Anti-dengue virus antibodies, polypeptides containing variant Fc regions, and methods of use thereof

Abstract

To provide anti-DENV (dengue virus) antibodies and methods of making the same, and methods for treating DENV infection with the anti-DENV antibodies.SOLUTION: The present disclosure provides: an isolated antibody that binds to E protein of DENV and comprises a specific amino acid sequence; an anti-DENV antibody comprising a variant Fc region that has a decreased FcγR-binding activity and does not have a decreased C1q-binding activity when compared to the parent Fc region; a method of making the anti-DENV antibody; and a method for treating DENV infection.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to anti-dengue virus antibodies and methods of using the same. The present invention also relates to polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions and methods of using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] background Dengue is the most common arthropod-borne viral disease worldwide. The virus that causes dengue (herein referred to as DENV) can be classified into four different infectious serotypes, including DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. Symptoms of dengue infection include fever, myalgia, headache, decreased platelet count, decreased white blood cell count, blood clotting disorders, bleeding, and vascular leakage, which can lead to dengue shock syndrome. When a person is exposed to dengue virus after a previous dengue infection, antiviral antibodies can promote viral uptake into host cells, placing the patient at higher risk of developing severe dengue. However, severe dengue can also occur during initial infection.

[0003] Despite being the most common arthropod-borne viral disease, to date there are no drugs available to treat dengue fever. Approaches to dengue fever as a disease have been primarily directed at preventing infection and / or treating symptoms.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide a drug that can neutralize and / or bind to at least one dengue serotype. Recently, several groups have reported anti-DENV neutralizing antibodies (see, for example, WO2012 / 082073, WO2013 / 089647, WO2013 / 151764, WO2013 / 173348, WO2014 / 025546, WO2015 / 123362, WO2015 / 122995, and WO2016 / 012800 (Patent Documents 1-8)). However, there is still a need for antibodies with excellent therapeutic properties.

[0005] Vaccines and antibody therapeutics are currently under development to prevent and treat viral infections. However, antibody-based therapies are not without risks. One such risk is antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), which occurs when non-neutralizing antiviral antibodies promote viral entry into host cells, resulting in increased infectivity within the cells (Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther (2013) 11, 1147-1157 (Non-Patent Document 1)). The most common mechanism of ADE is the interaction of virus-antibody complexes with Fc receptors (FcRs) on the cell surface via the Fc portion of the antibody. Normally mild viral infections are enhanced by ADE to become life-threatening diseases. It has been reported that anti-DENV antibodies with mutations in the Fc region that prevent binding to FcγR did not enhance DENV infection (WO2010 / 043977 (Patent Document 9)). However, there remains a need for antibody therapeutics that do not increase the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] WO2012 / 082073 [Patent Document 2] WO2013 / 089647 [Patent Document 3] WO2013 / 151764 [Patent Document 4] WO2013 / 173348 [Patent Document 5] WO2014 / 025546 [Patent Document 6] WO2015 / 123362 [Patent Document 7] WO2015 / 122995 [Patent Document 8] WO2016 / 012800 [Patent Document 9] WO2010 / 043977 [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther (2013) 11, 1147-1157 Summary of the Invention

[0008] overview The present invention provides anti-DENV antibodies, polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions, and methods of using them.

[0009] In some embodiments, the isolated anti-DENV antibodies of the invention bind to the DENV E protein. In some embodiments, the anti-DENV antibodies of the invention include: (a) (i) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000001.tif4128 (where X 1 is R or E, and X 2 is R or F, and X 3 is G, D or L (SEQ ID NO: 42), (ii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000002.tif4128 (where X 1 is D, S or E, and X 2is D or A (SEQ ID NO: 45), and (iii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000003.tif4128 (where X 1 is T or R, and X 2 is A or R) (SEQ ID NO: 41); (b) (i) Amino acid sequence: SX 1 YX 2 H (where X 1 is N or Y, and X 2 is I or M (SEQ ID NO: 40), (ii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000004.tif4128 (where X 1 is T or R, and X 2 is A or R (SEQ ID NO: 41), and (iii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000005.tif4128 (where X 1 is R or E, and X 2 is R or F, and X 3 is G, D or L) (SEQ ID NO: 42); (c) (i) amino acid sequence: SX 1 YX 2 H (where X 1 is N or Y, and X 2 is I or M (SEQ ID NO: 40), (ii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000006.tif4128 (where X 1 is T or R, and X 2 is A or R (SEQ ID NO: 41), (iii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000007.tif4128 (where X 1 is R or E, and X 2 is R or F, and X 3 is G, D or L (SEQ ID NO: 42), (iv) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000008.tif4128 (where X 1 is D or E, and X 2 is K or Q (SEQ ID NO: 43), (v) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000009.tif4128 (where X 1 is N or E, and X 2 is T or F (SEQ ID NO: 44), and (vi) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000010.tif4128 (where X 1 is D, S or E, and X 2 is D or A (SEQ ID NO: 45); or (d) (i) amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000011.tif4128 (where X 1 is D or E, and X 2 is K or Q (SEQ ID NO: 43), (ii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000012.tif4128 (where X 1 is N or E, and X 2 is T or F (SEQ ID NO: 44), and (iii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000013.tif4128 (where X 1 is D, S or E, and X 2 is D or A) (SEQ ID NO: 45). In some embodiments, an antibody of the present invention is not an antibody comprising (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, (iv) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (v) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (vi) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27.

[0010] In some embodiments, the isolated anti-DENV antibody of the invention comprises: (a) (i) an HVR-H3 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, (ii) an HVR-L3 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10, and (iii) an HVR-H2 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6; (b) (i) an HVR-H1 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, (ii) an HVR-H2 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, and (iii) an HVR-H3 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6; (c) (i) an HVR-H1 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, (ii) an HVR-H2 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, (iii) an HVR-H3 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, (iv) an HVR-L1 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10, (v) an HVR-L2 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10, and (vi) an HVR-L3 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; (d) (i) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10, (ii) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10, and (iii) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; or (e) (i) an HVR-H1 derived from any one of the VH sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, (ii) an HVR-H2 derived from any one of the VH sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, (iii) an HVR-H3 derived from any one of the VH sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, (iv) an HVR-L1 derived from any one of the VL sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 7, (v) an HVR-L2 derived from any one of the VL sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 7, and (vi) an HVR-L3 derived from any one of the VL sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 7. In some embodiments, an antibody of the present invention is not an antibody comprising (i) an HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, (ii) an HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, (iii) an HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, (iv) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, (v) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, and (vi) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

[0011] In some embodiments, the isolated anti-DENV antibody of the present invention further comprises a heavy chain variable domain framework FR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, a FR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, a FR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 or 34, and a FR4 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35. In some embodiments, the isolated anti-DENV antibody of the present invention further comprises a light chain variable domain framework FR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, a FR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, a FR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and a FR4 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39.

[0012] In some embodiments, the isolated anti-DENV antibody of the present invention comprises: (a) a VH sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6; (b) a VL sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8-10; (c) a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6 and a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8-10; or (d) a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6 and a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7.

[0013] In some embodiments, the isolated anti-DENV antibody of the present invention is a monoclonal antibody. In some embodiments, the isolated anti-DENV antibody of the present invention is a human antibody, a humanized antibody, or a chimeric antibody. In some embodiments, the isolated anti-DENV antibody of the present invention is an antibody fragment that binds to DENV or DENV E protein. In some embodiments, the isolated anti-DENV antibody of the present invention is a full-length IgG antibody.

[0014] In some embodiments, the Fc region of the anti-DENV antibody of the invention comprises Ala at position 234 and Ala at position 235 according to EU numbering. In some embodiments, the Fc region of the anti-DENV antibody of the invention can be selected from the variant Fc regions described herein.

[0015] The invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding an anti-DENV antibody of the invention. The invention also provides a host cell comprising a nucleic acid of the invention. The invention also provides a method for producing an antibody, comprising culturing a host cell of the invention such that the antibody is produced.

[0016] The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an anti-DENV antibody of the present invention and a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier.

[0017] The anti-DENV antibody of the present invention may be for use as a medicament. In some embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody of the present invention may be for use in treating DENV infection.

[0018] The anti-DENV antibodies of the present invention can be used in the manufacture of a medicament. In some embodiments, the medicament is for the treatment of a DENV infection.

[0019] The present invention also provides methods of treating an individual suffering from a DENV infection. In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering to the individual an effective amount of an anti-DENV antibody of the present invention. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise administering to the individual an additional therapeutic agent, e.g., as described below.

[0020] In some embodiments, the variant Fc regions of the present invention comprise at least one amino acid modification to the parent Fc region. In further embodiments, the variant Fc region has substantially reduced FcγR binding activity when compared to the parent Fc region. In further embodiments, the variant Fc region does not have substantially reduced C1q binding activity when compared to the parent Fc region.

[0021] In some embodiments, the variant Fc region of the invention comprises an Ala at position 234 and an Ala at position 235, according to EU numbering. In further embodiments, the variant Fc region comprises any one of the following amino acid modifications (a) at positions 267, 268, and 324, (b) at positions 236, 267, 268, 324, and 332, and (c) at positions 326 and 333, according to EU numbering.

[0022] In some embodiments, the variant Fc region of the invention comprises an amino acid selected from the group consisting of: (a) Glu at position 267, (b) Phe at position 268, (c) Thr at position 324, (d) Ala at position 236, (e) Glu at position 332, (f) Ala, Asp, Glu, Met or Trp at position 326, and (g) Ser at position 333; according to EU numbering.

[0023] In some embodiments, the variant Fc regions of the invention further comprise an amino acid selected from the group consisting of: (a) Ala at position 434, (b) Ala at position 434, Thr at position 436, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440, (c) Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Thr at position 436, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440; and (d) Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440; according to EU numbering.

[0024] In some embodiments, the variant Fc region of the invention comprises any of the amino acid modifications, alone or in combination, as described in Table 4. In some embodiments, the parent Fc region according to the invention is derived from human IgG1. The invention provides a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 51-59.

[0025] In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprising the variant Fc region of the present invention is an antibody. In further embodiments, the antibody is an anti-viral antibody. In further embodiments, the antibody comprises a variable region derived from an anti-DENV antibody described herein.

[0026] In a further aspect, the antibody comprises: (a) (i) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, (ii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27, and (iii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; (b) (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, and (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; (c) (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, (iv) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (v) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (vi) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27; or (d) (i) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (ii) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (iii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27.

[0027] In a further aspect, the antibody comprises: (a) (i) an HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, (ii) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, and (iii) an HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6; (b) (i) an HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, (ii) an HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, and (iii) an HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (c) (i) an HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, (ii) an HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, (iii) an HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, (iv) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, (v) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, and (vi) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; (d) (i) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, (ii) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, and (iii) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; or (e) (i) HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, (ii) HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, (iii) HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, (iv) HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, (v) HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, and (vi) HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

[0028] The invention also provides isolated nucleic acids encoding polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions of the invention.The invention also provides host cells comprising nucleic acids of the invention.The invention also provides methods for producing polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions, comprising culturing host cells of the invention such that the polypeptides are produced.

[0029] The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention and a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier.

[0030] The polypeptides comprising the variant Fc regions of the present invention may be for use as pharmaceuticals, hi some embodiments, the polypeptides comprising the variant Fc regions of the present invention may be for use in the treatment of viral infections.

[0031] Polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions of the invention can be used in the manufacture of a medicament, hi some embodiments, the medicament is for the treatment of a viral infection.

[0032] The present invention also provides methods of treating an individual suffering from a viral infection, hi some embodiments, the methods comprise administering to the individual an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention.

[0033] The invention also provides an anti-DENV antibody described herein, further comprising a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the invention.

[0034] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing an antibody comprising (a) an HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, (b) an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, (c) an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20, (d) an HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (e) an HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (f) an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27, the method comprising the steps of: (a) combining a VH variant sequence selected from the group consisting of 3CH1047 (SEQ ID NO: 6) and 3CH1049 (SEQ ID NO: 95) with a human IgG1 CH sequence selected from the group consisting of SG182 (SEQ ID NO: 46), SG1095 (SEQ ID NO: 54) and SG1106 (SEQ ID NO: 59); (b) combining a VL variant sequence selected from the group consisting of 3CL (SEQ ID NO: 7) and 3CL633 (SEQ ID NO: 98) with the human CL sequence SK1 (SEQ ID NO: 60); (c) cloning each of the combinations into an expression vector; (d) expressing the resulting expression vector in a co-transfected cell (host cell); and (e) purifying the antibody obtained from step (d). [The present invention 1001] 1. An isolated antibody that binds to a Dengue Virus (DENV) E protein, (a) (i) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000014.tif4128 (where X 1 is R or E, and X 2 is R or F, and X 3 is G, D or L (SEQ ID NO: 42), (ii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000015.tif4128 (where X 1 is D, S or E, and X 2 is D or A (SEQ ID NO: 45), and (iii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000016.tif4128 (where X 1 is T or R, and X 2 is A or R) (SEQ ID NO: 41); (b) (i) Amino acid sequence: SX 1 YX 2 H (where X 1 is N or Y, and X 2 is I or M (SEQ ID NO: 40), (ii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000017.tif4128 (where X 1 is T or R, and X 2 is A or R (SEQ ID NO: 41), and (iii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000018.tif4128 (where X 1 is R or E, and X 2 is R or F, and X 3 is G, D or L) (SEQ ID NO: 42); (c) (i) amino acid sequence: SX 1 YX 2 H (where X 1 is N or Y, and X 2 is I or M (SEQ ID NO: 40), (ii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000019.tif4128 (where X 1 is T or R, and X 2is A or R (SEQ ID NO: 41), (iii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000020.tif4128 (where X 1 is R or E, and X 2 is R or F, and X 3 is G, D or L (SEQ ID NO: 42), (iv) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000021.tif4128 (where X 1 is D or E, and X 2 is K or Q (SEQ ID NO: 43), (v) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000022.tif4128 (where X 1 is N or E, and X 2 is T or F (SEQ ID NO: 44), and (vi) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000023.tif4128 (where X 1 is D, S or E, and X 2 is D or A (SEQ ID NO: 45); or (d) (i) amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000024.tif4128 (where X 1 is D or E, and X 2 is K or Q (SEQ ID NO: 43), (ii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000025.tif4128 (where X 1 is N or E, and X 2 is T or F (SEQ ID NO: 44), and (iii) Amino acid sequence: TIFF0007672456000026.tif4128 (where X1 is D, S or E, and X 2 is D or A) (SEQ ID NO: 45) Including, The above antibody is not an antibody comprising (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, (iv) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (v) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (vi) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27. [The present invention 1002] A heavy chain variable domain framework FR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, FR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, FR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 or 34, and FR4 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35. The antibody of the present invention 1001(b), further comprising: [The present invention 1003] A light chain variable domain framework FR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, FR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, FR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and FR4 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39. The antibody of the present invention 1001 (d) further comprises: [The present invention 1004] (a) a VH sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6; (b) a VL sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; or (c) a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6 and a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10. 1. An isolated antibody comprising: [The present invention 1005] (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20; (d) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; (e) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27. An isolated antibody that binds to a Dengue virus (DENV) E protein, comprising: [The present invention 1006] A pharmaceutical preparation comprising any one of the antibodies of the present inventions 1001 to 1005 and a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier. [The present invention 1007] A method for treating DENV infection in an individual, comprising the step of administering to the individual an effective amount of any one of the antibodies of the present inventions 1001 to 1005. [The present invention 1008] A polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region comprising at least one amino acid modification in a parent Fc region, the variant Fc region has substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and does not have substantially reduced C1q binding activity when compared to the parent Fc region; The polypeptide. [The present invention 1009] The mutant Fc region has Ala at position 234 and Ala at position 235 according to EU numbering, and the following (a) to (c): (a) 267th, 268th, and 324th positions; (b) positions 236, 267, 268, 324, and 332; and (c) 326th and 333rd place and any one of the further amino acid modifications of 1008. [The present invention 1010] The variant Fc region is, according to EU numbering: (a) Glu at position 267; (b) Phe at position 268; (c) Thr at position 324; (d) Ala at 236th position; (e) Glu at position 332; (f) Ala, Asp, Glu, Met, or Trp at position 326; and (g) Ser at position 333 1009. A polypeptide of the present invention comprising an amino acid selected from the group consisting of: [The present invention 1011] The variant Fc region is, according to EU numbering: (a) Ala at position 434; (b) Ala at position 434, Thr at position 436, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440; (c) Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Thr at position 436, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440; and (d) Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440 The polypeptide of any of claims 1008 to 1010, further comprising an amino acid selected from the group consisting of: [The present invention 1012] A polypeptide comprising any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 51 to 59. [The present invention 1013] The polypeptide of any one of claims 1008 to 1012, which is an antibody. [The present invention 1014] The antibody, (a) (i) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, (ii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27, and (iii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; (b) (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, and (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; (c) (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, (iv) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (v) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (vi) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27; or (d) (i) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (ii) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (iii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27. The polypeptide of the present invention comprising: [The present invention 1015] A pharmaceutical preparation comprising any one of the polypeptides of the present inventions 1008 to 1014 and a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier. [The present invention 1016] The antibody of any one of the present inventions 1001 to 1005, further comprising any one of the polypeptides of the present inventions 1008 to 1012. [The present invention 1017] 1. A method for preparing an antibody comprising: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20; (d) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; (e) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27, comprising: (a) combining a VH variant sequence selected from the group consisting of 3CH1047 (SEQ ID NO: 6) and 3CH1049 (SEQ ID NO: 95) with a human IgG1 CH sequence selected from the group consisting of SG182 (SEQ ID NO: 46), SG1095 (SEQ ID NO: 54), and SG1106 (SEQ ID NO: 59); (b) combining a VL variant sequence selected from the group consisting of 3CL (SEQ ID NO: 7) and 3CL633 (SEQ ID NO: 98) with the human CL sequence SK1 (SEQ ID NO: 60); (c) cloning each of the combinations into an expression vector; (d) expressing the resulting expression vector in a co-transfected cell; and (e) purifying the antibody obtained from step (d). The method comprising: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1A] Figures 1(A)-(D) show BIACORE® sensorgrams of anti-DENV antibodies 3C and 3Cam against DENV-1 E protein (A), DENV-2 E protein (B), DENV-3 E protein (C), and DENV-4 E protein (D), as described in Example 2. [Figure 1B] See legend to Figure 1A. [Figure 1C] See legend to Figure 1A. [Figure 1D] See legend to Figure 1A. [Diagram 2] Figure 2 shows the binding affinity of antibodies with different Fc variants to human C1q as described in Example 4. Binding activity was measured by ELISA. The Fc variants tested were WT, LALA+KWES, LALA+EFT+AE, LALA+EFT, and LALA. [Diagram 3] Figure 3 shows the binding affinity of antibodies with different Fc variants to human C1q as described in Example 4. Binding activity was measured by ELISA. The Fc variants tested were WT, LALA, LALA+KWES, LALA+KAES, LALA+KDES, LALA+KEES, and LALA+KMES. [Figure 4]Figure 4 shows the binding affinity of antibodies with different Fc variants to human C1q as described in Example 4. Binding activity was measured by ELISA. The Fc variants tested are WT, LALA, LALA+ACT3, LALA+ACT5, LALA+KAES, LALA+ACT3+KAES, and LALA+ACT5+KAES. [Diagram 5] Figure 5 shows the binding affinity of antibodies with different Fc variants to mouse C1q as described in Example 4. Binding activity was measured by ELISA. The Fc variants tested were WT, LALA, LALA+ACT3, LALA+ACT5, LALA+KAES, LALA+ACT3+KAES, and LALA+ACT5+KAES. [Figure 6A] Figures 6(a)-(h) show Biacore analysis of Fc variants that bind to human FcγR, as described in Example 5. The Fc variants tested are WT (denoted as WT IgG in this figure), KWES, EFT+AE, EFT, KAES, LALA+KWES, LALA+EFT+AE, LALA+EFT, LALA, LALA+ACT3, LALA+ACT5, LALA+KAES, LALA+KAES+ACT3, and LALA+KAES+ACT5. These Fc variants were tested for binding to FcγR, including (a) human FcγR1a, (b) human FcγR2a allelic variant 167H, (c) human FcγR2a allelic variant 167R, (d) human FcγR2b, (e) human FcγR3a allelic variant 158F, (f) human FcγR3a allelic variant 158V, (g) human FcγR3b allelic variant NA1, and (h) human FcγR3b allelic variant NA2. Each Fc variant was evaluated both in the form of an antibody alone bearing the Fc variant (denoted as Ab alone) and in the form of an immune complex formed between the antibody and the trimeric CD154 antigen (denoted as CD154 IC). [Figure 6B] See legend to Figure 6A. [Figure 6C] See legend to Figure 6A. [Figure 6D] See legend to Figure 6A. [Figure 6E]See legend to Figure 6A. [Figure 6F] See legend to Figure 6A. [Figure 6G] See legend to Figure 6A. [Figure 6H] See legend to Figure 6A. [Figure 7A] 7(a)-(d) show Biacore analysis of Fc variants binding to mouse FcγR as described in Example 5. The Fc variants tested were WT (denoted as WT IgG in this figure), KWES, EFT+AE, EFT, KAES, LALA+KWES, LALA+EFT+AE, LALA+EFT, LALA, LALA+ACT3, LALA+ACT5, LALA+KAES, LALA+KAES+ACT3, and LALA+KAES+ACT5. These Fc variants were tested for binding to FcγR, including (a) mouse FcγR1, (b) mouse FcγR2b, (c) mouse FcγR3, and (d) mouse FcγR4. Each Fc variant was evaluated both in the form of an antibody alone bearing the Fc variant (denoted as Ab alone) and in the form of an immune complex formed between the antibody and the trimeric CD154 antigen (denoted as CD154 IC). [Figure 7B] See legend to Figure 7A. [Figure 7C] See legend to Figure 7A. [Figure 7D] See legend to Figure 7A. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the Biacore analysis of Fc variants binding to human FcRn, as described in Example 5. The Fc variants tested are WT (denoted as hIgG1 in this figure), LALA, LALA+ACT3, LALA+ACT5, LALA+KAES, LALA+KAES+ACT3, and LALA+KAES+ACT5. Each Fc variant was evaluated both in the form of an antibody alone bearing the Fc variant (denoted as Ab alone) and in the form of an immune complex formed between the antibody and trimeric CD154 antigen (denoted as CD154 IC). [Figure 9]9 shows viremia on day 3 after DENV-2 virus infection in AG129 mice as described in Example 6. Anti-DENV antibodies 3C and 3Cam in combination with WT (designated as hIgG1), LALA, and LALA+KAES Fc variants, or PBS as a negative control, were administered on day 2 after virus infection. [Figure 10A] Figures 10(A)-(D) show BIACORE® sensorgrams of anti-DENV antibodies 3C and 3Cam2 against DENV-1 E protein (A), DENV-2 E protein (B), DENV-3 E protein (C), and DENV-4 E protein (D), as described in Example 2. [Figure 10B] See legend to Figure 10A. [Figure 10C] See legend to Figure 10A. [Figure 10D] See legend to Figure 10A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THEINVENTION The techniques and procedures described or cited herein are generally well understood and may be found in, for example, Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual 3d edition (2001) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY;Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (FM Ausubel, et al. eds., (2003));the series Methods in Enzymology (Academic Press, Inc.): PCR 2: A Practical Approach (MJ MacPherson, BD Hames and GR Taylor eds. (1995)), Harlow and Lane, eds. (1988) Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, and Animal Cell Culture (RI Freshney, ed. (1987));Oligonucleotide Synthesis (MJ Gait, ed., 1984);Methods in Molecular Biology, Humana Press; Cell Biology: A Laboratory Notebook (JE Cellis, ed., 1998) Academic Press; Animal Cell Culture (RI Freshney), ed., 1987); Introduction to Cell and Tissue Culture (JP Mather and PE Roberts, 1998) Plenum Press; Cell and Tissue Culture: Laboratory Procedures (A. Doyle, JB Griffiths, and DG Newell, eds., 1993-8) J. Wiley and Sons; Handbook of Experimental Immunology (DM Weir and C.C.Blackwell, eds.);Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells (JM Miller and MP Calos, eds., 1987);PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction, (Mullis et al., eds., 1994);Current Protocols in Immunology (JE Coligan et al., eds., 1991);Short Protocols in Molecular Biology (Wiley and Sons, 1999);Immunobiology (CA Janeway and P. Travers, 1997);Antibodies (P. Finch, 1997);Antibodies: A Practical Approach (D. Catty., ed., IRL Press, 1988-1989);Monoclonal Antibodies: A Practical Approach (P. Shepherd and C. Dean, eds., Oxford University Press, 2000);Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (E. Harlow and D. Lane (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1999); The Antibodies (M. Zanetti and JD Capra, eds., Harwood Academic Publishers, 1995); and Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology (VT DeVita et al., eds., JB Lippincott Company, 1993), using conventional techniques commonly employed by those of skill in the art.

[0037] I. Definition Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. Singleton et al., Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology 2nd ed., J. Wiley & Sons (New York, NY 1994), and March, Advanced Organic Chemistry Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons (New York, NY 1992) provide those skilled in the art with general guidance for many of the terms used in this application. All references cited herein, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0038] For purposes of interpreting this specification, the following definitions shall apply and whenever applicable, terms used in the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. In the event that any of the definitions below conflict with any document incorporated herein by reference, the definition below shall control.

[0039] An "acceptor human framework" for the purposes of this specification is a framework that comprises the amino acid sequence of a light chain variable domain (VL) framework or a heavy chain variable domain (VH) framework derived from a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework as defined below. An acceptor human framework "derived" from a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework may comprise those same amino acid sequences or may contain amino acid sequence changes. In some embodiments, the number of amino acid changes is 10 or less, 9 or less, 8 or less, 7 or less, 6 or less, 5 or less, 4 or less, 3 or less, or 2 or less. In some embodiments, the VL acceptor human framework is identical in sequence to the VL human immunoglobulin framework sequence or the human consensus framework sequence.

[0040] "Affinity" refers to the strength of the total non-covalent interactions between one binding site of a molecule (e.g., an antibody) and the molecule's binding partner (e.g., an antigen). Unless otherwise indicated, "binding affinity" as used herein refers to the inherent binding affinity that reflects a 1:1 interaction between members of a binding pair (e.g., an antibody and an antigen). The affinity of a molecule X for its partner Y can generally be expressed by the dissociation constant (Kd). Affinity can be measured by conventional methods known in the art, including those described herein. Specific illustrative and exemplary embodiments for measuring binding affinity are described below.

[0041] An "affinity matured" antibody refers to an antibody with one or more modifications in one or more hypervariable regions (HVRs) that result in improved affinity of the antibody for antigen, compared to a parent antibody that does not possess the modifications.

[0042] The terms "anti-DENV antibody" and "antibody that binds to DENV" refer to an antibody that can bind to DENV with sufficient affinity, such that the antibody is useful as a diagnostic and / or therapeutic agent in targeting DENV. The antibody can bind to the E protein of DENV. The terms "anti-DENV E protein antibody" and "antibody that binds to DENV E protein" refer to an antibody that can bind to DENV E protein with sufficient affinity, such that the antibody is useful as a diagnostic and / or therapeutic agent in targeting DENV. In one embodiment, the extent of binding of the anti-DENV E protein antibody to an unrelated protein that is not the DENV E protein is less than about 10% of the binding of the antibody to the DENV E protein, as measured, for example, by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In certain embodiments, antibodies that bind to DENV and / or DENV E protein have a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1 μM or less, 100 nM or less, 10 nM or less, 1 nM or less, 0.1 nM or less, 0.01 nM or less, or 0.001 nM or less (e.g., 10 -8 M or less, e.g. 10 -8 M~10 13 M, 10 -9 M~10 -13 M). In certain embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody binds to an epitope of DENV that is conserved among DENVs from different serotypes. In certain embodiments, the anti-DENV E protein antibody binds to an epitope of DENV E protein that is conserved among DENV E proteins from different serotypes.

[0043] The term "antibody" as used herein is used in the broadest sense and encompasses a variety of antibody structures, including, but not limited to, monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), and antibody fragments so long as they exhibit the desired antigen-binding activity.

[0044] "Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity" or "ADCC" refers to a form of cytotoxicity in which secreted Ig bound to Fc receptors (FcR) present on certain cytotoxic cells (e.g., NK cells, neutrophils, and macrophages) allows these cytotoxic effector cells to specifically bind to antigen-bearing target cells and subsequently kill the target cells with cytotoxins. NK cells, the primary cells for mediating ADCC, express only FcγRIII, while monocytes express FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII. FcR expression on hematopoietic cells is summarized in Table 3 on page 464 of Ravetch and Kinet, Annu. Rev. Immunol 9:457-92 (1991). To evaluate the ADCC activity of the molecule of interest, in vitro ADCC assays can be carried out, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,500,362, U.S. Patent No. 5,821,337, or U.S. Patent No. 6,737,056 (Presta).Effector cells useful for such assays include PBMC cells and NK cells.Alternatively, or in addition, the ADCC activity of the molecule of interest can be evaluated in vivo, for example, in animal models, such as those disclosed in Clynes et al. PNAS (USA) 95:652-656 (1998).

[0045] "Antibody fragment" refers to a molecule other than an intact antibody that contains a portion of an intact antibody that is capable of binding to the antigen to which the intact antibody binds. Examples of antibody fragments include, but are not limited to, Fv, Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, F(ab') 2 linear antibodies; single-chain antibody molecules (e.g., scFv); and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.

[0046] An "antibody that binds to the same epitope" as a reference antibody refers to an antibody that blocks the binding of the reference antibody to its antigen in a competition assay, and conversely, the reference antibody blocks the binding of the antibody to its antigen in a competition assay. Exemplary competition assays are provided herein.

[0047] "C1q" is a polypeptide that contains a binding site for the Fc region of immunoglobulin. C1q, together with two serine proteases C1r and C1s, forms the complex C1, which is the first component of the complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) pathway. Human C1q can be purchased commercially, for example, from Quidel (San Diego, Calif.).

[0048] The term "chimeric" antibody refers to an antibody in which a portion of the heavy and / or light chain is derived from a particular source or species, and the remainder of the heavy and / or light chain is derived from a different source or species.

[0049] The "class" of an antibody refers to the type of constant domain or region carried by its heavy chain. There are five major classes of antibodies: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, and several of these have subclasses (isotypes), e.g., IgG. 1 , IgG 2 , IgG 3 , IgG 4 , IgA 1 , and IgA 2 The heavy-chain constant domains that correspond to the different classes of immunoglobulins are called α, δ, ε, γ, and μ, respectively.

[0050] "Complement-dependent cytotoxicity" or "CDC" refers to the lysis of target cells in the presence of complement. Activation of the classical complement pathway is initiated by the binding of the first component of the complement system (C1q) to an antibody (of the appropriate subclass) that is bound to a cognate antigen. To assess complement activation, a CDC assay can be performed, for example, as described in Gazzano-Santoro et al., J. Immunol. Methods 202:163 (1996). Polypeptide variants with altered amino acid sequences in the Fc region (polypeptides with variant Fc regions) and increased or decreased C1q binding ability are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,194,551 B1 and WO 1999 / 51642. See also, for example, Idusogie et al. J. Immunol. 164: 4178-4184 (2000).

[0051] As used herein, the term "cytotoxic agent" refers to a substance that inhibits or prevents the function of cells and / or causes the death or destruction of cells. Cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to, radioisotopes (e.g., 211 At, 131 I, 125 I, 90 Y, 186 Re, 188 Re, 153 Sm, 212 Bi, 32 P , 212 Pb, and radioactive isotopes of Lu); chemotherapeutic agents or drugs (e.g., methotrexate, adriamycin, vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide), doxorubicin, melphalan, mitomycin C, chlorambucil, daunorubicin, or other intercalating agents); growth inhibitors; enzymes and fragments thereof, such as nucleases; antibiotics; toxins, such as, for example, small molecule toxins or enzymatically active toxins of bacterial, fungal, plant, or animal origin (including fragments and / or variants thereof); and various anti-tumor or anti-cancer agents, as disclosed below.

[0052] "Effector function" refers to a biological activity attributable to the Fc region of an antibody, which varies with the antibody isotype. Examples of antibody effector functions include: C1q binding and complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC); Fc receptor binding; antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC); phagocytosis; downregulation of cell surface receptors (e.g., B cell receptor); and B cell activation.

[0053] An "effective amount" of an agent (eg, a pharmaceutical formulation) refers to the amount, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, effective to achieve the desired therapeutic or prophylactic result.

[0054] The term "epitope" includes any determinant that can be bound by an antibody. An epitope is a region of an antigen that is bound by an antibody that targets the antigen and includes specific amino acids that directly contact the antibody. Epitopes can include chemically active surface groups of molecules such as amino acids, sugar side chains, phosphoryl or sulfonyl groups, and can have specific three-dimensional structural characteristics and / or specific charge characteristics. In general, an antibody specific for a particular target antigen preferentially recognizes an epitope on that target antigen in a complex mixture of proteins and / or macromolecules.

[0055] "Fc receptor" or "FcR" refers to a receptor that binds to the Fc region of an antibody. In some embodiments, the FcR is a native human FcR. In some embodiments, the FcR binds an IgG antibody (a gamma receptor) and includes receptors of the FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII subclasses, including allelic variants and alternatively spliced ​​forms of these receptors. FcγRII receptors include FcγRIIA (an "activating receptor") and FcγRIIB (an "inhibiting receptor"), which have similar amino acid sequences that differ primarily in their cytoplasmic domains. Activating receptor FcγRIIA contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) in its cytoplasmic domain. Inhibiting receptor FcγRIIB contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) in its cytoplasmic domain. (See, e.g., Daeron, Annu. Rev. Immunol. 15:203-234 (1997).) FcRs are reviewed, e.g., in Ravetch and Kinet, Annu. Rev. Immunol 9:457-92 (1991); Capel et al., Immunomethods 4:25-34 (1994); and de Haas et al., J. Lab. Clin. Med 126:330-41 (1995). Other FcRs, including those identified in the future, are also encompassed by the term "FcR" herein.

[0056] The term "Fc receptor" or "FcR" also includes the neonatal receptor FcRn, which is responsible for regulating maternal IgG transfer to the fetus (Guyer et al., J. Immunol. 117:587 (1976) and Kim et al., J. Immunol. 24:249 (1994)) as well as immunoglobulin homeostasis. Methods for measuring binding to FcRn are known (see, e.g., Ghetie and Ward., Immunol. Today 18(12):592-598 (1997); Ghetie et al., Nature Biotechnology, 15(7):637-640 (1997); Hinton et al., J. Biol. Chem. 279(8):6213-6216 (2004); WO2004 / 92219 (Hinton et al.)). The in vivo binding to human FcRn and serum half-life of human FcRn high affinity binding polypeptide can be measured, for example, in transgenic mice or transfected human cell lines expressing human FcRn, or in primates to which polypeptide with mutated Fc region is administered. WO2000 / 42072 (Presta) describes antibody mutants with improved or reduced binding to FcR. See also, for example, Shields et al. J. Biol. Chem. 9(2):6591-6604 (2001).

[0057] The term "Fc region" is used herein to define a C-terminal region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain that includes at least a portion of the constant region. This term includes native sequence Fc regions and variant Fc regions. In one embodiment, a human IgG heavy chain Fc region extends from Cys226 or from Pro230 to the carboxyl terminus of the heavy chain, with the exception that the C-terminal lysine (Lys447) or glycine-lysine (residues 446-447) of the Fc region may or may not be present. Unless otherwise specified herein, numbering of amino acid residues in an Fc region or constant region is according to the EU numbering system (also referred to as the EU index) as described in Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 1991.

[0058] The term "Fc region-containing antibody" refers to an antibody that contains an Fc region. The C-terminal lysine (residue 447) or glycine-lysine (residues 446-447) of the Fc region can be removed, for example, during purification of the antibody or by recombinant engineering of the nucleic acid encoding the antibody. Thus, a composition containing an antibody with an Fc region according to the present invention can contain an antibody with G446-K447, an antibody with G446 but without K447, an antibody with G446-K447 completely removed, or a mixture of the three types of antibodies.

[0059] "Framework" or "FR" refers to variable domain residues other than hypervariable region (HVR) residues. The FR of a variable domain typically consists of four FR domains: FR1, FR2, FR3, and FR4. Accordingly, the HVR and FR sequences typically appear in VH (or VL) in the following order: FR1-H1(L1)-FR2-H2(L2)-FR3-H3(L3)-FR4.

[0060] The terms "full length antibody," "complete antibody," and "whole antibody" are used interchangeably herein and refer to an antibody having a structure substantially similar to a native antibody structure or having a heavy chain that includes an Fc region as defined herein.

[0061] A "functional Fc region" comprises an "effector function" of a native sequence Fc region. Exemplary "effector functions" include C1q binding; CDC; Fc receptor binding; ADCC; phagocytosis; downregulation of cell surface receptors (e.g., B cell receptor: BCR), and the like. Such effector functions generally require that the Fc region be combined with a binding domain (e.g., an antibody variable domain) and may be assessed using various assays, e.g., as disclosed within the definitions herein.

[0062] The terms "host cell", "host cell line", "cotransfected cell" and "host cell culture" are used interchangeably and refer to cells (including the progeny of such cells) into which exogenous nucleic acid has been introduced. Host cells include "transformants" and "transformed cells", including the original transformed cell and its progeny regardless of the number of passages. Progeny may not be completely identical to the parent cell in nucleic acid content and may contain mutations. Mutant progeny that have the same function or biological activity as the original transformed cell was screened or selected for are also included herein. In certain embodiments, the host cell or cotransfected cell is CHO-DXB11, CHO-K1, or CHO-DG44. Such host cell or cotransfected cell may be a cell that expresses a taurine transporter, obtained by introducing DNA encoding the taurine transporter (WO2007 / 119774).

[0063] A "human antibody" is an antibody with an amino acid sequence that corresponds to that of an antibody produced by a human or a human cell, or derived from a human antibody repertoire or other non-human source that uses human antibody coding sequences. This definition of a human antibody specifically excludes humanized antibodies, which contain non-human antigen-binding residues.

[0064] A "human consensus framework" is a framework that represents the most commonly occurring amino acid residues in a selection of human immunoglobulin VL or VH framework sequences. Usually, the selection of human immunoglobulin VL or VH sequences is from a subgroup of variable domain sequences. Usually, the subgroup of sequences is a subgroup in Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, NIH Publication 91-3242, Bethesda MD (1991), vols. 1-3. In one embodiment, for VL, the subgroup is subgroup kappa I according to Kabat et al., supra. In one embodiment, for VH, the subgroup is subgroup III according to Kabat et al., supra.

[0065] A "humanized" antibody refers to a chimeric antibody that contains amino acid residues from non-human HVRs and amino acid residues from human FRs. In certain embodiments, a humanized antibody contains substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all HVRs (e.g., CDRs) correspond to those of a non-human antibody and all or substantially all FRs correspond to those of a human antibody. A humanized antibody may optionally contain at least a portion of an antibody constant region derived from a human antibody. A "humanized form" of an antibody (e.g., a non-human antibody) refers to an antibody that has undergone humanization.

[0066] The term "hypervariable region" or "HVR" as used herein refers to each region of an antibody variable domain that is hypervariable in sequence ("complementarity determining region" or "CDR") and / or forms structurally defined loops ("hypervariable loops") and / or contains antigen contact residues ("antigen contacts"). Typically, antibodies contain six HVRs: three in the VH (H1, H2, H3) and three in the VL (L1, L2, L3). Exemplary HVRs herein include the following: (a) hypervariable loops occurring at amino acid residues 26-32 (L1), 50-52 (L2), 91-96 (L3), 26-32 (H1), 53-55 (H2), and 96-101 (H3) (Chothia and Lesk, J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917 (1987)); (b) CDRs occurring at amino acid residues 24-34 (L1), 50-56 (L2), 89-97 (L3), 31-35b (H1), 50-65 (H2), and 95-102 (H3) (Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (1991)); (c) antigenic contacts occurring at amino acid residues 27c-36 (L1), 46-55 (L2), 89-96 (L3), 30-35b (H1), 47-58 (H2), and 93-101 (H3) (MacCallum et al. J. Mol. Biol. 262: 732-745 (1996)); and (d) combinations of (a), (b), and / or (c), comprising HVR amino acid residues 46-56 (L2), 47-56 (L2), 48-56 (L2), 49-56 (L2), 26-35 (H1), 26-35b (H1), 49-65 (H2), 93-102 (H3), and 94-102 (H3).

[0067] Unless otherwise indicated, HVR residues and other residues in the variable domain (eg, FR residues) are numbered herein according to Kabat et al., supra.

[0068] An "immunoconjugate" is an antibody conjugated to one or more heterologous molecules, including but not limited to, cytotoxic agents.

[0069] An "individual" or "subject" is a mammal. Mammals include, but are not limited to, domestic animals (e.g., cows, sheep, cats, dogs, horses), primates (e.g., humans and non-human primates such as monkeys), rabbits, and rodents (e.g., mice and rats). In certain embodiments, the individual or subject is a human.

[0070] An "isolated" antibody is one that has been separated from the components of its original environment. In some embodiments, the antibody is purified to greater than 95% or 99% purity, for example, as measured by electrophoresis (e.g., SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing (IEF), capillary electrophoresis) or chromatography (e.g., ion exchange or reverse phase HPLC). For a review of methods for assessing antibody purity, see, for example, Flatman et al., J. Chromatogr. B 848:79-87 (2007).

[0071] An "isolated" nucleic acid refers to a nucleic acid molecule that has been separated from a component of its original environment. Isolated nucleic acid includes a nucleic acid molecule contained in a cell that normally contains the nucleic acid molecule, but where the nucleic acid molecule is present extrachromosomally or in a chromosomal location that is different from its natural chromosomal location.

[0072] An "isolated nucleic acid encoding an antibody" refers to one or more nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibody heavy and light chains (or fragments thereof), including nucleic acid molecules carried on a single vector or separate vectors, and including nucleic acid molecules present in one or more locations in a host cell.

[0073] As used herein, the term "monoclonal antibody" refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies. That is, the individual antibodies that make up the population are identical and / or bind to the same epitope, except for possible variant antibodies (e.g., variant antibodies including naturally occurring variants or variant antibodies that arise during the manufacture of a monoclonal antibody preparation, which are usually present in small amounts). In contrast to polyclonal antibody preparations, which typically contain different antibodies against different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody of a monoclonal antibody preparation is directed against a single determinant on an antigen. Thus, the modifier "monoclonal" indicates the character of the antibody as being obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, and should not be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method. For example, monoclonal antibodies used in accordance with the present invention may be made by a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, hybridoma techniques, recombinant DNA techniques, phage display techniques, and methods utilizing transgenic animals containing all or part of the human immunoglobulin loci, and such methods and other exemplary methods for making monoclonal antibodies are described herein.

[0074] "Naked antibody" refers to an antibody that is not conjugated to a heterologous moiety (e.g., a cytotoxic moiety) or a radiolabel. Naked antibodies may be present in a pharmaceutical formulation.

[0075] "Native antibodies" refer to immunoglobulin molecules with various structures that occur naturally. For example, native IgG antibodies are heterotetrameric glycoproteins of about 150,000 daltons composed of two identical light chains and two identical heavy chains that are disulfide-bonded. From the N-terminus to the C-terminus, each heavy chain has a variable region (VH), also called the variable heavy domain or the heavy chain variable domain, followed by three constant domains (CH1, CH2, and CH3). Similarly, from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, each light chain has a variable region (VL), also called the variable light domain or the light chain variable domain, followed by a constant light (CL) domain. The light chain of an antibody may be assigned to one of two types, called kappa (κ) and lambda (λ), based on the amino acid sequence of its constant domain.

[0076] A "native sequence Fc region" comprises an amino acid sequence identical to the amino acid sequence of an Fc region found in nature. Native sequence human Fc regions include native sequence human IgG1 Fc regions (non-A and A allotypes); native sequence human IgG2 Fc regions; native sequence human IgG3 Fc regions; and native sequence human IgG4 Fc regions, as well as naturally occurring variants thereof.

[0077] The term "package insert" is used to refer to instructions typically included in commercial packaging of a therapeutic product that contain information about the indications, usage, dosage, method of administration, concomitant therapy, contraindications, and / or warnings regarding the use of such therapeutic product.

[0078] "Percent (%) amino acid sequence identity" to a reference polypeptide sequence is defined as the percentage of amino acid residues in a candidate sequence that are identical to amino acid residues in the reference polypeptide sequence after aligning the sequences to obtain the maximum percent sequence identity and introducing gaps, if necessary, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. Alignment for the purpose of determining percent amino acid sequence identity can be achieved by various methods within the skill of the art, for example, using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN, Megalign (DNASTAR) software, or GENETYX® (Genetyx Co., Ltd.). Those skilled in the art can determine appropriate parameters for aligning sequences, including any algorithms required to achieve maximum alignment over the entire length of the sequences being compared.

[0079] The ALIGN-2 sequence comparison computer program is the copyright of Genentech, Inc., and its source code has been submitted with user documentation to the US Copyright Office, Washington DC, 20559, where it is registered under US Copyright Registration No. TXU510087. The ALIGN-2 program is publicly available from Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, or may be compiled from the source code. The ALIGN-2 program is compiled for use on UNIX operating systems, including Digital UNIX V4.0D. All sequence comparison parameters are set by the ALIGN-2 program and do not vary. In the context of using ALIGN-2 for amino acid sequence comparison, the % amino acid sequence identity of a given amino acid sequence A to, with, or against a given amino acid sequence B (alternatively, it can be said that a given amino acid sequence A has or contains a certain % amino acid sequence identity to, with, or against a given amino acid sequence B) is calculated as follows: 100 times the fraction X / Y. where X is the number of amino acid residues scored as identical matches by the sequence alignment program ALIGN-2 in its alignment of A and B, and Y is the total number of amino acid residues in B. It will be understood that if the length of amino acid sequence A is not equal to the length of amino acid sequence B, then the % amino acid sequence identity of A to B will not be equal to the % amino acid sequence identity of B to A. Unless otherwise specified, all % amino acid sequence identity values ​​used herein are obtained using the ALIGN-2 computer program as described in the immediately preceding paragraph.

[0080] The term "pharmaceutical formulation" refers to a preparation in a form such that the biological activity of the active ingredients contained therein can be exerted, and which does not contain additional components that are unacceptably toxic to the subject to which the formulation is administered.

[0081] "Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" refers to an ingredient in a pharmaceutical formulation, other than an active ingredient, that is non-toxic to a subject. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, buffers, excipients, stabilizers, or preservatives.

[0082] The term "DENV E protein" as used herein refers to native DENV E protein from any DENV serotype, including DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4, unless otherwise indicated. The DENV genome encodes three structural proteins (capsid (C), premembrane / membrane (prM / M), and envelope (E)) and seven nonstructural proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5). The E protein is a glycoprotein of approximately 55 kDa that exists as a heterodimer with the PrM protein prior to virion maturation. X-ray crystallographic studies of the extracellular domain of the E protein revealed three distinct β-barrel domains linked to the viral membrane by helical stem anchors and two antiparallel transmembrane domains. Domain III (EDIII) adopts an immunoglobulin-like fold and has been suggested to play an important role in receptor interaction. Domain II (EDII) is an elongated domain consisting of two long finger-like structures, containing a highly conserved 13 amino acid fusion loop (EDII-FL) at the tip, which is involved in membrane fusion and dimerization of the E protein. The central domain (domain I; EDI) is a nine-stranded β-barrel linked to EDIII and EDII by one and four flexible linkers, respectively. The E protein is important for virus assembly, receptor binding, entry, virus fusion, and possibly immune evasion during the virus life cycle, and is therefore a dynamic protein required to adopt several different conformations and configurations on the virus particle. The term encompasses not only the unprocessed "full-length" DENV E protein, but also any form of DENV E protein that results from processing in the cell. The term also encompasses naturally occurring variants of the DENV E protein, such as serovar variants or quasispecies.

[0083] As used herein, the phrases "substantially reduced," "substantially increased," or "substantially different" refer to a difference between two values ​​(typically one associated with one molecule and another associated with a reference / comparator molecule) that is sufficiently high such that one of skill in the art would consider the difference between the two values ​​to be statistically significant within the context of the biological characteristic measured by said value (e.g., Kd value).

[0084] As used herein, "treatment" (and its grammatical derivatives, such as "treat", "treating", etc.) refers to a clinical intervention intended to modify the natural course of the individual being treated, and may be performed prophylactically or during the course of a clinical condition. Desirable effects of treatment include, but are not limited to, prevention of disease onset or recurrence, alleviation of symptoms, attenuation of any direct or indirect pathological effects of the disease, prevention of metastasis, reduction in the rate of disease progression, amelioration or palliation of the disease state, and remission or improved prognosis. In some embodiments, the antibodies of the invention are used to delay disease onset or slow disease progression.

[0085] The term "variable region" or "variable domain" refers to the domain of an antibody's heavy or light chain that is involved in binding the antibody to an antigen. The heavy and light chain variable domains (VH and VL, respectively) of natural antibodies usually have a similar structure, with each domain containing four conserved framework regions (FR) and three hypervariable regions (HVR). (See, for example, Kindt et al., Kuby Immunology, 6th ed., WH Freeman and Co., page 91 (2007).) One VH or VL domain may be sufficient to confer antigen-binding specificity. Furthermore, antibodies that bind to a particular antigen may be isolated by screening a complementary library of VL or VH domains, respectively, with a VH or VL domain from an antibody that binds to the antigen. See, e.g., Portolano et al., J. Immunol. 150:880-887 (1993); Clarkson et al., Nature 352:624-628 (1991).

[0086] A "mutated Fc region" comprises an amino acid sequence that differs from that of a native sequence Fc region by at least one amino acid modification (alteration), preferably one or more amino acid substitutions. Preferably, the mutant Fc region has at least one amino acid substitution, for example about 1 to about 10 amino acid substitutions, preferably about 1 to about 5 amino acid substitutions, in the native sequence Fc region or in the Fc region of the parent polypeptide, compared to the native sequence Fc region or the Fc region of the parent polypeptide. The mutant Fc region herein preferably has at least about 80% homology with the native sequence Fc region and / or the Fc region of the parent polypeptide, most preferably at least about 90% homology therewith, and more preferably at least about 95% homology therewith.

[0087] As used herein, the term "vector" refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of propagating another nucleic acid to which it is linked. The term includes vectors as self-replicating nucleic acid structures and vectors that are integrated into the genome of a host cell into which they are introduced. A vector is capable of effecting the expression of a nucleic acid to which it is operatively linked. Such vectors are also referred to herein as "expression vectors."

[0088] II. Compositions and Methods In one aspect, the present invention is based, in part, on anti-DENV antibodies and their uses. In certain embodiments, antibodies that bind to DENV and / or DENV E protein are provided. The antibodies of the present invention are useful, for example, for the diagnosis or treatment of DENV infection.

[0089] In one aspect, the present invention is based in part on polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions and their uses. In certain embodiments, polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions with substantially reduced FcγR binding activity are provided. In certain embodiments, polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions without substantially reduced C1q binding activity are provided. In certain embodiments, the polypeptides of the present invention are antibodies. Polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions of the present invention are useful, for example, for the diagnosis or treatment of viral infections.

[0090] A. Exemplary Anti-DENV Antibodies and Polypeptides Comprising Mutated Fc Regions In one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated antibody that binds to DENV and / or DENV E protein. In certain embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody blocks the binding of DENV and / or DENV E protein to a host cell. In certain embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody inhibits DENV entry into a host cell. In certain embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody binds to whole DENV particles. In further embodiments, the antibody binds to whole DENV particles rather than to monomeric DENV E protein. In certain embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody of the present invention binds to and / or neutralizes at least one, at least two, at least three, or all four DENV serotypes selected from the group consisting of DENV serotype 1 (DENV-1), DENV serotype 2 (DENV-2), DENV serotype 3 (DENV-3), and DENV serotype 4 (DENV-4). In certain embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody binds to and / or neutralizes DENV E protein from at least one, at least two, at least three, or all four DENV serotypes selected from the group consisting of DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. "Serotype" refers to distinct variations within a viral species.

[0091] In one aspect, the present invention provides an anti-DENV antibody comprising at least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 11-12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13-15; (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 16-20; (d) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 21-23; (e) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 24-26; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27-30.

[0092] In another aspect, the present invention provides an anti-DENV antibody comprising at least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; (d) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; (e) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45.

[0093] In another aspect, the present invention provides an anti-DENV antibody comprising at least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20; (d) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23; (e) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30.

[0094] In another aspect, the present invention provides an anti-DENV antibody comprising at least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20; (d) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; (e) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27.

[0095] In one aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 11-12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13-15; and (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 16-20. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 16-20. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 16-20 and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27-30. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 16-20, an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27-30, and an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13-15. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises (a) an HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 11-12; (b) an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13-15; and (c) an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 16-20.

[0096] In another aspect, the present invention provides an antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; and (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42 and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42, HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45, and HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41. In a further aspect, the antibody comprises (a) an HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40; (b) an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; and (c) an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42.

[0097] In another aspect, the present invention provides an antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; and (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20, an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, and an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20, an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27, and an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises (a) an HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; (b) an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; and (c) an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20.

[0098] In another aspect, the present invention provides an antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from: (a) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 21-23; (b) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 24-26; and (c) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27-30. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises: (a) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 21-23; (b) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 24-26; and (c) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27-30.

[0099] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from: (a) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; (b) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; and (c) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises: (a) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; (b) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; and (c) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45.

[0100] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from: (a) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23; (b) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26; and (c) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises: (a) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23; (b) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26; and (c) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30.

[0101] In another aspect, the antibody of the present invention comprises: (a) a VH domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 11-12, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13-15, and (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 16-20; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 21-23, (ii) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 24-26, and (iii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27-30.

[0102] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises: (a) a VH domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41, and (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43, (ii) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44, and (iii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45.

[0103] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises: (a) a VH domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, (ii) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26, and (iii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30.

[0104] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises: (a) a VH domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (ii) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (iii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27.

[0105] In another aspect, the present invention provides an antibody comprising: (a) HVR-H1 comprising any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 11 to 12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 13 to 15; (c) HVR-H3 comprising any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 16 to 20; (d) HVR-L1 comprising any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 21 to 23; (e) HVR-L2 comprising any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 24 to 26; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 27 to 30.

[0106] In another aspect, the present invention provides an antibody comprising: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; (d) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; (e) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45.

[0107] In another aspect, the present invention provides an antibody comprising: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20; (d) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23; (e) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30.

[0108] In another aspect, the present invention provides an antibody comprising: (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:15; (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20; (d) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:21; (e) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27.

[0109] In certain aspects, any one or more amino acids of the anti-DENV antibodies described above are substituted at the following HVR positions: (a) in HVR-H1 (SEQ ID NO: 11), positions 2 and 4; (b) in HVR-H2 (SEQ ID NO: 13), positions 9 and 10; (c) in HVR-H3 (SEQ ID NO: 16), positions 3, 14 and 16; (d) in HVR-L1 (SEQ ID NO: 21), positions 5 and 8; (e) in HVR-L2 (SEQ ID NO: 24), positions 4 and 7; and (f) in HVR-L3 (SEQ ID NO: 27), positions 4 and 5.

[0110] In certain embodiments, one or more amino acid substitutions in the anti-DENV antibody are conservative substitutions as provided herein. In certain embodiments, any one or more of the following substitutions may be made in any combination: (a) N2Y;I4M in HVR-H1 (SEQ ID NO: 11); (b) T9R;A10R in HVR-H2 (SEQ ID NO: 13); (c) R3E;R14F;G16D or L in HVR-H3 (SEQ ID NO: 16); (d) D5E;K8Q in HVR-L1 (SEQ ID NO: 21); (e) N4E;T7F in HVR-L2 (SEQ ID NO: 24); and (f) D4S or E;D5A in HVR-L3 (SEQ ID NO: 27).

[0111] All possible combinations of the above substitutions are encompassed in the consensus sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 for HVR-H1, HVR-H2, HVR-H3, HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3, respectively.

[0112] In a further aspect, the anti-DENV antibody of the present invention is not an antibody comprising (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, (iv) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (v) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (vi) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27.

[0113] In another aspect, the present invention provides an anti-DENV antibody comprising at least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from: (a) HVR-H1 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6; (b) HVR-H2 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6; (c) HVR-H3 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6; (d) HVR-L1 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; (e) HVR-L2 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; and (f) HVR-L3 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10.

[0114] In another aspect, the present invention provides an anti-DENV antibody comprising at least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from: (a) HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:2 to 6; (b) HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:2 to 6; (c) HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:2 to 6; (d) HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:7; (e) HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:7; and (f) HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:7.

[0115] In another aspect, the present invention provides an anti-DENV antibody comprising at least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from: (a) HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (b) HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (c) HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (d) HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10; (e) HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10; and (f) HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10.

[0116] In another aspect, the present invention provides an anti-DENV antibody comprising at least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from: (a) HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (b) HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (c) HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (d) HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7; (e) HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7; and (f) HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

[0117] In one aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from: (a) HVR-H1 from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6; (b) HVR-H2 from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6; and (c) HVR-H3 from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6 and a HVR-L3 from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8-10. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6 and a HVR-L3 from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6, a HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8-10, and a HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6, a HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7, and a HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6; (b) a HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6; and (c) a HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6.

[0118] In one aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from: (a) HVR-H1 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (b) HVR-H2 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (c) HVR-H3 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises an HVR-H3 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises an HVR-H3 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 and an HVR-L3 from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises an HVR-H3 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 and an HVR-L3 from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, a HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, and a HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises a HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, a HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, and a HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. In a further embodiment, the antibody comprises (a) a HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (b) a HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; and (c) a HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6.

[0119] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from: (a) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; (b) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; and (c) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises: (a) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; (b) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; and (c) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10.

[0120] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from: (a) HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; (b) HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; and (c) HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises: (a) HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; (b) HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; and (c) HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10.

[0121] In another aspect, the antibody of the present invention comprises: (a) a VH domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (i) an HVR-H1 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, (ii) an HVR-H2 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6, and (iii) an HVR-H3 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) an HVR-L1 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10, (ii) an HVR-L2 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10, and (iii) an HVR-L3 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10.

[0122] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises: (a) a VH domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (i) an HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-6, (ii) an HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-6, and (iii) an HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-6; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:7, (ii) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:7, and (iii) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:7.

[0123] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises: (a) a VH domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-H1 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, (ii) HVR-H2 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, and (iii) HVR-H3 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-L1 from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, (ii) HVR-L2 from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, and (iii) HVR-L3 from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10.

[0124] In another aspect, an antibody of the invention comprises: (a) a VH domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VH HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-H1 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, (ii) HVR-H2 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, and (iii) HVR-H3 from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; and (b) a VL domain comprising at least one, at least two, or all three VL HVR sequences selected from (i) HVR-L1 from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, (ii) HVR-L2 from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, and (iii) HVR-L3 from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

[0125] In another aspect, the present invention provides an antibody comprising: (a) an HVR-H1 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6; (b) an HVR-H2 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6; (c) an HVR-H3 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 6; (d) an HVR-L1 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; (e) an HVR-L2 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10; and (f) an HVR-L3 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8 to 10.

[0126] In another aspect, the present invention provides an antibody comprising: (a) an HVR-H1 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:2 to 6; (b) an HVR-H2 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:2 to 6; (c) an HVR-H3 derived from a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:2 to 6; (d) an HVR-L1 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:7; (e) an HVR-L2 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:7; and (f) an HVR-L3 derived from a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:7.

[0127] In another aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising: (a) an HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (b) an HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (c) an HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (d) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10; (e) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10; and (f) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:10.

[0128] In another aspect, the present invention provides an antibody comprising: (a) an HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (b) an HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (c) an HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (d) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7; (e) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7; and (f) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

[0129] In a further aspect, the anti-DENV antibody of the present invention is not an antibody comprising: (i) HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (ii) HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (iii) HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (iv) HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7; (v) HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7; and (vi) HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

[0130] In any of the above embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody can be humanized. In one embodiment, the anti-DENV antibody comprises an HVR in any of the above embodiments and further comprises an acceptor human framework, such as a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework. In another embodiment, the anti-DENV antibody comprises an HVR in any of the above embodiments and further comprises a VH or VL comprising a FR sequence. In a further embodiment, the anti-DENV antibody comprises the following heavy and / or light chain variable domain FR sequences: in the case of the heavy chain variable domain, FR1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, FR2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, FR3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 or 34, and FR4 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35. For the light chain variable domain, FR1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36, FR2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, FR3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38, and FR4 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:39.

[0131] In another aspect, the anti-DENV antibody comprises a heavy chain variable domain (VH) sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6. In certain embodiments, the VH sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions), insertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence, but the anti-DENV antibody comprising the sequence retains the ability to bind DENV. In certain embodiments, a total of 1-10 amino acids are substituted, inserted, and / or deleted in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6. In certain embodiments, the substitutions, insertions, or deletions occur in the regions outside the HVRs (i.e., FRs). Optionally, the anti-DENV antibody comprises a VH sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6, including a post-translational modification. In certain embodiments, the VH comprises one, two, or three HVRs selected from (a) HVR-H1 comprising an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 11-12, (b) HVR-H2 comprising an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13-15, and (c) HVR-H3 comprising an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 16-20. Post-translational modifications include, but are not limited to, modification of glutamine or glutamic acid at the N-terminus of the heavy or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.

[0132] In another aspect, the anti-DENV antibody comprises a heavy chain variable domain (VH) sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6. In certain embodiments, the VH sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions), insertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence, but the anti-DENV antibody comprising the sequence retains the ability to bind DENV. In certain embodiments, a total of 1-10 amino acids are substituted, inserted, and / or deleted in SEQ ID NO: 6. In certain embodiments, the substitutions, insertions, or deletions occur in the regions outside the HVRs (i.e., FRs). Optionally, the anti-DENV antibody comprises a VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, including a post-translational modification. In certain embodiments, the VH comprises one, two, or three HVRs selected from (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20. Post-translational modifications include, but are not limited to, modification of glutamine or glutamic acid at the N-terminus of the heavy or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.

[0133] In another aspect, the anti-DENV antibody comprises a light chain variable domain (VL) sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8-10. In certain embodiments, the VL sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions), insertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence, but the anti-DENV antibody comprising the sequence retains the ability to bind DENV. In certain embodiments, a total of 1-10 amino acids are substituted, inserted, and / or deleted in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8-10. In certain embodiments, the substitutions, insertions, or deletions occur in the regions outside the HVR (i.e., FR). Optionally, the anti-DENV antibody comprises a VL sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8-10, including a post-translational modification. In certain embodiments, the VL comprises one, two, or three HVRs selected from (a) HVR-L1 comprising an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 21-23, (b) HVR-L2 comprising an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 24-26, and (c) HVR-L3 comprising an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27-30. Post-translational modifications include, but are not limited to, modification of glutamine or glutamic acid at the N-terminus of the heavy or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.

[0134] In another aspect, an anti-DENV antibody is provided that comprises a light chain variable domain (VL) having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10. In certain embodiments, the VL sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity contains substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions), insertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence, but the anti-DENV antibody comprising the sequence retains the ability to bind DENV. In certain embodiments, a total of 1-10 amino acids are substituted, inserted, and / or deleted in SEQ ID NO: 10. In certain embodiments, the substitutions, insertions, or deletions occur in the regions outside the HVR (i.e., the FR). Optionally, the anti-DENV antibody comprises a VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, including a post-translational modification. In certain embodiments, the VL comprises one, two, or three HVRs selected from (a) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, (b) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26, and (c) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30. Post-translational modifications include, but are not limited to, modification of glutamine or glutamic acid at the N-terminus of the heavy or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.

[0135] In another aspect, an anti-DENV antibody is provided comprising a VH as in any of the above embodiments and a VL as in any of the above embodiments. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises the VH and VL sequences of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6 and any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8-10, respectively, including post-translational modifications. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises the VH and VL sequences of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-6 and any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7, respectively, including post-translational modifications. Post-translational modifications include, but are not limited to, modification of glutamine or glutamic acid at the N-terminus of the heavy or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.

[0136] In another aspect, an anti-DENV antibody is provided comprising a VH as in any of the above embodiments and a VL as in any of the above embodiments. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises the VH and VL sequences of SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 10, respectively, including post-translational modifications. In one embodiment, the antibody comprises the VH and VL sequences of SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7, respectively, including post-translational modifications. Post-translational modifications include, but are not limited to, modification of glutamine or glutamic acid at the N-terminus of the heavy or light chain to pyroglutamic acid by pyroglutamylation.

[0137] In a further aspect, the present invention provides an antibody that binds to the same epitope as the anti-DENV antibody provided herein. In a particular embodiment, an antibody is provided that binds to an epitope that includes at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, or all of the amino acids selected from the group consisting of G100, W101, K122, I162, S274, K310, W391, and F392 on the DENV-2 E protein. In a particular embodiment, an antibody is provided that binds to an epitope that includes at least one, at least two, or all of the amino acids selected from the group consisting of K122, I162, and S274 on the DENV-2 E protein. In certain embodiments, where an epitope comprises at least one, at least two, or all amino acids selected from the group consisting of K122, I162, and S274, an antibody is provided that binds to the epitope further comprising at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of G100, W101, K310, W391, and F392.

[0138] In a further aspect of the invention, the anti-DENV antibody according to any of the above embodiments is a monoclonal antibody, including a chimeric, humanized or human antibody. In one embodiment, the anti-DENV antibody is an antibody fragment, such as an Fv, Fab, Fab', scFv, diabody, or F(ab') 2In another embodiment, the antibody is a full length antibody, such as an intact IgG1 antibody, or other antibody class or isotype as defined herein.

[0139] In a further aspect, the anti-DENV antibody of the present invention may have a modification that abolishes the binding of the antibody to Fc gamma receptor (FcγR). Without being bound by theory, a modification that abolishes the binding of the antibody to Fc gamma receptor may be advantageous because the reduction in binding to FcR can avoid the ADE (antibody-dependent enhancement) phenomenon of infection, which is believed to be mainly mediated by interaction with FcR. In one embodiment, the Fc region of the anti-DENV antibody of the present invention comprises Ala at position 234 and Ala at position 235 according to EU numbering.

[0140] In further aspects, an anti-DENV antibody according to any of the above embodiments may incorporate, alone or in combination, any of the features described in items 1 to 7 below.

[0141] 1. Antibody affinity In certain embodiments, the antibodies provided herein have a concentration of 1 μM or less, 100 nM or less, 10 nM or less, 1 nM or less, 0.1 nM or less, 0.01 nM or less, or 0.001 nM or less (e.g., 10 -8 M or less, e.g. 10 -8 M~10 -13 M, for example 10 -9 M~10 -13 It has a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1 M.

[0142] In one embodiment, Kd is measured by radiolabeled antigen binding assay (RIA). In one embodiment, the RIA is performed using a Fab version of the antibody of interest and its antigen. For example, the solution binding affinity of the Fab for the antigen is determined by measuring the binding affinity of the Fab to the antigen at the lowest concentration ( 125I) Fab is equilibrated with labeled antigen, and then bound antigen is captured by a plate coated with anti-Fab antibody. (See, e.g., Chen et al., J. Mol. Biol. 293:865-881(1999)). To establish the measurement conditions, MICROTITER® multi-well plates (Thermo Scientific) are coated overnight with 5 μg / ml of capture anti-Fab antibody (Cappel Labs) in 50 mM sodium carbonate (pH 9.6), and then blocked with 2% (w / v) bovine serum albumin in PBS for 2-5 hours at room temperature (approximately 23°C). In non-adsorbent plates (Nunc #269620), 100 pM or 26 pM of [ 125 I]-antigen is mixed with serial dilutions of the Fab of interest (e.g., as in the evaluation of the anti-VEGF antibody, Fab-12, in Presta et al., Cancer Res. 57:4593-4599 (1997)). The Fab of interest is then incubated overnight, although the incubation can be continued for longer (e.g., about 65 hours) to ensure that equilibrium is reached. The mixture is then transferred to a capture plate for incubation at room temperature (e.g., 1 hour). The solution is then removed and the plate is washed 8 times with 0.1% polysorbate 20 (TWEEN-20®) in PBS. Once the plate has dried, 150 μl / well of scintillant (MICROSCINT-20™, Packard) is added and the plate is counted for 10 minutes in a TOPCOUNT™ gamma counter (Packard). The concentration of each Fab that gives 20% or less of maximum binding is selected for use in the competitive binding assay.

[0143] In another embodiment, Kd is measured using a BIACORE® surface plasmon resonance assay. For example, an assay using a BIACORE®-2000 or BIACORE®-3000 (BIAcore, Inc., Piscataway, NJ) is performed at 25° C. using a CM5 chip with approximately 10 response units (RU) of antigen immobilized. In one embodiment, a carboxymethylated dextran biosensor chip (CM5, BIACORE, Inc.) is activated with N-ethyl-N'-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) according to the supplier's instructions. The antigen is diluted to 5 μg / ml (approximately 0.2 μM) with 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 4.8, before being injected at a flow rate of 5 μl / min to achieve approximately 10 response units (RU) of protein binding. After injection of antigen, 1 M ethanolamine is injected to block unreacted groups. For kinetic measurements, two-fold serial dilutions of Fab (0.78 nM to 500 nM) in PBS containing 0.05% polysorbate 20 (TWEEN-20™) surfactant (PBST) are injected at 25° C. with a flow rate of approximately 25 μl / min. The binding rate (k on ) and dissociation rate (k off ) is calculated by simultaneously fitting the association and dissociation sensorgrams with a simple one-to-one Langmuir binding model (BIACORE® Evaluation Software version 3.2). The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) is k off / k on The on-rate is calculated as a ratio of 10 to 10 by the surface plasmon resonance assay described above. See, e.g., Chen et al., J. Mol. Biol. 293:865-881 (1999). 6 M -1 s -1If the on-rate exceeds , the on-rate can be determined using a fluorescence quenching technique that measures the increase or decrease in fluorescence emission intensity (excitation = 295 nm; emission = 340 nm, band pass 16 nm) of 20 nM anti-antigen antibody (Fab form) in PBS, pH 7.2 at 25°C in the presence of increasing concentrations of antigen, as measured in a spectrometer (e.g., a stopped-flow spectrophotometer (Aviv Instruments) or an 8000 series SLM-AMINCO™ spectrophotometer (ThermoSpectronic) using a stirred cuvette).

[0144] 2. Antibody fragment In certain embodiments, the antibodies provided herein are antibody fragments. Antibody fragments include, but are not limited to, Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, F(ab') 2 , Fv, and scFv fragments, as well as other fragments described below. For a review of certain antibody fragments, see Hudson et al. Nat. Med. 9:129-134 (2003). For a review of scFv fragments, see, e.g., Pluckthun, in The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, vol. 113, Rosenburg and Moore eds., (Springer-Verlag, New York), pp.269-315 (1994); in addition, WO93 / 16185; and U.S. Patent Nos. 5,571,894 and 5,587,458. Fab and F(ab') fragments that contain salvage receptor binding epitope residues and have extended in vivo half-lives are also known. 2 For a discussion of fragments, see US Pat. No. 5,869,046.

[0145] Diabodies are antibody fragments with two antigen-binding sites, which may be bivalent or bispecific. See, e.g., EP 404,097; WO 1993 / 01161; Hudson et al., Nat. Med. 9:129-134 (2003); Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 6444-6448 (1993). Triabodies and tetrabodies are also described in Hudson et al., Nat. Med. 9:129-134 (2003).

[0146] A single domain antibody is an antibody fragment that contains all or a portion of the heavy chain variable domain or all or a portion of the light chain variable domain of an antibody. In certain embodiments, a single domain antibody is a human single domain antibody (Domantis, Inc., Waltham, MA; see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,248,516 B1).

[0147] Antibody fragments can be produced by a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, proteolytic digestion of whole antibodies and production by recombinant host cells (e.g., E. coli or phages), as described herein.

[0148] 3. Chimeric and humanized antibodies In certain embodiments, the antibody provided herein is a chimeric antibody. Certain chimeric antibodies are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567; and Morrison et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81:6851-6855 (1984). In one example, a chimeric antibody comprises a non-human variable region (e.g., a variable region derived from a non-human primate, such as a mouse, rat, hamster, rabbit, or monkey) and a human constant region. In a further example, a chimeric antibody is a "class-switched" antibody whose class or subclass has been changed from that of the parent antibody. Chimeric antibodies also include antigen-binding fragments thereof.

[0149] In certain embodiments, the chimeric antibody is a humanized antibody. Typically, a non-human antibody is humanized to reduce immunogenicity in humans while maintaining the specificity and affinity of the parent non-human antibody. Usually, a humanized antibody comprises one or more variable domains, in which the HVRs (e.g., CDRs (or portions thereof)) are derived from a non-human antibody and the FRs (or portions thereof) are derived from human antibody sequences. The humanized antibody optionally comprises at least a portion of a human constant region. In some embodiments, some FR residues in the humanized antibody are replaced with corresponding residues from a non-human antibody (e.g., the antibody from which the HVR residues are derived), e.g., to restore or improve the specificity or affinity of the antibody.

[0150] Humanized antibodies and methods for their production are reviewed in Almagro and Fransson, Front. Biosci. 13:1619-1633 (2008) and also see, e.g., Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-329 (1988); Queen et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 86:10029-10033 (1989); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,821,337, 7,527,791, 6,982,321, and 7,087,409; Kashmiri et al., Methods 36:25-34 (2005) (describing specificity determining region (SDR) grafting); Padlan, Mol. Immunol. 28:489-498 (1991) (describing "resurfacing"); Dall'Acqua et al., Methods 36:43-60 (2005) (describing "FR shuffling"); and further described in Osbourn et al., Methods 36:61-68 (2005) and Klimka et al., Br. J. Cancer, 83:252-260 (2000) (describing a "guide selection" approach for FR shuffling).

[0151] Human framework regions that may be used for humanization include, but are not limited to: framework regions selected using the "best-fit" method (see Sims et al. J. Immunol. 151:2296 (1993)); framework regions derived from consensus sequences of human antibodies of particular subgroups of light or heavy chain variable regions (see Carter et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:4285 (1992) and Presta et al. J. Immunol. 151:2623 (1993)); human mature (somatically mutated) framework regions or human germline framework regions (see, e.g., Almagro and Fransson, Front. Biosci. 13:1619-1633 (2008)); and framework regions derived from screening of FR libraries (see Baca et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272:10678-10684 (1997) and Rosok et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:22611-22618 (1996).

[0152] 4. Human antibodies In certain embodiments, the antibody provided herein is a human antibody. Human antibodies can be produced by various techniques known in the art. Human antibodies are reviewed in van Dijk and van de Winkel, Curr. Opin. Pharmacol. 5: 368-74 (2001) and Lonberg, Curr. Opin. Immunol. 20:450-459 (2008).

[0153] Human antibodies may be prepared by administering an immunogen to a transgenic animal that has been engineered to produce fully human antibodies or complete antibodies with human variable regions in response to antigen challenge. Such animals typically contain all or a portion of a human immunoglobulin locus, which either replaces an endogenous immunoglobulin locus or is present extrachromosomally or randomly integrated into the animal's chromosomes. In such transgenic mice, the endogenous immunoglobulin locus is usually inactivated. For a review of methods for obtaining human antibodies from transgenic animals, see Lonberg, Nat. Biotech. 23:1117-1125 (2005). See also, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,075,181 and 6,150,584, which describe XENOMOUSE™ technology; U.S. Patent No. 5,770,429, which describes HUMAB® technology; U.S. Patent No. 7,041,870, which describes KM MOUSE® technology; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0061900, which describes VELOCIMOUSE® technology. The human variable regions from complete antibodies generated by such animals may be further modified, for example, by combining with different human constant regions.

[0154] Human antibodies can also be produced by hybridoma-based methods. Human myeloma and mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines for the production of human monoclonal antibodies have been described. (See, e.g., Kozbor J. Immunol., 133: 3001 (1984); Brodeur et al., Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications, pp.51-63 (Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1987); and Boerner et al., J. Immunol. 147: 86 (1991).) Human antibodies generated via human B-cell hybridoma technology are also described in Li et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103:3557-3562 (2006). Additional methods include those described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 7,189,826 (describing the production of monoclonal human IgM antibodies from hybridoma cell lines) and Ni, Xiandai Mianyixue, 26(4):265-268 (2006) (describing human-human hybridomas). Human hybridoma technology (trioma technology) is also described in Vollmers and Brandlein, Histology and Histopathology, 20(3):927-937 (2005) and Vollmers and Brandlein, Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, 27(3):185-91 (2005).

[0155] Human antibodies can also be generated by isolating Fv clone variable domain sequences selected from a human-derived phage display library. Such variable domain sequences can then be combined with the desired human constant domains. Techniques for selecting human antibodies from antibody libraries are described below.

[0156] 5. Library-derived Antibodies Antibodies of the invention may be isolated by screening combinatorial libraries for antibodies with the desired activity or activities. For example, various methods are known in the art for generating phage display libraries and screening such libraries for antibodies with the desired binding characteristics. Such methods are reviewed in Hoogenboom et al. in Methods in Molecular Biology 178:1-37; O'Brien et al., ed., Human Press, Totowa, NJ, 2001) and further described in, for example, McCafferty et al., Nature 348:552-554; Clackson et al., Nature 352: 624-628 (1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol. 222: 581-597 (1992); Marks and Bradbury, in Methods in Molecular Biology 248:161-175 (Lo, ed., Human Press, Totowa, NJ, 2003); Sidhu et al., J. Mol. Biol. 338(2): 299-310 (2004); Lee et al., J. Mol. Biol. 340(5): 1073-1093 (2004); Fellouse, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101(34):12467-12472 (2004); and Lee et al., J. Immunol. Methods 284(1-2): 119-132(2004).

[0157] In a particular phage display method, repertoires of VH and VL genes are cloned separately by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and randomly recombined in a phage library, which can be screened for antigen-binding phage as described in Winter et al., Ann. Rev. Immunol. 12: 433-455 (1994). Phages typically display antibody fragments, either as single-chain Fv (scFv) fragments or as Fab fragments. Libraries from immunized sources provide high affinity antibodies to the immunogen without the need to construct hybridomas. Alternatively, naive repertoires can be cloned (e.g., from humans) to provide a single source of antibodies to a wide range of non-self and self antigens without immunization, as described in Griffiths et al., EMBO J, 12: 725-734 (1993). Finally, naive libraries can be generated synthetically by cloning unrearranged V-gene segments from stem cells and using PCR primers that encode the hypervariable CDR3 regions and contain random sequences to achieve rearrangement in vitro, as described in Hoogenboom and Winter, J. Mol. Biol., 227: 381-388 (1992). Patent literature describing human antibody phage libraries includes, for example: U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,373, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005 / 0079574, 2005 / 0119455, 2005 / 0266000, 2007 / 0117126, 2007 / 0160598, 2007 / 0237764, 2007 / 0292936, and 2009 / 0002360.

[0158] Antibodies or antibody fragments isolated from a human antibody library are considered herein to be human antibodies or human antibody fragments.

[0159] 6. Multispecific antibodies In certain embodiments, the antibodies provided herein are multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies). Multispecific antibodies are monoclonal antibodies that have binding specificities at at least two different sites. In certain embodiments, one of the binding specificities is for the DENV E protein and the other is for any other antigen. In certain embodiments, the bispecific antibody may bind to two different epitopes of the DENV E protein. The bispecific antibody may be used to localize cytotoxic agents to cells expressing the DENV E protein. The bispecific antibody may be prepared as a full-length antibody or as an antibody fragment.

[0160] Techniques for producing multispecific antibodies include, but are not limited to, recombinant co-expression of two immunoglobulin heavy chain-light chain pairs with different specificities (see Milstein and Cuello, Nature 305: 537 (1983), WO 93 / 08829, and Traunecker et al., EMBO J. 10: 3655 (1991)), and the "knob-in-hole" technology (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,168). Multispecific antibodies can be made by manipulating electrostatic steering effects to create Fc heterodimeric molecules (WO 2009 / 089004A1); cross-linking two or more antibodies or fragments (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980 and Brennan et al., Science, 229: 81 (1985)); using leucine zippers to generate antibodies with two specificities (see Kostelny et al., J. Immunol. 148(5):1547-1553 (1992)); using "diabody" technology to create bispecific antibody fragments (see Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:6444-6448 (1993)); and using single-chain Fv (scFv) dimers (Gruber et al., J. Immunol. 152:5368 (1993)). (1994)); and by preparing trispecific antibodies as described, for example, in Tutt et al., J. Immunol. 147: 60 (1991).

[0161] Engineered antibodies with three or more functional antigen binding sites are also included herein, including "octopus antibodies" (see, eg, US Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0025576 A1).

[0162] The antibody or fragment herein also includes a "dual-acting Fab" or "DAF" that contains one antigen-binding site that binds to the DENV E protein and another distinct antigen (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0069820).

[0163] 7. Antibody Variants In certain embodiments, amino acid sequence variants of the antibodies provided herein are also contemplated. For example, it may be desirable to improve the binding affinity and / or other biological properties of the antibody. Amino acid sequence variants of the antibody may be prepared by introducing appropriate modifications into the nucleotide sequence encoding the antibody or by peptide synthesis. Such modifications include, for example, deletions from, and / or insertions into, and / or substitutions of residues in the amino acid sequence of the antibody. Any combination of deletions, insertions, and substitutions may be made to arrive at the final construct, provided that the final construct possesses the desired characteristics (e.g., antigen binding).

[0164] a) Substitution, insertion, and deletion mutants In certain embodiments, antibody variants are provided that have one or more amino acid substitutions. Target sites for substitutional mutagenesis include HVRs and FRs. Conservative substitutions are shown in Table 1 under the heading of "preferred substitutions". More substantial changes are provided in Table 1 under the heading of "exemplary substitutions" and are detailed below with reference to classes of amino acid side chains. Amino acid substitutions may be introduced into the antibody of interest, and the products may be screened for desired activity, such as, for example, retained / improved antigen binding, reduced immunogenicity, or improved ADCC or CDC.

[0165] (Table 1) TIFF0007672456000027.tif158169

[0166] Amino acids can be divided into groups according to common side chain properties: (1) Hydrophobic: norleucine, methionine (Met), alanine (Ala), valine (Val), leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile); (2) neutral hydrophilic: cysteine ​​(Cys), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), asparagine (Asn), glutamine (Gln); (3) Acidic: aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu); (4) Basic: histidine (His), lysine (Lys), arginine (Arg); (5) Residues that affect chain orientation: glycine (Gly), proline (Pro); (6) Aromatic: tryptophan (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), phenylalanine (Phe). Non-conservative substitutions refer to the exchange of a member of one of these classes for a member of another class.

[0167] One type of substitutional variant involves the substitution of one or more hypervariable region residues of a parent antibody (e.g., a humanized or human antibody). Usually, the resulting variant selected for further study will have a modification (e.g., an improvement) in a particular biological property compared to the parent antibody (e.g., increased affinity, decreased immunogenicity) and / or will substantially retain a particular biological property of the parent antibody. An exemplary substitutional variant is an affinity matured antibody, which may be conveniently generated, for example, using phage display-based affinity maturation techniques (e.g., those described herein). Briefly, one or more HVR residues are mutated, and the mutated antibodies are displayed on phage and screened for a particular biological activity (e.g., binding affinity).

[0168] Modifications (e.g., substitutions) can be made in HVRs, for example, to improve the affinity of the antibody. Such modifications can be made in "hot spots" of HVRs, i.e., residues encoded by codons where mutations occur frequently during the somatic maturation process (see, e.g., Chowdhury, Methods Mol. Biol. 207:179-196 (2008)) and / or residues that contact antigens, and the resulting mutated VH or VL can be tested for binding affinity. Affinity maturation by construction and reselection from secondary libraries is described, for example, in Hoogenboom et al. in Methods in Molecular Biology 178:1-37 (O'Brien et al., ed., Human Press, Totowa, NJ, (2001)). In some embodiments of affinity maturation, diversity is introduced into the variable genes selected for maturation by any of a variety of methods (e.g., error-prone PCR, chain shuffling, or oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis). A secondary library is then created. This library is then screened to identify any antibody variants with the desired affinity. Another method of introducing diversity involves an HVR-directed approach, where several HVR residues (e.g., 4-6 residues at a time) are randomized. HVR residues involved in antigen binding can be specifically identified, for example, using alanine scanning mutagenesis or modeling. In particular, CDR-H3 and CDR-L3 are often targeted.

[0169] In certain embodiments, substitution, insertion, or deletion may be made within one or more HVRs, as long as such modification does not substantially reduce the ability of the antibody to bind to antigen.For example, conservative modifications (e.g., conservative substitutions as provided herein) that do not substantially reduce binding affinity may be made in HVRs.Such modifications may, for example, be outside the antigen contact residues of HVRs.In certain embodiments of the above mutant VH and VL sequences, each HVR is unmodified or contains only one, two, or three amino acid substitutions.

[0170] A useful method for identifying antibody residues or regions that can be targeted for mutagenesis is that described by Cunningham and Wells (1989), Science, 244:1081-1085, called "alanine scanning mutagenesis". In this method, a residue or group of target residues (e.g., charged residues such as arginine, aspartic acid, histidine, lysine, and glutamic acid) is identified and replaced with neutral or negatively charged amino acids (e.g., alanine or polyalanine), and it is determined whether the antibody-antigen interaction is affected. Further substitutions can be introduced at amino acid positions that show functional sensitivity to this initial substitution. Alternatively or additionally, a crystal structure of the antigen-antibody complex can be analyzed to identify contact points between the antibody and the antigen. Such contact residues and neighboring residues can be targeted as replacement candidates or excluded from replacement candidates. Mutants can be screened to determine whether they contain the desired properties.

[0171] Amino acid sequence insertions include fusions ranging in length from one residue to polypeptides containing 100 or more residues at the amino and / or carboxyl termini, as well as single or multiple amino acid residue insertions within the sequence. An example of a terminal insertion includes an antibody with a methionyl residue at the N-terminus. Other insertional variants of the antibody molecule include the fusion to the N- or C-terminus of the antibody of an enzyme (e.g., for ADEPT) or a polypeptide which increases the plasma half-life of the antibody.

[0172] b) Glycosylation Mutants In certain embodiments, the antibodies provided herein have been modified to increase or decrease the extent to which the antibody is glycosylated. Adding or deleting glycosylation sites to an antibody can be conveniently accomplished by modifying the amino acid sequence to create or remove one or more glycosylation sites.

[0173] If the antibody comprises an Fc region, the carbohydrate attached thereto may be modified. Natural antibodies produced by mammalian cells typically comprise branched, biantennary oligosaccharides, which are usually attached by N-linkage to Asn297 in the CH2 domain of the Fc region. See, e.g., Wright et al., TIBTECH 15:26-32 (1997). Oligosaccharides include, for example, various carbohydrates such as mannose, N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), galactose, and sialic acid, as well as fucose attached to the GlcNAc in the "stem" of the biantennary oligosaccharide structure. In some embodiments, modifications of the oligosaccharides in the antibodies of the invention may be made to generate antibody variants with specific improved properties.

[0174] In one embodiment, antibody variants are provided that have carbohydrate structures that lack fucose added (directly or indirectly) to the Fc region. For example, the amount of fucose in such antibodies can be 1%-80%, 1%-65%, 5%-65% or 20%-40%. The amount of fucose is determined by calculating the average amount of fucose in the glycan at Asn297 relative to the sum of all glycostructures (e.g., complex, hybrid, and high mannose structures) added to Asn297, as measured by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, e.g., as described in WO 2008 / 077546. Asn297 represents an asparagine residue located at about position 297 of the Fc region (EU numbering of Fc region residues). However, due to slight sequence variability between multiple antibodies, Asn297 can also be located approximately ±3 amino acids upstream or downstream of position 297, i.e., between positions 294 and 300. Such fucosylation variants may have improved ADCC function. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003 / 0157108 (Presta, L.); 2004 / 0093621 (Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd). Examples of publications relating to "defucosylated" or "fucose-deficient" antibody variants include US 2003 / 0157108; WO 2000 / 61739; WO 2001 / 29246; US 2003 / 0115614; US 2002 / 0164328; US 2004 / 0093621; US ​​2004 / 0132140; US 2004 / 0110704; US 2004 / 0110282; US 2004 / 0109865; WO 2003 / 085119; WO 2003 / 084570; WO 2005 / 035586; WO 2005 / 035778; WO 2005 / 053742; WO 2002 / 031140; Okazaki et al., J. Mol. Biol. 336:1239-1249 (2004); Yamane-Ohnuki et al., Biotech. Bioeng. 87: 614 (2004).Examples of cell lines capable of producing defucosylated antibodies include Lec13 CHO cells, which lack protein fucosylation (Ripka et al. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 249:533-545 (1986); U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003 / 0157108 A1, Presta, L; and WO 2004 / 056312 A1, Adams et al., especially Example 11) and knockout cell lines, such as alpha-1,6-fucosyltransferase gene FUT8 knockout CHO cells (see, e.g., Yamane-Ohnuki et al. Biotech. Bioeng. 87: 614 (2004); Kanda Y. et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng. 94(4):680-688 (2006); and WO 2003 / 085107).

[0175] Further provided are antibody variants having bisected oligosaccharides, for example, bisected oligosaccharides added to the Fc region of the antibody are bisected by GlcNAc. Such antibody variants may have reduced fucosylation and / or improved ADCC function. Examples of such antibody variants are described, for example, in WO2003 / 011878 (Jean-Mairet et al.); U.S. Patent No. 6,602,684 (Umana et al.); and US2005 / 0123546 (Umana et al.). Also provided are antibody variants having at least one galactose residue in the oligosaccharide added to the Fc region. Such antibody variants may have improved CDC function. Such antibody variants are described, for example, in WO1997 / 30087 (Patel et al.); WO1998 / 58964 (Raju, S.); and WO1999 / 22764 (Raju, S.).

[0176] c) Fc region mutants In certain embodiments, one or more amino acid modifications may be introduced into the Fc region of an antibody provided herein, thereby generating an Fc region variant. The Fc region variant may comprise a human Fc region sequence (e.g., a human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4 Fc region) that contains an amino acid modification (e.g., a substitution) at one or more amino acid positions.

[0177] In certain embodiments, antibody variants that have some, but not all, effector functions are also contemplated by the present invention, which make the antibody a desirable candidate for applications where its in vivo half-life is important, but certain effector functions (such as ADCC) are unnecessary or detrimental. To measure CDC and / or ADCC activity, in vitro and / or in vivo cytotoxicity assays can be performed. For example, Fc receptor (FcR) binding assays can be performed to determine whether an antibody has FcγR binding (and thus is likely to have ADCC activity) and / or has FcRn binding ability. NK cells, the primary cells mediating ADCC, express only FcγRIII, whereas monocytes express FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII. Expression of FcR on hematopoietic cells is summarized in Table 3 on page 464 of Ravetch and Kinet, Annu. Rev. Immunol. 9:457-492 (1991). Non-limiting examples of in vitro assays to assess ADCC activity of a molecule of interest are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,500,362 (see, e.g., Hellstrom, I. et al. Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 83:7059-7063 (1986)) and Hellstrom, I et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 82:1499-1502 (1985); U.S. Patent No. 5,821,337 (see, Bruggemann, M. et al., J. Exp. Med. 166:1351-1361 (1987)). Alternatively, non-radioactive assays may be used (see, e.g., ACT1™ non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay for flow cytometry (CellTechnology, Inc. Mountain View, CA); and CytoTox 96® non-radioactive cytotoxicity assays (Promega, Madison, WI)).Useful effector cells for such assays include peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and natural killer (NK) cells. Alternatively or additionally, ADCC activity of the molecule of interest may be assessed in vivo, for example in an animal model as described in Clynes et al. Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 95:652-656 (1998). C1q binding assays may also be performed to determine whether an antibody can bind C1q and thus has CDC activity. See, for example, the C1q and C3c binding ELISAs in WO2006 / 029879 and WO2005 / 100402. CDC measurements may also be performed to assess complement activation (see, e.g., Gazzano-Santoro et al., J. Immunol. Methods 202:163 (1996); Cragg, MS et al., Blood 101:1045-1052 (2003); and Cragg, MS and MJ Glennie Blood 103:2738-2743 (2004)). In addition, FcRn binding and in vivo clearance / half-life determinations may also be performed using methods known in the art (see, e.g., Petkova, et al., Int'l. Immunol. 18(12):1759-1769 (2006)).

[0178] Antibodies with modified effector function include those with one or more substitutions at Fc region residues 238, 265, 269, 270, 297, 327, and 329 (U.S. Patent No. 6,737,056). Such Fc variants include Fc variants with substitutions at two or more amino acid positions 265, 269, 270, 297, and 327, including the so-called "DANA" Fc variant with substitutions of residues 265 and 297 to alanine (U.S. Patent No. 7,332,581).

[0179] Certain antibody variants with altered binding to FcRs have been described (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,056; WO2004 / 056312, and Shields et al., J. Biol. Chem. 9(2): 6591-6604 (2001)).

[0180] In certain embodiments, the antibody variant comprises an Fc region with one or more amino acid substitutions that alter ADCC (e.g., substitutions at positions 298, 333, and / or 334 (residues in EU numbering) of the Fc region).

[0181] In some embodiments, modifications are made in the Fc region that result in altered (i.e., either increased or decreased) C1q binding and / or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,551, WO99 / 51642, WO2011 / 091078, and Idusogie et al. J. Immunol. 164: 4178-4184 (2000).

[0182] Antibodies with increased half-lives and increased binding to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn, responsible for the transfer of maternal IgGs to the fetus (Guyer et al., J. Immunol. 117:587 (1976) and Kim et al., J. Immunol. 24:249 (1994)) have been described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0014934 A1 (Hinton et al.). These antibodies comprise an Fc region with one or more substitutions therein that increase binding of the Fc region to FcRn. Such Fc variants include those with substitutions at one or more of Fc region residues: 238, 256, 265, 272, 286, 303, 305, 307, 311, 312, 317, 340, 356, 360, 362, 376, 378, 380, 382, ​​413, 424, or 434 (e.g., substitution at Fc region residue 434 (U.S. Patent No. 7,371,826)).

[0183] For other examples of Fc region variants, see also Duncan & Winter, Nature 322:738-40 (1988); U.S. Patent Nos. 5,648,260 and 5,624,821; and WO 94 / 29351.

[0184] In another embodiment, the antibody may comprise a mutated Fc of the invention as detailed herein below.

[0185] d) Cysteine ​​Engineered Antibody Variants In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to create cysteine ​​engineered antibodies (e.g., "thioMAbs") in which one or more residues of an antibody are substituted with a cysteine ​​residue. In certain embodiments, the substituted residues occur at accessible sites of the antibody. By substituting those residues with cysteine, reactive thiol groups are placed at accessible sites of the antibody, which may be used to conjugate the antibody to other moieties (such as drug moieties or linker-drug moieties) to create immunoconjugates as further detailed herein. In certain embodiments, any one or more of the following residues may be substituted with a cysteine: V205 (Kabat numbering) of the light chain; A118 (EU numbering) of the heavy chain; and S400 (EU numbering) of the heavy chain Fc region. Cysteine ​​engineered antibodies may be generated, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,521,541.

[0186] e) Antibody derivative In certain embodiments, the antibodies provided herein may be further modified to include additional non-protein moieties that are known in the art and readily available. Moieties suitable for derivatization of antibodies include, but are not limited to, water-soluble polymers. Non-limiting examples of water-soluble polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethylene glycol / propylene glycol copolymers, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly-1,3-dioxolane, poly-1,3,6-trioxane, ethylene / maleic anhydride copolymers, polyamino acids (either homopolymers or random copolymers), and dextran or poly(n-vinylpyrrolidone) polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol homopolymer, polypropylene oxide / ethylene oxide copolymer, polyoxyethylated polyols (e.g., glycerol), polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. Polyethylene glycol propionaldehyde may be advantageous in manufacturing due to its stability in water. The polymer may be of any molecular weight and may be branched or unbranched. The number of polymers attached to an antibody can vary, and if more than one polymer is attached, they can be the same molecule or different molecules. In general, the number and / or type of polymers used for derivatization can be determined based on considerations such as, but not limited to, the particular property or function of the antibody to be improved, whether the antibody derivative will be used in therapy under defined conditions, etc.

[0187] In another embodiment, a conjugate is provided between an antibody and a non-protein moiety that can be selectively heated by exposure to radiation. In one embodiment, the non-protein moiety is a carbon nanotube (Kam et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102: 11600-11605 (2005)). The radiation can be of any wavelength, including but not limited to wavelengths that heat the non-protein moiety to a temperature that is not harmful to normal cells but that kills cells in close proximity to the antibody-non-protein moiety.

[0188] In one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with substantially reduced FcγR binding activity. In one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with substantially reduced no C1q binding activity. In one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region with substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and substantially reduced no C1q binding activity. In some aspects, the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspects, the polypeptide is an Fc fusion protein. In certain embodiments, the variant Fc region comprises at least one amino acid residue modification (e.g., substitution) compared to the corresponding sequence of a native or reference variant sequence Fc region (collectively referred to herein as a "parent" Fc region). In certain embodiments, the variant Fc region of the present invention has substantially reduced FcγR binding activity compared to the parent Fc region. In certain embodiments, the variant Fc region of the present invention does not have substantially reduced C1q binding activity compared to the parent Fc region. In certain embodiments, the FcγR is a human FcγR, a monkey FcγR (eg, a cynomolgus, rhesus, marmoset, chimpanzee, or baboon FcγR), or a mouse FcγR.

[0189] In one aspect, the variant Fc regions of the invention have substantially reduced binding activity to one or more human FcγRs, including, but not limited to, FcγRIa, FcγRIIa (including allelic variants 167H and 167R), FcγRIIb, FcγRIIIa (including allelic variants 158F and 158V), and FcγRIIIb (including allelic variants NA1 and NA2), as compared to the parent Fc region. In a further aspect, the variant Fc regions of the invention have substantially reduced binding activity to human FcγRIa, FcγRIIa (including allelic variants 167H and 167R), FcγRIIb, FcγRIIIa (including allelic variants 158F and 158V), and FcγRIIIb (including allelic variants NA1 and NA2), as compared to the parent Fc region.

[0190] In one aspect, the variant Fc regions of the invention have substantially reduced binding activity to one or more mouse FcγRs, including but not limited to FcγRI, FcγRIIb, FcγRIII, and FcγRIV, as compared to the parent Fc region. In a further aspect, the variant Fc regions of the invention have substantially reduced binding activity to mouse FcγRI, FcγRIIb, FcγRIII, and FcγRIV, as compared to the parent Fc region.

[0191] "Fcγ receptor" (herein referred to as Fcγ receptor, FcγR or FcgR) refers to a receptor that can bind to the Fc region of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 monoclonal antibodies, and indeed means any member of a family of proteins encoded by the Fcγ receptor gene. In humans, this family includes, but is not limited to, FcγRI (CD64), such as isoforms FcγRIa, FcγRIb, FcγRIc, etc.; FcγRII (CD32), such as isoforms FcγRIIa (including allotypes H131 (type H) and R131 (type R)), FcγRIIb (including FcγRIIb-1 and FcγRIIb-2), FcγRIIc, etc.; and FcγRIII (CD16), such as isoforms FcγRIIIa (including allotypes V158 and F158), FcγRIIIb (including allotypes FcγRIIIb-NA1 and FcγRIIIb-NA2), etc.; as well as human FcγRs, isoforms or allotypes of FcγR yet to be discovered. FcγRIIb-1 and FcγRIIb-2 have been reported as splice variants of human FcγRIIb. In addition, a splice variant named FcγRIIb-3 has been reported (J Exp Med, 1989, 170: 1369-1385). In addition to these splice variants, human FcγRIIb includes all splice variants registered in NCBI, which are NP_001002273.1, NP_001002274.1, NP_001002275.1, NP_001177757.1, and NP_003992.3. Furthermore, human FcγRIIb includes not only FcγRIIb but also all previously reported genetic polymorphisms (Arthritis Rheum. 48:3242-3252 (2003); Kono et al., Hum. Mol. Genet. 14:2881-2892 (2005); and Kyogoju et al., Arthritis Rheum. 46:1242-1254 (2002)), as well as all genetic polymorphisms that will be reported in the future.

[0192] There are two allotypes of FcγRIIa: one in which the amino acid at position 167 of FcγRIIa is histidine (type H) and the other in which the amino acid at position 167 is substituted with arginine (type R) (Warrmerdam, J. Exp. Med. 172:19-25 (1990)).

[0193] FcγR includes, but is not limited to, FcγR from human, mouse, rat, rabbit, monkey, and may be from any organism. Mouse FcγR includes, but is not limited to, FcγRI (CD64), FcγRII (CD32), FcγRIII (CD16), and FcγRIV (CD16-2), and any mouse FcγR or FcγR isoform.

[0194] The amino acid sequence of human FcγRIa is shown in SEQ ID NO: 69; the amino acid sequence of human FcγRIIa (167H) is shown in SEQ ID NO: 70; the amino acid sequence of human FcγRIIa (167R) is shown in SEQ ID NO: 71; the amino acid sequence of human FcγRIIb is shown in SEQ ID NO: 72; the amino acid sequence of human FcγRIIIa (158F) is shown in SEQ ID NO: 73; the amino acid sequence of human FcγRIIIa (158V) is shown in SEQ ID NO: 74; the amino acid sequence of human FcγRIIIb (NA1) is shown in SEQ ID NO: 75; and the amino acid sequence of human FcγRIIIb (NA2) is shown in SEQ ID NO: 76.

[0195] The amino acid sequence of mouse FcγRI is shown in SEQ ID NO:77; the amino acid sequence of mouse FcγRIIb is shown in SEQ ID NO:78; the amino acid sequence of mouse FcγRIII is shown in SEQ ID NO:79; and the amino acid sequence of mouse FcγRIV is shown in SEQ ID NO:80.

[0196] In one aspect, the variant Fc regions of the invention have substantially reduced FcγR binding activity, which is less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, less than 30%, less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 2%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%, less than 0.2%, or less than 0.1% as a function of the FcγR binding activity of the parent Fc region. In one aspect, the variant Fc regions of the present invention have substantially reduced FcγR binding activity, meaning that the ratio of [difference in RU value of sensorgram changed before and after interaction between FcγR and variant Fc region] / [difference in RU value of sensorgram changed before and after capturing FcγR on a sensor chip] is less than 1, less than 0.8, less than 0.5, less than 0.3, less than 0.2, less than 0.1, less than 0.08, less than 0.05, less than 0.03, less than 0.02, less than 0.01, less than 0.008, less than 0.005, less than 0.003, less than 0.002, or less than 0.001.

[0197] In one aspect, the variant Fc regions of the invention do not have substantially reduced C1q binding activity, meaning that the difference in C1q binding activity between the variant Fc regions of the invention and the parent Fc region is less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, less than 30%, less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% as a function of the C1q binding activity of the parent Fc region.

[0198] In one aspect, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region that has substantially reduced ADCC activity. In one aspect, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region that does not have substantially reduced CDC activity. In one aspect, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region that has substantially reduced ADCC activity and does not have substantially reduced CDC activity.

[0199] In one aspect, the variant Fc regions of the invention have substantially reduced ADCC activity that is less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, less than 30%, less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 2%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%, less than 0.2%, or less than 0.1% as a function of the ADCC activity of the parent Fc region.

[0200] In one aspect, the variant Fc regions of the invention do not have substantially reduced CDC activity, meaning that the difference in CDC activity between the variant Fc regions of the invention and the parent Fc region is less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, less than 30%, less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% as a function of the CDC activity of the parent Fc region.

[0201] In one aspect, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region that has substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and does not have substantially reduced C1q binding activity compared to a polypeptide comprising a parent Fc region. In a further aspect, the polypeptide of the invention comprises at least one amino acid modification at at least one position selected from the group consisting of 234, 235, 236, 267, 268, 324, 326, 332, and 333 according to EU numbering.

[0202] In one aspect, the variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity comprises an Ala at position 234, an Ala at position 235, and at least one amino acid modification at at least one position selected from the group consisting of 236, 267, 268, 324, 326, 332, and 333, according to EU numbering.

[0203] In one aspect, the variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity comprises, according to EU numbering, Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, and any one of the following additional amino acid modifications (a) at positions 267, 268, and 324; (b) at positions 236, 267, 268, 324, and 332; and (c) at positions 326 and 333.

[0204] In a further aspect, the variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity comprises an amino acid selected from the group consisting of: (a) Glu at position 267; (b) Phe at position 268; (c) Thr at position 324; (d) Ala at position 236; (e) Glu at position 332; (f) Ala, Asp, Glu, Met, or Trp at position 326; and (g) Ser at position 333, according to EU numbering.

[0205] In one aspect, the variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity comprises the following amino acids according to EU numbering: Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Ala at position 326, and Ser at position 333. In one aspect, the variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity comprises the following amino acids according to EU numbering: Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Asp at position 326, and Ser at position 333. In one aspect, the variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity comprises the following amino acids according to EU numbering: Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Glu at position 326, and Ser at position 333. In one aspect, the variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity comprises the following amino acids according to EU numbering: Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Met at position 326, and Ser at position 333. In one aspect, the variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity comprises the following amino acids according to EU numbering: Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Trp at position 326, and Ser at position 333.

[0206] In another aspect, a variant Fc region of the invention can further comprise at least one amino acid modification at at least one position selected from the group consisting of 428, 434, 436, 438, and 440, according to EU numbering.

[0207] In a further aspect, the variant Fc region may further comprise amino acids selected from the group consisting of: (a) Ala at position 434; (b) Ala at position 434, Thr at position 436, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440, according to EU numbering; (c) Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Thr at position 436, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440; and (d) Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440 (see also WO2016 / 125495, which describes the relationship between amino acid modifications and the FcRn binding activity of variant Fc regions).

[0208] In another aspect, a variant Fc region of the invention comprises the following amino acids according to EU numbering: Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Ala at position 326, Ser at position 333, Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Thr at position 436, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440. In another aspect, a variant Fc region of the invention comprises the following amino acids according to EU numbering: Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Ala at position 326, Ser at position 333, Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440.

[0209] In one aspect, it is preferred that the variant Fc regions of the present invention do not have substantially increased FcRn binding activity, particularly at pH 7.4, compared to the parent Fc region.

[0210] "FcRn" is structurally similar to polypeptides of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, exhibiting 22%-29% sequence identity with MHC class I molecules. FcRn is expressed as a heterodimer consisting of a soluble β or light chain (β2 microglobulin) complexed with a transmembrane α or heavy chain. Like MHC, the α chain of FcRn contains three extracellular domains (α1, α2, and α3), with a short cytoplasmic domain tethering them to the cell surface. The α1 and α2 domains interact with the FcRn-binding domain of the antibody Fc region. The polynucleotide and amino acid sequences of human FcRn can be derived, for example, from precursors (including signal sequences) shown in NM_004107.4 and NP_004098.1, respectively.

[0211] The amino acid sequence of human FcRn (α chain) is shown in SEQ ID NO:81; the amino acid sequence of human β2 microglobulin is shown in SEQ ID NO:82.

[0212] In one aspect, it is preferred that the variant Fc regions of the present invention do not have a substantially increased FcRn binding activity, particularly at pH 7.4, that is less than 1000-fold, less than 500-fold, less than 200-fold, less than 100-fold, less than 90-fold, less than 80-fold, less than 70-fold, less than 60-fold, less than 50-fold, less than 40-fold, less than 30-fold, less than 20-fold, less than 10-fold, less than 5-fold, less than 3-fold, or less than 2-fold, compared to the FcRn binding activity of the parent Fc region. In one aspect, the variant Fc regions of the present invention do not have substantially increased FcRn binding activity, particularly at pH 7.4, meaning that the ratio of [difference in RU value of sensorgram changed before and after interaction of FcRn with variant Fc region] / [difference in RU value of sensorgram changed before and after capturing FcRn on a sensor chip] is less than 0.5, less than 0.3, less than 0.2, less than 0.1, less than 0.08, less than 0.05, less than 0.03, less than 0.02, less than 0.01, less than 0.008, less than 0.005, less than 0.003, less than 0.002, or less than 0.001.

[0213] In another aspect, the variant Fc regions of the invention comprise any of the amino acid modifications listed in Table 4, either alone or in combination. In another aspect, the variant Fc regions of the invention comprise at least any one of the amino acid modifications listed in Table 4. In another aspect, the invention provides a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 51-59.

[0214] In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprising the variant Fc region of the present invention is the constant region of an antibody heavy chain. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprising the variant Fc region of the present invention further comprises an antigen-binding domain. In further embodiments, the polypeptide is an antibody heavy chain. In further embodiments, the polypeptide is an antibody. In certain embodiments, the antibody is a chimeric antibody or a humanized antibody. The origin of the antibody is not particularly limited, but examples include human antibody, mouse antibody, rat antibody, rabbit antibody, etc. In further embodiments, the polypeptide is an Fc fusion protein.

[0215] Two or more polypeptides comprising the variant Fc regions described herein can be included in one molecule, in which case the two polypeptides comprising the variant Fc regions are associated, such as an antibody. The type of antibody is not limited, and can be IgA (IgA1, IgA2), IgD, IgE, IgG (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4), and IgM, etc.

[0216] In some embodiments, the polypeptides comprising the variant Fc regions of the invention are antibodies, hi further embodiments, the polypeptides comprising the variant Fc regions of the invention are anti-viral antibodies.

[0217] In a further embodiment, a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the invention comprises an antibody variable region comprising: (a) (i) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, (ii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27, and (iii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; (b) (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, and (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; (c) (i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, (ii) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, (iii) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, (iv) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (v) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (vi) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27; or (d) (i) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, (ii) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, and (iii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27.

[0218] In a further embodiment, a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the invention comprises an antibody variable region comprising: (a) (i) an HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, (ii) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, and (iii) an HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6; (b) (i) an HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, (ii) an HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, and (iii) an HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (c) (i) an HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, (ii) an HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, (iii) an HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, (iv) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, (v) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, and (vi) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; (d) (i) an HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, (ii) an HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, and (iii) an HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; or (e) (i) HVR-H1 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, (ii) HVR-H2 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, (iii) HVR-H3 derived from the VH sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, (iv) HVR-L1 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, (v) HVR-L2 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, and (vi) HVR-L3 derived from the VL sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

[0219] In a further aspect, a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the invention comprises a VH region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and a VL region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7. In a further aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising a heavy chain comprising a VH region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and a variant Fc region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54, and a light chain comprising a VL region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7. In a further aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising a heavy chain comprising a VH region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and a variant Fc region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58, and a light chain comprising a VL region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7. In a further aspect, the invention provides an antibody comprising a heavy chain comprising a VH region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and a variant Fc region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59, and a light chain comprising a VL region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

[0220] The invention also provides an anti-DENV antibody described herein, further comprising a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the invention. In some embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody of the invention comprises a heavy chain VH region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 and a variant Fc region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, and a light chain VL region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10. In some embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody of the invention comprises a heavy chain VH region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 and a variant Fc region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, and a light chain VL region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10. In some embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody of the invention comprises a heavy chain VH region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 and a variant Fc region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59, and a light chain VL region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10.

[0221] In some embodiments, the anti-DENV antibody of the present invention comprises a heavy chain VH region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 and a variant Fc region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59, and a light chain VL region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

[0222] As used herein, "parent Fc region" refers to an Fc region prior to introduction of the amino acid modification(s) described herein. Preferred examples of parent Fc regions include Fc regions derived from natural antibodies. Antibodies include IgA (IgA1, IgA2), IgD, IgE, IgG (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4), and IgM. Antibodies can be from humans or monkeys (e.g., cynomolgus monkeys, rhesus monkeys, marmosets, chimpanzees, or baboons). Natural antibodies may contain naturally occurring mutations. "Sequences of proteins of immunological interest," NIH Publication No. 91-3242, describes multiple allotype sequences of IgG due to genetic polymorphisms, any of which can be used in the present invention. In particular, for human IgG1, the amino acid sequence at positions 356-358 (EU numbering) can be either DEL or EEM. Preferred examples of the parent Fc region include Fc regions derived from the heavy chain constant region of human IgG1 (SEQ ID NO: 83), human IgG2 (SEQ ID NO: 84), human IgG3 (SEQ ID NO: 85), and human IgG4 (SEQ ID NO: 86). Another preferred example of the parent Fc region is an Fc region derived from the heavy chain constant region SG1 (SEQ ID NO: 87). Another preferred example of the parent Fc region is an Fc region derived from the heavy chain constant region SG182 (SEQ ID NO: 46). Furthermore, the parent Fc region may be an Fc region resulting from the addition of amino acid modification(s) other than the amino acid modifications described herein to an Fc region derived from a natural antibody.

[0223] Moreover, amino acid modifications made for other purposes can be combined in the variant Fc regions described herein. For example, amino acid substitutions that improve FcRn binding activity (Hinton et al., J. Immunol. 176(1):346-356 (2006); Dall'Acqua et al., J. Biol. Chem. 281(33):23514-23524 (2006); Petkova et al., Intl. Immunol. 18(12):1759-1769 (2006); Zalevsky et al., Nat. Biotechnol. 28(2):157-159 (2010); WO 2006 / 019447; WO 2006 / 053301; and WO 2009 / 086320), and amino acid substitutions to improve antibody heterogeneity or stability (WO 2009 / 041613) can be added. Alternatively, polypeptides with the property of promoting antigen clearance (as described in WO 2011 / 122011, WO 2012 / 132067, WO 2013 / 046704 or WO 2013 / 180201), polypeptides with the property of specifically binding to target tissues (as described in WO 2013 / 180200), polypeptides with the property of repeatedly binding to multiple antigen molecules (as described in WO 2009 / 125825, WO 2012 / 073992 or WO 2013 / 047752) can be combined with the variant Fc regions described herein. Alternatively, the amino acid modifications disclosed in EP1752471 and EP1772465 can be combined in the CH3 of the variant Fc regions described herein to confer binding capacity to other antigens. Alternatively, amino acid modifications that decrease the pI of the constant region (WO 2012 / 016227) can be combined in the variant Fc regions described herein to increase plasma retention, or amino acid modifications that increase the pI of the constant region (WO 2014 / 145159) can be combined in the variant Fc regions described herein to promote cellular uptake.Alternatively, amino acid modifications that increase the pI of the constant region (WO2016 / 125495 and WO2016 / 098357) can be combined in the variant Fc regions described herein in order to promote excretion of target molecules from plasma.

[0224] Amino acid modifications that enhance human FcRn-binding activity under acidic pH can also be combined in the variant Fc regions described herein. Specifically, such modifications include, for example, the following: substitution of Met at position 428 with Leu and substitution of Asn at position 434 with Ser according to EU numbering (Nat Biotechnol, 2010, 28: 157-159); substitution of Asn at position 434 with Ala (Drug Metab Dispos, 2010 Apr; 38(4): 600-605); substitution of Met at position 252 with Tyr, substitution of Ser at position 254 with Thr, and substitution of Thr at position 256 with Glu (J Biol Chem, 2006, 281: 23514-23524); substitution of Thr at position 250 with Gln and substitution of Met at position 428 with Leu (J Immunol, 2006, 176(1): 346-356); substitution of Asn at position 434 with His (Clin Pharmacol Ther, 2011, 89(2): 283-290); and modifications described in WO2010 / 106180, WO2010 / 045193, WO2009 / 058492, WO2008 / 022152, WO2006 / 050166, WO2006 / 053301, WO2006 / 031370, WO2005 / 123780, WO2005 / 047327, WO2005 / 037867, WO2004 / 035752, WO2002 / 060919, etc. In another embodiment, such modifications can include, for example, at least one modification selected from the group consisting of substitution of Met at position 428 with Leu, substitution of Asn at position 434 with Ala, and substitution of Tyr at position 436 with Thr. These modifications can further include substitution of Gln at position 438 with Arg and / or substitution of Ser at position 440 with Glu (WO2016 / 125495).

[0225] In the present invention, amino acid modification refers to any one or a combination of substitution, deletion, addition, insertion, and modification. In the present invention, amino acid modification can be rephrased as amino acid mutation.

[0226] Amino acid modification can be achieved by various methods known to those skilled in the art.These methods include, but are not limited to, site-directed mutagenesis (Hashimoto-Gotoh et al., Gene 152:271-275 (1995); Zoller, Meth. Enzymol. 100:468-500 (1983); Kramer et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 12: 9441-9456 (1984)); Kramer and Fritz, Methods Enzymol. 154: 350-367 (1987); and Kunkel, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:488-492 (1985)), PCR mutagenesis, and cassette mutagenesis.

[0227] The number of amino acid modifications introduced into the Fc region is not limited, and in certain embodiments, it may be 1, 2 or less, 3 or less, 4 or less, 5 or less, 6 or less, 8 or less, 10 or less, 12 or less, 14 or less, 16 or less, 18 or less, or 20 or less.

[0228] Furthermore, polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions of the invention can be chemically modified with a variety of molecules, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cytotoxic agents, and methods for chemically modifying such polypeptides are well established in the art.

[0229] In some embodiments, the polypeptides comprising the variant Fc regions of the invention are antibodies or Fc fusion proteins comprising a domain(s) capable of binding to any antigen. Examples of antigens that can be bound by such antibodies and Fc fusion proteins include, but are not limited to, ligands (cytokines, chemokines, etc.), receptors, cancer antigens, viral antigens, MHC antigens, differentiation antigens, immunoglobulins, and immune complexes that partially comprise immunoglobulins.

[0230] B. Recombinant Methods and Compositions In one example, reference is made to a process for preparing an antibody as described herein, the process comprising the steps of: (a) combining a VH variant sequence as described herein with a human IgG1 CH sequence as described herein; (b) combining a VL variant sequence as described herein with the human CL sequence SK1; (c) cloning each of the combinations into an expression vector; (d) expressing the resulting expression vector in a co-transfected cell (host cell); and (e) purifying the antibody obtained from step (d). In a particular example, the host cell is CHO-DXB11, CHO-K1, or CHO-DG44. Such a host cell may be a cell expressing a taurine transporter, obtained by introducing DNA encoding the taurine transporter (WO2007 / 119774). Vectors that can be used to produce such antibodies are known in the art. Generally, the antibodies can be made using recombinant methods and compositions described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567. In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid is provided that encodes an anti-DENV antibody as described herein. In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid is provided that encodes a polypeptide comprising a mutant or parent Fc region as described herein. Such a nucleic acid may encode an amino acid sequence comprising the VL and / or the VH of the antibody (e.g., the light and / or heavy chains of the antibody). In a further embodiment, one or more vectors (e.g., expression vectors) comprising such a nucleic acid are provided. In a further embodiment, a host cell comprising such a nucleic acid is provided. In one such embodiment, the host cell comprises (e.g., is transformed with): (1) a vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding an amino acid sequence comprising an antibody VL and an amino acid sequence comprising an antibody VH, or (2) a first vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding an amino acid sequence comprising an antibody VL, and a second vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding an amino acid sequence comprising an antibody VH. In one embodiment, the host cell is a eukaryotic cell, such as a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell or a lymphocytic cell (e.g., Y0, NS0, Sp2 / 0 cell). In one embodiment, a method of making an anti-DENV antibody is provided, comprising culturing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding the antibody, as provided above, under conditions suitable for expression of the antibody, and optionally recovering the antibody from the host cell (or host cell culture medium).In another aspect, a method for producing a polypeptide comprising a mutant or parent Fc region is provided, the method comprising culturing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide, such as an antibody, Fc region, or mutant Fc region, as provided above, under conditions suitable for expression of the polypeptide, and optionally recovering the polypeptide from the host cell (or host cell culture medium).

[0231] To recombinantly produce an anti-DENV antibody, the nucleic acid encoding the antibody, e.g., as described above, is isolated and inserted into one or more vectors for further cloning and / or expression in a host cell. To recombinantly produce an Fc region, the nucleic acid encoding the Fc region is isolated and inserted into one or more vectors for further cloning and / or expression in a host cell. Such nucleic acids can be easily isolated and sequenced using conventional techniques (e.g., by using oligonucleotide probes that can specifically bind to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of the antibody).

[0232] Suitable host cells for cloning or expressing antibody-encoding vectors include prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells as described herein. For example, antibodies may be produced in bacteria, particularly if glycosylation and Fc effector functions are not required. For expression of antibody fragments and polypeptides in bacteria, see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,648,237, 5,789,199, and 5,840,523. (See also Charlton, Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 248 (BKC Lo, ed., Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, 2003), pp. 245-254, which describes the expression of antibody fragments in E. coli.) After expression, the antibody may be isolated in a soluble fraction from the bacterial cell paste, or may be further purified.

[0233] In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes such as filamentous fungi or yeast, including fungal and yeast strains whose glycosylation pathways have been "humanized," resulting in the production of antibodies with partial or fully human glycosylation patterns, are suitable cloning or expression hosts for antibody-encoding vectors. See Gerngross, Nat. Biotech. 22:1409-1414 (2004) and Li et al., Nat. Biotech. 24:210-215 (2006).

[0234] Host cells derived from multicellular organisms (invertebrate and vertebrate) are also suitable for the expression of glycosylated antibodies. Examples of invertebrate cells include plants and insect cells. Numerous baculovirus strains have been identified for conjugation with insect cells, particularly for transformation of Spodoptera frugiperda cells.

[0235] Plant cell cultures can also be used as hosts. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 5,959,177, 6,040,498, 6,420,548, 7,125,978, and 6,417,429 (describing the PLANTIBODIES™ technology for producing antibodies in transgenic plants).

[0236] Vertebrate cells can also be used as hosts. For example, mammalian cell lines that have been adapted to grow in suspension may be useful. Other examples of useful mammalian host cell lines include SV40 transformed monkey kidney CV1 line (COS-7); human embryonic kidney lines (293 or 293 cells, e.g., as described in Graham et al., J. Gen Virol. 36:59 (1977)); baby hamster kidney cells (BHK); mouse Sertoli cells (TM4 cells, e.g., as described in Mather, Biol. Reprod. 23:243-251 (1980)); monkey kidney cells (CV1); African green monkey kidney cells (VERO-76); human cervical carcinoma cells (HELA); canine kidney cells (MDCK); Buffalo rat hepatocytes (BRL 3A); human lung cells (W138); human hepatocytes (Hep G2); mouse mammary carcinoma (MMT 060562); TRI cells (e.g., as described in Mather et al., Annals NY Acad. Sci. 383:44-68 (1982)). Other useful mammalian host cell lines include DHFR cells, - Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, including CHO cells (Urlaub et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4216 (1980)); and myeloma cell lines such as Y0, NS0, and Sp2 / 0. For a review of certain mammalian host cell lines suitable for antibody production, see, e.g., Yazaki and Wu, Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 248 (BKC Lo, ed., Humana Press, Totowa, NJ), pp. 255-268 (2003).

[0237] Polyclonal antibodies are preferably raised in animals by multiple subcutaneous (sc) or intraperitoneal (ip) injections of the relevant antigen and an adjuvant. The relevant antigen is conjugated to a protein that is immunogenic in the species being immunized, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin, serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, or soybean trypsin inhibitor, with a bifunctional substance or derivatizing agent, such as maleimidobenzoyl sulfosuccinimide ester (conjugation via cysteine ​​residues), N-hydroxysuccinimide (via lysine residues), glutaraldehyde, succinic anhydride, SOCl. 2 , or R 1 N=C=NR, where R and R 1 are different alkyl groups).

[0238] An animal (usually a non-human mammal) is immunized against the antigen, immunogenic conjugate, or derivative, for example, by combining 100 μg or 5 μg of protein or conjugate (for rabbits or mice, respectively) with 3 volumes of Freund's complete adjuvant and injecting the solution intradermally at multiple sites. One month later, the animal is boosted with 1 / 5 to 1 / 10 of the original amount of peptide or conjugate in Freund's complete adjuvant by subcutaneous injection at multiple sites. After 7 to 14 days, the animal is bled and the serum is assayed for antibody titer. The animal is boosted until the titer reaches a plateau. The animal is preferably boosted with the same antigen but conjugated to a different protein and / or via a different cross-linking reagent. Conjugates can also be prepared as protein fusions in recombinant cell culture. Agglutinating agents such as alum are also suitably used to enhance the immune response.

[0239] Monoclonal antibodies are obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for potential naturally occurring mutations and / or post-translational modifications (e.g., isomerization, amidation) that may be present in small amounts. Thus, the modifier "monoclonal" indicates the character of the antibody as not being a mixture of separate antibodies.

[0240] For example, monoclonal antibodies can be produced using the hybridoma method first described in Kohler et al., Nature 256(5517):495-497 (1975). In the hybridoma method, a mouse or other suitable host animal, such as a hamster, is immunized as described hereinabove to induce lymphocytes that produce, or are capable of producing, antibodies that specifically bind to the protein used for immunization. Alternatively, lymphocytes can be immunized in vitro.

[0241] The immunizing agent typically includes an antigen protein or a fusion variant thereof. In general, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) are used if cells of human origin are desired, and spleen cells or lymph node cells are used if non-human mammalian sources are desired. The lymphocytes are then fused with an immortalized cell line using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form hybridoma cells (Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, Academic Press (1986), pp. 59-103).

[0242] Immortalized cell lines are usually transformed mammalian cells, especially myeloma cells of rodent, bovine and human origin. Usually, rat or mouse myeloma cell lines are used. The hybridoma cells thus produced are seeded and grown in a suitable culture medium, preferably containing one or more substances that inhibit the growth or survival of unfused parental myeloma cells. For example, if the parental myeloma cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the culture medium for the hybridoma will typically contain hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (HAT medium), substances that prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.

[0243] Preferred immortalized myeloma cells are those that fuse efficiently, support stable high-level production of antibody by selected antibody-producing cells, and are sensitive to a medium such as HAT medium. Among these, preferred are mouse myeloma lines, such as those derived from MOPC-21 and MPC-11 mouse tumors available from the Salk Institute Cell Distribution Center, San Diego, California, USA, and SP-2 cells (and their derivatives, such as X63-Ag8-653) available from the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Virginia, USA. For the production of human monoclonal antibodies, human myeloma cell lines and mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines have also been described (Kozbor et al., J Immunol. 133(6):3001-3005 (1984); Brodeur et al., Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, pp. 51-63 (1987)).

[0244] The culture medium in which the hybridoma cells are growing is assayed for the production of monoclonal antibodies against the antigen. Preferably, the binding specificity of the monoclonal antibodies produced by the hybridoma cells is determined by immunoprecipitation or by in vitro binding assays, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Such techniques and assays are known in the art. For example, binding affinity can be determined by the Scatchard analysis of Munson, Anal Biochem. 107(1):220-239 (1980).

[0245] After the hybridoma cells that produce the antibody of the desired specificity, affinity, and / or activity are identified, the clones can be subcloned by limiting dilution and grown by standard methods (Goding, supra). Suitable culture media for this purpose include, for example, D-MEM or RPMI-1640 medium. Hybridoma cells can also be grown in vivo as tumors in mammals.

[0246] The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones are suitably separated from the culture medium, ascites fluid, or serum by conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for example, protein A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography.

[0247] The Fc region may be obtained by partially digesting IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 monoclonal antibodies, etc. with a protease such as pepsin, followed by re-elution of the fraction adsorbed to the Protein A column. The protease is not particularly limited as long as it can digest full-length antibodies, thereby producing Fab and F(ab')2 in a limiting manner by appropriately setting the enzyme reaction conditions, such as pH, and examples include pepsin and papain.

[0248] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for producing a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc region with substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and without substantially reduced C1p binding activity compared to a polypeptide comprising a parent Fc region, the method comprising introducing at least one amino acid modification into the parent Fc region. In some aspects, the produced polypeptide is an antibody. In certain embodiments, the antibody is a chimeric antibody or a humanized antibody. In some aspects, the produced polypeptide is an Fc fusion protein.

[0249] In one aspect, in the above-described method for preparing a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity, at least one amino acid at at least one position selected from the group consisting of 234, 235, 236, 267, 268, 324, 326, 332, and 333, according to EU numbering, is modified.

[0250] In another aspect, in the above method for preparing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity, two amino acids are altered at positions 234 and 235.

[0251] In another aspect, in the above method for preparing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity, amino acids are modified, the modifications including: (a) two amino acid modifications at positions 234 and 235, and (b) at least one amino acid modification at at least one position selected from the group consisting of 236, 267, 268, 324, 326, 332, and 333, according to EU numbering.

[0252] In another aspect, in the above-described method for preparing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity, amino acids are modified, the modifications including: (a) two amino acid modifications at positions 234 and 235, and (b) at least one amino acid modification at any one of the following (i) to (iii): (i) positions 267, 268, and 324; (ii) positions 236, 267, 268, 324, and 332; (iii) positions 326 and 333, according to EU numbering.

[0253] In a further aspect, the amino acid modifications in the above method for preparing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity are selected from the group consisting of the following at each position, according to EU numbering: (a) Ala at position 234; (b) Ala at position 235; (c) Glu at position 267; (d) Phe at position 268; (e) Thr at position 324; (f) Ala at position 236; (g) Glu at position 332; (h) Ala, Asp, Glu, Met, Trp at position 326; and (i) Ser at position 333.

[0254] In a further aspect, the amino acid modifications in the above-mentioned method for preparing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and substantially reduced C1q binding activity are, according to EU numbering, Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Ala at position 326, and Ser at position 333. In a further aspect, the amino acid modifications in the above-mentioned method for preparing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and substantially reduced C1q binding activity are, according to EU numbering, Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Asp at position 326, and Ser at position 333. In a further aspect, the amino acid modifications in the above-mentioned method for preparing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and substantially reduced C1q binding activity are, according to EU numbering, Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Glu at position 326, and Ser at position 333. In a further aspect, the amino acid modifications in the above-mentioned method for preparing a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and substantially reduced C1q binding activity are, according to EU numbering, Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Met at position 326, and Ser at position 333. In a further aspect, the amino acid modifications in the above-described method for preparing a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc region having substantially reduced FcγR binding activity and not substantially reduced C1q binding activity are Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Trp at position 326, and Ser at position 333, according to EU numbering.

[0255] In another aspect, in the above method, at least one amino acid is further modified at at least one position selected from the group consisting of 428, 434, 436, 438, and 440, according to EU numbering.

[0256] In a further aspect, the amino acid modifications in the above method are further selected from the following (a) to (d): (a) Ala at position 434; (b) Ala at position 434, Thr at position 436, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440 according to EU numbering; (c) Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Thr at position 436, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440; and (d) Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440 (see also WO2016 / 125495 which describes the relationship between amino acid modifications and the FcRn binding activity of mutant Fc regions).

[0257] In a further aspect, the amino acid modifications in the above method are, according to EU numbering, Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Ala at position 326, Ser at position 333, Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Thr at position 436, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440. In a further aspect, the amino acid modifications in the above method are, according to EU numbering, Ala at position 234, Ala at position 235, Ala at position 326, Ser at position 333, Leu at position 428, Ala at position 434, Arg at position 438, and Glu at position 440.

[0258] In one aspect, it is preferred that the variant Fc regions of the present invention do not have substantially increased FcRn binding activity, particularly at pH 7.4, compared to the parent Fc region.

[0259] In a further aspect, the amino acid modification in the above-described production method is selected from any single modification, combination of single modifications, or combination modifications listed in Table 4.

[0260] Polypeptides comprising mutant Fc regions produced by any of the methods described above or other methods known in the art are also encompassed by the present invention.

[0261] C. Assay The anti-DENV antibodies provided herein may be identified, screened, or characterized for physical / chemical properties and / or biological activity by a variety of assays known in the art.

[0262] The variant Fc regions provided herein may be identified, screened, or characterized for physical / chemical properties and / or biological activity by a variety of assays known in the art.

[0263] 1. Binding and other assays In one aspect, an antibody of the present invention is tested for its antigen-binding activity by known methods, such as, for example, ELISA, Western blot, etc. In one aspect, a polypeptide comprising a mutated Fc region of the present invention is tested for its antigen-binding activity by known methods, such as, for example, ELISA, Western blot, etc.

[0264] In another aspect, a competitive assay can be used to identify an antibody that competes with any of the anti-DENV antibodies described herein for binding to DENV and / or DENV E protein. In certain embodiments, when such a competing antibody is present in excess, it blocks (e.g., reduces) the binding of the reference antibody to DENV and / or DENV E protein by at least 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, or more. In some examples, binding is inhibited by at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or more. In certain embodiments, such a competing antibody binds to the same epitope (e.g., linear or conformational epitope) that is bound by the anti-DENV antibody described herein. Detailed exemplary methods for mapping epitopes to which antibodies bind are provided in Morris (1996) "Epitope Mapping Protocols" Methods in Molecular Biology vol. 66 (Humana Press, Totowa, NJ).

[0265] In an exemplary competitive assay, the immobilized DENV or DENV E protein is incubated in a solution containing a first labeled antibody that binds to DENV and / or DENV E protein and a second unlabeled antibody that is tested for its ability to compete with the first antibody for binding to DENV or DENV E protein. The second antibody may be present in a hybridoma supernatant. As a control, the immobilized DENV or DENV E protein is incubated in a solution containing the first labeled antibody but not the second unlabeled antibody. After incubation under conditions that allow binding of the first antibody to DENV or DENV E protein, excess unbound antibody is removed and the amount of label bound to the immobilized DENV or DENV E protein is measured. If the amount of label bound to the immobilized DENV or DENV E protein is substantially reduced in the test sample compared to the control sample, it indicates that the second antibody competes with the first antibody for binding to DENV or DENV E protein. See Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual ch.14 (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY).

[0266] Assays for determining the binding activity of a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc region to one or more FcR family members are described herein or otherwise known in the art. Such binding assays include, but are not limited to, BIACORE® analysis, which utilizes the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon, amplified luminescence proximity homogeneous assay (ALPHA) screening, ELISA, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) (Lazar et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2006) 103(11): 4005-4010).

[0267] In one embodiment, BIACORE® analysis can be used to determine whether the binding activity of a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc region is enhanced, or maintained or reduced, for a particular FcR family member, for example, by observing whether the dissociation constant (Kd) value obtained from the analysis of a sensorgram in which various FcRs as analytes are subjected to interaction with a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc region immobilized or captured on a sensor chip using known methods and reagents (e.g., Protein A, Protein L, Protein A / G, Protein G, anti-lambda chain antibody, anti-kappa chain antibody, antigen peptide, antigen protein) is decreased or increased. The change in binding activity can also be determined by comparing the change in resonance unit (RU) value in the sensorgram before and after one or more types of FcRs as analytes are subjected to interaction with a polypeptide comprising a captured mutant Fc region. Alternatively, FcRs can be immobilized or captured on a sensor chip, and a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc region is used as the analyte.

[0268] In BIACORE® analysis, one of the substrates (ligand) in the interaction observation is immobilized on a thin gold film on a sensor chip, and light is irradiated from the back side of the sensor chip, causing total reflection at the interface between the thin gold film and glass, resulting in the formation of a portion of the reflected light with a reduced reflection intensity (SPR signal). When another substrate (analyte) in the interaction observation is flowed over the sensor chip surface and the ligand binds to the analyte, the mass of the immobilized ligand molecules increases and the refractive index of the solvent on the sensor chip surface changes. As a result of this change in refractive index, the position of the SPR signal shifts (on the other hand, when this bond dissociates, the signal position returns). The BIACORE® system shows the amount of the above-mentioned shift, or more specifically, shows the time variation of mass by plotting the change in mass on the sensor chip surface as measurement data (sensorgram) on the vertical axis. The amount of analyte bound to the ligand trapped on the sensor chip surface is determined from the sensorgram. Kinetic parameters such as association rate constant (ka) and dissociation rate constant (kd) are determined from the curve of sensorgram, and dissociation constant (Kd) is determined from the ratio of these constants.In BIACORE® method, a method for measuring inhibition is preferably used.An example of a method for measuring inhibition is described in Lazar et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103(11):4005-4010 (2006).

[0269] ALPHA screening is carried out by ALPHA technology using two types of beads, donor and acceptor, based on the following principle: A luminescence signal is detected only when the molecules bound to the donor beads physically interact with the molecules bound to the acceptor beads and the two beads are in close proximity to each other. A laser-excited photosensitizer in the donor beads converts the surrounding oxygen into excited singlet oxygen. The singlet oxygen diffuses around the donor beads, and when it reaches the neighboring acceptor beads, it induces a chemiluminescence reaction in the beads, which ultimately emits light. If the molecules bound to the donor beads do not interact with the molecules bound to the acceptor beads, the singlet oxygen generated by the donor beads will not reach the acceptor beads, and no chemiluminescence reaction will occur.

[0270] For example, a biotinylated polypeptide complex is bound to donor beads, and an Fc receptor tagged with glutathione S-transferase (GST) is bound to acceptor beads. In the absence of a competing polypeptide complex containing a mutant Fc region, the polypeptide complex containing the parent Fc region interacts with the Fc receptor, resulting in a signal at 520-620 nm. The polypeptide complex containing the untagged mutant Fc region competes with the polypeptide complex containing the parent Fc region for interaction with the Fc receptor. The relative binding activity can be measured by quantifying the decrease in fluorescence observed as a result of the competition. Biotinylation of polypeptide complexes such as antibodies using sulfo-NHS-biotin and the like is well known. A method of expressing an Fc receptor and GST in a cell carrying a fusion gene created by fusing a polynucleotide encoding an Fc receptor and a polynucleotide encoding GST in an expressible vector in frame, followed by purification using a glutathione column, is suitable for employing as a method for tagging an Fc receptor with GST. The resulting signals are preferably analyzed by fitting them to a one-site competition model using non-linear regression analysis, for example using software such as GRAPHPAD PRISM (GraphPad, San Diego).

[0271] A variant Fc region with reduced FcR binding activity refers to an Fc region that binds to FcR with a binding activity that is essentially weaker than that of the parent Fc region when assayed using substantially the same amounts of the corresponding parent Fc region and the variant Fc region. Furthermore, a variant Fc region with increased FcR binding activity refers to an Fc region that binds to FcR with a binding activity that is essentially stronger than that of the corresponding parent Fc region when assayed using substantially the same amounts of the parent Fc region and the variant Fc region. A variant Fc region that maintains FcR binding activity refers to an Fc region that binds to FcR with a binding activity that is equivalent or essentially not different from that of the parent Fc region when assayed using substantially the same amounts of the corresponding parent Fc region and a polypeptide comprising the variant Fc region.

[0272] Whether the binding activity of the Fc region to various FcRs has increased or decreased can be determined from the increase or decrease in the amount of binding of various FcRs to the Fc region measured according to the above-mentioned method. Here, the amount of binding of various FcRs to the Fc region can be evaluated as the difference in the RU value of the sensorgram changed before and after the interaction of various FcRs as analytes with the Fc region divided by the difference in the RU value of the sensorgram changed before and after capturing the Fc region on a sensor chip. The binding activity of the Fc region to FcγR or FcRn can be measured by the method described in Example 5 of the present specification.

[0273] In the present invention, substantially reduced FcγR binding activity preferably means, for example, that the binding activity of the mutant Fc region to FcγR is less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, less than 30%, less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 2%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%, less than 0.2%, or less than 0.1% as a function of the FcγR binding activity of the parent Fc region. It also preferably means, for example, that the ratio of [the difference in RU values ​​of the sensorgram changed before and after the interaction between FcγR and the mutant Fc region] / [the difference in RU values ​​of the sensorgram changed before and after capturing FcγR on the sensor chip] is less than 1, less than 0.8, less than 0.5, less than 0.3, less than 0.2, less than 0.1, less than 0.08, less than 0.05, less than 0.03, less than 0.02, less than 0.01, less than 0.008, less than 0.005, less than 0.003, less than 0.002, or less than 0.001.

[0274] In the present invention, not having substantially increased FcRn-binding activity, particularly at pH 7.4, preferably means, for example, that the binding activity of the mutant Fc region to FcRn is less than 1,000-fold, less than 500-fold, less than 200-fold, less than 100-fold, less than 90-fold, less than 80-fold, less than 70-fold, less than 60-fold, less than 50-fold, less than 40-fold, less than 30-fold, less than 20-fold, less than 10-fold, less than 5-fold, less than 3-fold, or less than 2-fold compared to the FcRn-binding activity of the parent Fc region. It also preferably means, for example, that the ratio of [difference in RU values ​​of sensorgrams changed before and after interaction between FcRn and the mutant Fc region] / [difference in RU values ​​of sensorgrams changed before and after capturing FcRn on the sensor chip] is less than 0.5, less than 0.3, less than 0.2, less than 0.1, less than 0.08, less than 0.05, less than 0.03, less than 0.02, less than 0.01, less than 0.008, less than 0.005, less than 0.003, less than 0.002, or less than 0.001.

[0275] To measure the binding activity of the polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions to C1q, a C1q binding ELISA can be performed. Briefly, an assay plate is coated overnight at 4° C. with the polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions or with the parent Fc region (control) in coating buffer. The plate is then washed and blocked. After washing, an aliquot of human C1q is added to each well and incubated at room temperature for 2 hours. After further washing, 100 μl of sheep anti-complement C1q peroxidase-conjugated antibody is added to each well and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. The plate is washed again with wash buffer and 100 μl of substrate buffer containing OPD (o-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (Sigma)) is added to each well. The oxidation reaction, observed by the development of a yellow color, is allowed to proceed for 30 minutes, followed by addition of 100 μl of 4.5NH 2 SO 4 The reaction is stopped by the addition of 0.01% DMSO. The absorbance is then read at (492-405) nm. The binding activity of the Fc region to C1q can be measured by the method described in Example 4 of the present specification.

[0276] In one aspect, the difference in C1q binding activity between a variant Fc region of the invention and the parent Fc region is less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, less than 30%, less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% as a function of the C1q binding activity of the parent Fc region.

[0277] 2. Activity assay In one aspect, an assay is provided for identifying anti-DENV antibodies with biological activity. Biological activity includes, for example, blocking DENV E protein binding to host cells, inhibiting DENV entry into host cells, inhibiting and / or preventing DENV infection of host cells, etc. Also provided are antibodies with such biological activity in vivo and / or in vitro.

[0278] In certain embodiments, the antibodies of the present invention are tested for such biological activity. In certain embodiments, a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) assay can be utilized to measure the activity or neutralizing capacity of the test antibody. In some embodiments, an animal host can be used to measure anti-DENV activity in vivo.

[0279] In certain embodiments, cells can be directly assayed for binding between DENV and the test antibody. Immunohistochemical, confocal, and / or other techniques for assessing binding are well known to those skilled in the art. A variety of cell lines can be utilized in such screening assays, including cells specifically engineered for this purpose. Examples of cells used in screening assays include mammalian cells, fungal cells, bacterial cells, or viral cells. The cells can be stimulated cells, such as cells stimulated with growth factors. Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention disclosed herein contemplates a wide variety of assays for measuring the ability of a test antibody to bind to DENV.

[0280] Depending on the assay, cell and / or tissue culture may be required. Cells can be tested using any of many different physiological assays. Alternatively, or in addition, molecular analysis can be performed, including but not limited to Western blotting to monitor protein expression and / or protein-protein interaction tests, mass spectrometry to monitor other chemical modifications, etc.

[0281] In some embodiments, such methods utilize an animal host. For example, animal hosts suitable for the present invention can be mammalian hosts, such as primates, ferrets, cats, dogs, cattle, horses, and rodents, such as mice, hamsters, rabbits, rats, and the like. In some embodiments, the animal host is inoculated, infected, or otherwise exposed to a virus before or simultaneously with administration of the test antibody. Naive and / or inoculated animals can be used for various studies. For example, such animal models are used for virus transmission studies as known in the art. The test antibody can be administered to a suitable animal host before, during, or after virus transmission studies to determine the effectiveness of the test antibody in blocking virus binding and / or infectivity to the animal host.

[0282] In one aspect, an assay is provided for identifying polypeptides that contain variant Fc regions with biological activity.Biological activity includes, for example, ADCC activity and CDC activity.Furthermore, polypeptides that contain variant Fc regions with such biological activity in vivo and / or in vitro are also provided.

[0283] In certain embodiments, polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions of the invention are tested for such biological activity. In certain aspects, polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions of the invention modulate effector function compared to polypeptides comprising the parent Fc region. In certain aspects, this modulation is modulation of ADCC and / or CDC.

[0284] To confirm CDC activity and / or ADCC activity, in vitro and / or in vivo cytotoxicity assays can be performed.For example, Fc receptor (FcR) binding assays can be performed to confirm that the antibody has FcγR binding (and therefore is likely to have ADCC activity) and retains FcRn binding ability.NK cells, the primary cells for mediating ADCC, express only FcγRIII, while monocytes express FcγRI, FcγRII and FcγRIII.FcR expression on hematopoietic cells is summarized in Table 3 on page 464 of Ravetch and Kinet, Annu Rev Immunol (1991) 9, 457-492. Non-limiting examples of in vitro assays for assessing ADCC activity of a molecule of interest are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,500,362 (see, e.g., Hellstrom et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1986) 83, 7059-7063) and Hellstrom et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1985) 82, 1499-1502; U.S. Patent No. 5,821,337 (see, e.g., Bruggemann et al, J Exp Med (1987) 166, 1351-1361). Alternatively, non-radioactive assay methods can be used (see, e.g., ACTI™ non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay for flow cytometry (CellTechnology, Mountain View, CA); and CytoTox 96® non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay (Promega, Madison, WI)). Useful effector cells for such assays include peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and natural killer (NK) cells. Alternatively, or in addition, ADCC activity of the molecule of interest can be assessed in vivo, for example in an animal model such as that disclosed in Clynes et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1998) 95, 652-656. C1q binding assays can also be performed to determine whether an antibody binds to C1q and therefore has CDC activity.See, for example, the C1q and C3c binding ELISA described in WO 2006 / 029879 and WO 2005 / 100402. To assess complement activation, CDC assays can be performed (see, for example, Gazzano-Santoro et al, J Immunol Methods (1997) 202, 163-171; Cragg et al, Blood (2003) 101, 1045-1052; and Cragg and Glennie, Blood (2004) 103, 2738-2743). FcRn binding and in vivo clearance / half-life measurements can also be performed using methods known in the art (see, for example, Petkova et al, Int Immunol (2006) 18, 1759-1769).

[0285] D. Immunoconjugates In some embodiments, the present invention also provides immunoconjugates comprising an anti-DENV antibody described herein conjugated to one or more cytotoxic agents, such as, for example, a chemotherapeutic agent or drug, a growth inhibitory agent, a toxin (e.g., a protein toxin, an enzymatically active toxin of bacterial, fungal, plant or animal origin, or fragments thereof), or a radioisotope. In some embodiments, the present invention also provides immunoconjugates comprising a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region described herein conjugated to one or more cytotoxic agents, such as, for example, a chemotherapeutic agent or drug, a growth inhibitory agent, a toxin (e.g., a protein toxin, an enzymatically active toxin of bacterial, fungal, plant or animal origin, or fragments thereof), or a radioisotope.

[0286] In one embodiment, the immunoconjugate is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in which the antibody is conjugated to one or more drugs, including, but not limited to, maytansinoids (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,208,020, 5,416,064, European Patent EP 0 425 235, and the like). B1); auristatins, such as the monomethylauristatin drug moieties DE and DF (MMAE and MMAF) (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,635,483, 5,780,588, and 7,498,298); dolastatins; calicheamicin or a derivative thereof (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,712,374, 5,714,586, 5,739,116, 5,767,285, 5,770,701, 5,770,710, 5,773,001, and 5,877,296; Hinman et al., Cancer Res. 53:3336-3342 (1993); and Lode et al., Cancer Res. 58:2925-2928 (1998)); anthracyclines, such as daunomycin or doxorubicin (Kratz et al., Current Med. Chem. 13:477-523 (2006); Jeffrey et al., Bioorganic & Med. Chem. Letters 16:358-362 (2006); Torgov et al., Bioconj. Chem. 16:717-721 (2005); Nagy et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:829-834 (2000); Dubowchik et al., Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Letters 12:1529-1532 (2002); King et al., J. Med. Chem. 45:4336-4343 (2002); and U.S. Patent No. 6,630,579); methotrexate; vindesine; taxanes such as docetaxel, paclitaxel, larotaxel, tesetaxel, and ortataxel; trichothecenes; and CC1065.

[0287] In another embodiment, the immunoconjugate comprises an antibody as described herein conjugated to an enzymatically active toxin or fragment thereof, including, but not limited to, diphtheria A chain, avid active fragments of diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A chain (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa), ricin A chain, abrin A chain, modeccin A chain, alpha-sarcin, Aleurites fordii protein, dianthin protein, Phytolacca americana proteins (PAPI, PAPII, and PAP-S), momordica charantia inhibitor, curcin, crotin, saponaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin, mitogenin, restrictocin, phenomycin, enomycin, and the trichothecenes.

[0288] In another embodiment, the immunoconjugate comprises an antibody described herein conjugated to a radioactive atom to form a radioconjugate. A variety of radioisotopes are available for the production of radioconjugates. Examples include: 211 At, 131 I, 125 I, 90 Y, 186 Re, 188 Re, 153 Sm, 212 Bi, 32 P, 212 Radioactive isotopes of Pb and Lu are included. When a radioconjugate is used for detection, it is preferably a radioactive atom for scintigraphic examination, such as Tc-99m or 123 I, or spin labels for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging (also known as magnetic resonance imaging, MRI), such as, again, iodine-123, iodine-131, indium-111, fluorine-19, carbon-13, nitrogen-15, oxygen-17, gadolinium, manganese, or iron.

[0289] Conjugates of antibodies and cytotoxic agents can be made using a variety of bifunctional protein coupling agents, such as, for example, N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP), succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (SMCC), iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (e.g., dimethyl adipimidate HCl), active esters (e.g., disuccinimidyl suberate), aldehydes (e.g., glutaraldehyde), bis-azido compounds (e.g., bis(p-azidobenzoyl)hexanediamine), bis-diazonium derivatives (e.g., bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine), diisocyanates (e.g., toluene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active fluorine compounds (e.g., 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). For example, ricin immunotoxins can be prepared as described in Vitetta et al., Science 238:1098 (1987). Carbon-14-labeled 1-isothiocyanatobenzyl-3-methyldiethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (MX-DTPA) is an exemplary chelating agent for conjugating radionuclides to antibodies. See WO94 / 11026. The linker can be a "cleavable linker" that facilitates the release of the cytotoxic drug inside the cell. For example, an acid-labile linker, a peptidase-sensitive linker, a photolabile linker, a dimethyl linker or a disulfide-containing linker (Chari et al., Cancer Res. 52:127-131 (1992); U.S. Patent No. 5,208,020) can be used.

[0290] The immunoconjugates or ADCs described herein expressly contemplate, but are not limited to, such conjugates prepared using crosslinker reagents, including, but not limited to, BMPS, EMCS, GMBS, HBVS, LC-SMCC, MBS, MPBH, SBAP, SIA, SIAB, SMCC, SMPB, SMPH, sulfo-EMCS, sulfo-GMBS, sulfo-KMUS, sulfo-MBS, sulfo-SIAB, sulfo-SMCC, and sulfo-SMPB, as well as SVSB (succinimidyl (4-vinylsulfone)benzoate), which are commercially available (e.g., Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill., USA).

[0291] E. Diagnostic and Detection Methods and Compositions In certain embodiments, the anti-DENV antibodies provided herein are useful for detecting the presence of DENV and / or DENV E protein in a biological sample. As used herein, the term "detect" encompasses quantitative or qualitative detection. In certain embodiments, the biological sample comprises a cell or tissue, such as serum, whole blood, plasma, a biopsy sample, a tissue sample, a cell suspension, saliva, sputum, oral fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, peritoneal fluid, milk, colostrum, mammary gland secretion, lymphatic fluid, urine, sweat, tears, gastric fluid, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, ocular lens fluid or mucus.

[0292] In one embodiment, an anti-DENV antibody is provided for use in a diagnostic or detection method. In a further aspect, a method is provided for detecting the presence of DENV in a biological sample. In a particular embodiment, the method comprises contacting a biological sample with an anti-DENV antibody described herein under conditions that allow the binding of the anti-DENV antibody to DENV, and detecting whether a complex is formed between the anti-DENV antibody and DENV. Such a method can be an in vitro method or an in vivo method. In a further aspect, a method is provided for detecting the presence of DENV E protein in a biological sample. In a particular embodiment, the method comprises contacting a biological sample with an anti-DENV antibody described herein under conditions that allow the binding of the anti-DENV antibody to DENV E protein, and detecting whether a complex is formed between the anti-DENV antibody and DENV E protein. Such a method can be an in vitro method or an in vivo method. In one embodiment, the anti-DENV antibody is used to select subjects eligible for treatment with an anti-DENV antibody, for example when DENV or DENV E protein is a biomarker for selecting patients.

[0293] Exemplary diseases that can be diagnosed using the antibodies of the invention include DENV infection, and diseases and / or symptoms caused by or associated with DENV infection, such as dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), dengue shock syndrome (DSS), and the like.

[0294] In certain embodiments, labeled anti-DENV antibodies are provided. Labels include, but are not limited to, directly detectable labels or moieties (such as fluorescent labels, chromophore labels, electron-dense labels, chemiluminescent labels, radioactive labels, etc.) as well as indirectly detectable moieties, such as enzymes or ligands, e.g., via enzymatic reactions or molecular interactions. Exemplary labels include, but are not limited to, radioisotopes. 32 P, 14 C. 125 I, 3 H, and 131I, fluorophores such as rare earth element chelates, or coupled with fluorescein and its derivatives, rhodamine and its derivatives, dansyl, umbelliferone, luciferases such as firefly luciferase and bacterial luciferase (U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,456), luciferin, 2,3-dihydrophthalazinediones, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase, glucoamylase, lysozyme, sugar oxidases such as glucose oxidase, galactose oxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, heterocyclic oxidases such as uricase and xanthine oxidase, enzymes that use hydrogen peroxide to oxidize dye precursors (such as HRP, lactoperoxidase, or microperoxidase), biotin / avidin, spin labels, bacteriophage labels, stable free radicals, and the like.

[0295] In one embodiment, the antibody comprising the variant Fc region of the present invention can be used as an affinity purification agent. In this process, the antibody variant is immobilized on a solid phase, such as Sephadex resin or filter paper, using methods well known in the art. The immobilized antibody variant is contacted with a sample containing the antigen to be purified, and the support is then washed with a suitable solvent that removes substantially all of the material in the sample, except for the antigen to be purified that is bound to the immobilized antibody variant. Finally, the support is washed with another suitable solvent, such as glycine buffer pH 5.0, which releases the antigen from the antibody variant.

[0296] The antibody variants may also be useful in diagnostic assays, for example, to detect expression of an antigen of interest in specific cells, tissues, or serum.

[0297] The antibody variants can be used in known assay methods, such as, for example, competitive binding assays, direct and indirect sandwich assays, immunoprecipitation assays, etc. Zola, Monoclonal Antibodies: A Manual of Techniques, (1987) pp. 147-158, CRC Press, Inc.

[0298] F. Pharmaceutical Preparations Pharmaceutical formulations of the anti-DENV antibodies described herein are prepared in the form of lyophilized formulations or aqueous solutions by mixing such antibodies having the desired purity with one or more optional pharma- ceutically acceptable carriers (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th ed., Osol, A. ed. (1980)).

[0299] Pharmaceutical formulations of polypeptides comprising the variant Fc regions described herein are prepared in the form of lyophilized formulations or aqueous solutions by mixing such polypeptides having the desired purity with one or more optional pharma- ceutically acceptable carriers.

[0300] Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are generally nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and include, but are not limited to, buffers such as phosphate, citric acid, other organic acids, and the like; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, methionine, and the like; preservatives (e.g., octadecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride; benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol; cyclohexanol; 3-pentanol; and m-cresol, and the like); low molecular weight compounds such as phosphate, citric acid, phosphate, phosphate-glucosides ... molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, immunoglobulins, etc.; hydrophilic polymers, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc.; amino acids, such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, histidine, arginine, lysine, etc.; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates, such as glucose, mannose, dextrins, etc.; chelating agents, such as EDTA, etc.; sugars, such as sucrose, mannitol, trehalose, sorbitol, etc.; salt-forming counterions, such as sodium, etc.; metal complexes (e.g., Zn-protein complexes); and / or non-ionic surfactants, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). Exemplary pharma- ceutically acceptable carriers herein further include interstitial drug dispersion agents, such as soluble neutral active hyaluronidase glycoproteins (sHASEGPs), such as human soluble PH-20 hyaluronidase glycoproteins, such as rHuPH20 (HYLENEX®, Baxter International). Several exemplary sHASEGPs and methods of use, including rHuPH20, are described in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2005 / 0260186 and 2006 / 0104968. In one aspect, the sHASEGP is combined with one or more additional glycosaminoglycanases, such as chondroitinases.

[0301] Exemplary lyophilized antibody formulations are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,267,958. Aqueous antibody formulations include those described in U.S. Patent No. 6,171,586 and WO2006 / 044908, the latter formulations including a histidine-acetate buffer.

[0302] The formulations described herein may also contain two or more active ingredients, preferably those with complementary activities that do not adversely affect each other, as necessary for the particular indication being treated.For example, it may be desirable to provide antiviral agents, such as, but not limited to, interferons (e.g., interferon alpha-2b, interferon gamma, etc.), anti-DENV monoclonal antibodies, anti-DENV polyclonal antibodies, RNA polymerase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, helicase inhibitors, immunomodulators, antisense compounds, small interfering RNA, small hairpin RNA, microRNA, RNA aptamers, ribozymes, and combinations thereof.Such active ingredients are suitably present in combination in an amount effective for the intended purpose.

[0303] The active ingredient can be encapsulated in microcapsules, such as hydroxymethylcellulose or gelatin-microcapsules and poly(methyl methacrylate) microcapsules, respectively, prepared by coacervation techniques or by interfacial polymerization, or entrapped in colloidal drug delivery systems (e.g., liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions, nanoparticles and nanocapsules) or macroemulsions. Such techniques are disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th Edition, Osol, A. (ed.) (1980).

[0304] Sustained-release preparations can be prepared. Suitable examples of sustained-release preparations include semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the antibody, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g., films, or microcapsules.

[0305] Formulations to be used for in vivo administration are generally sterile. Sterility is readily accomplished, for example, by filtration through sterile membranes.

[0306] G. Therapeutic Methods and Compositions Any of the anti-DENV antibodies provided herein can be used in therapeutic methods.

[0307] In one aspect, an anti-DENV antibody is provided for use as a medicament. In a further aspect, an anti-DENV antibody is provided for use in the treatment of DENV infection. In a particular embodiment, an anti-DENV antibody is provided for use in a treatment method. In a particular embodiment, the invention provides an anti-DENV antibody for use in a method of treating an individual infected with DENV, the method comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of an anti-DENV antibody. In one such embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent, such as those described below. In a further embodiment, the invention provides an anti-DENV antibody for use in blocking DENV E protein binding to host cells and / or DENV entry into host cells. In a particular embodiment, the invention provides an anti-DENV antibody for use in a method of blocking DENV E protein binding to host cells and / or DENV entry into host cells in an individual, the method comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of an anti-DENV antibody for blocking DENV E protein binding to host cells and / or DENV entry into host cells. An "individual" according to any of the above aspects is preferably a human.

[0308] In a further aspect, the invention provides for the use of an anti-DENV antibody in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In one embodiment, the medicament is for treating DENV infection. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for use in a method of treating DENV infection comprising administering an effective amount of the medicament to an individual infected with DENV. In one such embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent, e.g., as described below. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for blocking DENV E protein binding to and / or DENV entry into host cells. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for use in a method of blocking DENV E protein binding to and / or DENV entry into host cells in an individual comprising administering to the individual an amount of the medicament effective to block DENV E protein binding to and / or DENV entry into host cells. An "individual" according to any of the above embodiments may be a human.

[0309] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating DENV infection. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to an individual infected with DENV an effective amount of an anti-DENV antibody. In one such embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent, as described below. An "individual" according to any of the above embodiments may be a human.

[0310] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for blocking DENV E protein binding to and / or DENV entry into host cells in an individual. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to the individual an anti-DENV antibody in an amount effective to block DENV E protein binding to and / or DENV entry into host cells. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a human.

[0311] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical formulation comprising any of the anti-DENV antibodies provided herein, for example for use in any of the above-mentioned therapeutic methods. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises any of the anti-DENV antibodies provided herein and a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises any of the anti-DENV antibodies provided herein and at least one additional therapeutic agent, for example as described below.

[0312] In a further aspect, the pharmaceutical formulation is for treating DENV infection. In a further embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is for blocking binding of DENV E protein to a host cell and / or DENV entry into the host cell. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is administered to an individual infected with DENV. The "individual" according to any of the above embodiments is preferably a human.

[0313] In certain embodiments, DENV infection can include diseases and / or symptoms caused by or associated with DENV infection, such as dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), dengue shock syndrome (DSS), etc.

[0314] Any of the polypeptides comprising the variant Fc regions described herein may be used in therapeutic methods.

[0315] In one aspect, a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region is provided for use as a medicament. In a particular embodiment, a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region is provided for use in a method of treatment. In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region for use in a method of treatment of an individual having a disease, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region. In one such embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the disease is a viral infection. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a human.

[0316] In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In one embodiment, the medicament is for treating a disease. In some aspects, the polypeptide is an antibody. In some aspects, the polypeptide is an Fc fusion protein. In a further embodiment, the medicament is for use in a method for treating a disease comprising administering an effective amount of the medicament to an individual having the disease to be treated. In one such embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the disease is a viral infection. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a human.

[0317] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating a disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to an individual having such a disease an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region. In one such embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the disease is a viral infection. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a human.

[0318] In a further aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region as described herein for use in a method of treatment, such as any of the methods of treatment described herein. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region as described herein and a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region as described herein and at least one additional therapeutic agent.

[0319] In a further aspect, the pharmaceutical formulation is for treating a disease. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is administered to an individual having a disease. In one embodiment, the disease is a viral infection. In one embodiment, the "individual" is a human.

[0320] The anti-viral antibody comprising the mutant Fc region of the present invention can suppress the antibody-dependent enhancement of infection (ADE) observed in conventional anti-viral antibodies. ADE is a phenomenon in which a virus bound to an antibody is phagocytosed via activating FcγR, resulting in enhanced infection of the virus to cells. It is believed that Fc modifications that reduce the interaction with activating FcγR may reduce the risk of ADE. Mutation of positions 234 and 235 from leucine to alanine to form a LALA mutant has been shown to reduce the risk of ADE in dengue infection in vivo (Cell Host Microbe (2010) 8, 271-283). However, such modifications reduce other effector immune functions mediated by antibodies, such as ADCC and CDC. In particular, CDC is expected to play an important role in suppressing ADE, and therefore, the complement component C1q binding of the Fc region should not be reduced for therapeutic effect. Furthermore, the half-life of antibodies can be extended by engineering the Fc region to alter the binding affinity to its salvage receptor FcRn, which may lead to the prophylactic use of antibodies to protect against viral infections.

[0321] The virus is preferably selected from adenoviruses, astroviruses, hepadnaviruses, herpesviruses, papovaviruses, poxviruses, arenaviruses, bunyaviruses, calciviruses, coronaviruses, filoviruses, flaviviruses, orthomyxoviruses, paramyxoviruses, picornaviruses, reoviruses, retroviruses, rhabdoviruses, or togaviruses.

[0322] In a preferred embodiment, the adenovirus includes, but is not limited to, human adenovirus. In a preferred embodiment, the astrovirus includes, but is not limited to, mamastrovirus. In a preferred embodiment, the hepadnavirus includes, but is not limited to, hepatitis B virus. In a preferred embodiment, the herpesvirus includes, but is not limited to, herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, human cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, varicella zoster virus, roseolovirus, and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus. In a preferred embodiment, the papovavirus includes, but is not limited to, human papillomavirus and human polyomavirus. In preferred embodiments, the poxvirus includes, but is not limited to, variola virus, vaccinia virus, cowpox virus, monkeypox virus, smallpox virus, pseudocowpox virus, papular stomatitis virus, tanapox virus, yaba monkey tumor virus, and molluscum contagiosum virus. In preferred embodiments, the arenavirus includes, but is not limited to, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Lassa virus, Machupo virus, and Junin virus. In preferred embodiments, the bunyavirus includes, but is not limited to, hantavirus, nairovirus, orthobunyavirus, and phlebovirus. In preferred embodiments, the calcivirus includes, but is not limited to, vesivirus, norovirus, e.g., Norwalk virus, and sapovirus. In preferred embodiments, the coronavirus includes, but is not limited to, human coronavirus (the etiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)). In a preferred embodiment, filoviruses include, but are not limited to, Ebola virus and Marburg virus.In preferred embodiments, the flaviviruses include, but are not limited to, Yellow Fever Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4), Hepatitis C Virus, Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis Virus, Russian Spring-Summer Encephalitis Virus, Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus, and Powassan Encephalitis Virus. In preferred embodiments, the orthomyxoviruses include, but are not limited to, Influenza A Virus, Influenza B Virus, and Influenza C Virus. In preferred embodiments, the paramyxoviruses include, but are not limited to, Parainfluenza Virus, Rubulavirus (mumps), Morbillivirus (measles), Pneumoviruses, such as human respiratory syncytial virus, and Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Virus. In a preferred embodiment, picornaviruses include, but are not limited to, poliovirus, rhinovirus, coxsackievirus A, coxsackievirus B, hepatitis A virus, echovirus, and enterovirus. In a preferred embodiment, reoviruses include, but are not limited to, Colorado tick fever virus and rotavirus. In a preferred embodiment, retroviruses include, but are not limited to, lentiviruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus, and human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV). In a preferred embodiment, rhabdoviruses include, but are not limited to, lyssaviruses, such as rabies virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus. In a preferred embodiment, togaviruses include, but are not limited to, alphaviruses, such as Ross River virus, O'nyong-nyong virus, Sindbis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus, and western equine encephalitis virus, and rubella virus.

[0323] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing a medicament or pharmaceutical formulation, e.g., for use in any of the above methods of treatment, comprising mixing any of the anti-DENV antibodies described herein with a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier. In one embodiment, the method of preparing the medicament or pharmaceutical formulation further comprises adding at least one additional therapeutic agent to the medicament or pharmaceutical formulation.

[0324] The antibody of the present invention can be used alone or in combination with other drugs in therapy.For example, the antibody of the present invention can be co-administered with at least one additional therapeutic agent.In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is an antiviral drug, for example, but not limited to, interferon (e.g., interferon alpha-2b, interferon gamma, etc.), anti-DENV monoclonal antibody, anti-DENV polyclonal antibody, RNA polymerase inhibitor, protease inhibitor, helicase inhibitor, immunomodulator, antisense compound, small interfering RNA, small hairpin RNA, microRNA, RNA aptamer, ribozyme, and combinations thereof.

[0325] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing a medicament or pharmaceutical formulation, e.g., for use in any of the above methods of treatment, comprising admixing any of the polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region as described herein with a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier. In one embodiment, the method of preparing the medicament or pharmaceutical formulation further comprises adding at least one additional therapeutic agent to the medicament or pharmaceutical formulation.

[0326] The polypeptides comprising the variant Fc region of the present invention can be used alone or in combination with other drugs in therapy.For example, the polypeptides comprising the variant Fc region of the present invention can be co-administered with at least one additional therapeutic agent.In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is an antiviral drug, such as, but not limited to, interferon (e.g., interferon alpha-2b, interferon gamma, etc.), antiviral monoclonal antibody, antiviral polyclonal antibody, RNA polymerase inhibitor, protease inhibitor, helicase inhibitor, immunomodulator, antisense compound, small interfering RNA, small hairpin RNA, microRNA, RNA aptamer, ribozyme, and combinations thereof.

[0327] Such combination therapy as described above includes combined administration (when two or more therapeutic agents are included in the same formulation or separate formulations) and separate administration, in which case administration of the antibody or polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention can be performed prior to, simultaneously with, and / or subsequent to administration of the additional therapeutic agent(s). In one embodiment, administration of the anti-DENV antibody and administration of the additional therapeutic agent are performed within about one month, within about one, two, or three weeks, or within about one, two, three, four, five, or six days of each other. In another embodiment, administration of the polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region and administration of the additional therapeutic agent are performed within about one month, within about one, two, or three weeks, or within about one, two, three, four, five, or six days of each other.

[0328] The antibody or polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention (and any additional therapeutic agent) can be administered by any suitable means, for example, parenterally, intrapulmonary, and intranasally, or, if localized treatment is desired, intralesionally. Parenteral injections include intramuscular, intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous administration. Dosing can be by any suitable route, for example, by injection, such as intravenous or subcutaneous injection, depending in part on whether the administration is brief or chronic. Various dosing schedules, for example, single or multiple doses at various times, bolus doses, pulse infusions, and the like, are contemplated herein.

[0329] The antibodies or polypeptides comprising variant Fc regions of the invention will be formulated and administered in a manner consistent with good medical practice. Factors to consider in this regard include the particular disease being treated, the particular mammal being treated, the clinical condition of the individual patient, the cause of the disease, the site of delivery of the drug, the method of administration, the dosing schedule, and other factors known to medical practitioners. The drug may, but need not, be optionally formulated with one or more drugs currently used to prevent or treat the disease in question. The effective amount of such other drugs will depend on the amount of drug present in the formulation, the type of disease or treatment, and other factors discussed above. These will generally be used in the same dosages and routes of administration as described herein, or at about 1-99% of the dosages described herein, or at any dosage and via any route empirically / clinically determined to be appropriate.

[0330] When preventing or treating a disease, the appropriate dosage of the antibody or polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention (used alone or in combination with one or more other additional therapeutic agents) will depend on the following factors: the type of disease being treated, the type of antibody, the type of polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region, the severity and course of the disease, whether the antibody or polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region is administered for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes, previous therapies, the patient's medical history and the patient's response to the antibody or polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region, and the judgment of the attending physician. The antibody or polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region is administered to the patient at one time or appropriately over a series of treatments. Depending on the type and severity of the disease, about 1 μg / kg to 15 mg / kg (e.g., 0.1 mg / kg to 10 mg / kg) of the antibody or polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region may be an initial candidate dosage for administration to the patient, whether by one or more separate administrations or by continuous infusion, for example. A typical daily dosage may range from about 1 μg / kg to 100 mg / kg or more, depending on the factors mentioned above. In the case of repeated administration over several days or longer, depending on the disease, treatment is generally continued until a desired suppression of disease symptoms occurs. One exemplary dosage of the antibody or polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region ranges from about 0.05 mg / kg to about 10 mg / kg. Thus, about 0.5 mg / kg, 2.0 mg / kg, 4.0 mg / kg or 10 mg / kg (or any combination thereof) can be administered to the patient one or more times. Such doses can be administered intermittently (e.g., such that the patient receives about 2 to about 20 doses, e.g., about 6 doses, of the antibody or polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region), e.g., once per week or once every three weeks. An initial higher loading dose can be administered, followed by one or more lower doses. The progress of this therapy is easily monitored by conventional techniques and assays.

[0331] It is understood that any of the above formulations or methods of treatment can be carried out using the immunoconjugates of the present invention instead of or in addition to the anti-DENV antibodies.Similarly, it is understood that any of the above formulations or methods of treatment can be carried out using the immunoconjugates of the present invention instead of or in addition to the polypeptides comprising the variant Fc regions described herein.

[0332] H. Manufactured products In another aspect of the present invention, an article of manufacture is provided that includes a substance or material useful for treating, preventing, and / or diagnosing the above-mentioned disease. The article of manufacture includes a container and a label on the container or a package insert enclosed with the container. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, IV infusion bags, and the like. The container can be formed from a variety of materials, such as glass or plastic. The container holds the composition, alone or in combination with other compositions effective for treating, preventing, and / or diagnosing the disease, and may have a sterile access port (e.g., the container can be an intravenous infusion bag or a vial with a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic needle). At least one active ingredient in the composition is an antibody or a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention. The label or package insert indicates that the composition is used to treat a given disease. In addition, the article of manufacture can include (a) a first container that contains a composition containing an antibody or a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region of the present invention; and (b) a second container that contains a composition containing an additional cytotoxic or other therapeutic agent. The article of manufacture in this aspect of the invention may further comprise a package insert indicating that the composition can be used to treat a particular disease. Alternatively, or in addition, the article of manufacture may further comprise a second (or third) container comprising a pharma- ceutically acceptable buffer, such as bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), phosphate buffered saline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, etc. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, such as other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, etc.

[0333] It is understood that any of the above articles of manufacture may include an immunoconjugate of the invention instead of, or in addition to, an anti-DENV antibody.Similarly, it is understood that any of the above articles of manufacture may include an immunoconjugate of the invention instead of, or in addition to, a polypeptide comprising a variant Fc region. EXAMPLES

[0334] III. Working Examples The following are examples of methods and compositions of the present invention. In light of the above general description, it will be understood that various other embodiments may be practiced.

[0335] Example 1: Generation of antigens and antibodies Expression and purification of recombinant soluble E proteins from DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 Recombinant soluble E proteins (0.8E-His) from DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 with 8x histidine tags at the carboxy terminus (SEQ ID NOs: 65-68, respectively) were transiently expressed in FreeStyle293-F or Expi293 cell lines (Thermo Fisher, Carlsbad, CA, USA). prM0.8E-His from DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 (SEQ ID NOs: 61-64, respectively) was expressed in the cells as a single polypeptide; this polypeptide was then processed in the cells to be cleaved between prM and 0.8E-His. As a result, 0.8E-His was secreted into the cell culture medium. Conditioned culture fluid containing 0.8E-His was applied to a column packed with nickel- or cobalt-loaded immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) resin and subsequently eluted with imidazole. Fractions containing 0.8E-His were pooled and applied to a Superdex 200 gel filtration column (GE Healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden). Fractions containing 0.8E-His were pooled and stored at -80°C.

[0336] Expression and purification of recombinant human FcγR The extracellular domain of human FcγR was prepared by the following method. First, the gene encoding the extracellular domain of FcγR was synthesized by a method well known to those skilled in the art. At that time, the sequence of each FcγR was prepared based on the information registered in NCBI. Specifically, FcγRIa was prepared based on the sequence of NCBI accession number NM_000566 (version number NM_000566.3), FcγRIIa was prepared based on the sequence of NCBI accession number NM_001136219 (version number NM_001136219.1), FcγRIIb was prepared based on the sequence of NCBI accession number NM_004001 (version number NM_004001.3), FcγRIIIa was prepared based on the sequence of NCBI accession number NM_001127593 (version number NM_001127593.1), and FcγRIIIb was prepared based on the sequence of NCBI accession number NM_000570 (version number NM_000570.3), and a His tag was bound to the C-terminus of each FcγR construct. Furthermore, the existence of polymorphisms is known for FcγRIIa, FcγRIIIa, and FcγRIIIb, and polymorphic sites were generated by referring to Warmerdam et al. (J Exp Med (1990) 172, 19-25) for FcγRIIa, Wu et al. (J Clin Invest (1997) 100, 1059-1070) for FcγRIIIa, and Ory et al. (J Clin Invest (1989) 84, 1688-1691) for FcγRIIIb.

[0337] The expression vector was constructed by inserting the obtained gene fragment into an animal cell expression vector. The constructed expression vector was transiently introduced into FreeStyle293 cells (Invitrogen) derived from human embryonic kidney carcinoma cells to express the target protein. The liquid prepared by filtering the culture supernatant obtained from the culture solution of the above cells subjected to transient introduction through a 0.22 μm filter was purified in principle by the following four steps: (i) cation exchange column chromatography (SP Sepharose FF); (ii) affinity column chromatography for His tag (HisTrap HP); (iii) gel filtration column chromatography (Superdex200); and (iv) sterile filtration. To purify FcγRI, anion exchange column chromatography using Q Sepharose FF was used in step (i). The absorbance of the purified protein was measured at 280 nm using a spectrophotometer. Based on the measured value, the concentration of the purified protein was calculated using the extinction coefficient determined by a method such as PACE (Protein Science (1995) 4, 2411-2423).

[0338] Expression and purification of recombinant mouse FcγR The extracellular domain of mouse FcγR (mFcγR) was prepared by the following method. First, the gene of the extracellular domain of FcγR was synthesized by a method generally known to those skilled in the art. In this synthesis, the sequence of each FcγR was prepared based on the information registered in NCBI. Specifically, mFcγRI was prepared based on the sequence of NCBI reference sequence: NP_034316.1, mFcγRIIb was prepared based on the sequence of NCBI reference sequence: NP_034317.1, mFcγRIII was prepared based on the sequence of NCBI reference sequence: NP_034318.2, and mFcγRIV was prepared based on the sequence of NCBI reference sequence: NP_653142.2. A His tag was added to each of these sequences at the C-terminus.

[0339] The obtained gene fragments were inserted into vectors for expression in animal cells to prepare expression vectors. The prepared expression vectors were transiently introduced into FreeStyle293 cells (Invitrogen) derived from human embryonic kidney cancer cells to express the target protein. The obtained culture supernatant was collected and then passed through a 0.22 μm filter to obtain the culture supernatant. In principle, the obtained culture supernatant was purified by the following four steps: (i) ion exchange column chromatography; (ii) affinity column chromatography for His tag (HisTrap HP); (iii) gel filtration column chromatography (Superdex200); and (iv) sterile filtration. The ion exchange column chromatography in step (i) was performed using Q Sepharose HP for mFcγRI, SP Sepharose FF for mFcγRIIb and mFcγRIV, and SP Sepharose HP for mFcγRIII. D-PBS(-) was used as the solvent from step (iii) onwards, except for mFcγRIII, where D-PBS(-) containing 0.1 M arginine was used. The absorbance of each purified protein was measured at 280 nm using a spectrophotometer, and the concentration of the purified protein was calculated from the obtained value using the extinction coefficient calculated by a method such as PACE (Protein Science (1995) 4, 2411-2423).

[0340] Expression and purification of recombinant human FcRn FcRn is a heterodimer of FcRnα chain and β2-microglobulin. Oligo DNA primers were prepared based on the published human FcRn gene sequence (J Exp Med (1994) 180, 2377-2381). A DNA fragment encoding the entire gene was prepared by PCR using human cDNA (Human Placenta Marathon-Ready cDNA, Clontech) as a template and the prepared primers. Using the obtained DNA fragment as a template, a DNA fragment encoding the extracellular domain (Met1-Leu290) including the signal region was amplified by PCR and inserted into a mammalian cell expression vector. Similarly, oligo DNA primers were prepared based on the published human β2-microglobulin gene sequence (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (2002) 99, 16899-16903). Using human cDNA (Human Placenta Marathon-Ready cDNA, Clontech) as a template and the primers prepared, a DNA fragment encoding the entire gene was prepared by PCR. Using the obtained DNA fragment as a template, a DNA fragment encoding the entire protein including the signal region (Met1-Met119) was amplified by PCR and inserted into a mammalian cell expression vector.

[0341] Soluble human FcRn was expressed as follows. Plasmids constructed for the expression of human FcRnα chain (SEQ ID NO: 81) and β2-microglobulin (SEQ ID NO: 82) were introduced into human embryonic kidney carcinoma-derived cell line HEK293H (Invitrogen) by the lipofectamine method using PEI (Polyscience). The resulting culture supernatant was collected, and FcRn was purified using IgG Sepharose 6 Fast Flow (Amersham Biosciences), and then further purified using HiTrap Q HP (GE Healthcare) (J Immunol (2002) 169, 5171-5180).

[0342] Recombinant antibody expression and purification Recombinant antibodies were transiently expressed using either FreeStyle293-F or Expi293 cell lines (Thermo Fisher, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Purification from conditioned cultures expressing antibodies was performed conventionally using Protein A. Further gel filtration was performed if necessary.

[0343] Expression and purification of recombinant soluble human CD154 Human CD154 gene was synthesized based on the published protein sequence (NP_000065.1). A DNA fragment encoding a soluble form of human CD154 with a FLAG tag (shCD154) was generated by PCR using the synthesized DNA as a template, and the resulting DNA fragment was inserted into a mammalian cell expression vector, thereby generating the FLAG-shCD154 (SEQ ID NO: 106) expression vector. The nucleotide sequence of the resulting expression vector was determined using conventional methodologies known to those skilled in the art. FLAG-shCD154 was expressed using FreeStyle 293 cell line (Invitrogen) as described by the protocol provided by the manufacturer. After transfection, the cells were grown for an appropriate time before harvesting the conditioned medium. The conditioned medium was subjected to cation exchange chromatography using 25 mM MES (pH 6.0), and FLAG-shCD154 was eluted with a continuous gradient of 25 mM MES, 1 M NaCl (pH 6.0). Peak fractions were pooled, concentrated using AmiconUltra Ultracel, and subjected to gel filtration chromatography using phosphate-buffered saline (Wako). Peak fractions were pooled again, concentrated using Amicon Ultra Ultracel, and then sterilized by filtration through a 0.22 μm PVDF membrane filter. To determine the concentration of purified FLAG-shCD154, absorbance was measured at 280 nm using a spectrophotometer. Protein concentration was calculated from the measured value using the extinction coefficient calculated by the method described in Protein Science (1995) 4: 2411-2423.

[0344] Example 2: Generation of antibody mutants with improved affinity for DENV E protein Genes encoding the VH (3CH, SEQ ID NO: 1) and VL (3CL, SEQ ID NO: 7) of the anti-DENV E protein antibody were synthesized and combined with human IgG1 CH (SG182, SEQ ID NO: 46) and human CL (SK1, SEQ ID NO: 60), respectively, and both constructs were cloned into a single expression vector. This antibody is referred to herein as DG_3CH-SG182 / 3CL-SK1 or 3C.

[0345] To identify mutations and their combinations that improve the binding properties of 3C, we investigated many mutations and their combinations. Next, we introduced multiple mutations in the variable region to increase the binding affinity to E protein. Thus, optimized VH variants 3CH912 (SEQ ID NO: 2), 3CH953 (SEQ ID NO: 3), 3CH954 (SEQ ID NO: 4), 3CH955 (SEQ ID NO: 5), 3CH1047 (SEQ ID NO: 6), 3CH987 (SEQ ID NO: 90), 3CH989 (SEQ ID NO: 91), 3CH992 (SEQ ID NO: 92), 3CH1000 (SEQ ID NO: 93), 3CH1046 (SEQ ID NO: 94), 3CH1049 (SEQ ID NO: 95) and optimized VL variants 3CL499 (SEQ ID NO: 8), 3CL563 (SEQ ID NO: 9), 3CL658 (SEQ ID NO: 10), 3CL012 (SEQ ID NO: 11), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 12), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 13), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 14), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 15), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 16), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 17), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 18), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 19), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 20), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 21), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 22), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 23), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 24), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 25), 3CL1000 (SEQ ID NO: 26), 3CL100 The resulting mutant antibodies were 3CL119 (SEQ ID NO: 97), 3CL633 (SEQ ID NO: 98), 3CL666 (SEQ ID NO: 99), 3CL668 (SEQ ID NO: 100). The VH-encoding gene was combined with human IgG1 CH (SG182, SEQ ID NO: 46; SG1095, SEQ ID NO: 54; or SG1106, SEQ ID NO: 59), and the VL-encoding gene was combined with human CL (SK1, SEQ ID NO: 60). Each of them was cloned into an expression vector. The amino acid sequences of the antibody mutants are shown in Table 2. One of the mutants, DG_3CH1047-SG182 / 3CL658-SK1, is also referred to herein as 3Cam, and the other mutant, DG_3CH1047-SG182 / 3CL-SK1, is also referred to herein as 3Cam2.

[0346] Antibodies were expressed in HEK293 cells cotransfected with a mixture of heavy and light chain expression vectors and purified by Protein A.

[0347] Table 2: Amino acid sequences of 3C and 3C mutants TIFF0007672456000028.tif189144

[0348] The affinity of anti-DENV E protein antibodies binding to the E proteins of DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 was measured at 25°C using a Biacore T200 instrument (GE Healthcare). Anti-histidine antibodies (GE Healthcare) were immobilized on all flow cells of a CM4 sensor chip using an amine coupling kit (GE Healthcare). All antibodies and analytes were incubated in 20 mM sodium phosphate, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween 20, and 0.005% NaN. 3 The E proteins of DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 with a C-terminal His tag were captured on flow cell 2 or 3, with flow cell 1 as the reference flow cell. The capture level of E protein was aimed for 200 resonance units (RU). Anti-DENV E protein antibody was injected across the sensor surface at 250 nM for 180 s, followed by dissociation for 300 s. The sensor surface was regenerated after each cycle with 10 mM Gly-HCl pH 1.5. Binding affinity was measured by processing the data and fitting to a 1:1 binding model using Biacore T200 analysis software, version 2.0 (GE Healthcare).

[0349] Tables 3a and 3b show the affinity (K d) are shown. Each 3C mutant showed increased binding affinity for all four DENV serotypes compared to the parental 3C. As examples, the sensorgrams of the parental antibody 3C (DG_3CH-SG182 / 3CL-SK1) and one mutant antibody 3Cam (DG_3CH1047-SG182 / 3CL658-SK1) are shown in Figure 1. Also, the sensorgrams of the parental antibody 3C (DG_3CH-SG182 / 3CL-SK1) and one mutant antibody 3Cam2 (DG_3CH1047-SG182 / 3CL-SK1) are shown in Figure 10.

[0350] Table 3a. Kd values ​​of 3C and 3C mutants against four DENV serotypes TIFF0007672456000029.tif67128Note: * Strong binder, slow off-rate <1E-05, KD cannot be uniquely determined.

[0351] Table 3b. Kd values ​​of 3C and 3C mutants against DENV1 and DENV3 serotypes TIFF0007672456000030.tif247100Note: * Strong binder, slow off-rate <1E-05, KD cannot be uniquely determined.

[0352] Example 3: Creation of antibody CH variants for improved properties Multiple mutations were introduced into the human IgG1 heavy chain constant region CH (SG182, SEQ ID NO: 46). As a result, human IgG1 CH variants SG192 (SEQ ID NO: 47), SG1085 (SEQ ID NO: 48), SG1086 (SEQ ID NO: 49), SG1087 (SEQ ID NO: 50), SG1088 (SEQ ID NO: 51), SG1089 (SEQ ID NO: 52), SG1090 (SEQ ID NO: 53), SG1095 (SEQ ID NO: 54), SG1096 (SEQ ID NO: 55), SG1097 (SEQ ID NO: 56), SG1098 (SEQ ID NO: 57), SG1105 (SEQ ID NO: 58), SG1106 (SEQ ID NO: 59), SG1109 (SEQ ID NO: 107), SG1044 (SEQ ID NO: 108), and SG1045 (SEQ ID NO: 109) were generated. Genes encoding CH mutants were combined with the VH of 3C (3CH, SEQ ID NO: 1), the VH of one 3C mutant (3CH1047, SEQ ID NO: 6), or the VH of an anti-CD154 antibody (SLAPH0336a, SEQ ID NO: 88). The VL gene of an anti-CD154 antibody (SLAPL0336a, SEQ ID NO: 89) was combined with human CL (SK1, SEQ ID NO: 60). Each of them was cloned into an expression vector. The details of the CH mutants are summarized in Table 4. To evaluate the affinity binding of the CH mutants to each Fc receptor, the variable region SLAPH0336a / SLAPL0366a of an anti-CD154 antibody, which can form a large immune complex in the presence of the trimeric antigen CD154, was used.

[0353] Antibodies were expressed in HEK293 cells cotransfected with a mixture of heavy and light chain expression vectors and purified by Protein A.

[0354] Table 4: Amino acid sequences of mutant Fc regions TIFF0007672456000031.tif64139

[0355] Example 4: Binding affinity of antibodies with Fc variants to complement C1q Human C1q binding assay Anti-CD154 antibody with Fc variants (in-house antibody produced using the method described in Example 3) was dispensed into Nunc-ImmunoPlate MaxiSorp (Nalge Nunc International) and left to stand overnight at 4°C. After washing with PBST, the plate was blocked with TBST containing 0.5% BSA and 1x Block Ace: blocking agent (DS Pharma) for 2 hours at room temperature. After washing the plate, human C1q (Calbiochem) was dispensed into the plate and left to stand for 1 hour at room temperature. The plate was washed, and HRP-labeled anti-human C1q antibody (Bio Rad) was added and reacted for 1 hour at room temperature, followed by washing. TMB substrate (Invitrogen) was then added. Signals were measured at wavelengths of 450 nm (test wavelength) and 570 nm (reference wavelength) using a plate reader. The binding affinity of an antibody with a wild-type Fc region (WT) to human C1q was reduced by introducing the LALA mutation into the Fc region, and the reduced binding affinity to human C1q was restored by further introducing KWES, EFT, or EFT+AE in addition to the LALA mutation (Figure 2). The LALA+KMES mutation slightly increased the binding affinity, but the LALA+KWES, LALA+KAES, and LALA+KEES mutants bound to C1q with affinities comparable to those of the WT (Figure 3). The binding properties of the above LALA or LALA+KAES mutants were not affected by further introducing the ACT3 or ACT5 mutations (Figure 4).

[0356] Mouse C1q binding assay Anti-CD154 antibodies with Fc variants (own antibodies produced using the method described in Example 3) were dispensed into Nunc-ImmunoPlate MaxiSorp (Nalge Nunc International) and left to stand overnight at 4°C. After washing with PBST, the plate was blocked with TBST containing 0.5% BSA and 1× Block Ace: blocking agent (DS Pharma) at 4°C for 7 hours. After washing the plate, 10% mouse plasma (Innovative Research) was dispensed onto the plate and left to stand overnight at 4°C. The plate was washed, and biotinylated anti-mouse C1q antibody (Hycult Biotech) was added and reacted at room temperature for 1 hour, followed by washing. Streptavidin-HRP (Pierce) was added and reacted at room temperature for 1 hour, followed by washing. Subsequently, ABTS ELISA HRP substrate (KPL) was added. The signal was measured at a wavelength of 405 nm using a plate reader. The binding affinity of the antibody with a wild-type Fc region (WT) to mouse C1q was reduced by introducing the LALA mutation into the Fc region, and the reduced binding affinity to mouse C1q was restored by further introducing KAES in addition to the LALA mutation. The binding properties of the above LALA or LALA+KAES mutants were not affected by further introducing the ACT3 or ACT5 mutations (Figure 5).

[0357] Example 5: Biacore analysis of Fc variants binding to FcγR and FcRn Binding of Fc variants to human or mouse FcγR and human FcRn at pH 7.4 was measured using a Biacore T200 instrument (GE Healthcare) at 25° C. All antibodies and FcγR or FcRn were buffered in 50 mM Na phosphate, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween 20, 0.005% NaN 3The antibodies were prepared in PBS-P, pH 7.4, containing 100 mM NaCl. For the FcγR binding assay, anti-histidine antibodies (GE Healthcare) were immobilized on all flow cells of a CM4 sensor chip using an amine coupling kit (GE Healthcare). Each of the FcγRs was captured with anti-histidine antibodies on flow cells 2, 3, or 4, with flow cell 1 serving as the reference flow cell. The capture level of FcγRs was aimed for 400 resonance units (RU). All antibodies were injected at 100 nM on all flow cells. Immune complexes were prepared by mixing antibodies and trimeric CD154 in a 1:1 molar ratio and incubated for 1 h at room temperature. The sensor surface was regenerated with 10 mM glycine-HCl pH 1.5 after each cycle.

[0358] For the FcRn binding assay, Biotin CAPture reagent (GE Healthcare) was immobilized on both flow cells 1 and 2 of a CAP sensor chip using the Biotin CAPture kit (GE Healthcare). Flow cell 1 served as the reference flow cell, and biotinylated FcRn was captured on flow cell 2. The capture level of FcRn was aimed for 400 RU. All antibodies were injected at 100 nM on flow cells 1 and 2. Immune complexes were prepared by mixing antibodies and trimeric CD154 at a 1:1 molar ratio and incubated for 1 h at room temperature. The sensor surface was regenerated after each cycle with 8 M guanidine-HCl, 1 M NaOH (3:1 vol / vol).

[0359] Binding levels were normalized to the capture levels of the corresponding FcγR or FcRn. Binding of antibodies alone or immune complexes (antibody and trimeric CD154 antigen) to human or mouse FcγR and human FcRn was monitored based on the binding response. Immune complexes were used to evaluate enhanced binding to FcγR or FcRn due to the avidity effect. Results for human FcγR1a, FcγR2a 167H and 167R, FcγR2b, FcγR3a 158F and 158V, FcγR3b NA1 and NA2 are shown in Figure 6(a)-(h). Results for mouse FcγR1, FcγR2b, FcγR3, FcγR4 are shown in Figure 7(a)-(d). The binding of the wild-type Fc region (denoted as WT IgG) was significantly reduced by introducing LALA, LALA+KAES or LALA+KWES mutations into the Fc region for each of the FcγRs tested. The trend was similar between assays using antibody alone (denoted as Ab alone) and immune complexes (denoted as CD154 IC). The binding of the KAES or KWES mutants was not significantly reduced compared to that of WT IgG for most of the FcγRs tested. The results for human FcRn are shown in Figure 8. The binding of the wild-type Fc region (denoted as hIgG1) to human FcRn did not appear to be affected even after introducing LALA or LALA+KAES mutations into the Fc region. The binding was slightly enhanced by further introducing ACT3 or ACT5 mutations, but still remained relatively low (Figure 8).

[0360] Example 6: In vivo efficacy of anti-DENV antibodies against DENV infection Six to eight week old AG129 mice were incubated for 10 6Mice were infected intraperitoneally with plaque-forming units (pfu) of DENV-2 strain D2Y98P. After 48 hours, mice were treated with 25 μg of antibody in PBS. The antibody was administered intravenously via the retro-orbital route. Blood was collected after another 24 hours, i.e., 72 hours after the initial infection. Previous studies (Zust et al, J Virol (2014) 88, 7276-7285; Tan et al, PLOS Negl Trop Dis (2010) 4, e672) have demonstrated that the peak of viremia after D2Y98P infection is reached 3-4 days after infection. Viral RNA was extracted from plasma from each mouse and quantitative PCR was performed to compare it to a DENV-2 standard of known infectivity in a plaque assay. Both the 3C and 3Cam antibodies significantly reduced viremia compared to the PBS control in this mouse model, and the efficacy of both antibodies was comparable. Antibodies with LALA+KAES mutations in the Fc region showed stronger efficacy compared to antibodies with only LALA mutations. This was true for both 3C and 3Cam antibodies (Figure 9). This result indicates that the restoration of C1q binding activity by adding the KAES mutation to the LALA mutation contributes to the antiviral effect of the antibody.

[0361] The above invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity of understanding, but the illustration and examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The disclosures of all patent and scientific literature cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0362] Sequence information SEQUENCE LISTING <110> Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha Agency for Science, Technology and Research <120> Anti-Dengue Virus Antibodies, Polypeptides Containing Variant Fc Regions, And Methods Of Use <150> SG 10201607778X <151> 2016-09-16 <160> 109 <170> PatentIn version 3.5 <210> 1 <211> 132 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 1 Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Pro Asp Val Glu Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ser Asn 20 25 30 Tyr Ile His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Val Ile Asn Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Thr Ala Ser Ala Gln Lys Phe 50 55 60 Gln Gly Arg Ile Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Gly Gly Arg Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Arg 100 105 110 Asp Gly Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro Trp Gly Gln Gly Ser Leu Val 115 120 125 Thr Val Ser Ser 130 <210> 2 <211> 132 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> VH <400> 2 Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Pro Asp Val Glu Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ser Asn 20 25 30 Tyr Ile His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Val Ile Asn Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Arg Ala Ser Ala Gln Lys Phe 50 55 60 Gln Gly Arg Ile Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Gly Gly Arg Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Phe 100 105 110 Asp Gly Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro Trp Gly Gln Gly Ser Leu Val 115 120 125 Thr Val Ser Ser 130 <210> 3 <211> 132 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> VH <400> 3 Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Pro Asp Val Glu Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ser Asn 20 25 30 Tyr Ile His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Val Ile Asn Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Arg Arg Ser Ala Gln Lys Phe 50 55 60 Gln Gly Arg Ile Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Gly Gly Arg Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Phe 100 105 110 Asp Gly Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro Trp Gly Gln Gly Ser Leu Val 115 120 125 Thr Val Ser Ser 130 <210> 4 <211> 132 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> VH <400> 4 Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Pro Asp Val Glu Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ser Asn 20 25 30 Tyr Ile His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Val Ile Asn Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Arg Arg Ser Ala Gln Lys Phe 50 55 60 Gln Gly Arg Ile Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Gly Gly Arg Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Arg 100 105 110 Asp Asp Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro Trp Gly Gln Gly Ser Leu Val 115 120 125 Thr Val Ser Ser 130 <210> 5 <211> 132 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> VH <400> 5 Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Pro Asp Val Glu Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ser Asn 20 25 30 Tyr Ile His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Val Ile Asn Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Arg Arg Ser Ala Gln Lys Phe 50 55 60 Gln Gly Arg Ile Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Gly Gly Arg Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Arg 100 105 110 Asp Leu Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro Trp Gly Gln Gly Ser Leu Val 115 120 125 Thr Val Ser Ser 130 <210> 6 <211> 132 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> VH <400> 6 Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Pro Asp Val Glu Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ser Tyr 20 25 30 Tyr Met His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Val Ile Asn Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Arg Arg Ser Ala Gln Lys Phe 50 55 60 Gln Gly Arg Ile Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Gly Gly Glu Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Phe 100 105 110 Asp Gly Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro Trp Gly Gln Gly Ser Leu Val 115 120 125 Thr Val Ser Ser 130 <210> 7 <211> 107 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 7 Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Thr Phe Thr Cys Gln Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Lys Tyr 20 25 30 Leu Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Tyr Asp Ala Ser Asn Leu Lys Thr Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro 65 70 75 80 Glu Asp Val Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Phe Asp Asp Leu Pro Ile 85 90 95 Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Arg Leu Gln Ile Lys 100 105 <210> 8 <211> 107 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> VL <400> 8 Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Thr Phe Thr Cys Gln Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Lys Tyr 20 25 30 Leu Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Tyr Asp Ala Ser Asn Leu Lys Phe Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro 65 70 75 80 Glu Asp Val Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Phe Asp Ala Leu Pro Ile 85 90 95 Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Arg Leu Gln Ile Lys 100 105 <210> 9 <211> 107 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> VL <400> 9 Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Thr Phe Thr Cys Gln Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Gln Tyr 20 25 30 Leu Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Tyr Asp Ala Ser Asn Leu Lys Phe Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro 65 70 75 80 Glu Asp Val Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Phe Ser Ala Leu Pro Ile 85 90 95 Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Arg Leu Gln Ile Lys 100 105 <210> 10 <211> 107 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> VL <400> 10 Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Thr Phe Thr Cys Gln Ala Ser Gln Glu Ile Arg Lys Tyr 20 25 30 Leu Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Tyr Asp Ala Ser Glu Leu Lys Thr Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro 65 70 75 80 Glu Asp Val Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Phe Glu Asp Leu Pro Ile 85 90 95 Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Arg Leu Gln Ile Lys 100 105 <210> 11 <211> 5 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 11 Ser Asn Tyr Ile His 1 5 <210> 12 <211> 5 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-H1 <400> 12 Ser Tyr Tyr Met His 1 5 <210> 13 <211> 17 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 13 Val Ile Asn Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Thr Ala Ser Ala Gln Lys Phe Gln 1 5 10 15 Gly <210> 14 <211> 17 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-H2 <400> 14 Val Ile Asn Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Arg Ala Ser Ala Gln Lys Phe Gln 1 5 10 15 Gly <210> 15 <211> 17 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-H2 <400> 15 Val Ile Asn Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Arg Arg Ser Ala Gln Lys Phe Gln 1 5 10 15 Gly <210> 16 <211> 23 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 16 Gly Gly Arg Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Arg Asp Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro 20 <210> 17 <211> 23 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-H3 <400> 17 Gly Gly Arg Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Phe Asp Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro 20 <210> 18 <211> 23 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-H3 <400> 18 Gly Gly Arg Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Arg Asp Asp 1 5 10 15 Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro 20 <210> 19 <211> 23 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-H3 <400> 19 Gly Gly Arg Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Arg Asp Leu 1 5 10 15 Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro 20 <210> 20 <211> 23 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-H3 <400> 20 Gly Gly Glu Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Phe Asp Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro 20 <210> 21 <211> 11 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 21 Gln Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Lys Tyr Leu Asn 1 5 10 <210> 22 <211> 11 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-L1 <400> 22 Gln Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Gln Tyr Leu Asn 1 5 10 <210> 23 <211> 11 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-L1 <400> 23 Gln Ala Ser Gln Glu Ile Arg Lys Tyr Leu Asn 1 5 10 <210> 24 <211> 7 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 24 Asp Ala Ser Asn Leu Lys Thr 1 5 <210> 25 <211> 7 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-L2 <400> 25 Asp Ala Ser Asn Leu Lys Phe 1 5 <210> 26 <211> 7 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-L2 <400> 26 Asp Ala Ser Glu Leu Lys Thr 1 5 <210> 27 <211> 9 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 27 Gln Gln Phe Asp Asp Leu Pro Ile Thr 1 5 <210> 28 <211> 9 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-L3 <400> 28 Gln Gln Phe Asp Ala Leu Pro Ile Thr 1 5 <210> 29 <211> 9 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-L3 <400> 29 Gln Gln Phe Ser Ala Leu Pro Ile Thr 1 5 <210> 30 <211> 9 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-L3 <400> 30 Gln Gln Phe Glu Asp Leu Pro Ile Thr 1 5 <210> 31 <211> 30 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 31 Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Pro Asp Val Glu Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr 20 25 30 <210> 32 <211> 14 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 32 Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met Gly 1 5 10 <210> 33 <211> 32 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 33 Arg Ile Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr Met Glu 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg 20 25 30 <210> 34 <211> 32 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> FR-H3 <400> 34 Arg Ile Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Val Tyr Met Glu 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg 20 25 30 <210> 35 <211> 11 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 35 Trp Gly Gln Gly Ser Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser 1 5 10 <210> 36 <211> 23 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 36 Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Thr Phe Thr Cys 20 <210> 37 <211> 15 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 37 Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr 1 5 10 15 <210> 38 <211> 32 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 38 Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr 1 5 10 15 Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro Glu Asp Val Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys 20 25 30 <210> 39 <211> 10 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens <400> 39 Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Arg Leu Gln Ile Lys 1 5 10 <210> 40 <211> 5 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-H1 <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (2)..(2) <223> Xaa is Asn or Tyr <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (4)..(4) <223> Xaa is Ile or Met <400> 40 Ser Xaa Tyr Xaa His 1 5 <210> 41 <211> 17 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-H2 <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (9)..(9) <223> Xaa is Thr or Arg <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (10)..(10) <223> Xaa is Ala or Arg <400> 41 Val Ile Asn Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Xaa Xaa Ser Ala Gln Lys Phe Gln 1 5 10 15 Gly <210> 42 <211> 23 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-H3 <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (3)..(3) <223> Xaa is Arg or Glu <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (14)..(14) <223> Xaa is Arg or Phe <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (16)..(16) <223> Xaa is Gly, Asp or Leu <400> 42 Gly Gly Xaa Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Thr Thr Pro Xaa Asp Xaa 1 5 10 15 Gly Ser Trp Trp Phe Asp Pro 20 <210> 43 <211> 11 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-L1 <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (5)..(5) <223> Xaa is Asp or Glu <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (8)..(8) <223> Xaa is Lys or Gln <400> 43 Gln Ala Ser Gln Xaa Ile Arg Xaa Tyr Leu Asn 1 5 10 <210> 44 <211> 7 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-L2 <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (4)..(4) <223> Xaa is Asn or Glu <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (7)..(7) <223> Xaa is Thr or Phe <400> 44 Asp Ala Ser Xaa Leu Lys Xaa 1 5 <210> 45 <211> 9 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> HVR-L3 <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (4)..(4) <223> Xaa is Asp, Ser or Glu <220> <221> MISC_FEATURE <222> (5)..(5) <223> Xaa is Asp or Ala <400> 45 Gln Gln Phe Xaa Xaa Leu Pro Ile Thr 1 5 <210> 46 <211> 328 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> CH <400> 46 Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser 35 40 45 Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser 50 55 60 Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr 65 70 75 80 Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys 85 90 95 Arg Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys 100 105 110 Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro 115 120 125 Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys 130 135 140 Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp 145 150 155 160 Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu 165 170 175 Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu 180 185 190 His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn 195 200 205 Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly 210 215 220 Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Glu Glu 225 230 235 240 Met Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr 245 250 255 Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn 260 265 270 Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe 275 280 285 Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn 290 295 300 Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr 305 310 315 320 Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro 325 <210> 47 <211> 328 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> CH <400> 47 Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser 35 40 45 Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser 50 55 60 Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr 65 70 75 80 Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys 85 90 95 Arg Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys 100 105 110 Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro 115 120 125 Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys 130 135 140 Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp 145 150 155 160 Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu 165 170 175 Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu 180 185 190 His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn 195 200 205 Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly 210 215 220 Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Glu Glu 225 230 235 240 Met Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr 245 250 255 Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn 260 265 270 Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe 275 280 285 Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn 290 295 300 Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr 305 310 315 320 Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro 325 <210> 48 <211> 328 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> CH <400> 48 Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser 35 40 45 Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser 50 55 60 Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr 65 70 75 80 Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys 85 90 95 Arg Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys 100 105 110 Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro 115 120 125 Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys 130 135 140 Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp 145 150 155 160 Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu 165 170 175 Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu 180 185 190 His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn 195 200 205 Trp Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Ser Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly 210 215 220 Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Glu Glu 225 230 235 240 Met Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr 245 250 255 Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn 260 265 270 Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe 275 280 285 Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn 290 295 300 Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr 305 310 315 320 Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro 325 <210> 49 <211> 328 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> CH <400> 49 Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser 35 40 45 Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser 50 55 60 Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr 65 70 75 80 Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys 85 90 95 Arg Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys 100 105 110 Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Ala Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro 115 120 125 Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys 130 135 140 Val Val Val Asp Val Glu Phe Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp 145 150 155 160 Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu 165 170 175 Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu 180 185 190 His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Thr Asn 195 200 205 Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Glu Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly 210 215 220 Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Glu Glu 225 230 235 240 Met Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr 245 250 255 Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn 260 265 270 Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe 275 280 285 Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn 290 295 300 Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr 305 310 315 320 Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro 325 <210> 50 <211> 328 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> CH <400> 50 Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser 35 40 45 Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser 50 55 60 Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr 65 70 75 80 Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys 85 90 95 Arg Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys 100 105 110 Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro 115 120 125 Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys 130 135 140 Val Val Val Asp Val Glu Phe Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp 145 150 155 160 Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu 165 170 175 Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu 180 185 190 His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Thr Asn 195 200 205 Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly 210 215 220 Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Glu Glu 225 230 235 240 Met Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr 245 250 255 Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn 260 265 270 Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe 275 280 285 Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn 290 295 300 Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr 305 310 315 320 Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro 325 <210> 51 <211> 328 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> CH <400> 51 Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser 35 40 45 Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser 50 55 60 Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr 65 70 75 80 Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys 85 90 95 Arg Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys 100 105 110 Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro 115 120 125 Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys 130 135 140 Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp 145 150 155 160 Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu 165 170 175 Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu 180 185 190 His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn 195 200 205 Trp Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Ser Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly 210 215 220 Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Glu Glu 225 230 235 240 Met Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr 245 250 255 Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn 260 265 270 Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe 275 280 285 Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn 290 295 300 Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr 305 310 315 320 Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro 325 <210> 52 <211> 328 <212> PRT <213> Artificial Sequence <220> <223> CH <400> 52 Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser 35 40 45 Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser 50 55 60 Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr 65 70 75 80 Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys 85 90 95 Arg Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys 100 105 110 Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Ala Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro 115 120 125 Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys 130 135 140 Val Val Val Asp Val Glu Phe Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp 145 150 155 160 Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu 165 170 175 Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu 180 185 190 His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Thr Asn 195 200 205 Lys Ala Leu Pr...

Claims

1. (a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; (b) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; (c) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20; (d) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; (e) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; and (f) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

27.

1. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising an isolated antibody that binds to a Dengue virus (DENV) E protein, comprising:

2. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the antibody comprises a VH having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 and a VL having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

7.

3. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 2, wherein the antibody further comprises a CH having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59 and a CL having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60.

Images