Expression and purification of two anti-CD19 single chain Fv fragments for targeting of liposomes to CD19-expressing cells

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2007 Jan;1768(1):21-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2006.09.004. Epub 2006 Sep 19.

Abstract

Antibody-targeted liposomal anticancer drugs combine the specificity of antibodies with large payloads of entrapped drugs. We previously showed that liposomal doxorubicin (DXR) targeted via anti-CD19 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) or their Fab' fragments against the B-cell antigen CD19 led to improved therapeutic effects in murine B-cell lymphoma models relative to non-targeted liposomal DXR. We now are examining the use of anti-CD19 single chain fragments of the antibody variable region (scFv) as a targeting moiety, to test the hypothesis that scFv have advantages over full-sized mAb or Fab' fragments. We expressed two different anti-CD19 scFv constructs, HD37-C and HD37-CCH in E. coli, and purified the scFvs using two different methods. The HD37-CCH construct was selected for coupling studies due to its relative stability and activity in comparison to HD37-C. When coupled to liposomes, the HD37-CCH scFv showed increased binding in vitro to CD19-positive Raji cells, compared to non-targeted liposomes. Cytotoxicity data showed that HD37-CCH scFv-targeted liposomes loaded with DXR were more cytotoxic than non-targeted liposomal DXR. Our results suggest that anti-CD19 scFv constructs should be explored further for their potential in treating B-lymphoid leukemias and lymphomas.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / biosynthesis*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / isolation & purification
  • Antibody Affinity
  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology*
  • Antigens, CD19 / metabolism
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Binding Sites, Antibody
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / immunology*
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / metabolism
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Compounding
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / metabolism
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Liposomes

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD19
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Liposomes
  • Doxorubicin