Engineering the Fc region of immunoglobulin G to modulate in vivo antibody levels

Nat Biotechnol. 2005 Oct;23(10):1283-8. doi: 10.1038/nbt1143. Epub 2005 Sep 25.

Abstract

We have engineered the Fc region of a human immunoglobulin G (IgG) to generate a mutated antibody that modulates the concentrations of endogenous IgGs in vivo. This has been achieved by targeting the activity of the Fc receptor, FcRn, which serves through its IgG salvage function to maintain and regulate IgG concentrations in the body. We show that an IgG whose Fc region was engineered to bind with higher affinity and reduced pH dependence to FcRn potently inhibits FcRn-IgG interactions and induces a rapid decrease of IgG levels in mice. Such FcRn blockers (or 'Abdegs,' for antibodies that enhance IgG degradation) may have uses in reducing IgG levels in antibody-mediated diseases and in inducing the rapid clearance of IgG-toxin or IgG-drug complexes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy*
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use*
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Mice
  • Protein Engineering / methods*
  • Receptors, Fc / immunology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Fc
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Fc receptor, neonatal