Aglycosylated immunoglobulin G1 variants productively engage activating Fc receptors

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Dec 23;105(51):20167-72. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0809257105. Epub 2008 Dec 12.

Abstract

Immunoglobulin G plays a vital role in adaptive immunity and antibody-based therapy through engagement of its Fc region by the Fc gamma receptors (Fc gammaRs) on immune cells. In addition to specific protein-protein contacts, N-linked glycosylation of the IgG Fc has been thought to be essential for the recognition of Fc by Fc gammaR. This requirement for the N-linked glycan has limited biomanufacture of therapeutic antibodies by restricting it to mammalian expression systems. We report here aglycosylated Fc domain variants that maintain engagement to Fc gammaRs, both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating that Fc glycosylation is not strictly required for the activation of immune cells by IgG. These variants provide insight into how the N-linked glycan is used biologically in the recognition of Fc by Fc gammaRs, as well as represent a step toward the production in alternative expression systems of antibody-based therapeutics capable of eliciting immune effector functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Genetic Variation
  • Glycosylation
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Receptors, Fc / immunology*
  • Receptors, IgG / immunology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Fc
  • Receptors, IgG