Abstract:
Disclosed herein are low immunogenic human anti-TNF-α antibodies which can inhibit the apopotosis of cells induced by TNF-α. The invented low immunogenic human anti-TNF-α antibodies are capable of binding to TNF-α specifically. The invention presents the human anti-TNF-α antibodies which bind to TNF-α with similar affinities as Adalimumab. Most importantly, the invented human anti-TNF-α antibodies showed reduced immunogenicities in vivo, which made them safer candidate for antibody drug and other biotherapy. The invention also features method of de-immunogenicity of antibody drugs by identification, replacement of high immunogenic FR sequence(s) of the human antibody with low immunogenic FR sequences from other human IgGs, and significantly reduce the risk of human anti-human immunogenicity and improve the efficacy of antibody drugs.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to de-immunogenicity of anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) antibodies and applications of using the same for treating inflammatory diseases and other human diseases. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    TNF is an immunity-modulating cytokine required for immune processes. The unregulated activities of TNFs can lead to the development of inflammatory diseases. Excess amounts of TNF-expressed in cells are associated with the development of immune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn&#39;s disease, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The function of TNF requires binding to its two receptors, TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2). Blocking the interaction between TNF and TNFRs has successfully been developed as a therapy in treating inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. TNF neutralization therapies, including the use of a soluble TNFR2-Fc recombinant (Etanercept), a mouse-human chimera mAb (Infliximab), or a human mAb (Adalimumab), have been introduced in the past decades for the management of rheumatoid arthritis and other immune diseases. 
         [0003]    However, although it is fully human antibody, high immunogenicity has been observed in human patients treated with Adalimumab. Anti-drug antibody (ADA) to Adalimumab was detected in up to 75% of the patients. It was also reported that the annual loss of response to Adalimumab was calculated to be 24%. ADA was considered as the causes of treatment failures, and it is believed that ADAs might reduce drug efficacy by competing with the endogenous ligand (neutralizing antibodies, Nab) and/or by forming immune complex, which accelerate the clearance of the drug from the circulation. Therefore there is need to develop a better anti-TNF antibody with lower immunogenicity and longer efficicay. 
         [0004]    This invention is about the de-immunogenicity of human anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) antibody Adalimumab, designed as clones TCX002-L3H4, L1H4. etc, which bind to the same epitope from the one recognized by Adalimumab, but with much lower immunogenicities in vivo. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides the human anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) antibodies with reduced immunogenicities and methods of using the same for neutralizing the TNF-α induced cell death and for treating inflammatory diseases and other human diseases. In one aspect, the present invention features TNF-α-binding molecules and their DNA and amino acid sequences. Each molecule comprises the CDRs from human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody Adalimumab and the FRs from different human origins. 
         [0006]    The present invention also provides a method to develop human antibodies with reduced immunogenicities by replacing the FRs of the original human monoclonal antibody with the FRs from different human origins. 
         [0007]    In addition, the present invention also provides one example of using the method to develop human anti-TNF-α antibodies with reduced immunogenicities by replacing the FRs of human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody Adalimumab with the FRs from different human origins. 
         [0008]    The present invention features de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibodies with one of the amino acid sequences of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.11-15 or 23, and one of the amino acid sequences of heavy chains shown in SEQ ID NO.16-20. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, the present invention features de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibodies with one of the DNA sequences of light chains L1-L5 shown in SEQ ID NO.1-5, and one of the DNA sequences of heavy chains h1-h5 shown in SEQ ID NO.6-10. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, the present invention features de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.13, and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID19. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, the present invention features de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.3, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID.9 
         [0012]    The present invention provides the sequences for 10 de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibodies, named as L3h2, L3h4, L5h2, L4h1, L4h2, L4h4, L1h3, L2h1, L0h4 and L2h5, which have similar affinities as the original and can block the binding of TNF-α to its receptors TNFRs p55 and p75. 
         [0013]    Whereas, the de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody L3h2 with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.13 and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.17, and with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.3, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.7. 
         [0014]    Whereas, the de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody L3h4 with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.13 and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.19 and with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.3, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.9. 
         [0015]    Whereas, the de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody L5h2 with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.15 and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.17, and with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.5, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.7. 
         [0016]    Whereas, the de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody L4h1 with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.14 and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.16, and with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.4, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.6. 
         [0017]    Whereas, the de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody L4h2 with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.14 and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.17, and with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.4, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.7. 
         [0018]    Whereas, the de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody L4h4 with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.14 and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.19, and with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.4, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.9. 
         [0019]    Whereas, the de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody L1h3 with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.11 and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.18, and with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.1, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.8. 
         [0020]    Whereas, the de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody L2h1 with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.12 and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.16, and with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.2, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.6. 
         [0021]    Whereas, the de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody L2h5 with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.12 and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.20, and with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.2, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.10. 
         [0022]    Whereas, the de-immunized human anti-TNF-α antibody L0h4 with the amino acid sequence of light chains shown in SEQ ID NO.23 and the amino acid sequences of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.19, and with the DNA sequence of light chain shown in SEQ ID NO.21, and the DNA sequence of heavy chain shown in SEQ ID No.9. 
         [0023]    The present invention features the expression plasmid containing the de-immunized anti-TNF-α antibody sequences. 
         [0024]    The present invention also covers the plasmid, the host cells containing the de-immunized anti-TNF-α antibody sequences. 
         [0025]    The invention also provides de-immunized anti-TNF-α antibodies for treatment of human diseases targeting TNF-α. 
         [0026]    The TNF-α-binding molecules or antibodies of the present invention can be used to inhibit the death of cells. 
         [0027]    In addition, the TNF-A-binding molecules or antibodies of the present invention can be used to treat human diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn&#39;s disease, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. These methods comprise administrating an effective amount of a TNF-α-binding molecule or antibody of the present invention to a subject in need thereof. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, the present invention also features pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions comprising a TNF-α-binding molecule or antibody of the present invention. 
         [0029]    The present invention provides the method of de-immunogenicity of anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody, including:
       1. Analysis the FR sequences of anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody Adalimumab and identify the sequences with high immunogenicities.   2. Align the FR sequences of anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody Adalimumab against the ones of human IgGs in NCBI database, and find the ones with high homologies but lower immunogenicities.   3. Replace the high immunogenic FR sequence(s) of anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody Adalimumab with low immunogenic FR sequences from other human antibodies.   4. Perform 3D structure modeling of the newly designed antibody sequences against the anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody Adalimumab using Pymol program to identify the ones with closest resembling of the original antibody.   5. Once the variable region sequences confirmed, chemically synthesize both the rariable sequences with artificially added restriction enzyme sites (Kpn I and BamH I for light chain variable region, KpnI and AgeI for heavy chain variable region), ligate to vector pJH16 to obtain the expression plasmids for heavy chain and light chain of human antibody (Results see  FIG. 1 ). Screen for positive clones after transformation by sequencing and restriction enzyme digestions.   6. Extract the plasmids using the kit from Qiagen following the instruction from the manufacturer.   7. Transient co-transfect the different combinations of the human light and heavy chain expression plasmids produced different human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies with different expression levels and affinities for TNF-α(see  FIG. 4 ).   8. Based on above data, a few combinations were selected to develop stable cell lines for over-expression of human anti-TNF-α.   9. The human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies featured in this invention bind to the same antigenic eptiope as Adalimumab but with reduce immunogenicities and different 3D structures, longer half-lives, could be a better biotherapeutics.   10. The present invention features method to modify the immunogenicity of Adalimumab in human patients by replacing some of the amino acid sequences in Adalimumab with other human sequences.   11. The present invention provides examples to show the modified human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies have similar affinities as Adalimumab but extend the half-lives with prolonger efficicacies.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  Digestions of Plasmids. 1-a, double digestions of pJH16 plasmid with Kpn I and Age I. 1-b, double digestions of pJH16 with Kpn I and BamH I. 1-c, lane 1, double digestions of the heavy chain of Adailimumab. Lane 2, double digestions of the light chain of Adalimumab. M, the DNA markers. 
           [0042]      FIG. 2  Sequence blasts the light chains of the modified vs the one of Adalimumab. 
           [0043]      FIG. 3  Sequence blasts the heavy chains of the modified vs the one of Adalimumab. 
           [0044]      FIG. 4  The EC50s of modified human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies. 
           [0045]      FIG. 5  Inhibitions of TNF-α-induced cell toxicity in L929 cells by modified human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies. 
           [0046]      FIG. 6  PK study of modified human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]    It should be understood that the above-described embodiments and the following examples are given by way of illustration, not limitation. Various changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description. 
         [0048]    Unless specified, all the techniques used are common practices and can be performed by skilled personnel. All of the materials and reagents can be purchased commercially. 
       Example 1 Analysis and Modification of the Immunogenicity of the Sequences Adalimumab 
       [0049]    Used a program to examine the sequences of Adalimumab and found that the immunogenicity score is 16. 
         [0050]    Used the same software to study the immunogenicities of the FRs of Adalimumab, identified the sequences with high immunogenicities, and searched human antibody sequence database for potential human sequences with lower immunogenicity. 
         [0051]    Replaced the high immunogenic sequences in Adalimumab with the low immunogenic ones, and designed 5 human light chains L1-L5 (SEQ ID No.1-5) and 5 human heavy chains h1-h5 (SEQ ID No.6-10) for fully human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies. 
         [0052]    Perform 3D structure modeling of the newly designed antibody sequences against the ones of Adalimumab using Pymol program to identify the ones with closest resembling of the original antibody. 
         [0053]    Fully human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies can be any combination of one light chain from any one of L0-L5 (SEQ ID No.1-5, 21) and one heavy chain from any one of h1-h5 (SEQ ID No.6-10). 
       Example 2 Construction of the Expression Plasmids of Fully Human Anti-TNF-α Monoclonal Antibodies 
       [0054]    Added the restriction sites of Kpn I and BamH I to the light chain variable region sequences and the restriction sites of Kpn I and Age I to the heavy chain variable region sequences obtained in Example 1. All the variable region of the light and heavy chain sequences were inserted into the plasmids. Cut the heavy chain variable region sequences from the plasmids and inserted into the corresponding sites of the expression vector pJH16 using the restriction sites of Kpn I and Age I. Cut the light chain variable region sequences from the vector and inserted into the corresponding sites of the expression vector pJH16 using the restriction sites of Kpn I and BamH I, to obtain the fully human monoclonal antibody heavy and light chain expression plasmids. The plasmids and the expression vectors were subjected to enzyme digestions at 37 C overnight. Results of digestions of light chain, heavy chain, and the expression vectors are shown in  FIG. 1 . The bands of target genes and expression vectors were cut-out and extracted using Qiagen Gel Extraction Kit, then performed the ligations overnight using T4 DNA ligation system and transformed into  E. coli  DH5α. Colonies were picked for DNA sequencing and the alignments of sequencing data matched the designed gene 100%. 
       Example 3 Transient Expression and Purification of Fully Human Anti-TNF-α Monoclonal Antibodies 
       [0055]    Extracted the plasmids from the transformed  E. coli  DH5α, as shown in Example 2, using the Ultrapure Plasmid Prep kit from Qiagen. 
         [0056]    Co-transfected the 293F cells with different combinations of the human light and heavy chain expression plasmids using lipofecting reagents from Invitogen. Total 31 combinations tried. 
         [0057]    The expression levels of human IgGs in the culture supernants were examined on Day 3 and the expression levels ranged between 423.5-2624 ng/ml. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Expression Levels of Human Antibodies (ng/ml) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Comb. 
                 Conc. 
                 Comb. 
                 Conc. 
                 Comb. 
                 Conc. 
                 Comb. 
                 Conc. 
                 Comb. 
                 Conc. 
                 Comb. 
                 Conc. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 L0h1 
                 1530 
                 L1h1 
                 1371 
                 L2h1 
                 1988 
                 L3h1 
                 2624 
                 L4h1 
                 810.7 
                 L5h1 
                 439.1 
               
               
                 L0h2 
                 11172 
                 L1h2 
                 487.6 
                 L2h2 
                 755.8 
                 L3h2 
                 1208 
                 L4h2 
                 1130 
                 L5h2 
                 423.5 
               
               
                 L0h3 
                 2021 
                 L1h3 
                 873.3 
                 L2h3 
                 662.2 
                 L3h3 
                 602.9 
                 L4h3 
                 2206 
                 L5h3 
                 797 
               
               
                 L0h4 
                 1109 
                 L1h4 
                 1257 
                 L2h4 
                 476 
                 L3h4 
                 1638 
                 L4h4 
                 1381 
                 L5h4 
                 475.9 
               
               
                 L0h5 
                 1408 
                 L1h5 
                 868 
                 L2h5 
                 677.7 
                 L3h5 
                 1282 
                 L4h5 
                 1423 
                 L5h5 
                 952.2 
               
               
                 Adh010 
                 1892 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (Note: The table is a combination of different combinations of light and heavy chains. For example, L0h1 refers to the combination of light chain L0 from the adalimumab light chain variable region and the heavy chain h1 from a modified anti-TNF-α antibody.) 
               
               
                 Performed indirect ELISA against TNF-α coated on 96-well plate, and found some of them (L0h4, L3h4, L3h2, L4h4, etc) have strong signals as Adalimumab, and some of them lost the binding affinity (L0h2) (Data see Table 2) 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ELISA Screening of Different Combinations against TNF-α 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Comb. 
                 L0h1 
                 L0h2 
                 L0h3 
                 L0h4 
                 L0h5 
                 NC 
               
             
          
           
               
                 OD 
                 2.158 
                 2.182 
                 0.057 
                 0.054 
                 0.68 
                 0.768 
                 3.339 
                 3.133 
                 1.03 
                 0.873 
                 0.09 
                 0.059 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Comb. 
                 L1h1 
                 L1h2 
                 L1h3 
                 L1h4 
                 L1h5 
                 NC 
               
             
          
           
               
                 OD 
                 1.926 
                 2.401 
                 2.268 
                 2.459 
                 1.413 
                 1.431 
                 2.621 
                 2.552 
                 0.824 
                 1.051 
                 0.045 
                 0.057 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Comb. 
                 L2h1 
                 L2h2 
                 L2h3 
                 L2h4 
                 L2h5 
                 NC 
               
             
          
           
               
                 OD 
                 1.891 
                 2.384 
                 2.802 
                 2.704 
                 0.709 
                 0.973 
                 2.235 
                 2.848 
                 0.894 
                 1.255 
                 0.047 
                 0.051 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Comb. 
                 L3h1 
                 L3h2 
                 L3h3 
                 L3h4 
                 L3h5 
                 L0h0 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Comb. 
                 2.178 
                 2.329 
                 2.434 
                 2.498 
                 0.888 
                 0.815 
                 2.616 
                 2.664 
                 0.959 
                 1.104 
                 3.008 
                 3.244 
               
             
          
           
               
                 OD 
                 L4h1 
                 L4h2 
                 L4h3 
                 L4h4 
                 L4h5 
                 L0h0 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 1.978 
                 2.182 
                 2.968 
                 2.546 
                 1.617 
                 1.607 
                 2.904 
                 2.757 
                 0.714 
                 0.972 
                 2.877 
                 3.041 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Comb. 
                 L5h1 
                 L5h2 
                 L5h3 
                 L5h4 
                 L5h5 
                 L0h0 
               
             
          
           
               
                 OD 
                 0.864 
                 1.583 
                 1.857 
                 1.821 
                 1.366 
                 1.404 
                 1.528 
                 1.643 
                 0.885 
                 0.903 
                 2.926 
                 3.172 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 4 Stable Expression and Purification of Fully Human Anti-TNF-α Monoclonal Antibodies 
       [0058]    Based on above data, 10 combinations were selected to develop stable cell lines for over-expression of human anti-TNF-α. 
         [0059]    CHO cells was electro-transfected and selected under MTX pressure (purchased from Sigma) in the selective Opti-CHO medium (purchased from Invitrogen). Five selecting gradients were set as 50 nM, 100 nM, 200 nM, 400 nM and 800 nM. After each round, the expression levels of IgG in the culture supernatants on Day 7 were examined using Sandwich ELISA method. The results showed that stable expressions of IgGs were observed with all of the combinations but the levels were different (Table 3). 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 IgG Levels of different combinations at different stages 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 opti-cho IgG 
                 50 nM IgG 
                 100 nM IgG 
               
               
                   
                 Comb. 
                 (ng/ml) 
                 (ng/ml) 
                 (ng/ml) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 adh010 
                 30 
                 134 
                 346 
               
               
                   
                 L3h2 
                 92.7 
                 122 
                 237 
               
               
                   
                 L3h4 
                 87.4 
                 251 
                 367 
               
               
                   
                 L5h2 
                 30.8 
                 129 
                 452 
               
               
                   
                 L4h1 
                 104 
                 176 
                 258 
               
               
                   
                 L4h2 
                 127 
                 318 
                 523 
               
               
                   
                 L4h4 
                 72.5 
                 939 
                 734 
               
               
                   
                 L1h3 
                 97 
                 160 
                 270 
               
               
                   
                 L2h1 
                 64 
                 208.6 
                 471 
               
               
                   
                 L0h4 
                 30 
                 389 
                 598 
               
               
                   
                 L2h5 
                 29.2 
                 226 
                 476 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0060]    When the process was complete, limiting dilution was performed for monoclonal cloning. Cells were seeded at 96-well plate and cultured at 37° C. 5% CO 2 . 14 days later, 50 μl of supernatant was collected for antibody production testing using sandwich ELISA method. Clones with higher expressing levels were selected for further expansion. 
         [0061]    Used a Protein-A affinity chromatography column to purify the human anti-TNF-α antibodies from the culture supernatants of the 11 stable cell lines. The concentrations of antibodies were determined by OD280/1.4. The purities of the antibodies were examined by SDS-PAGE analysis. 
       Example 5 Biological Activities of Human Anti-TNF-α Antibodies 
       [0062]    1. Affinities: The EC50s of the newly invented human anti-TNF-α antibodies were compared with the one of Adalimumab using Indirect ELISA. The wells of 96-well plates were coated with 300 ng/ml of TNF-α in PBS overnight at 4 C. After wash, the wells were blocked with 5% skim milk in PBS for 1 hour at room temperature. Various concentrations of antibodies diluted in 5% skim milk-PBS were added to the wells and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature. After another wash, HRP-conjugated goat-anti-human IgG secondary antibodies were added and incubated for another 1 hour. After through wash, the substrates were added and the absorbances at 450 nm were measured. As shown in Table 4, some of the newly invented human anti-TNF-α antibodies have very similar EC50 as Adalimumab. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 EC50s of human anti-TNF-α antibodies 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Comb. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10h4 
                 12h1 
                 13h2 
                 13h4 
                 14h1 
                 14h2 
                 14h4 
                 adh010 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 EC50(nM) 
                 0.37 
                 0.43 
                 0.40 
                 0.34 
                 0.47 
                 0.60 
                 0.69 
                 0.49 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0063]    2. Specificities: The specificities of the newly invented human anti-TNF-α antibodies were examined by Indirect ELISA against TNF-α and other cytokines. The wells of 96-well plates were coated with 1000 ng/ml of rhTNF α, rhTNF β, rIFN γ, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-8 in PBS overnight at 4 C. After wash, the wells were blocked with 5% skim milk in PBS for 1 hour at room temperature. Different human anti-TNF-α antibodies diluted in 5% skim milk-PBS were added to the wells and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature. After another wash, HRP-conjugated goat-anti-human IgG secondary antibodies were added and incubated for another 1 hour. After through wash, the substrates were added and the absorbances at 450 nm were measured. As shown in Table 5, all of the newly invented human anti-TNF-α antibodies are very specific for TNF-α. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Specificities of human anti-TNF-α antibodies 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ab 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Cytokine 
                 Adalimumab 
                 L0h4 
                 L2h1 
                 L3h2 
                 L3h4 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 rTNFα 
                 2.877 
                 3.041 
                 3.339 
                 3.238 
                 2.251 
                 2.325 
                 2.434 
                 2.498 
                 2.804 
                 2.789 
               
               
                 rTNFβ 
                 0.097 
                 0.089 
                 0.058 
                 0.064 
                 0.081 
                 0.082 
                 0.071 
                 0.065 
                 0.064 
                 0.071 
               
               
                 rINFγ 
                 0.082 
                 0.078 
                 0.062 
                 0.068 
                 0.065 
                 0.071 
                 0.057 
                 0.068 
                 0.068 
                 0.065 
               
               
                 IL-1α 
                 0.059 
                 0.065 
                 0.080 
                 0.072 
                 0.057 
                 0.062 
                 0.064 
                 0.072 
                 0.072 
                 0.077 
               
               
                 IL-1β 
                 0.067 
                 0.058 
                 0.059 
                 0.068 
                 0.063 
                 0.071 
                 0.059 
                 0.073 
                 0.068 
                 0.063 
               
               
                 IL-2 
                 0.053 
                 0.059 
                 0.074 
                 0.069 
                 0.073 
                 0.075 
                 0.067 
                 0.061 
                 0.069 
                 0.073 
               
               
                 IL-4 
                 0.049 
                 0.05 
                 0.055 
                 0.049 
                 0.072 
                 0.069 
                 0.078 
                 0.069 
                 0.059 
                 0.062 
               
               
                 IL-8 
                 0.063 
                 0.057 
                 0.067 
                 0.060 
                 0.058 
                 0.061 
                 0.069 
                 0.074 
                 0.060 
                 0.058 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ab 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Cytokine 
                 L4h1 
                 L4h2 
                 L4h4 
                 NC 
                 NC 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 rTNFα 
                 2.018 
                 2.121 
                 2.754 
                 2.802 
                 2.826 
                 2.855 
                 0.054 
                 0.051 
                 0.044 
                 0.051 
               
               
                 rTNFβ 
                 0.065 
                 0.064 
                 0.082 
                 0.071 
                 0.064 
                 0.071 
                 0.068 
                 0.065 
                 0.058 
                 0.055 
               
               
                 rINFγ 
                 0.068 
                 0.068 
                 0.071 
                 0.067 
                 0.068 
                 0.065 
                 0.052 
                 0.057 
                 0.054 
                 0.061 
               
               
                 IL-1α 
                 0.072 
                 0.072 
                 0.062 
                 0.064 
                 0.072 
                 0.077 
                 0.058 
                 0.063 
                 0.052 
                 0.053 
               
               
                 IL-1β 
                 0.073 
                 0.068 
                 0.071 
                 0.069 
                 0.068 
                 0.063 
                 0.069 
                 0.063 
                 0.059 
                 0.061 
               
               
                 IL-2 
                 0.061 
                 0.069 
                 0.075 
                 0.067 
                 0.069 
                 0.073 
                 0.049 
                 0.052 
                 0.059 
                 0.062 
               
               
                 IL-4 
                 0.069 
                 0.059 
                 0.069 
                 0.078 
                 0.069 
                 0.072 
                 0.060 
                 0.058 
                 0.062 
                 0.058 
               
               
                 IL-8 
                 0.074 
                 0.060 
                 0.061 
                 0.069 
                 0.060 
                 0.058 
                 0.064 
                 0.051 
                 0.054 
                 0.057 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0064]    3. Inhibition of TNF-α Induced Apotosis. 
         [0065]    L929 cells were seeded at 50,000 cells/well of 96-well plate in RPMI-1640-10% FBS and incubated at 37° C. 5% CO2. 4 hours later, discard the medium and added 100 μl/well of different concentrations of ADALIMUMAB or the invented human anti-TNF-α antibodies in RPMI-1640-10% FBS plus Actinomysin D 1 ug/ml at 37° C. 5% CO2. One day&#39;s later, the cell numbers in each well were determined by CKK assay. 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , both ADALIMUMAB and the newly invented human anti-TNF-α antibodies could inhibit TNF-α induced apoptosis of L929 cells. 
       Example 6 Immunogenicity and PK in Mice 
       [0067]    1. Immunogenicity: Mice were injected with all 10 new human anti-TNF-α antibodies and Adalimumab with the adjuvant. 14 days&#39; later, the tail bleeds were examined by ELISA against their antigens respectively. As shown in Table 6, the anti-drug antibody titers of some newly invented human anti-TNF-α antibodies were at least 5-time lower than the one of Adalimumab. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 ADA Titers of human anti-TNF-α antibodies in mice 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Titers 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 1:500 
                 1:1000 
                 1:5000 
                 1:10000 
                 1:50000 
                 NC 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Comb. 
                 L3h2 
                 0.974 
                 0.459 
                 0.056 
                 0.064 
                 0.051 
                 0.042 
               
               
                   
                 L3h4 
                 0.676 
                 0.385 
                 0.044 
                 0.043 
                 0.046 
                 0.046 
               
               
                   
                 L5h2 
                 0.854 
                 0.435 
                 0.042 
                 0.047 
                 0.047 
                 0.047 
               
               
                   
                 L4h1 
                 0.699 
                 0.311 
                 0.054 
                 0.058 
                 0.047 
                 0.045 
               
               
                   
                 L4h2 
                 1.207 
                 0.607 
                 0.062 
                 0.049 
                 0.042 
                 0.042 
               
               
                   
                 L4h4 
                 0.713 
                 0.379 
                 0.059 
                 0.048 
                 0.048 
                 0.047 
               
               
                   
                 L0h4 
                 1.016 
                 0.591 
                 0.048 
                 0.067 
                 0.054 
                 0.056 
               
               
                   
                 L1h3 
                 1.156 
                 0.548 
                 0.043 
                 0.080 
                 0.053 
                 0.055 
               
               
                   
                 L2h1 
                 0.781 
                 0.389 
                 0.041 
                 0.056 
                 0.059 
                 0.057 
               
               
                   
                 L2h5 
                 0.802 
                 0.410 
                 0.032 
                 0.066 
                 0.053 
                 0.047 
               
               
                   
                 L0h0 
                 2.614 
                 1.311 
                 0.2614 
                 0.144 
                 0.131 
                 0.144 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0068]    2. Pharmakintics: Mice were tail vent-injected with 125 I-labeled all 10 new human anti-TNF-α antibodies and Adalimumab (370 kBq, 2 μg), 5 mice per group. At various time points (5, 12, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, 11, 22, 34, 48, 72 h), the blood samples were collected and the radioactivities were measured. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the PK of newly invented human anti-TNF-α antibodies were similar or better than the one of Adalimumab. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS 
       [0069]    The invention features human anti-TNF-α antibodies which share the CDRs of the amino acid sequences from Adalimumab but with different FRs from other human IgGs. The newly invented human anti-TNF-α antibodies have the same specificities, similar affinities and inhibitory activities against TNF-α but much lower immunogenicities than Adalimumab. The invention also features method of de-immunogenicity of human antibodies by replacing the high immunogenic FR sequences with lower ones from other human IgGs without alter the activities of the antibody significantly. Reduced immunogenicity will significantly reduce the level of anti-drug antibody in the patients treated with anti-TNF-α drug, extend drug&#39;s half-life and increase the efficacy of the biological drugs.