METHOD FOR PRODUCING MONOMERIC AND MULTIMERIC MOLECULES AND USES THEREOF

Abstract

Herein is reported a method for the production of a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide according to the following formula (B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC--CS_q--I_t--CS_r--B- _m)_u, wherein B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region, FC denotes a heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, CS denotes a cleavage site, and I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence, wherein FC does not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor, recovering the fusion polypeptide from the cell or the cultivation medium, optionally cleaving the fusion polypeptide with a protease, and thereby producing a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/066096, filed Jul. 31, 2013, which claims priority to European application number EP12179021, filed Aug. 2, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0002] The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Jan. 27, 2015, is named P31134US_SEQUENCE_LISTING.txt and is 103,304 bytes in size.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Herein is reported a method for the production of monomeric and multimeric molecules as fusion polypeptide with an immunoglobulin Fc-region and uses thereof, such as a therapeutic agent, in assays, chromatography columns, or generation of disease animal models.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An immunoglobulin contains in general two light polypeptide chains and two heavy polypeptide chains. Each of the heavy and light polypeptide chains comprises a variable region (generally the amino terminal portion of the polypeptide chain) which contains a binding domain that is able to interact with an antigen. Each of the heavy and light polypeptide chains also comprises a constant region (generally the carboxyl terminal portion). The constant region of the heavy chain mediates the binding of the immunoglobulin e.g. to cells bearing an Fc gamma receptor (FcγR), such as phagocytic cells, or to cells bearing the neonatal Fc-receptor (FcRn) also known as Brambell receptor, and also mediates the binding to some factors including factors of the classical complement system such as component (C1q).

[0005] Hulett and Hogarth (Hulett, M. D. and Hogarth, P. M., Adv. Immunol. 57 (1994) 1-127) reported that the extracellular receptors for the Fc part of immunoglobulins of class G are a family of transmembrane glycoproteins comprising three different receptor types having different binding specificity: FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII. Receptors of type I interact with non-complexed IgG, whereas receptors of type II and III interact preferably with complexed IgG.

[0006] Certain immunoglobulin-based cytokine fusion proteins are commercially available (e.g. from Biomol). FC-region fusions are reported generally in "Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies--from bench to clinic" (Wiley, Edited by Zhiqiang An, 2009).

[0007] In WO 01/03737 immunoglobulin fusion proteins are reported. Improved circulating half-life and efficacy of an antibody-interleukin 2 immunocytokine based on reduced intracellular proteolysis is reported by Gillies, S. D., et al. (Clin. Cancer Res. 8 (2002) 210-216). Dumont, J. A., et al. (Biodrugs 20 (2006) 151-160) report monomeric Fc fusions. High level expression and secretion of Fc-X fusion proteins in mammalian cells is reported by Lo, K-M., et al. (Prot. Eng. 11 (1998) 495-500). In WO 00/40615 the expression and export of anti-obesity proteins as Fc fusion proteins is reported.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It has been found that polypeptides, which are biologically active as n-mer and form non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression, can be obtained in soluble form by expressing these polypeptides as fusion polypeptide with an Fc-region that does not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor. Using a fusion polypeptide for the expression of the polypeptide increases the obtainable yield of the polypeptide either in form of the fusion polypeptide or as isolated polypeptide. It has further been found that the polypeptide remains in a defined n-mer form after cleavage and removal of the Fc-region.

[0009] One aspect as reported herein is a method for the production of a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region comprising the following steps

[0010] a) cultivating a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide according to formula I

[0010] (B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC--CS_q--I_t--CS.- sub.rB_m)_u (formula I)

[0011] wherein

[0012] B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region,

[0013] FC denotes a heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide,

[0014] CS denotes a cleavage site, and

[0015] I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence,

[0016] wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1,

[0017] wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0,

[0018] wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0,

[0019] wherein u=1 or 2,

[0020] wherein FC does not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor,

[0021] b) recovering the fusion polypeptide from the cell or the cultivation medium,

[0022] c) optionally cleaving the fusion polypeptide with a protease, and thereby producing a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region.

[0023] One aspect as reported herein is a fusion polypeptide according to formula I

(B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC--CS_q--I_t--CS_rB.- sub.rO_u (formula I)

wherein B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region, FC denotes a heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, CS denotes a cleavage site, and I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence, wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1, wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0, wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0, wherein u=1 or 2, wherein FC does not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor.

[0024] One aspect as reported herein is an n-mer polypeptide obtained by cleavage of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein obtained by a method according to the method as reported herein.

[0025] In one embodiment B is selected from the group of group of cytokines like IL17, IL18 and IL33, of cytokine receptors like IL18R and IL33R, of TNF family members like TNF, TWEAK and TL1a.

[0026] In one embodiment FC is a variant of a heavy chain polypeptide selected from the group of human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide, human IgG2 heavy chain polypeptide, human IgG3 heavy chain polypeptide, human IgG4 heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG2 heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG2a heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG3 heavy chain polypeptide, rabbit IgG heavy chain polypeptide. This includes all naturally occurring allotypes.

[0027] In one embodiment the heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide has an amino acid mutation at one or more of position 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 253, 254, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 288, 297, 298, 299, 307, 311, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 434, and 435. In one embodiment the one or more of the Fc-receptors is an Fc gamma receptor.

[0028] In one embodiment the human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide has a mutation at one or more of amino acid positions 233, 234, 235, 236, 265, 297, 329, and 331.

[0029] In one embodiment the human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide has one or more of the amino acid mutations E233P, L234A, L235A, L235E, AG236, D265A, N297A, N297D, P329A, P329G, and P331S.

[0030] In one embodiment the human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide has the amino acid mutations L234A and L235A and one or more of E233P, L235E, AG236, D265A, N297A, N297D, P329A, P329G, and P331S.

[0031] In one embodiment the human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide has the amino acid mutations L234A and L235A and P329A or P329G.

[0032] In one embodiment the human IgG2 heavy chain polypeptide has a mutation at one or more of amino acid positions 233, 234, 235, 236, 265, and 329.

[0033] In one embodiment the human IgG4 heavy chain polypeptide has a mutation at one or more of amino acid positions 228, 235, 265, and 329.

[0034] In one embodiment the human IgG4 heavy chain polypeptide has one or more of the mutations S228P, L235E, D265A, P329A, and P329G.

[0035] In one embodiment the human IgG4 heavy chain polypeptide has the mutations S228P and L235E and P329A or P329G.

[0036] In one embodiment the heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide has an amino acid mutation at one or more of position 248, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 272, 285, 288, 290, 291, 308, 309, 310, 311, 314, 385, 386, 387, 428, 433, 434, 435, and 436. In one embodiment the one or more of the Fc-receptors is an FcRn.

[0037] In one embodiment the human IgG heavy chain polypeptide has a mutation at one or more of the amino acid positions 238, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 265, 272, 286, 288, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 312, 317, 340, 356, 360, 362, 376, 378, 380, 382, 386, 388, 400, 413, 415, 424, 433, 434, 435, 436, 439, and/or 447.

[0038] In one embodiment the human IgG heavy chain polypeptide that has a reduced binding to FcRn has one or more amino acid alterations at the amino acid positions 252, 253, 254, 255, 288, 309, 386, 388, 400, 415, 433, 435, 436, 439, and/or 447.

[0039] In one embodiment the human IgG heavy chain polypeptide that has a reduced binding to FcRn has the amino acid mutations I253A, H310A, and H435A.

[0040] In one embodiment u=2 and the first FC comprises the mutation T366W and optionally the mutation S354C and the second FC comprises the mutations T366S, L368A and Y407V and optionally the mutation Y349C.

[0041] In one embodiment u=2 and

[0042] a) n=1 and m=0 and B fused to the first FC and B fused to the second FC are identical, or

[0043] b) n=1 and m=0 and B fused to the first FC and B fused to the second FC are different, or

[0044] c) n=0 and m=1 and B fused to the first FC and B fused to the second FC are identical, or

[0045] d) n=0 and m=1 and B fused to the first FC and B fused to the second FC are different.

[0046] In one embodiment u=1 and the fusion polypeptide comprises a second disulfide-linked FC.

[0047] In one embodiment u=1 and the fusion polypeptide comprises a second disulfide-linked FC, wherein one FC comprises the mutation T366W and optionally the mutation S354C and the other FC comprises the mutations T366S, L368A and Y407V and optionally the mutation Y349C.

[0048] In one embodiment the method as reported herein is for the production of a polypeptide that is biologically active as 1-mer (monomer) and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region and comprises the following steps

[0049] a) cultivating a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide according to formula II

[0049] B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC¹--CS_q--I_t- --CS_r--B_m:FC² (formula II)

[0050] wherein

[0051] B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as 1-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region,

[0052] FC¹ denotes a first heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide,

[0053] FC² denotes a second heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide,

[0054] CS denotes a cleavage site, and

[0055] I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence,

[0056] wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1,

[0057] wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0,

[0058] wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0,

[0059] wherein FC¹ and FC² are covalently linked by one or more disulfide bond(s) (:),

[0060] wherein FC¹ and FC² do not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor,

[0061] b) recovering the fusion polypeptide from the cell or the cultivation medium,

[0062] c) optionally cleaving the fusion polypeptide with a protease, and thereby producing a polypeptide that is biologically active as 1-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region.

[0063] In one embodiment the method as reported herein is for the production of a polypeptide that is biologically active as 2-mer (dimer) and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region and comprises the following steps

[0064] a) cultivating a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide according to formula II

[0064] B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC¹--CS_q--I_t- --CS_r--B_m:FC² (formula II)

[0065] wherein

[0066] B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as 2-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region,

[0067] FC¹ denotes a first heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide,

[0068] FC² denotes a second heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide,

[0069] CS denotes a cleavage site, and

[0070] I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence,

[0071] wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1,

[0072] wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0,

[0073] wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0,

[0074] wherein FC¹ and FC² are covalently linked by one or more disulfide bond(s) (:),

[0075] wherein FC¹ and FC² do not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor,

[0076] b) recovering the fusion polypeptide from the cell or the cultivation medium,

[0077] c) optionally cleaving the fusion polypeptide with a protease, and thereby producing a polypeptide that is biologically active as 2-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region.

[0078] In one embodiment the method as reported herein is for the production of a polypeptide that is biologically active as 3-mer (trimer) and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region and comprises the following steps

[0079] a) cultivating a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide according to formula II

[0079] B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC¹--CS_q--I_t- --CS_r--B_m:FC² (formula II)

[0080] wherein

[0081] B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as 3-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region,

[0082] FC¹ denotes a first heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide,

[0083] FC² denotes a second heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide,

[0084] CS denotes a cleavage site, and

[0085] I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence,

[0086] wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1,

[0087] wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0,

[0088] wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0,

[0089] wherein FC¹ and FC² are covalently linked by one or more disulfide bond(s) (:),

[0090] wherein FC¹ and FC² do not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor,

[0091] b) recovering the fusion polypeptide from the cell or the cultivation medium,

[0092] c) optionally cleaving the fusion polypeptide with a protease, and thereby producing a polypeptide that is biologically active as 3-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region.

[0093] In one embodiment the intervening amino acid sequence is selected from a first group comprising (G₃S)₃, (G₃S)₄, (G₃S)₅, (G₃S)₆, (G₄S)₃, (G₄S)₄, (G₄S)₅, (G₅S)₂, (G₅S)₃, (G₅S)₄, and any combination thereof or from a second group comprising Arg-tag, Avi-tag, His-Avi-tag, His-tag, Flag-tag, 3xFlag-tag, Strep-tag, Nano-tag, SBP-tag, c-myc-tag, S-tag, calmodulin-binding-peptide, cellulose-binding-domain, chitin-binding-domain, GST-tag, or MBP-tag, or from combinations of two elements of these group.

[0094] In one embodiment the cleavage site is selected from IgA-protease protease cleavage site, Granzyme B protease cleavage site, Tev protease cleavage site, PreScission® protease cleavage site, Thrombin cleavage site, Factor10a protease site, IdeS protease cleavage site, Enterokinase cleavage site, or a SUMO protease (Ulp1 (Ubl-specific protease 1) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cleavage site.

[0095] In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide does not comprise an additional protease cleavage site but an inherent protease cleavage site, such as e.g. a papain cleavage site, a pepsin cleavage site, or an IdeS protease cleavage site.

[0096] In one embodiment the C-terminal lysine residue in the FC-region(s) has been deleted. This reduces the amount of protease cleavage side-products (removal of artificial protease cleavage site).

[0097] One aspect as reported herein is the use of an immobilized fusion polypeptide as reported herein or of an n-mer polypeptide as reported herein as affinity chromatography ligand.

[0098] One aspect as reported herein is the use of an immobilized fusion polypeptide as reported herein or of an n-mer polypeptide as reported herein in an immunoassay.

[0099] In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide or the n-mer polypeptide is bound to a solid phase.

[0100] One aspect as reported herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion polypeptide as reported herein or an n-mer polypeptide as reported herein.

[0101] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein or of an n-mer polypeptide as reported herein in the manufacture of a medicament.

[0102] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein or of an n-mer polypeptide as reported herein as immunogen.

[0103] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein or of an n-mer polypeptide as reported herein for obtaining an animal model of a disease by applying the fusion polypeptide as reported herein or the n-mer polypeptide as reported herein to an experimental animal.

[0104] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein or of an n-mer polypeptide as reported herein for selecting an antibody that specifically binds to B or an n-mer of B.

[0105] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein or of an n-mer polypeptide as reported herein for producing a disulfide-linked 2-mer of B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description of the Figures

[0106] FIG. 1 Plasmid map of Fc-receptor fusion polypeptide expression plasmid.

[0107] FIG. 2 Analytical SDS-PAGE gel of papain cleavage of Fc-receptor fusion polypeptide.

[0108] FIG. 3 12% Bis Tris Gel+/-DTT; Cleavage of FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-Fc LALA P239G with PreScission® protease (lane 4, 8) respectively IgA protease (lane 3, 7): unspecific cleavage with PP can be seen (lane 2, 6).

[0109] FIG. 4 Separation and quantification of different glycosylation forms of an anti-Her antibody (wild-type, at top) and a glycoengineered anti-Her antibody.

[0110] FIG. 5 Comparison of affinity column using FcgammaRIIIaV158 and Fc tagged FcgammaRIIIaV158.

[0111] FIG. 6 BIAcore sensogram of the response of the FcgammaRIIIaV158-Fc LALA P329G fusion polypeptide display more than 100 Response units in comparison to the FcgammaRIIIaV158 with 40 RU; FcgRIIIa V 158_--008 denotes the non-cleaved fusion polypeptide, FcgRIIIa V 158_--007 denotes a shortened non-functional variant of the FcgRIIIa (=control), FcgRIIIa V 158_jf323 denotes the intact HisAvi-tag comprising functional variant of FcgRIIIa.

[0112] FIG. 7A Sensogram of Fcgamma receptor V158-Fc LALA P329G fusion polypeptide.

[0113] FIG. 7B Sensogram of Fcgamma receptor V158.

[0114] FIG. 7C Sensogram of cleaved Fcgamma receptor V158-Fc LALA P329G fusion polypeptide.

[0115] FIG. 7D Sensogram of non-functional Fcgamma receptor V158-Fc LALA P329G fusion polypeptide (=control).

[0116] FIG. 8 Plasmid maps of Fc-TWEAK fusion polypeptide expression plasmids.

[0117] FIG. 9 Plasmid maps of Fc-IL17A fusion polypeptide expression plasmids.

[0118] FIG. 10 Titration curves of human TNF alpha variants.

[0119] FIG. 11 Scheme of the different dimeric Fc IL17 fusion polypeptide setups and states.

[0120] FIG. 12 Trimeric Fc-region-human TWEAK fusion polypeptide.

[0121] FIG. 13 Both full-length (1-270) and short (112-270) forms of IL-33 are functionally active; IgG-Fc can be added instead of rest (1-112) of IL-33 to get a functionally active IL-33; acts as a monomer; monomeric IgG1-Fc_IL-33.

[0122] FIG. 14 Trimeric human TNF alpha as IgG1-Fc-KiH_Precision Protease site_shTNFa fusion polypeptide.

[0123] FIG. 15 Plasmid map of Fc-shTNFalpha fusion polypeptide (knob) expression plasmid.

[0124] FIG. 16 Plasmid map human IgG1 Fc-region (hole) expression plasmid.

[0125] FIG. 17 BIAcore data of monomeric IL18R-Fc-fusion polypeptide as reported herein compared to dimeric IL18R-Fc-fusion polypeptide.

DEFINITIONS

[0126] The term "binding to an Fc-receptor" denotes the binding of an Fc-region to an Fc-receptor in, for example, a BIAcore® assay (Pharmacia Biosensor AB, Uppsala, Sweden).

[0127] In the BIAcore® assay the Fc-receptor is bound to a surface and binding of the analyte, e.g. an Fc-region comprising fusion polypeptide or an antibody, is measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The affinity of the binding is defined by the terms ka (association constant: rate constant for the association of the Fc-region fusion polypeptide or conjugate to form an Fc-region/Fc-receptor complex), kd (dissociation constant; rate constant for the dissociation of the Fc-region fusion polypeptide or conjugate from an Fc-region/Fc-receptor complex), and KD (kd/ka). Alternatively, the binding signal of a SPR sensogram can be compared directly to the response signal of a reference, with respect to the resonance signal height and the dissociation behaviors.

[0128] The term "CH2 domain" denotes the part of an antibody heavy chain polypeptide that extends approximately from EU position 231 to EU position 340 (EU numbering system according to Kabat). In one embodiment a CH2 domain has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 01 (APELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVWDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDG VEVHNAKTKPREEQESTYRWSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPI EKTISKAK). The CH2 domain is unique in that it is not closely paired with another domain. Rather, two N-linked branched carbohydrate chains are interposed between the two CH2 domains of an intact native Fc-region. It has been speculated that the carbohydrate may provide a substitute for the domain-domain pairing and help stabilize the CH2 domain. Burton, Mol. Immunol. 22 (1985) 161-206.

[0129] The term "CH3 domain" denotes the part of an antibody heavy chain polypeptide that extends approximately from EU position 341 to EU position 446. In one embodiment the CH3 domain has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 02 (GQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKS LSLSPG).

[0130] The term "class" of an antibody denotes the type of constant domain or constant region possessed by its heavy chain. There are five major classes of antibodies: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, and several of these may be further divided into subclasses (isotypes), e.g., IgG₁, IgG₂, IgG₃, IgG₄, IgA₁, and IgA₂. The heavy chain constant domains that correspond to the different classes of immunoglobulins are called α, δ, ε, γ, and μ, respectively.

[0131] The term "Fc-region" denotes the C-terminal region of an immunoglobulin. The Fc-region is a dimeric molecule comprising two disulfide-linked antibody heavy chain Fc-region polypeptides (Fc-region polypeptide chains). An Fc-region can be generated by papain digestion, or IdeS digestion, or trypsin digestion of an intact (full length) antibody or can be produced recombinantly.

[0132] The Fc-region obtainable from a full length antibody or immunoglobulin comprises residues 226 (Cys) to the C-terminus of the full length heavy chain and, thus, comprises a part of the hinge region and two or three constant domains, i.e. a CH2 domain, a CH3 domain, and optionally a CH4 domain. It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,260 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821 that the modification of defined amino acid residues in the Fc-region results in phenotypic effects.

[0133] The formation of the dimeric Fc-region comprising two identical or non-identical antibody heavy chain fragments is mediated by the non-covalent dimerization of the comprised CH3 domains (for involved amino acid residues see e.g. Dall'Acqua, Biochem. 37 (1998) 9266-9273). The Fc-region is covalently stabilized by the formation of disulfide bonds in the hinge region (see e.g. Huber, et al., Nature 264 (1976) 415-420; Thies, et al., J. Mol. Biol. 293 (1999) 67-79). The introduction of amino acid residue changes within the CH3 domain in order to disrupt the dimerization of CH3-CH3 domain interactions do not adversely affect the FcRn binding due to the locations of the CH3-CH3-domain dimerization involved residues are located on the inner interface of the CH3 domain, whereas the residues involved in Fc-region-FcRn interaction are located on the outside of the CH2-CH3 domain.

[0134] The Fc-region associated effector functions are initiated by the interaction of the Fc-region with effector function specific cell surface receptors. Mostly antibodies of the IgG1 isotype can effect receptor activation, whereas antibodies of the IgG2 and IgG4 isotype do not have effector function or have limited effector function.

[0135] The effector function eliciting receptors are the Fc-receptor types (and sub-types) FcγRI, FcγRII and FcγRIII. The effector functions associated with an IgG1 isotype can be reduced by introducing specific amino acid changes in the lower hinge region, such as L234A and/or L235A, that are involved in FcγR and C1q binding. Also certain amino acid residues, especially located in the CH2 and/or CH3 domain, are associated with the circulating half-life of an antibody molecule or an Fc-region fusion polypeptide in the blood stream. The circulatory half-life is determined by the binding of the Fc-region to the neonatal Fc-receptor (FcRn).

[0136] The numbering of the amino acid residues in the constant region of an antibody is made according to the EU index of Kabat (Kabat et al. 1991, Sequences of Proteins of immunological Interest, U.S. Department of Public Health, Bethesda, Md.).

[0137] The term "Fc-region of human origin" denotes the C-terminal region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain of human origin that contains at least a part of the hinge region, the CH2 domain and the CH3 domain. In one embodiment, a human IgG heavy chain Fc-region extends from Cys226, or from Pro230, to the carboxyl-terminus of the heavy chain. However, the C-terminal lysine (Lys447) of the Fc-region may or may not be present. Unless otherwise specified herein, numbering of amino acid residues in the Fc-region or constant region is according to the EU numbering system, also called the EU index, as described in Kabat, E. A., et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th ed., Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991), NIH Publication 91-3242.

[0138] The term "FcRn binding portion of an Fc-region" denotes the part of an antibody heavy chain polypeptide that extends approximately from EU position 243 to EU position 261 and approximately from EU position 275 to EU position 293 and approximately from EU position 302 to EU position 319 and approximately from EU position 336 to EU position 348 and approximately from EU position 367 to EU position 393 and EU position 408 and approximately from EU position 424 to EU position 440. In one embodiment one or more of the following amino acid residues according to the EU numbering of Kabat are altered F243, P244, P245 P, K246, P247, K248, D249, T250, L251, M252, I253, S254, 8255, T256, P257, E258, V259, T260, C261, F275, N276, W277, Y278, V279, D280, V282, E283, V284, H285, N286, A287, K288, T289, K290, P291, R292, E293, V302, V303, S304, V305, L306, T307, V308, L309, H310, Q311, D312, W313, L314, N315, G316, K317, E318, Y319, I336, S337, K338, A339, K340, G341, Q342, P343, R344, E345, P346, Q347, V348, C367, V369, F372, Y373, P374, S375, D376, I377, A378, V379, E380, W381, E382, S383, N384, G385, Q386, P387, E388, N389, Y391, T393, S408, S424, C425, S426, V427, M428, H429, E430, A431, L432, H433, N434, H435, Y436, T437, Q438, K439, and S440 (EU numbering).

[0139] A polypeptide chain of a wild-type human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00001 (SEQ ID NO: 03) DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0140] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with the mutations L234A, L235A has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00002 (SEQ ID NO: 04) DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0141] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with T366S, L368A and Y407V mutations has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00003 (SEQ ID NO: 05) DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVCTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLSCAVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLVSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0142] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a T366W mutation has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00004 (SEQ ID NO: 06) DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTKNQVSLWCLVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGOPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0143] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a L234A, L235A and T366S, L368A and Y407V mutations has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00005 (SEQ ID NO: 07) DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVCTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLSCAVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLVSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0144] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a L234A, L235A and T366W mutation has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00006 (SEQ ID NO: 08) DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTKNQVSLWCLVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGOPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0145] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a P329G mutation has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00007 (SEQ ID NO: 09) DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALGAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGOPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0146] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a L234A, L235A and P329G mutation has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00008 (SEQ ID NO: 10) DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALGAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0147] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a P239G and T366S, L368A and Y407V mutation has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00009 (SEQ ID NO: 11) DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALGAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVCTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLSCAVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLVSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0148] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a P329G and T366W mutation has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00010 (SEQ ID NO: 12) DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALGAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTKNQVSLWCLVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0149] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a L234A, L235A, P329G and T366S, L368A and Y407V mutation has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00011 (SEQ ID NO: 13) DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALGAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVCTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLSCAVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLVSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0150] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a L234A, L235A, P329G and T366W mutation has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00012 (SEQ ID NO: 14) DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALGAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPCRDELTKNQVSLWCLVK GFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

[0151] A polypeptide chain of a wild-type human Fc-region of the IgG4 isotype has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00013 (SEQ ID NO: 15) ESKYGPPCPSCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQ EDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKE YKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCL VKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQ EGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK.

[0152] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG4 isotype with a S228P and L235E mutation has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00014 (SEQ ID NO: 16) ESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQ EDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKE YKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCL VKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQ EGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK.

[0153] A polypeptide chain of a variant human Fc-region of the IgG4 isotype with a S228P, L235E and P329G mutation has the following amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00015 (SEQ ID NO: 17) ESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQ EDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKE YKCKVSNKGLGSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCL VKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQ EGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK.

[0154] The term "Fc-receptor", short "FcR", denotes a receptor that binds to an Fc-region. In one embodiment the FcR is a native sequence human FcR. Moreover, in one embodiment the FcR is an FcR which binds an IgG antibody (an Fc gamma receptor) and includes receptors of the FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII subclasses, including allelic variants and alternatively spliced forms thereof. FcγRII receptors include FcγRIIA (an "activating receptor") and FcγRIIB (an "inhibiting receptor"), which have similar amino acid sequences that differ primarily in the cytoplasmic domains thereof. FcRs are reviewed in Ravetch and Kinet, Annu Rev. Immunol 9 (1991) 457-492, Capel, et al., Immunomethods 4 (1994) 25-34, de Haas, et al., J. Lab. Clin. Med. 126 (1995) 330-341. Other FcRs are encompassed by the term "FcR" herein. The term also includes the neonatal receptor, FcRn, which is responsible for the transfer of maternal IgGs to the fetus (see e.g. Guyer, et al., J. Immunol. 117 (1976) 587; Kim, et al., J. Immunol. 24 (1994) 249).

[0155] The term "Fc gamma receptor", short "FcγR" or "FcgammaR", denote any member of the family of proteins that bind the IgG antibody Fc-region and is encoded by an FcγR gene. In humans this family includes but is not limited to FcγRI (CD64), including isoforms FcγRIA, FcγRIB, and FcγRIC, FcγRII (CD32), including isoforms FcγRIIA (including allotypes H131 and R131), FcγRIIB (including FcγRIIB-1 and FcγRIIB-2), and FcγRIIc, and FcγRIII (CD16), including isoforms FcγRIIIA (including allotypes V158 and F158; Swiss-Prot entry P08637; N-terminus-MRTEDLPKAVVFLEPQWYRVLEKDSVTLKCQGAYSPEDNSTQWFHNESLI SSQASSYFIDAATVDDSGEYRCQTNLSTLSDPVQLEVHIGWLLLQAPRWVF KEEDPIHLRCHSWKNTALHKVTYLQNGKGRKYFHHNSDFYIPKATLKDSG SYFCRGLVGSKNVSSETVNITITQGLAVSTISSFFPPGYQ-C-terminus; SEQ ID NO: 18) and FcγRIIIb (including allotypes FcγRIIB-NA1 and FcγRIIB-NA2) (see e.g. Jefferis et al., Immunol. Lett. 82 (2002) 57-65, entirely incorporated by reference), as well as FcγR isoforms or allotypes. An FcγR may be from any organism, including but not limited to humans, mice, rats, rabbits, and monkeys. Mouse FcγRs include but are not limited to FcγRI (CD64), FcγRII (CD32), FcγRIII (CD16), and FcγRIII-2 (CD16-2), as well as or FcγR isoforms or allotypes. The Fc-region-FcγR interaction involved amino acid residues are 234-239 (lower hinge region), 265-269 (B/C loop), 297-299 (D/E loop), and 327-332 (F/G) loop (Sondermann, et al., Nature 406 (2000) 267-273). Amino acid mutations that result in a decreased binding/affinity for the FcγRI, FcγRIIA, FcγRIIB, and/or FcγRIIIA include N297A (concomitantly with a decreased immunogenicity and prolonged half-life binding/affinity) (Routledge, et al., Transplantation 60 (1995) 847; Friend et al., Transplantation 68 (1999) 1632; Shields et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276 (1995) 6591), residues 233-236 (Ward and Ghetie, Ther. Immunol. 2 (1995) 77; Armour et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 29 (1999) 2613). Some exemplary amino acid substitutions are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,355,008 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,408.

[0156] The term "neonatal Fc-receptor", short "FcRn", denote a protein that binds the IgG antibody Fc-region and is encoded at least in part by an FcRn gene. The FcRn may be from any organism, including but not limited to humans, mice, rats, rabbits, and monkeys. As is known in the art, the functional FcRn protein comprises two polypeptides, often referred to as the heavy chain and light chain. The light chain is beta-2-microglobulin and the heavy chain is encoded by the FcRn gene. Unless otherwise noted herein, FcRn or an FcRn protein refers to the complex of FcRn heavy chain with beta-2-microglobulin. The interacting amino acid residues of the Fc-region with the FcRn are near the junction of the CH2 and CH3 domains. The Fc-region-FcRn contact residues are all within a single IgG heavy chain. The involved amino acid residues are 248, 250-257, 272, 285, 288, 290-291, 308-311, and 314 (all in the CH2 domain) and amino acid residues 385-387, 428, and 433-436 (all in the CH3 domain). Amino acid mutations that result in an increased binding/affinity for the FcRn include T256A, T307A, E380A, and N434A (Shields et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276 (2001) 6591).

[0157] The amino acid residues of the FcRn that are conserved across species are the histidine residues at position 310 and 435 in the Fc-region. These residues are responsible for the pH dependence of the Fc-region FcRn interaction (see, e.g., Victor, G., et al., Nature Biotechnol. 15 (1997) 637-640); Dall'Acqua, W. F., et al. J. Immunol. 169 (2002) 5171-5180). Fc-region mutations that attenuate interaction with FcRn can reduce antibody half-life.

[0158] The term "hinge region" denotes the part of an antibody heavy chain polypeptide that joins the CH1 domain and the CH2 domain, e. g. from about position 216 to position about 230 according to the EU number system of Kabat. The hinge region is normally a dimeric molecule consisting of two polypeptides with identical amino acid sequence. The hinge region generally comprises about 25 amino acid residues and is flexible allowing the antigen binding regions to move independently. The hinge region can be subdivided into three domains: the upper, the middle, and the lower hinge domain (Roux, et al., J. Immunol. 161 (1998) 4083).

[0159] The hinge region is normally a dimeric molecule consisting of two polypeptides with identical amino acid sequence. The hinge region generally comprises about 25 amino acid residues and is flexible allowing the antigen binding regions to move independently. The hinge region can be subdivided into three domains: the upper, the middle, and the lower hinge domain (see e.g. Roux, et al., J. Immunol. 161 (1998) 4083).

[0160] The term "lower hinge region" of an Fc-region denotes the stretch of amino acid residues immediately C-terminal to the hinge region, i.e. residues 233 to 239 of the Fc-region according to the EU numbering of Kabat.

[0161] The term "wild-type Fc-region" denotes an amino acid sequence identical to the amino acid sequence of an Fc-region found in nature. Wild-type human Fc-regions include a native human IgG1 Fc-region (non-A and A allotypes), native human IgG2 Fc-region, native human IgG3 Fc-region, and native human IgG4 Fc-region as well as naturally occurring variants thereof.

[0162] The term "pharmaceutical composition" refers to a preparation which is in such form as to permit the biological activity of an active ingredient contained therein to be effective, and which contains no additional components which are unacceptably toxic to a subject to which the formulation would be administered.

[0163] A "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" refers to an ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition, other than an active ingredient, which is nontoxic to a subject. A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier includes, but is not limited to, a buffer, excipient, stabilizer, or preservative.

[0164] The term "polypeptide" denotes a polymer consisting of amino acids joined by peptide bonds, whether produced naturally or synthetically. Polypeptides of less than about 20 amino acid residues may be referred to as "peptides", whereas molecules consisting of two or more polypeptides or comprising one polypeptide of more than 100 amino acid residues may be referred to as "proteins". A polypeptide may also comprise non-amino acid components, such as carbohydrate groups, metal ions, or carboxylic acid esters. The non-amino acid components may be added by the cell, in which the polypeptide is expressed, and may vary with the type of cell. Polypeptides are defined herein in terms of their amino acid backbone structure or the nucleic acid encoding the same. Additions such as carbohydrate groups are generally not specified, but may be present nonetheless.

[0165] The term "amino acid sequence tag" denotes a sequence of amino acid residues connected to each other via peptide bonds that has specific binding properties. In one embodiment the amino acid sequence tag is an affinity or purification tag. In one embodiment the amino acid sequence tag is selected from the group comprising Arg-tag, His-tag, Avi-tag, His-Avi-tag, Flag-tag, 3xFlag-tag, Strep-tag, Nano-tag, SBP-tag, c-myc-tag, S-tag, calmodulin-binding-peptide, cellulose-binding-domain, chitin-binding-domain, GST-tag, and MBP-tag. In one embodiment the amino acid sequence tag is selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 19 (RRRRR), SEQ ID NO: 20 (RRRRRR), SEQ ID NO: 21 (Avi-tag), SEQ ID NO: 22 (His-Avi-tag), SEQ ID NO: 23 (HHHHHH), SEQ ID NO: 24 (KDHLIHNVHKEFHAHAHNK), SEQ ID NO: 25 (DYKDDDDK), SEQ ID NO: 26 (DYKDHDGDYKDHDIDYKDDDDK), SEQ ID NO: 27 (AWRHPQFGG), SEQ ID NO: 28 (WSHPQFEK), SEQ ID NO: 29 (MDVEAWLGAR), SEQ ID NO: 30 (MDVEAWLGARVPLVET), SEQ ID NO: 31 (MDEKTTGWRGGHVVEGLAGELEQLRARLEHHPQGQREP), SEQ ID NO: 32 (EQKLISEEDL), SEQ ID NO: 33 (KETAAAKFERQHMDS), SEQ ID NO: 34 (KRRWKKNFIAVSAANRFKKISSSGAL), SEQ ID NO: 35 (cellulose binding domain), SEQ ID NO: 36 (cellulose binding domain), SEQ ID NO: 37 (TNPGVSAWQVNTAYTAGQLVTYNGKTYKCLQPHTSLAGWEP SNVPALWQLQ), SEQ ID NO: 38 (GST-tag), and SEQ ID NO: 39 (MBP-tag).

[0166] The term "enzymatic cleavage site" denotes a sequence of amino acid residues connected to each other via peptides bonds that can specifically be cleaved by a protease. In one embodiment the protease is IgA-protease, Granzyme B, Tev protease, PreScission® protease, Thrombin, Faktor10a, IdeS protease, or Enterokinase.

[0167] The term "IgA-protease" denotes a protease derived from Neisseria gonorrhoeae with a recognition site comprising one of the following sequences wherein "↓" denotes the position of the cleaved bond:

TABLE-US-00016 (SEQ ID NO: 40) Pro-Ala-Pro ↓ Ser-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 41) Pro-Pro ↓ Ser-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 42) Pro-Pro ↓ Ala-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 43) Pro-Pro ↓ Thr-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 44) Pro-Pro ↓ Gly-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 45) Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro ↓ Thr-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 46) Val-Val-Ala-Pro-Pro ↓ Ala-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 47) Val-Val-Ala-Pro-Pro ↓ Ser-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 48) Val-Val-Ala-Pro-Pro ↓ Thr-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 49) Val-Val-Ala-Pro-Pro ↓ Gly-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 50) Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro ↓ Thr-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 51) Ala-Pro-Pro-Ala ↓ Ala-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 52) Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro ↓ Ala-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 53) Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro ↓ Ser-Pro, (SEQ ID NO: 54) Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro ↓ Gly-Pro.

[0168] The term "linker" or "peptidic linker" as used within this application denotes peptide linkers of natural and/or synthetic origin. They consist of a linear amino acid chain wherein the 20 naturally occurring amino acids are the monomeric building blocks. The chain has a length of from 1 to 50 amino acids, preferred between 1 and 28 amino acids, especially preferred between 3 and 25 amino acids. The linker may contain repetitive amino acid sequences or sequences of naturally occurring polypeptides, such as polypeptides with a hinge-function. The linker has the function to ensure that a peptide conjugated to an anti-CD4 antibody can perform its biological activity by allowing the peptide to fold correctly and to be presented properly. Preferably the linker is a "synthetic peptidic linker" that is designated to be rich in glycine, glutamine, and/or serine residues. These residues are arranged e.g. in small repetitive units of up to five amino acids, such as GGGGS, QQQQG, or SSSSG. This small repetitive unit may be repeated for two to five times to form a multimeric unit. At the amino- and/or carboxy-terminal ends of the multimeric unit up to six additional arbitrary, naturally occurring amino acids may be added. Other synthetic peptidic linkers are composed of a single amino acid that is repeated between 10 to 20 times and may comprise at the amino- and/or carboxy-terminal end up to six additional arbitrary, naturally occurring amino acids. All peptidic linkers can be encoded by a nucleic acid molecule and therefore can be recombinantly expressed.

Fusion Polypeptide as Reported Herein

[0169] Often the expression of polypeptides as Fc-region fusion polypeptide results in the formation of multimeric aggregates of non-defined composition. Also expressing the Fc-region fusion polypeptide is difficult due to steric hindrance between the two chains.

[0170] It has been found that polypeptides, which are biologically active as n-mer and form non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression, can be obtained in soluble form by expressing these polypeptides as fusion polypeptide with an Fc-region that does not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor. Using a fusion polypeptide for the expression of the polypeptide increases the obtainable yield of the polypeptide either in form of the fusion polypeptide or as isolated polypeptide. It has further been found that the polypeptide remains in a defined n-mer form after cleavage and removal of the Fc-region. Especially suited are Fc-regions that do not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor.

[0171] The term "do not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor" denotes that the Fc-region comprised in the fusion polypeptide does not bind to an Fc-receptor to such an extent that aggregates are formed.

[0172] The polypeptide can be fused to the Fc-region either directly, or via a peptidic linker, or via a protease cleavage site, or via a peptidic linker combined with a protease cleavage site.

[0173] It has been found that an asymmetric dimeric fusion polypeptide can be obtained which comprises an enzymatic cleavage site in one fusion polypeptide whereas the second fusion polypeptide does not comprise an enzymatic cleavage site. Thus, in one embodiment the dimeric fusion polypeptide comprises two identical fusion polypeptides except that only one fusion polypeptide comprises an enzymatic cleavage site between the biologically active polypeptide and the Fc-region.

[0174] By expressing the biologically active polypeptide as fusion polypeptide as reported herein the obtainable expression yield can be increased or the large scale production of the biologically active polypeptide can be achieved at all.

[0175] Likewise it is possible by using a fusion polypeptide as reported herein to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of the biologically active polypeptide.

[0176] Likewise it is possible by using a fusion polypeptide as reported herein to provide soluble cytokines and cytokine receptors.

[0177] It is possible to provide cytokine receptors in biologically active form by using a fusion polypeptide as reported herein. These cytokine receptors are not biologically active in cleaved form.

[0178] By using the fusion polypeptide as reported herein it is possible to provide functional, biologically active and soluble membrane receptors and/or domains.

[0179] By using a dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein it is possible to force the disulfide based dimerization of cytokines prior to the cleavage of the fusion polypeptide and liberation of the dimeric cytokine

[0180] Likewise it is possible by using the dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein to provide heterodimeric, disulfide-linked cytokines by forced disulfide linkage.

[0181] One aspect as reported herein is a fusion polypeptide according to formula I

(B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC--CS_q--I_t--CS_r--- B_m)_u (formula I)

wherein B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region, FC denotes a heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, CS denotes a cleavage site, and I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence, wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1, wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0, wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0, wherein u=1 or 2, wherein FC does not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor.

[0182] One aspect as reported herein is a fusion polypeptide according to formula II

B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC¹--CS_q--I_t--CS.su- b.r--B_m:FC² (formula II)

wherein B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region, FC¹ denotes a first heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, FC² denotes a second heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, CS denotes a cleavage site, and I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence, wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1, wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0, wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0, wherein the first FC and the second FC are covalently linked by one or more disulfide bond(s), wherein FC¹ and FC² do not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor.

[0183] The polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region can be from any species including but not limited to human, mouse, rat, rabbit, and monkey.

[0184] In one embodiment the polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region (═B in formula I or formula II) is selected from the group of IL17, IL18, IL33, IL18R, IL33R, TNF, TWEAK, and TL1a.

[0185] In one embodiment FC is a variant of a heavy chain polypeptide selected from the group of human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide, human IgG2 heavy chain polypeptide, human IgG3 heavy chain polypeptide, human IgG4 heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG2 heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG2a heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG3 heavy chain polypeptide, rabbit IgG heavy chain polypeptide.

[0186] The Fc-region comprised in the fusion polypeptide as reported herein shall not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor.

[0187] In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide possesses substantially no effector functions, which make it a desirable candidate for applications in which certain effector functions are unnecessary or deleterious. In vitro and/or in vivo cytotoxicity assays can be conducted to confirm the reduction/depletion of effector functions. For example, Fc-receptor (FcR) binding assays can be conducted to ensure that the fusion polypeptide lacks FcγR binding (hence likely lacking ADCC activity). The primary cells for mediating ADCC, NK cells, express FcγRIII only, whereas monocytes express FcγRI, FcγRII and FcγRIII. FcR expression on hematopoietic cells is summarized in Table 3 on page 464 of Ravetch, J. V. and Kinet, J. P., Annu Rev. Immunol. 9 (1991) 457-492. Non-limiting examples of in vitro assays to assess ADCC activity of a molecule of interest is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,362 (see, e.g. Hellstrom, I. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83 (1986) 7059-7063; and Hellstrom, I. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82 (1985) 1499-1502); U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,337 (see Bruggemann, M. et al., J. Exp. Med. 166 (1987) 1351-1361). Alternatively, non-radioactive assays methods may be employed (see, for example, ACTI® non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay for flow cytometry (CellTechnology, Inc. Mountain View, Calif.; and CytoTox 96® non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay (Promega, Madison, Wis.). Useful effector cells for such assays include peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and Natural Killer (NK) cells. Alternatively, or additionally, ADCC activity of the molecule of interest may be assessed in vivo, e.g., in an animal model such as that disclosed in Clynes, R. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95 (1998) 652-656. FcRn binding and in vivo clearance/half-life determinations can also be performed using methods known in the art (see, e.g., Petkova, S. B. et al., Int. Immunol. 18 (2006) 1759-1769).

[0188] The affinities and binding properties of an Fc-region for its ligand, may be determined by a variety of in vitro assay methods (biochemical or immunological based assays) known in the art for determining Fc-region/FcR interactions, i.e., specific binding of an Fc-region to an FcγR including but not limited to, equilibrium methods (e.g. enzyme-linked immuno absorbent assay (ELISA) or radioimmunoassay (RIA)), or kinetics (e.g. BIACORE® analysis), and other methods such as indirect binding assays, competitive inhibition assays, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), gel electrophoresis and chromatography (e.g., gel filtration). These and other methods may utilize a label on one or more of the components being examined and/or employ a variety of detection methods including but not limited to chromogenic, fluorescent, luminescent, or isotopic labels. A detailed description of binding affinities and kinetics can be found in Paul, W. E., ed., Fundamental Immunology, 4^th Ed., Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia (1999).

[0189] In one embodiment FC is, or FC¹ and FC² independently of each other are either an Fc-region of human origin of the subclass IgG4 or an Fc-region of human origin of the subclass IgG1, IgG2, or IgG3, which is modified in such a way that no Fcγ receptor (e.g. FcγRIIIa) binding. In one embodiment FC is, or FC¹ and FC² independently of each other are an Fc-region of human origin, especially either from human IgG4 subclass or a mutated Fc-region from human IgG1 subclass. In one embodiment FC is, or FC¹ and FC² independently of each other are of human IgG1 subclass with mutations L234A and L235A. In one embodiment FC is, or FC¹ and FC² independently of each other are of human IgG4 subclass with mutation S228P. While IgG4 shows reduced Fcγreceptor (FcγRIIIa) binding, antibodies of other IgG subclasses show strong binding. However Pro238, Asp265, Asp270, Asn297 (loss of Fc carbohydrate), Pro329, Leu234, Leu235, Gly236, Gly237, Ile253, Ser254, Lys288, Thr307, Gln311, Asn434, or/and His435 are residues which, if altered, provide also reduced Fcγreceptor binding (Shields, R. L., et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276 (2001) 6591-6604; Lund, J., et al., FASEB J. 9 (1995) 115-119; Morgan, A., et al., Immunology 86 (1995) 319-324; EP 0 307 434). In one embodiment FC is, or FC¹ and FC² independently of each other are in regard to Fcγ receptor binding of IgG4 subclass, or of IgG1 or IgG2 subclass, with a mutation in L234, L235, and/or D265, and/or contains the PVA236 mutation. In one embodiment FC comprises, or FC¹ and FC² independently of each other comprise one or more of the mutations S228P, L234A, L235A, L235E, and/or PVA236 (PVA236 means that the amino acid sequence ELLG (given in one letter amino acid code) from amino acid position 233 to 236 of IgG1 or EFLG of IgG4 is replaced by PVA). In one embodiment the mutations are S228P for IgG4, and L234A and L235A for IgG1.

[0190] Fc-region binding sites are known in the state of the art and described e.g. by Lukas, T. J., et al., J. Immunol. 127 (1981) 2555-2560; Brunhouse, R. and Cebra, J. J., Mol. Immunol. 16 (1979) 907-917; Burton, D. R., et al., Nature 288 (1980) 338-344; Thommesen, J. E., et al., Mol. Immunol. 37 (2000) 995-1004; Idusogie, E. E., et al., J. Immunol. 164 (2000) 4178-4184; Hezareh, M., et al., J. Virol. 75 (2001) 12161-12168; Morgan, A., et al., Immunology 86 (1995) 319-324; and EP 0 307 434. Fc-region binding sites are, e.g., characterized by the amino acids L234, L235, D270, N297, E318, K320, K322, P331, and P329 (numbering according to EU index of Kabat).

[0191] Fc-regions with reduced effector function include those with substitution of one or more of Fc-region residues 238, 265, 269, 270, 297, 327 and 329 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,056). Such Fc mutants include Fc mutants with substitutions at two or more of amino acid positions 265, 269, 270, 297 and 327, including the so-called "DA" Fc mutant with substitution of residue 265 and the so-called "DANA" Fc mutant with substitution of residues 265 and 297 to alanine (U.S. Pat. No. 7,332,581).

[0192] Certain Fc-region variants with improved or diminished binding to FcRs are described (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,056; WO 2004/056312, and Shields, R. L. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276 (2001) 6591-6604).

[0193] In some embodiments, alterations are made in the Fc-region that result in altered (i.e., either improved or diminished) Clq binding and/or Complement Dependent Cytotoxicity (CDC), e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,551, WO 99/51642, and Idusogie, E. E. et al., J. Immunol. 164 (2000) 4178-4184.

[0194] See also Duncan, A. R. and Winter, G., Nature 322 (1988) 738-740; U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,260; U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821; and WO 94/29351 concerning other examples of Fc region variants.

[0195] In one embodiment the heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide has an amino acid mutation at one or more of position 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 253, 254, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 288, 297, 298, 299, 307, 311, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 434, and 435. In one embodiment the one or more of the Fc-receptors is an Fc gamma receptor.

[0196] In one embodiment the human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide has a mutation at one or more of amino acid positions 233, 234, 235, 236, 265, 297, 329, and 331.

[0197] In one embodiment the human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide has one or more of the amino acid mutations E233P, L234A, L235A, L235E, AG236, D265A, N297A, N297D, P329A, P329G, and P331S.

[0198] In one embodiment the human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide has the amino acid mutations L234A and L235A and one or more of E233P, L235E, AG236, D265A, N297A, N297D, P329A, P329G, and P331S.

[0199] In one embodiment the human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide has the amino acid mutations L234A and L235A and P329A or P329G.

[0200] In one embodiment the human IgG2 heavy chain polypeptide has a mutation at one or more of amino acid positions 233, 234, 235, 236, 265, and 329.

[0201] In one embodiment the human IgG4 heavy chain polypeptide has a mutation at one or more of amino acid positions 228, 235, 265, and 329.

[0202] In one embodiment the human IgG4 heavy chain polypeptide has one or more of the mutations S228P, L235E, P329A, and P329G.

[0203] In one embodiment the human IgG4 heavy chain polypeptide has the mutations S228P and L235E and P329A or P329G.

[0204] In one embodiment the heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide has an amino acid mutation at one or more of position 248, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 272, 285, 288, 290, 291, 308, 309, 310, 311, 314, 385, 386, 387, 428, 433, 434, 435, and 436. In one embodiment the one or more of the Fc-receptors is an FcRn.

[0205] In one embodiment the human IgG heavy chain polypeptide has a mutation at one or more of the amino acid positions 238, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 265, 272, 286, 288, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 312, 317, 340, 356, 360, 362, 376, 378, 380, 382, 386, 388, 400, 413, 415, 424, 433, 434, 435, 436, 439, and/or 447.

[0206] In one embodiment the human IgG heavy chain polypeptide that has a reduced binding to FcRn has one or more amino acid alterations at the amino acid positions 252, 253, 254, 255, 288, 309, 386, 388, 400, 415, 433, 435, 436, 439, and/or 447.

[0207] The fusion polypeptide can comprise between the biologically active polypeptide and the Fc-region a linker polypeptide. This linker polypeptide can be used to adjust the distance between the biologically active polypeptide and the Fc-region to allow both regions to function in the intended way.

[0208] In one embodiment the linker polypeptide is selected from the group comprising (G₃S)₃, (G₃S)₄, (G₃S)₅, (G₃S)₆, (G₄S)₃, (G₄S)₄, (G₄S)₅, (G₅S)₂, (G₅S)₃, (G₅S)₄, and any combination thereof.

[0209] Additionally, the fusion polypeptide can comprise between the biologically active polypeptide and the Fc-region a tag, e.g. suitable for affinity purification or immobilization.

[0210] In one embodiment the tag is selected from a the group comprising Arg-tag, Avi-tag, His-Avi-tag, His-tag, Flag-tag, 3xFlag-tag, Strep-tag, Nano-tag, SBP-tag, c-myc-tag, S-tag, calmodulin-binding-peptide, cellulose-binding-domain, chitin-binding-domain, GST-tag, MBP-tag, streptavidin or avidin, biotin, lectin, polysaccharide, steroid, steroid binding protein, hormone, and hormone receptor.

[0211] The linker polypeptide and the tag can be combined in an intervening amino acid sequence that is located between the biologically active polypeptide and the Fc-region.

[0212] In one embodiment the intervening amino acid sequence is selected from a first group comprising (G₃S)₃, (G₃S)₄, (G₃S)₅, (G₃S)₆, (G₄S)₃, (G₄S)₄, (G₄S)₅, (G₅S)₂, (G₅S)₃, (G₅S)₄, and any combination thereof, or from a second group comprising Arg-tag, Avi-tag, His-Avi-tag, His-tag, Flag-tag, 3xFlag-tag, Strep-tag, Nano-tag, SBP-tag, c-myc-tag, S-tag, calmodulin-binding-peptide, cellulose-binding-domain, chitin-binding-domain, GST-tag, or MBP-tag, or from combinations of two elements of these group.

[0213] The intervening amino acid sequence can be located either before or after a cleavage site in the fusion polypeptide.

[0214] In one embodiment the cleavage site is an enzymatic cleavage site. In one embodiment the enzymatic cleavage site is selected from the group comprising IgA-protease protease cleavage site, Granzyme B protease cleavage site, Tev protease cleavage site, PreScission® protease cleavage site, Thrombin cleavage site, Factor10a protease site, IdeS protease cleavage site, SUMO protease (Ulp1 (Ubl-specific protease 1) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cleavage site and Enterokinase cleavage site. In one embodiment the cleavage site is selected from the group of IgA protease cleavage site, PreScission® protease cleavage site, granzyme B cleavage site, and IdeS protease cleavage site.

[0215] In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide comprises an inherent cleavage site of the protease papain, or the protease pepsin, or the IdeS protease.

[0216] One aspect as reported herein is a dimeric fusion polypeptide comprising two fusion polypeptides as reported herein.

[0217] One aspect as reported herein is a dimeric polypeptide comprising one fusion polypeptide as reported herein and an Fc-region.

[0218] As the fusion polypeptide as reported herein comprises an Fc-region which in turn comprises an immunoglobulin hinge region the dimeric fusion polypeptide comprises one or more disulfide bridges covalently linking the first fusion polypeptide with the second fusion polypeptide.

[0219] As the fusion polypeptide as reported herein comprises an Fc-region which in turn comprises an immunoglobulin hinge region the dimeric polypeptide comprises one or more disulfide bridges covalently linking the fusion polypeptide with the Fc-region.

[0220] The dimeric fusion polypeptide can be a homodimeric fusion polypeptide or a heterodimeric fusion polypeptide.

[0221] One aspect as reported herein is a fusion polypeptide according to formula I

(B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC--CS_q--I_t--CS_rB.- sub.m)_u (formula I)

wherein B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region,

[0222] FC denotes a heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide,

[0223] CS denotes a cleavage site, and

I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence, wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1, wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0, wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0, wherein u=2, wherein FC does not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor.

[0224] One aspect as reported herein is a dimeric polypeptide comprising a fusion polypeptide according to formula II

B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC¹--CS_q--I_t--CS.su- b.r--B_m:FC² (formula II)

wherein B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as 1-mer, 2-mer, or 3-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region, FC¹ denotes a first heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, FC² denotes a second heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, CS denotes a cleavage site, and I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence, wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1, wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0, wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0, wherein FC¹ and FC² are covalently linked by one or more disulfide bond(s), wherein FC¹ and FC² do not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor.

[0225] As the dimeric polypeptide can be formed by the combination of two different polypeptides, or a polypeptide and a fusion polypeptide as reported herein, or two different fusion polypeptides as reported herein a mechanism to ensure the heterodimerization has to be used.

[0226] In one embodiment the first FC comprises the mutation T366W and optionally the mutation S354C and the second FC comprises the mutations T366S, L368A and Y407V and optionally the mutation Y349C.

[0227] In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide is characterized in that

[0228] a) B of the first and second fusion polypeptide are identical, or

[0229] b) B of the first fusion polypeptide and B of the second fusion polypeptide are different.

[0230] In one embodiment the C-terminal lysine residue in the FC-region(s) has been deleted. This results in the deletion of a putative enzymatic cleavage site.

Applications of the Fusion Polypeptide as Reported Herein

[0231] One aspect as reported herein is the use of an immobilized fusion polypeptide as reported herein or an immobilized dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein as affinity chromatography ligand.

[0232] In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide is bound to a solid phase. In one embodiment the solid phase is a chromatography material. In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide is biotinylated and the solid phase is derivatized with streptavidin.

[0233] In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide comprises a cleavage site between the Fc-receptor and the Fc-region. In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide is cleaved prior to biotinylation.

[0234] In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide comprises an immobilization tag between the biologically active polypeptide and the cleavage site. In one embodiment the immobilization tag is a His-Avi-tag or an Avi-tag.

[0235] Also reported is an affinity chromatography column that comprises a matrix and matrix bound chromatographical functional groups, characterized in that the matrix bound chromatographical functional group comprises a fusion polypeptide or a dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein.

[0236] In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide comprises a cleavage site between the biologically active polypeptide and the Fc-region. In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide is cleaved prior to biotinylation.

[0237] In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide comprises an immobilization tag between the biologically active polypeptide and the cleavage site. In one embodiment the immobilization tag is a His-Avi-tag or an Avi-tag.

[0238] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein for the production of a 1-meric (monomeric), 2-meric (dimeric), or 3-meric (trimeric) biologically active polypeptide, whereby the 1-meric (monomeric), 2-meric (dimeric), or 3-meric (trimeric) biologically active polypeptide is obtained after the enzymatic cleavage of the fusion polypeptide, and whereby the 1-meric (monomeric), 2-meric (dimeric), or 3-meric (trimeric) biologically active polypeptide remains in the 1-meric (monomeric), 2-meric (dimeric), or 3-meric (trimeric) form after the cleavage.

[0239] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a dimeric fusion polypeptide of formula III

B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC¹--CS_q--I_t--CS.su- b.r--B_m:B_n--I_s--FC²--I_t--B_m (formula III)

[0240] wherein

[0241] B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as 2-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region,

[0242] FC¹ denotes a first heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide,

[0243] FC² denotes a second heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide,

[0244] CS denotes a cleavage site, and

[0245] I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence,

[0246] wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1,

[0247] wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0,

[0248] wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0,

[0249] wherein FC¹ and FC² are covalently linked by one or more disulfide bond(s),

[0250] wherein FC¹ and FC² do not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor, for the production of bulky (sterically hindering) dimeric cytokines

[0251] It has been found that an asymmetric dimeric fusion polypeptide can be obtained which comprises an enzymatic cleavage site in one fusion polypeptide whereas the second fusion polypeptide does not comprise an enzymatic cleavage site. Thus, in one embodiment the dimeric fusion polypeptide comprises two identical fusion polypeptides except that only one fusion polypeptide comprises an enzymatic cleavage site between the biologically active polypeptide and the Fc-region.

[0252] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein for increasing the in vivo half-life of a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region.

[0253] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein for providing a soluble cytokine or cytokine receptor.

[0254] It is possible to provide cytokine receptors in biologically active form by using a fusion polypeptide as reported herein. These cytokine receptors are not biologically active in cleaved form.

[0255] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein for providing functional, biologically active and soluble membrane receptors and/or membrane receptor domains.

[0256] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein for providing disulfide-linked dimeric cytokines, whereby the disulfide-bond is formed prior to the enzymatic cleavage of the fusion polypeptide.

[0257] By using a dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein it is possible to force the disulfide based dimerization of cytokines prior to the cleavage of the fusion polypeptide and liberation of the dimeric cytokine

[0258] One aspect as reported herein is the use of a dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein for producing a heterodimeric, disulfide-linked cytokine

[0259] Likewise it is possible by using the dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein to provide heterodimeric, disulfide-linked cytokines by forced disulfide linkage.

Recombinant Methods

[0260] One aspect as reported herein is a method for the production of a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region comprising the following steps

[0261] a) cultivating a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide as reported herein,

[0262] b) recovering the fusion polypeptide from the cell or the cultivation medium,

[0263] c) optionally cleaving the fusion polypeptide with a protease,

[0264] and thereby producing a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region.

[0265] Methods and techniques known to a person skilled in the art, which are useful for carrying out the current invention, are described e.g. in Ausubel, F. M., ed., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volumes I to III (1997), Wiley and Sons; Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989).

[0266] The nucleic acid encoding the fusion polypeptide as reported herein or the dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein can be expressed in a host cell. After recombinant expression the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide can be purified by methods known to a person skilled in the art. These methods are well established and widespread used for immunoglobulin purification and are employed either alone or in combination. Such methods are, for example, affinity chromatography using microbial-derived proteins (e.g. protein A or protein G affinity chromatography), ion exchange chromatography (e.g. cation exchange (carboxymethyl resins), anion exchange (amino ethyl resins) and mixed-mode exchange chromatography), thiophilic adsorption (e.g. with beta-mercaptoethanol and other SH ligands), hydrophobic interaction or aromatic adsorption chromatography (e.g. with phenyl-Sepharose®, aza-arenophilic resins, or m-aminophenylboronic acid), metal chelate affinity chromatography (e.g. with Ni(II)- and Cu(II)-affinity material), size exclusion chromatography, and preparative electrophoretic methods (such as gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis) (Vijayalakshmi, M. A., Appl. Biochem. Biotech. 75 (1998) 93-102).

[0267] Expression cassettes comprise a promoter, a DNA segment encoding a secretion signal sequence, the structural gene, and a terminator/polyadenylation signal. The elements are assembled in an operatively linked form either on one plasmid encoding all required different fusion polypeptides, or on two or more plasmids each encoding one fusion polypeptide. For the expression of the structural genes the plasmid(s) is (are) introduced into a suitable host cell. Proteins are produced in mammalian cells such as CHO cells, NS0 cells, Sp2/0 cells, COS cells, HEK cells, K562 cells, BHK cells, PER.C6® cells, and the like. In one embodiment the fusion polypeptide is expressed in a CHO cell, or a BHK cell, or a HEK cell. The regulatory elements of the plasmid have to be selected in a way that they are functional in the selected host cell. The expressed fusion polypeptides are functionally assembled.

[0268] An "expression plasmid" is a nucleic acid providing all required elements for the expression of the comprised structural gene(s) in a host cell. Typically, an expression plasmid comprises a prokaryotic plasmid propagation unit, e.g. for E. coli, comprising an origin of replication, and a selectable marker, an eukaryotic selection marker, and one or more expression cassettes for the expression of the structural gene(s) of interest each comprising a promoter, a structural gene, and a transcription terminator including a polyadenylation signal. Gene expression is usually placed under the control of a promoter, and such a structural gene is said to be "operably linked to" the promoter. Similarly, a regulatory element and a core promoter are operably linked if the regulatory element modulates the activity of the core promoter.

[0269] Antibodies may be produced using recombinant methods and compositions, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567. In one embodiment, isolated nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide described herein or a dimeric fusion polypeptide described herein is provided. In one embodiment, one or more vectors (e.g., expression vectors) comprising such nucleic acid are provided. In a further embodiment, a host cell comprising such nucleic acid is provided. In one such embodiment, a host cell comprises (e.g., has been transformed with): (1) a vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising a first fusion polypeptide and an amino acid sequence comprising a second fusion polypeptide, or (2) a first vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising a first fusion polypeptide and a second vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising a second fusion polypeptide. In one embodiment, the host cell is eukaryotic, e.g. a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell or lymphoid cell (e.g., Y0, NS0, Sp20 cell). In one embodiment, a method of making a fusion polypeptide or a dimeric fusion polypeptide is provided, wherein the method comprises culturing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding the fusion polypeptide or dimeric fusion polypeptide, as provided above, under conditions suitable for expression of the fusion polypeptide or dimeric fusion polypeptide, and optionally recovering the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide from the host cell (or host cell culture medium).

[0270] For recombinant production of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein or a dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein, nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide or a dimeric fusion polypeptide, e.g., as described above, is isolated and inserted into one or more vectors for further cloning and/or expression in a host cell. Such nucleic acid may be readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the fusion polypeptide).

[0271] Suitable host cells for cloning or expression of fusion polypeptide-encoding vectors include prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells described herein. For example, fusion polypeptides may be produced in bacteria, in particular when glycosylation and Fc effector function are not needed. For expression of antibody fragments and polypeptides in bacteria, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,237, U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,199, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,523 (see also Charlton, K. A., In: Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 248, Lo, B. K. C. (ed.), Humana Press, Totowa, N.J. (2003), pp. 245-254, describing expression of antibody fragments in E. coli). After expression, the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide may be isolated from the bacterial cell paste in a soluble fraction and can be further purified.

[0272] In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes such as filamentous fungi or yeast are suitable cloning or expression hosts for fusion polypeptide-encoding vectors, including fungi and yeast strains whose glycosylation pathways have been "humanized," resulting in the production of a fusion polypeptide with a partially or fully human glycosylation pattern (see Gerngross, T. U., Nat. Biotech. 22 (2004) 1409-1414; and Li, H. et al., Nat. Biotech. 24 (2006) 210-215).

[0273] Suitable host cells for the expression of glycosylated fusion polypeptide are also derived from multicellular organisms (invertebrates and vertebrates). Examples of invertebrate cells include plant and insect cells. Numerous baculoviral strains have been identified which may be used in conjunction with insect cells, particularly for transfection of Spodoptera frugiperda cells.

[0274] Plant cell cultures can also be utilized as hosts (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,959,177, 6,040,498, 6,420,548, 7,125,978, and 6,417,429 (describing PLANTIBODIES® technology for producing antibodies in transgenic plants)).

[0275] Vertebrate cells may also be used as hosts. For example, mammalian cell lines that are adapted to grow in suspension may be useful. Other examples of useful mammalian host cell lines are monkey kidney CV1 line transformed by SV40 (COS-7); human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells as described, e.g., in Graham, F. L. et al., J. Gen Virol. 36 (1977) 59-74); baby hamster kidney cells (BHK); mouse sertoli cells (TM4 cells as described, e.g., in Mather, J. P., Biol. Reprod. 23 (1980) 243-252); monkey kidney cells (CV1); African green monkey kidney cells (VERO-76); human cervical carcinoma cells (HELA); canine kidney cells (MDCK; buffalo rat liver cells (BRL 3A); human lung cells (W138); human liver cells (Hep G2); mouse mammary tumor (MMT 060562); TRI cells, as described, e.g., in Mather, J. P. et al., Annals N.Y. Acad. Sci. 383 (1982) 44-68; MRC 5 cells; and FS4 cells. Other useful mammalian host cell lines include Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, including DHFR.sup.- CHO cells (Urlaub, G. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77 (1980) 4216-4220); and myeloma cell lines such as Y0, NS0 and Sp2/0. For a review of certain mammalian host cell lines suitable for antibody production, see, e.g., Yazaki, P. and Wu, A. M., Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 248, Lo, B. K. C. (ed.), Humana Press, Totowa, N.J. (2004), pp. 255-268.

Methods and Compositions for Diagnostics and Detection

[0276] In certain embodiments, any of the fusion polypeptides or dimeric fusion polypeptides provided herein is useful for detecting the presence of cytokines or cytokine receptors in a biological sample. The term "detecting" as used herein encompasses quantitative or qualitative detection.

[0277] In one embodiment, a fusion polypeptide as reported herein or a dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein for use in a method of diagnosis or detection is provided. In a further aspect, a method of detecting the presence of a cytokine or a cytokine receptor in a biological sample is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises contacting the biological sample with a fusion polypeptide as reported herein or a dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein under conditions permissive for binding of the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide to a cytokine or cytokine receptor, and detecting whether a complex is formed between the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide and a cytokine or a cytokine receptor. Such method may be an in vitro or in vivo method.

[0278] In certain embodiments, labeled fusion polypeptides or labeled dimeric fusion polypeptides are provided. Labels include, but are not limited to, labels or moieties that are detected directly (such as fluorescent, chromophoric, electron-dense, chemiluminescent, and radioactive labels), as well as moieties, such as enzymes or ligands, that are detected indirectly, e.g., through an enzymatic reaction or molecular interaction. Exemplary labels include, but are not limited to, the radioisotopes ³²P, ¹4C, ¹²⁵I, ³H, and ¹³¹I, fluorophores such as rare earth chelates or fluorescein and its derivatives, rhodamine and its derivatives, dansyl, umbelliferone, luceriferases, e.g., firefly luciferase and bacterial luciferase (U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,456), luciferin, 2,3-dihydrophthalazinediones, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase, glucoamylase, lysozyme, saccharide oxidases, e.g., glucose oxidase, galactose oxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, heterocyclic oxidases such as uricase and xanthine oxidase, coupled with an enzyme that employs hydrogen peroxide to oxidize a dye precursor such as HRP, lactoperoxidase, or microperoxidase, biotin/avidin, spin labels, bacteriophage labels, stable free radicals, and the like.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

[0279] Pharmaceutical compositions of a fusion polypeptide as reported herein or a dimeric fusion polypeptide as reported herein are prepared by mixing such fusion polypeptide having the desired degree of purity with one or more optional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th edition, Osol, A. (ed.) (1980)), in the form of lyophilized formulations or aqueous solutions. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are generally nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and include, but are not limited to: buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid and methionine; preservatives (such as octadecyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride; benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol; cyclohexanol; 3-pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as poly(vinylpyrrolidone); amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose, mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming counter-ions such as sodium; metal complexes (e.g. Zn-protein complexes); and/or non-ionic surfactants such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable carriers herein further include interstitial drug dispersion agents such as soluble neutral-active hyaluronidase glycoproteins (sHASEGP), for example, human soluble PH-20 hyaluronidase glycoproteins, such as rhuPH20 (HYLENEX®, Baxter International, Inc.). Certain exemplary sHASEGPs and methods of use, including rhuPH20, are described in US 2005/0260186 and US 2006/0104968. In one aspect, a sHASEGP is combined with one or more additional glycosaminoglycanases such as chondroitinases.

[0280] Exemplary lyophilized antibody formulations are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,958. Aqueous antibody formulations include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,586 and WO 2006/044908, the latter formulations including a histidine-acetate buffer.

[0281] The formulation herein may also contain more than one active ingredients as necessary for the particular indication being treated, preferably those with complementary activities that do not adversely affect each other. Such active ingredients are suitably present in combination in amounts that are effective for the purpose intended.

[0282] Active ingredients may be entrapped in microcapsules prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or by interfacial polymerization, for example, hydroxymethylcellulose or gelatin-microcapsules and poly-(methyl methacrylate) microcapsules, respectively, in colloidal drug delivery systems (for example, liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions, nano-particles and nanocapsules) or in macroemulsions. Such techniques are disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th edition, Osol, A. (ed.) (1980).

[0283] Sustained-release preparations may be prepared. Suitable examples of sustained-release preparations include semi-permeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the fusion polypeptide, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g. films, or microcapsules.

[0284] The formulations to be used for in vivo administration are generally sterile. Sterility may be readily accomplished, e.g., by filtration through sterile filtration membranes.

Therapeutic Methods and Compositions

[0285] Any of the fusion polypeptides as reported herein or the dimeric fusion polypeptides as reported herein may be used in therapeutic methods.

[0286] In one aspect, a fusion polypeptide or a dimeric fusion polypeptide for use as a medicament is provided. In certain embodiments, a fusion polypeptide or a dimeric fusion polypeptide for use in a method of treatment is provided. In one such embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent. An "individual" according to any of the above embodiments is preferably a human.

[0287] In a further aspect, the invention provides for the use of a fusion polypeptide or a dimeric fusion polypeptide in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In one such embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent. An "individual" according to any of the above embodiments may be a human.

[0288] In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising any of the fusion polypeptides as reported herein, e.g., for use in any of the above therapeutic methods. In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition comprises any of the fusion polypeptides as reported herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition comprises any of the fusion polypeptides as reported herein and at least one additional therapeutic agent.

[0289] Fusion polypeptides of the invention can be used either alone or in combination with other agents in a therapy. For instance, a fusion polypeptide of the invention may be co-administered with at least one additional therapeutic agent.

[0290] Such combination therapies noted above encompass combined administration (where two or more therapeutic agents are included in the same or separate formulations), and separate administration, in which case, administration of the fusion polypeptide of the invention can occur prior to, simultaneously, and/or following, administration of the additional therapeutic agent and/or adjuvant.

[0291] A fusion polypeptide of the invention or a dimeric fusion polypeptide of the invention (and any additional therapeutic agent) can be administered by any suitable means, including parenteral, intrapulmonary, and intranasal, and, if desired for local treatment, intralesional administration. Parenteral infusions include intramuscular, intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous administration. Dosing can be by any suitable route, e.g. by injections, such as intravenous or subcutaneous injections, depending in part on whether the administration is brief or chronic. Various dosing schedules including but not limited to single or multiple administrations over various time-points, bolus administration, and pulse infusion are contemplated herein.

[0292] Fusion polypeptides of the invention or dimeric fusion polypeptides of the invention would be formulated, dosed, and administered in a fashion consistent with good medical practice. Factors for consideration in this context include the particular disorder being treated, the particular mammal being treated, the clinical condition of the individual patient, the cause of the disorder, the site of delivery of the agent, the method of administration, the scheduling of administration, and other factors known to medical practitioners. The fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide need not be, but is optionally formulated with one or more agents currently used to prevent or treat the disorder in question. The effective amount of such other agents depends on the amount of fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide present in the formulation, the type of disorder or treatment, and other factors discussed above. These are generally used in the same dosages and with administration routes as described herein, or about from 1 to 99% of the dosages described herein, or in any dosage and by any route that is empirically/clinically determined to be appropriate.

[0293] For the prevention or treatment of disease, the appropriate dosage of a fusion polypeptide of the invention or the dimeric fusion polypeptide of the invention (when used alone or in combination with one or more other additional therapeutic agents) will depend on the type of disease to be treated, the type of fusion polypeptide or dimeric fusion polypeptide, the severity and course of the disease, whether the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, previous therapy, the patient's clinical history and response to the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide, and the discretion of the attending physician. The fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide is suitably administered to the patient at one time or over a series of treatments. Depending on the type and severity of the disease, about 1 μg/kg to 15 mg/kg (e.g. 0.5 mg/kg-10 mg/kg) of fusion polypeptide or dimeric fusion polypeptide can be an initial candidate dosage for administration to the patient, whether, for example, by one or more separate administrations, or by continuous infusion. One typical daily dosage might range from about 1 μg/kg to 100 mg/kg or more, depending on the factors mentioned above. For repeated administrations over several days or longer, depending on the condition, the treatment would generally be sustained until a desired suppression of disease symptoms occurs. One exemplary dosage of the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide would be in the range from about 0.05 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg. Thus, one or more doses of about 0.5 mg/kg, 2.0 mg/kg, 4.0 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg (or any combination thereof) may be administered to the patient. Such doses may be administered intermittently, e.g. every week or every three weeks (e.g. such that the patient receives from about two to about twenty, or e.g. about six doses of the fusion polypeptide or the dimeric fusion polypeptide). An initial higher loading dose, followed by one or more lower doses may be administered. However, other dosage regimens may be useful. The progress of this therapy is easily monitored by conventional techniques and assays.

[0294] It is understood that any of the above formulations or therapeutic methods may be carried out using an immunoconjugate of the invention in place of or in addition to a fusion polypeptide or a dimeric fusion polypeptide.

Articles of Manufacture

[0295] In another aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture containing materials useful for the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of the disorders described above is provided. The article of manufacture comprises a container and a label or package insert on or associated with the container. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, IV solution bags, etc. The containers may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic. The container holds a composition which is by itself or combined with another composition effective for treating, preventing and/or diagnosing the condition and may have a sterile access port (for example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle). At least one active agent in the composition is a fusion polypeptide of the invention or a dimeric fusion polypeptide of the invention. The label or package insert indicates that the composition is used for treating the condition of choice. Moreover, the article of manufacture may comprise (a) a first container with a composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises a fusion polypeptide of the invention or a dimeric fusion polypeptide of the invention; and (b) a second container with a composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises a further cytotoxic or otherwise therapeutic agent. The article of manufacture in this embodiment of the invention may further comprise a package insert indicating that the compositions can be used to treat a particular condition. Alternatively, or additionally, the article of manufacture may further comprise a second (or third) container comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable buffer, such as bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, and syringes.

[0296] It is understood that any of the above articles of manufacture may include an immunoconjugate of the invention in place of or in addition to a fusion polypeptide or a dimeric fusion polypeptide.

[0297] The following examples, figures and sequences are provided to aid the understanding of the present invention, the true scope of which is set forth in the appended claims. It is understood that modifications can be made in the procedures set forth without departing from the spirit of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Generation of the Expression Plasmids for Expression of Fc-Receptor Containing Fusion Polypeptide

a) Generation of the Expression Plasmid for an FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G Fusion Polypeptide

[0298] The FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide encoding gene was assembled by fusing chemically synthesized DNA fragments coding i) for a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence (MGWSCIILFLVATATGVHS: SEQ ID NO: 5S), ii) a human Fc gamma receptor Ma V158 from amino acid residues 2-193 (i.e. excluding the starting methionine), and iii) a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3) with the mutations L234A, L235A and P329G.

[0299] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of an FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide in HEK293 cells comprised besides the FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide expression cassette an origin of replication from the vector pUC18 which allows replication of this plasmid in E. coli, and a beta-lactamase gene which confers ampicillin resistance in E. coli. In detail, the transcription unit of the FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide encoding gene comprises the following functional elements:

[0300] the immediate early enhancer and promoter from the human cytomegalovirus (P-CMV) including intron A,

[0301] a human heavy chain immunoglobulin 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR),

[0302] a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence,

[0303] a soluble human Fc gamma receptor III V158 polypeptide from amino acid position 2-193 of the wild-type human Fc gamma receptor III V158 protein,

[0304] a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3, LALA P329G), and

[0305] the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence (BGH poly A signal sequence).

[0306] The amino acid sequence of the mature FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide is:

TABLE-US-00017 (SEQ ID NO: 56) GMRTEDLPKA VVFLEPQWYR VLEKDSVTLK CQGAYSPEDN STQWFHNESL ISSQASSYFI DAATVDDSGE YRCQTNLSTL SDPVQLEVHI GWLLLQAPRW VFKEEDPIHL RCHSWKNTAL HKVTYLQNGK GRKYFHHNSD FYIPKATLKD SGSYFCRGLV GSKNVSSETV NITITQGLAV STISSFFPPG YQGLNDIFEA QKIEWHELVV APPAPEDKTH TCPPCPAPEA AGGPSVFLFP PKPKDTLMIS RTPEVTCVVV DVSHEDPEVK FNWYVDGVEV HNAKTKPREE QYNSTYRVVS VLTVLHQDWL NGKEYKCKVS NKALGAPIEK TISKAKGQPR EPQVYTLPPS RDELTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYP SDIAVEWESN GQPENNYKTT PPVLDSDGSF FLYSKLTVDK SRWQQGNVFS CSVMHEALHN HYTQKSLSLS PGK.

[0307] The following fusion polypeptides can be obtained analogously:

[0308] FcgammaRIIa-LR(H131)-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide:

TABLE-US-00018

[0308] (SEQ ID NO: 57) QAAAPPKAVL KLEPPWINVL QEDSVTLTCQ GARSPESDSI QWFHNGNLIP THTQPSYRFK ANNNDSGEYT CQTGQTSLSD PVHLTVLSEW LVLQTPHLEF QEGETIMLRC HSWKDKPLVK VTFFQNGKSQ KFSHLDPTFS IPQANHSHSG DYHCTGNIGY TLFSSKPVTI TVQVPSMGSS SPMGIGLNDI FEAQKIEWHE LVVAPPAPED KTHTCPPCPA PEAAGGPSVF LFPPKPKDTL MISRTPEVTC VVVDVSHEDP EVKFNWYVDG VEVHNAKTKP REEQYNSTYR VVSVLTVLHQ DWLNGKEYKC KVSNKALGAP IEKTISKAKG QPREPQVYTL PPSRDELTKN QVSLTCLVKG FYPSDIAVEW ESNGQPENNY KTTPPVLDSD GSFFLYSKLT VDKSRWQQGN VFSCSVMHEA LHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK.



[0309] FcgammaRIIb-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide:

TABLE-US-00019

[0309] (SEQ ID NO: 58) APPKAVLKLE PQWINVLQED SVTLTCRGTH SPESDSIQWF HNGNLIPTHT QPSYRFKANN NDSGEYTCQT GQTSLSDPVH LTVLSEWLVL QTPHLEFQEG ETIVLRCHSW KDKPLVKVTF FQNGKSKKFS RSDPNFSIPQ ANHSHSGDYH CTGNIGYTLY SSKPVTITVQ APGLNDIFEA QKIEWHELVV APPAPEDKTH TCPPCPAPEA AGGPSVFLFP PKPKDTLMIS RTPEVTCVVV DVSHEDPEVK FNWYVDGVEV HNAKTKPREE QYNSTYRVVS VLTVLHQDWL NGKEYKCKVS NKALGAPIEK TISKAKGQPR EPQVYTLPPS RDELTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYP SDIAVEWESN GQPENNYKTT PPVLDSDGSF FLYSKLTVDK SRWQQGNVFS CSVMHEALHN HYTQKSLSLS PGK.



[0310] FcgammaRIIIb-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide:

TABLE-US-00020

[0310] (SEQ ID NO: 59) GMRTEDLPKA VVFLEPQWYS VLEKDSVTLK CQGAYSPEDN STQWFHNESL ISSQASSYFI DAATVNDSGE YRCQTNLSTL SDPVQLEVHI GWLLLQAPRW VFKEEDPIHL RCHSWKNTAL HKVTYLQNGK DRKYFHHNSD FHIPKATLKD SGSYFCRGLV GSKNVSSETV NITITQGLAV STISSFSPPG YQGLNDIFEA QKIEWHELVV APPAPEDKTH TCPPCPAPEA AGGPSVFLFP PKPKDTLMIS RTPEVTCVVV DVSHEDPEVK FNWYVDGVEV HNAKTKPREE QYNSTYRVVS VLTVLHQDWL NGKEYKCKVS NKALGAPIEK TISKAKGQPR EPQVYTLPPS RDELTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYP SDIAVEWESN GQPENNYKTT PPVLDSDGSF FLYSKLTVDK SRWQQGNVFS CSVMHEALHN HYTQKSLSLS PGK.



[0311] minimal FcgammaRIIIa-Avi-Fc LALA p239 G fusion polypeptide (without protease cleavage site):

TABLE-US-00021

[0311] (SEQ ID NO: 60) GWLLLQAPRW VFKEEDPIHL RCHSWKNTAL HKVTYLQNGK GRKYFHHNSD FYIPKATLKD SGSYFCRGLV GSKNVSSETV NITITQGLAV STISSFFPPG YQGLNDIFEA QKIEWHELED KTHTCPPCPA PEAAGGPSVF LFPPKPKDTL MISRTPEVTC VVVDVSHEDP EVKFNWYVDG VEVHNAKTKP REEQYNSTYR VVSVLTVLHQ DWLNGKEYKC KVSNKALGAP IEKTISKAKG QPREPQVYTL PPSRDELTKN QVSLTCLVKG FYPSDIAVEW ESNGQPENNY KTTPPVLDSD GSFFLYSKLT VDKSRWQQGN VFSCSVMHEA LHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK.

c) Generation of the "Knob-into-Hole" Expression Plasmids for Dimeric Fc-Receptor Fusion Polypeptide

[0312] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the Fc-receptor Fc-region fusion polypeptide (hole) in HEK293 cells was derived from the expression vector described above under item a). It differentiated therefrom in the DNA sequence coding for the Fc-region with hole mutations T366S, L368A, Y407V, and Y349C within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region.

[0313] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the Fc-receptor Fc-region fusion polypeptide (knob) in HEK293 cells was derived from the expression vector described above under item a). It differentiated therefrom in the DNA sequence coding for the Fc-region with knob mutations T366W and S354C within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region.

[0314] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the Fc-receptor Fc-region fusion polypeptide (knob/hole) in HEK293 comprised besides the fusion polypeptide (knob/hole) expression cassette an origin of replication from the vector pUC18 which allows replication of this plasmid in E. coli, and a beta-lactamase gene which confers ampicillin resistance in E. coli. In detail, the transcription unit of the fusion polypeptide (knob/hole) encoding gene comprises the following functional elements:

[0315] the immediate early enhancer and promoter from the human cytomegalovirus (P-CMV) including intron A,

[0316] a human heavy chain immunoglobulin 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR),

[0317] a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence,

[0318] a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3) with the hole mutations T366S, L368A, Y407V, and Y349C or the knob mutations T366W and S354C within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region, and

[0319] the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence (BGH poly A signal sequence).

Example 2

[0320] Transient Expression, Purification and Analytical Characterization of the FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G Fusion Polypeptide

[0321] The fusion polypeptides were obtained by transient transfection of HEK293 cells (human embryonic kidney cell line 293-derived) cultivated in F17 Medium (Invitrogen Corp.). For transfection "293-Free" Transfection Reagent (Novagen) was used. The knob-into-hole fusion polypeptide pairs were expressed from two different plasmids using an equimolar plasmid ratio upon transfection. Transfections were performed as specified in the manufacturer's instructions. Fusion polypeptide-containing cell culture supernatants were harvested seven days after transfection. Supernatants were stored at reduced temperature until purification.

[0322] General information regarding the recombinant expression of human immunoglobulins in e.g. HEK293 cells is given in: Meissner, P., et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng. 75 (2001) 197-203.

[0323] The fusion polypeptide-containing culture supernatants were filtered and purified by two chromatographic steps. The fusion polypeptides were captured by affinity chromatography using HiTrap MabSelect SuRe® (GE Healthcare) equilibrated with PBS (1 mM KH₂PO₄, 10 mM Na₂HPO₄, 137 mM NaCl, 2.7 mM KCl), pH 7.4. Unbound proteins were removed by washing with equilibration buffer, and the fusion polypeptide was recovered with 0.05 M citrate buffer, pH 3, immediately after elution neutralized to pH 6.5 with 1 M Tris-base, pH 9.0. Size exclusion chromatography on Superdex 200® (GE Healthcare) was used as second purification step. The size exclusion chromatography was performed in 2 mM MOPS buffer, 0.125 M NaCl, pH 7.2. The eluted fusion polypeptides were concentrated with an Ultrafree-CL centrifugal filter unit equipped with a Biomax-SK membrane (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) and stored at -80° C.

[0324] Four different FcgammaRIIIa-Fc fusion polypeptides were purified according to this protocol:

[0325] a) FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-Fc LALA P239G (without cleavage site)

[0326] b) minimal FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-Fc LALA P239G (without cleavage site)

[0327] c) FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-Prescission® Protease(PP)-Fc LALA P239G

[0328] d) FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G

[0329] The protein concentrations of the fusion polypeptides were determined by measuring the optical density (OD) at 280 nm, using the molar extinction coefficient calculated on the basis of the amino acid sequence. Purity and proper dimer formation of fusion polypeptides were analyzed by SDS-PAGE in the presence and absence of a reducing agent (5 mM 1. 4-dithiotreitol) and staining with Coomassie® brilliant blue. Aggregate content of the fusion polypeptide preparations was determined by high-performance SEC using a Superdex 200® analytical size-exclusion column (GE Healthcare). The integrity of the amino acid backbone of reduced fusion polypeptide was verified by Nano Electrospray QTOF mass spectrometry after removal of N-glycans by enzymatic treatment with a combination of neuraminidase, 0-glycanase and peptide-N-glycosidase F (Roche Applied Science).

Example 3

Cleavage of Fc-Receptor Containing Fusion Polypeptide by Papain

[0330] FcgammaRIIIa-Fc fusion polypeptides which do not comprise an enzymatic cleavage site can be cleaved by Papain. FcgammaRIIIa-Fc fusion polypeptide was cleaved by adding cysteine and 0.1 mU/mg fusion polypeptide Papain (from Carica papaya, Roche Diagnostics GmbH) at 37° C. for 1 h. Subsequent purification was done as described in Example 2. An analytical SDS-PAGE gel is shown in FIG. 2.

Example 4

Cleavage of Fc-Receptor Containing Fusion Polypeptide by Ides Protease

[0331] Cleavage of the FcgammaRIIIaV158-Avi-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide with Ides protease is very inefficient and therefore in this case not useful.

Example 5

Cleavage of Fc-Receptor Containing Fusion Polypeptide by PreScission® Protease

[0332] After dialysis against 50 mM Tris, 150 NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM DTT pH 7.4 FcgammaRIIIa-(PP)-Fc fusion polypeptide was cleaved by adding between 1-15 U PreScission® protease (GE Healthcare)/100 μg fusion polypeptide at room temperature overnight. Only part of the protein could be cleaved. On the other hand unspecific cleavage by PreScission® protease of receptor without PP cleavage site was observed.

Example 6

Cleavage of Fc-Receptor Containing Fusion Polypeptide by IgA Protease

[0333] After dialysis against 50 mM Tris pH 8 using a Slide-a-lyzer® dialysis cassette FcgammaRIIIa-Fc fusion polypeptide was cleaved by adding IgA Protease (Roche Diagnostics GmbH) at a ratio of w(protease)/w(fusion polypeptide) 1:100 at 21° C. overnight. Cleavage was controlled by analytical size exclusion chromatography (SEC, Superdex 75; GE Healthcare). After cleavage, the FcgammaRIIIa receptor was separated from IgA protease by preparative size exclusion chromatography on Superdex 75® (GE Healthcare) and from Fc-Tag by HiTrap MabSelect SuRe® (GE Healthcare) column. An analytical SDS-Page gel is shown in FIG. 3.

TABLE-US-00022 TABLE Yield of fermentation and purification of different FcgammaRIIIa V158 comprising fusion polypeptides. yield after yield after monomer yield after cleavage and molecular capturing content SEC further fusion weight [mg/l (SEC) [mg/l purification polypeptide [kDa] supernatant] [%] supernatant] [mg/l supernatant] FcgammaRII 25.4 3.5 70 1.4 -- Ia V158- HisAvi (201) FcgammaRII 39 14 70 3 Ia V158-Avi- (not active) Fc LALA P329G (0.51) FcgammaRII 49 80 95 78 21 Ia V158-Avi- (without Fc LALA Avi-tag) P329G (0.51) FcgammaRII 50 24 50 not not Ia V158-Avi- determined determined PP-Fc LALA P329G (0.51) FcgammaRII 50 46 90 36 16 Ia V158-Avi- (with Avi- IgAP-Fc tag) LALA P329G (9.21)

Example 7

Preparation of FcgammaRIIIaV158 Affinity Column

[0334] An affinity column with FcgammaRIIIaV158 was prepared by in vitro biotinylation of the Avi-tag and subsequent coupling to Streptavidin Sepharose®. This can be done with the intact fusion polypeptide as well as with the receptor after having cleaved off the Fc-region. It is a very quick and efficient method for preparing an affinity column for analytical and preparative purposes.

Biotinylation of Receptor

[0335] A soluble extracellular domain of FcgammaRIIIaV158 with Avi Tag expressed in HEK293 cells was biotinylated after purification according to the following protocol: between 1.2 and 12 mg FcgammaRIIIaV158 or between 2.4 and 24 mg FcgammaRIIIaV158 Fc-region fusion polypeptide tagged in 2 mM MOPS, 125 mM NaCl pH 7.2, 0.02% Tween®, and 1 tablet Complete protease inhibitor (Roche) in 3 ml PBS were biotinylated using the biotinylation kit from Avidity according to the manufacturer instructions. Biotinylation reaction was done at room temperature overnight. The modified polypeptide was dialyzed against 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer, 150 mM NaCl pH 7.5 at 4° C. overnight to remove excess biotin.

Coupling to streptavidin Sepharose®

[0336] 1 g streptavidin Sepharose® (GE Healthcare) was added to the biotinylated and dialyzed receptor, incubated for 2 hours while shaking and finally filled in a 1 ml XK column (GE Healthcare).

Example 8

Chromatography Methods Using an Fc-Receptor Obtained by Expressing an Fc-Receptor Containing Fusion Polypeptide

General Conditions:



[0337] Equilibration buffer A: 20 mM Citric acid/150 mM NaCl pH 6.0

[0338] Elution buffer B: 20 mM Citric acid/150 mM NaCl pH 3.0

[0339] Elution: 5 min 100% A

[0340] in 60 min to 100% B,

[0341] 0.1 min 100% B,

[0342] 6 min 100% A

[0343] Sample amount: 50 μg or more

Separation of Fucosylated and Afucosylated Antibodies

[0344] Chromatography of antibodies on FcgammaRIIIa column allows to quantitate the completely fucosylated and the afucosylated fraction of the antibody. The afucosylated fraction of the antibody is correlated to ADCC of the antibody preparation.

[0345] In FIG. 4 separation and quantification of different glycosylation forms of an anti-Her antibody (wild-type, at top) and a glycoengineered anti-Her antibody on a Fc-FcgammaRIIIa column is shown. Time of analysis could be shortened by modifying the gradient while retaining resolution.

Comparison of Affinity Column Using FcgammaRIIIaV158 and Fc Tagged FcgammaRIIIaV158

[0346] After coupling both receptor constructs in equimolar amounts, the affinity columns behave equal in separating completely fucosylated and afucosylated antibodies (FIG. 5: lower curve: FcgammaRIIIaV158; upper curve: FcgammaRIIIaV158-Fc).

Example 9

FcγRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P329G--IgG Interaction Measurement

[0347] The BIAcore® system is well established for the study of molecule interactions. It allows a continuous real-time monitoring of ligand/analyte bindings and thus the determination of association rate constants (k_a), dissociation rate constants (k_d), and equilibrium constants (K_D). Changes in the refractive index indicate mass changes on the surface caused by the interaction of immobilized ligand with analyte injected in solution. If molecules bind immobilized ligands on the surface the mass increases, in case of dissociation the mass decreases.

[0348] For the activity determination of the FcgammaRIIIaV158-Fc LALA P329G fusion polypeptide a direct binding assay was used.

[0349] Around 400 resonance units (RU) of the capturing system (20 μg/ml human Fab capture Kit GE Healthcare, 28-9583-25) were coupled onto a CM5 chip (GE Healthcare BR1005-30) at pH 5.0 using an amine coupling kit supplied by GE. The sample and system buffer was HBS-P+ pH 7.4 (10 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% (v/v) Surfactant P20). The flow cell was set to 25° C. and sample block to 12° C. An antibody was captured by injecting a 50 nM solution for 360 sec. at a flow of 10 μl/min. Binding was measured by injection of 50 nM of FcgammaRIIIa fusion polypeptide for 180 sec. at a flow of 50 μl/min for association and 360 sec. for dissociation. The surface was regenerated by 60 sec. washing with glycine pH 2.1 solution at a flow rate of 20 μl/min. For the activity evaluation of the constructs the signal heights and dissociation behavior have been compared.

[0350] As shown in FIG. 6 the response of the FcgammaRIIIaV158-Fc LALA P329G fusion polypeptide display more than 100 Response units in comparison to the FcgammaRIIIaV158 with 40 RU.

Example 10

FcγRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P329G Fusion Polypeptide IgG Kinetic Interaction Measurement Before and after Cleavage

[0351] For the activity determination of the cleaved FcgammaRIIIaV158-Fc LALA P329G fusion polypeptide a direct binding assay was used.

[0352] Around 400 resonance units (RU) of the capturing system (20 μg/ml human Fab capture Kit GE Healthcare, 28-9583-25) were coupled onto a CM5 chip (GE Healthcare BR1005-30) at pH 5.0 using an amine coupling kit supplied by GE. The sample and system buffer was HBS-P+ pH 7.4 (10 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% (v/v) Surfactant P20). The flow cell was set to 25° C. and sample block to 12° C. An antibody was captured by injecting a 50 nM solution for 80 sec. at a flow of 10 μl/min.

[0353] Different concentrations of antibodies ranging from 0 to 250 nM (1:2 dilutions) were passed with a flow rate of 30 μl/min through the flow cells to measure the association at 25° C. for 120 sec. The dissociation phase was monitored for 420 sec. by switching from the sample solution to running buffer. The surface was regenerated by 60 sec. washing with glycine pH 2.1 solution at a flow rate of 20 μl/min.

[0354] Bulk refractive index differences were corrected for by subtracting the response obtained from a surface without captured FcγRIIIaV158. Blank Buffer injections are also subtracted (=double referencing).

[0355] The equilibrium dissociation constant (K_D), defined as k_a/k_d, was determined by analyzing the sensogram curves obtained with several different concentrations, using BlAevaluation software package. The fitting of the data followed a suitable binding model. In FIG. 7 the sensograms of Fcgamma receptor V158-Fc LALA P329G fusion polypeptide (FIG. 7a), Fcgamma receptor V158 (FIG. 7b), cleaved Fcgamma receptor V158-Fc LALA P329G fusion polypeptide (FIG. 7c) is shown.

Example 11

Generation of the Expression Plasmids for the Fc-TWEAK Fusion Polypeptide

a) Generation of the Expression Plasmid for the Fc-TWEAK Fusion Polypeptide

[0356] The Fc-TWEAK fusion gene was assembled by fusing chemically synthesized DNA fragments coding i) a human Fe-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3; for exemplary sequences see SEQ ID NO: 03 to 17) wherein the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region was truncated (removal of the last natural lysine amino acid residue), ii) a glycine-serine linker consisting of a Gly₃Ser and a Gly₄Ser repeat (C-terminus of heavy chain-LSPG-GGGSGGGGS-TWEAK), iii) a PreScission® protease cleavage site (GLEVLFQGP; SEQ ID NO: 61) and iv) a TWEAK polypeptide from amino acid residues 106-249 (i.e. excluding the intracellular and transmembrane domains and a cleavage site) of a human TWEAK wild-type protein.

[0357] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of an Fc-TWEAK fusion polypeptide in HEK293 cells comprised besides the Fc-TWEAK expression cassette an origin of replication from the vector pUC18 which allows replication of this plasmid in E. coli, and a beta-lactamase gene which confers ampicillin resistance in E. coli. In detail, the transcription unit of the Fc-TWEAK fusion gene comprises the following functional elements:

[0358] the immediate early enhancer and promoter from the human cytomegalovirus (P-CMV) including intron A,

[0359] a human heavy chain immunoglobulin 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR),

[0360] a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence,

[0361] a human Fe-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3),

[0362] a TWEAK polypeptide from amino acid position 106-249 of the wild-type TWEAK protein, and

[0363] the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence (BGH poly A signal sequence).

[0364] The amino acid sequence of the mature Fe-TWEAK-fusion polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 62:

TABLE-US-00023 DKTHTCPPCP APELLGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYT LPPSRDELTK NQVSLTCLVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGGGGS GGGGSGLEVL FQGPAIAAHY EVHPRPGQDG AQAGVDGTVS GWEEARINSS SPLRYNRQIG EFIVTRAGLY YLYCQVHFDE GKAVYLKLDL LVDGVLALRC LEEFSATAAS SLGPQLRLCQ VSGLLALRPG SSLRIRTLPW AHLKAAPFLT YFGLFQVH.

b) Generation of the "Knob-into-Hole" Expression Plasmids for the Dimeric Fc-TWEAK (Hole)/Fc (Knob) Fusion Polypeptide

[0365] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the Fc (hole) polypeptide in HEK293 cells was derived from the expression vector described above under item a). It differentiated therefrom in the DNA sequence coding for the Fc-region with hole mutations T366S, L368A, Y407V, Y349C and the Fc effector functions reducing mutations L234A and L235A within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region.

[0366] The amino acid sequence of the mature Fc (hole) polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 63:

TABLE-US-00024 DKTHTCPPCP APEAAGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVCT LPPSRDELTK NQVSLSCAVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLVSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGK.

[0367] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the Fc-TWEAK (knob) fusion polypeptide in HEK293 comprised besides the Fc (knob) expression cassette an origin of replication from the vector pUC18 which allows replication of this plasmid in E. coli, and a beta-lactamase gene which confers ampicillin resistance in E. coli. In detail, the transcription unit of the Fc-TWEAK (knob) fusion gene comprises the following functional elements:

[0368] the immediate early enhancer and promoter from the human cytomegalovirus (P-CMV) including intron A,

[0369] a human heavy chain immunoglobulin 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR),

[0370] a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence,

[0371] a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3) with the knob mutations T366W and S354C and the Fc effector functions reducing mutations L234A and L235A within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region,

[0372] a linker sequence of the type Gly₃Ser-Gly₄Ser and a PreScission® protease cleavage site (GLEVLFQGP, SEQ ID NO: 61),

[0373] a TWEAK polypeptide from amino acid position 106-249 of the wild-type TWEAK protein, and

[0374] the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence (BGH poly A signal sequence).

[0375] The amino acid sequence of the mature Fc-TWEAK (knob) fusion polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 64:

TABLE-US-00025 DKTHTCPPCP APEAAGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYT LPPCRDELTK NQVSLWCLVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGGGGS GGGGSGLEVL FQGPAIAAHY EVHPRPGQDG AQAGVDGTVS GWEEARINSS SPLRYNRQIG EFIVTRAGLY YLYCQVHFDE GKAVYLKLDL LVDGVLALRC LEEFSATAAS SLGPQLRLCQ VSGLLALRPG SSLRIRTLPW AHLKAAPFLT YFGLFQVH.

Example 12

Generation of the Expression Plasmids for the Fc-IL17A Fusion Polypeptide

a) Generation of the Expression Plasmid for the Fc-IL17A Fusion Polypeptide

[0376] The Fc-IL17A fusion gene was assembled by fusing chemically synthesized DNA fragments coding i) a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3; for exemplary sequences see SEQ ID NO: 03 to 17) wherein the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region was truncated (removal of the last natural lysine amino acid residue), iia) a glycine-serine linker consisting of two Gly4Ser repeats plus two Gly3Ser repeats (C-terminus of heavy chain-LSP-GGGGSGGGGSGGGSGGGS-IL17A), or iib) a glycine-serine linker consisting of two Gly₄Ser repeats plus a IgA protease cleavage site (C-terminus of heavy chain-LSP-GGGGSGGGGSGSVVAPPA-IL17A) and iii) a IL17A polypeptide from amino acid residues 24-155 (i.e. excluding the starting methionine and the homologous signal peptide) of a cynomolgus IL17A wild-type protein.

[0377] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of an Fc-IL17A fusion polypeptide in HEK293 cells comprised besides the Fc-IL17A expression cassette an origin of replication from the vector pUC18 which allows replication of this plasmid in E. coli, and a beta-lactamase gene which confers ampicillin resistance in E. coli. In detail, the transcription unit of the Fc-IL17A fusion gene comprises the following functional elements:

[0378] the immediate early enhancer and promoter from the human cytomegalovirus (P-CMV) including intron A,

[0379] a human heavy chain immunoglobulin 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR),

[0380] a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence,

[0381] a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3),

[0382] a glycine-serine linker consisting of two Gly₄Ser repeats plus two Gly₃Ser repeats or a glycine-serine linker consisting of two Gly₄Ser repeats plus a IgA protease cleavage site,

[0383] an IL17A polypeptide from amino acid position 24-155 of the wild-type IL17A protein, and

[0384] the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence (BGH poly A signal sequence).

[0385] The amino acid sequence of the mature Fc-IL17A-fusion polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 65:

TABLE-US-00026 DKTHTCPPCP APELLGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYT LPPSRDELTK NQVSLTCLVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGGGGG SGGGGSGGGS GGGSGIAIPR NSGCPNSEDK NFPRTVMVNL NIHNRNTSTN PKRSSDYYNR STSPWNLHRN EDPERYPSVI WEAKCRHLGC VKADGNVDYH MNSVPIQQEI LVLRREPRHC,

or

SEQ ID NO: 66:

TABLE-US-00027

[0386] DKTHTCPPCP APELLGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYT LPPSRDELTK NQVSLTCLVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGGGGG SGGGGSGSVV APPAGIAIPR NSGCPNSEDK NFPRTVMVNL NIHNRNTSTN PKRSSDYYNR STSPWNLHRN EDPERYPSVI WEAKCRHLGC VKADGNVDYH MNSVPIQQEI LVLRREPRHC.

b) Generation of the "Knob-into-Hole" Expression Plasmids for the Dimeric Fc-IL17A (Knob)/Fc-IL17A (Hole) Fusion Polypeptide

[0387] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the IL17A-Fc (hole) fusion polypeptide in HEK293 cells was derived from the expression vector described above under item a). It differentiated therefrom in the DNA sequence coding for the Fc-region with hole mutations T366S, L368A, Y407V, Y349C and the Fc effector functions reducing mutations L234A and L235A within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region.

[0388] The amino acid sequence of the mature IL17A-Fc (hole) fusion polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 67:

TABLE-US-00028 DKTHTCPPCP APEAAGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVCT LPPSRDELTK NQVSLSCAVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLVSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGGGGG SGGGGSGSVV APPAGIAIPR NSGCPNSEDK NFPRTVMVNL NIHNRNTSTN PKRSSDYYNR STSPWNLHRN EDPERYPSVI WEAKCRHLGC VKADGNVDYH MNSVPIQQEI LVLRREPRHC PNSFRLEKIL VSVGCTCVTP IVHHVA.

[0389] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the Fc-IL17A (knob) fusion polypeptide in HEK293 cells was derived from the expression vector described above under item a). It differentiated therefrom in the DNA sequence coding for the Fc-region with the knob mutations T366W and S354C and the Fc effector functions reducing mutations L234A and L235A within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region.

[0390] The amino acid sequence of the mature Fc-IL17A (knob) fusion polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 68:

TABLE-US-00029 DKTHTCPPCP APEAAGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYT LPPCRDELTK NQVSLWCLVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGGGGG SGGGGSGGGS GGGSGIAIPR NSGCPNSEDK NFPRTVMVNL NIHNRNTSTN PKRSSDYYNR STSPWNLHRN EDPERYPSVI WEAKCRHLGC VKADGNVDYH MNSVPIQQEI LVLRREPRHC PNSFRLEKIL VSVGCTCVTP IVHHVA.

Example 13

Transient Expression of the Fc-Fusion Polypeptides

[0391] The Fc-fusion polypeptides were generated by transient transfection of HEK293 cells (human embryonic kidney cell line 293-derived) cultivated in F17 Medium (Invitrogen Corp.). For transfection "293-Free" Transfection Reagent (Novagen) was used. The knob-into-hole Fc-fusion polypeptides were expressed from two different plasmids using an equimolar plasmid ratio upon transfection. Transfections were performed as specified in the manufacturer's instructions. Fc-fusion polypeptide-containing cell culture supernatants were harvested seven days after transfection. Supernatants were stored at reduced temperature until purification.

[0392] General information regarding the recombinant expression of human immunoglobulins in e.g. HEK293 cells is given in: Meissner, P., et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng. 75 (2001) 197-203.

Example 14

Purification, Processing and Analytical Characterization of the Trimeric TWEAK-Fc Fusion Polypeptides

[0393] The Fc-fusion polypeptide-containing culture supernatants were filtered and purified by two chromatographic steps. The supernatants were mixed with 50% v/v 2 M glycine, pH 8.6, 600 mM NaCl and were captured by affinity chromatography using HiTrap MabSelect SuRe® (GE Healthcare) equilibrated with 1 M glycine, pH 8.6, 600 mM NaCl. Unbound proteins were removed by washing with equilibration buffer, and the fusion polypeptide was recovered with 0.1 M citrate buffer, pH 3.0 and immediately after elution neutralized to pH 6.0 with 1 M Tris-base, pH 8.5. Size exclusion chromatography on Superdex 200® (GE Healthcare) was used as second purification step. The size exclusion chromatography was performed in 2×PBS (2 mM KH₂PO₄, 20 mM Na₂HPO₄, 274 mM NaCl, 5.4 mM KCl), pH 7.4. The eluted Fc-fusion polypeptides were concentrated with an Ultrafree-CL centrifugal filter unit equipped with a Biomax-SK membrane (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) and stored at -80° C.

[0394] The protein concentration of the Fc-fusion polypeptides was determined by measuring the optical density (OD) at 280 nm, using the molar extinction coefficient calculated on the basis of the amino acid sequence. Purity of Fc-fusion polypeptides was analyzed by SDS-PAGE in the presence and absence of a reducing agent (5 mM 1. 4-dithiotreitol) and staining with Coomassie® brilliant blue. Aggregate content and proper trimer formation of the Fc-fusion polypeptide was determined by high-performance SEC using a Superdex 200® analytical size-exclusion column (GE Healthcare) coupled to a SEC-MALLS detector (Wyatt). The integrity of the amino acid backbone of the reduced Fc fusion polypeptide was verified by Nano Electrospray QTOF mass spectrometry after removal of N-glycans by enzymatic treatment with a combination of neuraminidase, O-glycanase and peptide-N-glycosidase F (Roche Applied Science).

[0395] To obtain trimeric TWEAK without Fc-fusion, the trimeric Fc-fusion polypeptide was incubated with PreScission® protease overnight followed by affinity chromatography using a MabSelect SuRe® (GE Healthcare) column in flow-through mode for removal of non-cleaved Fc-fusion polypeptides as well as free Fc-part. Flow-through fractions were further purified by affinity chromatography in the flow through mode using Glutathione Sepharose® 4B (GE Healthcare) for removal of the PreScission® protease. Flow-through fractions containing trimeric TWEAK were further purified by Size exclusion chromatography on Superdex 200® (GE Healthcare). The size exclusion chromatography was performed in 2×PBS (2 mM KH₂PO₄, 20 mM Na₂HPO₄, 274 mM NaCl, 5.4 mM KCl), pH 7.4. The eluted trimeric TWEAK containing fractions were concentrated with an Ultrafree--CL centrifugal filter unit equipped with a Biomax-SK membrane (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) and stored at -80° C.

[0396] Determination of the protein concentrations, purity, aggregate content, trimer formation and integrity of the amino acid backbone was performed with the methods described above.

Example 15

Purification, Processing and Analytical Characterization of the Dimeric Fc-IL17 Fusion Polypeptides

[0397] The Fc-fusion polypeptide-containing culture supernatants were filtered and purified by two chromatographic steps. The Fc-fusion polypeptides were captured by affinity chromatography using HiTrap MabSelect SuRe® (GE Healthcare) equilibrated with PBS (1 mM KH₂PO₄, 10 mM Na₂HPO₄, 137 mM NaCl, 2.7 mM KCl), pH 7.4. Unbound proteins were removed by washing with equilibration buffer, and the fusion polypeptide was recovered with 0.1 M citrate buffer, pH 2.8, and immediately after elution neutralized to pH 6.0 with 1 M Tris-base, pH 9.0. Size exclusion chromatography on Superdex 200® (GE Healthcare) was used as second purification step. The size exclusion chromatography was performed in 20 mM histidine buffer, 0.14 M NaCl, pH 6.0. The eluted Fc-fusion polypeptides were concentrated with an Ultrafree-CL centrifugal filter unit equipped with a Biomax-SK membrane (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) and stored at -80° C.

[0398] The protein concentrations of the Fc-fusion polypeptides were determined by measuring the optical density (OD) at 280 nm, using the molar extinction coefficient calculated on the basis of the amino acid sequence. Purity and proper dimer formation of Fc-fusion polypeptides were analyzed by SDS-PAGE in the presence and absence of a reducing agent (5 mM 1. 4-dithiotreitol) and staining with Coomassie® brilliant blue. Aggregate content of the Fc-fusion polypeptide preparations was determined by high-performance SEC using a Superdex 200® analytical size-exclusion column (GE Healthcare). The integrity of the amino acid backbone of the reduced Fc fusion polypeptide was verified by Nano Electrospray QTOF mass spectrometry after removal of N-glycans by enzymatic treatment with a combination of neuraminidase, 0-glycanase and peptide-N-glycosidase F (Roche Applied Science).

[0399] For activation, the Fc-fusion polypeptide was formulated in 1 M Tris, pH 7.5 and incubated with IgA protease. After cleavage, size exclusion chromatography on Superdex 200® (GE Healthcare) was used for removal of the IgA protease. The size exclusion chromatography was performed in 20 mM histidine buffer, 0.14 M NaCl, pH 6.0. The eluted Fc-fusion polypeptides were concentrated with an Ultrafree-CL centrifugal filter unit equipped with a Biomax-SK membrane (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) and stored at -80° C.

[0400] Determination of the protein concentrations, purity, aggregate content, cleavage efficiency and integrity of the amino acid backbone was performed with the methods described above.

[0401] The results are shown in the following Table and in FIG. 11.

TABLE-US-00030 TABLE short long short connector, connector connector cleaved concentration 5.5 mg/ml 5.7 mg/ml 5.8 mg/ml amount 53.3 mg 68 mg 28.4 mg (105.5 mg) % monomer >98 >98 >96% (SEC)

Example 16

Generation of the Expression Plasmids for Expression of IL18-Receptor Containing Fusion Polypeptide

a) Generation of the Expression Plasmid for an IL18R-Fc Fusion Polypeptide

[0402] The IL18R-Fc fusion polypeptide encoding gene was assembled by fusing chemically synthesized DNA fragments coding i) for a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence (MGWSCIILFLVATATGVHS: SEQ ID NO: 5S), ii) a human IL18R (excluding the starting methionine), and iii) a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3).

[0403] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of an IL18R-Fc fusion polypeptide in HEK293 cells comprised besides the IL18R-Fc fusion polypeptide expression cassette an origin of replication from the vector pUC18 which allows replication of this plasmid in E. coli, and a beta-lactamase gene which confers ampicillin resistance in E. coli. In detail, the transcription unit of the IL18R-Fc fusion polypeptide encoding gene comprises the following functional elements:

[0404] the immediate early enhancer and promoter from the human cytomegalovirus (P-CMV) including intron A,

[0405] a human heavy chain immunoglobulin 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR),

[0406] a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence,

[0407] a soluble human IL 18R-Fc,

[0408] a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3), and

[0409] the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence (BGH poly A signal sequence).

[0410] The amino acid sequence of the mature IL18R-Fc fusion polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 70:

TABLE-US-00031 SKSCIHRSQI HVVEGEPFYL KPCGISAPVH RNETATMRWF KGSASHEYRE LNNRSSPRVT FHDHTLEFWP VEMEDEGTYI SQVGNDRRNW TLNVTKRNKH SCFSDKLVTS RDVEVNKSLH ITCKNPNYEE LIQDTWLYKN CKEISKTPRI LKDAEFGDEG YYSCVFSVHH NGTRYNITKT VNITVIEGRS KVTPAILGPK CEKVGVELGK DVELNCSASL NKDDLFYWSI RKEDSSDPNV QEDRKETTTW ISEGKLHASK ILRFQKITEN YLNVLYNCTV ANEEAIDTKS FVLVRKEIPD IPGHVFTGLE PKSCDKTHTC PPCPAPELLG GPSVFLFPPK PKDTLMISRT PEVTCVVVDV SHEDPEVKFN WYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQY NSTYRVVSVL TVLHQDWLNG KEYKCKVSNK ALPAPIEKTI SKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSRD ELTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSD IAVEWESNGQ PENNYKTTPP VLDSDGSFFL YSKLTVDKSR WQQGNVFSCS VMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPG K.

c) Generation of the "Knob-into-Hole" Expression Plasmids for Monomeric IL18R Fusion Polypeptide

[0411] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the IL18R-Fc fusion polypeptide (knob) in HEK293 cells was derived from the expression vector described above under item a). It differentiated therefrom in the DNA sequence coding for the Fc-region with knob mutations T366W and S354C within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region.

[0412] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the Fc-region polypeptide (hole) in HEK293 cells was derived from the expression vector described above under item a). It differentiated therefrom in the DNA sequence coding for the Fc-region with hole mutations T366S, L368A, Y407V, and Y349C within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region.

[0413] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the IL18R-Fc fusion polypeptide (knob/hole) in HEK293 comprised besides the fusion polypeptide (knob/hole) expression cassette an origin of replication from the vector pUC18 which allows replication of this plasmid in E. coli, and a beta-lactamase gene which confers ampicillin resistance in E. coli. In detail, the transcription unit of the fusion polypeptide (knob/hole) encoding gene comprises the following functional elements:

[0414] the immediate early enhancer and promoter from the human cytomegalovirus (P-CMV) including intron A,

[0415] a human heavy chain immunoglobulin 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR),

[0416] a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence,

[0417] a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3) with the hole mutations T366S, L368A, Y407V, and Y349C or the knob mutations T366W and S354C within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region, and

[0418] the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence (BGH poly A signal sequence).

Example 17

Transient Expression, Purification and Analytical Characterization of the IL18R-Fc Fusion Polypeptide

[0419] The fusion polypeptides were obtained by transient transfection of HEK293 cells (human embryonic kidney cell line 293-derived) cultivated in F17 Medium (Invitrogen Corp.). For transfection "293-Free" Transfection Reagent (Novagen) was used. The knob-into-hole fusion polypeptide pairs were expressed from two different plasmids using an equimolar plasmid ratio upon transfection. Transfections were performed as specified in the manufacturer's instructions. Fusion polypeptide-containing cell culture supernatants were harvested seven days after transfection. Supernatants were stored at reduced temperature until purification.

[0420] General information regarding the recombinant expression of human immunoglobulins in e.g. HEK293 cells is given in: Meissner, P., et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng. 75 (2001) 197-203.

[0421] The fusion polypeptide-containing culture supernatants were filtered and purified by two chromatographic steps. The fusion polypeptides were captured by affinity chromatography using HiTrap MabSelect SuRe® (GE Healthcare) equilibrated with PBS (1 mM KH₂PO₄, 10 mM Na₂HPO₄, 137 mM NaCl, 2.7 mM KCl), pH 7.4. Unbound proteins were removed by washing with equilibration buffer, and the fusion polypeptide was recovered with 0.05 M citrate buffer, pH 3, immediately after elution neutralized to pH 6.5 with 1 M Tris-base, pH 9.0. Size exclusion chromatography on Superdex 200® (GE Healthcare) was used as second purification step. The size exclusion chromatography was performed in 2 mM MOPS buffer, 0.125 M NaCl, pH 7.2. The eluted fusion polypeptides were concentrated with an Ultrafree-CL centrifugal filter unit equipped with a Biomax-SK membrane (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) and stored at -80° C.

[0422] The protein concentrations of the fusion polypeptides were determined by measuring the optical density (OD) at 280 nm, using the molar extinction coefficient calculated on the basis of the amino acid sequence. Purity and proper dimer formation of fusion polypeptides were analyzed by SDS-PAGE in the presence and absence of a reducing agent (5 mM 1. 4-dithiotreitol) and staining with Coomassie® brilliant blue. Aggregate content of the fusion polypeptide preparations was determined by high-performance SEC using a Superdex 200® analytical size-exclusion column (GE Healthcare). The integrity of the amino acid backbone of the reduced fusion polypeptide was verified by Nano Electrospray QTOF mass spectrometry after removal of N-glycans by enzymatic treatment with a combination of neuraminidase, O-glycanase and peptide-N-glycosidase F (Roche Applied Science).

[0423] The respective SPR-sensograms are shown in FIG. 17 showing the differences between monomer and dimer (avidity effects).

Example 18

Generation of the Expression Plasmids for the Fc-Region-Precision Protease Cleavage Site-shTNFalpha Fusion Polypeptide

a) Generation of the Expression Plasmid for the Fc-shTNFalpha Fusion Polypeptide

[0424] The Fc-PP-shTNFalpha fusion gene was assembled by fusing chemically synthesized DNA fragments coding i) a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3; for exemplary sequences see SEQ ID NO: 03 to 17) wherein the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region was truncated (removal of the last natural lysine amino acid residue), ii) a glycine-serine linker consisting of a Gly₃Ser and a Gly₄Ser repeat (C-terminus of heavy chain-LSPG-GGGSGGGGS-TWEAK), iii) a PreScission® protease cleavage site (GLEVLFQGP, SEQ ID NO: 61) and iv) a shTNFalpha polypeptide (excluding the intracellular and transmembrane domains and a cleavage site) of a human TNFalpha wild-type protein.

[0425] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of an Fc-PP-shTNFalpha fusion polypeptide in HEK293 cells comprised besides the Fc-PP-shTNFalpha expression cassette an origin of replication from the vector pUC18 which allows replication of this plasmid in E. coli, and a beta-lactamase gene which confers ampicillin resistance in E. coli. In detail, the transcription unit of the Fc-PP-shTNFalpha fusion gene comprises the following functional elements:

[0426] the immediate early enhancer and promoter from the human cytomegalovirus (P-CMV) including intron A,

[0427] a human heavy chain immunoglobulin 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR),

[0428] a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence,

[0429] a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3),

[0430] an shTNFalpha polypeptide, and

[0431] the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence (BGH poly A signal sequence).

[0432] The amino acid sequence of the mature Fc-PP-shTNFalpha-fusion polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 71:

TABLE-US-00032 DKTHTCPPCP APELLGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYT LPPSRDELTK NQVSLTCLVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGGGGS GGGGSGLEVL FQGPVRSSSR TPSDKPVAHV VANPQAEGQL QWLNRRANAL LANGVELRDN QLVVPSEGLY LIYSQVLFKG QGCPSTHVLL THTISRIAVS YQTKVNLLSA IKSPCQRETP EGAEAKPWYE PIYLGGVFQL EKGDRLSAEI NRPDYLDFAE SGQVYFGIIA L.

b) Generation of the "Knob-into-Hole" Expression Plasmids for the Dimeric Fc (Hole)/Fc-PP-shTNFalpha (Knob) Fusion Polypeptide

[0433] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the Fc-region polypeptide (hole) in HEK293 cells was derived from the expression vector described above. It differentiated therefrom in the DNA sequence coding for the Fc-region with hole mutations T366S, L368A, Y407V, Y349C and the Fc effector functions reducing mutations L234A and L235A within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region.

[0434] The amino acid sequence of the mature Fc-region (hole) polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 69:

TABLE-US-00033 DKTHTCPPCP APEAAGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVCT LPPSRDELTK NQVSLSCAVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLVSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGK.

[0435] The expression plasmid for the transient expression of the Fc-PP-shTNFalpha (knob) fusion polypeptide in HEK293 comprised besides the Fc (knob) expression cassette an origin of replication from the vector pUC18 which allows replication of this plasmid in E. coli, and a beta-lactamase gene which confers ampicillin resistance in E. coli. In detail, the transcription unit of the Fc-PP-shTNFalpha (knob) fusion gene comprises the following functional elements:

[0436] the immediate early enhancer and promoter from the human cytomegalovirus (P-CMV) including intron A,

[0437] a human heavy chain immunoglobulin 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR),

[0438] a murine immunoglobulin heavy chain signal sequence,

[0439] a human Fc-gamma-1-heavy chain constant region (hinge-CH2-CH3) with the knob mutations T366W and S354C and the Fc effector functions reducing mutations L234A and L235A within the human gamma-1 heavy chain constant region,

[0440] a linker sequence of the type Gly₃Ser-Gly₄Ser and a PreScission® protease cleavage site (GLEVLFQGP),

[0441] a PP-shTNFalpha polypeptide, and

[0442] the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence (BGH poly A signal sequence).

[0443] The amino acid sequence of the mature Fc-PP-shTNFalpha (knob) fusion polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 72:

TABLE-US-00034 DKTHTCPPCP APEAAGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSHED PEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKALPA PIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYT LPPCRDELTK NQVSLWCLVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKL TVDKSRWQQG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGGGGS GGGGSGLEVL FQGPVRSSSR TPSDKPVAHV VANPQAEGQL QWLNRRANAL LANGVELRDN QLVVPSEGLY LIYSQVLFKG QGCPSTHVLL THTISRIAVS YQTKVNLLSA IKSPCQRETP EGAEAKPWYE PIYLGGVFQL EKGDRLSAEI NRPDYLDFAE SGQVYFGIIA L.

Example 19

Purification, Processing and Analytical Characterization of the Trimeric Fc-PP-shTNFalpha Fusion Polypeptides

[0444] The Fc-fusion polypeptide-containing culture supernatants were filtered and purified by two chromatographic steps. The supernatants were mixed with 50% v/v 2 M glycine, pH 8.6, 600 mM NaCl and were captured by affinity chromatography using HiTrap MabSelect SuRe® (GE Healthcare) equilibrated with 1 M glycine, pH 8.6, 600 mM NaCl. Unbound proteins were removed by washing with equilibration buffer, and the fusion polypeptide was recovered with 0.1 M citrate buffer, pH 3.0 and immediately after elution neutralized to pH 6.0 with 1 M Tris-base, pH 8.5. Size exclusion chromatography on Superdex 200® (GE Healthcare) was used as second purification step. The size exclusion chromatography was performed in 2×PBS (2 mM KH₂PO₄, 20 mM Na₂HPO₄, 274 mM NaCl, 5.4 mM KCl), pH 7.4. The eluted Fc-fusion polypeptides were concentrated with an Ultrafree-CL centrifugal filter unit equipped with a Biomax-SK membrane (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) and stored at -80° C.

[0445] The protein concentration of the Fc-fusion polypeptides was determined by measuring the optical density (OD) at 280 nm, using the molar extinction coefficient calculated on the basis of the amino acid sequence. Purity of Fc-fusion polypeptides was analyzed by SDS-PAGE in the presence and absence of a reducing agent (5 mM 1. 4-dithiotreitol) and staining with Coomassie® brilliant blue. Aggregate content and proper trimer formation of the Fc-fusion polypeptide was determined by high-performance SEC using a Superdex 200® analytical size-exclusion column (GE Healthcare) coupled to a SEC-MALLS detector (Wyatt). The integrity of the amino acid backbone of reduced Fc fusion polypeptide was verified by Nano Electrospray QTOF mass spectrometry after removal of N-glycans by enzymatic treatment with a combination of neuraminidase, 0-glycanase and peptide-N-glycosidase F (Roche Applied Science).

[0446] To obtain trimeric PP-shTNFalpha without Fc-fusion, the trimeric Fc-fusion polypeptide was incubated with PreScission® protease overnight followed by affinity chromatography using a MabSelect SuRe® (GE Healthcare) column in flow-through mode for removal of non-cleaved Fc-fusion polypeptides as well as free Fc-part. Flow-through fractions were further purified by affinity chromatography in the flow through mode using Glutathione Sepharose® 4B (GE Healthcare) for removal of the PreScission® protease. Flow-through fractions containing trimeric shTNFalpha were further purified by Size exclusion chromatography on Superdex 200® (GE Healthcare). The size exclusion chromatography was performed in 2×PBS (2 mM KH₂PO₄, 20 mM Na₂HPO₄, 274 mM NaCl, 5.4 mM KCl), pH 7.4. The eluted trimeric shTNFalpha containing fractions were concentrated with an Ultrafree-CL centrifugal filter unit equipped with a Biomax-SK membrane (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) and stored at -80° C.

[0447] Determination of the protein concentrations, purity, aggregate content, trimer formation and integrity of the amino acid backbone was performed with the methods described above.

[0448] TNF alpha as IgG1-LALA-Fc-KiH_PreScission®-Protease-site_shTNFa fusion polypeptide was obtained by transient expression in HEK 293 cells at 283 mg/l. Cleavage by PreScission® protease resulted in 15 mg per 100 mg fusion polypeptide (total from 283 mg=43 mg). Functional assessment in A375 assay (see Example 20).

Example 20

Titration of Human TNF Alpha

[0449] A-375 cells were seeded with 2×10⁴ cells per well in 200 μl per well in 96 well F cell culture plate (Costar 3596). The cells were cultured overnight at 37° C., 5% CO₂ before medium was removed.

[0450] The following cytokines were titrated with 100 μl per well (50-0 nM)

[0451] rhTNF-α (R&D Systems 210-TA/CF),

[0452] hTNFalpha-Fc fusion polypeptide as reported herein, and

[0453] cleaved hTNFalpha-Fc fusion polypeptide.

[0454] The cells were incubated for 24 hours at 37° C., 5% CO₂. The supernatant was transferred into 96 well RB plate and stored at -20° C. The cytokine profile was analyzed using hIL-8 (BD 558277) CBA Flex Set.

TABLE-US-00035 sample EC50 [nM] hTNF-a R&D 0.005 hTNF-a-hFc 0.078 cleaved hTNF-a 0.009

[0455] The titration curves are shown in FIG. 10.

Sequence CWU 1

1

721107PRTHomo sapiens 1Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys 1 5 10 15 Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val 20 25 30 Trp Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val 35 40 45 Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln 50 55 60 Glu Ser Thr Tyr Arg Trp Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp 65 70 75 80 Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro 85 90 95 Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys 100 105 2106PRTHomo sapiens 2Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp 1 5 10 15 Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe 20 25 30 Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu 35 40 45 Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe 50 55 60 Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly 65 70 75 80 Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr 85 90 95 Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly 100 105 3227PRTHomo sapiens 3Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 4227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with the mutations L234A, L235A 4Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 5227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a hole mutation 5Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Cys Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Ser Cys Ala Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Val Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 6227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a knob mutation 6Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Cys Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Trp Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 7227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a L234A, L235A and hole mutation 7Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Cys Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Ser Cys Ala Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Val Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 8227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a L234A, L235A and knob mutation 8Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Cys Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Trp Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 9227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a P329G mutation 9Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Gly Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 10227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a L234A, L235A and P329G mutation 10Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Gly Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 11227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a P239G and hole mutation 11Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Gly Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Cys Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Ser Cys Ala Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150

155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Val Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 12227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a P329G and knob mutation 12Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Gly Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Cys Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Trp Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 13227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a L234A, L235A, P329G and hole mutation 13Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Gly Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Cys Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Ser Cys Ala Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Val Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 14227PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG1 isotype with a L234A, L235A, P329G and knob mutation 14Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Gly Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Cys Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Trp Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 15229PRTHomo sapiens 15Glu Ser Lys Tyr Gly Pro Pro Cys Pro Ser Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Phe 1 5 10 15 Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr 20 25 30 Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val 35 40 45 Ser Gln Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Gln Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val 50 55 60 Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Phe Asn Ser 65 70 75 80 Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu 85 90 95 Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Gly Leu Pro Ser 100 105 110 Ser Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro 115 120 125 Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Gln Glu Glu Met Thr Lys Asn Gln 130 135 140 Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala 145 150 155 160 Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr 165 170 175 Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Arg Leu 180 185 190 Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Glu Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser 195 200 205 Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Leu Ser Leu Gly Lys 225 16229PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG4 isotype with a S228P and L235E mutation 16Glu Ser Lys Tyr Gly Pro Pro Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Phe 1 5 10 15 Glu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr 20 25 30 Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val 35 40 45 Ser Gln Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Gln Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val 50 55 60 Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Phe Asn Ser 65 70 75 80 Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu 85 90 95 Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Gly Leu Pro Ser 100 105 110 Ser Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro 115 120 125 Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Gln Glu Glu Met Thr Lys Asn Gln 130 135 140 Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala 145 150 155 160 Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr 165 170 175 Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Arg Leu 180 185 190 Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Glu Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser 195 200 205 Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Leu Ser Leu Gly Lys 225 17229PRTArtificial Sequencevariant human Fc-region of the IgG4 isotype with a S228P, L235E and P329G mutation 17Glu Ser Lys Tyr Gly Pro Pro Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Phe 1 5 10 15 Glu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr 20 25 30 Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val 35 40 45 Ser Gln Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Gln Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val 50 55 60 Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Phe Asn Ser 65 70 75 80 Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu 85 90 95 Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Gly Leu Gly Ser 100 105 110 Ser Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro 115 120 125 Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Gln Glu Glu Met Thr Lys Asn Gln 130 135 140 Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala 145 150 155 160 Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr 165 170 175 Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Arg Leu 180 185 190 Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Glu Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser 195 200 205 Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Leu Ser Leu Gly Lys 225 18191PRTHomo sapiens 18Met Arg Thr Glu Asp Leu Pro Lys Ala Val Val Phe Leu Glu Pro Gln 1 5 10 15 Trp Tyr Arg Val Leu Glu Lys Asp Ser Val Thr Leu Lys Cys Gln Gly 20 25 30 Ala Tyr Ser Pro Glu Asp Asn Ser Thr Gln Trp Phe His Asn Glu Ser 35 40 45 Leu Ile Ser Ser Gln Ala Ser Ser Tyr Phe Ile Asp Ala Ala Thr Val 50 55 60 Asp Asp Ser Gly Glu Tyr Arg Cys Gln Thr Asn Leu Ser Thr Leu Ser 65 70 75 80 Asp Pro Val Gln Leu Glu Val His Ile Gly Trp Leu Leu Leu Gln Ala 85 90 95 Pro Arg Trp Val Phe Lys Glu Glu Asp Pro Ile His Leu Arg Cys His 100 105 110 Ser Trp Lys Asn Thr Ala Leu His Lys Val Thr Tyr Leu Gln Asn Gly 115 120 125 Lys Gly Arg Lys Tyr Phe His His Asn Ser Asp Phe Tyr Ile Pro Lys 130 135 140 Ala Thr Leu Lys Asp Ser Gly Ser Tyr Phe Cys Arg Gly Leu Val Gly 145 150 155 160 Ser Lys Asn Val Ser Ser Glu Thr Val Asn Ile Thr Ile Thr Gln Gly 165 170 175 Leu Ala Val Ser Thr Ile Ser Ser Phe Phe Pro Pro Gly Tyr Gln 180 185 190 195PRTArtificial SequenceArg-tag 19Arg Arg Arg Arg Arg 1 5 206PRTArtificial SequenceArg-tag 2 20Arg Arg Arg Arg Arg Arg 1 5 2115PRTArtificial SequenceAvi-tag 21Gly Leu Asn Asp Ile Phe Glu Ala Gln Lys Ile Glu Trp His Glu 1 5 10 15 2221PRTArtificial SequenceHis-Avi-tag 22His His His His His His Gly Leu Asn Asp Ile Phe Glu Ala Gln Lys 1 5 10 15 Ile Glu Trp His Glu 20 236PRTArtificial SequenceHis-tag 23His His His His His His 1 5 2419PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 24Lys Asp His Leu Ile His Asn Val His Lys Glu Phe His Ala His Ala 1 5 10 15 His Asn Lys 258PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 25Asp Tyr Lys Asp Asp Asp Asp Lys 1 5 2622PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 26Asp Tyr Lys Asp His Asp Gly Asp Tyr Lys Asp His Asp Ile Asp Tyr 1 5 10 15 Lys Asp Asp Asp Asp Lys 20 279PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag# 27Ala Trp Arg His Pro Gln Phe Gly Gly 1 5 288PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 28Trp Ser His Pro Gln Phe Glu Lys 1 5 2910PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 29Met Asp Val Glu Ala Trp Leu Gly Ala Arg 1 5 10 3016PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 30Met Asp Val Glu Ala Trp Leu Gly Ala Arg Val Pro Leu Val Glu Thr 1 5 10 15 3138PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 31Met Asp Glu Lys Thr Thr Gly Trp Arg Gly Gly His Val Val Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Leu Ala Gly Glu Leu Glu Gln Leu Arg Ala Arg Leu Glu His His Pro 20 25 30 Gln Gly Gln Arg Glu Pro 35 3210PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 32Glu Gln Lys Leu Ile Ser Glu Glu Asp Leu 1 5 10 3315PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 33Lys Glu Thr Ala Ala Ala Lys Phe Glu Arg Gln His Met Asp Ser 1 5 10 15 3426PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 34Lys Arg Arg Trp Lys Lys Asn Phe Ile Ala Val Ser Ala Ala Asn Arg 1 5 10 15 Phe Lys Lys Ile Ser Ser Ser Gly Ala Leu 20 25 3547PRTArtificial Sequenceamino acid tag 35Pro Ala Thr Thr Thr Gly Ser Ser Pro Gly Pro Thr Gln Ser His Tyr 1 5 10 15 Gly Gln Cys Gly Gly Ile Gly Tyr Ser Gly Pro Thr Val Cys Ala Ser 20 25 30 Gly Thr Thr Cys Gln Val Leu Asn Pro Tyr Tyr Ser Gln Cys Leu 35 40 45 3632PRTButyrivibrio fibrisolvens 36Met Asp Trp Asn Ala Asn Ile Ala Pro Gly Asn Ser Val Glu Phe Gly 1 5 10 15 Ile Gln Gly Ala Gly Ser Val Gly Asn Val Ile Asp Ile Thr Val Glu 20 25 30 3751PRTArtificial Sequencechitin-binding-domain 37Thr Asn Pro Gly Val Ser Ala Trp Gln Val Asn Thr Ala Tyr Thr Ala 1 5 10 15 Gly Gln Leu Val Thr Tyr Asn Gly Lys Thr Tyr Lys Cys Leu Gln Pro 20 25 30 His Thr Ser Leu Ala Gly Trp Glu Pro Ser Asn Val Pro Ala Leu Trp 35 40 45 Gln Leu Gln 50 38209PRTChondrus crispus 38Met Pro Glu Ile Lys Leu Thr Tyr Phe Asp Met Arg Gly Arg Ala Glu 1 5 10 15 Ala Ser Arg Leu Ala Leu Val Val Gly Glu Ile Pro Phe Glu Asp Glu 20 25 30 Arg Val Val Phe Asp His Trp Lys Glu Ala Lys Pro Lys Thr Pro Tyr 35 40 45 Ala Ala Leu Pro Met Leu Thr Val Asp Gly Met Gln Val Ala Gln Ser 50 55 60 Asp Ala Ile Leu Arg Tyr Cys Gly Lys Leu Ala Gly Leu Tyr Pro Ser 65 70 75 80 Asp Pro Leu Glu Ala Ala Lys Val Asp Glu Val Gly Gly Val Ile Asp 85 90 95 Asp Val Thr His Ala Met Tyr Arg Tyr Arg Gly Asp Asp Lys Asp Lys 100 105 110 Leu Arg Glu Glu Arg Asp Lys Phe

Ser Lys Val Asp Val Pro Arg Tyr 115 120 125 Val Gly Ala Leu Glu Lys Arg Leu Glu Ala Phe Gly Asp Gly Pro Trp 130 135 140 Ala Val Gly Gly Asn Met Thr Ile Ala Asp Leu His Ile Cys His Leu 145 150 155 160 Val Thr Asn Ile Arg Cys Gly Met Leu Asp Phe Val Asp Lys Asp Leu 165 170 175 Leu Glu Gly Tyr Val Arg Ile Val Lys Ser Tyr Ser Ala Val Met Glu 180 185 190 His Pro Lys Val Thr Glu Trp Tyr Glu Lys Lys Pro Val Lys Met Phe 195 200 205 Ser 39396PRTEscherichia coli 39Met Lys Ile Lys Thr Gly Ala Arg Ile Leu Ala Leu Ser Ala Leu Thr 1 5 10 15 Thr Met Met Phe Ser Ala Ser Ala Leu Ala Lys Ile Glu Glu Gly Lys 20 25 30 Leu Val Ile Trp Ile Asn Gly Asp Lys Gly Tyr Asn Gly Leu Ala Glu 35 40 45 Val Gly Lys Lys Phe Glu Lys Asp Thr Gly Ile Lys Val Thr Val Glu 50 55 60 His Pro Asp Lys Leu Glu Glu Lys Phe Pro Gln Val Ala Ala Thr Gly 65 70 75 80 Asp Gly Pro Asp Ile Ile Phe Trp Ala His Asp Arg Phe Gly Gly Tyr 85 90 95 Ala Gln Ser Gly Leu Leu Ala Glu Ile Thr Pro Asp Lys Ala Phe Gln 100 105 110 Asp Lys Leu Tyr Pro Phe Thr Trp Asp Ala Val Arg Tyr Asn Gly Lys 115 120 125 Leu Ile Ala Tyr Pro Ile Ala Val Glu Ala Leu Ser Leu Ile Tyr Asn 130 135 140 Lys Asp Leu Leu Pro Asn Pro Pro Lys Thr Trp Glu Glu Ile Pro Ala 145 150 155 160 Leu Asp Lys Glu Leu Lys Ala Lys Gly Lys Ser Ala Leu Met Phe Asn 165 170 175 Leu Gln Glu Pro Tyr Phe Thr Trp Pro Leu Ile Ala Ala Asp Gly Gly 180 185 190 Tyr Ala Phe Lys Tyr Glu Asn Gly Lys Tyr Asp Ile Lys Asp Val Gly 195 200 205 Val Asp Asn Ala Gly Ala Lys Ala Gly Leu Thr Phe Leu Val Asp Leu 210 215 220 Ile Lys Asn Lys His Met Asn Ala Asp Thr Asp Tyr Ser Ile Ala Glu 225 230 235 240 Ala Ala Phe Asn Lys Gly Glu Thr Ala Met Thr Ile Asn Gly Pro Trp 245 250 255 Ala Trp Ser Asn Ile Asp Thr Ser Lys Val Asn Tyr Gly Val Thr Val 260 265 270 Leu Pro Thr Phe Lys Gly Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Phe Val Gly Val Leu 275 280 285 Ser Ala Gly Ile Asn Ala Ala Ser Pro Asn Lys Glu Leu Ala Lys Glu 290 295 300 Phe Leu Glu Asn Tyr Leu Leu Thr Asp Glu Gly Leu Glu Ala Val Asn 305 310 315 320 Lys Asp Lys Pro Leu Gly Ala Val Ala Leu Lys Ser Tyr Glu Glu Glu 325 330 335 Leu Ala Lys Asp Pro Arg Ile Ala Ala Thr Met Glu Asn Ala Gln Lys 340 345 350 Gly Glu Ile Met Pro Asn Ile Pro Gln Met Ser Ala Phe Trp Tyr Ala 355 360 365 Val Arg Thr Ala Val Ile Asn Ala Ala Ser Gly Arg Gln Thr Val Asp 370 375 380 Glu Ala Leu Lys Asp Ala Gln Thr Arg Ile Thr Lys 385 390 395 405PRTArtificial Sequenceprotease cleavage site 40Pro Ala Pro Ser Pro 1 5 414PRTArtificial Sequenceprotease cleavage site 41Pro Pro Ser Pro 1 424PRTArtificial Sequenceprotease cleavage site 42Pro Pro Ala Pro 1 434PRTArtificial Sequenceprotease cleavage site 43Pro Pro Thr Pro 1 444PRTArtificial Sequenceprotease cleavage site 44Pro Pro Gly Pro 1 456PRTArtificial Sequenceenzymatic cleavage site 45Pro Arg Pro Pro Thr Pro 1 5 467PRTArtificial Sequenceenzymatic cleavage site 46Val Val Ala Pro Pro Ala Pro 1 5 477PRTArtificial Sequenceenzymatic cleavage site 47Val Val Ala Pro Pro Ser Pro 1 5 487PRTArtificial Sequenceenzymatic cleavage site 48Val Val Ala Pro Pro Thr Pro 1 5 497PRTArtificial Sequenceenzymatic cleavage site 49Val Val Ala Pro Pro Gly Pro 1 5 506PRTArtificial Sequenceenzymatic cleavage site 50Pro Arg Pro Pro Thr Pro 1 5 516PRTArtificial Sequenceenzymatic cleavage site 51Ala Pro Pro Ala Ala Pro 1 5 526PRTArtificial Sequenceenzymatic cleavage site 52Pro Arg Pro Pro Ala Pro 1 5 536PRTArtificial Sequenceenzymatic cleavage site 53Pro Arg Pro Pro Ser Pro 1 5 546PRTArtificial Sequenceenzymatic cleavage site 54Pro Arg Pro Pro Gly Pro 1 5 5519PRTMus musculus 55Met Gly Trp Ser Cys Ile Ile Leu Phe Leu Val Ala Thr Ala Thr Gly 1 5 10 15 Val His Ser 56443PRTArtificial Sequencemature FcyRIIIaV158-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide 56Gly Met Arg Thr Glu Asp Leu Pro Lys Ala Val Val Phe Leu Glu Pro 1 5 10 15 Gln Trp Tyr Arg Val Leu Glu Lys Asp Ser Val Thr Leu Lys Cys Gln 20 25 30 Gly Ala Tyr Ser Pro Glu Asp Asn Ser Thr Gln Trp Phe His Asn Glu 35 40 45 Ser Leu Ile Ser Ser Gln Ala Ser Ser Tyr Phe Ile Asp Ala Ala Thr 50 55 60 Val Asp Asp Ser Gly Glu Tyr Arg Cys Gln Thr Asn Leu Ser Thr Leu 65 70 75 80 Ser Asp Pro Val Gln Leu Glu Val His Ile Gly Trp Leu Leu Leu Gln 85 90 95 Ala Pro Arg Trp Val Phe Lys Glu Glu Asp Pro Ile His Leu Arg Cys 100 105 110 His Ser Trp Lys Asn Thr Ala Leu His Lys Val Thr Tyr Leu Gln Asn 115 120 125 Gly Lys Gly Arg Lys Tyr Phe His His Asn Ser Asp Phe Tyr Ile Pro 130 135 140 Lys Ala Thr Leu Lys Asp Ser Gly Ser Tyr Phe Cys Arg Gly Leu Val 145 150 155 160 Gly Ser Lys Asn Val Ser Ser Glu Thr Val Asn Ile Thr Ile Thr Gln 165 170 175 Gly Leu Ala Val Ser Thr Ile Ser Ser Phe Phe Pro Pro Gly Tyr Gln 180 185 190 Gly Leu Asn Asp Ile Phe Glu Ala Gln Lys Ile Glu Trp His Glu Leu 195 200 205 Val Val Ala Pro Pro Ala Pro Glu Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro 210 215 220 Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro 225 230 235 240 Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr 245 250 255 Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn 260 265 270 Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg 275 280 285 Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val 290 295 300 Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser 305 310 315 320 Asn Lys Ala Leu Gly Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys 325 330 335 Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp 340 345 350 Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe 355 360 365 Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu 370 375 380 Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe 385 390 395 400 Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly 405 410 415 Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr 420 425 430 Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 435 440 57436PRTArtificial SequenceFcyRIIa-LR(H131)-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide 57Gln Ala Ala Ala Pro Pro Lys Ala Val Leu Lys Leu Glu Pro Pro Trp 1 5 10 15 Ile Asn Val Leu Gln Glu Asp Ser Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Gln Gly Ala 20 25 30 Arg Ser Pro Glu Ser Asp Ser Ile Gln Trp Phe His Asn Gly Asn Leu 35 40 45 Ile Pro Thr His Thr Gln Pro Ser Tyr Arg Phe Lys Ala Asn Asn Asn 50 55 60 Asp Ser Gly Glu Tyr Thr Cys Gln Thr Gly Gln Thr Ser Leu Ser Asp 65 70 75 80 Pro Val His Leu Thr Val Leu Ser Glu Trp Leu Val Leu Gln Thr Pro 85 90 95 His Leu Glu Phe Gln Glu Gly Glu Thr Ile Met Leu Arg Cys His Ser 100 105 110 Trp Lys Asp Lys Pro Leu Val Lys Val Thr Phe Phe Gln Asn Gly Lys 115 120 125 Ser Gln Lys Phe Ser His Leu Asp Pro Thr Phe Ser Ile Pro Gln Ala 130 135 140 Asn His Ser His Ser Gly Asp Tyr His Cys Thr Gly Asn Ile Gly Tyr 145 150 155 160 Thr Leu Phe Ser Ser Lys Pro Val Thr Ile Thr Val Gln Val Pro Ser 165 170 175 Met Gly Ser Ser Ser Pro Met Gly Ile Gly Leu Asn Asp Ile Phe Glu 180 185 190 Ala Gln Lys Ile Glu Trp His Glu Leu Val Val Ala Pro Pro Ala Pro 195 200 205 Glu Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala 210 215 220 Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu 225 230 235 240 Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser 245 250 255 His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu 260 265 270 Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr 275 280 285 Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn 290 295 300 Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Gly Ala Pro 305 310 315 320 Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln 325 330 335 Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val 340 345 350 Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val 355 360 365 Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro 370 375 380 Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr 385 390 395 400 Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val 405 410 415 Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu 420 425 430 Ser Pro Gly Lys 435 58423PRTArtificial SequenceFcyRIIb-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide 58Ala Pro Pro Lys Ala Val Leu Lys Leu Glu Pro Gln Trp Ile Asn Val 1 5 10 15 Leu Gln Glu Asp Ser Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Arg Gly Thr His Ser Pro 20 25 30 Glu Ser Asp Ser Ile Gln Trp Phe His Asn Gly Asn Leu Ile Pro Thr 35 40 45 His Thr Gln Pro Ser Tyr Arg Phe Lys Ala Asn Asn Asn Asp Ser Gly 50 55 60 Glu Tyr Thr Cys Gln Thr Gly Gln Thr Ser Leu Ser Asp Pro Val His 65 70 75 80 Leu Thr Val Leu Ser Glu Trp Leu Val Leu Gln Thr Pro His Leu Glu 85 90 95 Phe Gln Glu Gly Glu Thr Ile Val Leu Arg Cys His Ser Trp Lys Asp 100 105 110 Lys Pro Leu Val Lys Val Thr Phe Phe Gln Asn Gly Lys Ser Lys Lys 115 120 125 Phe Ser Arg Ser Asp Pro Asn Phe Ser Ile Pro Gln Ala Asn His Ser 130 135 140 His Ser Gly Asp Tyr His Cys Thr Gly Asn Ile Gly Tyr Thr Leu Tyr 145 150 155 160 Ser Ser Lys Pro Val Thr Ile Thr Val Gln Ala Pro Gly Leu Asn Asp 165 170 175 Ile Phe Glu Ala Gln Lys Ile Glu Trp His Glu Leu Val Val Ala Pro 180 185 190 Pro Ala Pro Glu Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro 195 200 205 Glu Ala Ala Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys 210 215 220 Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val 225 230 235 240 Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp 245 250 255 Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr 260 265 270 Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp 275 280 285 Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu 290 295 300 Gly Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg 305 310 315 320 Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys 325 330 335 Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp 340 345 350 Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys 355 360 365 Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser 370 375 380 Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser 385 390 395 400 Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser 405 410 415 Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 420 59443PRTArtificial SequenceFcyRIIIb-Avi-IgA Protease-Fc LALA P239G fusion polypeptide 59Gly Met Arg Thr Glu Asp Leu Pro Lys Ala Val Val Phe Leu Glu Pro 1 5 10 15 Gln Trp Tyr Ser Val Leu Glu Lys Asp Ser Val Thr Leu Lys Cys Gln 20 25 30 Gly Ala Tyr Ser Pro Glu Asp Asn Ser Thr Gln Trp Phe His Asn Glu 35 40 45 Ser Leu Ile Ser Ser Gln Ala Ser Ser Tyr Phe Ile Asp Ala Ala Thr 50 55 60 Val Asn Asp Ser Gly Glu Tyr Arg Cys Gln Thr Asn Leu Ser Thr Leu 65 70 75 80 Ser Asp Pro Val Gln Leu Glu Val His Ile Gly Trp Leu Leu Leu Gln 85 90 95 Ala Pro Arg Trp Val Phe Lys Glu Glu Asp Pro Ile His Leu Arg Cys 100 105 110 His Ser Trp Lys Asn Thr Ala Leu His Lys Val Thr Tyr Leu Gln Asn 115 120 125 Gly Lys Asp Arg Lys Tyr Phe His His Asn Ser Asp Phe His Ile Pro 130 135 140 Lys Ala Thr Leu Lys Asp Ser Gly Ser Tyr Phe Cys Arg Gly Leu Val 145 150 155 160 Gly Ser Lys Asn Val Ser Ser Glu Thr Val Asn Ile Thr Ile Thr Gln 165 170 175 Gly Leu Ala Val Ser Thr Ile Ser Ser Phe Ser Pro Pro Gly Tyr Gln 180 185 190 Gly Leu Asn Asp Ile Phe Glu Ala Gln Lys Ile Glu Trp His Glu Leu 195 200 205 Val Val Ala Pro Pro Ala Pro Glu Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro 210 215 220 Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro 225 230 235 240 Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr 245

250 255 Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn 260 265 270 Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg 275 280 285 Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val 290 295 300 Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser 305 310 315 320 Asn Lys Ala Leu Gly Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys 325 330 335 Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp 340 345 350 Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe 355 360 365 Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu 370 375 380 Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe 385 390 395 400 Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly 405 410 415 Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr 420 425 430 Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 435 440 60346PRTArtificial Sequenceminimal FcgammaRIIIa-Avi-Fc LALA p239G fusion polypeptide 60Gly Trp Leu Leu Leu Gln Ala Pro Arg Trp Val Phe Lys Glu Glu Asp 1 5 10 15 Pro Ile His Leu Arg Cys His Ser Trp Lys Asn Thr Ala Leu His Lys 20 25 30 Val Thr Tyr Leu Gln Asn Gly Lys Gly Arg Lys Tyr Phe His His Asn 35 40 45 Ser Asp Phe Tyr Ile Pro Lys Ala Thr Leu Lys Asp Ser Gly Ser Tyr 50 55 60 Phe Cys Arg Gly Leu Val Gly Ser Lys Asn Val Ser Ser Glu Thr Val 65 70 75 80 Asn Ile Thr Ile Thr Gln Gly Leu Ala Val Ser Thr Ile Ser Ser Phe 85 90 95 Phe Pro Pro Gly Tyr Gln Gly Leu Asn Asp Ile Phe Glu Ala Gln Lys 100 105 110 Ile Glu Trp His Glu Leu Glu Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys 115 120 125 Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro 130 135 140 Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys 145 150 155 160 Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp 165 170 175 Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu 180 185 190 Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu 195 200 205 His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn 210 215 220 Lys Ala Leu Gly Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly 225 230 235 240 Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu 245 250 255 Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr 260 265 270 Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn 275 280 285 Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe 290 295 300 Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn 305 310 315 320 Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr 325 330 335 Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 340 345 619PRTArtificial SequencePrecision protease cleavage site 61Gly Leu Glu Val Leu Phe Gln Gly Pro 1 5 62388PRTArtificial Sequencemature Fc-TWEAK-fusion polypeptide 62Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Leu Glu Val Leu 225 230 235 240 Phe Gln Gly Pro Ala Ile Ala Ala His Tyr Glu Val His Pro Arg Pro 245 250 255 Gly Gln Asp Gly Ala Gln Ala Gly Val Asp Gly Thr Val Ser Gly Trp 260 265 270 Glu Glu Ala Arg Ile Asn Ser Ser Ser Pro Leu Arg Tyr Asn Arg Gln 275 280 285 Ile Gly Glu Phe Ile Val Thr Arg Ala Gly Leu Tyr Tyr Leu Tyr Cys 290 295 300 Gln Val His Phe Asp Glu Gly Lys Ala Val Tyr Leu Lys Leu Asp Leu 305 310 315 320 Leu Val Asp Gly Val Leu Ala Leu Arg Cys Leu Glu Glu Phe Ser Ala 325 330 335 Thr Ala Ala Ser Ser Leu Gly Pro Gln Leu Arg Leu Cys Gln Val Ser 340 345 350 Gly Leu Leu Ala Leu Arg Pro Gly Ser Ser Leu Arg Ile Arg Thr Leu 355 360 365 Pro Trp Ala His Leu Lys Ala Ala Pro Phe Leu Thr Tyr Phe Gly Leu 370 375 380 Phe Gln Val His 385 63227PRTArtificial Sequencemature Fc (hole) polypeptide 63Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Cys Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Ser Cys Ala Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Val Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 64388PRTArtificial Sequencemature Fc-TWEAK (knob) fusion polypeptide 64Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Cys Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Trp Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Leu Glu Val Leu 225 230 235 240 Phe Gln Gly Pro Ala Ile Ala Ala His Tyr Glu Val His Pro Arg Pro 245 250 255 Gly Gln Asp Gly Ala Gln Ala Gly Val Asp Gly Thr Val Ser Gly Trp 260 265 270 Glu Glu Ala Arg Ile Asn Ser Ser Ser Pro Leu Arg Tyr Asn Arg Gln 275 280 285 Ile Gly Glu Phe Ile Val Thr Arg Ala Gly Leu Tyr Tyr Leu Tyr Cys 290 295 300 Gln Val His Phe Asp Glu Gly Lys Ala Val Tyr Leu Lys Leu Asp Leu 305 310 315 320 Leu Val Asp Gly Val Leu Ala Leu Arg Cys Leu Glu Glu Phe Ser Ala 325 330 335 Thr Ala Ala Ser Ser Leu Gly Pro Gln Leu Arg Leu Cys Gln Val Ser 340 345 350 Gly Leu Leu Ala Leu Arg Pro Gly Ser Ser Leu Arg Ile Arg Thr Leu 355 360 365 Pro Trp Ala His Leu Lys Ala Ala Pro Phe Leu Thr Tyr Phe Gly Leu 370 375 380 Phe Gln Val His 385 65350PRTArtificial Sequencemature Fc-IL17A-fusion polypeptide 65Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser 225 230 235 240 Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Ile Ala Ile Pro Arg Asn Ser Gly Cys Pro Asn 245 250 255 Ser Glu Asp Lys Asn Phe Pro Arg Thr Val Met Val Asn Leu Asn Ile 260 265 270 His Asn Arg Asn Thr Ser Thr Asn Pro Lys Arg Ser Ser Asp Tyr Tyr 275 280 285 Asn Arg Ser Thr Ser Pro Trp Asn Leu His Arg Asn Glu Asp Pro Glu 290 295 300 Arg Tyr Pro Ser Val Ile Trp Glu Ala Lys Cys Arg His Leu Gly Cys 305 310 315 320 Val Lys Ala Asp Gly Asn Val Asp Tyr His Met Asn Ser Val Pro Ile 325 330 335 Gln Gln Glu Ile Leu Val Leu Arg Arg Glu Pro Arg His Cys 340 345 350 66350PRTArtificial Sequencemature Fc-IL17A-fusion polypeptide 66Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Ser Val Val 225 230 235 240 Ala Pro Pro Ala Gly Ile Ala Ile Pro Arg Asn Ser Gly Cys Pro Asn 245 250 255 Ser Glu Asp Lys Asn Phe Pro Arg Thr Val Met Val Asn Leu Asn Ile 260 265 270 His Asn Arg Asn Thr Ser Thr Asn Pro Lys Arg Ser Ser Asp Tyr Tyr 275 280 285 Asn Arg Ser Thr Ser Pro Trp Asn Leu His Arg Asn Glu Asp Pro Glu 290 295 300 Arg Tyr Pro Ser Val Ile Trp Glu Ala Lys Cys Arg His Leu Gly Cys 305 310 315 320 Val Lys Ala Asp Gly Asn Val Asp Tyr His Met Asn Ser Val Pro Ile 325 330 335 Gln Gln Glu Ile Leu Val Leu Arg Arg

Glu Pro Arg His Cys 340 345 350 67376PRTArtificial SequenceIL17A-Fc (hole) fusion polypeptide 67Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Cys Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Ser Cys Ala Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Val Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Ser Val Val 225 230 235 240 Ala Pro Pro Ala Gly Ile Ala Ile Pro Arg Asn Ser Gly Cys Pro Asn 245 250 255 Ser Glu Asp Lys Asn Phe Pro Arg Thr Val Met Val Asn Leu Asn Ile 260 265 270 His Asn Arg Asn Thr Ser Thr Asn Pro Lys Arg Ser Ser Asp Tyr Tyr 275 280 285 Asn Arg Ser Thr Ser Pro Trp Asn Leu His Arg Asn Glu Asp Pro Glu 290 295 300 Arg Tyr Pro Ser Val Ile Trp Glu Ala Lys Cys Arg His Leu Gly Cys 305 310 315 320 Val Lys Ala Asp Gly Asn Val Asp Tyr His Met Asn Ser Val Pro Ile 325 330 335 Gln Gln Glu Ile Leu Val Leu Arg Arg Glu Pro Arg His Cys Pro Asn 340 345 350 Ser Phe Arg Leu Glu Lys Ile Leu Val Ser Val Gly Cys Thr Cys Val 355 360 365 Thr Pro Ile Val His His Val Ala 370 375 68376PRTArtificial Sequencemature Fc-IL17A (knob) fusion polypeptide 68Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Cys Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Trp Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Ser 225 230 235 240 Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Ile Ala Ile Pro Arg Asn Ser Gly Cys Pro Asn 245 250 255 Ser Glu Asp Lys Asn Phe Pro Arg Thr Val Met Val Asn Leu Asn Ile 260 265 270 His Asn Arg Asn Thr Ser Thr Asn Pro Lys Arg Ser Ser Asp Tyr Tyr 275 280 285 Asn Arg Ser Thr Ser Pro Trp Asn Leu His Arg Asn Glu Asp Pro Glu 290 295 300 Arg Tyr Pro Ser Val Ile Trp Glu Ala Lys Cys Arg His Leu Gly Cys 305 310 315 320 Val Lys Ala Asp Gly Asn Val Asp Tyr His Met Asn Ser Val Pro Ile 325 330 335 Gln Gln Glu Ile Leu Val Leu Arg Arg Glu Pro Arg His Cys Pro Asn 340 345 350 Ser Phe Arg Leu Glu Lys Ile Leu Val Ser Val Gly Cys Thr Cys Val 355 360 365 Thr Pro Ile Val His His Val Ala 370 375 69227PRTArtificial Sequencemature Fc-region (hole) polypeptide 69Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Cys Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Ser Cys Ala Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Val Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Lys 225 70541PRTArtificial SequenceIL18R-Fc fusion polypeptide 70Ser Lys Ser Cys Ile His Arg Ser Gln Ile His Val Val Glu Gly Glu 1 5 10 15 Pro Phe Tyr Leu Lys Pro Cys Gly Ile Ser Ala Pro Val His Arg Asn 20 25 30 Glu Thr Ala Thr Met Arg Trp Phe Lys Gly Ser Ala Ser His Glu Tyr 35 40 45 Arg Glu Leu Asn Asn Arg Ser Ser Pro Arg Val Thr Phe His Asp His 50 55 60 Thr Leu Glu Phe Trp Pro Val Glu Met Glu Asp Glu Gly Thr Tyr Ile 65 70 75 80 Ser Gln Val Gly Asn Asp Arg Arg Asn Trp Thr Leu Asn Val Thr Lys 85 90 95 Arg Asn Lys His Ser Cys Phe Ser Asp Lys Leu Val Thr Ser Arg Asp 100 105 110 Val Glu Val Asn Lys Ser Leu His Ile Thr Cys Lys Asn Pro Asn Tyr 115 120 125 Glu Glu Leu Ile Gln Asp Thr Trp Leu Tyr Lys Asn Cys Lys Glu Ile 130 135 140 Ser Lys Thr Pro Arg Ile Leu Lys Asp Ala Glu Phe Gly Asp Glu Gly 145 150 155 160 Tyr Tyr Ser Cys Val Phe Ser Val His His Asn Gly Thr Arg Tyr Asn 165 170 175 Ile Thr Lys Thr Val Asn Ile Thr Val Ile Glu Gly Arg Ser Lys Val 180 185 190 Thr Pro Ala Ile Leu Gly Pro Lys Cys Glu Lys Val Gly Val Glu Leu 195 200 205 Gly Lys Asp Val Glu Leu Asn Cys Ser Ala Ser Leu Asn Lys Asp Asp 210 215 220 Leu Phe Tyr Trp Ser Ile Arg Lys Glu Asp Ser Ser Asp Pro Asn Val 225 230 235 240 Gln Glu Asp Arg Lys Glu Thr Thr Thr Trp Ile Ser Glu Gly Lys Leu 245 250 255 His Ala Ser Lys Ile Leu Arg Phe Gln Lys Ile Thr Glu Asn Tyr Leu 260 265 270 Asn Val Leu Tyr Asn Cys Thr Val Ala Asn Glu Glu Ala Ile Asp Thr 275 280 285 Lys Ser Phe Val Leu Val Arg Lys Glu Ile Pro Asp Ile Pro Gly His 290 295 300 Val Phe Thr Gly Leu Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys 305 310 315 320 Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu 325 330 335 Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu 340 345 350 Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys 355 360 365 Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys 370 375 380 Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu 385 390 395 400 Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys 405 410 415 Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys 420 425 430 Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser 435 440 445 Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys 450 455 460 Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln 465 470 475 480 Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly 485 490 495 Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln 500 505 510 Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn 515 520 525 His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 530 535 540 71401PRTArtificial SequenceFc-PP-shTNFalpha-fusion polypeptide 71Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Leu Glu Val Leu 225 230 235 240 Phe Gln Gly Pro Val Arg Ser Ser Ser Arg Thr Pro Ser Asp Lys Pro 245 250 255 Val Ala His Val Val Ala Asn Pro Gln Ala Glu Gly Gln Leu Gln Trp 260 265 270 Leu Asn Arg Arg Ala Asn Ala Leu Leu Ala Asn Gly Val Glu Leu Arg 275 280 285 Asp Asn Gln Leu Val Val Pro Ser Glu Gly Leu Tyr Leu Ile Tyr Ser 290 295 300 Gln Val Leu Phe Lys Gly Gln Gly Cys Pro Ser Thr His Val Leu Leu 305 310 315 320 Thr His Thr Ile Ser Arg Ile Ala Val Ser Tyr Gln Thr Lys Val Asn 325 330 335 Leu Leu Ser Ala Ile Lys Ser Pro Cys Gln Arg Glu Thr Pro Glu Gly 340 345 350 Ala Glu Ala Lys Pro Trp Tyr Glu Pro Ile Tyr Leu Gly Gly Val Phe 355 360 365 Gln Leu Glu Lys Gly Asp Arg Leu Ser Ala Glu Ile Asn Arg Pro Asp 370 375 380 Tyr Leu Asp Phe Ala Glu Ser Gly Gln Val Tyr Phe Gly Ile Ile Ala 385 390 395 400 Leu 72401PRTArtificial SequenceFc-PP-shTNFalpha (knob) fusion polypeptide 72Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 20 25 30 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 35 40 45 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val 50 55 60 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 65 70 75 80 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 85 90 95 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 115 120 125 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Cys Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 130 135 140 Leu Trp Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 165 170 175 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val 180 185 190 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 195 200 205 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 210 215 220 Pro Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Leu Glu Val Leu 225 230 235 240 Phe Gln Gly Pro Val Arg Ser Ser Ser Arg Thr Pro Ser Asp Lys Pro 245 250 255 Val Ala His Val Val Ala Asn Pro Gln Ala Glu Gly Gln Leu Gln Trp 260 265 270 Leu Asn Arg Arg Ala Asn Ala Leu Leu Ala Asn Gly Val Glu Leu Arg 275 280 285 Asp Asn Gln Leu Val Val Pro Ser Glu Gly Leu Tyr Leu Ile Tyr Ser 290 295 300 Gln Val Leu Phe Lys Gly Gln Gly Cys Pro Ser Thr His Val Leu Leu 305 310 315

320 Thr His Thr Ile Ser Arg Ile Ala Val Ser Tyr Gln Thr Lys Val Asn 325 330 335 Leu Leu Ser Ala Ile Lys Ser Pro Cys Gln Arg Glu Thr Pro Glu Gly 340 345 350 Ala Glu Ala Lys Pro Trp Tyr Glu Pro Ile Tyr Leu Gly Gly Val Phe 355 360 365 Gln Leu Glu Lys Gly Asp Arg Leu Ser Ala Glu Ile Asn Arg Pro Asp 370 375 380 Tyr Leu Asp Phe Ala Glu Ser Gly Gln Val Tyr Phe Gly Ile Ile Ala 385 390 395 400 Leu

Claims

1. A method for the production of a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer comprising the following steps a) cultivating a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide according to formula I (B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC--CS_q--I_t--CS_r--B- _n)_u (formula I) wherein B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer, FC denotes a heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, CS denotes a cleavage site, and I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence, wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1, wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0, wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0, wherein u=1 or 2, wherein FC does not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor, b) recovering the fusion polypeptide from the cell or the cultivation medium, c) optionally cleaving the fusion polypeptide with a protease, and thereby producing a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region.

2. A fusion polypeptide according to formula I (B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC--CS_q--I_t--CS_r--B- _m)_u (formula I) wherein B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as n-mer, FC denotes a heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, CS denotes a cleavage site, and I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence, wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1, wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0, wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0, wherein u=1 or 2, wherein FC does not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor.

3. An n-mer polypeptide obtained by cleavage of a fusion polypeptide obtained by a method according to claim 1.

4. The method according to claim 1 or the fusion polypeptide according to claim 2 or the n-mer polypeptide according to claim 3, characterized in that B is selected from the group of IL17, TWEAK, TNF and other TNF family members, TL1a, IL18, IL18R, IL33, and IL33R.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 4 or the fusion polypeptide according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that FC is a variant of a heavy chain polypeptide selected from the group of human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide, human IgG2 heavy chain polypeptide, human IgG3 heavy chain polypeptide, human IgG4 heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG2 heavy chain polypeptide, murine IgG3 heavy chain polypeptide, rabbit IgG heavy chain polypeptide.

6. The method according to any one of claim 1, 4 or 5 or the fusion polypeptide according to any one of claim 2, 4 or 5, characterized in that FC is selected from human IgG1 heavy chain polypeptide with the mutations L234A, L235A and P329G, human IgG4 heavy chain polypeptide with the mutation S228P, L235E and P329G.

7. The method according to any one of claim 1, 4, 5 or 6 or the fusion polypeptide according to any one of claim 2, 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that u=2 and the first FC comprises the mutation T366W and optionally the mutation S354C and the second FC comprises the mutations T366S, L368A and Y407V and optionally the mutation Y349C.

8. The method according to claim 7 or the fusion polypeptide according to claim 7, characterized in that a) n=1 and m=0 and B fused to the first FC and B fused to the second FC are identical, b) n=1 and m=0 and B fused to the first FC and B fused to the second FC are different, c) n=0 and m=1 and B fused to the first FC and B fused to the second FC are identical, d) n=0 and m=1 and B fused to the first FC and B fused to the second FC are different.

9. Use of an immobilized fusion polypeptide according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 8 or of an n-mer polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 to 4 as affinity chromatography ligand.

10. Use of an immobilized fusion polypeptide according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 8 or of an n-mer polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 to 4 in an immunoassay.

11. The use according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the fusion polypeptide or the n-mer polypeptide is bound to a solid phase.

12. Pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion polypeptide according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 8 or an n-mer polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 to 4.

13. Use of a fusion polypeptide according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 8 or of an n-mer polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 to 4 in the manufacture of a medicament.

14. Use of a fusion polypeptide according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 8 or of an n-mer polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 to 4 as immunogen.

15. Use of a fusion polypeptide according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 8 or of a n-mer polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 to 4 for obtaining an animal model of a disease by applying the fusion polypeptide according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 8 or the n-mer polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 to 4 to an experimental animal.

16. Use of a fusion polypeptide according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 8 or of a n-mer polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 to 4 for selecting an antibody that specifically binds to B or an n-mer of B.

17. Use of a fusion polypeptide according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 8 or of a n-mer polypeptide according to any one of claims 3 to 4 for producing a disulfide-linked 2-mer of B.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 8 for the production of a polypeptide that is biologically active as 2-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region comprising the following steps a) cultivating a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide according to formula II B_n--CS_o--I_s--CS_p--FC¹--CS_q--I_t--CS.sub- .r--B_m:FC² (formula II) wherein B denotes a polypeptide that is biologically active as 2-mer and forms non-defined aggregates/multimers upon expression in the absence of a fused Fc-region, FC¹ denotes a first heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, FC² denotes a second heavy chain Fc-region polypeptide, CS denotes a cleavage site, and I denotes an intervening amino acid sequence, wherein n=1 and m=0, or n=0 and m=1, wherein if n=1 then o=0 or 1, and if o=0 then p=0 or 1, and if o=1 then p=0, and s=0 or 1, and q=0, and t=0, and r=0, wherein if m=1 then q=0 or 1, and if q=0 then r=0 or 1, and if q=1 then r=0, and t=0 or 1, and o=0, and s=0, and p=0, wherein the first FC and the second FC are covalently linked by one or more disulfide bond(s), wherein FC¹ and FC² do not substantially bind to an Fc-receptor, b) recovering the fusion polypeptide from the cell or the cultivation medium, c) optionally cleaving the fusion polypeptide with a protease, and thereby producing a polypeptide that is biologically active as 2-mer.