Elucidating the interplay between IgG-Fc valency and FcγR activation for the design of immune complex inhibitors

DF Ortiz, JC Lansing, L Rutitzky, E Kurtagic… - Science translational …, 2016 - science.org
DF Ortiz, JC Lansing, L Rutitzky, E Kurtagic, T Prod'homme, A Choudhury, N Washburn…
Science translational medicine, 2016science.org
Autoantibody immune complex (IC) activation of Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) is a common
pathogenic hallmark of multiple autoimmune diseases. Given that the IC structural features
that elicit FcγR activation are poorly understood and the FcγR system is highly complex, few
therapeutics can directly block these processes without inadvertently activating the FcγR
system. To address these issues, the structure activity relationships of an engineered panel
of multivalent Fc constructs were evaluated using sensitive FcγR binding and signaling …
Autoantibody immune complex (IC) activation of Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) is a common pathogenic hallmark of multiple autoimmune diseases. Given that the IC structural features that elicit FcγR activation are poorly understood and the FcγR system is highly complex, few therapeutics can directly block these processes without inadvertently activating the FcγR system. To address these issues, the structure activity relationships of an engineered panel of multivalent Fc constructs were evaluated using sensitive FcγR binding and signaling cellular assays. These studies identified an Fc valency with avid binding to FcγRs but without activation of immune cell effector functions. These observations directed the design of a potent trivalent immunoglobulin G–Fc molecule that broadly inhibited IC-driven processes in a variety of immune cells expressing FcγRs. The Fc trimer, Fc3Y, was highly efficacious in three different animal models of autoimmune diseases. This recombinant molecule may represent an effective therapeutic candidate for FcγR-mediated autoimmune diseases.
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