Cloned transgenic farm animals produce a bispecific antibody for T cell-mediated tumor cell killing

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 May 4;101(18):6858-63. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0308487101. Epub 2004 Apr 22.

Abstract

Complex recombinant antibody fragments for modulation of immune function such as tumor cell destruction have emerged at a rapid pace and diverse anticancer strategies are being developed to benefit patients. Despite improvements in molecule design and expression systems, the quantity and stability, e.g., of single-chain antibodies produced in cell culture, is often insufficient for treatment of human disease, and the costs of scale-up, labor, and fermentation facilities are prohibitive. The ability to yield mg/ml levels of recombinant antibodies and the scale-up flexibility make transgenic production in plants and livestock an attractive alternative to mammalian cell culture as a source of large quantities of biotherapeutics. Here, we report on the efficient production of a bispecific single-chain antibody in the serum of transgenic rabbits and a herd of nine cloned, transgenic cattle. The bispecific protein, designated r28M, is directed to a melanoma-associated proteoglycan and the human CD28 molecule on T cells. Purified from the serum of transgenic animals, the protein is stable and fully active in mediating target cell-restricted T cell stimulation and tumor cell killing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle / immunology*
  • Cloning, Organism
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Rabbits / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*