding domain comprises one or more antigen - binding domains, optionally, the one or more antigen - binding domains specifically bind to a tumor antigen; and / or the one or more antigen - binding domains specifically bind to an antigen on an immune cell, the isolated effector - capable polypeptide according to any one of claims 10 - 17. **Claim 19** The polypeptide is an antibody, optionally, the polypeptide is a monoclonal antibody; the antibody is a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, or a human antibody; and / or the antibody is a full - length antibody, the isolated effector - capable polypeptide according to any one of claims 10 - 18. **Claim 20** The polypeptide is a single - domain antibody, optionally, the single - domain antibody is a VHH antibody, the isolated effector - capable polypeptide according to any one of claims 10 - 18. **Claim 21** The antibody is a multispecific antibody, optionally, the multispecific antibody is in a format selected from the group consisting of a DVD - Ig, a CODV - Ig in a CODV - based format, a CrossMab, a CrossMab - Fab, or a tandem Fab; The multispecific antibody is a T cell engager; and / or The multispecific antibody is an NK cell engager, any one of claims 10 to 18 The isolated effector polypeptide according to claim 1.

22. The isolated effector polypeptide further comprises a therapeutic polypeptide, optionally The therapeutic polypeptide can be a receptor, a ligand, or an enzyme, the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

23. The binding polypeptide is linked to the N-terminus and / or C-terminus of the Fc domain, the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 18 to 21.

24. The isolated effector polypeptide can remove target cells by antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) and / or complement-dependent cell cytotoxicity (CDC); optionally The target cells are cancer cells, and / or The target cells are immune cells, the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 10 to 23.

25. The polypeptide is an Fc fusion polypeptide, the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 10 to 24.

26. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid encoding the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

27. A vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule according to claim 26, optionally The vector is an expression vector, a vector.

28. A host cell comprising the vector according to claim 27, optionally The host cell is of eukaryotic origin or prokaryotic origin; The host cell is of mammalian origin; or The host cell is of bacterial origin, the host cell according to claim 27.

29. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the isolated effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

30. A method for increasing the yield of an isolated effector polypeptide, comprising The method comprises expressing a glycosylated Fc domain comprising a first heavy chain and a second heavy chain, wherein at least one heavy chain is, (i) Arginine (R) at amino acid position 292 and valine (V) at amino acid position 302; or (ii) Leucine (L) at amino acid position 242 and lysine (K) at amino acid position 334 including an engineered intramolecular disulfide bond mediated by a pair of cysteines (C) that replace said amino acid positions being according to EU numbering; said glycosylated Fc domain being capable of interacting with an antibody effector molecule; said effector polypeptide having enhanced thermal stability compared to an effector polypeptide having a glycosylated Fc domain capable of interacting with an antibody effector molecule and not including said engineered intramolecular disulfide bond; and further said method including purifying said effector polypeptide, wherein its yield is increased compared to a polypeptide containing a wild-type glycosylated Fc domain, method.

31. said isolated polypeptide further comprising one or more amino acid substitutions that enhance effector function, optionally including a substitution at amino acid position 332 according to EU numbering, optionally said substitution at amino acid position 332 being glutamic acid (E), optionally said Fc domain further comprising one or more substitutions at amino acid positions 236, 239, or 330 according to EU numbering, optionally said substitution at amino acid position 236 being alanine (A); said substitution at amino acid position 239 being aspartic acid (D); and / or said substitution at amino acid position 330 being leucine (L), the method according to claim 30.

32. An effector polypeptide according to any one of claims 1 to 25 for use in treating a disease or disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of said effector polypeptide, optionally said disease or disorder being cancer; said disease or disorder being an inflammatory disease; or said disease or disorder being an autoimmune disease, effector polypeptide.

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