**2. Display technologies to obtain recombinant monoclonal antibodies**

*In vitro* display technologies such as phage display, yeast display, ribosome display, bacterial display, mammalian cell surface display, mRNA display and DNA display represent *in vitro* selection platforms of specific molecules presented in a determined library. These technologies are used mainly to isolate peptides and antibody fragments in scFv, single domain antibody (sdAb) or Fab fragment formats. These technologies mimic the *in vivo* process for antibody generation and have four key steps as it occurs *in vivo* inside the immune system: (1) generation (or cloning) of genotypic diversity; (2) linkage between the genotype and phenotype; (3) application of selective pressure and (4) amplification. This process was initially developed for the collection of recombinant antibody genes from B lymphocytes from immunized mice and naïve or infected humans. The immunoglobulin gene repertoire is cloned into a vector to provide the connection between the genotype and the phenotype of each antibody, and clones are selected through the binding to the specific antigen [26]. The isolated clones are expressed in sufficient amounts to characterize them and to select the best candidate.

*2.1.1. Vector systems to display exogenous molecules*

cloning into the phage genome (**Figure 1**).

Phage was initially used as a cloning vector and exogenous genes were inserted in its genome. This system leads to multiple presentations of exogenous peptides fused with phage p3 or p8 protein, making it difficult to select specific antibodies due to the avidity effect [16]. Antibody fragment genes were fused to the N-terminus of p3 phage protein and it was observed that phages continued to be infective [33, 35]. Phagemid vectors emerged as alternative of direct

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Phagemids are plasmids containing the intergenic region (IR) of filamentous phage. The IR allows replication of the phagemid mediated by helper phage and packing of phagemid single-strand DNA. Phagemid vectors present some advantages in relation to phage genome cloning: double-strand DNA is obtained for library construction, the copy number of the protein presented on the phage surface may be controlled, easy conversion to soluble protein production by insertion of an amber stop codon between recombinant protein and p3 protein [35], and higher stability due to the resistance of exogenous molecules toward deletions [43]. The main protein fusions presented by phagemids are minor p3 or major p8 coat proteins and phagemids contain g3 or g8 genes near to the cloning site of exogenous proteins. Phagemids efficiently express recombinant proteins; however, they do not amplify phages. When bacteria containing phagemids are infected by a helper phage, it is possible to amplify phages since the helper phage synthesizes all phage proteins. Helper phages are filamentous phages with inactive packing signal, replication-deficient origin and generally carry an antibiotic resistance gene. Helper phage superinfection leads to the expression of both wild type protein and fusion protein on the phage surface. During the phage assembly, there is a

**Figure 1.** Scheme of phagemid vector used in phage display technology. Adapted from Qi et al. [42].

The main advantage of the *in vitro* display technology is the possibility to obtain antibodies to any kind of targets and epitopes because the construction of a naïve or synthetic antibody repertoire is not dependent on an *in vivo* immune response. Even antibodies against selfantigens, toxic, unstable and non-immunogenic antigens could be isolated by selection from a combinatorial antibody library [25].

Phage display technology is one of the main platforms for generation of human therapeutic antibodies together with transgenic immunized mice, antibody humanization techniques and single B cell expression cloning [26, 27].

#### **2.1. Phage display technology**

Phage display technology was the first *in vitro* display technology developed by presenting an exogenous peptide on the filamentous phage surface [16].

The first antibody combinatorial library was constructed on a λ lytic bacteriophage vector that releases Fab fragments from the periplasm after cell lysis. The screening of Fab fragments was successfully done by transferring the material to nitrocellulose filters followed by binding to radiolabeled antigen [28]. The same methodology was applied for cloning a human antibody library and selection of specific antibodies [29]. The library was constructed from antibody genes of peripheral blood lymphocytes of individuals that had recently received a tetanus toxoid immunization.

Biopanning procedures to select antibody fragments/peptides presented on the phage surface are more efficient for clone screening, since it allows to isolate clones with defined specificity and affinity [17]. Phage display libraries were initially established by the construction of peptide libraries on filamentous phages [30–32], not lytic to bacteria, and recombinant phages are released at the time they are assembled in the bacterial membrane. The expression of scFvs on the filamentous phage surface was described, allowing antibody selection from the library through binding to the antigen [33, 34]. Fab fragments can be presented on the phage surface and, in this case, one antibody chain is fused to the phage p3 protein and directed in the periplasm and the other antibody chain is secreted directly in the periplasm where the Fab fragment is assembled [35–37]. The presentation of single domain antibodies (dAbs) on phage surfaces was also reported [38]. The p3 protein is expressed on the external phage surface, presented in five copies, being involved in the bacterial infection through the binding of bacterial F pilus with the N-terminus of p3 protein [39–41]. The p3 protein vector system is mostly used for the selection of scFv, Fab fragments and single domain antibodies. The advantages are explained in the next section.

#### *2.1.1. Vector systems to display exogenous molecules*

antibody (sdAb) or Fab fragment formats. These technologies mimic the *in vivo* process for antibody generation and have four key steps as it occurs *in vivo* inside the immune system: (1) generation (or cloning) of genotypic diversity; (2) linkage between the genotype and phenotype; (3) application of selective pressure and (4) amplification. This process was initially developed for the collection of recombinant antibody genes from B lymphocytes from immunized mice and naïve or infected humans. The immunoglobulin gene repertoire is cloned into a vector to provide the connection between the genotype and the phenotype of each antibody, and clones are selected through the binding to the specific antigen [26]. The isolated clones are

expressed in sufficient amounts to characterize them and to select the best candidate.

a combinatorial antibody library [25].

single B cell expression cloning [26, 27].

advantages are explained in the next section.

exogenous peptide on the filamentous phage surface [16].

**2.1. Phage display technology**

50 Antibody Engineering

The main advantage of the *in vitro* display technology is the possibility to obtain antibodies to any kind of targets and epitopes because the construction of a naïve or synthetic antibody repertoire is not dependent on an *in vivo* immune response. Even antibodies against selfantigens, toxic, unstable and non-immunogenic antigens could be isolated by selection from

Phage display technology is one of the main platforms for generation of human therapeutic antibodies together with transgenic immunized mice, antibody humanization techniques and

Phage display technology was the first *in vitro* display technology developed by presenting an

The first antibody combinatorial library was constructed on a λ lytic bacteriophage vector that releases Fab fragments from the periplasm after cell lysis. The screening of Fab fragments was successfully done by transferring the material to nitrocellulose filters followed by binding to radiolabeled antigen [28]. The same methodology was applied for cloning a human antibody library and selection of specific antibodies [29]. The library was constructed from antibody genes of peripheral blood lymphocytes of individuals that had recently received a tetanus toxoid immunization. Biopanning procedures to select antibody fragments/peptides presented on the phage surface are more efficient for clone screening, since it allows to isolate clones with defined specificity and affinity [17]. Phage display libraries were initially established by the construction of peptide libraries on filamentous phages [30–32], not lytic to bacteria, and recombinant phages are released at the time they are assembled in the bacterial membrane. The expression of scFvs on the filamentous phage surface was described, allowing antibody selection from the library through binding to the antigen [33, 34]. Fab fragments can be presented on the phage surface and, in this case, one antibody chain is fused to the phage p3 protein and directed in the periplasm and the other antibody chain is secreted directly in the periplasm where the Fab fragment is assembled [35–37]. The presentation of single domain antibodies (dAbs) on phage surfaces was also reported [38]. The p3 protein is expressed on the external phage surface, presented in five copies, being involved in the bacterial infection through the binding of bacterial F pilus with the N-terminus of p3 protein [39–41]. The p3 protein vector system is mostly used for the selection of scFv, Fab fragments and single domain antibodies. The Phage was initially used as a cloning vector and exogenous genes were inserted in its genome. This system leads to multiple presentations of exogenous peptides fused with phage p3 or p8 protein, making it difficult to select specific antibodies due to the avidity effect [16]. Antibody fragment genes were fused to the N-terminus of p3 phage protein and it was observed that phages continued to be infective [33, 35]. Phagemid vectors emerged as alternative of direct cloning into the phage genome (**Figure 1**).

Phagemids are plasmids containing the intergenic region (IR) of filamentous phage. The IR allows replication of the phagemid mediated by helper phage and packing of phagemid single-strand DNA. Phagemid vectors present some advantages in relation to phage genome cloning: double-strand DNA is obtained for library construction, the copy number of the protein presented on the phage surface may be controlled, easy conversion to soluble protein production by insertion of an amber stop codon between recombinant protein and p3 protein [35], and higher stability due to the resistance of exogenous molecules toward deletions [43]. The main protein fusions presented by phagemids are minor p3 or major p8 coat proteins and phagemids contain g3 or g8 genes near to the cloning site of exogenous proteins. Phagemids efficiently express recombinant proteins; however, they do not amplify phages. When bacteria containing phagemids are infected by a helper phage, it is possible to amplify phages since the helper phage synthesizes all phage proteins. Helper phages are filamentous phages with inactive packing signal, replication-deficient origin and generally carry an antibiotic resistance gene. Helper phage superinfection leads to the expression of both wild type protein and fusion protein on the phage surface. During the phage assembly, there is a

**Figure 1.** Scheme of phagemid vector used in phage display technology. Adapted from Qi et al. [42].

competition between the two proteins for virion incorporation. Phagemids are preferentially packed by helper phage due to the defective origin of the helper phage [44]. Phage p8 protein is the main surface protein, presenting 2700 copies per phage and has been used to present peptides [45–47] and antibody fragments [48–50]. The phage population using p8 fusion protein is multivalent, presenting approximately 900 peptides [46] and 24 Fab fragments [51] per phage particle. In the latter work, it was verified that the avidity effect of multiple copies on the phage surface did not allow selection of antibodies with high affinity. On the other hand, fusion proteins formed by antibody fragments and p3 proteins are presented in 1-3 copies because the expression of the fusion protein can be repressed by an inducible promoter.

and higher affinity clones could be selected. As examples, we can cite Dyax (now Shire) [54], CAT [55, 56], XOMA [57] and HAL [58, 59] naïve human libraries. To increase the variability and size, human semi-synthetic and synthetic libraries [60–73] were constructed based on germline framework sequences, framework sequences of known antibody sequences, consensus framework sequences and human germline VH and VL gene segments. The diversity of antibody sequences was particularly introduced by randomization of CDR sequences, mainly CDR3. A semi-synthetic library was obtained by random mutation of the CDR3 sequence of the heavy chain from a single antibody clone [60] resulting in higher affinity derived clones. An alternative to randomization of CDRs was devised, introducing any codon combination at a specific position to obtain more nature-like antibodies [74] using two strategies: trinucleotide phosphoramidites [66, 68, 70] and Slonomics approaches [71, 72]. HuCAL, HuCAL GOLD and HuCAL PLATINUM libraries are examples of synthetic libraries obtained by trinucleotide phosphoramidites [66, 68, 70] and the Ylanthia library was constructed by the

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The scheme of antibody phage display technology is shown in **Figure 2**. The selection of phages presenting specific antibodies occurs by the specific binding to the antigen by a biopanning process. Only phages expressing antibodies on the surface are amplified and after the biopanning process, the library is enriched with clones presenting moderate or high affinity to the antigen. In principle, only a single round of selection would be sufficient, however, unspecific binding of antibodies presented by phages limits the library enrichment and in practice, two to five rounds of a biopanning process are performed for antibody isolation. Enriched phages obtained at the first round can be amplified in bacteria culture and then submitted to subsequent rounds of biopanning process. Some methodologies were used to isolate phage clones presenting specific antibodies. Phages can be selected by antibody binding to the antigen coated in microplates [36, 53], to antigen-coupled to resins [33], in solution using biotinylated antigens [75], or to antigen present on a cell surface [76]. After antibody phages are bound to the antigen, they are washed and then eluted by soluble antigen [77], acid solu-

After antibody clone selection, the candidates are expressed and characterized individually to evaluate their affinity and specificity. Phagemid vectors can display or secrete antibody fragments through incorporation of an amber stop codon between the antibody fragment gene and the p3 protein. Antibody fragments are displayed on the phage surface when the suppressor *E. coli* strain is transfected and antibodies can be expressed when the non-suppressor *E. coli* strain is used because the amber codon is read as stop codon in this case [35]. Another option would be the conversion from a phage display vector to an expression vector of a soluble antibody fragment [36] or recloning antibody genes to an expression vector [77].

In general, in the case of naïve or synthetic human antibody libraries, the antibody affinity is proportional to the library size and, in the case of naïve human antibody libraries, the dissociation constant (KD) was in the 10−6 to 10−7 M range for small libraries [53] and in the order

Slonomics method [72].

*2.1.3. Antibody selection from library*

tion [36] or alkali solution [53].

of 10−9 M for larger libraries [55, 57].

Phage incorporates the fusion protein (antibody fragment and p3 protein) in the virion, while the wild-type p3 protein is produced by the helper phage. The presence of wild-type p3 protein is necessary for the bacteria infection. It was observed that when the N-terminal domain of p3 protein binds to bacteria F′ pili, the bacteria cell infected with the phage acquires immunity to the superinfection of other phages such as helper phage [23]. For this reason, the N-terminal domain of the p3 protein was deleted from fusion protein of the first phagemid vector presenting an Fab fragment, pComb3 [36] and other vectors presenting Fab fragments [37, 52].

#### *2.1.2. Antibody library construction*

Antibody gene combinatorial libraries with light and heavy chain genes can be constructed from various sources; human peripheral blood is the most used and spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow are used if possible. The libraries do not represent the repertoire of antibody gene pairs because the heavy and the light chain genes are amplified separately and then paired randomly by PCR or cloning. This feature increases the diversity of the library and consequently the chance to obtain antibody clones with the desired specificity. Therefore, each antibody library represents a unique repertoire.

Basically, there are two kinds of antibody libraries to select recombinant antibodies: the library derived by a source which immune system had not been activated to recognize a specific antigen (*naïve*), and the immune library derived from donors who received immunization, have been infected or chronically diseased or suffer from cancer [26]. The immune library contains an affinity-matured antibody repertoire and therefore, higher affinity antibodies can be selected in comparison to a naïve library. In the development of human therapeutic antibodies, it is not possible to construct immune libraries to each disease due to ethical issues. Moreover, the construction of a specific library is laborious, high-costing and time-consuming to be considered for each antigen. The option in these cases has been the use of a naïve human library formed by the V, D-J-genes of the IgM repertoire from not intentionally immunized donors. The B cell repertoire can potentially contain also memory cells to previous immunization/infections of donors. In principle, a naïve library can be applied for mAb selection to any kind of antigen, since the library comprises a high variability of immunoglobulin genes and comprises antibody genes from many donors. Some antibodies isolated from a human naïve library presented good specificity to the target and low affinity being necessary to increase it for clinical applications [53]. Naïve human libraries later constructed presented larger sizes and higher affinity clones could be selected. As examples, we can cite Dyax (now Shire) [54], CAT [55, 56], XOMA [57] and HAL [58, 59] naïve human libraries. To increase the variability and size, human semi-synthetic and synthetic libraries [60–73] were constructed based on germline framework sequences, framework sequences of known antibody sequences, consensus framework sequences and human germline VH and VL gene segments. The diversity of antibody sequences was particularly introduced by randomization of CDR sequences, mainly CDR3. A semi-synthetic library was obtained by random mutation of the CDR3 sequence of the heavy chain from a single antibody clone [60] resulting in higher affinity derived clones. An alternative to randomization of CDRs was devised, introducing any codon combination at a specific position to obtain more nature-like antibodies [74] using two strategies: trinucleotide phosphoramidites [66, 68, 70] and Slonomics approaches [71, 72]. HuCAL, HuCAL GOLD and HuCAL PLATINUM libraries are examples of synthetic libraries obtained by trinucleotide phosphoramidites [66, 68, 70] and the Ylanthia library was constructed by the Slonomics method [72].

#### *2.1.3. Antibody selection from library*

competition between the two proteins for virion incorporation. Phagemids are preferentially packed by helper phage due to the defective origin of the helper phage [44]. Phage p8 protein is the main surface protein, presenting 2700 copies per phage and has been used to present peptides [45–47] and antibody fragments [48–50]. The phage population using p8 fusion protein is multivalent, presenting approximately 900 peptides [46] and 24 Fab fragments [51] per phage particle. In the latter work, it was verified that the avidity effect of multiple copies on the phage surface did not allow selection of antibodies with high affinity. On the other hand, fusion proteins formed by antibody fragments and p3 proteins are presented in 1-3 copies because the expression of the fusion protein can be repressed by an inducible promoter.

Phage incorporates the fusion protein (antibody fragment and p3 protein) in the virion, while the wild-type p3 protein is produced by the helper phage. The presence of wild-type p3 protein is necessary for the bacteria infection. It was observed that when the N-terminal domain of p3 protein binds to bacteria F′ pili, the bacteria cell infected with the phage acquires immunity to the superinfection of other phages such as helper phage [23]. For this reason, the N-terminal domain of the p3 protein was deleted from fusion protein of the first phagemid vector presenting an Fab fragment, pComb3 [36] and other vectors presenting Fab

Antibody gene combinatorial libraries with light and heavy chain genes can be constructed from various sources; human peripheral blood is the most used and spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow are used if possible. The libraries do not represent the repertoire of antibody gene pairs because the heavy and the light chain genes are amplified separately and then paired randomly by PCR or cloning. This feature increases the diversity of the library and consequently the chance to obtain antibody clones with the desired specificity. Therefore,

Basically, there are two kinds of antibody libraries to select recombinant antibodies: the library derived by a source which immune system had not been activated to recognize a specific antigen (*naïve*), and the immune library derived from donors who received immunization, have been infected or chronically diseased or suffer from cancer [26]. The immune library contains an affinity-matured antibody repertoire and therefore, higher affinity antibodies can be selected in comparison to a naïve library. In the development of human therapeutic antibodies, it is not possible to construct immune libraries to each disease due to ethical issues. Moreover, the construction of a specific library is laborious, high-costing and time-consuming to be considered for each antigen. The option in these cases has been the use of a naïve human library formed by the V, D-J-genes of the IgM repertoire from not intentionally immunized donors. The B cell repertoire can potentially contain also memory cells to previous immunization/infections of donors. In principle, a naïve library can be applied for mAb selection to any kind of antigen, since the library comprises a high variability of immunoglobulin genes and comprises antibody genes from many donors. Some antibodies isolated from a human naïve library presented good specificity to the target and low affinity being necessary to increase it for clinical applications [53]. Naïve human libraries later constructed presented larger sizes

fragments [37, 52].

52 Antibody Engineering

*2.1.2. Antibody library construction*

each antibody library represents a unique repertoire.

The scheme of antibody phage display technology is shown in **Figure 2**. The selection of phages presenting specific antibodies occurs by the specific binding to the antigen by a biopanning process. Only phages expressing antibodies on the surface are amplified and after the biopanning process, the library is enriched with clones presenting moderate or high affinity to the antigen. In principle, only a single round of selection would be sufficient, however, unspecific binding of antibodies presented by phages limits the library enrichment and in practice, two to five rounds of a biopanning process are performed for antibody isolation. Enriched phages obtained at the first round can be amplified in bacteria culture and then submitted to subsequent rounds of biopanning process. Some methodologies were used to isolate phage clones presenting specific antibodies. Phages can be selected by antibody binding to the antigen coated in microplates [36, 53], to antigen-coupled to resins [33], in solution using biotinylated antigens [75], or to antigen present on a cell surface [76]. After antibody phages are bound to the antigen, they are washed and then eluted by soluble antigen [77], acid solution [36] or alkali solution [53].

After antibody clone selection, the candidates are expressed and characterized individually to evaluate their affinity and specificity. Phagemid vectors can display or secrete antibody fragments through incorporation of an amber stop codon between the antibody fragment gene and the p3 protein. Antibody fragments are displayed on the phage surface when the suppressor *E. coli* strain is transfected and antibodies can be expressed when the non-suppressor *E. coli* strain is used because the amber codon is read as stop codon in this case [35]. Another option would be the conversion from a phage display vector to an expression vector of a soluble antibody fragment [36] or recloning antibody genes to an expression vector [77].

In general, in the case of naïve or synthetic human antibody libraries, the antibody affinity is proportional to the library size and, in the case of naïve human antibody libraries, the dissociation constant (KD) was in the 10−6 to 10−7 M range for small libraries [53] and in the order of 10−9 M for larger libraries [55, 57].

Mammalian cell surface display of antibody libraries coupled with *in vitro* somatic hypermutation (SHM) by the action of the activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) enzyme emerged as an interesting approach for affinity maturation of human antibodies [81–83]. In mammalian cell surface display, full-length and glycosylated IgGs are displayed by a transmembrane domain on the cell surface and antibody clones are isolated by screening techniques such as magnetic bead selection followed by *in vitro* SHM induction of clones which had been selected further by flow cytometry [82]. *In vitro* SHM has the ability to reproduce the *in vivo* human antibody maturation in non-B cells and introduces both point mutations and insertion/deletion to the antibody sequence in the region related to antigen contact [83]. One special characteristic of AID is that this enzyme acts preferentially toward germline hotspot motifs (WRCH) present in the antibody DNA sequence, specifically in the variable domains, and promotes point mutations at high rates in amino acid residues which change the antibody binding features [83].

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The technique of guided selection has the advantage of allowing selection of a human-nature antibody from a non-human original antibody sequence without the analysis of the antibody structure using *in vitro* display technology. Two publications demonstrated the viability of this technique using an "in series" process by different approaches [84, 85]. One publication used a rodent heavy chain (MAb32), Fd fragment, as a template and ligated it into a vector containing a human light chain repertoire [84]. A phage repertoire was selected by the antigen and the isolated human light chains were paired to a repertoire of human heavy chains. The selection of phages by the antigen was performed again and a human antibody clone was obtained recognizing the N-terminal region of the mouse antibody's target and demonstrating a similar affinity constant as the original clone. [84]. Figini et al. constructed a hybrid library combining the light chain of a murine anti-hapten antibody and the human heavy chain repertoire, from which human heavy chain sequences were isolated based on the lightheavy chain pairing ability to combine and bind to the antigen. The selected sequences were

paired to the human light chain repertoire to obtain the human antibody [85].

Humira (adalimumab), an anti-TNF-α mAb, was isolated using this technique by an "in parallel" process, and it represents the first fully human antibody and also the first mAb derived by phage display technology approved by FDA in 2002 [86]. This anti-TNF-α mAb was obtained using the rodent antibody sequence (variable domains of heavy and light chains) as a template. Initially, two hybrid libraries were constructed; one formed by pairing the murine heavy chain sequence and a human light chain variable domain repertoire, and the second library was composed of the murine light chain sequence paired to a human heavy chain variable domain repertoire. Both hybrid libraries were selected against TNF-α and the antibody clones were isolated. The human antibody sequences obtained by the screening of each library were combined and the resulting library was reselected against the antigen. A human anti-TNF-α antibody was obtained and, after submitting to CDR mutagenesis, the high affinity D2E7 mAb was isolated with main indications for rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease [86]. One disadvantage of the guided selection technique is that the construction of hybrid libraries can result in changes of the paratope altering the antibody fine specificity as observed previously [50, 87, 88]. This phenomenon was observed by using an "in series"

*2.1.5. Guided selection technique for antibody humanization*

**Figure 2.** General scheme of phage display technology for selection of scFv fragments. (1) After scFv library construction, an aliquot is transformed in *E. coli* and grown up to OD600 of 0.6. (2) Helper phage is introduced to the culture and phages displaying antibody fragments are obtained. (3) Binding of scFvs displayed by phages to the antigen coated in wells of a microtiter plate. (4) Non-binding phages are washed away. (5) Phages are eluted and then reinfected into *E. coli* for a new round of antibody selection.

#### *2.1.4. Affinity maturation of antibodies*

The affinity of antibodies selected by naïve or synthetic phage display antibody libraries is generally adequate for research purposes; however they present low affinity for therapeutic applications. In these cases, selected clones should be submitted to the affinity maturation process [43]. Phage display technology allows the construction of a second antibody library originating from a selected clone, facilitating the selection of human antibodies for therapeutic use. Mutagenesis strategies have been applied to improve antibody affinity [23]. A point mutation library was constructed using error-prone PCR [78] simulating random point mutations generated by natural somatic mutation. This approach was used for anti-progesterone scFv fragments obtained from a naïve antibody library and the antibody affinity increased 30-fold. Other work constructed mutant scFv libraries against digoxigenin with low, moderate and high PCR error rate and showed that the highest antibody affinity improvement was related to higher mutation rates in the positions outside of the CDRs [79]. In addition, introduction of hot spot mutations in antibody germline sequences led to higher affinities of antibodies [80]. This approach presents advantage in relation to previous mutagenesis strategy due to the construction of smaller size libraries allowing parallel screening of multiple mutant libraries.

Mammalian cell surface display of antibody libraries coupled with *in vitro* somatic hypermutation (SHM) by the action of the activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) enzyme emerged as an interesting approach for affinity maturation of human antibodies [81–83]. In mammalian cell surface display, full-length and glycosylated IgGs are displayed by a transmembrane domain on the cell surface and antibody clones are isolated by screening techniques such as magnetic bead selection followed by *in vitro* SHM induction of clones which had been selected further by flow cytometry [82]. *In vitro* SHM has the ability to reproduce the *in vivo* human antibody maturation in non-B cells and introduces both point mutations and insertion/deletion to the antibody sequence in the region related to antigen contact [83]. One special characteristic of AID is that this enzyme acts preferentially toward germline hotspot motifs (WRCH) present in the antibody DNA sequence, specifically in the variable domains, and promotes point mutations at high rates in amino acid residues which change the antibody binding features [83].

#### *2.1.5. Guided selection technique for antibody humanization*

*2.1.4. Affinity maturation of antibodies*

new round of antibody selection.

54 Antibody Engineering

mutant libraries.

The affinity of antibodies selected by naïve or synthetic phage display antibody libraries is generally adequate for research purposes; however they present low affinity for therapeutic applications. In these cases, selected clones should be submitted to the affinity maturation process [43]. Phage display technology allows the construction of a second antibody library originating from a selected clone, facilitating the selection of human antibodies for therapeutic use. Mutagenesis strategies have been applied to improve antibody affinity [23]. A point mutation library was constructed using error-prone PCR [78] simulating random point mutations generated by natural somatic mutation. This approach was used for anti-progesterone scFv fragments obtained from a naïve antibody library and the antibody affinity increased 30-fold. Other work constructed mutant scFv libraries against digoxigenin with low, moderate and high PCR error rate and showed that the highest antibody affinity improvement was related to higher mutation rates in the positions outside of the CDRs [79]. In addition, introduction of hot spot mutations in antibody germline sequences led to higher affinities of antibodies [80]. This approach presents advantage in relation to previous mutagenesis strategy due to the construction of smaller size libraries allowing parallel screening of multiple

**Figure 2.** General scheme of phage display technology for selection of scFv fragments. (1) After scFv library construction, an aliquot is transformed in *E. coli* and grown up to OD600 of 0.6. (2) Helper phage is introduced to the culture and phages displaying antibody fragments are obtained. (3) Binding of scFvs displayed by phages to the antigen coated in wells of a microtiter plate. (4) Non-binding phages are washed away. (5) Phages are eluted and then reinfected into *E. coli* for a The technique of guided selection has the advantage of allowing selection of a human-nature antibody from a non-human original antibody sequence without the analysis of the antibody structure using *in vitro* display technology. Two publications demonstrated the viability of this technique using an "in series" process by different approaches [84, 85]. One publication used a rodent heavy chain (MAb32), Fd fragment, as a template and ligated it into a vector containing a human light chain repertoire [84]. A phage repertoire was selected by the antigen and the isolated human light chains were paired to a repertoire of human heavy chains. The selection of phages by the antigen was performed again and a human antibody clone was obtained recognizing the N-terminal region of the mouse antibody's target and demonstrating a similar affinity constant as the original clone. [84]. Figini et al. constructed a hybrid library combining the light chain of a murine anti-hapten antibody and the human heavy chain repertoire, from which human heavy chain sequences were isolated based on the lightheavy chain pairing ability to combine and bind to the antigen. The selected sequences were paired to the human light chain repertoire to obtain the human antibody [85].

Humira (adalimumab), an anti-TNF-α mAb, was isolated using this technique by an "in parallel" process, and it represents the first fully human antibody and also the first mAb derived by phage display technology approved by FDA in 2002 [86]. This anti-TNF-α mAb was obtained using the rodent antibody sequence (variable domains of heavy and light chains) as a template. Initially, two hybrid libraries were constructed; one formed by pairing the murine heavy chain sequence and a human light chain variable domain repertoire, and the second library was composed of the murine light chain sequence paired to a human heavy chain variable domain repertoire. Both hybrid libraries were selected against TNF-α and the antibody clones were isolated. The human antibody sequences obtained by the screening of each library were combined and the resulting library was reselected against the antigen. A human anti-TNF-α antibody was obtained and, after submitting to CDR mutagenesis, the high affinity D2E7 mAb was isolated with main indications for rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease [86]. One disadvantage of the guided selection technique is that the construction of hybrid libraries can result in changes of the paratope altering the antibody fine specificity as observed previously [50, 87, 88]. This phenomenon was observed by using an "in series" process of guided selection technique for human interferon γ receptor 1 (IFNGR-1) [89]. To obtain a human antibody with the same paratope of the original rodent antibody, a variation of this technique was performed by the preservation of the CDR3 sequence of the heavy chain from the non-human template sequence [90, 91].

#### *2.1.6. Advantages of phage display technology*

Antibody phage display technology is more utilized in the discovery of therapeutic mAbs than any other display technologies due to many advantages: (1) it was the first display technology developed so the methodology is well-established; (2) it uses the low cost *E. coli* expression system; (3) it is possible to construct large naïve libraries for selection of human antibodies against most antigens and desired epitopes; (4) selection process is versatile with the ability to determine the epitope of the antibody; (5) it can be used for affinity maturation of antibodies; and (6) antibody humanization by guided selection technique to obtain human antibodies is possible [25, 92]. As disadvantages, it can be mentioned: (1) selection of an antibody with low affinity from naïve and synthetic libraries that implies that *in vitro* affinity maturation for therapeutic application is recommendable; and (2) low antibody expression in *E. coli* for some isolated antibody sequences.

#### **2.2. Yeast display**

The yeast display technology uses yeast cells to present exogenous peptides or antibody fragments on the cell surface. In this technology, exogenous molecules are fused to the a-agglutinin adhesion receptor of *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* which is localized on the yeast surface and the cell repertoire can be screened by flow cytometry [93]. A-agglutinin receptor acts as adhesion molecule that stabilizes cell-cell interactions and promotes fusion between an "a" and α haploid cell to obtain a diploid cell. This receptor is composed of the Aga1 and Aga2 protein. Aga1 protein is secreted and binds covalently to b-glucan present in the extracellular matrix of the yeast cell wall. Aga2 protein binds to Aga1 protein through two disulfide bonds and the antibody fragment is fused to the C-terminal end of Aga2 protein (**Figure 3**) [94]. Aga1 protein and the fusion protein are expressed by induction of the GAL1 promoter with galactose [95]. ScFv is the most frequent antibody format displayed on yeast surface. Other formats include Fab fragment, whole IgG and single domain antibodies [38, 96].

avidity is reduced due to the cell sorting potential of flow cytometry. Yeast cells can be sorted according to the antibody binding range to the antigen and also by antibody expression range on the yeast surface through labeling the cell with fluorophore-conjugated antigen and with reagents to identify epitope of tags [94]. Boder's group used kinetic screening for a yeast display library containing random mutations and they isolated scFv clones with high affinity (48 fM)

**Figure 3.** Scheme of the a-agglutinin receptor of yeast cell surface presenting a recombinant antibody fragment as fusion protein with Aga2 protein. Hemagglutinin (HA) tag is fused to the C-terminal end of the Aga2 protein followed by antibody fragment and c-myc tag that is fused to the C-terminal end of the recombinant antibody fragment. The presentation of the fusion protein can be monitored by anti-tags antibodies and/or binding to antigen labeled with

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display technology; antibody clones were firstly selected by magnetic bead screening followed by flow cytometry screening, isolating antibodies with an affinity of nM range [101]. Magnetic bead screening was applied to remove yeast cells not presenting antibody fragments like the biopanning process used in the phage display technology. As a consequence, the yeast display

The construction of a yeast display vector displaying a Fab fragment was reported [102] and a single vector presenting two expression cassettes with the GAL1 promoter was used. The heavy chain fragment was expressed as a fusion protein to the N-terminal end of Aga2 protein and the light chain gene was expressed as a soluble fragment, resulting in a Fab fragment assembled on the yeast surface. The affinity matured library allowed the selection of high affinity antibodies. A novel approach combining phage and yeast display technologies was tested to select Fab fragments against antigen 85 of *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* [103]. Initially, a large naïve scFv

clones was constructed by yeast

[100]. A naïve human scFv library composed by more than 109

fluorophore. Adapted from Boder and Wittrup [93].

library size became suitable for the antibody selection by flow cytometry [96].

The library is constructed by cloning the antibody genes into the yeast display vector and has smaller size than phage display libraries. After yeast transformation and growth, antibody expression is induced and then flow cytometry screening is performed with specific ligands to enrich binders of the library. After about three rounds of antibody selection, the enriched library is transformed in *E. coli* for analysis of plasmid DNA by sequencing [96].

Yeast display technology is used to improve the ligand affinity of scFv fragments and thermal stability of proteins [97–99] and also to isolate novel antibodies with suitable affinity and specificity [94]. One advantage of this technology is the characterization of binding properties such as affinity of one clone displaying an antibody fragment on the yeast surface without sub-cloning, expression and purification steps [94]. The display level is diverse and the binding Display Technologies for the Selection of Monoclonal Antibodies for Clinical Use http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70930 57

process of guided selection technique for human interferon γ receptor 1 (IFNGR-1) [89]. To obtain a human antibody with the same paratope of the original rodent antibody, a variation of this technique was performed by the preservation of the CDR3 sequence of the heavy chain

Antibody phage display technology is more utilized in the discovery of therapeutic mAbs than any other display technologies due to many advantages: (1) it was the first display technology developed so the methodology is well-established; (2) it uses the low cost *E. coli* expression system; (3) it is possible to construct large naïve libraries for selection of human antibodies against most antigens and desired epitopes; (4) selection process is versatile with the ability to determine the epitope of the antibody; (5) it can be used for affinity maturation of antibodies; and (6) antibody humanization by guided selection technique to obtain human antibodies is possible [25, 92]. As disadvantages, it can be mentioned: (1) selection of an antibody with low affinity from naïve and synthetic libraries that implies that *in vitro* affinity maturation for therapeutic application is recommendable; and (2) low antibody expression in

The yeast display technology uses yeast cells to present exogenous peptides or antibody fragments on the cell surface. In this technology, exogenous molecules are fused to the a-agglutinin adhesion receptor of *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* which is localized on the yeast surface and the cell repertoire can be screened by flow cytometry [93]. A-agglutinin receptor acts as adhesion molecule that stabilizes cell-cell interactions and promotes fusion between an "a" and α haploid cell to obtain a diploid cell. This receptor is composed of the Aga1 and Aga2 protein. Aga1 protein is secreted and binds covalently to b-glucan present in the extracellular matrix of the yeast cell wall. Aga2 protein binds to Aga1 protein through two disulfide bonds and the antibody fragment is fused to the C-terminal end of Aga2 protein (**Figure 3**) [94]. Aga1 protein and the fusion protein are expressed by induction of the GAL1 promoter with galactose [95]. ScFv is the most frequent antibody format displayed on yeast surface. Other formats include

The library is constructed by cloning the antibody genes into the yeast display vector and has smaller size than phage display libraries. After yeast transformation and growth, antibody expression is induced and then flow cytometry screening is performed with specific ligands to enrich binders of the library. After about three rounds of antibody selection, the enriched

Yeast display technology is used to improve the ligand affinity of scFv fragments and thermal stability of proteins [97–99] and also to isolate novel antibodies with suitable affinity and specificity [94]. One advantage of this technology is the characterization of binding properties such as affinity of one clone displaying an antibody fragment on the yeast surface without sub-cloning, expression and purification steps [94]. The display level is diverse and the binding

library is transformed in *E. coli* for analysis of plasmid DNA by sequencing [96].

from the non-human template sequence [90, 91].

*2.1.6. Advantages of phage display technology*

*E. coli* for some isolated antibody sequences.

Fab fragment, whole IgG and single domain antibodies [38, 96].

**2.2. Yeast display**

56 Antibody Engineering

**Figure 3.** Scheme of the a-agglutinin receptor of yeast cell surface presenting a recombinant antibody fragment as fusion protein with Aga2 protein. Hemagglutinin (HA) tag is fused to the C-terminal end of the Aga2 protein followed by antibody fragment and c-myc tag that is fused to the C-terminal end of the recombinant antibody fragment. The presentation of the fusion protein can be monitored by anti-tags antibodies and/or binding to antigen labeled with fluorophore. Adapted from Boder and Wittrup [93].

avidity is reduced due to the cell sorting potential of flow cytometry. Yeast cells can be sorted according to the antibody binding range to the antigen and also by antibody expression range on the yeast surface through labeling the cell with fluorophore-conjugated antigen and with reagents to identify epitope of tags [94]. Boder's group used kinetic screening for a yeast display library containing random mutations and they isolated scFv clones with high affinity (48 fM) [100]. A naïve human scFv library composed by more than 109 clones was constructed by yeast display technology; antibody clones were firstly selected by magnetic bead screening followed by flow cytometry screening, isolating antibodies with an affinity of nM range [101]. Magnetic bead screening was applied to remove yeast cells not presenting antibody fragments like the biopanning process used in the phage display technology. As a consequence, the yeast display library size became suitable for the antibody selection by flow cytometry [96].

The construction of a yeast display vector displaying a Fab fragment was reported [102] and a single vector presenting two expression cassettes with the GAL1 promoter was used. The heavy chain fragment was expressed as a fusion protein to the N-terminal end of Aga2 protein and the light chain gene was expressed as a soluble fragment, resulting in a Fab fragment assembled on the yeast surface. The affinity matured library allowed the selection of high affinity antibodies.

A novel approach combining phage and yeast display technologies was tested to select Fab fragments against antigen 85 of *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* [103]. Initially, a large naïve scFv library was selected by antigen binding using phage display technology. The enriched library with compatible size to flow cytometry screening was cloned into yeast display vector and highly specific antibodies were obtained. This strategy could be applied to any antigen and will serve as an alternative approach to isolate high affinity antibodies.

of cell transformation steps. Another advantage of this technology is the extensive use of PCR that contributes to the introduction of more diversity to the library by mutations. The mRNA and ribosome display platform can be applied for selection of novel molecules, including

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During ribosome display, an antibody repertoire is constructed *in vitro* comprising mRNA, ribosome and translated antibody fragment [116]. The vector used contains no stop codon so that the translated antibody fragment is not released from ribosome and mRNA. After biopanning and ribosome disruption, mRNA is isolated and RT-PCR follows. Then, the cDNAs of the antibody fragments are amplified by PCR to obtain DNA for the next round of selection. One special feature of mRNA display technology is the use of an adaptor molecule between the mRNA and translated proteins that binds them covalently forming a very stable complex to thermal and physicochemical stress that could be present during the selection step [117, 118]. In mRNA display technology, DNA molecules are initially *in vitro* transcribed to mRNA, then mRNA is translated and covalently ligated to the translated protein through puromycin, an adaptor molecule. The number of mRNA-protein complexes formed determines the functional library size. After the translation, the ribosome forms a peptide bond between the puromycin and the C-terminal residue of the polypeptide and the complex obtained is purified from the ribosome. It is followed by cDNA synthesis of the mRNA-protein complex by reverse transcription so that the library composed of cDNA/mRNA-protein complexes is build. This library is submitted to affinity selection by incubation with the target using affinity chromatography or immunoprecipitation techniques. The enriched library is recovered and mRNA hydrolysis at high pH is performed to release the cDNAs. These cDNAs are amplified by PCR to obtain DNA molecules for another round of selection and specific binders are isolated [115]. mRNA display technology presents monovalent complexes during selection and thus specific binders can be selected without interference of avidity parameters [119]. Furthermore, the diversity of libraries generated by mRNA or ribosome display can be increased by involving error-prone PCR, DNA shuffling and using an error-prone RNA-dependent RNA polymerase during *in vitro* transcription [115].

Using ribosome display, scFv fragments and Fab fragments with high affinities have been selected [120–124]. The construction of an affinity matured library for antibody mimics using mRNA display with the selection of high affinity molecules was described by Xu's group [125]. In relation to antibody fragments, mRNA display technology was used for the selection of an anti-fluorescein antibody in scFv format [126] and also for Fab fragments [127]. The selection of Fab fragments was possible by combination of mRNA display technology and emulsion PCR.

DNA display technology is another complete *in vitro* display platform using a cell free system that was initially developed for the selection of peptides linked to their coding DNA present in a library [128–130]. Doi and Yanagawa established *in vitro* transcription and translation reactions in an emulsion compartment—STABLE (Streptavidin-biotin linkage in emulsions) [128]. A random decapeptide library comprising fusion proteins formed by the peptides and streptavidin-His (STA-His, His tag fused to the C-terminus of Streptavidin) was synthesized and ligated to the biotinylated DNA by a stable bond. The library was submitted to affinity selection

**2.4. DNA display technology**

antibody fragments, and for affinity maturation of antibodies [115].

The major advantage of yeast display technology is the library screening using flow cytometry that allows defining specific parameters to select antibodies displayed on yeast surface. Yeast displaying antibodies can be sorted by binding to fluorescently-conjugated antigen and it is possible to separate clones quantitatively using binding affinity or dissociation kinetics parameters. Yeast cells can display about 105 antibodies and the expression range can be evaluated also by binding of epitope tags using fluorophore-labeled reagents [104].

Another advantage is that this platform uses yeast and therefore presents post-translational modifications like existing in the mammalian system but not present in bacteria. Posttranslational modifications include glycosylation of antibodies, appropriate protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum in the presence of chaperones and improved solubility of the product [96, 104].

In comparison to phage display technology, a yeast display platform has a limitation of the library size, due to lower efficiency of yeast transformation [96, 104]. Efforts to circumvent this problem led to the improvement of yeast transformation efficiency, allowing the construction of libraries with 1010 clones [105]. Another disadvantage of this platform is the multivalent display of antibodies on yeast surface and the selection based on avidity parameters [96, 104].

Among cell surface display-based technologies, we mentioned yeast and mammalian display technologies in this chapter. A prokaryotic system such as bacterial cell surface display (either Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria) has also been developed with the selection of high affinity binders [106–108]. The library screening is performed through the binding of the protein displayed on the cell surface to a specific fluorescently labeled ligand and analyzed mainly by flow cytometry as occurs in other cell surface display technologies. An *E. coli* display system was first extensively studied for antibody fragment isolation, then variations of this methodology were developed by genetic engineering [108–110], and full-length IgG was also displayed on bacteria [111]. There are few works considering Gram-positive bacterial cell surface display. A Gram-positive *Staphylococcus* display system was investigated [108, 112] and high affinity small proteins known as affibody molecules were selected using this system [113, 114], opening an attractive perspective for future development.

#### **2.3. mRNA and ribosome display technologies**

mRNA display technology emerged together with ribosome display technology as a revolutionary *in vitro* display platform to obviate cell transformation steps. Both technologies are centered in a fully cell-free strategy to select specific binders with great potential for diagnostic and clinical use.

The characteristics of mRNA display and ribosome display technology allows construction of libraries much larger than other *in vitro* display technologies because it avoids the library size limitation of phage and yeast display technologies which are dependent on the efficiency of cell transformation steps. Another advantage of this technology is the extensive use of PCR that contributes to the introduction of more diversity to the library by mutations. The mRNA and ribosome display platform can be applied for selection of novel molecules, including antibody fragments, and for affinity maturation of antibodies [115].

During ribosome display, an antibody repertoire is constructed *in vitro* comprising mRNA, ribosome and translated antibody fragment [116]. The vector used contains no stop codon so that the translated antibody fragment is not released from ribosome and mRNA. After biopanning and ribosome disruption, mRNA is isolated and RT-PCR follows. Then, the cDNAs of the antibody fragments are amplified by PCR to obtain DNA for the next round of selection.

One special feature of mRNA display technology is the use of an adaptor molecule between the mRNA and translated proteins that binds them covalently forming a very stable complex to thermal and physicochemical stress that could be present during the selection step [117, 118]. In mRNA display technology, DNA molecules are initially *in vitro* transcribed to mRNA, then mRNA is translated and covalently ligated to the translated protein through puromycin, an adaptor molecule. The number of mRNA-protein complexes formed determines the functional library size. After the translation, the ribosome forms a peptide bond between the puromycin and the C-terminal residue of the polypeptide and the complex obtained is purified from the ribosome. It is followed by cDNA synthesis of the mRNA-protein complex by reverse transcription so that the library composed of cDNA/mRNA-protein complexes is build. This library is submitted to affinity selection by incubation with the target using affinity chromatography or immunoprecipitation techniques. The enriched library is recovered and mRNA hydrolysis at high pH is performed to release the cDNAs. These cDNAs are amplified by PCR to obtain DNA molecules for another round of selection and specific binders are isolated [115]. mRNA display technology presents monovalent complexes during selection and thus specific binders can be selected without interference of avidity parameters [119]. Furthermore, the diversity of libraries generated by mRNA or ribosome display can be increased by involving error-prone PCR, DNA shuffling and using an error-prone RNA-dependent RNA polymerase during *in vitro* transcription [115].

Using ribosome display, scFv fragments and Fab fragments with high affinities have been selected [120–124]. The construction of an affinity matured library for antibody mimics using mRNA display with the selection of high affinity molecules was described by Xu's group [125]. In relation to antibody fragments, mRNA display technology was used for the selection of an anti-fluorescein antibody in scFv format [126] and also for Fab fragments [127]. The selection of Fab fragments was possible by combination of mRNA display technology and emulsion PCR.

### **2.4. DNA display technology**

library was selected by antigen binding using phage display technology. The enriched library with compatible size to flow cytometry screening was cloned into yeast display vector and highly specific antibodies were obtained. This strategy could be applied to any antigen and

The major advantage of yeast display technology is the library screening using flow cytometry that allows defining specific parameters to select antibodies displayed on yeast surface. Yeast displaying antibodies can be sorted by binding to fluorescently-conjugated antigen and it is possible to separate clones quantitatively using binding affinity or dissociation kinet-

Another advantage is that this platform uses yeast and therefore presents post-translational modifications like existing in the mammalian system but not present in bacteria. Posttranslational modifications include glycosylation of antibodies, appropriate protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum in the presence of chaperones and improved solubility of the

In comparison to phage display technology, a yeast display platform has a limitation of the library size, due to lower efficiency of yeast transformation [96, 104]. Efforts to circumvent this problem led to the improvement of yeast transformation efficiency, allowing the construction of libraries with 1010 clones [105]. Another disadvantage of this platform is the multivalent display of antibodies on yeast surface and the selection based on avidity parameters [96, 104]. Among cell surface display-based technologies, we mentioned yeast and mammalian display technologies in this chapter. A prokaryotic system such as bacterial cell surface display (either Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria) has also been developed with the selection of high affinity binders [106–108]. The library screening is performed through the binding of the protein displayed on the cell surface to a specific fluorescently labeled ligand and analyzed mainly by flow cytometry as occurs in other cell surface display technologies. An *E. coli* display system was first extensively studied for antibody fragment isolation, then variations of this methodology were developed by genetic engineering [108–110], and full-length IgG was also displayed on bacteria [111]. There are few works considering Gram-positive bacterial cell surface display. A Gram-positive *Staphylococcus* display system was investigated [108, 112] and high affinity small proteins known as affibody molecules were selected using

evaluated also by binding of epitope tags using fluorophore-labeled reagents [104].

this system [113, 114], opening an attractive perspective for future development.

mRNA display technology emerged together with ribosome display technology as a revolutionary *in vitro* display platform to obviate cell transformation steps. Both technologies are centered in a fully cell-free strategy to select specific binders with great potential for diagnos-

The characteristics of mRNA display and ribosome display technology allows construction of libraries much larger than other *in vitro* display technologies because it avoids the library size limitation of phage and yeast display technologies which are dependent on the efficiency

antibodies and the expression range can be

will serve as an alternative approach to isolate high affinity antibodies.

ics parameters. Yeast cells can display about 105

**2.3. mRNA and ribosome display technologies**

product [96, 104].

58 Antibody Engineering

tic and clinical use.

DNA display technology is another complete *in vitro* display platform using a cell free system that was initially developed for the selection of peptides linked to their coding DNA present in a library [128–130]. Doi and Yanagawa established *in vitro* transcription and translation reactions in an emulsion compartment—STABLE (Streptavidin-biotin linkage in emulsions) [128]. A random decapeptide library comprising fusion proteins formed by the peptides and streptavidin-His (STA-His, His tag fused to the C-terminus of Streptavidin) was synthesized and ligated to the biotinylated DNA by a stable bond. The library was submitted to affinity selection using nickel resin. Isolated DNAs were cloned into a vector, amplified and sequenced. A limited affinity selection efficiency was observed so that the method needed improvement [128]. The selection of diverse anti-FLAG Tag peptides from a peptide-DNA library was performed using monoclonal antibody anti-FLAG M2 [129]. The same group also demonstrated that folded proteins can be displayed on the DNA display platform by the introduction of linkers between streptavidin and fused proteins [130]. It could be shown that the GST gene could be enriched by this method by the selection of the DNA-protein conjugates with glutathionecoupled beads. The application of DNA display technology to select Fab fragments using the STABLE method was described later [131]. The selection of a Fab fragment gene was performed using a new approach: randomized hydrophobic core in the constant region with heat treatment application for selective pressure.

approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) under the brand name Humira (human monoclonal antibody in rheumatoid arthritis) [25, 135]. Besides RA, adalimumab is currently used in the treatment of plaque psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, non-infectious uveitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and ankylos-

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Nine years after the approval of the first human mAb developed by phage display technology (adalimumab), in 2011 belimumab (Benlysta, GSK) was approved for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus [25, 134, 137]. Belimumab was selected using CAT library as a result of the collaboration between CAT and Human Genome Sciences (now GlaxoSmithKline), and targets the soluble form of human B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) [25, 134]. Under a license to use the CAT library, Human Genome Sciences (now GSK) discovered Raxibacumab (Abthrax) also using phage display. Raxibacumab binds the *Bacillus anthracis* protective antigen (PA) and was approved by FDA in 2012 for the prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax [25,

In addition to the three previously described antibodies, which were discovered using scFvfragment CAT library by antibody phage display, two mAbs—ramucirumab and necitumumab—were derived from the same technology but from a different library, a human Fab-fragment library constructed by de Haard and colleagues at Dyax [25, 134]. Ramucirumab (Cyramza, Eli Lilly) is an anti-VEGFR-2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2) mAb approved for the treatment of cancer (gastric or gastroesophageal junction, non-small cell lung and colorectal) in 2014 [140]. Necitumumab (Portrazza, Eli Lilly) targets epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and blocks binding to epidermal growth factor (EGF) [25, 134]. This mAb gained first marketing approval for FDA and EMA in 2015 and 2016, respectively, for the treat-

Ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech), an anti-VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor A) Fab fragment, was generated by the humanization of the murine mAb A4.6.1 [134]. Based on a random mutation library, clones were selected by phage display [143]. Afterward, an alanine scanning study and information of the crystal structure of the Fab-VEGF complex were used for affinity maturation [144, 145]. This mAb was approved in the US in 2006 for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration [25, 134], and posteriorly for the treatment of macular edema after retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy [25].

**4. Future perspectives of the development of recombinant antibodies**

This chapter is focused on fully human therapeutic mAbs, mainly those derived from phage display technologies. Other technologies emerged in recent years for the obtainment of human mAbs with high promises of success, derived directly from human B lymphocytes by two main approaches, immortalization of memory B cells by polyclonal stimulation followed by EBV transformation and/or the capture and sorting of memory B cells or plasmablasts followed by amplification of the mAb variable chains expressed by the single B cell, which can be transfected to mammalian cells [27]. The natural pairing of rearranged heavy chain and light chains regions can

ing spondylitis [136].

134, 138, 139].

ment of non-small cell lung cancer [25, 141, 142].

Advantages of this technology compared to other cell free *in vitro* display technologies such as ribosome and mRNA display is that RNase-free conditions are not needed for the selection step because a reverse transcription step is unnecessary. Furthermore, the removal of a stop codon between nucleic acid and peptide is not necessary. DNA display technology is simpler than other fully *in vitro* display technologies, with lesser steps [128–130]. One disadvantage of this technology is its novelty, devoid of a robust platform and knowledge in comparison to other *in vitro* display technologies.
