DutaFabs are engineered therapeutic Fab fragments that can bind two targets simultaneously

Nat Commun. 2021 Jan 29;12(1):708. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-20949-3.

Abstract

We report the development of a platform of dual targeting Fab (DutaFab) molecules, which comprise two spatially separated and independent binding sites within the human antibody CDR loops: the so-called H-side paratope encompassing HCDR1, HCDR3 and LCDR2, and the L-side paratope encompassing LCDR1, LCDR3 and HCDR2. Both paratopes can be independently selected and combined into the desired bispecific DutaFabs in a modular manner. X-ray crystal structures illustrate that DutaFabs are able to bind two target molecules simultaneously at the same Fv region comprising a VH-VL heterodimer. In the present study, this platform is applied to generate DutaFabs specific for VEGFA and PDGF-BB, which show high affinities, physico-chemical stability and solubility, as well as superior efficacy over anti-VEGF monotherapy in vivo. These molecules exemplify the usefulness of DutaFabs as a distinct class of antibody therapeutics, which is currently being evaluated in patients.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / genetics
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / ultrastructure
  • Becaplermin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Binding Sites, Antibody / genetics
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / drug therapy*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Development / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / pharmacology*
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / therapeutic use
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / ultrastructure
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Male
  • Models, Molecular
  • Proof of Concept Study
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Engineering*
  • Rats
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Becaplermin