阅读说明：本技术 识别ny-eso-1抗原短肽的t细胞受体及其编码序列 (T cell receptor for recognizing NY-ESO-1 antigen short peptide and coding sequence thereof ) 是由 李懿 胡静 于 2018-06-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种能够特异性结合衍生自NY-ESO-1抗原的短肽SLLMWITQC的T细胞受体(TCR),所述抗原短肽SLLMWITQC可与HLA A0201形成复合物并一起被呈递到细胞表面。本发明还提供了编码所述TCR的核酸分子以及包含所述核酸分子的载体。另外,本发明还提供了转导本发明TCR的细胞。(The present invention provides a T Cell Receptor (TCR) capable of specifically binding a short peptide SLLMWITQC derived from the NY-ESO-1 antigen, which can form a complex with HLA A0201 and be presented together on the cell surface. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding the TCRs and vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules. In addition, the invention provides cells that transduce a TCR of the invention.)

1. A T Cell Receptor (TCR), wherein the TCR is capable of binding to the SLLMWITQC-HLA a0201 complex; preferably, the TCR comprises a TCR alpha chain variable domain and a TCR beta chain variable domain, wherein the amino acid sequence of CDR3 of the TCR alpha chain variable domain is AVNRDSNYQLI (SEQ ID NO: 12); and/or the amino acid sequence of CDR3 of the variable domain of the TCR beta chain is ASSVSAGEQF (SEQ ID NO: 15);

more preferably, the 3 Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs) of the TCR α chain variable domain are:

αCDR1-DRGSQS(SEQ ID NO:10)

αCDR2-IYSNGD(SEQ ID NO:11)

alpha CDR3-AVNRDSNYQLI (SEQ ID NO: 12); and/or

The 3 complementarity determining regions of the TCR β chain variable domain are:

βCDR1-SGDLS(SEQ ID NO:13)

βCDR2-YYNGEE(SEQ ID NO:14)

βCDR3-ASSVSAGEQF(SEQ ID NO:15)。

2. a TCR as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a TCR α chain variable domain which is an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 1 and a TCR β chain variable domain; and/or the TCR β chain variable domain is identical to SEQ ID NO:5 an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity.

3. A TCR as claimed in claim 1 wherein a conjugate is attached to the C-or N-terminus of the α and/or β chains of the TCR; preferably, the conjugate that binds to the T cell receptor is a detectable label, a therapeutic agent, a PK modifying moiety or a combination of any of these; preferably, the therapeutic agent is an anti-CD 3 antibody.

4. A multivalent TCR complex comprising at least two TCR molecules, at least one of which is a TCR as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

5. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TCR molecule according to any preceding claim, or the complement thereof;

preferably, the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleotide sequence encoding the variable domain of the TCR α chain SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 33; and/or

The nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a variable domain of a TCR β chain SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO 35.

6. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim 5; preferably, the vector is a viral vector; more preferably, the vector is a lentiviral vector.

7. An isolated host cell comprising the vector of claim 6 or a nucleic acid molecule of claim 5 integrated into the chromosome.

8. A cell which transduces the nucleic acid molecule of claim 5 or the vector of claim 6; preferably, the cell is a T cell or a stem cell.

9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a TCR according to any one of claims 1-3, a TCR complex according to claim 4, a nucleic acid molecule according to claim 5, or a cell according to claim 8.

10. Use of a T cell receptor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or a TCR complex according to claim 4 or a cell according to claim 8, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a tumour or an autoimmune disease.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a TCR capable of recognizing NY-ESO-1 antigen short peptide, NY-ESO-1 specific T cells obtained by transducing the TCR, and application of the T cells in preventing and treating NY-ESO-1 related diseases.

Background

NY-ESO-1 belongs to a tumor-Testis Antigen (CTA) family, can be expressed in Testis and ovary tissues and various different types of tumor tissues, but is not expressed in other normal tissues, and is a tumor Antigen with stronger specificity. NY-ESO-1 is an endogenous antigen that is degraded into small polypeptides upon intracellular production and is presented to the cell surface in a complex with MHC (major histocompatibility Complex) molecules. SLLMWITQC (SEQ ID NO:9) is a short peptide derived from NY-ESO-1 antigen, and is a target for the treatment of NY-ESO-1 related diseases. NY-ESO-1 was shown to be expressed in a variety of tumor tissues, with very high expression in neuroblastoma (Rodolfo M, et al, Cancer Res,2003,63(20): 6948-. For the treatment of the above diseases, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and the like can be used, but both of them cause damages to normal cells themselves.

T cell adoptive immunotherapy is the transfer of reactive T cells specific for a target cell antigen into a patient to act on the target cell. The T Cell Receptor (TCR) is a membrane protein on the surface of T cells that recognizes a corresponding short peptide antigen on the surface of a target cell. In the immune system, the direct physical contact between T cells and Antigen Presenting Cells (APC) is initiated by the binding of antigen short peptide specific TCR and short peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC complex), and then other cell membrane surface molecules of the T cells and APC interact to cause a series of subsequent cell signaling and other physiological reactions, so that T cells with different antigen specificities exert immune effects on their target cells. Therefore, those skilled in the art have made an effort to isolate a TCR specific for the NY-ESO-1 antigen short peptide and to transduce the TCR into T cells to obtain T cells specific for the NY-ESO-1 antigen short peptide, thereby allowing them to play a role in cellular immunotherapy.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a T cell receptor for recognizing NY-ESO-1 antigen short peptide.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a T Cell Receptor (TCR) capable of binding to the SLLMWITQC-HLA A0201 complex.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR comprises a TCR alpha chain variable domain and a TCR beta chain variable domain, the amino acid sequence of CDR3 of the TCR alpha chain variable domain is AVNRDSNYQLI (SEQ ID NO: 12); and/or the amino acid sequence of CDR3 of the variable domain of the TCR beta chain is ASSVSAGEQF (SEQ ID NO: 15).

In another preferred embodiment, the 3 Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs) of the TCR α chain variable domain are:

αCDR1-DRGSQS(SEQ ID NO:10)

αCDR2-IYSNGD(SEQ ID NO:11)

alpha CDR3-AVNRDSNYQLI (SEQ ID NO: 12); and/or

The 3 complementarity determining regions of the TCR β chain variable domain are:

βCDR1-SGDLS(SEQ ID NO:13)

βCDR2-YYNGEE(SEQ ID NO:14)

βCDR3-ASSVSAGEQF(SEQ ID NO:15)。

in another preferred embodiment, the TCR comprises a TCR alpha chain variable domain which is an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 1, and a TCR beta chain variable domain; and/or the TCR β chain variable domain is identical to SEQ ID NO:5 an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR comprises the alpha chain variable domain amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO 1.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR comprises the beta chain variable domain amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO 5.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR is an α β heterodimer comprising a TCR α chain constant region TRAC 01 and a TCR β chain constant region TRBC1 01 or TRBC2 01.

In another preferred embodiment, the α chain amino acid sequence of the TCR is SEQ ID NO:3 and/or the beta chain amino acid sequence of the TCR is SEQ ID NO 7.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR is soluble.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR is single chain.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR is formed by linking an α chain variable domain to a β chain variable domain via a peptide linker.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR has one or more mutations in amino acid 11, 13, 19, 21, 53, 76, 89, 91, or 94 of the α chain variable region, and/or in the penultimate 3-, 5-, or 7-position of the short peptide amino acid of the α chain J gene; and/or the TCR has one or more mutations in beta chain variable region amino acid 11, 13, 19, 21, 53, 76, 89, 91, or 94 th, and/or beta chain J gene short peptide amino acid penultimate 2,4 or 6 th, wherein the amino acid position numbering is according to the position numbering listed in IMGT (international immunogenetic information system).

In another preferred embodiment, the α chain variable domain amino acid sequence of the TCR comprises SEQ ID NO 32 and/or the β chain variable domain amino acid sequence of the TCR comprises SEQ ID NO 34.

In another preferred embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the TCR is SEQ ID NO 30.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR comprises (a) all or part of a TCR α chain, excluding the transmembrane domain; and (b) all or part of a TCR β chain, excluding the transmembrane domain;

and (a) and (b) each comprise a functional variable domain, or comprise a functional variable domain and at least a portion of the TCR chain constant domain.

In another preferred embodiment, the cysteine residues form an artificial disulfide bond between the alpha and beta chain constant domains of the TCR.

In another preferred embodiment, the cysteine residues forming the artificial disulfide bond in the TCR are substituted at one or more groups of sites selected from the group consisting of:

thr48 and TRBC1 × 01 of TRAC × 01 exon 1 or Ser57 of TRBC2 × 01 exon 1;

thr45 and TRBC1 × 01 of TRAC × 01 exon 1 or Ser77 of TRBC2 × 01 exon 1;

tyr10 and TRBC1 x 01 of exon 1 of TRAC x 01 or Ser17 of exon 1 of TRBC2 x 01;

thr45 and TRBC1 × 01 of TRAC × 01 exon 1 or Asp59 of TRBC2 × 01 exon 1;

ser15 and TRBC1 × 01 of TRAC × 01 exon 1 or Glu15 of TRBC2 × 01 exon 1;

arg53 and TRBC1 × 01 of TRAC × 01 exon 1 or Ser54 of TRBC2 × 01 exon 1;

pro89 and TRBC1 and 01 of exon 1 of TRAC 01 or Ala19 of exon 1 of TRBC2 and 01; and

tyr10 and TRBC1 × 01 of exon 1 of TRAC × 01 or Glu20 of exon 1 of TRBC2 × 01.

In another preferred embodiment, the α chain amino acid sequence of the TCR is SEQ ID NO 26 and/or the β chain amino acid sequence of the TCR is SEQ ID NO 28.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR comprises an artificial interchain disulfide bond between the α chain variable region and the β chain constant region.

In another preferred embodiment, the cysteine residues that form the artificial interchain disulfide bond in the TCR replace one or more groups of sites selected from the group consisting of:

amino acid 46 of TRAV and amino acid 60 of exon 1 of TRBC1 x 01 or TRBC2 x 01;

amino acid 47 of TRAV and amino acid 61 of exon 1 of TRBC1 x 01 or TRBC2 x 01;

amino acid 46 of TRAV and amino acid 61 of TRBC1 x 01 or TRBC2 x 01 exon 1; or

Amino acid 47 of TRAV and amino acid 60 of exon 1 of TRBC1 x 01 or TRBC2 x 01.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR comprises an alpha chain variable domain and a beta chain variable domain and all or part of the beta chain constant domain, excluding the transmembrane domain, but which does not comprise an alpha chain constant domain, the alpha chain variable domain of the TCR forming a heterodimer with the beta chain.

In another preferred embodiment, the TCR has a conjugate attached to the C-or N-terminus of the alpha and/or beta chain.

In another preferred embodiment, the conjugate that binds to the T cell receptor is a detectable label, a therapeutic agent, a PK modifying moiety or a combination of any of these. Preferably, the therapeutic agent is an anti-CD 3 antibody.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a multivalent TCR complex comprising at least two TCR molecules, and wherein at least one of the TCR molecules is a TCR according to the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TCR molecule according to the first aspect of the invention, or the complement thereof.

In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleotide sequence encoding the variable domain of the TCR α chain SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 33.

In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO 35.

In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleotide sequence encoding the TCR α chain SEQ ID NO:4 and/or comprises the nucleotide sequence encoding the TCR β chain SEQ ID NO: 8.

in a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule according to the third aspect of the invention; preferably, the vector is a viral vector; more preferably, the vector is a lentiviral vector.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an isolated host cell comprising a vector according to the fourth aspect of the invention or a genome into which has been integrated an exogenous nucleic acid molecule according to the third aspect of the invention.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a cell which transduces a nucleic acid molecule according to the third aspect of the invention or a vector according to the fourth aspect of the invention; preferably, the cell is a T cell or a stem cell.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a TCR according to the first aspect of the invention, a TCR complex according to the second aspect of the invention, a nucleic acid molecule according to the third aspect of the invention, a vector according to the fourth aspect of the invention, or a cell according to the sixth aspect of the invention.

In an eighth aspect, the invention provides the use of a T cell receptor according to the first aspect of the invention, or a TCR complex according to the second aspect of the invention, a nucleic acid molecule according to the third aspect of the invention, a vector according to the fourth aspect of the invention, or a cell according to the sixth aspect of the invention, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a tumour or an autoimmune disease.

In a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of treating a disease comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an amount of a T cell receptor according to the first aspect of the invention, or a TCR complex according to the second aspect of the invention, a nucleic acid molecule according to the third aspect of the invention, a vector according to the fourth aspect of the invention, or a cell according to the sixth aspect of the invention, or a pharmaceutical composition according to the seventh aspect of the invention;

preferably, the disease is a tumor, preferably the tumor is hepatocellular carcinoma.

It is to be understood that within the scope of the present invention, the above-described features of the present invention and those specifically described below (e.g., in the examples) may be combined with each other to form new or preferred embodiments. Not to be reiterated herein, but to the extent of space.

Drawings

FIG. 1a, FIG. 1b, FIG. 1c, FIG. 1d, FIG. 1e and FIG. 1f are the amino acid sequence of the TCR α chain variable domain, the nucleotide sequence of the TCR α chain variable domain, the amino acid sequence of the TCR α chain, the nucleotide sequence of the TCR α chain, the amino acid sequence of the TCR α chain with leader sequence and the nucleotide sequence of the TCR α chain with leader sequence, respectively.

Fig. 2a, fig. 2b, fig. 2c, fig. 2d, fig. 2e and fig. 2f are a TCR β chain variable domain amino acid sequence, a TCR β chain variable domain nucleotide sequence, a TCR β chain amino acid sequence, a TCR β chain nucleotide sequence, a TCR β chain amino acid sequence with a leader sequence and a TCR β chain nucleotide sequence with a leader sequence, respectively.

FIG. 3 is CD8 of monoclonal cells⁺And tetramer-PE double positive staining results.

Fig. 4a and 4b are the amino acid and nucleotide sequences, respectively, of a soluble TCR α chain.

Fig. 5a and 5b are the amino acid and nucleotide sequences, respectively, of a soluble TCR β chain.

Figure 6 is a gel diagram of the soluble TCR obtained after purification. The left lane is the molecular weight marker (marker) and the right lane is the non-reducing gel.

FIGS. 7a and 7b are the amino acid and nucleotide sequences, respectively, of a single-chain TCR.

FIGS. 8a and 8b are the amino acid and nucleotide sequences, respectively, of the variable domain of the single chain TCR α chain.

FIGS. 9a and 9b are the amino acid and nucleotide sequences, respectively, of the variable domain of the single-chain TCR β chain.

FIGS. 10a and 10b are the amino acid and nucleotide sequences, respectively, of a single-chain TCR linker sequence (linker).

FIG. 11 is a gel diagram of the soluble single chain TCR obtained after purification. The left lane is the molecular weight marker (marker) and the right lane is the non-reducing gel.

FIG. 12 is a BIAcore kinetic profile of binding of soluble TCRs of the invention to SLLMWITQC-HLA A0201 complex.

FIG. 13 is a BIAcore kinetic profile of binding of soluble single chain TCRs of the invention to SLLMWITQC-HLA A0201 complex.

FIG. 14 shows the results of functional verification of the ELISPOT activation of the resulting T cell clones.

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of the results of functional confirmation of ELISPOT activation of effector cells transduced with the TCRs of the invention.

Detailed Description

The present inventors have made extensive and intensive studies to find a TCR capable of specifically binding to the NY-ESO-1 antigen short peptide SLLMWITQC (SEQ ID NO:9) which can form a complex with HLA A0201 and be presented together on the cell surface. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding the TCRs and vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules. In addition, the invention provides cells that transduce a TCR of the invention.

Term(s) for

MHC molecules are proteins of the immunoglobulin superfamily, which may be MHC class I or class II molecules. Therefore, it is specific for antigen presentation, different individuals have different MHC, and different short peptides in one protein antigen can be presented on the cell surface of respective APC. Human MHC is commonly referred to as an HLA gene or HLA complex.

The T Cell Receptor (TCR), is the only receptor for a specific antigenic peptide presented on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). In the immune system, direct physical contact between T cells and Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs) is initiated by the binding of antigen-specific TCRs to pMHC complexes, and then other cell membrane surface molecules of both T cells and APCs interact, which causes a series of subsequent cell signaling and other physiological reactions, thereby allowing T cells of different antigen specificities to exert immune effects on their target cells.

TCRs are cell membrane surface glycoproteins that exist as heterodimers from either the α chain/β chain or the γ chain/δ chain. In 95% of T cells the TCR heterodimer consists of α and β chains, while 5% of T cells have TCRs consisting of γ and δ chains. Native α β heterodimeric TCRs have an α chain and a β chain, which constitute subunits of an α β heterodimeric TCR. Broadly, each of the α and β chains comprises a variable region, a linker region and a constant region, and the β chain also typically contains a short diversity region between the variable region and the linker region, but the diversity region is often considered to be part of the linker region. Each variable region comprises 3 CDRs (complementarity determining regions) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, which are chimeric in framework structures (framework regions). The CDR regions determine the binding of the TCR to the pMHC complex, where CDR3 is recombined from variable and connecting regions, referred to as hypervariable regions. The α and β chains of a TCR are generally regarded as having two "domains" each, namely a variable domain and a constant domain, the variable domain being made up of linked variable regions and linking regions. The sequences of TCR constant domains can be found in public databases of the international immunogenetic information system (IMGT), such as the constant domain sequence of the α chain of the TCR molecule is "TRAC 01", the constant domain sequence of the β chain of the TCR molecule is "TRBC 1 01" or "TRBC 2 01". In addition, the α and β chains of the TCR also comprise a transmembrane region and a cytoplasmic region, the cytoplasmic region being very short.

In the present invention, the terms "polypeptide of the invention", "TCR of the invention", "T cell receptor of the invention" are used interchangeably.

Natural interchain disulfide bond and artificial interchain disulfide bond

A set of disulfide bonds, referred to herein as "native interchain disulfide bonds," exist between the C α and C β chains of the membrane proximal region of native TCRs. In the present invention, the artificially introduced interchain covalent disulfide bond whose position is different from that of the natural interchain disulfide bond is referred to as an "artificial interchain disulfide bond".

For convenience of description of the positions of disulfide bonds, the positions of the amino acid sequences of TRAC 01 and TRBC1 × 01 or TRBC2 × 01 are numbered in the order from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, such as in TRBC1 × 01 or TRBC2 × 01, and the 60 th amino acid in the order from the N-terminus to the C-terminus is P (proline), and thus in the present invention it can be described as Pro60 of TRBC1 × 01 or TRBC2 × 01 exon 1, and also as the 60 th amino acid of TRBC1 × 01 or TRBC2 × 01 exon 1, and as in 737bc 3 × 01 or TRBC2 × 01, and the 61 th amino acid in the order from the N-terminus to the C-terminus is Q (glutamine), and thus in the present invention it can be described as TRBC1 × 01 or TRBC 6301 × 01, or TRBC 8501, and similarly as TRBC 8261 or glbc 891. In the present invention, the position numbering of the amino acid sequences of the variable regions TRAV and TRBV follows the position numbering listed in IMGT. If an amino acid in TRAV, the position listed in IMGT is numbered 46, it is described herein as the 46 th amino acid of TRAV, and so on. In the present invention, the sequence position numbers of other amino acids are specifically described.

Detailed Description

TCR molecules

During antigen processing, antigens are degraded within cells and then carried to the cell surface by MHC molecules. T cell receptors are capable of recognizing peptide-MHC complexes on the surface of antigen presenting cells. Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention provides a TCR molecule capable of binding to the SLLMWITQC-HLA a0201 complex. Preferably, the TCR molecule is isolated or purified. The α and β chains of the TCR each have 3 Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the α chain of the TCR comprises CDRs having the amino acid sequence:

αCDR1-DRGSQS(SEQ ID NO:10)

αCDR2-IYSNGD(SEQ ID NO:11)

alpha CDR3-AVNRDSNYQLI (SEQ ID NO: 12); and/or

The 3 complementarity determining regions of the TCR β chain variable domain are:

βCDR1-SGDLS(SEQ ID NO:13)

βCDR2-YYNGEE(SEQ ID NO:14)

βCDR3-ASSVSAGEQF(SEQ ID NO:15)。

chimeric TCRs can be prepared by embedding the above-described amino acid sequences of the CDR regions of the invention into any suitable framework. One skilled in the art can design or synthesize a TCR molecule with the corresponding function based on the CDR regions disclosed herein, so long as the framework structure is compatible with the CDR regions of the TCR of the invention. Thus, the TCR molecules of the invention are those which comprise the above-described α and/or β chain CDR region sequences and any suitable framework structure. The TCR α chain variable domain of the invention is an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, preferably 95%, more preferably 98% sequence identity to SEQ ID No. 1; and/or the TCR β chain variable domain of the invention is a variant of SEQ ID NO:5, having at least 90%, preferably 95%, more preferably 98% sequence identity.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the TCR molecules of the invention are heterodimers consisting of α and β chains. In particular, in one aspect the α chain of the heterodimeric TCR molecules comprises a variable domain and a constant domain, the α chain variable domain amino acid sequence comprising CDR1(SEQ ID NO: 10), CDR2(SEQ ID NO: 11) and CDR3(SEQ ID NO:12) of the above-described α chain. Preferably, the TCR molecule comprises the alpha chain variable domain amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO 1. More preferably, the amino acid sequence of the α chain variable domain of the TCR molecule is SEQ ID NO 1. In another aspect, the β chain of the heterodimeric TCR molecule comprises a variable domain and a constant domain, and the β chain variable domain amino acid sequence comprises CDR1(SEQ ID NO:13), CDR2(SEQ ID NO: 14), and CDR3(SEQ ID NO:15) of the above-described β chain. Preferably, the TCR molecule comprises the beta chain variable domain amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO 5. More preferably, the amino acid sequence of the β chain variable domain of the TCR molecule is SEQ ID NO 5.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the TCR molecules of the invention are single chain TCR molecules consisting of part or all of the α chain and/or part or all of the β chain. Single chain TCR molecules are described in Chung et al (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91, 12654-. From the literature, those skilled in the art are readily able to construct single chain TCR molecules comprising the CDRs regions of the invention. In particular, the single chain TCR molecule comprises V α, V β and C β, preferably linked in order from N-terminus to C-terminus.

The alpha chain variable domain amino acid sequence of the single chain TCR molecule comprises the CDR1(SEQ ID NO: 10), CDR2(SEQ ID NO: 11) and CDR3(SEQ ID NO:12) of the alpha chain described above. Preferably, the single chain TCR molecule comprises the alpha chain variable domain amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO 1. More preferably, the α chain variable domain amino acid sequence of the single chain TCR molecule is SEQ ID NO 1. The amino acid sequence of the beta chain variable domain of the single chain TCR molecule comprises the CDR1(SEQ ID NO:13), CDR2(SEQ ID NO: 14) and CDR3(SEQ ID NO:15) of the above-described beta chain. Preferably, the single chain TCR molecule comprises the beta chain variable domain amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO 5. More preferably, the amino acid sequence of the β chain variable domain of the single chain TCR molecule is SEQ ID NO 5.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the constant domain of the TCR molecules of the invention is a human constant domain. The human constant domain amino acid sequences are known to those skilled in the art or can be obtained by consulting published databases of relevant books or IMGT (international immunogenetic information system). For example, the constant domain sequence of the α chain of the TCR molecules of the invention can be "TRAC 01", and the constant domain sequence of the β chain of the TCR molecules can be "TRBC 1 01" or "TRBC 2 01". Arg at position 53 of the amino acid sequence given in TRAC 01 of IMGT, here denoted: TRAC × 01 Arg53 of exon 1, and so on. Preferably, the amino acid sequence of the α chain of the TCR molecule of the invention is SEQ ID NO 3 and/or the amino acid sequence of the β chain is SEQ ID NO 7.

Naturally occurring TCRs are membrane proteins that are stabilized by their transmembrane regions. Like immunoglobulins (antibodies) as antigen recognition molecules, TCRs can also be developed for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, where soluble TCR molecules are required. Soluble TCR molecules do not include their transmembrane regions. Soluble TCRs have a wide range of uses, not only for studying the interaction of TCRs with pmhcs, but also as diagnostic tools for detecting infections or as markers for autoimmune diseases. Similarly, soluble TCRs can be used to deliver therapeutic agents (e.g., cytotoxic or immunostimulatory compounds) to cells presenting a specific antigen, and in addition, soluble TCRs can be conjugated to other molecules (e.g., anti-CD 3 antibodies) to redirect T cells to target them to cells presenting a particular antigen. The invention also obtains soluble TCR with specificity to NY-ESO-1 antigen short peptide.

To obtain a soluble TCR, in one aspect, the inventive TCR may be one in which an artificial disulfide bond is introduced between residues of the constant domains of its alpha and beta chains. Cysteine residues form an artificial interchain disulfide bond between the alpha and beta chain constant domains of the TCR. Cysteine residues may be substituted for other amino acid residues at appropriate positions in native TCRs to form artificial interchain disulfide bonds. For example, a disulfide bond is formed by substituting Thr48 of exon 1 of TRAC × 01 and a cysteine residue of Ser57 of exon 1 of TRBC1 × 01 or TRBC2 × 01. Other sites for introducing cysteine residues to form disulfide bonds may also be: thr45 and TRBC1 × 01 of TRAC × 01 exon 1 or Ser77 of TRBC2 × 01 exon 1; tyr10 and TRBC1 x 01 of exon 1 of TRAC x 01 or Ser17 of exon 1 of TRBC2 x 01; thr45 and TRBC1 × 01 of TRAC × 01 exon 1 or Asp59 of TRBC2 × 01 exon 1; ser15 and TRBC1 × 01 of TRAC × 01 exon 1 or Glu15 of TRBC2 × 01 exon 1; arg53 and TRBC1 × 01 of TRAC × 01 exon 1 or Ser54 of TRBC2 × 01 exon 1; pro89 and TRBC1 and 01 of exon 1 of TRAC 01 or Ala19 of exon 1 of TRBC2 and 01; or Tyr10 and TRBC1 and 01 of TRAC 01 exon 1 or Glu20 of TRBC2 and 01 exon 1. I.e., a cysteine residue, in place of any of the above-described alpha and beta chain constant domains. The TCR constant domains of the invention may be truncated at one or more of their C-termini by up to 50, or up to 30, or up to 15, or up to 10, or up to 8 or fewer amino acids, so as not to include a cysteine residue for the purpose of deleting the native disulphide bond, or by mutating the cysteine residue forming the native disulphide bond to another amino acid.

As described above, the TCRs of the invention may comprise artificial disulfide bonds introduced between residues of the constant domains of their alpha and beta chains. It should be noted that the TCRs of the invention may each contain both TRAC constant domain sequences and TRBC1 or TRBC2 constant domain sequences, with or without the artificial disulfide bonds introduced as described above between the constant domains. The TRAC constant domain sequence and TRBC1 or TRBC2 constant domain sequences of the TCR may be linked by the native disulfide bond present in the TCR.

To obtain a soluble TCR, on the other hand, the inventive TCR also comprises a TCR having a mutation in its hydrophobic core region, preferably a mutation that enables an improved stability of the inventive soluble TCR, as described in the patent publication WO 2014/206304. Such TCRs may be mutated at the following variable domain hydrophobic core positions: (alpha and/or beta chain) variable region amino acid positions 11, 13, 19, 21, 53, 76, 89, 91, 94, and/or positions 3,5,7 of the reciprocal amino acid position of the short peptide of the alpha chain J gene (TRAJ), and/or positions 2,4,6 of the reciprocal amino acid position of the short peptide of the beta chain J gene (TRBJ), wherein the position numbering of the amino acid sequence is according to the position numbering listed in the International immunogenetic information System (IMGT). The above-mentioned international system of immunogenetics information is known to the skilled person and the position numbering of the amino acid residues of the different TCRs in IMGT can be derived from this database.

The TCR with the mutated hydrophobic core region of the invention can be a stable soluble single chain TCR formed by connecting the variable domains of the alpha and beta chains of the TCR by a flexible peptide chain. It should be noted that the flexible peptide chain of the present invention can be any peptide chain suitable for linking the TCR α and β chain variable domains. The single-chain soluble TCR constructed as in example 4 of the invention has an alpha chain variable domain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 32 and an encoded nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. 33; the amino acid sequence of the beta chain variable domain is SEQ ID NO. 34, and the coded nucleotide sequence is SEQ ID NO. 35.

In addition, for stability, patent document 201680003540.2 also discloses that the introduction of an artificial interchain disulfide bond between the α chain variable region and the β chain constant region of the TCR can significantly improve the stability of the TCR. Thus, the high affinity TCRs of the invention may also contain an artificial interchain disulfide bond between the α chain variable region and the β chain constant region. Specifically, the cysteine residues that form the artificial interchain disulfide bond between the α chain variable region and the β chain constant region of the TCR are substituted for: amino acid 46 of TRAV and amino acid 60 of exon 1 of TRBC1 x 01 or TRBC2 x 01; amino acid 47 of TRAV and amino acid 61 of exon 1 of TRBC1 x 01 or TRBC2 x 01; amino acid 46 of TRAV and amino acid 61 of TRBC1 x 01 or TRBC2 x 01 exon 1; or amino acid 47 of TRAV and amino acid 60 of exon 1 of TRBC1 x 01 or TRBC2 x 01. Preferably, such a TCR may comprise (i) all or part of a TCR α chain, excluding its transmembrane domain, and (ii) all or part of a TCR β chain, excluding its transmembrane domain, wherein (i) and (ii) both comprise the variable domain and at least part of the constant domain of the TCR chain, the α chain forming a heterodimer with the β chain. More preferably, such a TCR may comprise the a chain variable domain and the β chain variable domain and all or part of the β chain constant domain, excluding the transmembrane domain, but which does not comprise the a chain constant domain, the a chain variable domain of the TCR forming a heterodimer with the β chain.

The TCRs of the invention may also be provided in the form of multivalent complexes. Multivalent TCR complexes of the invention comprise polymers formed by association of two, three, four or more TCRs of the invention, such as might be produced as a tetramer using the tetrameric domain of p53, or a complex formed by association of a plurality of TCRs of the invention with another molecule. The TCR complexes of the invention can be used to track or target cells presenting a particular antigen in vitro or in vivo, and can also be used to generate intermediates for other multivalent TCR complexes having such applications.

The TCRs of the invention may be used alone or in covalent or other association, preferably covalently, with a conjugate. The conjugates include a detectable label (for diagnostic purposes, wherein the TCR is used to detect the presence of cells presenting the SLLMWITQC-HLA a0201 complex), a therapeutic agent, a PK (protein kinase) modifying moiety, or a combination of any of the above.

Detectable labels for diagnostic purposes include, but are not limited to: a fluorescent or luminescent label, a radioactive label, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) contrast agent, or an enzyme capable of producing a detectable product.

Therapeutic agents that may be associated or conjugated with the TCRs of the invention include, but are not limited to: 1. radionuclides (Koppe et al, 2005, Cancer metastasis reviews (Cancer metastasis) 24, 539); 2. biological toxins (Chaudhary et al, 1989, Nature 339, 394; Epel et al, 2002, Cancer Immunology and immunotherapy 51, 565); 3. cytokines such as IL-2 and the like (Gillies et al, 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (PNAS)89, 1428; Card et al, 2004, Cancer Immunology and immunotherapy (Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy)53, 345; Halin et al, 2003, Cancer Research (Cancer Research)63, 3202); 4. antibody Fc fragment (Mosquera et al, 2005, Journal Of Immunology 174, 4381); 5. antibody scFv fragments (Zhu et al, 1995, International Journal of Cancer 62,319); 6. gold nanoparticles/nanorods (Lapotko et al, 2005, Cancer letters 239, 36; Huang et al, 2006, Journal of the American Chemical Society 128, 2115); 7. viral particles (Peng et al, 2004, Gene therapy 11, 1234); 8. liposomes (Mamot et al, 2005, Cancer research 65, 11631); 9. nano magnetic particles; 10. prodrug activating enzymes (e.g., DT-diaphorase (DTD) or biphenyl hydrolase-like protein (BPHL)); 11. chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., cisplatin) or nanoparticles in any form, and the like.

In addition, the TCRs of the invention may also be hybrid TCRs comprising sequences derived from more than one species. For example, studies have shown that murine TCRs are more efficiently expressed in human T cells than human TCRs. Thus, the inventive TCR may comprise a human variable domain and a murine constant domain. The drawback of this approach is the possibility of eliciting an immune response. Thus, there should be a regulatory regimen to immunosuppresse when it is used for adoptive T cell therapy to allow for the engraftment of murine expressing T cells.

It should be understood that the amino acid names herein are expressed in terms of international single-letter or three-letter english letters, and the single-letter english letter and three-letter english letters of the amino acid names correspond to the following relationships: ala (A), Arg (R), Asn (N), Asp (D), Cys (C), Gln (Q), Glu (E), Gly (G), His (H), Ile (I), Leu (L), Lys (K), Met (M), Phe (F), Pro (P), Ser (S), Thr (T), Trp (W), Tyr (Y) and Val (V).

Nucleic acid molecules

A second aspect of the invention provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding a TCR molecule of the first aspect of the invention or a portion thereof, which may be one or more CDRs, variable domains of the alpha and/or beta chains, and the alpha and/or beta chains.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the α chain CDR regions of the TCR molecules of the first aspect of the invention is as follows:

αCDR1-gaccgaggttcccagtcc(SEQ ID NO:16)

αCDR2-atatactccaatggtgac(SEQ ID NO:17)

αCDR3-gccgtgaaccgggatagcaactatcagttaatc(SEQ ID NO:18)

the nucleotide sequence encoding the β chain CDR regions of the TCR molecules of the first aspect of the invention is as follows:

βCDR1-tctggagacctctct(SEQ ID NO:19)

βCDR2-tattataatggagaagag(SEQ ID NO:20)

βCDR3-gccagcagcgtgagcgccggggagcagttc(SEQ ID NO:21)

thus, the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention encoding the TCR alpha chain of the invention comprises SEQ ID NO 16, 17 and 18 and/or the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention encoding the TCR beta chain of the invention comprises SEQ ID NO 19, 20 and 21.

The nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention may be single-stranded or double-stranded, the nucleic acid molecule may be RNA or DNA, and may or may not comprise an intron. Preferably, the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention does not comprise introns but is capable of encoding a polypeptide of the invention, e.g. the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention encoding a TCR alpha chain variable domain of the invention comprises SEQ ID NO 2 and/or the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention encoding a TCR beta chain variable domain of the invention comprises SEQ ID NO 6. Alternatively, the nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid molecule of the invention encoding a TCR α chain variable domain of the invention comprises SEQ ID NO 33 and/or the nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid molecule of the invention encoding a TCR β chain variable domain of the invention comprises SEQ ID NO 35. More preferably, the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises SEQ ID NO. 4 and/or SEQ ID NO. 8. Alternatively, the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention is SEQ ID NO. 31.

It will be appreciated that, due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, different nucleotide sequences may encode the same polypeptide. Thus, the nucleic acid sequence encoding the TCR of the present invention may be identical to or a degenerate variant of the nucleic acid sequences shown in the figures of the present invention. As illustrated by one of the examples herein, a "degenerate variant" refers to a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a protein sequence having SEQ ID NO. 1, but differs from the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2.

The nucleotide sequence may be codon optimized. Different cells differ in the utilization of specific codons, and the expression level can be increased by changing the codons in the sequence according to the type of the cell. Codon usage tables for mammalian cells as well as for various other organisms are well known to those skilled in the art.

The full-length sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention or a fragment thereof can be obtained by, but not limited to, PCR amplification, recombination, or artificial synthesis. At present, DNA sequences encoding the TCRs of the invention (or fragments or derivatives thereof) have been obtained entirely by chemical synthesis. The DNA sequence may then be introduced into various existing DNA molecules (or vectors, for example) and cells known in the art. The DNA may be the coding strand or the non-coding strand.

Carrier

The invention also relates to vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, including expression vectors, i.e. constructs capable of expression in vivo or in vitro. Commonly used vectors include bacterial plasmids, bacteriophages and animal and plant viruses.

Viral delivery systems include, but are not limited to, adenoviral vectors, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, herpes viral vectors, retroviral vectors, lentiviral vectors, baculoviral vectors.

Preferably, the vector can transfer the nucleotide of the invention into a cell, for example a T cell, such that the cell expresses a TCR specific for the NY-ESO-1 antigen. Ideally, the vector should be capable of sustained high level expression in T cells.

Cells

The invention also relates to genetically engineered host cells that have been engineered with the vectors or coding sequences of the invention. The host cell comprises a vector of the invention or has integrated into its chromosome a nucleic acid molecule of the invention. The host cell is selected from: prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, such as E.coli, yeast cells, CHO cells, and the like.

In addition, the invention also includes isolated cells, particularly T cells, that express the TCRs of the invention. The T cell may be derived from a T cell isolated from a subject, or may be part of a mixed population of cells isolated from a subject, such as a population of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes (PBLs). For example, the cells may be isolated from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC), which may be CD4⁺Helper T cell or CD8⁺Cytotoxic T cells. The cell may be in CD4⁺Helper T cell/CD 8⁺A mixed population of cytotoxic T cells. Generally, the cells can be activated with an antibody (e.g., an anti-CD 3 or anti-CD 28 antibody) to render them more amenable to transfection, e.g., transfection with a vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a TCR molecule of the invention.

Alternatively, the cell of the invention may also be or be derived from a stem cell, such as a Hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSC). Gene transfer to HSCs does not result in TCR expression on the cell surface, since the CD3 molecule is not expressed on the stem cell surface. However, when stem cells differentiate into lymphoid precursors (lymphoid precursors) that migrate to the thymus, expression of the CD3 molecule will initiate expression of the introduced TCR molecule on the surface of the thymocytes.

There are many methods suitable for T cell transfection using DNA or RNA encoding the TCR of the invention (e.g., Robbins et al, (2008) J.Immunol.180: 6116-. T cells expressing the TCRs of the invention may be used for adoptive immunotherapy. Those skilled in the art will be able to recognize many suitable methods for adoptive therapy (e.g., Rosenberg et al, (2008) Nat Revcancer8 (4): 299-308).

NY-ESO-1 antigen related diseases

The invention also relates to a method of treating and/or preventing a NY-ESO-1 related disease in a subject comprising the step of adoptively transferring NY-ESO-1 specific T cells to the subject. The NY-ESO-1 specific T cells recognize SLLMWITQC-HLA A0201 complex.

The NY-ESO-1 specific T cell can be used for treating any NY-ESO-1 related diseases presenting the NY-ESO-1 antigen short peptide SLLMWITQC-HLA A0201 compound. Including but not limited to, neuroblastoma, sarcoma, malignant melanoma, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, hepatocellular carcinoma, oral squamous carcinoma, and esophageal cancer.

Method of treatment

Treatment may be effected by isolating T cells from patients or volunteers suffering from a disease associated with the NY-ESO-1 antigen and introducing the TCR of the invention into such T cells, followed by reinfusion of these genetically engineered cells into the patient. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of treating a NY-ESO-1 related disorder comprising infusing into a patient isolated T cells expressing a TCR according to the invention, preferably, the T cells are derived from the patient themselves. Generally, this involves (1) isolating T cells from the patient, (2) transducing T cells in vitro with a nucleic acid molecule of the invention or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding a TCR molecule of the invention, and (3) infusing the genetically modified T cells into the patient. The number of cells isolated, transfected and transfused can be determined by a physician.

The main advantages of the invention are:

(1) the TCR of the invention can be combined with NY-ESO-1 antigen short peptide complex SLLMWITQC-HLA A0201, and cells transduced with the TCR of the invention can be specifically activated.

The following specific examples further illustrate the invention. It should be understood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The experimental procedures, for which specific conditions are not indicated in the following examples, are generally carried out according to conventional conditions, for example as described in Sambrook and Russell et al, Molecular Cloning: A laboratory Manual (third edition) (2001) CSHL Press, or according to the conditions as recommended by the manufacturer. Unless otherwise indicated, percentages and parts are by weight. Unless otherwise indicated, percentages and parts are by weight. The test materials and reagents used in the following examples are commercially available without specific reference.