SnoopLigase Enables Highly Efficient Generation of C-C-Linked Bispecific Nanobodies Targeting TNF-α and IL-17A

Bioconjug Chem. 2022 Aug 17;33(8):1446-1455. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00143. Epub 2022 Aug 8.

Abstract

Bispecific antibodies (bis-Nbs) have been extensively developed since the concept was devised over the decades. Taking advantage of the superior characteristics of nanobodies, bis-Nbs exhibit an emerging tendency to become the new generation of research and diagnostic tools. Traditional strategies to connect the homo- or heterogeneous monomers are commonly applied, but there are still technical issues to generate the bispecific molecules as efficiently as designed. Here, we utilize SnoopLigase to directly tether the C terminus (C-C) of the tagged nanobodies against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A). Under optimal conditions, the yield of C-C-linked bis-Nbs can reach as high as 70% due to the existence of SnoopLigase. The prepared bis-Nbs possessed similar or even higher affinity as the monomers and significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) induced by TNF-α and IL-17A. This study provides an innovative route for using SnoopLigase to realize a highly efficient generation of C-C-linked bis-Nbs. The approach can be applied to different and multicomponent systems for their potential applications in disease diagnosis and treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bispecific* / pharmacology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / drug therapy
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fibroblasts
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17
  • Single-Domain Antibodies* / pharmacology
  • Synovial Membrane / pathology
  • Synoviocytes* / pathology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Interleukin-17
  • Single-Domain Antibodies
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha