Monoclonal antibody binding assays using advanced flow cytometry
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are used as therapeutics in many areas, including immuno-oncology, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, inflammation and infectious diseases. There is potential to raise an antibody against virtually any extracellular target, meaning development of mAbs against novel antigens is significant in the field of drug discovery. High-throughput techniques for screening and ranking mAbs based on their binding to the target are essential during these drug development processes.
Conventional techniques for measuring antibody binding often:
- Have low-throughput acquisition and long sample times due to the requirement of large sample volumes (e.g. traditional flow cytometry)
- Measure binding to purified, truncated or tagged recombinant forms of the target protein
- Are laborious and time-consuming, requiring steps such as protocol optimization, fixation and repetitive washes
- Necessitate the use of large volumes of precious sample and antibody
The iQue® antibody binding assays and workflows can help identify and characterize antibody binding to targets. Here we present two simple assays that utilize the iQue® Advanced Flow Cytometry Platform and validated reagents to measure binding of unlabeled therapeutic mAbs to your target on live cells. The first is a direct antibody binding assay which enables ranking of mAbs based on binding to target cells, with the ability to analyze binding to multiple cell types in a single well. The second is a competitive binding assay which can reveal mAbs that target different epitopes. We utilized the iQue® Cell Encoding and Proliferation Dye (optional for direct antibody binding) to distinguish multiple cell types and the iQue® Cell Membrane Integrity Dye to determine live and dead cells. Combining the high-throughput of the iQue® with rapid data analysis using the integrated iQue Forecyt® software will streamline your antibody discovery processes.
Concept
B. Competition antibody binding assay workflow
Figure 1b. iQue® Competitive binding assay workflow
A competing antibody is pre-labeled in a tube with a fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibody, prior to combination with the unlabeled test antibody of interest in the assay plate. The target cells are then added to this antibody mixture and the labeled competing mAb and the test mAb will compete for binding to the target antigen, provided that they both target the same epitope. Therefore, the greater the concentration of the test antigen, the less of the labeled competing antibody will bind, resulting in a lower MFI value for the secondary antibody fluorophore. If the two antibodies don’t compete for the same epitope, the MFI should be unaffected by test mAb concentration.
Key Advantages
Key Advantages
- Streamline data acquisition and analysis - Collect and analyze complex data quickly to rapidly drive decisions.
- Enhance your productivity - Screen libraries of antibodies for cell surface binding in minimal time as part of a high throughput antibody discovery process.
- Flexible assay format - Characterize multiple therapeutic antibodies in your choice of suspension or adherent cell models.
- Maximize usage of precious samples - Get more from your samples with low volume requirements and simultaneous assessment of mAb binding to distinct cell types co-cultured in a single well.
Streamline data acquisition and analysis
Collect and analyze complex data more quickly to make faster decisions.
Figure 2. Comparing binding of anti-CD20 biosimilars using iQue® Forecyt software with novel data visualization features
A direct mAb binding assay was used to measure the binding of anti-CD20 mAb Rituximab and one of its biosimilars, Truxima, to high CD20 expressing Raji cells. (A) Heat map of the percent of live cells that are positive for binding of the antibody over a gated threshold. (B) Histograms show that the MFI for the secondary antibody increases with both Rituximab and Truxima concentration, but not with the IgG control. (C) Concentration-response curves show the % of cells positive for mAb binding over the gated threshold. (D) Table of values exported directly from iQue® Forecyt details fit properties of curves in (C).
Enhance your productivity
Screen libraries of antibodies for cell surface binding in minimal time as part of high throughput antibody discovery workflows.
Figure 3. Screen antibodies using the competition binding assay format to reveal differences in epitope binding
Three anti-HER2 therapeutic mAbs (Trastuzumab, Kadcyla and Pertuzumab) were labeled with RPE-conjugated secondary Ab (1:1 labelling ratio, 1.5 µg/mL) and added to a 384 well plate alongside iQue® Cell Membrane Integrity (R/Red) Dye and a range of concentrations of unlabeled mAbs. High HER2 expressing AU565 cells were added and the plate was incubated on ice for 45 minutes before data was collected using the iQue® platform.
The heat map shows median fluorescence intensity (MFI) for the secondary antibody on live cells (dark grey = high MFI; light grey = low MFI). The data shows that there is competition between Trastuzumab and Kadycla (a Trastzumab based ADC) for binding to the same HER2 epitope. Pertuzumab binds to a different HER2 epitope and did not compete with the other mAbs. Heating Trastuzumab caused a minor reduction in the amount of competition with other mAbs compared to the unheated mAb.
Flexible assay format
Characterize multiple therapeutic antibodies in either suspension or adherent cell models.
Figure 4. Assess specificity of antibody binding to target antigens on both suspension and adherent cells
Binding and specificity of two therapeutic antibodies: Rituximab and Trastuzumab, was assessed using suspension and adherent cancer cell line models. CD20 positive Ramos cells and HER2 positive AU565 cells were labeled with iQue® Cell Proliferation and Encoder Dye (V/Blue) to distinguish them from antigen negative Jurkat and MDA-MB-468 cells.
MFI due to RPE-conjugated secondary Ab binding showed a concentration dependent increase in mAb binding on antigen positive cells, whilst binding on antigen negative cells was comparable to the IgG control.
Maximize usage of precious samples
Make the most of your samples by simultaneously assessing antibody binding to distinct cell types co-cultured in a single well.
Figure 5. Analyze antibody binding to a range of antigen expressing cell types in a single well
(A) HER2 expression on three adherent cell lines (AU565, MCF7 and BT474) was analyzed using a conjugated anti-HER2 antibody and compared to expression on HER2 negative Ramos cells. Relative HER2 expression: AU565 > BT474 > MCF7. (B) To distinguish cells in the antibody binding assay, AU565 cells were labeled with a high concentration of iQue® Cell Proliferation and Encoder Dye (V/Blue), MCF7 cells were labeled with a lower concentration and BT474 cells were left unlabeled. (C) Binding of Trastuzumab to the three cell lines reflected their relative levels of HER2 expression (AU565 > BT474 > MCF7). (D) EC50 values for Trastuzumab binding were comparable across the three cell types (±95% confidence interval).
Ordering Information
Platform: Compatible with iQue® 3/iQue® Screener Plus - VBR and BR Configurations
Product Name | Format | Cat. No. |
---|---|---|
iQue® Cell Membrane Integrity Dye (V/Blue) Kit | 5 x 384 | |
20 x 384 | ||
50 x 384 | ||
iQue® Cell Membrane Integrity Dye (B/Green) Kit | 5 x 384 | |
20 x 384 | ||
50 x 384 | ||
5 x 384 | ||
20 x 384 | ||
50 x 384 | ||
iQue® Cell Membrane Integrity Dye (R/Red) Kit | 5 x 384 | |
20 x 384 | ||
50 x 384 | ||
5 x 384 | ||
20 x 384 | ||
50 x 384 | ||
5 x 384 | ||
20 x 384 | ||
50 x 384 | ||
iQue® Cell Proliferation and Encoding V/Blue (Tag-it VioletTM) Dye | 5 x 384 | |
20 x 384 | ||
50 x 384 |