Neutralizing and Targeting Properties of a New Set of α4β7-Specific Antibodies Are Influenced by Their Isotype

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2017 May 1;75(1):118-127. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000001307.

Abstract

The homing of lymphocytes to the mucosa is mainly controlled by α4β7 integrin, and it is amplified during gut chronic inflammation, as occurs with HIV and/or inflammatory bowel diseases. We designed and applied an improved immunization strategy based on an innovative selection process to isolate new α4β7 lymphocyte-specific monoclonal antibodies that are able to prevent their migration into inflamed gut tissues and/or to counteract HIV infection in vitro. First, 5 monoclonal antibodies (1 IgA, 1 IgM, and 4 IgGs) were selected based on their capacity to recognize α4 or β7 homodimers and α4β7 heterodimers in transfected human cells. Their ability to block gp120/α4β7 or MAdCAM-1/α4β7 interactions was then measured in vitro with human T and B lymphocytes. In vitro, the anti-α4β7 IgA isotype was found to have the highest affinity for the α4β7 heterodimer, and it significantly reduced HIV replication in retinoic acid-treated α4β7 CD4 human T cells. This α4β7-specific IgA also displayed a high avidity for human and mouse α4β7 lymphocytes in both mouse and human inflammatory colitis tissues. These new antibodies, and in particular those with mucosa-targeting isotypes such as IgA, could therefore be potential novel therapeutic tools for treating HIV and inflammatory bowel disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • HIV / physiology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / immunology*
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Integrins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Integrins / immunology*
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Integrins
  • integrin alpha4beta7