Kappa-on-Heavy (KoH) bodies are a distinct class of fully-human antibody-like therapeutic agents with antigen-binding properties

Abstract

We describe a Kappa-on-Heavy (KoH) mouse that produces a class of highly diverse, fully human, antibody-like agents. This mouse was made by replacing the germline variable sequences of both the Ig heavy-chain (IgH) and Ig kappa (IgK) loci with the human IgK germline variable sequences, producing antibody-like molecules with an antigen binding site made up of 2 kappa variable domains. These molecules, named KoH bodies, structurally mimic naturally existing Bence-Jones light-chain dimers in their variable domains and remain wild-type in their antibody constant domains. Unlike artificially diversified, nonimmunoglobulin alternative scaffolds (e.g., DARPins), KoH bodies consist of a configuration of normal Ig scaffolds that undergo natural diversification in B cells. Monoclonal KoH bodies have properties similar to those of conventional antibodies but exhibit an enhanced ability to bind small molecules such as the endogenous cardiotonic steroid marinobufagenin (MBG) and nicotine. A comparison of crystal structures of MBG bound to a KoH Fab versus a conventional Fab showed that the KoH body has a much deeper binding pocket, allowing MBG to be held 4 Å further down into the combining site between the 2 variable domains.

Does deforestation drive visceral leishmaniasis transmission? A causal analysis

“…Deforestation causes fragmentation of the natural biome to create a mix of different habitats, leading to forest edges characterized by biophysical factors (e.g. elevated species richness) and intense biological activity [57][58][59]. Expansion of forest edges within a matrix of habitats has been suggested to alter disease niches by bringing together royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rspb Proc.…”