Induced antigen-binding polyreactivity in human serum IgA.

Previous studies have shown that polyreactive antibodies play an important role in the frontline defense against the dissemination of pathogens in the pre-immune host. Interestingly, antigen-binding polyreactivity can not only be inherent, but also acquired post-translationally. The ability of individual monoclonal IgG and IgE antibodies to acquire polyreactivity following contact with various agents that destabilize protein structure (urea, low pH) or have a pro-oxidative potential (heme, ferrous ions) has been studied in detail. However, to the best of our knowledge this property of human IgA has previously been described only cursorily. In the present study pooled human serum IgA and two human monoclonal IgA antibodies were exposed to buffers with acidic pH, to free heme or to ferrous ions, and the antigen-binding behavior of the native and modified IgA to viral and bacterial antigens were compared using immunoblot and ELISA. We observed a dose-dependent increase in reactivity to several bacterial extracts and to pure viral antigens. This newly described property of IgA may have therapeutic potential as has already been shown for pooled IgG with induced polyreactivity.

Mechanism and functional implications of the heme-induced binding promiscuity of IgE.

A fraction of antibodies from healthy immune repertoires binds to heme and acquires the ability to recognize multiple antigens. The mechanism and functional consequences of heme-mediated antigen binding promiscuity (polyreactivity) are not understood. Here, we used SPE7, a mouse monoclonal IgE specific for dinitrophenyl that has been thoroughly characterized at the molecular level, as a model antibody to elucidate the mechanism and functional consequences of heme-mediated polyreactivity. We first demonstrate that exposure of SPE7 to heme results in a substantial increase in its antigen binding polyreactivity. Comparison of the binding kinetics and thermodynamics of interaction of native and heme-bound SPE7 indicates that the binding of heme to SPE7 confers binding affinities in the low nanomolar range toward several antigens but has no influence on the mechanism of recognition of dinitrophenyl. In vitro cellular assays further demonstrate that heme-bound SPE7 does not promote the degranulation of basophils in the presence of new target antigens, while degranulation is observed in the presence of dinitrophenyl. Molecular docking and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed binding of heme to the variable region of SPE7 at a distance from the conventional binding site for dinitrophenyl, explaining the extension of binding polyreactivity without abrogation of the interaction with its cognate antigen. In addition, our data suggest that heme, when bound to IgE, is solvent-exposed and may serve as an interfacial cofactor mediating binding to diverse proteins. This study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of heme-induced antibody polyreactivity. It also paves the way toward the delineation of the functional impact of polyreactivity and cross-reactivity of IgE.

Antibody polyreactivity in health and disease: statu variabilis.

An Ab molecule or a BCR that is able to bind multiple structurally unrelated Ags is defined as polyreactive. Polyreactive Abs and BCRs constitute an important part of immune repertoires under physiological conditions and may play essential roles in immune defense and in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. In this review, we integrate and discuss different findings that reveal the indispensable role of Ag-binding polyreactivity in the immune system. First, we describe the functional and molecular characteristics of polyreactive Abs. The following part of the review concentrates on the biological roles attributed to polyreactive Abs and to polyreactive BCRs. Finally, we discuss recent studies that link Ig polyreactivity with distinct pathological conditions.

Antibody polyspecificity: what does it matter?

Polyspecificity (polyreactivity) is currently considered an intrinsic property of a subset of antibodies, primarily of naturally occurring autoantibodies. Polyspecificity is no longer viewed as a biologically irrelevant stickiness. Furthermore, the capacity to bind defined sets of unrelated antigens finds its structural explanation. What is most intriguing, the elucidation of the role of polyspecificity may promote a better understanding of specific recognition as a function of the entire immune system. The early events of immune recognition depend on polyspecific binding. Thus, the completeness of the naïve repertoires of antigen receptors is ensured. The process of immunologically-relevant antigen recognition that is initiated goes beyond simple molecular interaction with the antigenic determinants. It involves cellular cooperation and culminates in antibody response maturation. Recent findings also pave the way for the clinical application of posttranslationally induced polyspecificity.

Intravenous immunoglobulins exposed to heme (heme IVIG) are more efficient than IVIG in attenuating autoimmune diabetes.

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) are known to have a therapeutic effect in some autoimmune diseases. We examined the effect of IVIG and heme-exposed IVIG on the development of immune mediated diabetes induced in C57BL/6 mice by multiple low doses of streptozotocin. IVIG were used in a dose of 200mg/kg daily for 15 days. Treatment with IVIG resulted in significant attenuation of diabetes induction as evaluated by glycemia, glycosuria and HbA1c level. Interestingly, heme-exposed IVIG had a still stronger antidiabetogenic effect. Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL17 were lower in IVIG treated animals when compared with controls, while IL10 level was higher. The number of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) cells was higher in pancreatic lymph nodes of heme-exposed IVIG treated mice. Our results show that IVIG may downregulate diabetes induction possibly by favouring induction of T regulatory cells and suggest enhanced effect upon heme-binding to IVIG.

Selective silencing of autoreactive B lymphocytes-Following the Nature's way.

A novel approach for the selective silencing of targeted autoreactive B lymphocytes is reviewed that mimics the physiological mechanisms for suppressing B cell activity. It is based on the use of bi- or tri-specific chimeric antibodies that cross-link BCRs with a pre-selected antigen-binding specificity with one or more inhibitory types of receptors on the surface of the same disease-associated B lymphocyte. The effect of these engineered antibodies was proved to be specific as they only suppressed the production of the targeted pathological antibodies while sparing those with other specificities. The administration of the chimeric molecules to lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice resulted in decreased levels of disease-associated IgG autoantibodies and of proteinuria, in the prevention of cutaneous lesions, in decreased sizes of the lymphoid organs and in prolonged survival. These results prove that it is indeed possible to selectively silence unwanted B lymphocytes as well as to significantly delay the natural course of a spontaneous antibody-mediated autoimmune disease.

Heterogeneous antigen recognition behavior of induced polyspecific antibodies.

Polyspecific antibodies represent a significant fraction of the antibody repertoires in healthy animals and humans. Interestingly, certain antibodies only acquire a polyspecific antigen-binding behavior after exposure to protein-modifying conditions, such as those found at inflammation sites, or used in small- and large-scale immunoglobulin purification. This phenomenon is referred to as "criptic polyspecificity". In the present study, we compare the potential of different chemical agents to induce IgG polyspecificity. Depending on the treatment used, quantitative and qualitative differences in the recognition of individual antigens from a standard panel were observed. Antibodies with cryptic polyspecificity utilized common mechanisms for the recognition of structurally unrelated antigens when exposed to a particular inductor of polyspecificity. Our study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the cryptic polyspecificity.

Exposure of IgG to an acidic environment results in molecular modifications and in enhanced protective activity in sepsis.

IgG molecules are exposed on a regular basis to acidic conditions during immunoaffinity purification procedures, as well as during the production of some therapeutic immunoglobulin preparations. This exposure is known to induce in them an antigen-binding polyreactivity. The molecular mechanisms and the possible biological significance of this phenomenon remain, however, poorly understood. In addition to the previously reported ability of these modified IgG antibodies to interact with a large panel of self-antigens, enhanced binding to non-self-antigens (bacterial), an increased ability to engage in F(ab')(2)/F(ab')(2) (idiotype/anti-idiotype) interactions and an increased functional antigen-binding affinity are reported here. The newly acquired 'induced polyreactivity' of low-pH buffer-exposed IgG is related to structural changes in the immunoglobulin molecules, and is at least partly attributable to the enhanced role of the hydrophobic effect in their interactions with antigen. Our results suggest that data from many previous studies on monoclonal and polyclonal IgG antibodies purified by low-pH buffer elution from protein A or protein G immunoaffinity columns should be reconsidered, as the procedure itself may have dramatically affected their antigen-binding behavior and biological activity. Low-pH buffer-treated pooled therapeutic immunoglobulins acquire novel beneficial properties, as passive immunotherapy with the pH 4.0 buffer-exposed, but not with the native therapeutic intravenous immunoglobulin preparation, improves the survival of mice with bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced septic shock.

Protein destabilizing agents induce polyreactivity and enhanced immunomodulatory activity in IVIg preparations.

Normal pooled human IVIg are produced using various blood protein fractionation technologies and as a result they may well differ in their biological properties. We have demonstrated that exposure of IVIg, for a period as short as 15 min, to protein-destabilizing agents like acidic pH, ROS or pro-oxidative ferrous ions dramatically increases the panel of recognized Ag including pro-inflammatory cytokines. We now show that exposure of IVIg to ferrous ions modifies some IgG molecules without denaturating them and enhances the protective activity of the preparation in experimental septic shock.

Intravenous immunoglobulin up-regulates the expression of the inhibitory FcgammaIIB receptor on B cells.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) preparations are known to modulate autoimmune/inflammatory diseases through several F(ab')(2)- and Fc-dependent mechanisms. In this study, we show that the in vitro and the in vivo exposure of B lymphocytes from lupus-prone and from healthy mice to IVIg results in an increased expression of their surface inhibitory FcgammaIIB receptors. Further, this exposure enhanced the ability of a chimeric antibody, cross-linking FcgammaRIIB and immunoglobulin receptors on DNA-specific B lymphocytes, to suppress IgG anti-DNA antibody production. F(ab')(2) fragments of IVIg had a similar activity as the intact preparation, whereas Fc fragments had no effect. This study describes a novel approach with clinical relevance for modulating B lymphocyte activity.

Functional variability of antibodies upon oxidative processes.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) released from activated phagocytes are involved in the innate immune defense against pathogens. However, when released in excess and when the antioxidant systems are impaired, ROS may induce cellular and tissue damage and dissociation of iron ions or iron containing compounds (heme) from protein-bound state. Free iron ions and free heme are prooxidative. Immunoglobulins usually perform their biological functions at sites of inflammation, where they may encounter reactive oxygen species and/or redox active compounds. It has been demonstrated that the exposure of some antibodies to heme, to transition metal ions or to reactive oxygen species induces an appearance of new binding specificities for various autoantigens. This review article is devoted to the interplay between redox active agents and antibodies. The biological significance of the appearance of new antigen binding specificities on antibodies after exposure to redox-active agents is discussed.

Insight into the mechanism of the acquired antibody auto-reactivity.

A fraction of antibodies present in all healthy individuals begins to recognize large number of self-antigens only after a transient exposure to certain protein-destabilizing conditions, including low or high pH, high salt concentration, chaotropic factors and redox-active agents. Recent findings on the molecular mechanisms of the inducible antibody auto-reactivity, obtained by using kinetic and thermodynamic analysis on the interactions of single monoclonal antibody with its cognate antigen are discussed in the review.

Selective silencing of DNA-specific B lymphocytes delays lupus activity in MRL/lpr mice.

The pathological DNA-specific B lymphocytes in lupus are logical targets for a selected therapeutic intervention. We have hypothesized that it should be possible to suppress selectively the activity of these B cells in lupus mice by administering to them an artificial molecule that cross-links their surface immunoglobulins with the inhibitory FcgammaIIb surface receptors. A hybrid molecule was constructed by coupling the DNA-mimicking DWEYSVWLSN peptide to a monoclonal anti-mouse FcgammaRIIb antibody. This chimeric antibody was added to cultured spleen cells from sick MRL/lpr mice, immunized with diphtheria toxoid, resulting in reduction of the numbers of anti-DNA but not of anti-diphtheria IgG antibody-producing cells. Intravenous infusions with the DNA-peptide antibody chimera to 7-wk-old animals prevented the appearance of IgG anti-DNA antibodies and of albuminuria in the next 2 months. The administration of the DNA-peptide chimeric antibody to 18 wk-old mice with full-blown disease resulted in the maintenance of a flat level of IgG anti-DNA antibodies and in delay of the aggravation of the lupus glomerulonephritis. The use of chimeric antibodies targeting inhibitory B lymphocyte receptors represents a novel approach for the selective suppression of autoreactive disease-associated B cells in autoimmune diseases.

Antibodies use heme as a cofactor to extend their pathogen elimination activity and to acquire new effector functions.

Various pathological processes are accompanied by release of high amounts of free heme into the circulation. We demonstrated by kinetic, thermodynamic, and spectroscopic analyses that antibodies have an intrinsic ability to bind heme. This binding resulted in a decrease in the conformational freedom of the antibody paratopes and in a change in the nature of the noncovalent forces responsible for the antigen binding. The antibodies use the molecular imprint of the heme molecule to interact with an enlarged panel of structurally unrelated epitopes. Upon heme binding, monoclonal as well as pooled immunoglobulin G gained an ability to interact with previously unrecognized bacterial antigens and intact bacteria. IgG-heme complexes had an enhanced ability to trigger complement-mediated bacterial killing. It was also shown that heme, bound to immunoglobulins, acted as a cofactor in redox reactions. The potentiation of the antibacterial activity of IgG after contact with heme may represent a novel and inducible innate-type defense mechanism against invading pathogens.

Transition towards antigen-binding promiscuity of a monospecific antibody.

Polyspecificity is defined as the ability of a given antibody molecule to bind a large panel of structurally diverse antigens. A fraction of circulating IgG in all healthy individuals acquires promiscuous antigen-binding activity only after a transient exposure to certain protein destabilizing factors. The molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are not well understood. Exposures to protein destabilizing agents are common steps in immunoglobulin isolation and purification processes. We performed kinetic and thermodynamic analyses using surface plasmon resonance-based technique in order to characterize the interactions of a single mouse monoclonal antibody to its cognate antigen before and after induction of promiscuous antigen-binding activity. The obtained results, suggest that enhanced antigen binding activity induced by exposure to mild denaturing condition resulted from an increase in the structural flexibility of the antigen-binding site. Further pH and ionic strength-dependence analyses of the antibody/antigen interactions demonstrated that the transition to promiscuous antigen-binding was accompanied by a change in the type of non-covalent forces involved in the complex formation. Moreover, from this study, it is evident that an antibody molecule could use two distinct thermodynamic pathways for binding to the same antigen while retaining the same value of the binding affinity. The obtained results may contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that lay behind natural antibody polyspecificity.

Immunization with a DNA chimeric molecule encoding a hemagglutinin peptide and a scFv CD21-specific antibody fragment induces long-lasting IgM and CTL responses to influenza virus.

Killed viral vaccines are known to induce primarily antibody responses. By contrast DNA vaccination using naked DNA encoding viral antigens induces both humoral and cellular immune responses. Various approaches have been used to construct DNA vaccines with build-in adjuvanticity. We hypothesized that sequences encoding a common epitope of influenza A virus hemagglutinin jointed to sequences encoding a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody fragment to a costimulatory B cell surface receptor would result in the in vivo expression of a chimeric viral peptide with increased immunogenicity. Such a hybrid DNA molecule was constructed by us, encoding a T and B cell epitope-containing influenza hemagglutinin peptide and a scFv antibody fragment binding to mouse complement receptors I and II (CR1 and CR2). A single immunization with a plasmid containing the described construct induced a strong anti-influenza cytotoxic response lasting for more than six months and a weak antibody response.

Ferrous ions and reactive oxygen species increase antigen-binding and anti-inflammatory activities of immunoglobulin G.

Polyspecific antibodies represent a first line of defense against infection and regulate inflammation, properties hypothesized to rely on their ability to interact with multiple antigens. We demonstrated that IgG exposure to pro-oxidative ferrous ions or to reactive oxygen species enhances paratope flexibility and hydrophobicity, leading to expansion of the spectrum of recognized antigens, regulation of cell proliferation, and protection in experimental sepsis. We propose that ferrous ions, released from transferrin and ferritin at sites of inflammation, synergize with reactive oxygen species to modify the immunoglobulins present in the surrounding microenvironment, thus quenching pro-inflammatory signals, while facilitating neutralization of pathogens.

Serum IgM, IgG and IgA block by F(ab')-dependent mechanism the binding of natural IgG autoantibodies from therapeutic immunoglobulin preparations to self-antigens.

Natural polyreactive IgG autoantibodies are present in the plasma of healthy individuals and as a result in pooled therapeutic intravenous immunoglobulin (i.v.Ig) preparations. The spectrum of self-antigens to which these autoantibodies bind, their fate after intravenous infusion and their biological activity are not well understood. The identity of serum proteins that mask binding of natural autoantibodies to self-proteins is a matter of controversy. The spectrum of native serum proteins bound by i.v.Ig was analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The reactivity of i.v.Ig was directed mainly to circulating immunoglobulins. The binding of the IgG autoantibodies from i.v.Ig to native human liver antigens was blocked not only by a F(ab')2-dependent mechanism by circulating IgM and IgG (as has been previously suggested), but also by serum IgA. This control of anti-self reactivity may be inefficient in some autoimmune diseases.