AU696627B2 - Composite antibodies of human subgroup IV light chain capable of binding to TAG-72 - Google Patents

Description

S F Ref: 199875AUD1

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address va CQe Co rvQP of Applicant: Dow Chemical (Austraia) L-4l4-t-e4 Forest Corporate Park 26 R4 dborough Road l~r. f- 1, IA-l nogn AUST-RALA 2030 CCokX C M&er M d 4-T4 Ur -6ed Stac'es o0P Ar',Qct k Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Peter S. Mezes, Ruth A. Richard and Kim S. Johnson Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Composite Antibodies of Human Subgroup IV Light Chain Capable of Binding to TAG-72 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 0 '*000.

0 *0 0 0 5845 COMPOSITE ANTIBODIES OF HUMAN SUBGROUP IV LIGHT CH' CAPABLE OF BINDING TO TAG-72 The present invention is directed to the fields of immunology and genetic engineering.

The following information is provided for :he purpose of making known information believed by the applicants to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the following information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

Antibodies are specific immunoglobulin (Ig) polypeptides produced by the vertebrate immune system response to challenges by foreign proteins, 15 glycoproteins, cells, or other antigenic foreign substances. The binding specificity of such poiypeptides to a particular antigen -s highly refined.

with each antibody being almost sxclusively directed ;o the particular anti7en which elicited i:.

Two major methods of generating vertebrate antibodies are presently utilized:generation insitu by the mammalian B lymphocytes and generation in cell culture by B-cell hybrids. Antibodies are generated in e I i I I1III1I11CC-rr~---- -2situ as a result of the differentiation of immature B lymphocytes into plasma cells (see Gough (1981), Trends inBiochemSci, 6:203 (1981). Even when only a single antigen is introduced into the immune system for a particular mammal, a uniform population of antibodies Sdoes not result, the response is polyclonal.

The limited but inherent heterogeneity of polyclonal antibodies is overcome by the use of hybridoma technology to create "monoclonal" antibodies in cell cultures by B cell hybridomas (see Kohler and Milstein (1975), Nature, 256:495-497). In this process, a mammal is injected with an antigen, and its relatively short-lived, or mortal, splenocytes or lymphocytes are fused with an immortal tumor cell line. The fusion produces hybrid cells or "hybridomas" which are both immortal and capable of producing the genetically-coded antibody of the B cell.

In many applications, the use of monoclonal antibodies produced in non-human animals is severely restricted where the monoclonal antibodies are to be used in humans. Repeated injections in humans of a "foreign" antibody, such as a mouse antibody, may lead 25 to harmful hypersensitivity reactions, an antiidiotypic, or human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA) response, (see Shawler etal. (1985), Journal of Immunology, 135:1530-1535, and Sear etal., J. Biol. Resp.

Modifiers, 3:138-150).

Various attempts have already been made to manufacture human-derived monoclonal antibodies by using o human hybridomas (see Olsson etal., Proc. Natl. Acad.

Sci. 77:5429 (1980) and Roder etal. (1986), Methods in Enzymology, 121:140-167. Unfortunately, Mehos nEnvml e y e o C e -3yields of monoclonal antibodies from human hybridoma cell lines are relatively low compared to mouse hybridomas. In addition, human cell lines expressing immunoglobulins are relatively unstable compared to mouse cell lines, and the antibody producing capability of these human cell lines is transient. Thus, while human immunoglobulins are highly desirable, human hybridoma techniques have not yet reached the stage where human monoclonal antibodies with required antigenic specificities can be easily obtained.

Thus, antibodies of nonhuman origin have been genetically engineered, or "humanized". Humanized antibodies reduce the HAMA response compared to that expected after injection of a human patient with a mouse antibody. Humanization of antibodies derived from nonhumans, for example, has taken two principal forms, chimerization where non-human regions of immunoglobulin constant sequences are replaced by corresponding human ones (see for example, USP 4,816,567 to Cabilly etal., Genentech) and grafting of complementarity determining regions (CDR) into human framework regions (FR) (see European Patent Office Application (EPO) 0 239 400 to Winter). Some 25 researchers have produced Fv antibodies (USP 4,642,334 to Moore, DNAX) and single chain Fv (SCFV) antibodies (see USP 4,946,778 to Ladner, Genex).

9S* The above patent applications only show the production of antibody fragments in which some portion of the variable domains is coded for by nonhuman V gene regions. Humanized antibodies to date still retain various portions of light and heavy chain variable regions of nonhuman origin: the chimeric, Fv and single chain Fv antibodies retain the entire variable region of E i I iI -I nonhuman origin and CDR-grafted antibodies retain CDR of nonhuman origin.

Such nonhuman-derived regions are expected to elicit an immunogenic reaction when administered into a human patient (see BrUggemann etal. (1989), J. Exo. Med., 170:2153-2157; and Lo Buglio (1991), Sixth International Conference on Monoclonal Antibody Immunoconjugates for Cancer, San Diego, Ca). Thus, it is most desirable to obtain a human variable region which is capable of 1 binding to a selected antigen.

One known human carcinoma tumor antigen is tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG-72), as defined by monoclonal antibody B72.3 (see Thor etal. (1986) Cancer Res., 46:3118-3124; and Johnson, etal. (1986), Cancer Res., 46:850-857). TAG-72 is associated with the surface of certain tumor cells of human origin, specifically the LS174T tumor cell line (American Type 2 Culture Collection (ATCC) No. CL 188), which is a variant of the LS180 (ATCC No. CL 187) colon adenocarcinoma line.

Numerous murine monoclonal antibodies have been developed which have binding specificity for TAG-72.

Exemplary murine monoclonal antibodies include the "CC" (colon cancer) monoclonal antibodies, which are a library of murine monoclonal antibodies developed using TAG-72 purified on an immunoaffinity column with an 30 immobilized anti-TAG-72 antibody, B72.3 (ATCC HB-8108) (see EP 394277, to Schlom etal., National Cancer Institute). Certain CC antibodies were deposited with the ATCC: CC49 (ATCC No. HB 9459); CC83 (ATCC No. HB 9453); CC46 (ATCC No. HB 9458); CC92 (ATCC No. HB 9454); (ATCC NO. HB 9457); CC11 (ATCC No. 9455) and e* Ir (ATCC No. HB 94160). Various antibodies of the CC series have been chimerized (see, for example, EPO 0 365 997 to Mezes etal., The Dow Chemical Company).

It is thus of great interest to develop antibodies against TAG-72 containing a light and/or heavy chain variable region(s) derived from human antibodies. However, the prior art simply does not teach recombinant and immunologic techniques capable of routinely producing an anti-TAG-72 antibody in which the light chain and/or the heavy chain variable regions have specificity and affinity for TAG-72 and which are derived from human sequences so as to elicit expectedly low or no HAMA response. It is known that the function of an immunoglobulin molecule is dependent on its three dimensional structure, which in turn is dependent on its primary amino acid sequence. A change of a few or even one amino acid can drastically affect the binding function of the antibody can drastically affect its the bidning affinity of the antibody, the resultant antibodies are generally presumed to be a non-specific immunoglobulin (NSI), lacking in antibody character, (see, for example, USP 4,816,567 to Cabilly etal., Genentech).

Surprisingly, the present invention is capable of meeting many of these above mentioned needs and provides a method for supplying the desired antibodies.

For example, in one aspect, the present invention provides a cell capable of expressing a composite antibody having binding specificity for TAG-72, said cell being transformed with a DNA sequence encoding at least a portion of a light chain variable region (VL) effectively homologous to the human Subgroup IV germline gene (Hum4 VL); and a DNA sequence segment encoding at least a portion of a heavy chain variable region (VH) capable of combining with the VL into a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind the TAG-72.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof having binding affinity for TAG-72, comprising: a light chain having a variable region said VL being encoded by a DNA sequence encoding, as part of said VL, at least a portion of a light chain variable region effectively homologous to the human Subgroup IV germline gene (Hum4 VL); and a heavy chain having a variable region said VH being encoded by a DNA sequence encoding, as part of said VH, at least a portion of a heavy chain variable region which is capable of combining with the VL to form a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind TAG-72.

The invention also provides a composite Hum4 VL,VH single chain antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof comprising a light chain having a variable region said VL being encoded by a DNA sequence encoding, as part of said VL, at least a portion of a light chain variable region effectively homologous to the human Subgroup IV germline gene (Hum4 VL); a heavy chain having a variable region said VH being encoded by a DNA sequence segment encoding, as part of said VH, at least a portion of a heavy chain 20 variable region; and a polypeptide linker linking the VH and VL, wherein the linker properly folds the VH and VL into a single chain antibody which is capable of forming a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind TAG-72.

The invention further includes the aforementioned antibody alone or conjugated to an imaging marker or therapeutic agent. The invention also includes a composition comprising the aforementioned antibody in unconjugated or conjugated form in a S: pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic, sterile carrier.

The invention is also directed to a method for in vivo diagnosis of cancer which comprises administering to an animal containing a tumor expressing TAG-72 a 30 pharmaceutically effective amount of the aforementioned composition for the in situ detection of carcimona lesions.

The invention is also directed to a method for intraoperative therapy which comprises administering to patient containing a tumor expressing TAG-72 a pharmaceutically effective amount of the aforementioned [n:\libz]00943:SAK composition, whereby the tumor is localised, and excising the localised tumors.

Additionally, the invention also concerns a process for preparing and expressing a composite antibody. Some of these processes are as follows. A process which comprises transforming at least one host cell. with i) a first DNA sequence encoding at least a portion of a light chain variable region (VL) effectively homologous to the human Subgroup IV germline gene (Hum4 VL), and ii) a second DNA sequence encoding at least a portion of a heavy chain variable region (VH) which is capable of combining with the VL to form a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind TAG-72, and independently expressing said first DNA sequence and said second DNA sequence in said transformed single host cell. A process for preparing a composite antibody or antibody which comprises culturing a cell containing a DNA sequence encoding at least a portion of a light chain variable region (VL) effectively homologous to the human Subgroup IV germline gene (Hum4 VL); and a DNA sequence segment encoding at least a portion of a heavy chain variable region (VH) capable of combining with the VL into a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind to TAG-72 under sufficient conditions for the cell to express the immunoglobulin light chain and immunoglobulin heavy chain. A process for preparing an antibody conjugate comprising S. 20 contacting the aforementioned antibody or antibody with an imaging marker or therapeutic agent.

C Description of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates a basic immunoglobulin structure.

C

0* C CC [n:\1ibz]00943:SAK 9 Figure 2 illustrates the nucleotide sequences of VHaTAG, CC46 VH, CC49 VH, CC83 VH and CC92 VH.

Figure 3 illustrates the amino acid sequences of VHaTAG, CC46 VH, CC49 VH, CC83 VH and CC92 VH.

Figure 4 illustrates the VH nucleotide and ,Vmino acid sequences of antibody B17X2.

Figure 5 illustrates the mouse germline J-H genes from pNP9.

Figure 6 illustrates the plasmid map of p49g1- 2.3.

Figure 7 illustrates the plasmid map of p 8 3g1- 1 2.3.

Figure 8 illustrates the entire sequence of HUMVL(+) and HUMVL(-).

Figure 9 illustrates the human J4 (HJ4) nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence.

Figure 10 illustrates the nucleotide sequences, and the amino acid sequences of Hum4 VL, ClaI-HindIII 25 segment.

Figure 11 illustrates a schematic representation of the human germline Subgroup IV VL gene (Hum4 VL), as the target for the PCR.

Figure 12 shows the results of agarose gel electrophoresis of the PCR reaction to obtain the Hum4 VL gene.

SFigure 13 illustrates the restriction enzyme Smap of pRL1000, and precursor plasmids pSV2neo, Ki i I II I _1 -1 -9pSV2neo-101 and pSV2neo-102. indicates where the HindIII site of pSV2neo has been destroyed.

Figure 14 illustrates a polylinker segment made by synthesizing two oligonucleotides: and Figure 15 illustrates a primer, NE0102SEQ, used for sequencing plasmid DNA from several clones of pSV2neo-102.

Figure 16 illustrates an autoradiogram depicting the DNA sequence of the polylinker region in pSV2neo-102.

Figure 17 illustrates a partial nucleotide sequence segment of pRL1000.

Figure 18 illustrates the restriction enzyme map of pRL1001.

Figure 19 illustrates an autoradiogram of DNA sequence for pRL1001 clones.

Figure 20 illustrates a competition assay for binding to TAG-using a composite Hum4 VL, VHaTAG antibody.

Figure 21 illustrates a general DNA construction of a single chain, composite Hum4 VL, VHaTAG.

Figure 22 illustrates the nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence of SCFV1.

0. Figure 23 shows the construction of plasmid pCGS515/SCFV1.

S..

I I Figure 24 shows the constr jtion of plasmid pSCFV31.

Figure 25 shows the construction of E. coli SCFV expression plasmids containing Hum4 VL.

Figure 26 shows the DNA sequence and amino acid sequence of Hum4 VL-CC49VH SCFV present in pSCFVUHH.

Figure 27 shows the construction plasmid pSCFV UHH and a schematic of a combinatorial library of VH genes with Hum4 VL.

Figure 28 illustrates the nucleotide sequence of FLAG peptide adapter in pATDFLAG.

Figure 29 illustrates the construction of pATDFLAG, pHumVL-HumVH and pSC49FLAG.

Figure 30 illustrates the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of pSC49FLAG.

Detailed Descriotion of the Invention Nucleic acids, amino acids, peptides, protective groups, active groups and so on, when 25 abbreviated, are abbreviated according to the IUPAC IUB (Commission on Biological Nomenclature) or the practice in the fields concerned.

o. The basic immunoglobulin structural unit is set forth in Figure 1. The terms "constant" and "variable" are used functionally. The variable regions of both light (VL) and heavy (V

H

chains determine binding recognition and specificity to the antigen. The constant region domains of light (CL) and heavy (CH) chains confer important biological properties such as I Il _I -C -11antibody chain association, secretion, transplacental mobility, complement binding, binding to Fc receptors and the like.

The immunoglobulins of this invention have been developed to address the problems of the prior art. The methods of this invention produce, and the invention is directed to, composite antibodies. By "composite antibodies" is meant immunoglobulins comprising variable regions not hitherto found associated with each other in nature. By, "composite Hum4 VL, VH antibody" means an antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof which is characterized by having at least a portion of the VL region encoded by DNA derived from the Hum4 VL germline gene and at least a portion of a V H region capable of combining with the VL to form a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind to TAG-72.

The composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies of the present invention assume a conformation having an antigen binding site which binds specifically and with sufficient strength to TAG-72 to form a complex capable of being isolated by using standard assay techniques enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), or flourescence-activated cell ;sorter analysis (FACS), immunohistochemistry and the like). Preferably, the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies of the present invention have an antigen binding affinity or avidity greater than 105 M 1 more 30 preferably greater than 106 M 1 and most preferably greater than 108 M~ 1 For a discussion of the techniques for generating and reviewing immunoglobulin binding affinities see Munson (1983), Methods Enzvmol., *i -12- 92:543-577 and Scatchard (1949), Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 51:660-672.

Human antibody kappa chains have been classified into four subgroups on the basis of 'invariant amino acid sequences (see, for example, Kabat etal.

(1991), Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest (4th published by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). There appear to be approximately human VK genes, but only one Subgroup IV VK gene has been identified in the human genome (see Klobeck, etal.

(1985), Nucleic Acids Research, 13:6516-6528). The nucleotide sequence of Hum4 VL is set forth in Kabat et al. (1991), supra; and Wang etal. (1973), Nature, 243:126- 127.

It has been found, quite surprisingly, that an immunoglobulin having a light chain with at least a portion of the VL encoded by a gene derived from Hum4 VL may, if combined with a suitable VH, have binding specificity for TAG-72.

The type of JL gene segment selected is not critical to the invention, in that it is expected that 25 any JL, if present, can associate with the Hum4 VL. The present invention obviously contemplates the Hum4 VL in e association with a human JK sequence. The five human JK sequences are set forth in Heiter etal. (1982), The SJournal of Biological Chemistry, 357:1516-1522.

However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the human JK. The present invention specifically contemplates the Hum4 VL in association with-any of the at least six human J. genes (see Hollis etal. (1982), Nature, 296:321-325).

Oeo:

I

-13- An exemplary technique for engineering the Hum4 VL with selected JL segments includes synthesizing a primer having a so-called "wagging tail", that 'does not hybridize with the target DNA; thereafter, the sequences are amplified and spliced together by overlap extension S (see Horton etal. Gene, 77:61-68).

The CL of the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies is not critical to the invention. To date, the Hum4 VL has only been reported as having been naturally rearranged with the single Ck gene (see Heiter etal.

(1980), Cell, 22:197-207). However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the CK light chain constant domain. That is, the CL gene segment may also be any of the at least six C genes (see Hollis et al., supra).

The DNA encoding the heavy chain variable region consists roughly of a heavy chain variable (VH) gene sequence, a heavy chain diversity (DH) gene sequence, and a heavy chain joining (JH) gene sequence.

The present invention is directed to any VH capable of combining with a light chain variable region effectively homologous to the light chain variable region encoded by the human Subgroup IV germline gene, Sto form a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind to TAG-72.

The choice of heavy chain diversity (DH) segment and the heavy chain joining (JH) segment of the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibody are not critical to the present invention. Obviously, human and murine DH and JH gene segments are contemplated, provided that a given combination does not significantly decrease binding to I I- TAG-72. Specifically, when utilizing CC46 VH, CC49 VH, CC83 VH and CC92 VH, the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibody will be designed to utilize the DH and JH segments which naturally associated with those Vu of the respective hybridomas (see Figures 2 and Exemplary murine and human DH and. JH sequences are set forth in Kabat etal.

(1991), supra. An exemplary technique for engineering such selected DH and JH segments with a VH sequence of choice includes synthesizing selected oligonucleotides, annealing and ligating in a cloning procedure (see, Horton etal., supra).

In a specific embodiment the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibody will be a "composite Hum4 VL, VHaTAG antibody", means an antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof which is characterized by having at least a portion of the VL region encoded by DNA derived from the Hum4 VL germline gene and at least a portion of the V

H

region encoded by DNA derived from the VHaTAG germline gene, which is known in the art (see, for example, EPO 0 365 997 to Mezes etal., the Dow Chemical Company).

Figure 2 shows the nucleotide sequence of VHaTAG, and the nucleotide sequences encoding the VH of the CC46, CC49, CC83 and CC92 antibodies, respectively. Figure 3 shows the corresponding amino acid sequences of VHaTAG, CC46 VH, CC49 VH, CC83 VH and CC92 VH.

9* A comparison of the nucleotide and amino acid Ssequences of VHaTAG, CC46 VH, CC49 VH, CC83 VH and CC92 VH shows that those CC antibodies are derived from VHaTAG. Somatic mutations occurring during productive rearrangement of the VH derived from VHaTAG in a B cell gave rise to some nucleotide changes that may or may not result in a homologous amino acid change between the productively rearranged hybridomas (see, EPO 0 365 997).

Because the nucleotide sequences of VHcTAG and Hum4 VL germline genes have been provided herein, the present invention is intended to include other antibody genes which are productively rearranged from the VHaTAG germline gene. Other antibodies encoded by DNA derived from VHaTAG may be identified by using a hybridization probe made from the DNA or RNA of the VHaTAG or rearranged genes containing the recombined VHaTAG.

Specifically, the probe will include of all or a part of the VHaTAG germline gene and its flanking regions. By "flanking regions" is meant to include those DNA sequences from the 5' end of the VHaTAG to the 3' end of the upstream gene, and from 3' end of the VHaTAG to the end of the downstream gene.

The CDR from the variable region of antibodies derived from VHaTAG may be grafted onto the FR of selected VH, FR of a human antibody (see EPO 0 239 400 to Winter). For example, the cell line, B17X2, expresses an antibody utilizing a variable light chain encoded by a gene derived from Hum4 VL and a variable heavy chain which makes a stable VL and VH combination (see Marsh etal. (1985), Nucleic Acids Research, 13:6531- 6544; and Polke etal. (1982), Immunobiol. 163:95-109.

The nucleotide sequence of the VH chain for B17X2 is shown in Figure 4. The B17X2 cell line is publicly 3 available from Dr. Christine Polke, Universitdts- Kinderklinik, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 8700 WUrzburg, FRG-. B17X2 is directed to N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine and s is not specific for TAG-72.

o*: -16- However, consensus sequences of antibody derived from the CDR1 of VHaTAG (amino acid residues 31 to 35 of Figure 3) may be inserted into B17X2 ('amino acid residues 31 to 37 of Figure 4) and the CDR2 of VHCTAG (amino residues 50 to 65 of Figure 3) may be inserted into B17X2 (amino acid residues 52 to 67 of Figure The CDR3 may be replaced by any DH and JH sequence which does not affect the binding of the antibody for TAG-72 but, specifically, may be replaced by the CDR3 of an antibody having its VH derived from VHtTAG, CC46, CC49, CC83 and CC92. Exemplary techniques for such replacement are set forth in Horton etal., supra.

The CH domains of immunoglobulin heavy chain derived from VHQTAG genes, for example may be changed to a human sequence by known techniques (see, USP 4,816,567 to Cabilly, Genentech). CH domains may be of various complete or shortened human isotypes, TgG IgG

I

IgG 2 IgG 3 and IgG 4 IgA IgAl and IgA2), IgD, IgE, IgM, as well as the various allotypes of the individual groups (see Kabat etal. (1991), supra).

Given the teachings of the present invention, 25 it should be apparent to the skilled artisan that human VH genes can be tested for their ability to produce an anti-TAG-72 immunoglobilin combination with the Hum4 VL gene. The V L may be used to isolate a gene encoding for a VH having the ability to bind to TAG-72 to test myriad 30 combinations of Hum4 VL and VH that may not naturally occur in nature, by generating a combinatorial library using the Hum4 VL gene to select a suitable V

H

Examples of these enabling technologies include screening of combinatorial libraries of VL-VH combinations using an Fab or single chain antibody a -17- (SCFV) format expressed on the surfaces of fd phage (Clackson, etal. (1991), Nature, 352:624-628), or using a A phage system for expression of Fv's or Fabs (Huse, et al. (1989), Science, 246:1275-1281). However, according to the teachings set forth herein, it is now possible to clone SCFV antibodies in E.coli, and express the SCFVs as secreted soluble proteins. SCFV proteins produced in E.

coli that contain a Hum4 VL gene can be screened for binding to TAG-72 using, for example, a two-membrane filter screening system (Skerra, etal. (1991), Analytical Biochemistry, 196:151-155).

The desired gene repertoire can be isolated from human genetic material obtained from any suitable source, peripheral blood lymphocytes, spleen cells and lymph nodes of a patient with tumor expressing TAG- 72. In some cases, it is desirable to bias the repertoire for a preselected activity, such as by using as a source of nucleic acid, cells (source cells) from vertebrates in any one of various stages of age, health and immune response.

Cells coding for the desired sequence may be isolated, and genomic DNA fragmented by one or more 25 restriction enzymes. Tissue primary and secondary lymph organs, neoplastic tissue, white blood cells from peripheral blood and hybridomas) from an animal exposed to TAG-72 may be probed for selected antibody producing B cells. Variability among B cells 30 derived from a common germline gene may result from somatic mutations occurring during productive rearrangement.

U UU.

Generally, a probe made from the genomic DNA of a germline gene or rearranged gene can be used by those go e -18skilled in the art to find homologous sequences from unknown cells. For example, sequence information obtained from Hum4 VL and VHaTAG may be used to generate hybridization probes for naturally-occurring rearranged V regions, including the 5' and 3' nontranslated flanking regions. The genomic DNA may include naturally-occurring introns for portions thereof, provided that functional splice donor and splice acceptor regions had been present in the case of mammalian cell sources.

Additionally, the DNA may also be obtained from a cDNA library. mRNA coding for heavy or light chain variable domain may be isolated from a suitable source, Seither mature B cells or a hybridoma culture, employing standard techniques of RNA isolation. The DNA or amino acids also may be synthetically synthesized and constructed by standard techniques of annealing and ligating fragments (see Jones, etal. (1986), Nature, 321:522-525; Reichmann etal., (1988), Nature, 332:323- 327; Sambrook etal. (1989), supra and Merrifield etal.

(1963), J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 85:2149-2154). Heavy and light chains may be combined invitro to gain antibody activity (see Edelman, etal. (1963), Proc. Natl. Acad.

Sci. USA, 50:753).

The present invention also contemplates a gene library of VHaTAG homologs, preferably human homologs of S. VHaTAG. By "homolog" is meant a gene coding for a VH '0 region (not necessarily derived from, or even effectively homologous to, the VHaTAG germline gene) capable of combining with a light chain variable region effectively homologous to the light chain variable region encoded by the human Subgroup IV germline gene, *o -19to form a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind to TAG-72.

Preferably, the gene library is produced by a primer extension reaction or combination of primer extension reactions as described herein. The VHaTAG homologs are preferably in an isolated form, that is, substantially free of materials such as, for example, primer extension reaction agents and/or substrates, genomic DNA segments, and the like. The present invention thus is directed to cloning the VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs from a repertoire comprised of polynucleotide coding strands, such as genomic material containing the gene expressing the variable region or the messenger RNA (mRNA) which represents a transcript of the variable region. Nucleic acids coding for VHaTAG-coding homologs can be derived from cells producing IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG or IgM, most preferably from IgM and IgG, producing cells.

The VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs may be produced by primer extension. The term "primer" as used herein refers to a polynucleotide whether purified from a nucleic acid restriction digest or produced 25 synthetically, which is capable of acting as a point of initiation of synthesis when placed under conditions in which synthesis of a primer extension product which is complimentary to a nucleic acid strand is induced, i.e., Sin the presence of nucleotides and an agent for polymer- 30 ization such as DNA polymerase, reverse transcriptase and the like, and at a suitable temperature and pH.

*RRR..

*Preferably, the VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs may be produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of double stranded genomic or cDNA, wherein two primers are used for each coding strand of nucleic acid to be exponentially amplified. The first primer becomes part of the nonsense (minus or complementary) strand and hybridizes to a nucleotide sequence conserved among VH (plus) strands within the repertoire. PCR is described in Mullis etal. (1987), Meth. Enz., 155:335-350; and PCR Technology, Erlich (1989). PCR amplification of the mRNA from antibody-producing cells is set forth in Orlandi etal. (1989), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 86:3387-3837.

According to a preferred method, the VHaTAGcoding DNA homologs are connected via linker to form a SCFV having a three dimensional structure capable of binding TAG-72. The SCFV construct can be in a VL-L-VH or VH-L-VL configuration. For a discussion of SCFV see Bird etal. (1988), Science, 242:423-426. The design of suitable peptide linker regions is described in U.S.

Patent No. 4,704,692 to Ladner etal., Genex.

The nucleotide sequence of a primer is selected to hybridize with a plurality of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes at a site substantially adjacent to the VHaTAG-coding DNA homolog so that a nucleotide sequence 25 coding for a functional (capable of binding) polypeptide is obtained. The choice of a primer's nucleotide sequence depends on factors such as the distance on the nucleic acid from the region coding for the desired .receptor, its hybridization site on the nucleic acid 30 relative to any second primer to be used, the number of genes in the repertoire it is to hybridize to, and the like. To hybridize to a plurality of different nucleic acid strands of VHaTAG-coding DNA homolog, the primer o -21must be a substantial complement of a nucleotide sequence conserved among the different strands.

The peptide linker may be coded for by the nucleic acid sequences that are part of the polynucleotide primers used to prepare the various gene libraries. The nucleic acid sequence coding for the peptide linker can be made up of nucleic acids attached to one of the primers or the nucleic acid sequence coding for the peptide linker may be derived from nucleic acid sequences that are attached to several polynucleotide primers used to create the gene libraries. Additionally, noncomplementary bases or longer sequences can be interspersed into the primer, provided the primer sequence has sufficient complementarily with the sequence of the strand to be synthesized or amplified to non-randomly hybridize therewith and thereby form an extension product under polynucleotide synthesizing conditions (see Horton etal. (1989), Gene, 77:61-68).

Exemplary human VH sequences from which complementary primers may be synthesized are set forth in Kabat etal. (1991), supra; Humphries etal. (1988), Nature, 331:446-449; Schroeder etal. (1990), Proc. Natl.

Acad. Sci. USA, 87:6146-6150; Berman etal. (1988), EMBO Journal, 7:727-738; Lee etal. (1987), J. Mol. Biol., 195:761-768); Marks etal. (1991), Eur. J. Immunol., 21:985-991; Willems, etal. (1991), J. Immunol., 146:3646- 30 3651; and Person etal. (1991), Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:2432-2436. ?o produce V H coding DNA homologs, first primers are therefore chosen to hybridize to be complementary to) conserved regions within the J region, CH1 region, hinge region, CH2 region, or CH3 region of immunoglobulin genes and the like. Second primers are -i• therefore chosen to hydribidize with a conserved nucleotide sequence at the 5' end of the VHaTAG-coding DNA homolog such as in that area coding for the' leader or first framework region.

Alternatively, the nucleic acid sequences coding for the peptide linker may be designed as part of a suitable vector. As used herein, the term "expression vector" refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of directing the expression of genes to which they are operatively linked. The choice of vector to which a VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs is operatively linked depends directly, as is well known in the art, on the functional properties desired, replication or protein expression, and the host cell (either procaryotic or eucaryotic) to be transformed, these being limitations inherent in the art of constructing recombinant DNA molecules. In preferred embodiments, the eucaryotic cell expression vectors used include a selection marker that is effective in an eucaryotic cell, preferably a drug resistant selection marker.

Expression vectors compatible with procaryotic cells are well known in the art and are available from several commercial sources. Typical of vector plasmids suitable for procaryotic cells are pUC8, pUC9, pBR322, and pBR329 available from BioRad Laboratories, (Richmond, CA), and oPL and pKK223 available from S0* Pharmacia, (Piscataway, NJ).

Expression vectors compatible with eucaryotic cells, preferably those compatible with vertebrate cells, can also be used. Eucaryotic cell expression vectors are well known in the art and are available from several commercial sources. Typically, such vectors are -23provided containing convenient restriction sites for insertion of the desired DNA homologue. Typical of vector plasmids suitable for eucaryotic cells are pSV2neo and pSV2gpt (ATCC), pSVL and (Pharmacia), pBPV-1/PML2d (International Biotechnologies, Inc.), and pTDT1 (ATCC).

The use of viral expression vectors to express the genes of the VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs is also contemplated. As used herein, the term "viral expression vector" refers to a DNA molecule that includes a promoter sequences derived from the long terminal repeat (LTR) region of a viral genome.

Exemplary phage include X phage and fd phage (see, Sambrook, etal. (1989), Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, (2nd and McCafferty etal. (1990), Nature, 6301:552-554.

The population of VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs and vectors are then cleaved with an endonuclease at shared restriction sites. A variety of methods have been developed to operatively link DNA to vectors via complementary cohesive termini. For instance, complementary cohesive termini can be engineered into 25 the VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs during the primer Sextension reaction by use of an appropriately designed polynucleotide synthesis primer, as previously discussed. The complementary cohesive termini of the vector and the DNA homolog are then operatively linked (ligated) to produce a unitary double stranded DNA molecule.

SThe restriction fragments of Hum4 VL-coding DNA and the VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs population are randomly ligated to the cleaved vector. A diverse, 0 random population is produced with each vector having a VHaTAG-coding DNA homolog and Hum4 VL-coding DNA located in the same reading frame and under the control of the vector's promoter.

The resulting single chain construct is then introduced into an appropriate host to provide amplification and/or expression of a composite Hum4 VL, VHaTAG homolog single chain antibody. Transformation of appropriate cell hosts with a recombinant DNA molecule of the present invention is accomplished by methods that typically depend on the type of vector used. With regard to transformation of procaryotic host cells, see, for example, Cohen etal. (1972), Proceedings National Academy of Science, USA, 69:2110; and Sambrook, etal.

(1989), supra. With regard to the transformation of vertebrate cells with retroviral vectors containing rDNAs, see for example, Sorge etal. (1984), Mol. Cell.

Biol., 4:1730-1737; Graham etal. (1973), Virol., 52:456; and Wigler etal. (1979), Proceedings National Academy of Sciences, USA,76:1373-1376.

Exemplary prokaryotic strains that may be used as hosts include E.coli, Bacilli, and other enterobacteriaceae such as Salmonella typhimurium, and various Pseudomonas. Common eukaryotic microbes include S.

cereuisiae and Pichia.pastoris. Common higher eukaryotic host o* cells include Sp2/0, VERO and HeLa cells, Chinese Shamster ovary (CHO) cell lines, and W138, BHK, COS-7 and 30 MDCK cell lines. Furthermore, it is now also evident that any cell line producing Hum4 VL, the B17X2 human cell line, can be used as a recipient human cell l..ine for introduction of a VH gene complementary to the Hum4 VL which allows binding to TAG-72. For example, the B17X2 heavy chain may be genetically modified to not a.* produce the endogenous heavy chain by well known methods; in this way, glycosylation patterns of the antibody produced would be human and not non-human derived.

Successfully transformed cells, cells containing a gene encoding a composite Hum4 VL, VHaTAG homolog single chain antibody operatively linked to a vector, can be identified by any suitable well known technique for detecting the binding of a receptor to a ligand. Preferred screening assays are those where the binding of the composite Hum4 VL, VHaTAG homolog single chain antibody to TAG-72 produces a detectable signal, either directly or indirectly. Screening for productive Hum4 VL and VHaTAG homolog combinations, or in other words, testing for effective antigen binding sites to TAG-72 is possible by using for example, a radiolabeled or biotinylated screening agent, antigens, antibodies B72.3, CC49, CC83, CC46, CC92, CC30, CC11 and CC15) or anti-idiotypic antibodies (see Huse etal., supra, and Sambrook etal., supra); or the use of marker peptides to the NH2- or COOH-terminus of the SCFV construct (see Hopp etal. (1988), Biotechnology, 6:1204- 1210).

Of course, the Hum4 VL-coding DNA and the VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs may be expressed as individual polypeptide chains Fv) or with whole or fragmented constant regions Fab, and F(ab')p).

30 Accordingly, the Hum4 VL-coding DNA and the VHaTAGcoding DNA homologs may be individually inserted into a vector containing a CL or CH or fragment thereof, respectively. For a teaching of how to prepare suitable -26vectors see EPO 0 365 997 to Mezes etal., The Dow Chemical Company.

DNA sequences encoding the light chain "and heavy chain of the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibody may be inserted into separate expression vehicles, or into the same expression vehicle, When coexpressed within the same organism, either on the same or the different vectors, a functionally active Fv is produced. When the VHaTAG-coding DNA homolog and Hum4 VL polypeptides are expressed in different organisms, the respective polypeptides are isolated and then combined in an appropriate medium to form a Fv. See Greene etal., Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 9, Wickner etal.

and Sambrook etal., supra).

Subsequent recombinations can be effected through cleavage and removal of the Hum4 VL-coding DNA sequence to use the VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs to produce Hum4 VL-coding DNA homologs. To produce a Hum4 VL-coding DNA homolog, first primers are chosen to hybridize with be complementary co) a conserved region within the J region or constant region of immunoglobulin light chain genes and the like. Second 25 primers become part of the coding (plus) strand and hybridize to a nucleotide sequence conserved among minus strands. Hum4 VL-coding DNA homologs are ligated into the vector containing the VHaTAG-coding DNA homolog, thereby creating a second population of expression vectors. The oresent invention thus is directed to cloning the Hum4 VL-coding DNA homologs from a repertoire comprised of polynucleotide coding strands, such as genomic material containing the gene expressing Sthe variable region or the messenger RNA (mRNA) which represents a transcript of the variable region. It is a. i -27thus possible to use an iterative process to define yet further, composite antibodies, using later generation VHaTAG-coding DNA homologs and Hum4 VL-coding DNA homologs.

The present invention further contemplates genetically modifying the antibody variable and constant regions to include effectively homologous variable region and constant region amino acid sequences.

Generally, changes in the variable region will be made 1 in order to improve or otherwise modify antigen binding properties of the receptor. Changes in the constant region of the antigen receptor will, in general, be made in order to improve or otherwise modify biological properties, such as complement fixation, interaction with membranes, and other effector functions.

"Effectively homologous" refers to the concept that differences in the primary structure of the variable region may not alter the binding characteristics of the antigen receptor. Normally, a DNA sequence is effectively homologous to a second DNA sequence if at least 70 percent, preferably at least percent, and most preferably at least 90 percent of the 25 active portions of the DNA sequence are homologous.

0" 0Such changes are permissable in effectively homologous amino acid sequences so long as the resultant antigen receptor retains its desired property.

30 If there is only a conservative difference between homologous positions of sequences, they may be regarded as equivalents under certain circumstances.

0 General categories of potentially equivalent amino acids 0* are set forth below, wherein, amino acids within a group may be substituted for other amino acids in that group:

O.V

-28glutamic acid and aspartic acid; hydrophobic amino acids such as alanine, valine, leucine and isoleucine; asparagine and glutamine; lysine, arginine; and threonine and serine.

Exemplary techniques for nucleotide replacement include the addition, deletion, or substitution of various nucleotides, deletion or substitution of various nucleotides, provided that the proper reading frame is maintained. Exemplary techniques include using polynucleotide-mediated, site-directed mutagenesis, using a single strand as a template for extension of the oligonucleotide to produce a strand containing the mutation (see Zoller etal. (1982), Nuc. Acids Res., 510:6487-6500; Norris et al. (1983), Nuc. Acids Res., 11:5103-5112; Zoller et al. (1984), DNA, 3:479-488; Kramer etal. (1982), Nuc. Acids Res., 10:6475-6485 and polymerase chain reaction, exponentially amplifying DNA invitro using sequence specified oligonucleotides to incorporate selected changes (see PCR Technology: Principles and Applications for DNA Amolification, Erlich, (1989); and Horton etal.

supra).

u 0" 25 Further, the antibodies may have their constant 0:o. region domain modified, ie., the CL, CH!, hinge, CH2, CH3 and/or CH4 domains of an antibody polypeptide chain may be deleted, inserted or changed (see EPO 327 378 Al Sto Morrison etal., the Trustees of Columbia University; USP 4,642334 to Moore etal., DNAX: and US? 4,704,692 to Ladner etal., Genex).

Once a final DNA construct is obtained, the composite Hum4 VL, VHantibodies may be produced in large quantities by injecting the host cell into the *0 -29peritoneal cavity of pristane-primed mice, and after an appropriate time (about 1-2 weeks), harvesting ascites fluid from the mice, which yields a very high titer of homogeneous composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies, and isolating the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies by methods well known in the art (see Stramignoni. etal.

(1983), Intl. J. Cancer, 31:543-552). The host cell are grown invivo, as tumors in animals, the serum or ascites fluid of which can provide up to about 50 mg/mL of composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies. Usually, injection (preferably intraperitoneal) of about 106 to 107 histocompatible host cells into mice or rats will result in tumor formation after a few weeks. It is possible to obtain the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies from a fermentation culture broth of procaryotic and eucaryotic cells, or from inclusion bodies of E.coli cells (see Buckholz and Gleeson (1991), BIO/TECHNOLOGY, 9:1067- 1072. The composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies can then be collected and processed by well-known methods (see generally, Immunological Methods, vols. I II, eds.

Lefkovits, I. and Pernis, (1979 1981) Academic Press, New York, and Handbook of Experimental Immunology, ed. Weir, (1978) Blackwell Scientific 25 Publications, St. Louis, MO.) The composite Hum VL, VH antibodies can then be stored in various buffer solutions such as phosphate buffered saline (PBS), which gives a generally stable antibody solution for further use.

Uses The composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies provide unique benefits for use in a variety of cancer treatments. In addition to the ability to bind specifically to malignant cells and to localize tumors and not bind to normal cells such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, or epithelial cells in the major organs, the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies may be used to greatly minimize or eliminate ANHA responses thereto.

Moreover, TAG-72 contains a variety of epitopes and thus it may be desirable to administer several different composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies which utilize a variety of VH in combination with Hum4 VL- Specifically, the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies are useful for, but not limited to, invivo and invitro uses in diagnostics, therapy, imaging and biosensors.

The composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies may be incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable, non- -toxic, sterile carrier. Injectable compositions of the present invention may be either in suspension or solution form. In solution form the complex (or when desired the separate components) is dissolved in a *0 pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such carriers comprise a suitable solvent, preservatives such as benzyl alcohol, if needed, and buffers. Useful solvents 25 include, for example, water, aqueous alcohols, glycols, and phosphonate or carbonate esters. Such aqueous solutions generally contain no more than 50 percent of o the organic solvent by volume.

Injectable suspensions require a liquid suspending medium, with or without adjuvants, as a o carrier. The suspending medium can be, for example, aqueous polyvinyl-pyrroiidone, inert oils such as vegetable oils or highly refined mineral oils, or S" aqueous carboxymethlycellulose. Suitable physio- -31logically-acceptable adjuvants, if necessary to keep the complex in suspension, may be chosen from among thickeners such as carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gelatin, and the alginates. Many, surfactants are also useful as suspending agents, for example, lecithin, alkylphenol, polyethylene oxide adducts, naphthalenesulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, and the polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters. Many substances which effect the hydrophibicity, density, and surface tension of the liquid suspension medium can assist in making injectable suspensions in individual cases. For example, silicone antifoams, sorbitol, and sugars are all useful suspending agents.

Methods of preparing and administering conjugates of the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibody, and a therapeutic agent are well known to or readily determined. Moreover, suitable dosages will depend on the age and weight of the patient and the therapeutic 20 agent employed and are well known or readily determined.

Conjugates of a composite Hum4 VL, VH antibody and an imaging marker may be administered in a pharmaceutically effective amount for the invivo diagnostic 25 assays of human carcinomas, or metastases thereof, in a patient having a tumor that expresses TAG-72 and then detecting the presence of the imaging marker by appropriate detection means.

S 30 Administration and detection of the conjugates of the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibody and an imaging marker, as well as methods of conjugating the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibody to the imaging marker are accomplished by methods readily known or readily determined. The dosage of such conjugate will vary -32depending upon the age and weight of the patient.

Generally, the dosage should be effective to visualize or detect tumor sites, distinct from normal tissues.

Preferably, a one-time dosage will be between 0:1 mg to 200 mg of the conjugate of the composite Hum4 VL antibody and imaging marker per patient.

Examples of imaging markers which can be conjugated to the composite Hum4 VL antibody are well known and include substances which can be detected by diagnostic imaging using a gamma scanner or hand held gamma probe, and substances which can be detected by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.

Suitable, but not limiting, examples of substances which can be detected using a gamma scanner include 125 1, 13 1 1, 123 11 In, 1 0 5 Rh, 1 5 3 3m, 6 7Cu.

67 Ga, 16 6 Ho, 1 7 7Lu, 1 86 Re, 1 88 Re and 99 mTc. An example of a substance which can be detected using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is gadolinium.

Conjugates of a composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies and a therapeutic agent may be administered in a 25 pharmaceutically effective amount for the inviuo treatment of human carcinomas, or metastases thereof, in a patient having a tumor that expresses TAG-72. A "pharmaceutically effective amount" of the composite Hum4 VL antibody means the amount of said antibody (whether unconjugated. a naked antibody, or conjugated to a therapeutic agent) in the pharmaceutical composition should be sufficient to achieve effective binding to TAG-72.

-33- Exemplary naked antibody therapy includes, for example, administering heterobifunctional composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies coupled or combined with another antibody so that the complex binds both to the carcinoma and effector cells, killer cells such as T cells, or monocytes. In this method, the composite Hum4 VL antibody-therapeutic agent conjugate can be delivered to the carcinoma site thereby directly exposing the carcinoma tissue to the therapeutic agent. Alternatively, naked antibody therapy is possible in which antibody dependent cellular cytoxicity or complement dependent cytotoxicity is mediated by the composite Hum4 VL antibody.

Examples of the antibody-therapeutic agent conjugates which can be used in therapy include antibodies coupled to radionuclides, such as i 3 1 I, 90 y, 10 5 Rh, 4 7 Sc, 67 Cu, 212 Bi, 2 11 At, 67 Ga, 1251, 186 Re, 188 Re, 177 Lu, 99 mTc, 153 Sm, 1231 and 111 In; to drugs, such as methotrexate, adriamycin; to biological response modifiers, such as interferon and to toxins, such as ricin.

Methods of preparing and administering conjugates of the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies and a therapeutic agent are well known or readily determined.

The pharmaceutical composition may be administered in a single dosage or multiple dosage form. Moreover, suitable dosages will depend on the age and weight of the patient and the therapeutic agent employed and are well known or readily determined.

Composite Hum4 VL, 7H antibodies, and particularly composite Hum4 VL, VH single chain antibodies S" thereof, are particularly suitable for radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS). In RIGS, an antibody labeled with an imaging marker is injected into a patient having a tumor that expresses TAG-72. The antibody localizes to the tumor and is detected by a hand-held gamma detecting probe (GDP). The tumor is then excised (see Martin etal.

(1988), Amer. J. Surg., 156:386-392; and Martin etal.

(1986), Hvbridoma, 5:S97-S108). An exemplary GDP is the Neoprobe'" scanner, commercially available from Neoprobe Corporation, Columbus, OH. The relatively small size and human character of the composite Hum4 VL, VH single chain antibodies will accelerate whole body clearance and thus reduce the waiting period after injection before surgery can be effectively initiated.

Administration and detection of the composite Hum4 VL, VH antibody-imaging marker conjugate may be accomplished by methods well-known or readily determined.

The dosage will vary depending upon the age and weight of the patient, but generally a one time dosage of about 0.1 to 200 mg of antibody-marker conjugate per patient is administered.

*'a

EXAMPLES

The following nonlimiting examples are merely for illustration of the construction and expression of composite Hum4 VL, VH antibodies. All temperatures not otherwise indicated are Centigrade. All percents not otherwise indicated are by weight.

Examole I CC49 and CC83 were isolated from their respective hybridomas using pNP9 as a probe (see Figure CC49 VH was obtained from p49 g1-2.3 (see Figure 6) and CC83 V H was obtained from p83 g1-2.3 (see Figure 7), following the procedures set forth in EPO 0 365 997.

DNA encoding an antibody light chain was isolated from a sample of blood from a human following the protocol of Madisen et.al. (1987), Am. J. Med. Genet., 27:379-390) with several modifications. Two 5 ml purple-cap Vacutainer tubes (containing EDTA as an anticoagulant) were filled with blood and stored at ambient temperature for 2 hours. The samples were transferred to two 4.5 mL centrifuge tubes. To each 25 tube was added 22.5 mL of filter-sterilized erythrocycte lysate buffer (0.155 M NH4Cl and 0.17 M Tris, pH 7.65, in a volume ratio of and incubated at 37°C for minutes. The tubes became dark red due to the lysed red blood cells. The samples were centrifuged at 9 0 C for minutes, using an SS-34 rotor and a Sorvall centrifuge at 5,300 revolutions per minute (rpm) (-3,400 X The resulting white cell pellets were resuspended in 25 mL of 0.15 M NaC1 solution. The white blood cells were then centrifuged as before. The pellets were resuspended in 500 pL of 0.15 M NaC1 and transferred to -36mL microcentrifuge tubes. The cells were pelleted again for 3 minutes, this time in the microcentrifuge at 3,000 rpm. Very few red blood cells remained on the pellet. After the supernatants were decanted from the two microcentrifuge tubes, 0.6 mL high TE buffer (100 mM Tris, pH 8.0) was added. The tubes were hand-shaken for and 15 minutes. The resulting viscous solution was extracted with phenol, phenol-chloroform and finally with just chloroform described in Sambrook etal., supra. To 3.9 mL of pooled extracted DNA solution was added 0.4 mL NaOAc (3 M, pH and 10 mL 100 percent ethanol. A white stringy precipitate was recovered with a yellow pipette tip, transferred into a new Eppendorf tube, washed once with 70 percent ethanol, and finally washed with 100 percent ethanol. The DNA was dried in vacuo for 1 minute and dissolved in 0.75 mL deionized water. A 20 iL aliquot was diluted to 1.0 mL and the OD 260 nm value was measured and recorded. The concentration of DNA in the original solution was calculated to be 0.30 mg/mL.

Oligonucleotides (oligos) were synthesized using phosphoramidite chemistry on a 380A DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems, Foster, CA) starting on 25 0.2 IM solid support columns. Protecting groups on the final products were removed by heating in concentrated ammonia solution at 55 0 C for 12 hours. Crude mixtures of oligonucleotides (approximately 12 OD 260 nm units) were applied to 16 percent poiyacrylamide-urea gels and electrophoresed. DNA in the gels was visualized by short wave UV light. Bands were cut out and the DNA eluted by heating the gel pieces to 65 0 C for 2 hours.

Final purification was achieved by application of the eluted DNA solution onto C-18 Sep-Pac columns -37- (Millipore) and elution of the bound oligonucleotide with a 60 percent methanol solution. The pure DNA was dissolved in deionized distilled water (ddH 2 0) and quantitated by measuring OD 260 nm.

A GeneAmpTh DNA amplification kit (Cetus Corp., Emeryville, CA) was used to clone the Hum4 VL germline gene by the PCR which was set up according to the manufacturer's directions. A thermal cycler was used for the denaturation (94 OC), annealing (45 and elongation (72 OC) steps. Each of the three steps in a cycle were carried out for 4 minutes; there was a total of 30 cycles.

Upstream of the regulatory sequences in the 1 Hum4 VL germline gene, there is a unique Cla I restriction enzyme site. Therefore, the 5' end oligonucleotide for the PCR technique, called HUMVL(+) (Figure was designed to include this Cla I site.

The 3' end oligonucleotide, called HUMVL(-) (Figure contained a unique Hind III site; sufficient mouse intron sequence past the splicing site to permit an effective splice donor function; a human J4 sequence 25 contiguous with the 3' end of the VL exon of Hum4 VL to complete the CDR3 and FR4 sequences of the VL domain (see Figures 9 and 10); nucleotides to encode a tyrosine residue at position 94 in CDR3; and 29 nucleotides close to the 3' end of the VL exon of Hum4 VL (shown underlined in the oligonucleotide HUMVL(-) in Figure 8) to anneal with the human DNA target. In total, this 3' end oligonucleotide for the PCR was 98 bases long with a non-annealing segment (a "wagging tail") of 69 nucleotides. A schematic of the Hum4 VL gene target and o• I -38the oligonucleotides used for the PCR are shown in Figure 11.

A PCR reaction was set up with 1 pg of total human DNA in a reaction volume of 100 uL. Primers HUMVL(-) and HUMVL(+) were each present at an initial concentratiuon of 100 pmol. Prior to the addition of Taq polymerase (2.5 units/reaction) 100 pLs of mineral oil were used to overlay the samples. Control samples were set up as outlined below. The samples were heated to 95 OC for 3 minutes. When the PCR was complete, pL samples were removed for analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Based on the known size of the Hum4 VL DNA 1 fragment to be cloned, and the size of the oligonucleotides used to target the gene, a product of 1099 bp was expected. A band corresponding to this size was obtained in the reaction (shown in lane 7, Figure 12).

To prepare a plasmid suitable for cloning and subsequently expressing the Hum4 VL gene, the plasmid S* pSV2neo was obtained from ATCC and subsequently 25 modified. pSV2neo was modified as set forth below (see Figure 13).

The preparation of pSV2neo-101 was as follows.

Ten micrograms of purified pSV2neo were digested with 0L units of Hind III at 37 'C for 1 hour. The linearized plasmid DNA was precipitated with ethanol, washed, dried and dissolved in 10 uL water. Two microliters each of mM dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dTTP were added, as well as 2 pUgL of 10X ligase buffer. Five units (1 pL) of DNA polymerase I were added to make blunt the Hind III -39sticky ends. The reaction mixture was incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. The enzyme was inactivated by heating the mixture to 650C for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was phenol extracted and ethanol precipitated into a pellet. The pellet was dissolved in pl deionized, distilled water. A 2 il aliquot (ca. 1 pg) was then added to a standard 20 .L ligation reaction, and incubated overnight at 4 OC.

Competent E.coli DH1 cells were transformed with 1 pL and 10 pL aliquots of the ligation mix (Invitrogen, San Diego, CA) according to the manufacturer's directions. Ampicillin resistant colonies were obtained on LB plates containing 100 pg/mL ampicillin. Selected clones grown in 2.0 mL overnight cultures were prepared, samples of plasmid DNA were digested with Hind III and Bar HI separately, and a correct representative clone selected.

The resulting plasmid pSV2neo-101 was verified by size mapping and the lack of digestion with Hind III.

A sample of DNA from pSV2neo-10 mini-lysate was prepared by digesting with 50 units of Ban HI at 37°C for 2 hours. The linearized plasmid was purified from a 4 percent DNA polyacrylamide gel by electroelution. The DNA ends were made blunt by filling in the Bam HI site using dNTPs and Klenow fragment, as described earlier for the Hind III site of pSV2 neo-101.

A polylinker segment containing multiple cloning sites was incorporated at the Barn HI site of pSV2neo-101 to create pSV2neo-102. Equimolar amounts of Stwo oligonucleotides, and (shown in Figure 14) were annealed by heating for 3 minutes at 90 °C and cooling to 50 Annealed linker DNA and blunt ended pSV2neo-101 were added, in a 40:1 molar volume to a standard 20 pL ligation reaction. E.coli DH1 was transformed with 0.5 pL and 5 pL aliquots of the ligation mixture (Invitrogen). Twelve ampicillin resistant colonies were selected for analysis of plasmid DNA to determine whether the linker had been incorporated.

A Hind III digest of mini-lysate plasmid DNA revealed linker incorporation in six of the clones. The plasmid DNA from several clones was sequenced, to determine the number of linker units that were blunt-end ligated to pSV2neo-101 as well as the relative orientation(s) with the linker. Clones for sequencing were selected on the basis of positive digestion with Hind III.

A SequenaseTM sequencing kit (United States B)iochemical Corp, Cleveland, OH was used to sequecne the DNA. A primer, NE0102SEQ, was used for sequencing and is shown in Figure 15. It is complementary to a 6"9 sequence located upstream from the BamHI site in the vector. Between 3 pg and 5 plg of plasmid DNA isolated from E.coli mini-lysates were used for sequencing. The DNA was denatured and precipitated prior to annealing, as according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Electrophoresis was carried out at 1500 volts; gels were dried prior to exposure to Kodak X-ray film. Data was processed using Hitachi's DNASIS" computer program.

From the DNA sequence data of 4 clones analyzed (see photograph of autoradiogram Figure 16), compared to the expected sequence in Figure 14, two clones having -41the desired orientationwere obtained. A representative clone was selected and designated pSV2neo-102.

A human CK gene was inserted into pSV2neo-102 to form pRL1000. The human CK DNA was containe'd in a 5.0 kb Hind III-Bam HI fragment (Hieter etal. (1980), Cell, 22:197-207).

A 3 pg sample of DNA from a mini-lysate of pSV2neo-102 was digested with Bam HI and Hind III. The vector DNA was separated from the small Bam HI-Hind III linker fragment, generated in the reaction, by electrophoresis on a 3.75 percent DNA polyacrylamide gel. The desired DNA fragment was recovered by electroelution. A pBR322 clone containing the 5.0 kb Hind III-Bam HI fragment of the human CK gene (see Hieter etal., supra) was designated phumCK. The 5.0 kb Hind III-Bam HI fragment was ligated with pSV2neo-102r and introduced into E.coli DH1 (Invitrogen). Ampicillin resistant colonies were screened and a clone containing the human Ck gene was designated pRL1000.

a Finally, pRL1000 clones were screened by testing mini-lysate plasmid DNA from E.coli with Hind III and Barn HI. A clone producing a plasmid which gave 2 bands, one at 5.8 Kb (representing the vector) and the other at 5.0 kb (representing the human CK insert) was *as* selected. Further characterization of oRL1000 was achieved by sequencing downstream from the Hind III site in the intron region of the human CK insert. The Soligonucleotide used to prime the sequencing reaction was NE0102SEQ (Figure 15). Two hundred and seventeen bases were determined (see Figure 17). A new e oligonucleotide corresponding to the strand near the Hind III site (shown in Figure 17) was synthesized so I3-C -42that clones, containing the HHum4 VL gene that were cloned into the Cla I and Hind III sites in pRL1000 (see Figure 13), could be sequenced.

A Cla I-Hind III DNA fragment containing Hum4 VL obtained by PCR was cloned into the plasmid vector pRL1000. DNA of pRL1000 and the Hum4 VL were treated with Cla I and Hind III and the fragments were gel purified by electrophoresis, as described earlier.

The pRL1000 DNA fragment and fragment containing Hum4 VL gene were ligated, and the ligation mixture used to transform E.coli DH1 (Invitrogen), following the manufacturer's protocol. Ampicillin resistant clones were screened for the presence of the Hum4 VL gene by restriction enzyme analysis and a representative clone designated pRL1001 (shown in Figure 18).

Four plasmids having the correct Cla I-Hind III restriction pattern were analyzed further by DNA sequencing of the insert region (see Figure 19). Hind III (shown in Figure 17), HUMLIN1(-) (shown in Figure 10), HUMLIN2(-) (shown in Figure 10) were used as the sequencing primers. Two out of the four plasmids analyzed had the expected sequence in the coding regions (Figure 19, clones 2 and 9).

Clone 2 was chosen and used for generating 30 sufficient plasmid DNA for cell transformations and other analysis. This plasmid was used for sequencing through the Hum4 VL, and the upstream region to the Cla I site. Only one change at nucleotide position 83 from a C to a G (Figure 10) was observed, compared to a

I

II C ~i -43published sequence (Klobeck etal. (1985), supra). The DNA sequence data also indicates that the oligonucleotides used for the PCR had been correctly incorporated in the target sequence.

The Biorad Gene Pulser" apparatus was used to transfect Sp2/0 cells with linearized plasmid DNAs containing the light or heavy chain constructs. The Hum4 VL was introduced in Sp2/0 cells along with corresponding heavy chains by the co-transfection scheme indicated in Table 1.

Table 1 s r r DNA Added Cell Line Designation L Chain H Chain H Chain pRL001 p49 p83 gl-2.3 gl-2.3 MPl-44H 20 pg 15 pg 0 pg MP1-84H 20 pg 0 g 15 ug A total of 8.0 X 106 Sp2/0 cells were washed in sterile PBS buffer (0.8 mL of 1 X 107 viable cells/mL) and held on ice for 10 minutes. DNA of pRL1001, 25 linearized at the Cla I site, and the DNA of either p49 g1-2.3 or p83 g1-2.3, linearized at their respective Nde I sites, were added, in sterile PBS, to the cells (see protocol Table 2) and held at 0 OC for a further minutes. A single 200 volt, 960 pF electrical pulse lasting between 20 and 30 milliseconds was used for the electroporation. After holding the perturbed cells on ice for 5 minutes, 25 mL of RPMI medium with 10 percent fetal calf serum were introduced, and 1.0 mL samoles aliquoted in a 24 well tissue culture plate. The cells were incubated at 37 °C in a 5 percent CO2 atmosphere.

I CIII -44- After 48 hours, the media was exchanged with fresh selection media, now containing both 1 mg/mL Geneticin (G418) (Difco) and 0.3 g/ml mycophenolic acid/gpt medium. Resistant cells were cultured for 7-10.days.

Supernatants from wells having drug resistant colonies were tested on ELISA plates for activity against TAG-72. A roughly 10 percent pure TAG-72 solution prepared from LS147T tumor xenograft cells was diluted 1:40 and used to coat flexible polyvinyl chloride microtitration plates (Dynatech Laboratories, Inc.). Wells were air-dried overnight, and blocked the next day with 1 percent BSA. Supernatant samples to be tested for anti-TAG-72 antibody were added to the washed wells and incubated for between 1 and 2 hours at 37 OC.

Alkaline phosphatase labeled goat anti-human IgG (diluted 1:250) (Southern Biotech Associates, Birmingham, AL) was used as the probe antibody.

Incubation was for 1 hour. The substrate used was pnitrophenylphosphate. Color development was terminated by the addition of 1.0 N NaOH. The plates were read spectrophotometrically at 405 nm and 450 nm, and the values obtained were 405 nm-450 nm.

25 Those samples producing high values in the assay were subcloned from the original 24 well. plate onto 96 well plates. Plating was done at a cell density of half a cell per well (nominally 50 cells) to get pure monoclonal cell lines. Antibody producing cell lines 30 were frozen down in media containing 10 percent DMSO.

Two cell lines were procured having the designations: MP1-44H and MP1-84H. MP1-44H has the chimeric CC49 yl heavy chain with the Hum4 VL light e e -i chain; and MP1-84H has the chimeric CC83 gl heavy chain with the HumVkIV light chain.

A 1.0 L spinner culture of the cell lin-e MP1-44H was grown at 37°C for 5 days for antibody production. The culture supernatant was obtained free of cells by centrifugation and filtration through a 0.22 micron filter apparatus. The clarified supernatant was passed over a Protein A cartridge (Nygene, New York). Immunoglobulin was eluted using 0.1 M sodium citrate buffer pH 30. The pH of the eluting fractions containing the antibody was raised to neutrality by the addition of Tris base, pH 9.0. The antibody-containing fractions were concentrated and passed over a Pharmaoia Superose 12 HR 10/30 gel filtration column. A protein was judged to be homogeneous by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing further demonstrated the purity of MP1-44H.

The biological performance of the human composite antibody, MP1-44H, was evaluated by comparing immunohistochemistry results with two other anti-TAG-72 antibdoies CC49 (ATCC No. HB 9459) and Ch44 (ATCC No. HB 9884). Sections of human colorectal tumor embedded in paraffin were tested with the three antibodies by methods familiar to those skilled in this art. All three antibodies gave roughly equivalent binding recognition of the tumor antigen present on the tumor tissue sample.

A further test of the affinity and biological integrity of the human composite antibody MP1-44H was a competition assay, based on cross-competing radioiodine- "-labeled versions of the antibody with CC49 and Ch44 in all combinations. From the data shown in Figure 20, it 1 3~ 1 -46is apparent that the affinity of all 3 antibodies is equivalent and can bind effectively to tumor antigen.

MP1-44H (ATCC HB 10426) andMP1-84H (ATCC HB 10427) were deposited at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). The contract with ATCC provides for permanent availability of the cell lines to the public on the issuance of the U.S. patent describing and identifying the deposit or the publications or upon the laying open to the public of any U.S. or foreign patent application, which ever comes first, and for availability of the cell line to one determined by the U.S. Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to be entitled thereto according to 35 CFR §122 and the Commissioner's rules pursuant thereto (including 37 CFR §1.14 with particular reference to 886 OG 638). The assignee of the present application has agreed that if the cell lines on deposit should die or be lost or destroyed when cultivated under suitable conditions for a period of thirty (30) years or five years after the last request, it will be promptly replaced on notification with viable replacement cell lines.

Example 2 Single-chain antibodies consist of a VL, VH and a peptide linker joining the VL and VH domains to produce SCFVs. A single chain antibody, SCFV1, was .constructed to have the Hum4 VL as V Domain 1 and CC49 VH as V Domain 2 (see Figure 21).

The polypeptide linker which joins the two V domains was encoded by the DNA introduced at the 3' end Sof the VL DNA during the PCR. The oligonucleotides SCFV1a and SCFV2 were designed to obtain the DNA segment -47incorporating part of the yeast invertase leader sequence, the Hum4 VL and the SCFV linker.

The polypeptide linker for SCFV1 was en-coded in oligonucleotide SCFVlb (see below). The underlined portions of the oligonucleotides SCFVIa and SCFVlb are complementary to sequences in the Hum4 VL and linker respectively. The sequences of SCFV1a and SCFV1b are as follows, with the hybridizing sequences underlined: SCFVIa with the Hind III in bold: Hind III ACATCGTGATGACCCAGTC-3' SCFV1b with the Aat II site in bold: GACCGAACCTGACTCCTTCACCTTGGTCCCTCCGCCG-3' *e a The target DNA in the PCR was pRL1001 (shown in Figure 18). The PCR was performed pursuant to the teachings of Mullis etal. supra. A DNA fragment 30 containing the Hum4 VL-linker DNA component for the construction of SCFV1 was obtained and purified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis according to the teachings of Sambrook etal., supra.

i

~I

-48p49 gl-2.3, containing CC49 VH, was the target DNA in the PCR. PCR was performed according to the methods of Mullis etal., supra. The oligonucleotides used for the PCR of CC49 VH are as follows, with the hybridizing sequences underlined: SCFV1c, with the Aat II site in bold: 5'-CCTTAGACGTCCAGTTGCAGCAGTCTGACGC-3' SCFV1d, with the Hind III site in bold: 5'-GATCAAGCTTCACTAGGAGACGGTGACTGAGGTTCC-3' The purified Hum4 VL-linker and VH DNA fragments were treated with Aat II (New England Biolabs, Beverly, MA) according to the manufacturer's protocol, "and purified from a 5 percent polyacrylamide gel after electrophoresis. An equimolar mixture of the Aat II Sfragments was ligated overnight. The T4 DNA ligase was heat inactivated by heating the ligation reaction mixture at 65 ^C for 10 minutes. Sodium chloride was added to the mixture to give a final concentration of mM and the mixture was further with Hind III. A Hind III DNA fragment was isolated and purified from a percent polyacrylamide gel and cloned into a yeast expression vector (see Carter etal. (1987), In: DNA Cloning, A Practical Approach, Glover Vol. III: 141-161). The sequence of the fragment, containing the contiguous SCFV1 construct, is set forth in Figure 22.

The anti-TAG-72 SCFV1 described herein utilized the yeast invertase leader sequence (shown as positions -19 to -1 of Figure 22), the Hum4 VL (shown as positions 1 to 113 of Figure 22), an 18 amino acid linker (shown as positions 114 to 132 of Figure 22) and CC49 VH (shown as positions 133 to 248 of Figure 22).

The complete DNA and amino acid sequence of SCFV1 is given in Figure 22. The oligonucleotides used to sequence the SCFV1 are set forth below.

TPI:

5'-CAATTTTTTGTTTGTATTCTTTTC-3'.

HUVKF3: 5'-CCTGACCGATTCAGTGGCAG-3'.

DC113: 5'-TCCAATCCATTCCAGGCCCTGTTCAGG-3'.

SUC2T: 5'-CTTGAACAAAGTGATAAGTC-3'.

Examole 3 A plasmid, pCGS517 (Figure 23), containing a prorennin gene was digested with Hind III and a 6.5 kb fragment was isolated. The plasmid pCGS517 has a riosephosphate isomerase promoter, invertase [SUC2] signal sequence, the prorennin gene and a [SUC2] yrrm terminator. The Hind III-digested SCFV1 insert obtained above (see Figure 23) was ligated overnight with the Hind III fragment of pCGS517 using T4 DNA ligase (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA).

The correct orientation existed when the Hind III site of the insert containing part of the invertase signal sequence ligated to the vector DNA to form a gene with a contiguous signal sequence. E.coli DHI (Invitrogen) cells were transformed and colonies screened using a filter-microwave technique (see 3uluwela, etal. (1989), Nucleic Acids Research, 17:452).

From a transformation plate having several hundred colonies, 3 positive clones were obtained. Digesting the candidate plasmids with Sal I and Kpn I, each a single cutter, differentiated between orientations by the size of the DNA fragments produced. A single clone, pDYSCFV1 (Figure 23), had the correct orientation and was used for further experimentation and cloning. The probe used was derived from pRL1001, which had been digested with Kpn I and Cla I (see Figure 18). The probe DNA was labeled with 32p a-dCTP using a random S* oligonucleotide primer labeling kit (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology, Piscataway, NJ).

The next step was to introduce the Bgl II- Sal 1 fragment from pDYSCFV1 into the same restriction sites of another vector (ca. 9 kb), which was derived from PCGS515 (Figure 23). to give an autonomously 30 replicating plasmid in S.cerevisiae.

DNA from the vector and insert were digested in separate reactions with Bgl II and Sal I using 10X buffer number 3 (50 MM Tris-HCI (pH 100 mM NaC1, BRL). The DNA fragment from pDYSCFV1 was run I C in and electroeluted from a 5 percent polyacrylamide gel and the insert DNA was run and electroeluted from a 3.75 percent polyacrylamide gel. A standard ligation using T4 DNA ligase (Stratagene) and a transformation using E.

coli DH1 (Invitrogen) was carried out. Out of 6 clones selected for screening with Bgl II and Sal II, all 6 were correctly oriented, and one was designated pCGS515/SCFV1 (Figure 23).

DNA sequencing of pCGS515/SCFVI DRA was done using a Sequenase" kit Biochemical, Cleveland, OH) using pCGS515/SCFV1 DNA. The results have been presented in Figure 22 and confirm the sequence expected, based on the linker, the Hum4 VL and the CC49 VH Transformation of yeast cells using the autonomosly replicating plasmid pCGS515/SCFV1 was carried out using the lithium acetate procedures described in Ito etal. (1983;, J. Bacteriol., 153:163- 168; and Treco (1987), In: Curent Protocols in Molecular Biology, Ausebel etal. (eds), 2:13.71-13.7.6. The recipient strain of S.cerevisiae was CGY1284 having the genotype MAT a (mating strain ura 3-52 (uracil S. 25 auxotrophy), SSC1-1 (supersecreting and PEP4 (peptidase 4 positive).

Transformed clones of CGY1284 carrying SCFV plasmids were selected by their ability to grow on minimal media in the absence of uracil. Transformed colonies appeared within 3 to 5 days. The colonies were transferred, grown and plated in YEPD medium. Shake flasks were used to provide culture supernatant with expressed product.

-52- An ELISA procedure was used to detect biological activity of the SCFV1. The assay was set up such that the SCFV would compete with biotinylated CC49 (biotin-CC49) for binding to the TAG-72 antigen'on the ELISA plate SCFV1 protein was partially purified from a crude yeast culture supernatant, using a Superose 12 gel filtration column (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology), and found to compete with biotinylated CC49 in the competition ELISA. These results demonstrate that the SCFV1 had TAG-72 binding activity.

The SCFV1 protein has been detected by a standard Western protocol (see Towbin etal. (1979), Proc.

1 Natl. Acad. Sci., 76:4350-4354). The detecting agent was biotinylated FAID14 (ATCC No. CRL 10256), an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody prepared from mice that had been immunized with CC49. A band was visualized that had an apparent molecular weight of approximately 26,000 daltons, the expected size of the SCFV1. This result demonstrated that the SCFV1 had been 'o secreted and properly processed.

4* 25 Example 4 The following example demonstrates the cloning of human VH genes into a SCFV plasmid construct containing sequence coding for the Hum4 VL and a 30 amino acid linker called UNIHOPE.

A vector was prepared from plasmid pRW 83 containing a chloramphenicol resistance (Camr) gene for clone selection, and a penP gene with a penP promoter and terminator (see Mezes, etal. (1983), J. Biol. Chem., 258:11211-11218) and the pel B signal sequence (see Lei -53etal. 1987) supra) The vector was designated Fragment A. (see Figure 24). The penP gene was removed with a Hind III/Sal I digest.

The PenP promoter and pel B signal seau~nce were obtained by a FOR using pRW 83 as a template and oligonuoleot ides penPi and penP2 as primers. The fragment was designated Fragment B (see Figure 24). A Nco I enzyme restriction site was introduced at the 3' end of the signal sequence region by the penP2 oligonucleotide.

pen~i: '-CGATAAGCTTGAATTCCATCACTTCC-31 penP2: '-GGOOATGGCTGGTTGGGOAGOGAGTAATAAOAATOOAGOG GOT GCCGTAGGCAATAGGTATTTCATCAAAATCGTCTCCCTCCGTTTGAA-3' A SOFV comprised of a Hum4 VL, a CC49 VH, and an 18 amino acid linker (Lys Giu Ser Gly Ser Val Ser Ser Glu Gin Leu Ala Gin Phe Arg Ser Leu Asp) was obtained from pCGS515/SCFV1 by FOR using oligonucleotides penP3 and penP6. This fragment was designated Fragment D (see Figure 24). A Bcl I site was introduced at the 3' end of the VH region by the penP6 oligonucleotide.

penP3: '-GOTGOOOAAOOAGOOATGGOOGAOATOGTGATGACOOAGTOTOO-3' 30penP6(-): -CTCTTLGATCACCAAGTGACTTTl ATGTAAGATGAT--TTTTG AOG GATTOATOGOAATGTTTTTATTTGOGGAGACGGTGACTGAGGTTOO -3' 5 Fragments B and D were joined by FOR using 56:5oligonucleotides penPI and penP6, following the 11 I -54procedures of Horton etal., supra. The new fragment was designated E (See Figure 24).

Fragment C containing the penP termination codon was isolated by digesting pRW 83 with Bcl I and Sal I, and designated Fragment C. pRW 83 was isolated from E.

coli strain GM161, which is DNA methylase minus or dam".

Plasmid pSCFV 31 (see Figure 24) was created with a three part ligation Fragments A, C, and E.

The Nco I restriction enzyme site within the Camr gene and the Hind III site located at the 5' end of the penP promoter in pSCFV 31 were destroyed through a PCR DNA amplification using oligonucleotides Ncol.1 and Nco1.3(-) to generate an Eco RI-Nco I fragment and oligonucleotides Ncol.2 and Ncol.4c(-) to generate a Nco I to Eco RI fragment. These two fragments were joined by PCR-SOE using oligonucleotides Ncol.1 and Ncol.4c(-).

The oligonucleotides are set forth below: Ncol.1: 5'-TCCGGAATTCCGTATGGCAATGA-3' Ncol.3(-): 5'-CTTGCGTATAATATTTGCCCATCGTGAAAACGGGGGC-3' 25 2 5 Ncol.2: 5'-ATGGGCAAATATTATACGCAAG-3' Ncol.4c(-): 5'-CACTGAATTCATCGATGATAAGCTGTCAAACAT-AG-3' pSCFV 31 was digested with Eco RI and the larger fragment was isolated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. To prevent self ligation, the DNA was cephosphorylated using calf intertina. alkaline phosphatase according to the teachings of Sambrook etal., su-pra.

A two part ligation of the larger pSCFV 31 digested fragment and the PCR-SOE fragment, described above, resulted in the creation of pSCFV 31b (see Figure pSCFV 31b was digested with Nco I and Sal I and a fragment containing the Camr gene was isolated.

The Hum4 VL was obtained by PCR DNA amplification using pCGS515/SCFVI as a template and oligonucleotides 1OIIBH1 and 104BU2(-) as primers.

104IBHI: '-CAGCCATGGCCGACATCGTGATGACCCAGTCTCCA-3' 1 1BH2(-): 5 '-AAGCTTGCCCCATGCTGCTTTAACGTTAGTTTTATCTGCTGG AGACAGAGTGCCTTCTGCCTCCACCTTGGTCCCTCCGCCGAAAG-31 The CC 1 49 VH was obtained by PCB using p 2 49 g1-2-3 (Figure 5) as a template and oligonucleotides 25 10 1 4B3 and 10 2 4B4(-) as primers. A Nhe I enzyme :3restriction site was introduced just past the termination codon in the 3' end (before the Bcl I site) by oligonucleotide 10'4Bl(-).

30 10)4B3: -GTTAAAGCAGCATGGGGCAAGCTTATGACTCAGTTGCAGCAGTCTGACGC-3' -56- 10)4B4(-):

'-CTCTTGATCACCAAGTGACTTTATGTAAGATGATGTTTTGACGGATT

CATCGCTAGCTTTTTATTTGCCATAATAAGGGGAGACGGTGACTGAGGTTCC-3t In the PCB which joined these two fragments using oligonucleotides 1OLIBH1 and 10)4B41(-) as primers, a coding region for a 22 amino acid linker was formed.

A fragment C (same as above) containing the penP termination codon was isolated from pRW 83 digested with Rdl I and Sal I.

Plasmid pSCFV 33H (see figure 25) was created with a three part ligation of the vector, fragment C, and the SCFV fragment described above.

pSCFV 33H1 was digested with NcoI and NkeI, and the DNA fragment containing the Camr gene was isolated as a vector.

Hum4~ VL was obtained by PCB DNA amplification using pRL1001 (see Figure 18) as a template and oligonucleotides UNIH1 and U.NIH2(-) as primers. Oligonucleotides for the PCB were: LINIH1: 1-CAGCCATGGCCGACATTGTGATGTCACAGTCTCC-3' The Nco I site is in bold and the hybridizing sequence 30 is underlined.

UNIH2(-):

'-GAGGTCCGTAAGATCTGCCTCGCTACCTAGCAAA

A G GT CC TCAAG CT TGAT C ACC A CCT TGG TC C CT C CG C- 3 The Hind III site is in bold.

-57- The CC49 VH was obtained by a PCR using p 4 9gi- 2.3 (see Figure 6) as a template and oligonucleotides UNI3 and UNI4(-) as primers.

UNI3: 5'-AGCGAGGCAGATCTTACGGACCTCGAGGTTCAGTTGCAGCAGTCTGAC-3,.

The Xho I site is in bold and the hybridizing sequence is underlined.

UNI4(-): 5'-CATCGCTAGCTTTTTATGAGGAGACGGTGACTGAGGTTCC-3'.

The Nhe I site is in bold and the hybridizing sequence is underlined.

Oligonucleotides UNIH1 and UNI4(-) were used in the PCR-SOE amplification which joined the Hum4 VL and CC49 VH fragments and formed a coding region for a negatively charged fifteen amino acid linker. The DNA was digested with Nhe I and Nco I and ligated with the vector fragment from the Nco I-Nhe I digest of pSCFV 33H. The resultant plasmid was designated pSCFV UNIH (shown in Figure With the construction of pSCFV UNIH, a universal vector for any SCFV was created with all the desired restriction enzyme sites in place.

pSCFV UNIH was digested with Hind III/Xho I, and the large DNA fragment containing the Camr gene, Hum4 VL and CC49 V H was isolated.

S A fragment coding for a 25 amino acid linker, was made by annealing the two oligonucleotides shown below. The linker UNIHOPE is based on 205C SCA T linker (see.Whitlow, (1990) Antibody Engineering: New Technology and Aoplication Imolications, IBC USA C 1.

-58- Conferences Inc, MA), but the first amino acid was changed from serine to leucine and the twenty-fifth amino acid were was changed from glycine to leucine, to accomodate the Hind III and Xho I restriction sites.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the linker UNIHOPE is set forth below: UNIHOPE (Figure 26): AAGGATGACGCTAAGAAAGACGATGCTAAAAAGGACCTCGAGTCTA-3' UNIHOPE(-) (Figure 26):

CAT

CCTTCTTCGCAGCATCCTTTTTCGCATCGTCCGCACTAAGCTTTATA-3' The resulting strand was digested with Hind III/Xho I and ligated into the vector, thus generating the plasmid pSCFV UHH (shown in Figure 27). Plasmid pSCFV UHH expresses a biologically active, TAG-72 binding SCFV consisting of the Hum4 VL and CC49 VH. The expression plasmid utilizes the p-lactamase penP promoter, pectate lyase pelB signal sequence and the penP terminator region. Different immunoglobulin light chain variable regions can be inserted in the Nco I-Hind III restriction sites, different SCFV linkers can be 25 Sinserted in the Hind III-Xho I sites and different immunoglobulin heavy chain variable regions can be inserted in the Xho I-Nhe I sites.

E.coli AG1 (Stratagene) was transformed with the ligation mix, and after screening, a single chloramphenicol resistant clone, having DNA with the correct restriction map, was used for further work.

The DNA sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of the SCFV gene in the resulting plasmid are shown in Figure 26.

I

-59- E.coli AG1 containing pSCFV UHH were grown in 2 ml of LB broth with 20 pg/mL chloramphenicol (CAM The culture was sonicated and assayed using a competition ELISA. The cells were found to produce anti-TAG-72 binding material. The competition assay was set up as follows: a 96 well plate was derivatized with a TAG-72 preparation from LS174T cells. The plate was blocked with 1% BSA in PBS for 1 hour at 31 °C and then washed 3 times with 200 pL of biotinylated CC49 (1/20,000 dilution of a 1 mg/mL solution) were added to the wells and the plate was incubated for 30 minutes at 31 The relative amounts of TAG-72 bound to the plate, biotinylated CC49, streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase, and color development times were determined empirically in order not to have excess of either antigen or biotinylated CC49, yet have enough signal to detect competition by SCFV. Positive controls were CC49 at 5 pg/mL and CC49 Fab at 10 pL/mL. Negative controls were 1% BSA in PBS and/or concentrated LB. Unbound proteins were washed away.

Fifty microliters of a 1:1000 dilution of streptavidin conjugated with alkaline phosphatase (Southern Biotechnology Associates, Inc., Birmingham, AL) were added and the plate was incubated for S. minutes at 31 oC. The plate was washed 3 more times.

Fifty microliters of a para-nitrophenylphosphate solution (Kirkegaard Perry Laboratories, Inc., 30 Gaithersburg, MD) were added and the color reaction was 30 allowed to develop for a minimum of 20 minutes. The relative amount of SCFV binding was measured by optical density scanning at 405-450 nm using a microplate reader (Molecular Devices Corporation, Menlo Park, CA).

Binding of the SCFV resulted in decreased binding of the I biotinylated CC49 with a concomitant decrease in color development. The average value for triplicate test samples is shown in the table below: Sample (50 pL) OD 405 nm OD 450 nm Value (mixed 1:1 with CC49 Biotin) at 50 minutes Sonicate E.coli AG1/ pSCFVUHH clone 10 0.072 Sonicate E.coli AG1/ pSCFVUHH 0.085 clone 11 CC49 at 5 mg/mL 0.076 CC49 Fab at 10 mg/mL 0.078 LB (negative control) 0.359 The data indicates that there was anti-TAG-72 activity present in the E.coli AGI/pSCFVUHH clone sonicate.

Example 7 25 The plasmid pSCFVUHH may be used to host other VH genes on Xho I-Nhe I fragments and test in a SCFV format, following the procedures set forth below. A schematic for this process is shown here.

S e i -61- Discovery of HUMn VEL-VH combinations that compete with known prototype TAG-binding antibodies or mimetics.

pSCFVUHH Xho I/Nlze I Vector DNA Fragment (CC49 VjH removed) or pATDFLAG XhoI/NheI Vector DNA Fragment Isolate mRNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes Synthesize cDNA PCR amplify human VH genes using oligos HVHl35, HVH2A, HVH46 (as the 5' targeting oligos) and JH1245, JH3 and JH6 (as the 3' targeting in all 9 combinations.

Gel purify DNA Digest with Xhw I and AMhe I Gel purify DNA (VH inserts) SO S tLigate Vector 1 VH inser:- DNAs Transfnorm Excoi II_ 0 t -62- Plate transformation mix onto hydrophilic membranes (137 mm) which are placed on LB CAM 20 agar plates (150 mm) with a colony density of 5 50,000 per plate.

Grow for 8-16 hours at 37 °C.

Transfer hydrophilic membrane onto fresh LB CAM 20 having a TAG-72-coated hydrophobic membrane (137 mm placed on the agar surface. Incubate for 24-96 hou SCFV is secreted by E. coli and may bind to TAG.

assay plate already rs.

Process hydrophobic membrane using a prototype biotinylated TAG-competing antibody, e.g. 872.3, CC49, CC83 or biotinylated competing peptide or mimetic. Use streptavidin conjugated with alkaline phosphatase to bind to biotin and suitable substrate for alkaline phosphatase to develop a color reaction.

Co-relate clear zones on membrane assay with colony(ies) on hydrophilic membrane. Isolate/purify correct clone as necessary. Characterize DNA (sequence) and determine binding affinity of SCFV to TAG-72. Purify SCFV and perform invivo animal biodistribution studies.

Determine normal:tumor tissue binding profile by immunohistochemistry.

Utilize Hum4 VL and VH in preferred antibody formats e.g. whole Ig (IgGI, IgE, IgM etc.) Fab or F(ab')2 fragment, or SCFV.

e o

P

0

C

-63- Isolating total RNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes: Blood from a normal, healthy donor is drawn into three 5 mL purple-cap Vacutainer tubes. Seven mL of blood are added to two 15 mL polypropylene tubes. An equal volume of lymphoprep (cat# AN5501, Accurate) is added and the solution is mixed by inversion. Both tubes are centrifuged at 1000 rpm and 18 °C for minutes. The resulting white area near the top of the liquid (area not containing red blood cells) is removed from each sample and placed into two sterile polypropylene centrifuge tube. Ten mL of sterile PBS are added and the tube mixed by inversion. The samples are centrifuged at 1500 rpm and 18 °C for 20 minutes Total RNA is isolated from resulting pellet according to the RNAzol B Method (Chomczynski and Sacchi (1987), Analytical Biochemistry, 162:156-159). Briefly, the cell pellets are lysed in 0.4 mL RNAzol solution (cat#:CS-105, Cinna/Biotecx). RNA is solubilized by passing the cell pellet through a 1 mL pipet tip. Sixty IL of chloroform are added and the solution is shaken for 15 seconds. RNA solutions are then placed on ice for 5 minutes. Phases are separated by centrifugation .o :at 12000 x g and 4 °C for 15 minutes. The upper S(aqueous) phases are transferred to fresh RNase-free microcentrifuge tubes. One volume of isopropanol is added and the samples placed at -20 °C for 1 hour. The samples are then placed on dry ice for 5 minutes and finally centrifuged for 40 seconds at 14,000 x g and 4 The resulting supernatant is removed from each sample and the pellet is dissolved in 144 pL of sterile RNase-free water. Final molarity is brought to 0.2M NaCL.. The DNA is reprecipitated by adding 2 volumes of 100% ethanol, leaving on dry ice for 10 minutes, and -64centrifugation at 14,000 rpm and 4 OC for 15 minutes.

The supernatants are then removed, the pellets washed with 75% ethanol and centrifuged for 8 minutes at 12000 x g and 4 OC. The ethanol is then removed and the pellets dried under vacuum. The resulting RNA is then dissolved in 20 sterile water containing 1 pl RNasin (cat#:N2511, Promega).

oDNA synthesis: cDNA synthesis is performed using a Gene Amp"T PCR kit (cat#: N808-0017 Perkin Elmer Cetus), RNasin 7 (cat#: N2511, Promega), and AMV reverse transcriptase (cat#: M9004, Promega). The following protocol is used for each sample: ComDonents Amount MgC12 solution 4 pi pi 2 pi PCR buffer II 0 dATP 2 li S* dCTP 2 p1 dGTP 2 p1 dTTP 2 pi 3' primer 1 pi (random hexamers) RNA sample 2 ul RNasin 1 p.

AMV RT 1.5 pl *0 Samples are heated at 80 'C for 3 minutes then slowly cooled to 48 OC. The samples are then Scentrifuged for 10 seconds. AMV reverse transcriptase is added to the samples which are then incubated for minutes at 37 OC. After incubation, 3.5 i of each dNTP and 0.75 reverse transcriptase (cacL,#: 109118, Boehringer Mannheim) are added. The samples are incubated for an additional 15 minutes at 37 0

C.

POR Reaction: Oligonucleotides are designed to amplify human yE genies by polymerase chain reaction. The oligonucleotidcs are set forth below: HVH 135: s '-TATTCTCGAGGTGCA(AG)CTG(CG)TG(CG)AGTCTGG-3' i{VH2A:.

5'-TATTCTCGAGGTCAA(CG)TT(AG)A(AG)GGAGTCTGG-3'

HVH

1 46: 5'-TATTCTCGAGGTACAGCT(AG)CAG(CG)(AT)GTC(ACG)GG-31 The 3' ol igonucleot ides are set forth below: JH1245: '-TTATGCTAGCTGAGGAGAC (AG) GTGACCAGGG-3' V. 20 .jH3: 5 -TTATGCTAGCTGAAGAGACGGTGACCATTG JH6: '-TTATGCTAGCTGAGGAGACGGTGACCGTGG-3' PCR reactions are performed with a GeneAmp

T

PCR

kit (cat#k:N808-0017, Perkin Elmer Cetus). Components are listed below: 0

V

-66- Cornoonerits Amount ddH 2 O 75 pl x buffer 10 P1 dATP 2 p1 dCTP 2 jil dGTP 2 p1l dTTP 2 p 1 l 1* Target DNA p 1 l 2* 5' primer 2. 5 p1l 3' primer 2.0 Ill 3* AmtpliTaq" T 1.3 p1 P lyrne ras e 15 *components added in order at, 92 0

C

of first cycle PCR program: step 1 941 OC for, 30 seconds step 2 60 'C for 1 minutes step 3 72 'C for 45 seconds 9.*Approximately 35 cycles are completed for each reaction.

All PCR reactions are performed using a Perkin Elmer Cetus PCR System 9600 thermal cycler.

Treatment of Human inserts with Xho I and Nhe I: Human VH genes are digested with Xho I (cat#: 131L, NTew England Biolabs) and Nhe I (cat#: 146L, New England Biolabs). The following protocol, is used for each sample: SUBSTANCE AMOUNT DNA 20 111 NEB Buffer #2 4.5 pl Nhe I 2 il Xho I 2 pi 16.5 pl Samples are incubated at 37 °C for one hour.

After this incubation, an additional 1.5 pL Nhe I is added and samples are incubated an additional two hours at 37 oC.

Purification of DNA: After the restrictive enzyme digest, DNA is run on a 5 percent polyacrylamide gel (Sambrook etal. (1989), supra). Bands of 390-420 bp in size are excised from the gel. DNA is electroeluted and ethanol precipitated according to standard procedures.

PCR products resulting from oligonucleotide combinations are pooled together: JH1245 with HVH135, HVH2A and HVH46; JH3 with HVH135, HVH2A and HVH46; JH6 with HVH135, HVH2A and HVH46. The volume of the resulting pools are reduced under vacuum to microliters. The pools are then purified from a 4 percent polyacrylamide gel (Sambrook etal. (1989), supra) to isolate DNA fragments. Bands resulting at 390-420 bp are excised from the gel. The DNA from excised gel slices is electroeluted according to standard protocols set forth in Sambrook, supra.

C

i I -68- Isolation of pSCFVUHH Xho I/Nhe I Vector Fragment Approximately 5 pg in 15 pL of pSCFVUHH plasmid is isolated using the Magic Mini-prep" system (Promega). To this is added 5.4 pL OF 10X Buffer #2 (New England Biolabs), 45 units of Xho I (New England Biolabs), 15 units of Nhe I and 24 pL of ddH20. The reaction is allowed to proceed for 1 hour at 37 The sample is loaded on a 4% polyacrylamide gel, electrophoresed and purified by electroelution, as described earlier. The DNA pellet is dissolved in 20 uL of ddH 2 0.

One hundred nanograms of pSCFVUHH digested with Xho I/Nhe I is ligated with a 1:1 molar ratio of purified human VH inserts digested with Xho I and Nhe I using T4 DNA ligase (Stratagene). Aliquots are used to transform competent E.coli AG1 cells (Stratagene) according to the supplier's instructions.

S 20 GVWP hydrophilic membranes (cat# GVWP14250, Millipore) are placed on CAM 20 LB agar plates (Sambrook etal., 1989). One membrane is added to each plate. Four hundred microliters of the E.coli AG1 transformation suspension from above are evenly spread over the surface of each membrane. The plates are incubated for 16 hours at 37 °C ambient temperatures.

Preoaration of TAG-72-coated membranes: A 1% dilution of partially purified tumor 30 associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG-72) produced in LS174 Tcells is prepared in TBS (cat# 28376, Pierce). Ten 6 6 milliliters of the TAG dilution are placed in a petri plate (cat# 8-757-14, Fisher) for fu.ture use.

Immobilon-P PVDF transfer membranes (cat# SE151103, Millipore) are immersed in methanol. The membranes are I I beCeC Ir -69than rinsed three times in sterile double distilled water. After the final wash, the excess water is allowed to drain. Each of the membranes are placed in milliliters of dilute TAG-72. The membranes -are incubated at ambient temperature from 1 hour with gentle shaking. After incubation, the membranes are blocked with Western blocking solution (25 mM Tris, 0.15 M NaC1, pH 7.6; 1% BSA) for about 1 hour at ambient temperature.

Blocking solution is drained from the TAG membranes. With the side exposed to TAG-72 facing up, the membranes are placed onto fresh CAM 20 plates.

Resulting air pockets are removed. The bacterial membranes are then added, colony side up, to a TAG membrane. The agar plates are incubated for 24 to 96 hours at ambient temperatures.

The orientation of the TAG-72 and bacterial membranes are marked with permanent ink. Both membranes S20 are removed from the agar surface. The TAG-72 membrane 20 is placed in 20 ml of Western antibody buffer (TBS in :i 0.05% Tween-20, cat# P-1379, Sigma Chemical Co.; 1% BSA, cat#3203, Biocell Laboratories) containing 0.2 ng of CC49-Biotin probe antibody. The bacterial membranes are 25 replaced on the agar surface in their original orientation and set aside. CC49-Biotin is allowed to bind to the TAG membranes for 1 hour at 31 °C with gentle shaking. The membranes are then washed three times with TTBS (TBS, 0.05% Tween-20) for 5 minutes on 30 an orbital shaker at 300 rpm. Streptavidin alkaline phosphatase (cat# 7100-04, Southern Biotechnology Associates) is added to Western antibody buffer to produce a 0.1% solution. The TAG-72 membranes are each immersed in 16 milliliters of the streptavidin solution and allowed to incubate for 30 minutes at 31 oC with

I

gentle shaking. After incubation, the membranes are washed as previously described. A final wash is then performed using Western alkaline phosphate buffer (8.4 g NaC03, 0.203 g MgCl2-H20, pH for 2 minutes at 200 rpm at ambient temperature. To develop the membranes, Western blue stabilized substrate (cat# S384B, Promega) is added to each membrane surface. After 30 minutes at ambient temperatures, development of the membranes is stopped by rinsing the membranes three times with The membranes are then photographed. The membranes are then photograhed and clear zones are corelated with colonies on the hydrophilic membrane, set aside earlier.

Colony(ies) are isolated for growth in culture and used to prepare plasmid DNA for sequencing and protein preparation to evaluate specificity and affinity.

Identification of Hum4 VL, human VH combinations using pATDFLAG.

In a second assay system, Hum4 VL human VH Scombinations are discovered that bind to TAG-72 according to the schematic, supra, except for the following: at the assay step, IBI MII antibody is used as a probe to detect any Hum4 VL VH SCFV combinations that have bound to the hydrophobic membrane coated with TAG-72.

The plasmid pATDFLAG was generated from pSCFVUHH (see Figure 29) to incorporate a flag-coating sequence 3' of any human VH genes to be expressed 30 continguously with Hum4 VL. The plasmid pATDFLAG, when digested with Xho I and Nhe I and purified becomes the S: human CH discovery plasmid containing Hum4 VL in this SCFV format. The plasmid pATDFLAG was generated as follows. Plasmid pSCFVUHH treated with Xho I and Nhe I (isolated and described above) was used in a ligation P -71reaction with the annealed FLAG and FLAGNC oligonucleotides.

FLAGC:

5'-TCGAGACAATGTCGCTAGCGACTACAAGGACGATGATGACAAATAAAAAC-3'

FLAGNC:

5'-CTAGGTTTTTATTTGTCATCATCGTCCTTGTAGTCGCTAGCGACATTGTC-3' Equimolar amounts (1 x 10-10 moles of each of the oligonucleotides FLAGC and FLAGNC were mixed together using a ligation buffer (Stratagene). The sample is heated to 94 °C and is allowed to cool to below 35 °C before use in the ligation reaction below.

q Ligation Reaction to Obtain pATDFLAG r: sc r e o e s s

COMPONENT

pSCFVUHH Xho I/Nhe I vector

ANNEALED

FLAGC/FLAGNC

Ligation buffer T4 DNA LIGASE MM ATP

AMOUNT

1.5 il 0.85 Ul 2 pl 1 pl 2 1l 12.65 ul r r The reaction is carried out using the following components and amounts according the ligation protocol disclosed above. Ecoli AG1 cells (Stratagene) are transformed with 3 1l of the above ligation reaction and colonies selected using CAM 20 plates. Clones having

M

-72appropriate Nhe I, Xho I and Nhe I/Xho I restriction patterns are selected for DNA sequencing.

The oligonucleotide used to verify the sequence of the FLAG linker in PATDFLAG (see Figure 28) is called PENPTSEQ: 5'-CTTTATGTAAGATGATGTTTTG-3. This oligonucleotide is derived from the non-coding 7trand of the penP terminator region. DNA sequencing is performed using Sequenase" T sequencing kit Biochemical, Cleveland, OH) following the manufacturer's directions.

The DNA and deduced amino acid sequences of the Hum4 VL UNIHOPE linker FLAG peptide is shown in Figure 28.

Generating pSC49FLAG The CC49VH is inserted into the sites of Xho I Nhe I pATDFLAG (see Figure 29) and evaluated for biological activity with the purpose of serving as a positive control for the FLAG assay system to detect binding to TAG-72. The new plasmid, called pSC49FLAG 2 (see Figure 29) is generated as follows. The plasmid pATDFLAG (5 mg, purified from a 2.5 ml culture by the Magic Miniprep'" system (Promega) is treated with Xho I and Nhe I and the large vector fragment purified as described above for pSCFVUHH. The CC49 VH insert DNA fragment is obtained by PCR amplification from pSCFVUHH and oligonucleotides UNI3 as the 5' end oligonucleotide and SC49FLAG as the 3' end oligonucleotide. The resulting DNA and amino acid sequences of this SCFV 30 antibody, with the FLAG peptide at the C-terminus, is shown in Figure 30. The PCR reaction is carried out using 100 pmol each of the oligonucleotides, 0.1 ng of pSCFVUHH target DNA (uncut) and the standard protocol and reagents provided by Perkin Elmer Cetus. The DNA is first gel purfied, then treated with Xho I and Nhe I to -73generate sticky ends and purified from a 4% polyacrylamide gel and electroeluted as described earlier. The DNA vector (pATDFLAG treated with Xho I and Nhe I) and the insert -(CC49 VH PCR product from pSCFVUHH treated with Xho I and Nhe I) are ligated in a 1:1 molar ratio, using 100 ng vector DNA (Stratagene kit) and used to transform E.coli AG1 competent cells (Stratagene) according to the manufacturer's directions.

A colony with the correct plasmid DNA is picked as the pSC49FLAG clone.

Liqation of pATDFLAG Vector with PCR Amplified Hum4 V, Inserts The protocol for the ligation reaction is as 1 follows: COMPONENT AMOUNT DNA vector:pATDFLAG Xho 2.5 pL 20 I/Nhe I Hum V DNA inserts: Xho 6 pL I/Nhe I 10 mM ATP (Stratagene) 2 pL 10X buffer (Stratagene) 2 pL 25 T4 DNA ligase (Stratagene) 1 pL 6.5 pL S 30 DNA vector, ATP, 10X buffer and ddH20 are combined. DNA insert and T4 DNA ligase are then added.

Ligation reactions are then placed in a 4 L beaker containing H 2 0 at 18 oC. The temperature of the water I 4 -74is gradually reduced by refrigeration at 4 °C overnight.

This ligation reaction generates pHum4 VL hum.VH Transformation of E.coli AG1 with pHum4 VT-Hum V, (X) Ligation Mix Transformation of pATDFLAG into competent E.coli AG1 cells (Stratagene, La Jolla) is achieved following the supplier's protocol.

IBI MII Anti-FLAG Antibody Plate Assay The first three steps, preparation of TAGcoated membranes, plating of bacterial membranes, and assembly of TAG and bacterial membranes, are the same as those described in the CC49-Biotin Competition Plate Assay.

After the 24 hour incubation at ambient temperatures, the membranes are washed with TTBS three 20 times at 250 rpm for four minutes. The MII antibody (cat# IB13010, International Biotechnologies, Inc.) is then diluted with TBS to a concentration ranging from 10.85 pg/ml to 0.03 pg/ml. Ten millilters of the diluted antibody are added to each membrane. The 25 membranes are then incubated for 1 hour at ambient temperatures and shaken on a rotary shaker at 70 rpm.

After incubation, the MII antibody is removed and the *Eo membranes are washed three times at 250 rpm and ambient temperatures for 5 minutes. The final wash is removed "30 S**0 and 20 milliters of a 1:2000 dilution of sheep antimouse horseradish peroxidase linked whole antibody (cat# NA931, Amersham) is prepared with TBS and added to each membrane. The membranes are again incubated for 1 hour at ambient temperatures and 70 rpm. Following incubation, the membranes are washed three times at 250 rpm and ambient temperature for 5 minutes each.

Enzygraphic Webs (cat# IB8217051, International Biotechnologies, Inc.) are used according to develop the membranes, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The membranes are then photographed.

Instead of seeing a clear zone on the developed membrane for a positive Hum4 VL-VH clone producing an SCFV that binds to TAG-72, (as seen with the competition screening assay) in this direct FLAG 1 detecting assay, a blue-purple spot is indicative of a colony producing a SCFV that has bound to the TAG-72 coated membrane. The advantage of using the FLAG system is that any Hum4 VL VH SCFV combination that has bound to TAG-72 will be detected. Affinities can be measured by Scatchard analysis (Scatchard (1949), supra) and specificity by immunohistochemistry. These canidates could then be checked for binding to a specific epitope by using the competition assay, supra, and a competing *20 antibody or mimetic, if desired.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the cell lines deposited since the deposited embodiment is intended astwo illustration of one aspect of the invention and all cell lines which are functionally equivalent are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, while this invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled 30 in the art that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (27)

1. A composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof having binding affinity for TAG-72, comprising: a light chain having a variable region said VL being encoded by a DNA sequence encoding, as part of said VL, at least a portion of a light chain variable region effectively homologous to the human Subgroup IV germline gene (Hum4 VL); and a heavy chain having a variable region said VH being encoded by a DNA sequence encoding, as part of said VH, at least a portion of a heavy chain variable region which is capable of combining with the VL to form a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind TAG-72.

2. The composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of claim 1, wherein the VL is further encoded by a human J gene segment.

3. The composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the VH is encoded by a DNA sequence comprising, as part of the coding sequence of said Vi, a subsegment effectively homologous to the VHaTAG germline gene (VHaTAG).

4. The composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the VH is further encoded by an animal D gene segment and an animal J gene segment. 20 5. The composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of claim 1, wherein the variable region is derived from the variable regions of CC46, CC49, CC83, or CC92.

6. The composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of claim 1, wherein the V H comprises complementarity determining regions (CDRs) being encoded by a gene derived from the VHaTAG germline gene, and framework segments, adjacent to the CDRs, encoded by a human gene.

7. The composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of claim 1, wherein the light chain further comprises at least a portion of a human light chain constant region (C L and the heavy chain further comprises at least a portion of an 30 animal heavy chain constant region (CH).

8. The composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of claim 6, wherein the CH is IgGi-4, IgM, IgA1, IgA2, IgD, or IgE.

9. The composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of claim 7, wherein said CL is kappa or lambda.

10. A composite Hum4 VL,VH single chain antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof comprising a light chain having a variable region said VL being encoded by a DNA sequence encoding, as part of said VL, at least a portion of a light chain variable 7is region effectively homologous to the human Subgroup IV germline gene (Hum4 VL); [n:\libz]00943:SAK 77 a heavy chain having a variable region (VII), said VI I being encoded by a DNA sequence segment encoding, as part of said V 1 at least a portion of a heavy chain variable region; and a polypeptide linker linking the VH and VL, wherein the linker properly folds the VH and VL into a single chain antibody which is capable of forming a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind TAG-72.

11. A composite Hum4 VL,VHI antibody or immunogenic fragment thereof having binding affinity for TAG-72, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples. 12, A composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody conjugate comprising the composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of any one of claims 1-11, conjugated to an imaging marker or therapeutic agent.

13. The composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody conjugate of claim 12, wherein the imaging marker is selected from the group consisting of 1251, 1311, 123J, 111 1n, 105 Rh, 53 Sm, 67 Cu, 6 7Ga, 166 Ho, 177 Lu, 186 Re, 188 Re, and 99 mTc.

14. The composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody conjugate of claim 12, wherein the therapeutic agent is a drug or biological response modifier, radionuclide, or toxin. The composite Hum4 VLVH antibody conjugate of claim 14, wherein the drug is methotTexate, adriamycin or interferon. 20 16. The comiposite Hum4 VL,VH antibody conjugate of claim 14, wherein the radionuclide is 1311, 9 0y, 1 05 Rh, 47 Sc, 67 Cu, 2 1 2 Bi, 2 1 1At, 67 Ga, 125I, 186 Re, 188 Re, 1 77 Lu, 99 mTc, 153 Sm, 1231 or 111 n.

17. A composition comprising the composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of any one of claims 1-11 in a pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic, sterile carrier.

18. A composition comprising the composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody conjugate of claim 13 in a pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic, sterile carrier.

19. A composition comprising the composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody conjugate of claim 14 in a pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic, sterile carrier. 30 20. A method for in vivo diagnosis of cancer which comprises administering to an animal a pharmaceutically effective amount of the composition of claim 17 or 18 for the in situ detection of carcinoma lesions.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the animal is a human.

22. A method for in vivo treatment of cancer which comprises administering to an animal a pharmaceutically effective amount of the composition of claim 17 or 19.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the animal is a human.

24. A method for intraoperative therapy which comprises: administering to an animal having at least one tumor a pharmaceutically effective amount of the composition of claim 17 or 18, whereby the tumors are localised; and [n:\libz100943:SAK excising tile tumors. The method of claim 24, wherein the animial is i human,

26. A cell capable of expressing the composite IIum4 VL,VIl antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of any one of claims 1-11, said cell being transformed with a first DNA sequence encoding at least a portion of a light chain variable region (VL) effectively homologous to the human Subgroup IV germline gene (Hum4 VL); and a second DNA sequence encoding at least a portion of a heavy chain o1 variable region (VH) which is capable of combining with the VL to form a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind TAG-72.

27. The cell of claim 26 wherein the first and second DNA sequences are contained within at least one biologically functional expression vector.

28. A process for producing a composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody comprising at least the variable domains of the antibody heavy and light chains, in a single host cell, comprising the steps of: transforming at least one host cell with i) a first DNA sequence encoding at least a portion of a light chain variable region (VL) effectively homologous to the human Subgroup IV germline gene 20 (Hum4 VL), and ii) a second DNA sequence encoding at least a portion of a heavy chain variable region (VH) which is capable of combining with the VL to form a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind TAG-72, and independently expressing said first DNA sequence and said second DNA sequence in said transformed single host cell.

29. The process according to claim 28 wherein said first and second DNA sequences are present in at least one vector.

30. The process according to claim 29 wherein the antibody heavy and light chains of the composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody expressed in the host cell are secreted therefrom so30 as an immunologically functional antibody molecule or antibody fragment. S.31. The process of claim 28, wherein the second DNA sequence encodes the VH of CC46, CC49, CC83 or CC92.

32. A process for preparing an antibody conjugate or antibody fragment conjugate which comprises contacting: the composite Hum4 VL,VH antibody or immunoreactive fragment thereof of any one of claims 1-11 with an imaging marker or therapeutic agent.

33. The process of claim 32, wherein the imaging marker is i251, 1311, 123I, 111 1n, 105 Rh, 153 Sm, 67 Cu, 67 Ga, 1 6 6Ho, 177 Lu, 186 Re, 188 Re, or 99 mTc. .ST 34. The process of claim 32, wherein the therapeutical agent is a radionuclide, T drug or biological response modifier, toxin or another antibody. [n:\libz]00943:SAK 0 0 A process f' produclig it composi(e 11U1114 Vj-,V 1 ialtibodjy fipisn t least the variable domains of the antibody heavy and light dihains, in a single host cell, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples.

36. An antibody, or an immunoreactive fragment of an antibody, produced by any one of the cell lines MPl-44H (ATCC HB 10426) or MPI-84H (ATCC FIB 10427). Dated 23 July, 1998 The Dow Chemical Company Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [n:\11bz]00943:SAK Composite Antibodies of Human Subgroup IV Light Chain Capable of Binding to TAG-72 ABSTRACT This invention concerns a subset of composite Hum4 VL, VHaTAG antibody with high affinities to a high molecular weight, tumor-associated sialylated glycoprotein antigen (TAG-72) of human origin. These antibodies have variable regions with VL segments derived from the human subgroup IV germline gene and (2) a VH segment which is capable of combining with the VL to form a three dimensional structure having the ability to bind TAG-72. InUviu meohoda of troatmont and dlagnostio ausay using Lthosu compo ito antibodiae is alao disolosed, a. p. a