WO2018030806A1

WO2018030806A1 - Cytokine fused to immunoglobulin fc heterodimer and pharmaceutical composition comprising same

Info

Publication number: WO2018030806A1
Application number: PCT/KR2017/008676
Authority: WO
Inventors: 김용성; 정근옥; 하지희
Original assignee: 아주대학교산학협력단
Priority date: 2016-08-10
Filing date: 2017-08-10
Publication date: 2018-02-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heterodimeric Fc-fused protein and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the heterodimeric Fc-fused protein, wherein in the heterodimeric Fc-fused protein comprising a first Fc region and a second Fc region of a Fc region pair of an immunoglobulin while a subunit of a biologically active protein is bound to at least one of N-terminal or C-terminal of the first Fc region and/or the second Fc region, the first Fc region and the second Fc region are CH3 domains modified to promote the formation of a heterodimer. In the heterodimeric Fc-fused protein according to the present invention, two or more subunits form a protein complex, so that a protein constituting a biologically active protein can be fused to Fc in an original shape and structure as the protein exists in nature and thus the protein can maintain an original activity as the protein exists in nature. The use of the heterodimeric Fc-fused protein according to the present invention remarkably increases the in vivo half-life of a biologically active protein contained in the heterodimeric Fc-fused protein, and thus various types of biological activities can be maintained for a long time in the body.

Description

Cytokines fused to an antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same

The present invention includes a first Fc region and a second Fc region of an antibody (immunoglobulin) heavy chain constant region (Fc) pair,

Heterodimeric Fc-fused protein having a subunit of a bioactive protein bound to at least one of the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region and / or the second Fc region. ),

The first Fc region and the second Fc region are heterodimeric Fc-fused proteins, characterized in that the CH3 domain is mutated to promote the formation of heterodimers and

It relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the heterodimer-fusion protein.

Heterodimeric Fc-fused protein according to the present invention is a form and structure in which two or more subunits form a protein complex so that a protein constituting one bioactive protein exists in nature. It can be fused to the antibody heavy chain constant region (Fc), there is an advantage that can maintain the activity as it exists in nature.

When the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein according to the present invention is used, the half-life of the bioactive protein contained in the heterodimer-fusion protein is significantly increased, and various biological activities in the body are maintained for a long time. There is an advantage that can be sustained.

In addition, the heterodimer-fusion protein in which the subunit of the bioactive protein is fused to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer Fc according to the present invention is expressed after purification, compared with the wild type Fc-based fusion protein. This is easy.

Human antibodies present in nature (Immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, IgD, IgE, IgA) exist in the form of two heavy chains having the same amino acid sequence and two light chains having the same sequence. In this case, homodimerization between two identical heavy chains is performed by the final domain of the constant region of the antibody (CH3 domain for IgG, IgD, IgA, CH4 domain for IgM, CH2 and CH4 domain for IgE). It is induced by non-covalent interactions between and disulfide bonds between hinge regions.

Antibody-derived heterodimeric heavy chain constant region (Hterodimeric Fc) technology allows specific non-covalent linkages between the last domain of the constant region (CH3 domain), which contributes significantly to the homologous duplication of earlier spontaneous antibodies (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE). Heterogeneous redundancy is preferred, and it is a technique to create heterologous heavy chain invariant regions by engineering them to have a bond that is not preferred or rejected. More specifically, genetic modifications induce mutations in the CH3 domains of two different antibody heavy chains, forming two heterozygotes with very similar structures to naturally occurring antibodies and minimal variation in sequence. (US Patent No. 7,695,936; Korean Patent No. 1,522,954). The heterodimeric heavy chain constant region technology is a basic technology for making double antibodies. CH3 domain mutants known to induce heterodimers are known to be mostly asymmetric by structure-based rational design of the antibody on the surface of CH3 domain interaction. It was prepared by introducing a red pair of mutations (Spreter Von Kreudenstein et al., 2014). Pioneer research includes Genentech's knob-into-hole technology (Ridgway et al., 1996), Zymeworks ZW1 (Von Kreudenstein et al., 2013), Zencore's HA- Many multinational pharmaceutical companies have developed and reported these technologies, including TF (Moore GL et al., 2011) and EMD Serono's SEEDbody (Davis JH et al., 2010).

Among them, the A107 mutant used in the present invention is a high yield heterodimeric heavy chain constant region selected from a human antibody heteroduplex heavy chain constant region library prepared using a yeast cell surface expression system, and a hydrophobic core of the CH3 domain interaction surface. Induces mutations in the conserved and charged amino acids to form complementary hydrophobic bonds (K409W _CH3A -D399V / F405T _CH3B ) and to form hydrogen bonds (K370E _CH3A -E357N _CH3B ) to form heterodimers (Choi et al. 2016; Korean Patent Application No. 2015-0142181).

Heterodimeric Fc variants reported to date, including the A107 mutants described above, are all based on IgG1, which is the largest part of human antibody isoforms, and isotypes other than IgG1. No mutants for (IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, IgM, IgE) have been reported.

This is because most of the therapeutic antibodies marketed under the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adopt the IgG1 isotype (Irani et al. 2015), and recently antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. , Immuno-modulating antibodies or receptor agonists, which do not require much of the antibody-specific effector functions, such as ADCC) or complement-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (CDC). In the case of proteins, the development of therapeutic proteins based on IgG2 or IgG4, which is significantly less effective than IgG1.

On the other hand, most of the bioactive proteins are often small in size, there is a problem that the half-life in the body is short. In order to solve this drawback, attempts have been made to conjugate PEG or the like, or to fuse the antibody-derived crystallizable fragment (Fc) region, but the form of a form in which the activity of the physiologically active protein is sufficiently maintained for a long time efficiently. Development is not happening.

In particular, in the case of a protein in which two or more subunits form a protein complex and exhibit physiological activity, the native protein complex structure existing in nature is formed as it is, and the activity of the original protein is not only properly expressed. There is no such form of development that can be sustained for a long time.

Under this technical background, we construct heterodimer variants comprising Fc regions from IgG1 as well as other previously reported isotype antibodies such as IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4, Using this, two or more different subunits are formed, and two or more subunits form one protein complex to bind one or more subunits of a protein showing physiological activity to the ends of the Fc region. The present invention was completed by developing a novel therapeutic fusion protein in the form of a heterodimeric Fc-fused protein.

In particular, a protein consisting of two or more different subunits in the present invention, wherein the two or more subunits form a protein complex and exhibit physiological activity is preferably Interleukin-12, IL-12) can be used.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) increases the activity of immune cells, such as cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer cells (NK), among other immune cells, to directly kill tumors or interferon Inhibits tumorigenesis by activating the immune response in the tumor microenvironment where the immune response is suppressed through the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine such as gamma (IFN-γ) Much research has been done on anti-cancer cytokine in that it can be done (Lasek et al., 2014). However, in the development of treatment with interleukin-12, the short half-life of the cytokine itself requires continuous administration, which can lead to toxicity, so long-acting IL- via fusion with antibodies or Fc. There have been studies to use in the form of 12 (Tugues et al., 2015). However, these studies have been shown to have bivalency, unlike endogenous form cytokine, due to the fusion of homozygous wild-type antibodies through interactions between CH3 domains, resulting in lower bioactivity than endogenous interleukin 12. Or problems such as undesired localization due to interleukin 12 (Tzeng et al., 2015; Dumont et al., 2006).

Therefore, in an effort to produce a monovalency fusion protein using a wild-type antibody or an Fc region, an optional tag for further purification only at the C terminus of one Fc region, as shown in FIGS. The method of constructing a fusion protein has been used by fusion or by purifying the Fc region and protein separately in high purity. However, this form is not only costly in producing large amounts of protein, but also requires research to further optimize the purification process.

However, using the form of the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein (heterodimeric Fc-fused protein) according to the present invention without the additional purification process optimization of the monovalent heterodimer-fusion protein as shown in Figure 2 It can be manufactured easily.

발명의 요약Summary of the Invention

The problem to be solved in the present invention is a heterozygote-fusion heterozygous form of a new type of antibody heavy chain constant region in which two or more subunits form a protein complex so that the activity of the protein showing physiological activity can be sufficiently maintained for a long time. It is to provide a protein (heterodimeric Fc-fused protein).

In particular, the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimeric Fc-fused protein according to the present invention has two or more subunits that form a protein complex to form a protein complex that exhibits physiological activity as it exists in nature. By simulating as much as possible, it is a form which can maintain the activity as it exists in nature.

In addition, the half-life of the fusion protein is significantly increased by fusion of the antibody heavy chain constant region, so that various physiological activities in the body can be maintained for a long time.

The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimeric Fc-fused protein, and a composition and treatment method for the treatment of diseases, in particular cancer, using the same. do.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a first Fc region and a second Fc region of an antibody (immunoglobulin) heavy chain constant region (Fc) pair,

In a heterodimeric Fc-fused protein in which a bioactive protein is bound to at least one of the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region and / or the second Fc region,

The physiologically active protein is composed of two or more different subunits (subunit), two or more different subunits (subunit) is characterized in that to form a protein complex (protein complex) to show the physiological activity,

The first Fc region and the second Fc region provide a heterodimeric Fc-fused protein, characterized in that the CH3 domain is mutated to promote formation of a heterodimeric Fc.

The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the heterologous-fusion protein and a composition and a method for the treatment of diseases, in particular cancer, using the same.

1 (A) to 1 (C) is a diagram showing a strategy for obtaining a fusion protein in the form of monomers and heterodimers using existing wild-type human antibody heavy chain constant region.

FIG. 1 (D) shows an antibody-cytokine (Immunocytokine) construct by fusing monomeric cytokines to an IgG-type antibody containing a KnoH-in-hole heterodimeric heavy chain constant region (KiH heterodimeric Fc) variant in the existing literature. It is a figure which shows an example.

Figure 2 (A) and 2 (B) is a diagram showing the monomer and heterodimer fusion protein forms that can be constructed using heterodimeric heavy chain constant region.

Figure 2 (C) is a diagram showing a heterodimeric fusion protein form in a human antibody of the IgG form containing a heterodimeric heavy chain constant region.

Figure 3 is a view showing the results of selecting and comparing the sequence of the sequence of each human antibody immunoglobulin G isotype CH3 domain for the production of CH3 domain variants for heterodimer formation by human antibody isotype.

FIG. 4 is a structural modeling of heterologous heavy double chain constant region variants of the heterologous type having the mutation-induced sequence at the position selected in FIG. 3, and the resulting modeling structure is compared with the wild type IgG1 based A107 mutant and It is a figure which shows the result of an analysis.

5 is a schematic diagram of a vector for expressing heterologous heavy chain constant regions of homologous type constructed by sequence and structural analysis in animal cells. Heterozygous heavy chain constant region variants of each homotype, including the mutated hinge region, were cloned into the vector using the restriction enzyme NotI / HindIII.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a scFv-Fc _CH3A / Fc _CH3B co-expression system for evaluating the degree of heterodimer _{formation of heteroduplex} heavy chain constant region variants due to the duplex size difference of the expressed protein. to be.

FIG. 7 shows a single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) fused with a single chain antibody fragment (scFv) constructed to evaluate the formation yield of heteroduplex of the antibody heavy chain constant region by the CH3 mutation pair as shown in FIG. 6. .1 Schematic diagram for cloning into vectors.

Figure 8 is a transient expression of co-transformation in HEK293F cells for evaluating the formation ability of the heteroduplex described in Figure 6 animal cell expression vector introduced with a CH3 mutation pair constructed in accordance with the expression system described in Figures 5 and 7 And, after purification, 5 μg of protein was isolated on SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions for evaluation of heterodimer antibody formation ability, and analyzed by size and combination through Coomasie Blue staining. At this time, wild type Fc using wild type CH3 was used as a negative control.

9 is a diagram showing the result of Western blot using the anti-human IgG-AP conjugated antibody with AP enzyme after protein separation by SDS-PAGE in the same manner as in FIG. 8. .

Figure 10 (A) is a schematic diagram showing the form of the endogenous interleukin 12 cytokine unfused to the heavy chain constant region, which is a control of the present invention.

FIG. 10 (B) is a schematic diagram showing the form of a bi-IL-12-Fc fusion protein in which an interleukin 12 cytokine linked with an amino acid linker is fused to a wild-type IgG4 Fc as a comparative example of the present invention.

10 (C) is a schematic diagram showing the form of a mono-IL-12-Fc fusion protein in which the interleukin 12 cytokine is fused with a γ4-A107 variant made of IgG4 in a heterologous heavy double chain constant region variant of the present invention. to be.

11 (A) and 11 (B) are schematic diagrams of vectors for expressing and purifying the fusion protein of the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 10C) in animal cells.

Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a vector for the expression and purification of the fusion protein of the comparative example (Fig. 10 (B) in the animal cell of the present invention.

FIG. 13 transiently expresses and purifies the animal cell expression vectors of FIGS. 11 (A) and (B) constructed with human and mouse interleukin genes through cotransformation into HEK293F cells, and then amplifies 5 μg of protein. It is a diagram showing the results of the analysis on the size and combination form by separating on the SDS-PAGE of the condition, Coomasie Blue staining.

FIG. 14 shows the results of analyzing the fusion proteins of FIG. 13 using size exclusion chromatography.

FIG. 15 shows peripheral blood immune cells (PHA-activated PBMCs) that induced receptors for IL-12 by treating normal peripheral blood immune cells (normal PBMCs) having no receptor for IL-12 and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). It is a figure which shows the result of having confirmed the binding ability of the mono-hIL-12-Fc and the wild type bi-hIL-12-Fc which were constructed about with the flow cytometer (FACS).

FIG. 16 shows Fc (A107), recombinant human IL-12 (rhIL-12), and bi-hIL-12 in peripheral blood immune cells (PHA-activated PBMCs) inducing receptors for IL-12 by treating PHA, a mitogen. Figure showing the results of measuring the cell proliferation according to the concentration-specific treatment of -Fc and mono-hIL-12-Fc through the WST-1 cell proliferation assay.

17 is a view showing the results of measuring the concentration of IFN-γ in the culture supernatant cultured in Figure 16 by ELISA

FIG. 18 shows normal peripheral blood binding ability of mono-mIL-12-Fc and bi-mIL-12-Fc constructed using the property that mouse IL-12 binds to human IL-12 receptor as well as mouse IL-12 receptor. A diagram showing the results confirmed by flow cytometry using peripheral blood immune cells (PHA-activated PBMCs) inducing receptors for IL-12 by treating immune cells (normal PBMC) and mitogen called PHA.

FIG. 19 shows Fc (A107), recombinant mouse IL-12 (rmIL-12), bi-mIL-12-Fc in peripheral blood immune cells (PHA-activated PBMCs) inducing receptors for IL-12 by PHA treatment. And cell proliferation according to the concentration-specific treatment of mono-mIL-12-Fc is a diagram showing the results measured by the WST-1 cell proliferation assay.

Figure 20 (A) shows Fc (A107), rmIL-12, bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc when the tumor size is 100 mm3 in Balb / c mice transplanted with CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells It is a diagram showing the results of confirming the change in tumor volume measured during intraperitoneal administration and the size of tumor after lethality of mice at the end of administration.

20 (B) is a graph showing the weight change of the mouse periodically measured during the experiment of FIG. 20 (A).

21 (A) shows bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc intraperitoneally administered twice a week at the tumor size of 300 mm ³ in CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu transplanted Balb / c mice. It is a figure which measured the change of the tumor volume.

Figure 21 (B) is a graph showing the change in the volume of the tumor of the individual mice periodically measured in the experimental procedure of Figure 21 (A).

Figure 21 (C) is a diagram showing the result of confirming the tumor size by killing the mouse 3 days after the last administration of Figure 21 (A).

Figure 21 (D) is a graph showing the weight change of the mouse periodically measured in the experimental procedure of Figure 21 (A).

FIG. 21 (E) is a graph of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) which is an indicator of liver toxicity by collecting blood from the facial vein of the mouse on day 1 after the last administration of FIG. 21 (A).

Figure 22 (A) is a graph measuring the increase in the number of CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells and NK cells in the spleen after 3 days of the last administration of Figure 21 (A).

Figure 22 (B) is a view showing the total number of immune cells, CD4 ⁺ T cells, CD8 ⁺ T cells infiltrated into the tumor after 3 days of the third administration of Figure 21 (A).

Figure 23 (A) is the result of measuring the IFN-g concentration in the serum isolated by collecting blood from the facial vein of the mouse 24 hours after the last administration of Figure 21 (A) by ELISA.

FIG. 23 (B) shows bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12 at a molar concentration of 1 μg rmIL-12 when the tumor size was 300 mm ³ in Balb / c mice transplanted with CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells. IFN-γ concentration in serum isolated by blood collection from the facial veins of

mice

1, 3 and 5 days after intraperitoneal administration of -Fc was measured by ELISA.

Figure 23 (C) is a graph measuring the cytotoxic effect on CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells of cytotoxic T cells isolated from the spleen by killing the mouse 3 days after the last administration of Figure 21 (A).

Figure 23 (D) shows the cytotoxic effect of cytotoxic T cells isolated from the spleen by killing mice 3 days after the third administration of Figure 21 (A) does not express CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells expressing tumor antigens It is a figure analyzed by the flow cytometer using 4T1 cells.

Figure 23 (E) is a graph measuring the cytotoxic effect on CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells of natural killer cells isolated from the spleen by killing the mouse 3 days after the third administration of Figure 21 (A).

Figure 24 (A) is a graph measuring the number of CD8 ⁺ effect T cells isolated from the spleen by lethal mice three days after the last administration of Figure 21 (A).

Figure 24 (B) is a graph measuring the number of CD8 ⁺ effect memory T cells isolated from the spleen by lethal mice three days after the last administration of Figure 21 (A).

Figure 24 (C) is a graph measuring the number of CD8 + central memory T cells isolated from the spleen by killing the mouse three days after the last administration of Figure 21 (A).

FIG. 24 (D) shows CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu in Balb / c mice of the same age as those surviving 120 days after administration of 1 μg mono-IL-12-Fc in FIG. 21 (A). Cancer cells are transplanted to measure the change in the tumor volume of the mouse.

FIG. 24 (E) shows memory precursor effect cells (KLRG1 ^- IL-7R ⁺ ) and short-lived effect cells (KLRG1) among CD8 ⁺ T cells present in the spleen after 3 days of the third administration of FIG. 21 (A). ⁺ IL-7R ^-) is a diagram of analyzing the percentage of by flow cytometry (flow cytometry).

FIG. 25 (A) shows the ratio of CD8 + T cells with high expression of T-bet, a transcription factor that inhibits the differentiation of memory cells by killing mice after 3 days of the third administration of FIG. 21 (A). It is a graph analyzed by measuring with a flow cytometer.

FIG. 25 (B) shows CD8 ⁺ T with high expression of Eomes and low expression of T-bet that promote the differentiation of memory cells by killing mice after 3 days of the third administration of FIG. 21 (A). It is a graph analyzed by measuring the percentage of cells by flow cytometry.

Figure 25 (C) shows CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu Balb / c mice transplanted with cancer cells were intraperitoneally administered with bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc at a molar concentration of 1 μg rmIL-12 when the tumor size was 300 mm ^3. After time, the expression level of phosphorylated STAT4 in CD8 ⁺ T cells isolated from inguinal lymph nodes was measured by flow cytometry.

Figure 25 (D) is a graph measuring the ratio of CD8 ⁺ T cells expressing T-bet inhibiting the differentiation of memory cells in the inguinal lymph nodes 72 hours after one intraperitoneal administration of Figure 25 (C) by flow cytometry.

25 (E) is stimulated with mono-mIL-12-Fc and bi-mIL-12-Fc cross-linked CD8 ⁺ T cells isolated from spleen and groin lymph nodes in normal Balb / c mice with Fc-recognized antibodies. When the expression level of pSTAT4 is measured by a flow cytometer.

FIG. 25 (F) shows that CD8 + T cells isolated from the spleen and inguinal lymph nodes of normal Balb / c mice were stimulated with mono-mIL-12-Fc and bi-mIL-12-Fc cross-linked with an antibody that recognizes Fc. When the ratio of CD8 ⁺ T cells expressing T-bet is a graph measured by flow cytometry.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram showing the differentiation-induced mechanism of memory precursor effector and memory cells induced by mono-mIL-12-Fc and the differentiation-induced mechanism of short-lived effect cells induced by bi-mIL-12-Fc.

발명의 상세한 설명 및 바람직한 Detailed description of the invention and preferred 구현예Embodiment

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In general, the nomenclature used herein is well known and commonly used in the art.

In one aspect, the present invention includes a first Fc region and a second Fc region of an antibody (immunoglobulin) heavy chain constant region (Fc) pair,

The bioactive protein is composed of two or more different subunits (subunit), the two or more different subunits (subunit) is characterized in that the protein complex (protein complex) to form a physiological activity,

The first Fc region and the second Fc region are for a heterodimeric Fc-fused protein, characterized in that the CH3 domain is mutated to promote formation of a heterodimer.

In the present invention, “Fc region” or “heavy chain constant region” means a region including a CH2 domain, a CH3 domain, and a hinge domain derived from an antibody. However, in the case of IgE, it means a region including a CH2 domain, a CH3 domain, a CH4 domain, and a hinge domain.

In the present invention, the expression “the first Fc region and the second Fc region are mutated to promote the formation of heterodimers” indicates that antibodies present in nature are homodimers in which two Fc regions have the same sequence. (homodimer) form, which causes mutations in some sequences of these Fc regions, thereby promoting the formation of heterodimers through specific non-covalent linkages between the first and second Fc regions and homodimers. It means that the formation of is reduced or preferably mutated so that it hardly occurs.

Preferably, the mutations to facilitate the formation of a heterodimer of the first Fc region and the second Fc region according to the present invention are each of the CH3 domains included in the antibody-derived first and second Fc regions. May include mutations that facilitate the formation of this heterodimer.

In the present invention, “heaterodimeric Fc or Fc heterodimer” includes a first Fc region and a second Fc region, and the first Fc region and the second Fc region are heterodimers. It means a heterodimer, characterized in that the CH3 domain is modified to promote the formation of).

The first Fc region and the second Fc region in the present invention may be derived from an Fc region selected from the group consisting of human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE, respectively, preferably Wherein the first Fc region and the second Fc region are derived from IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4, respectively,

In addition, the first Fc region and the second Fc region may be characterized in that it is derived from an isotype antibody.

In another aspect, the mutation of the CH3 domain may be characterized in that it comprises one or more mutations selected from the following group. All mutation positions in the present invention are according to the EU index.

(1) substitution of the amino acid residue at position K370 of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region; And substitution of an amino acid residue at the E357 and / or S364 position of the CH3 domain of a second second Fc region; And / or

(2) substitution of the amino acid residue at position K409 of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region; And substitution of the amino acid residue at the F405 and / or D399 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region.

Preferably the substitution of the amino acid residue at the K370 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region is K370E, K370R, K370M, K370D or K370H,

The substitution of the amino acid residue at the E357 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region may be E357N, E357D, E357A, E357I, E357G or E357M, and the substitution of the amino acid residue at the S364 position may be S364T or S364W. .

The substitution of the amino acid residue at the K409 position in the CH3 domain of the first Fc region is K409W, and the substitution of the amino acid residue at the F405 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region is F405T, and the amino acid residue at the D399 position is The substitution may be characterized as being D399V.

An amino acid residue change such as K370E means that the K at position 370 is changed to E, and all amino acid residue changes in the present invention are used as the same meaning.

Most preferably, the mutation of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region or the second Fc region may include one or more mutations selected from the following group. (However, the mutation position is according to the EU index)

(1) substitution of the amino acid residue of K370E, K370R, K370M, K370D or K370H at the K370 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region;

(2) substitution of the amino acid residues of E357N, E357D, E357A, E357I, E357G, or E357M at the E357 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region and at the S364 position replaces the amino acid residue of S364T or S364W;

(3) substitution of the amino acid residue of K409W at the K409 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region; And

(4) substitution of the F405T amino acid residue at the F405 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region and substitution of the amino acid residue of D399V at the D399 position;

The CH3 domains of the first Fc region and the second Fc region as described above may further include the following bonds.

(i) cysteine (C) substituted at the Y349 position in the CH3 domain of the first Fc region; And

(ii) binding of cysteine (C) substituted at position S354 in the CH3 domain of the second Fc region.

In another aspect, the mutation of the CH3 domain may be characterized in that it comprises one or more mutations selected from the following group.

(1) substitution of the amino acid residue at the K360 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region; And substitution of the amino acid residue at the E347 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region; And / or

(2) substitution of the amino acid residue at position K409 of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region; And substitution of the amino acid residue at the F405 and D399 positions of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region.

Preferably, the substitution of the amino acid residue at the K360 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region is K360E, and the substitution of the amino acid residue at the E347 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region may be E347R. ,

Substitution of the amino acid residue at the K409 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region is K409W, Substitution of the amino acid residue at the F405 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region is F405T, Substitution of the amino acid at the D399 position is It may be characterized by the D399V.

(1) substitution of the amino acid residue of K360E at the K360 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region;

(2) substitution of the amino acid residue of E347R at the E347 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region;

(3) substitution of the amino acid residue of K409W at the K409 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region;

(4) substitution of the F405T amino acid residue at the F405 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region and at the D399 position for the amino acid residue of D399V

Preferably, the CH3 domains included in the antibody-derived first and second Fc regions of the present invention are each

(1) SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2;

(2) SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4;

(3) SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 6;

(4) SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 9;

(5) SEQ ID NO: 11 and SEQ ID NO: 12; And

(6) SEQ ID NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 15;

It may be characterized by having a sequence selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by the sequence number of.

In particular, the antibody-derived first Fc region and the second Fc region preferably have a sequence of the CH3 domain described in Table 1 derived from IgG4.

In the heterodimeric Fc-fused protein according to the present invention,

The subunit of the bioactive protein may be bound only to one of the N-terminus or the C-terminus of the first Fc region or the second Fc region,

One or more different subunits of one (one) bioactive protein may be respectively bound to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region and the second Fc region (FIG. 2 ( B) and FIG. 2 (C)).

The "subunit of the bioactive protein is bonded only to one terminal of either the N-terminus or the C-terminus of the first Fc region or the second Fc region", the first Fc region or the second Fc One of the subunit (s) of the bioactive protein is bound to either end of the N-terminal or C-terminal end of the region, and the remaining subunit (s) of the bioactive protein are linker-mediated. In the form of a bioactive protein bound to either the N-terminus or the C-terminus of the 1 Fc region or the second Fc region. The linker is preferably an amino acid linker, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, "the one or more different subunits of one (one) bioactive protein is respectively bonded to each of the N-terminal or C-terminal of the first Fc region and the second Fc region" One or more different subunit (s) of the bioactive protein are bound to both the first Fc region and the second Fc region N-terminus, respectively, or the bioactive protein is bound to both the C-terminus of the first Fc region and the second Fc region. When each of one or more different subunit (s) of are combined,

Or one or more different subunits of the bioactive protein are respectively bound to both the N-terminus and the C-terminus of the first Fc region and the second Fc region.

In the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein according to the present invention, the binding of the terminal of the first Fc region and / or the second Fc region and the subunit of the bioactive protein is genetic fusion. It can be characterized by fused by),

In another embodiment, the first Fc region and the second Fc region and a subunit of the bioactive protein may be combined in a linker-mediated form. The linker is preferably an amino acid linker, but is not limited thereto.

In another aspect, in the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimeric-fusion protein (heterodimeric Fc-fused protein) according to the present invention,

The bioactive protein is composed of two or more different subunits, and the two or more different subunits are characterized by forming a (one) protein complex to represent the biological activity.

The meaning of "consists of two or more different subunits, and two or more different subunits (physical) forms a (protein) protein complex to show the biological activity" means When two or more subunits form a protein complex (protein complex) means that the desired biological activity,

The bioactive protein is selected from the group consisting of interleukin 12 (IL-12), interleukin 23 (IL-23), interleukin 27 (IL-27), interleukin 35 (IL-35), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Preferably, but not limited to this, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any physiologically active protein suitable for the purpose of the present invention can be used.

The most preferred bioactive protein according to the present invention is interleukin 12 (IL-12).

Consists of two or more different subunits according to the present invention, two or more different subunits to form a protein complex (protein complex) to exhibit a physiological activity, according to the present invention Interleukin-12 (IL-12), which is a preferred bioactive protein, will be specifically described by way of example.

IL-12 consists of two subunits of p35 (IL-12A) and p40 (IL-12B), and its bioactive form is p70, a heterodimer of p35 and p40. . In nature, IL-12 must be present in the form of p70, a heterodimer of p35 and p40 in order to have activity.

In the present invention, in order to maximally mimic the presence of IL-12 in nature, the antibody heavy chain constant region heterologous double-fusion protein according to the present invention was implemented.

Specifically, as described above, at least one subunit of a bioactive protein comprising a first Fc region and a second Fc region according to the present invention, at one or more of the ends of the first and second Fc regions Heterodimeric Fc-fused protein in the antibody heavy chain constant region to which (subunit) is bound,

(i) at least one subunit (s) constituting one bioactive protein is bound only at either end of the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region and the second Fc region, and the rest The subunit (s) may be linked by a linker,

(ii) one or more different subunit (s) of one bioactive protein may be bound to each of the N-terminus and / or C-terminus of the first Fc region and the second Fc region, respectively. have.

In the above case, if IL-12 is described as an example,

In the case of (i), the p35 or p40 subunit is attached to only one terminal of either the N-terminus or the C-terminus of the first Fc region or the second Fc region, and the remaining subunits are the first Fc region or the second Fc region. The linker may be linked to a subunit of p35 or p40 that is bound to either the N-terminus or C-terminus of the Fc region to form a heterodimer-fusion protein (FIGS. 2B and 2C). ) Reference).

In the case of (ii), any one subunit selected from p35 and p40 is coupled to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region, and the other subunit is N-terminus or the C-terminus of the second Fc region. Units can form heterodimer-fusion proteins having a combined form (see FIGS. 2 (B) and 2C).

Due to the above form, it was confirmed that the in vitro physiological activity similar to the existing recombinant interleukin 12 protein while maintaining the original heterodimeric form existing in nature (Fig. 2 (B), Fig. 2 (C) and Fig. 10 (C)).

Accordingly, in the preferred antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein according to the present invention, the physiologically active protein is interleukin 12 (IL-12),

The p35 or p40 subunit of interleukin 12 (IL-12) is bound to only one of the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region or the second Fc region, and the remaining subunits are linker-mediated. Form a subunit bound to either the N-terminus or C-terminus of the 1 Fc region or the second Fc region, or

P35 and p40 subunits of interleukin 12 (IL-12) are respectively bound to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region and the second Fc region.

The hinge region included in the N-terminus in the first Fc region and the second Fc region may be characterized by mutation of a cysteine residue included in the hinge region.

Preferably the mutation of the cysteine residue in the hinge region is a cysteine residue of the upper hinge region except for the cysteine residue in the core hinge region for heterodimer formation. Are all substituted with a serine residue, but are not limited thereto.

In addition, in the present invention, the first Fc region and the second Fc region are included in a whole antibody (whole antibody) form consisting of human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE. can do.

In the present invention, the "whole antibody form" means the CH2 domain, CH3 domain and hinge region (including CH4 domain in IgE) in the Fc region in the case of IgG, IgA and IgD, in addition to the CH1 domain, VH. By intact form is meant an antibody comprising a domain, a CL domain and a VL domain.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein according to the present invention. The use of the pharmaceutical composition according to the invention is characterized in that it depends on the use of the bioactive protein contained in the antibody heavy chain constant heterodimer-fusion protein.

Preferably, the bioactive protein contained in the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein according to the present invention is IL-12 or one or more subunits thereof, and thus the present invention includes IL-12 as a bioactive protein. It provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer comprising an antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein.

Cancers treatable with a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer comprising an antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein comprising IL-12 or one or more subunits thereof as the bioactive protein include colorectal cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, Pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, small intestine cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma and hematologic cancer may be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to.

Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may additionally include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” is a substance that can be added to the active ingredient to help formulate or stabilize a formulation and does not cause significant deleterious toxic effects on the patient.

The carrier refers to a carrier or diluent that does not irritate the patient and does not inhibit the biological activity and properties of the heterodimer-fusion protein according to the present invention. Acceptable pharmaceutical carriers in compositions formulated as liquid solutions are sterile and physiologically compatible, including saline, sterile water, Ringer's solution, buffered saline, albumin injectable solutions, dextrose solution, maltodextrin solution, glycerol, ethanol and One or more of these components may be mixed and used, and other conventional additives such as antioxidants, buffers and bacteriostatic agents may be added as necessary. In addition, diluents, dispersants, surfactants, binders and lubricants may be additionally added to formulate injectable formulations, pills, capsules, granules or tablets such as aqueous solutions, suspensions, emulsions and the like. Other carriers are described, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (E. W. Martin).

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions for immediate administration. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is known in the art. The composition is preferably formulated for parenteral injection. The compositions may be formulated as solutions, microemulsions, liposomes, or other ordered structures suitable for high drug concentrations. The carrier can be, for example, a solvent or dispersion medium containing water, ethanol, polyols (eg glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethylene glycols, etc.) and suitable mixtures thereof. In some cases, it is possible to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol or sodium chloride in the composition. Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the required amount of the heterodimer-fusion protein in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients described above as required, followed by sterile microfiltration. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle that contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those described above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, some methods of preparation include vacuum drying and freeze-drying (freeze-drying), which produce a powder of the active ingredient and any further desired ingredients from its presterilized-filtered solution. )to be.

In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be administered orally or parenterally at dosages and frequencies that may vary depending on the severity of the suffering patient. The composition may be administered to the patient as a bolus or by continuous infusion as needed. In another form, the pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be administered rectally, intravenously, subcutaneously, intrauterinely or intratracerebrovascularly, but are not limited thereto.

In addition, the pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer comprising the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein comprising IL-12 may be used for combination therapy with other anticancer agents, and the other anticancer agents may be cytotoxic T. Cells and / or Natural Killer (NK) cells are preferred, but are not limited to any of the other anticancer agents that can be used in the art and can be used for combination therapy.

In particular, a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer comprising an antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein comprising interleukin 12 is used for combination treatment with cytotoxic T cells and / or Natural Killer (NK) cells. Occation,

(1) stimulating T cells or natural killer (NK) cells to increase cytokine secretion;

(2) increased response of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) or cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL);

(3) an increase in the number of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and / or killer cells;

(4) increased lymphocyte influx into the tumor area; or

(5) increase of IL-12R beta1 and IL-12R beta2 signals in lymphocytes in vivo;

It may be characterized by deriving.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating or preventing a disease comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein according to the present invention. .

As with the composition, the treatable or preventable disease depends on the use of the bioactive protein contained in the antibody heavy chain constant heterodimer-fusion protein,

Preferably, when at least one subunit of the physiologically active protein contained in the antibody heavy chain constant heterodimer-fusion protein according to the present invention is at least one subunit of IL-12, treatment of cancer patients, in particular colon cancer, melanoma The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing a patient suffering from cancer selected from the group consisting of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, small intestine cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma and hematologic cancer.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples. These examples are only for illustrating the present invention, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not interpreted to be limited by these examples.

Example

Example 1: Design of antibody heavy chain constant region CH3 domain variants for heterodimer formation by human antibody isotype (sequence analysis)

In order to make fragments of heavy chain constant region heterodimers for each human antibody isotype introduced with CH3 domain mutations in which heterodimer formation is preferred, it first plays a major role in the interaction for duplex formation as described below. The similarity of amino acid sequences between the CH3 domains was analyzed. In this case, mutation pairs (A107) induced in heterologous CH3A: CH3B (in the present invention, CH3A and CH3B mean CH3 region of the first Fc region and CH3 region of the second Fc region, respectively) Or to promote the formation of heavy chain constant region heterodimers disclosed in the patent to form a high yield of CH3A: CH3B (Choi et al. 2016; Korean Patent Application No. 2015-0142181). Figure 3 is a comparison of the sequence of each human antibody immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotype CH3 domains listed. Each amino acid sequence was identified in the International ImMunoGeneTics information system (IMGT; URL: http://www.imgt.org/). In particular, for IgG3, the sequence of G3m (s, t), which has been reported to maintain serum half-life similar to other IgG isotypes among various Gm allotypes, was used (Stapleton NM et al., 2011). ).

As a result of the sequence analysis, among the positions where the A107 mutation was introduced, the 409th amino acid sequence, unlike IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3, had a sequence conserved in all homotypes at the positions of the other mutations except that it had a different sequence from IgG4 to arginine. It was. Thus, the position having the same amino acid sequence number was selected as a position for transplanting the A107 mutant pair into an isoform other than IgG1. All amino acid position notations in the present invention follow the EU index (numbering).

Example 2: Design of antibody heavy chain constant region CH3 domain variants for heterodimer formation by human antibody isotype (structural modeling)

When the A107 mutant pair was introduced at the position selected in Example 1 prior to constructing the actual homologous CH3 domain variants, each mutant shown in FIG. 3 shows whether the mutation can be stably introduced to form a heterodimer. Using the sequence of the introduced variant was predicted through structural modeling. Structural modeling uses an online modeling server (URL: https://swissmodel.expasy.org/; Biasini M et al., 2014) as a template of the structure of an already known Immunoglobulin Fc heterodimer variant (PDB ID: 4X98). Predicted through. Each of the structures obtained was superimposed using Pymol software to see the structure of the protein to observe the structural changes in the CH3 domain and the location of the A107 mutation after the mutations were introduced. When compared to the modeling structure of mutant A107, which forms a CH3A: CH3B heavy chain constant heterodimer with a high yield constructed on the basis of existing IgG1 isoforms on overlapping structures, even when A107 mutations were introduced into each isotype, It was confirmed that the structure remains largely unchanged, and in particular, the orientation of the transplanted A107 mutant amino acid residues is almost identical and the distance for interaction between the mutant amino acids is also maintained to a similar degree (see FIG. 4).

Example 3: Construction of A107 heterodimeric Fc isotype variants by human antibody isotypes

The heterologous mutant A107 heavy chain constant region of each isotype designed through the sequence analysis of Example 1 and the structural analysis of Example 2 is a site-directed mutation performed by a person skilled in the art using synthetic oligonucleotides (Macrogen, Korea) Site-directed mutagenesis) was performed using the NotI / HindIII restriction enzyme in-frame to sequence the signal sequence-hinge-CH2-CH3 to the animal cell expression vector pcDNA3.1 (+) (Invitrogen, USA). Cloning was carried out (see FIG. 5).

The hinge region used here is a cysteine residue of the upper hinge region except for the cysteine residue in the core hinge region for duplex formation. Substituted with serine residues to prevent formation. In particular, in the case of IgG3, only 15 amino acids in the C-terminal region of the central hinge region among the 47 amino acid sequences of the G3m (s, t) allotypes maintain high antibody-specific effect functions (ADCC, CDC) of IgG3. This was confirmed through the literature (Dall'Acqua WF et al., 2006), whereby only 15 amino acids of the C terminus of the sequence shown in FIG. 5 were used.

Table 2 shows amino acid sequence information of the CH3 region in the wild type and A107 heavy chain constant heterodimeric variant pairs of the present invention.

Example 4 Method for Evaluating Heterodimer Formation Ability of A107 Heterodimeric Heavy Chain Constant Region Variants by Human Antigen Isotypes

Evaluation of the heterodimer formation ability of the heavy chain constant region in the homogeneous study to confirm whether the A107 heavy chain constant region heterodimer mutant for each isotype prepared in Example 3 actually has a similar level of heterodimer formation ability as the wild type A107 mutant. We intended to use the scFv-Fc _CH3A / Fc _CH3B co-expression system, which is _mainly used for (Choi et al., 2013). 6 is a schematic diagram showing a scFv-Fc _CH3A / Fc _CH3B co-expression system. Purified antibodies in the scFv-Fc _CH3A / Fc _CH3B co-expression system were scFv-Fc _CH3A homodimer (103 kDa), scFv-Fc _CH3A / Fc _CH3B heterodimer (78 kDa), Fc _CH3B homodimer (53 kDa) Since the molecular weights of) are different, it is possible to compare the degree of heterodimer formation on SDS-PAGE.

As the Fc _CH3B vector, a vector constructed in Example 3 was used, and additionally, scFv was introduced only to the N terminus of Fc _CH3A , that is, of pcDNA3.1 (+)-scFv-hinge-CH2-CH3A (scFv-Fc _CH3A ). Vectors expressed in the format were cloned. Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the animal cell expression vector pcDNA3.1 (+)-scFv-hinge-CH2-CH3A (scFv-Fc _CH3A ) vector used in the scFv-Fc _CH3A / Fc _CH3B co-expression system. The scFv antibody used is an antibody connecting the VH and VL regions of hAY4a, which is an enhanced version of the humanized antibody hAY4 that specifically binds DR4 (Lee, Park et al. 2010). Cloning was performed using NotI restriction enzyme and BsiWI restriction enzyme located immediately before the hinge region. Wild type Fc was constructed in the same format (scFv-Fc / Fc) as a control for the variants.

Example 5 Expression and Purification of Antibodies Containing A107 Heterodimeric Heavy Chain Constant Region Variants by Human Antibody Homotype

_ScFv -Fc _CH3A constructed above Simultaneous expression of Fc _CH3B was performed by transient transfection of HEK293-F (Invitrogen) cells with a mixture of respective expression vectors (1: 1 ratio) and polyethyleneimine (Polyethylenimine, PEI) (Polyscience). By culturing in a shake flask containing FreeStyle 293 expression medium (Invitrogen). The detailed method is as follows.

Upon 200 mL transfection in a shake flask, HEK293-F cells were seeded in 100 ml of medium at a density of 2.0 × 10 ⁶ cells / ml and incubated at 150 rpm, 8% CO ₂ . To produce the respective humanized antibodies, the resulting heavy and light chain plasmids were diluted in 10 ml FreeStyle 293 expression medium (Invitrogen) with 125 μg of heavy chain and 125 μg of light chain in total, 250 μg (2.5 μg / ml), with 10 ml of dilute 750 μg of PEI. The mixture was mixed with the medium (7.5 μg / ml) and reacted for 10 minutes at room temperature. Thereafter, the reacted mixed medium was put in the cells seeded with 100 ml in advance, incubated at 150 rpm and 8% CO ₂ for 4 hours, and then the remaining 100 ml of FreeStyle 293 expression medium was added. After one day of incubation, the proteins produced by the cells, ie antibodies containing heavy chain constant region variants, are secreted out of the cells by the cells and accumulated in the medium. Therefore, the protein was purified using a protein A Sepharose column (GE healthcare) from the cell culture supernatant collected by centrifugation at 2500 rpm for 20 minutes after cell culture. At this time, the purification method referred to the standard protocol provided by the Protein A column company, and the purified protein was measured by absorbance at a wavelength of 562 nm using a solution in a BCA protein assay kit (Thermo), and the amount was determined according to the drawn standard curve. Was quantified.

Example 6 Evaluation of Heterodimer Formation Ability of A107 Heterodimeric Heavy Chain Constant Region Variants by Human Antigen Isotypes

5 μg of the antibody including the heterologous heterologous heterologous heterologous variant A107 heavy chain in Example 5 was analyzed on SDS-PAGE under 12% non-reducing conditions (FIG. 8). The homodimer of the CH3A variant was 103 kD, the homodimer of the CH3B variant was 53 kD, the monomer of the CH3B variant was 25 kD, and the heterodimer of the CH3A and CH3B variants was 78 kD. Western blots were performed together to determine the extent of more sophisticated homodimers. Western blot was performed by separating anti-human IgG-AP conjugated antibody (Sigma) using a method performed by those skilled in the art after separating 0.1 μg of protein, which is less than SDS-PAGE analysis, in 12% non-reducing conditions ( 9).

In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the IgG1 heterodimer into which the wild-type CH3 domain was introduced as a control group showed all homodimers of CH3A / CH3B and CH3A: CH3B heterodimers on SDS-PAGE, whereas IgG2, IgG3, Human antibody isotype A107 heavy chain constant region heterodimer variants incorporating A107 heterodimerization mutations into IgG4 were found to form heterodimers with similar or higher yields than previously reported IgG1-based A107 mutants. . At this time, in the case of the IgG4 variant, the Fc monomer (Half Fc) containing CH3A or CH3B was also observed, which is one of the characteristics of naturally occurring IgG4, and the hinge region (particularly, before the Fab-arm exchange in the blood) occurs. , 228 th serine in the central hinge region). This is due to the characteristic of forming half Fc (Liu H et al., 2012).

Example 7: Construction of human / mouse IL-12 fusion protein

Among the heterologous variants of Example 1-6, wherein the heterodimer-forming ability was maintained at a similar level to the previously reported IgG1-based A107 heavy chain constant region heterodimer variants, the IgG4-based variant (γ4-A107) was used. Persistent Interleukin 12 fusion protein was constructed. Interleukin 12 in nature consists of two different units of p35 monomer (p35; IL-12A) and p40 monomer (p40; IL-12B), which are active by interacting with each other to form heterodimers. Has Formation of such heterodimers is achieved by binding more stably with one disulfide bond present between two units. Therefore, we tried to maintain the heterodimer form of cytokines in nature by connecting each monomer to different heterodimeric Fc variants (CH3A or CH3B).

The heavy chain constant region heterodimeric variant for the construction of the fusion protein was used γ4-A107 to introduce a heterodimer by introducing an A107 mutation based on IgG4. According to the existing reports, intrinsic functions such as ADCC / CDC of IgG1 in the construction of immunocytokine, which is a fusion form of antibody and cytokine, promote the clearance in vivo. Thus, the fusion protein was constructed using an IgG4 isotype that shows little function of ADCC / CDC compared to IgG1 (Gillies SD et al., 1999).

10 is a recombinant protein of IL-12, monovalent IL-12 fusion protein using γ4-A107 (mono-IL-12-Fc) and bivalent IL-12 fusion protein using wild type Fc used in the present invention (bi-IL) The schematic diagram of -12-Fc) is shown. Among them, (C) is a fusion protein to which the CH3 mutant pair produced in the present invention is introduced. Human interleukin 12 (hIL-12, Uniprot entry name P29460, P29459; SEQ ID NO: 17-18) and mouse interleukin 12 (mIL-12, Uniprot entry name P43432, P43431; SEQ ID NO: 19-20) are both mature except signal sequence Only the DNA sequence encoding the form was amplified and cloned using an NotI / BsiWI restriction enzyme in an in-frame as shown in FIGS. 11 (A) and (B) in an animal cell expression vector containing a γ4-A107 variant. They were named mono-hIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc, respectively. In particular, the human / mouse p35 monomer was assigned 15 flexible peptide linkers (G ₄ S) ₃ Linker between the p35 monomer and the hinge region to allow sufficient interaction with the p40 monomer. As a comparative example for (C), bi-hIL-12-Fc and bi-mIL-12- fused with human interleukin 12 (hIL-12) and mouse interleukin 12 (mIL-12) were fused with wild-type IgG4 Fc (wt IgG4). Fc was constructed. In order to fuse IL-12, which is active only by heteroduplexing, to one Fc, two units are connected to the 15 peptide linkers, and then the animal cell expression vector containing the γ4-A107 variant is shown in FIG. 12. It was cloned in-frame using NotI / BsiWI restriction enzyme. The comparative example is a fusion protein of the type used in previous studies to make IL-12 fusion proteins (Lisan S. Peng et al., 1999).

Table 3 shows the amino acid sequences for the mature forms of the monomers of human and mouse interleukin 12 used to construct the fusion protein.

Example 8: IL-12 fusion protein expression / purification

The mono-IL-12-Fc fusion protein of FIG. 10C shows 1: 1 ratio of expression vectors of human / mouse IL-12.p40-γ4-A107A and human / mouse IL-12.p35-γ4-A107B. It was expressed / purified in the same manner as in Example 5. The bi-IL-12-Fc fusion protein of FIG. 10 (B) was expressed / purified via a single transfection of the human / mouse scIL-12-IgG4 Fc (wt) expression vector. All fusion proteins were expressed / purified at a similar level of 12-13 mg per 100 ml HEK293F cell culture.

5 μg of the purified mono-IL-12-Fc and bi-IL-12-Fc fusion proteins were analyzed on SDS-PAGE under 12% non-reducing conditions (FIG. 13). The monomer of IL-12.p40-CH3A variant was 60 kD, the homodimer was 120 kD, the monomer of IL-12.p35-CH3B variant was 50 kD and the homodimer was 100 kD, and IL-12.p40- Heterodimers of the CH3A and IL-12.p35-CH3B variants were observed at 110 kD. However, it was confirmed through reference that the protein linked to the interleukin monomers of humans and mice was slightly different in size, due to different glycosylation patterns (Lo et al., 2007). In addition, as described in Example 6, monomers were observed in all IL-12 fusion proteins based on IgG4. Similar to previous reports that p35 monomers are not naturally expressed in monomeric form without the help of p40 monomers, in mono-IL-12-Fc fusion proteins using heteroduplex heavy chain constant region variants, only CH3A monomers to which p40 monomers are linked Was observed (Gillies et al., 1998b).

14 is a result of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) of the fusion proteins. Some polymers were observed in the Mono-hIL-12-Fc fusion protein.

Example 9 Evaluation of Binding Capacity of Mono-hIL-12-Fc Fusion Protein to IL-12 Receptor

The binding ability of the mono-hIL-12-Fc expressed and purified in Example 8 to the IL-12 receptor was compared with bi-hIL-12-Fc.

FIG. 15 shows the result of confirming that the mono-hIL-12-Fc constructed as compared with bi-hIL-12-Fc showed binding ability to the IL-12 receptor by FACS Calibur (BD Biosciences).

Specifically, 5 ml of Ficoll (GE Healthcare) was charged into a 15 ml test tube in order to separate immune cells (PBMC) from human peripheral blood. The collected blood was mixed 1: 1 with PBS (pH 7.4), shaken, and then taken up to 10 ml, mixed with Ficoll in a test tube containing Ficoll, and centrifuged at 750 g for 20 minutes with no break. Thereafter, the buffy coat formed on Ficoll was recovered and washed twice with PBS (pH 7.4) to obtain PBMCs including T cells, B cells, NK cells and monocytes. The isolated normal PBMC does not express a large amount of IL-12R to see the binding of IL-12. Thus, PHA (Sigma-Aldrich) was treated for 72 h to stimulate T and NK cells. PHA treatment has been reported to express IL-12 receptors on T cells and NK cells as the immune cells divide. 1 × 10 ⁶ cells / ml of PBMC was added to RPMI1640 medium containing 10% FBS, and PHA was added at a concentration of 10 μg / ml as a mitogen, followed by incubation for 72 hours at 37 degrees and 5% CO ₂ incubator. Normal PBMC and PHA activated PBMC were washed with cold PBS (pH 7.4) and 5 × 10 ⁵ cells were prepared for each sample. Fc (A107), bi-hIL-12-Fc and mono-hIL-12-Fc were added at a concentration of 1 μM, reacted at 4 ° C. for 30 minutes, and washed with cold PBS (pH 7.4). FITC fluorescence-linked secondary antibody (Sigma-Aldrich) that recognizes human IgG4 was reacted at 4 ° C. for 30 minutes, washed with PBS (pH 7.4), and analyzed by FACS Calibur (BD Bioscience), a flow cytometer. After analysis, histogram graphs for each sample were obtained to assess the binding capacity of mono-hIL-12-Fc to the IL-12 receptor.

As a result, bi-hIL-12-Fc and mono-hIL-12-Fc did not bind to normal PBMCs that did not express IL-12 receptors, but only to PBMCs that were activated by PHA and expressed IL-12 receptors. Therefore, the binding capacity of mono-hIL-12-Fc to IL-12 receptor was confirmed to be the same as bi-hIL-12-Fc.

Example 10 Evaluation of PBMC Proliferation Induction Capacity of Mono-hIL-12-Fc Fusion Protein

Whether the IL-12 moiety in the IL-12 fusion protein binds to the IL-12 receptor and maintains the biological activity of the actual recombinant IL-12 (rIL-12) is determined by recombinant human IL-12 (rhIL-12, Thermo Fisher Scientific). It confirmed as a control group.

FIG. 16 shows WST-1 cell proliferation test results confirming cell proliferation ability by Fc (A107), rhIL-12, bi-hIL-12-Fc and mono-hIL-12-Fc in PHA-activated PBMCs.

Specifically, PBMC (2 × 10 4, 50 μl) activated with PHA was added to 96-well plate (SPL, Korea) and serially diluted with RPMI1640 medium containing 10% FBS as in Example 9. 50 μl of -0.4 pM Fc (A107), rhIL-12, bi-hIL-12-Fc, and mono-hIL-12-Fc were added, followed by incubation at 5% CO ₂ , 37 ° C for 72 hours. For cell proliferation test, 10 μl of water-soluble Tetrazolium salts (Sigma-aldrich) reagent was added to each well, followed by 4 hours of reaction at 37 ° C. and absorbance at 570 nm using a microplate reader (Molecular Devices). It measured using.

As a result, it was confirmed that mono-hIL-12-Fc had a PBMC proliferation similar to or higher than that of rhIL-12.

Example 11: Evaluation of the ability to induce IFN-γ secretion of mono-hIL-12-Fc fusion protein against PBMC

17 shows ELISA results of measuring the amount of IFN-γ secretion by Fc (A107), rhIL-12, bi-hIL-12-Fc and mono-hIL-12-Fc in PHA activated PBMC.

Specifically, in order to measure IFN-γ concentration in cell culture cultured for 72 hours in Example 10, a human IFN-γ capture antibody (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was placed in a 96-well plate (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Korea) for ELISA. After coating for 12 hours, washed with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), 1% BSA (PBS with 1% bovine serum albumin) was added and blocked for 1 hour at room temperature. After washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), the culture cultured in Example 2 was diluted 5 times with 1% BSA, added 100 μl, and then reacted at room temperature for 2 hours. After washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), the biotin-bound IFN-γ detection antibody (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was bound for 1 hour at room temperature. After washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), avidin-coupled horse radish peroxidase (HRP) (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was combined for 30 minutes at room temperature, followed by washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20). , 3,3 ', 5,5'-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB, sigma-aldrich) substrate was added to measure the absorbance at 405 nm using a microplate reader.

As a result, mono-hIL-12-Fc showed that IFN-γ secretion ability to PBMC is similar or higher than rhIL-12.

Example 12 Evaluation of the Avidity of Mono-mIL-12-Fc to IL-12 Receptor.

The binding ability of the mono-mIL-12-Fc expressed and purified in Example 8 to the IL-12 receptor was compared with bi-mIL-12-Fc.

FIG. 18 is a flow cytometry result confirming that mono-mIL-12-Fc constructed as compared with bi-mIL-12-Fc shows binding ability to IL-12 receptor.

Specifically, mouse IL-12 was reported to bind not only mouse IL-12 receptor but also human IL-12 receptor, and analyzed in the same manner as in Example 9. As a result, bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc did not bind to normal PBMCs that did not express IL-12 receptors, but only to PBMCs that were activated by PHA and expressed IL-12 receptors. Therefore, the binding capacity of mono-mIL-12-Fc to IL-12 receptor was confirmed to be the same as bi-mIL-12-Fc.

Example 13: Evaluation of PBMC proliferation ability of Mono-mIL-12-Fc

Figure 19 WST-1 confirmed the cell proliferation ability by Fc (A107), recombinant mouse IL-12 (rmIL-12), bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc in PHA activated PBMC Cell proliferation assay results.

Specifically, 50-0.4 pM of PHA-activated PBMC (2 × 10 ⁴ , 50 μl) was added to a 96 well plate and serially diluted with RPMI1640 medium containing 10% FBS as in Example 9. 50 μl of Fc (A107), rmIL-12, bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc were added thereto, followed by incubation at 5% CO ₂ , 37 ° C. for 72 hours. The WST assay was performed in the same way. As a result, mono-mIL-12-Fc was found to have the ability to induce PBMC proliferation similar to rmIL-12.

Example 14 Evaluation of Tumor Growth Inhibitory Activity of Mono-mIL-12-Fc in Vivo

In Example 13, cell proliferation in PBMCs activated with PHA of mono-mIL-12-Fc was confirmed. It was confirmed whether the effect of mono-mIL-12-Fc is the same in vivo.

20 (A) and 20 (B) show the results of measuring tumor growth inhibitory activity of mono-mIL-12-Fc in 100 mm ³ tumors.

Specifically, hair of 4 week old female Balb / c mice (NARA Biotech, Korea) was removed with a razor and CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu colorectal cancer cells (1 × 10 ⁶ cells / mouse) were diluted in 150 μL PBS and transplanted into the mouse subcutaneous. It was. Mice with similarly sized tumors (mean volume 100-120 mm ³ ) were randomly assigned to treatment groups, Fc (A107), rmIL-12 (Thermo Fisher Scientific), bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL -12-Fc was injected intraperitoneally with 1 μg molecular equivalent of IL-12 per mouse twice a week. Tumors are measured two times a week, and the volume (V) of the tumor was calculated as V = L x W ^2/2.

As shown in FIG. 20 (A), 1 μg of rmIL-12 had no tumor growth inhibitory effect compared to the control group, but mono-mIL-12-Fc and bi-mIL-12-Fc at the same molar concentration showed tumor growth. Was suppressed. In addition, in FIG. 20 (B), it was confirmed that the weight of the mice was little changed when the mono-mIL-12-Fc and the bi-mIL-12-Fc were administered compared to the control group, and thus, the toxicity was not determined.

Figure 21 (A), 21 (B) and 21 (C) is the result of measuring the tumor growth inhibitory activity in mice in vivo of mono-mIL-12-Fc administered at different concentrations in mice with 300 mm ³ tumor size to be.

Specifically, hair of 4 week old female Balb / c mice (NARA Biotech, Korea) was removed with a razor and CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu colorectal cancer cells (1 × 10 ⁶ cells / mouse) were diluted in 150 μL PBS and transplanted into the mouse subcutaneous. It was. Mice with similarly sized tumors (mean volume 300 mm ³ ) were randomly assigned to treatment groups and bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL- with the same molar concentration of 0.1 to 2 μg rmIL-12 per mouse. 12-Fc was injected intraperitoneally, twice a week. Tumors are measured two times a week, and the volume (V) of the tumor was calculated as V = L x W ^2/2.

As shown in FIGS. 21 (A), 21 (B) and 21 (C), bi-IL-12-Fc was mono-mIL-12-Fc at a molar concentration of 1 μg IL-12 or less even for large tumors. Compared with that, the effect of inhibiting tumor growth was significantly higher. A molar concentration of bi-mIL-12-Fc, such as 0.25 μg IL-12, was shown to inhibit tumor growth but did not remove the tumor. However, the same molar concentration of mono-mIL-12-Fc was effective in removing tumors in 40% of mice. In addition, 73% of the tumors were cleared by only 5 doses of mono-mIL-12-Fc at a concentration of 0.5 μg IL-12 where bi-mIL-12-Fc did not remove tumors.

Example 15 In Vivo Toxicity Evaluation of Mono-mIL-12-Fc

Figure 21 (D) is the result of measuring the weight change in vivo toxicity of mono-mIL-12-Fc administered by concentration.

Specifically, the weight of the mice administered as shown in Figure 21 (A) was measured twice a week to observe the weight loss. In the case of the control group, the weight of the tumor was increased as the tumor size increased, but it was confirmed that there was no weight loss in the mice administered with all concentrations of bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc. Therefore, mono-mIL-12-Fc was not considered to be in vivo toxic to induce weight loss.

Figure 21 (D) is the result of measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT) which is an indicator of liver toxicity.

Specifically, blood was collected from the facial vein at 24 hours of the last administration in the mouse of FIG. 21 (A). Blood was left at room temperature for 2 hours to induce coagulation, and then centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 10 minutes to recover serum from the upper layer. To measure the concentration of ALT in the serum, blood was collected from the facial vein of the mouse 24 hours after the last IL-12-Fc fusion protein administration. The blood was left at room temperature for 2 hours to induce coagulation, and then centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 10 minutes to recover serum from the upper layer. In order to measure serum ALT concentration, ALT measurement substrate solution (alanine and α-ketoglutarate mixed solution) was taken in a 15 ml test tube and incubated in a 37 ° C constant temperature water bath for 5 minutes. Here, the mice transplanted with the tumor were treated with bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc, and blood samples were collected by diluting the serum 10-fold and adding 200 μl and shaking. Incubate for 30 minutes in a water bath. 1 ml of color solution (2,4-dinitrophenyl-1-hydrazone) was added to the test tube taken out of the constant temperature water bath, followed by mixing at room temperature for 20 minutes. Thereafter, 10 ml of 0.4 N sodium hydroxide solution was added thereto, mixed, and left to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Absorbance was measured at a wavelength of 505 nm using a photospectrophotometer (GeneQuant100, GE Healthcare). The standard curve prepared by adding the standard curve solution instead of the serum was used to calculate the unit of ALT. Serum obtained from blood samples from bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc mice showed ALT activity similar to that obtained from control or normal Balb / c mice, resulting in bi-mIL-12-Fc. And mono-mIL-12-Fc did not induce hepatotoxicity when administered to molar concentrations such as 0.5 μg or 1 μg IL-12.

Example 16: Evaluation of immune cell proliferation induction capacity of mono-mIL-12-Fc in vivo

When the molar concentration of 2 μg IL-12 was administered in Example 15, both bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc removed tumors, but mono-mIL at a molar concentration lower than 1 μg IL-12. -12-Fc showed significantly higher tumor growth inhibitory effect than bi-mIL-12-Fc. Indeed, whether the high tumor growth inhibitory effect of mono-mIL-12-Fc is associated with an increase in the number of inherent effector cells such as NK cells, CD4 ⁺ T cells and CD8 ⁺ T cells with IL-12 receptors. Confirmed.

Figure 22 (A) is the result of confirming the increase in the number of CD4 ⁺ T cells, CD8 ⁺ T cells and NK cells in the spleen after 3 days of the last administration of Figure 21 (A).

Specifically, after treatment as shown in 21 (A), the mouse spleen was extracted at 34 days after tumor transplantation, pulverized with a wire mesh in Petri dishes and washed with 10 ml of medium containing 2% FBS. Thereafter, 1 ml of red blood cell lysis buffer was added to erythrocytes, and red blood cells were lysed and washed with PBS to prepare splenocyte turbidity, and the number of cells was counted with a hemocytometer. Spleen lymphocytes were stained at 4 ° C. for 30 minutes with antibodies recognizing CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD49b bound to APC, FITC, PE or PE-cy5 and washed with cold PBS (pH 7.4). Analysis was performed by FACS Calibur (BD Bioscience) and Flow jo (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Each sample was analyzed with a dot plot to identify CD45 ⁺ CD3 ⁺ CD4 ⁺ cell populations, CD45 ⁺ CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ cell populations, and CD45 ⁺ CD3 ^- CD49b ⁺ cell populations, respectively, as CD4 ⁺ T cells, CD8 ⁺ T cells, and NK cells. The ratio of total splenocytes was calculated and the number of CD4 ⁺ T cells, CD8 ⁺ T cells and NK cells increased after mono-mIL-12-Fc administration by multiplying the number of cells counted with hemocytometer. .

As a result, it was confirmed that mono-mIL-12-Fc increased the number of CD4 ⁺ T cells and CD8 ⁺ T cells in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the control mice. On the other hand, bi-mIL-12-Fc increased the number of CD8 ⁺ T cells only in the molar concentrations such as 0.5 μg IL-12 and in the molar concentrations such as 1 μg IL-12, CD4 ⁺ It did not increase the number of T cells and CD8 ⁺ T cells. Consistent with previous studies showing that NK cells do not form memory cells in tumor-grafted mice (Cerwenka and Lanier, 2016; Schreiber et al., 2011), mono-mIL-12-Fc and bi-mIL on day 34 of tumor transplantation It was confirmed that the number of NK cells in all -12-Fc administration group was similar to the control group. Therefore, mono-mIL-12-Fc significantly increased the number of CD4 ⁺ T cells and CD8 ⁺ T cells than bi-mIL-12-Fc, which was confirmed to have a higher tumor suppression effect.

To suppress tumor growth, mono-mIL-12-Fc infiltrated tumors based on the report that the increase in the number of CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells, which are adaptive immune cells infiltrated into tumors, is important (Schreiber et al., 2011). It was analyzed whether the number of adaptive immune cells increased. When 6 mono-mIL-12-Fc were administered to a large number of mice without tumors, the number of immune cells infiltrated into the tumors of mice after 3 administrations was analyzed.

Figure 22 (B) is the result showing the total number of immune cells, CD4 ⁺ T cells and CD8 ⁺ T cells infiltrated into the tumor by 3 days after the third administration of the 21 (A).

Specifically, after treatment as 21 (A), the tumor of the mouse was extracted and weighed on the 24th day of tumor transplantation, and then pulverized using a wire mesh and collagenase (100 μg / ml) in Petri dish, followed by 2% FBS. 10 ml of the medium containing the was added and centrifuged at 50 g for 5 minutes to remove the parenchyma. Thereafter, 1 ml of red blood cell lysis buffer was added to erythrocytes, and red blood cells were lysed, washed with PBS to prepare a cell suspension, and the number of cells was counted with a hemocytometer. Cells isolated from tumors were stained at 4 ° C. for 30 minutes with antibodies recognizing CD45, CD3, CD4 and CD8 bound with APC, FITC or PE-cy5, washed with cold PBS (pH 7.4) and FACS, a flow cytometer. Analyzes were performed with Calibur (BD Bioscience) and Flow jo (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Each sample was analyzed by a dot plot, and then the CD45 + cell group, CD45 ⁺ CD3 ⁺ CD4 ⁺ cell group, and CD45 ⁺ CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ cell group and CD45 ⁺ CD3 ^- CD49b ⁺ cell group were measured as total tumor infiltrating immune cells and tumor infiltrates, respectively. CD4 ⁺ T cells and tumor infiltrating CD8 ⁺ T cells were defined. Calculate the ratio of these cells to the cells isolated from the total tumor, multiply the number of cells counted with hemocytometer, and then increase total tumor infiltrating immune cells, tumor infiltrating CD4 ⁺ T cells after mono-mIL-12-Fc administration, and The number of tumor infiltrating CD8 ⁺ T cells was analyzed.

As a result, compared with the control group, bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc showed the number of total immune cells, CD4 ⁺ T cells, and CD8 ⁺ T cells infiltrating tumors in tumor-transplanted mice. It can be confirmed that increased. Mono-mIL-12-Fc increased the number of total immune cells, CD4 ⁺ T cells, and CD8 ⁺ T cells infiltrated tumors more significantly than bi-mIL-12-Fc. Therefore, mono-mIL-12-Fc significantly increased the number of CD4 + T cells and CD8 ⁺ T cells infiltrating tumors than bi-mIL-12-Fc.

Example 17: Evaluation of cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity function of mono-mIL-12-Fc in vivo immune cells

IL-12 is known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells by increasing IFN-g secretion of T cells and NK cells (Trinchieri, 2003). IL-12 also has an anticancer effect by enhancing direct cytotoxic effects on cancer cells of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. Therefore, we analyzed whether the anti-cancer effect of Mono-IL-12-Fc was due to the increase of serum IFN-g concentration and the direct cytotoxic effect of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells on cancer cells.

Specifically, blood was collected from the facial vein of the mouse 24 hours after the last mIL-12-Fc fusion protein administration in FIG. 20 (A). The blood was left at room temperature for 2 hours to induce coagulation, and then centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 10 minutes to recover serum from the upper layer. To measure serum IFN-γ concentration, a mouse IFN-γ capture antibody was coated in a 96-well plate for ELISA (Thermo Fisher Scientific) for 12 hours, followed by washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20). 1% BSA (PBS with 1% bovine serum albumin) was added and blocked for 1 hour at room temperature. After washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), the serum was diluted 10-fold with 1% BSA and reacted at room temperature for 2 hours. After washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), biotin-coupled mouse IFN-γ detection antibody (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was bound for 1 hour at room temperature. After washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), avidin-bound HRP (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was bound for 30 minutes at room temperature, followed by washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), followed by TMB (Sigma- Aldrich Korea) was used to measure the absorbance at 450 nm using a microplate reader. As shown in FIG. 23 (A), serum IFN-γ levels of mice administered bi-mIL-12-Fc were not increased compared to the control group. However, the concentration of IFN-γ in the serum of mice treated with mono-mIL-12-Fc up to a molar concentration such as 1 μg IL-12 was found to be increased in a concentration-dependent manner compared with the control group. Tumor formation of mono-mIL-12-Fc was observed. It was confirmed that the inhibitory effect was due to increased secretion of IFN-γ, which is known to have some cancer cell proliferation inhibitory effects.

In mice transplanted with tumors, bi-mIL-12-Fc was not capable of inducing IFN-γ secretion by NK cells and T cells, and thus, bi-mIL-12-Fc was administered in FIG. 23 (A). To determine if the level of IFN-γ in the blood was low, mono-mIL-12-Fc and bi-mIL-12-Fc were administered only once, and then blood IFN-γ levels were measured over time.

FIG. 23 (B) shows IFN-γ in serum by time after intraperitoneal administration of bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc to Balb / c mice transplanted with CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Ne colorectal cancer cells. Concentration was measured by ELISA.

Specifically, in a Balb / c mouse transplanted with CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu colorectal cancer cells, when the tumor size was 300 mm ³ , bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL- at a molar concentration of 1 μg rmIL-12 12-Fc was administered intraperitoneally. Blood was collected from the facial veins of mice after 1, 3 and 5 days. The blood was left at room temperature for 2 hours to induce coagulation, and then centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 10 minutes to recover serum from the upper layer. To measure serum IFN-γ concentration, a mouse IFN-γ capture antibody was coated in a 96-well plate for ELISA (Thermo Fisher Scientific) for 12 hours, followed by washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20). 1% BSA (PBS with 1% bovine serum albumin) was added and blocked for 1 hour at room temperature. After washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), the serum was diluted 10-fold with 1% BSA and reacted at room temperature for 2 hours. After washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), biotin-coupled mouse IFN-γ detection antibody (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was bound for 1 hour at room temperature. After washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), avidin-bound HRP (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was bound for 30 minutes at room temperature, followed by washing with PBST (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), followed by TMB (Sigma- Aldrich Korea) was used to measure the absorbance at 450 nm using a microplate reader. As shown in FIG. 23 (B), the bi-mIL-12-Fc-administered group showed a similar concentration of IFN-γ in the blood to the mono-mIL-12-Fc-treated group until day 5 in the tumor-grafted mice. There was no inherent deficiency in the ability of -Fc to induce the secretion of IFN-γ in effector cells.

Specifically, 72 hours after the last cytokine administration in FIG. 21 (A), mice were killed and spleens were removed and spleens and PBS were put into a 60 mm dish containing 70 micron mesh and ground. The cells obtained by centrifugation were lysed with red blood cell hemolysis buffer, and then washed with PBS and washed with PBS, an APC conjugated antibody that recognizes CD3 (Thermo Fisher Scientific), and a PE conjugated antibody that recognizes CD8 (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The reaction was carried out for 30 minutes at 4 ℃. After washing with PBS, cytotoxic T cells (CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ ) were isolated by FACS Aria III (BD biosciences, Korea). To determine the cytotoxic effect on target cells in CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells of a cytotoxic T cell CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu Cancer cells were stained with calcein AM (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., 10 μM). After CT26 ^{HER2 / Neu} cancer cells (2 × 10 ⁶ ) were suspended in 2 ml of DPBS, 2 μl of calcein AM (10 mM) was added and mixed, followed by reaction for 45 minutes at 5% CO ₂ and 37 ° C. A RPMI1640 with 10% FBS was added 10 ml into three times, washed, and then put into a 2 × 10 ⁴ cells per well in a 96-well plate cytotoxic T cells ^{(1 × 10 5/100 μl} / well) into each 5 % CO ₂ , incubated for 4 hours at 37 ℃ incubator. Live CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells that fluoresce green and dead CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells that do not fluoresce green were analyzed by flow cytometry to express the cytotoxic effect of cytotoxic T cells in percentage. Cytotoxic T cells isolated from tumor-grafted mice treated with Mono-mIL-12-Fc were cytotoxic T cells isolated from tumor-grafted mice administered bi-mIL-12-Fc or cytotoxic T cells isolated from the control group. The cytotoxic effect on CT26 ^{HER2 / Neu} cancer cells, which are more target cells, was higher, and the tumor suppression effect of mono-mIL-12-Fc was a direct cytotoxic effect of cancer cells by some cytotoxic T cells.

Figure 23 (D) is the third dose of Figure 21 (A) to determine whether the cytotoxic effect of cytotoxic T cells enhanced by administration of mono-IL-12-Fc in tumor-grafted mice is cancer antigen specific. Three days later, the cytotoxic effect of cytotoxic T cells isolated from the spleen by lethal mice was measured using CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells expressing tumor antigen and 4T1 cells not expressing tumor antigen.

Specifically, 72 hours after the three-time administration of mono-IL-12-Fc in FIG. 20 (A), mice were killed and spleens were removed, and spleen and PBS were placed in a 60 mm dish containing 70 micron mesh. Pulverized. Cytotoxic T target cells in CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu tumor cells and cytotoxic T Target cells 4T1 cytotoxic effect in the same way as FIG. 21 (C) to measure CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer with 4T1 tumor cells to a non-cellular in the cell Were stained with calcein AM (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., 10 μΜ). The RPMI1640 with 10% FBS was added 10 ml into three times, washed, and then put into a 2 × 10 ⁴ cells per well in a 96-well plate cytotoxic T cells ^{(1 × 10 5/100 μl} / well) into each 5 % CO ₂ , incubated for 4 hours at 37 ℃ incubator. Green Fluorescent Live CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu Dead CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu with no green fluorescence with cancer cells or 4T1 cancer cells Cancer cells or 4T1 cancer cells were analyzed by flow cytometry to express the cytotoxic effects of cytotoxic T cells in percentage. As a result, it was confirmed that the cytotoxic effect of the cytotoxic T cells enhanced by the administration of mono-mIL-12-Fc was target cell specific.

Figure 23 (E) is a result of measuring the cytotoxic effect on CT26 ^{HER2 / Neu} cancer cells of natural killer cells isolated from the spleen by killing the mouse 3 days after the third administration of Figure 21 (A).

Specifically, 3 days after the third dose in FIG. 21 (A), mice were killed and spleens were removed, and spleens and PBS were put in a 60 mm dish containing 70 micron mesh and ground. The cells obtained by centrifugation were lysed with red blood cell hemolysis buffer, washed with PBS, and washed with PBS, and APC-bound antibody (Thermo Fisher Scientific) that recognizes CD3 and PE-bound antibody (Thermo Fisher Scientific) that recognizes CD49b. The reaction was carried out for 30 minutes at 4 ℃. After washing with PBS, natural killer cells (CD3 ^- CD49b ⁺ ) were separated by FACS Aria III (BD biosciences, Korea). CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu Cancer cells were stained with calcein AM (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., 10 μM) to measure the cytotoxicity of the target cells in CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells of NK cells. CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells (2 × 10 ⁶ ) were suspended in 2 ml of DPBS, 2 μl of calcein AM (10 mM) were mixed and allowed to react for 45 minutes at 5% CO ₂ , 37 ° C. A RPMI1640 with 10% FBS was added 10 ml into three by three times, and then each well in a 96-well plate into a 2 × 10 ⁴ cells into natural killer cells ^{(1 × 10 5/100 μl} / well) , respectively 5% Incubated for 4 hours in a CO ₂ , 37 ℃ incubator. Live CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells that fluoresce green and dead CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells that do not fluoresce green were analyzed by flow cytometry to express the cytotoxic effect of natural killer cells in percentage. Natural killer cells isolated from tumor-grafted mice treated with Mono-mIL-12-Fc were more targeted than natural killer cells isolated from bi-mIL-12-Fc-treated mice or with cytotoxic T cells isolated from the control group. The cytotoxic effect on CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cancer cells, which are the cells, was high, and the tumor suppression effect of mono-mIL-12-Fc was a direct cytotoxic effect of cancer cells by some natural killer cells.

Example 18 Effect of mono-mIL-12-Fc in Vivo Evaluation of CD8 ⁺ T Cells and Memory CD8 ⁺ T Cell Formability

The generation of adaptive immunity in tumor-grafted mice is assessed by effector memory CD8 ⁺ T cells and memory CD8 ⁺ T cell formation. Tumor elimination effect by Mono-mIL-12-Fc was determined by the effect memory CD8 ⁺ T cells and memory CD8 ⁺ T cell formation.

24 (A), 24 (B) and 24 (C) show effect CD8 ⁺ T cells, effect memory CD8 ⁺ T cells and memory CD8 generated when mono-mIL-12-Fc was administered to mice with tumors, respectively. ^{+ The} result of measuring the number of T cells.

Specifically, after treatment as 21 (A), the mouse spleen was extracted at 34 days after tumor transplantation, pulverized using a wire mesh in Petri dishes, washed with 10 ml of medium containing 2% FBS, and then erythrocyte hemolysis buffer 1 ml of red blood cell lysis buffer was added to erythrocytes, and then washed with PBS to prepare a splenocyte suspension, and the number of cells was counted with a hemocytometer. Splenocytes were stained at 4 ° C. for 30 minutes with antibodies recognizing CD3, CD8, CD62L and IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) bound to PE-cy5, PE, FITC or APC, and cold stained with PBS (pH 7.4). After washing, they were analyzed by flow cytometry, FACS Calibur (BD Bioscience) and Flow jo (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Each sample was analyzed by dot plot to determine CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ CD62L ^low IL-7R ^low Cell groups, CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ CD62L ^low IL-7R ^hi cell populations and CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ CD62L ^hi IL-7R ^hi cell populations were defined as effect CD8 ⁺ T cells, effect memory CD8 ⁺ T cells and memory CD8 + T cells, respectively. The number of effect CD8 ⁺ T cells, effect memory CD8 ⁺ T cells, and memory CD8 ⁺ T cells after mono-mIL-12-Fc administration was analyzed by multiplying the number of cells counted by hemocytometer. . As a result, it was confirmed that mono-mIL-12-Fc increased the number of effect memory CD8 ⁺ T cells and memory CD8 ⁺ T cells in a tumor-grafted mouse compared with the control group. On the other hand, bi-mIL-12-Fc increased the number of effect memory CD8 ⁺ T cells and memory CD8 ⁺ T cells only in the group administered with a molar concentration such as 0.5 μg IL-12, and the molar like 1 μg IL-12. The concentration group did not increase the number of effect memory CD8 ⁺ T cells and memory CD8 ⁺ T cells. Therefore, mono-mIL-12-Fc significantly increased the number of effect memory CD8 + T cells and memory CD8 + T cells than bi-mIL-12-Fc.

Figure 24 (D) is in the mice survived 120 days after the administration in 21 (A) to FIG 1㎍ mono-IL-12-Fc CT26 HER2 / Neu Cancer cells are transplanted to measure the change in the tumor volume of the mouse.

Specifically, in FIG. 21 (A), the last 1 μg mono-IL-12- was applied to female Balb / c mice (NARA Biotech, Korea) that matched the age of the surviving mice after administration of 1 μg mono-IL-12-Fc. On day 120 after Fc administration, the hair of the mouse was removed with a razor and CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu cells (1 × 10 ⁶ cells / mouse) were transplanted into the mouse subcutaneously diluted in 150 μL PBS. Thereafter, additional 1㎍ mono-IL-12-Fc of the measurement without the administration of the tumor twice a week, and the volume (V) of the tumor was calculated as V = L x W ^2/2. As a result, compared with the control group, the mice survived after the administration of 1 μg mono-mIL-12-Fc was confirmed that the tumor was removed from day 11. Therefore, it was confirmed that administration of mono-mIL-12-Fc to tumor-grafted mice produces effect memory CD8 ⁺ T cells and memory CD8 ⁺ T cells, even if the same tumor is transplanted again.

Example 19 Evaluation of Memory Bulb Effect of Mono-mIL-12-Fc in Vivo CD8 ⁺ T Cell Formation Capacity

In Examples 16 and 18, bi-mIL-12-Fc was compared with mono-mIL-12-Fc in the number of spleen CD8 ⁺ T cells, the number of effect memory CD8 + T cells, and central memory CD8 in mice transplanted with tumors. ^The effect of increasing the number of ⁺ T cells was observed to be low. After activated CD8 ⁺ T cells directly destroy tumor cells, the effect CD8 ⁺ T cells are partially differentiated into memory CD8 + T cells through memory precursor effector cells (MPEC) and are mostly short-lived. It has been reported to die as short-lived effector cells (SLEC). Thus, the CD8 ⁺ T cell activation by the administration of a bi-mIL-12-Fc are generated less the number of memory CD8 ⁺ T cells differentiate into short-lived because the effect was determined whether the cells do not remove the tumor.

FIG. 24 (E) shows memory precursor effect cells (KLRG1 ^- IL-7R ⁺ ) and short-lived effect cells (KLRG1) among CD8 ⁺ T cells present in the spleen after 3 days of the third administration of FIG. 21 (A). ⁺ IL-7R ^- an analysis of the rate of).

Specifically, after treatment as 21 (A), the mouse spleen was extracted on the 24th day of tumor transplantation, and then pulverized using a wire mesh in Petri dishes and washed with 10 ml of medium containing 2% FBS. Thereafter, 1 ml of red blood cell lysis buffer was added to lyse red blood cells, and then washed with PBS to prepare a cell suspension. Splenocytes were stained at 4 ° C. for 30 minutes with antibodies recognizing CD3, CD8, KLRG1 and IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) bound to PE-cy5, PE, FITC or APC, and cold stained with PBS (pH 7.4). After washing, they were analyzed by flow cytometry, FACS Calibur (BD Bioscience) and Flow jo (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Each sample was analyzed by dot plot to define CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ KLRG1 ^- IL-7R ⁺ cell group and CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ KLRG1_ ⁺ IL-7R ^- cell group as memory precursor cells and short-lived effect cells, respectively. The ratio for splenocytes was analyzed. As a result, it was confirmed that mono-mIL-12-Fc increased the percentage of memory precursor effector cells in a concentration-dependent manner compared with the control group. On the other hand, the administration of bi-mIL-12-Fc did not increase the proportion of memory precursor cells compared to the control group, but rather increased the number of short-lived cells. Therefore, mono-mIL-12-Fc promoted the production of memory precursor cells more than bi-mIL-12-Fc and significantly increased the number of effect memory CD8 ⁺ T cells and memory CD8 ⁺ T cells, resulting in a higher tumor removal effect. Confirmed.

Example 20: Evaluation of the Effect of Mono-mIL-12-Fc on the Expression of Transcription Factors Related to Memory Cell Differentiation Induction

Administration of high concentrations of IL-12 to CD8 ⁺ T cells or continuous activation of IL-12 for more than two days increases expression of T-bet, a transcription factor that differentiates CD8 + T cells into short-lived effect cells, Has been reported to reduce the expression of eomesodermin (Eomes), a transcription factor that differentiates to. Therefore, we measured whether mono-mIL-12-Fc and bi-mIL-12-Fc differentiated T-bet and Eomes in CD8 ⁺ T cells and differentiated them into short-lived effect cells.

25 (A) and 25 (B) show the percentage of CD8 + T cells with high expression of T-bet that inhibits the differentiation of memory cells in the spleen by killing mice 3 days after the third dose of FIG. 21 (A). This is the result of measuring the ratio of CD8 ⁺ T cells with high expression of Eomes and low expression of T-bet that promotes the differentiation of memory cells by flow cytometry.

Specifically, after treatment as 21 (A), the mouse spleen was extracted on the 24th day of tumor transplantation, and then pulverized using a wire mesh in Petri dishes and washed with 10 ml of medium containing 2% FBS. Thereafter, 1 ml of red blood cell lysis buffer was added to lyse red blood cells, and then washed with PBS to prepare a cell suspension. Splenocytes were stained with PE-cy5 or FITC-coupled CD3 and CD8 antibodies for 30 minutes at 4 ° C, washed with cold PBS (pH 7.4), and stained with transcription factor Foxp3 / Transcription Factor. The cells were fixed and permeabilized using Staining Buffer Set (Thermo Fisher Scientific), and then stained for 30 minutes at 4 ° C. with an antibody recognizing T-bet or Eomes bound to PE or efluor 660. Permeabilization buffer was added and analyzed by flow cytometry FACS Calibur (BD Bioscience) and Flow jo (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Each sample was analyzed by dot plot to analyze the ratio of CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ T-bet ^high cell population and CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ Eomes ⁺ T-bet ^low cell population. As a result, mono-mIL-12-Fc reduced the proportion of CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ T-bet ^high cell populations in a tumor-dependent mouse compared to the control group, and decreased the concentration of CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ Eomes ⁺ T-bet ^low cells. It was confirmed that the ratio was increased. On the other hand, bi-mIL-12-Fc decreased the proportion of CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ T-bet ^high cell population only in the group administered with 0.5 μg IL-12, and CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ Eomes ⁺ T-bet ^low The percentage of cell population was increased, and in the group administered with a molar concentration such as 1 μg IL-12, the percentage of CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ T-bet ^high cell population was decreased or the percentage of CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ Eomes ⁺ T-bet ^low cell population was decreased. There was no increasing effect. Therefore, mono-mIL-12-Fc reduces the proportion of CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ T-bet ^high cell population and increases the ratio of CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ Eomes ⁺ T-bet ^low cell population than bi-mIL-12-Fc. The number of CD8 ⁺ T cells and memory CD8 ⁺ T cells was significantly increased to confirm that the tumor removal effect was high.

CD8 ⁺ T cells, when stimulated with inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12 in the presence of T cell receptor and co-stimulatory signals, increase phosphorylation of STAT4, and phosphorylated STAT4 (pSTAT4) migrates inside the nucleus to the T-bet enhancer. It is known to bind to increase expression of T-bet. Therefore, when 8 μg IL-12 at a molar concentration of bi-mIL-12-Fc is administered, CD8 ⁺ T cells are differentiated into short-lived cells. Fc administration increased the expression of pSTAT4 and T-bet when CD8 ⁺ T cells were activated in the groin lymph nodes, the tumor draining lymph nodes of mice transplanted with tumors than mono-mIL-12-Fc. Cognitive was measured.

Figure 25 (C) shows the molar concentrations of bi-mIL-12-Fc and mono-mIL-12-Fc at the same molar concentration of 1 μg rmIL-12 when the tumor size was 300 mm ³ in CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Ne transplanted Balb / c mice. The expression level of phosphorylated STAT4 in CD8 ⁺ T cells isolated from inguinal lymph nodes 24 hours after one intraperitoneal administration was measured by flow cytometry.

Specifically, in the Balb / c mouse transplanted with CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu colorectal cancer cells as shown in FIG. 23 (B), when the tumor size is 300 mm ³ , bi-mIL-12-Fc with a molar concentration of 1 μg rmIL-12 and mono-mIL-12-Fc was intraperitoneally administered. After 24 hours, the groin lymph nodes of the mouse were extracted, pulverized with a wire mesh in Petri dishes, and washed with 10 ml of medium containing 2% FBS. Thereafter, 1 ml of red blood cell lysis buffer was added to lyse red blood cells, and then washed with PBS to prepare a cell suspension. Inguinal lymph node cells were stained with PE-cy5 or FITC-coupled CD3 and CD8 antibodies for 30 minutes at 4 ° C, washed with cold PBS (pH 7.4), and fixed with cold methanol. The inguinal lymph node cells were then washed with cold PBS (pH 7.4), and then stained with cold PBS (pH 7.4) for 30 minutes at 4 ° C with an antibody recognizing pSTAT4 bound to APC, followed by FACS Calibur (flow cytometry). BD Bioscience) and Flow jo (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Each sample was analyzed by dot plot to compare the amount of pSTAT4 expressed in CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ T cells. As a result, compared with mono-mIL-12-Fc, bi-mIL-12-Fc increased the expression of pSTAT4 when CD8 ⁺ T cells were activated in the groin lymph nodes of tumor-grafted mice.

Figure 25 (D) is a result of measuring the ratio of CD8 ⁺ T cells expressing T-bet inhibiting the differentiation of memory cells in the groin lymph nodes 72 hours after one intraperitoneal administration of Figure 25 (C) by flow cytometry.

Specifically, in the Balb / c mouse transplanted with CT26 ^HER2 ^/ ^Neu colorectal cancer cells as shown in FIG. 23 (B), when the tumor size is 300 mm ³ , bi-mIL-12-Fc with a molar concentration of 1 μg rmIL-12 and mono-mIL-12-Fc was intraperitoneally administered. After 72 hours, the groin lymph nodes of the mice were removed, pulverized with a wire mesh in Petri dishes, and washed with 10 ml of medium containing 2% FBS. Thereafter, 1 ml of red blood cell lysis buffer was added to lyse red blood cells, and then washed with PBS to prepare a cell suspension. Inguinal lymph node cells were stained with PE-cy5 or FITC-bound CD3 and CD8 antibody for 30 minutes at 4 ° C, washed with cold PBS (pH 7.4), and stained with transcription factor Foxp3 / Transcription. Cells were fixed and permeabilized using a Factor Staining Buffer Set (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Afterwards, the antibody recognizes T-bet conjugated with PE or APC, and then stained at 4 ° C. for 30 minutes, and then added a permeabilization buffer to FACS Calibur (BD Bioscience) and Flow jo (Thermo Fisher Scientific). ). Each sample was analyzed by dot plot to compare the proportion of CD3 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ T cells expressing T-bet. As a result, compared with mono-mIL-12-Fc, bi-mIL-12-Fc increased the expression of T-bet when CD8 ⁺ T cells were activated in the groin lymph nodes of mice transplanted with tumors. Therefore, the differentiation of CD8 + T cells into monolithic cells when bi-mIL-12-Fc at the same molar concentration as 1 μg IL-12 was observed in the peritumor lymph nodes of mice transplanted with tumors than mono-mIL-12-Fc. It was confirmed that the expression of pSTAT4 and T-bet was increased when CD8 + T cells were activated in the inguinal lymph nodes (tumor draining lymph nodes).

25 (E) and 25 (F) cross-link mono-mIL-12-Fc with an antibody that recognizes Fc, such as bi-mIL-12-Fc, which expresses two molecules of IL-12 in one molecule. When CD8 + T cells were stimulated by IL-12 of the molecule, we measured whether pSTAT4 and T-bet expression was increased to a level similar to that of bi-mIL-12-Fc treatment.

Specifically, spleen and groin lymph nodes were extracted from normal Balb / c mice, pulverized using a wire mesh in Petri dishes, and washed with 10 ml of medium containing 2% FBS. Thereafter, 1 ml of red blood cell lysis buffer was added to lyse red blood cells, and then washed with PBS to prepare a cell suspension. Lymphocytes were stained for 30 minutes at 4 ° C with antibodies bound to PE-binding CD8, washed with cold PBS (pH 7.4), and then combined with anti-PE microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec) for 15 minutes. Miltenyi Biotec) was used to isolate CD8 ⁺ T cells. Put 100 μl of antibody that recognizes 0.5 μg / ml of CD3, and wash 96-well round bottom plate incubated for 12 hours at 4 ° C with PBS to remove the antibody that recognizes CD3 not attached to the plate. 50 μl of antibody recognizing CD28 was added. Then, mono-mIL-12-Fc and bi-mIL-12-Fc were reacted for 30 minutes at 4 ° C. with an antibody that recognizes various concentrations of Fc, and then added to the same concentration as 20 pM IL-12. Thereafter, CD8 + T cells (4 × 10 ⁴ / well) were added thereto, and cultured at 37 ° C. for 3 hours to measure pSTAT4 expression, and 3 days to measure T-bet expression. Expression of pSTAT4 and T-bet were stained by the method of FIGS. 25 (C) and 25 (D), respectively, and analyzed by flow cytometry, FACS Calibur (BD Bioscience) and Flow jo (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Each sample was analyzed by dot plot to compare the amount of pSTAT4 or T-bet expressed in CD8 ⁺ T cells. As a result, when mono-mIL-12-Fc was cross-linked with an antibody that recognizes Fc, the CD8 + T cells were stimulated by two molecules of IL-12, similar to those treated with bi-mIL-12-Fc. As a result, the expression of pSTAT4 and T-bet was increased.

In conclusion, as illustrated in FIG. 26, mono-mIL-12-Fc induces less expression of pSTAT4 and T-bet in CD8 ⁺ T cells than bi-mIL-12-Fc so that CD8 + T cells have a memory effect. Differentiation into cells leads to differentiation into effect memory cells and central memory cells, so even at low concentrations (molar concentrations such as 0.5 μg IL-12), the tumors of mice transplanted with tumors can be removed to extend the lifespan of the mice. . On the other hand, bi-mIL-12-Fc induces the expression of pSTAT4 and T-bet in CD8 ⁺ T cells to differentiate into short-lived effect cells and to prevent differentiation into memory cells, thus molar concentrations such as mono-mIL-12-Fc When administered to the mouse, the tumor was not completely removed from the transplanted mouse, and cytotoxic CD8 ⁺ T in the effector phase was directly administered at a higher concentration (molar concentration such as 2 μg IL-12). The cells must be expanded to remove the tumor.

Heterodimeric Fc-fused protein according to the antibody heavy chain constant region according to the present invention by forming a protein complex of two or more subunits to mimic the physiologically active protein forms in nature, It can maintain the activity as it exists in nature, and also has the advantage that the half-life in the body of the bioactive protein can be significantly extended.

In addition, the heterodimeric-fusion protein (heterodimeric Fc-fused protein) form according to the present invention has the advantage that it is easy to prepare a monovalent heterodimer-fusion protein without further purification process optimization.

As described above in detail a specific part of the content of the present invention, for those skilled in the art, such a specific description is only a preferred embodiment, which is not limited by the scope of the present invention Will be obvious. Thus, the substantial scope of the present invention will be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Electronic file attached.

Claims

A first Fc region and a second Fc region of an antibody (immunoglobulin) heavy chain constant region (Fc) pair,

Heteroodimeric Fc-fused antibody heavy chain constant region, in which a subunit of a physiologically active protein is bound to one or more of the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region and / or the second Fc region. protein)

The bioactive protein is composed of two or more different subunits (subunit), the two or more different subunits (subunit) is characterized in that the protein complex (protein complex) to form a physiological activity,

The first Fc region and the second Fc region are heterologous antibody-heteroodimeric Fc-fused proteins, characterized in that the CH3 domain is mutated to promote the formation of heterodimeric Fc.
The method of claim 1,

One of the subunits of the bioactive protein is bound to either the N-terminus or the C-terminus of the first Fc region or the second Fc region, and the remaining subunits of the bioactive protein are linker-mediated. The antibody heavy chain constant heterodimer-fusion protein, which is bound to a subunit of a bioactive protein bound to either the N-terminus or the C-terminus of the 1 Fc region or the second Fc region in the form.
The method of claim 1,

The antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer, in which one or more different subunits constituting one bioactive protein is respectively bound to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region and the second Fc region, respectively. Fusion proteins.
The method of claim 1,

Physiologically active proteins in which different subunits form one protein complex and exhibit activity are interleukin 12 (IL-12), interleukin 23 (IL-23), interleukin 27 (IL-27), and interleukin 35 (IL-35) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) heterodimer-fusion protein, characterized in that it is selected from the group consisting of.
The method of claim 4, wherein

Biologically active heterozygote-fusion protein, characterized in that the physiologically active protein showing the activity by different subunits forming one protein complex (interleukin 12) (IL-12).
The method of claim 5,

The p35 or p40 subunit of interleukin 12 (IL-12) is bound to only one of the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region or the second Fc region, and the remaining subunits are linker-mediated. The antibody heavy chain constant heterodimer-fusion protein, which is bound to a subunit bound to either N-terminus or C-terminus of the 1 Fc region or the second Fc region in the form.
The method of claim 5,

An antibody heavy chain constant heterodimer-fusion protein wherein p35 and p40 subunits of interleukin 12 (IL-12) are respectively bound to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the first Fc region and the second Fc region.
The method of claim 1,

Wherein the first Fc region and the second Fc region are derived from an Fc region selected from the group consisting of human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE, respectively. protein.
The method of claim 1,

Wherein the first Fc region and the second Fc region are contained in a whole antibody form consisting of human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE. Sieve-fusion protein.
The method of claim 1,

The mutation of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region or the second Fc region comprises at least one mutation selected from the group of the antibody heavy chain constant heterodimer-fusion protein. (However, the mutation position is according to the EU index)

(1) substitution of the amino acid residue of K370E, K370R, K370M, K370D or K370H at the K370 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region;

(2) substitution of the amino acid residues of E357N, E357D, E357A, E357I, E357G, or E357M at the E357 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region, and the substitution at the S364 position comprises a substitution of an amino acid residue of S364T or S364W;

(3) substitution of the amino acid residue of K409W at the K409 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region; And

(4) substitution of the F405T amino acid residue at the F405 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region, and substitution of the amino acid residue of D399V at the D399 position.
The method of claim 1,

The mutation of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region or the second Fc region comprises at least one mutation selected from the group of the antibody heavy chain constant heterodimer-fusion protein. (However, the mutation position is according to the EU index)

(1) substitution of the amino acid residue of K360E at the K360 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region;

(2) substitution of the amino acid residue of E347R at the E347 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region;

(3) substitution of the amino acid residue of K409W at the K409 position of the CH3 domain of the first Fc region;

(4) substitution of the F405T amino acid residue at the F405 position of the CH3 domain of the second Fc region, and substitution of the amino acid residue of D399V at the D399 position.
The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein

The heterodimer-fusion protein of claim 1, further comprising the following bonds in the CH3 domains of the first and second Fc regions. (However, the position is according to the EU index)

(1) cysteine (C) substituted at the Y349 position in the CH3 domain of the first Fc region; And

(2) binding of cysteine (C) substituted at the S354 position in the CH3 domain of the second Fc region.
A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
The method of claim 13,

Pharmaceutical composition, characterized in that the bioactive protein contained in the antibody heavy chain constant region heterodimer-fusion protein is interleukin 12 (IL-12).
The method of claim 14,

Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cancer.
The method of claim 15,

The cancer is a pharmaceutical composition, characterized in that selected from the group consisting of colon cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, small intestine cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma and hematologic cancer.
The method of claim 15,

Pharmaceutical compositions for the combination treatment with other anticancer agents.