Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Clinical and Translational Oncology 1/2024

13-06-2023 | Breast Cancer | RESEARCH ARTICLE

Synthesis of the scFv fragment of anti-Frizzled-7 antibody and evaluation of its effects on triple-negative breast cancer in vitro study

Authors: Ebrahim Khodaverdi, Ali Akbar Shabani, Hamid Madanchi, Leila Farahmand

Published in: Clinical and Translational Oncology | Issue 1/2024

Login to get access

Abstract

Objectives

Among the most promising antibody formats in terms of inhibiting carcinogenesis are single-stranded variable fragments, whose targeted binding to the Fzd7 receptor has been proven effective at suppressing tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of an anti-Fzd7 antibody fragment against both tumor growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells.

Methods

To develop anti-Fzd7 antibodies, bioinformatics approaches were used and the antibodies were expressed recombinantly in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The expression of anti-Fzd7 fragments was verified by Western blotting. Analysis of the antibody's binding capacity to Fzd7 was conducted by flow cytometry. Cell death and apoptosis were assessed by MTT and Annexin V/PI assays. The transwell migration and invasion assays, as well as the scratch method, were used to evaluate cell motility and invasiveness.

Results

The anti-Fzd7 antibody was expressed successfully as a single band of 31 kDa. It could bind to 21.5% of MDA-MB-231 cells, as opposed to only 0.54% of SKBR-3 cells as negative control. According to MTT assay, induced apoptosis was 73.7% in MDA-MB-231 cells, compared with 29.5% in SKBR-3 cells. Also, the antibody exerted a significant inhibitory effect of 76% and 58% on migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively.

Conclusion

The recombinantly developed anti-Fzd7 scFv of this study could exhibit significant antiproliferative and antimigratory properties, along with a high apoptosis-inducing potential, making it suitable for the immunotherapy of triple negative breast cancer.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Chavez KJ, Garimella SV, Lipkowitz S. Triple negative breast cancer cell lines: one tool in the search for better treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Breast Dis. 2010;32(1–2):35–48.PubMedPubMedCentral Chavez KJ, Garimella SV, Lipkowitz S. Triple negative breast cancer cell lines: one tool in the search for better treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Breast Dis. 2010;32(1–2):35–48.PubMedPubMedCentral
2.
go back to reference Iranshahi N, Zafari P, Yari K, Alizadeh E. The most common genes involved in epigenetics modifications among Iranian patients with breast cancer: a systematic review. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2016;62(12):116–22.PubMed Iranshahi N, Zafari P, Yari K, Alizadeh E. The most common genes involved in epigenetics modifications among Iranian patients with breast cancer: a systematic review. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2016;62(12):116–22.PubMed
3.
go back to reference Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer statistics 2016. CA: Cancer J Clinicians. 2016;66(1):7–30. Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer statistics 2016. CA: Cancer J Clinicians. 2016;66(1):7–30.
4.
go back to reference Yao H, Ashihara E, Maekawa T. Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human cancers. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2011;15(7):873–87.CrossRefPubMed Yao H, Ashihara E, Maekawa T. Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human cancers. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2011;15(7):873–87.CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Yang L, Wu X, Wang Y, Zhang K, Wu J, Yuan YC, et al. FZD7 has a critical role in cell proliferation in triple negative breast cancer. Oncogene. 2011;30(43):4437–46.CrossRefPubMed Yang L, Wu X, Wang Y, Zhang K, Wu J, Yuan YC, et al. FZD7 has a critical role in cell proliferation in triple negative breast cancer. Oncogene. 2011;30(43):4437–46.CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Fredriksson R, Lagerström MC, Lundin LG, Schiöth HB. The G-protein-coupled receptors in the human genome form five main families. Phylogenetic analysis, paralogon groups, and fingerprints. Mol Pharmacol. 2003;63(6):1256–72.CrossRefPubMed Fredriksson R, Lagerström MC, Lundin LG, Schiöth HB. The G-protein-coupled receptors in the human genome form five main families. Phylogenetic analysis, paralogon groups, and fingerprints. Mol Pharmacol. 2003;63(6):1256–72.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Adell T, Nefkens I, Müller WE. Polarity factor “Frizzled” in the demosponge Suberites domuncula: identification, expression and localization of the receptor in the epithelium/pinacoderm(1). FEBS Lett. 2003;554(3):363–8.CrossRefPubMed Adell T, Nefkens I, Müller WE. Polarity factor “Frizzled” in the demosponge Suberites domuncula: identification, expression and localization of the receptor in the epithelium/pinacoderm(1). FEBS Lett. 2003;554(3):363–8.CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Dann CE, Hsieh JC, Rattner A, Sharma D, Nathans J, Leahy DJ. Insights into Wnt binding and signalling from the structures of two Frizzled cysteine-rich domains. Nature. 2001;412(6842):86–90.CrossRefPubMed Dann CE, Hsieh JC, Rattner A, Sharma D, Nathans J, Leahy DJ. Insights into Wnt binding and signalling from the structures of two Frizzled cysteine-rich domains. Nature. 2001;412(6842):86–90.CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Umbhauer M, Djiane A, Goisset C, Penzo-Méndez A, Riou JF, Boucaut JC, et al. The C-terminal cytoplasmic Lys-thr-X-X-X-Trp motif in frizzled receptors mediates Wnt/beta-catenin signalling. EMBO J. 2000;19(18):4944–54.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Umbhauer M, Djiane A, Goisset C, Penzo-Méndez A, Riou JF, Boucaut JC, et al. The C-terminal cytoplasmic Lys-thr-X-X-X-Trp motif in frizzled receptors mediates Wnt/beta-catenin signalling. EMBO J. 2000;19(18):4944–54.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
11.
go back to reference Willert J, Epping M, Pollack JR, Brown PO, Nusse R. A transcriptional response to Wnt protein in human embryonic carcinoma cells. BMC Dev Biol. 2002;2:8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Willert J, Epping M, Pollack JR, Brown PO, Nusse R. A transcriptional response to Wnt protein in human embryonic carcinoma cells. BMC Dev Biol. 2002;2:8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
12.
go back to reference Kirikoshi H, Sekihara H, Katoh M. Up-regulation of Frizzled-7 (FZD7) in human gastric cancer. Int J Oncol. 2001;19(1):111–5.PubMed Kirikoshi H, Sekihara H, Katoh M. Up-regulation of Frizzled-7 (FZD7) in human gastric cancer. Int J Oncol. 2001;19(1):111–5.PubMed
13.
go back to reference Samaei NM, Yazdani Y, Alizadeh-Navaei R, Azadeh H, Farazmandfar T. Promoter methylation analysis of WNT/β-catenin pathway regulators and its association with expression of DNMT1 enzyme in colorectal cancer. J Biomed Sci. 2014;21(1):73.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Samaei NM, Yazdani Y, Alizadeh-Navaei R, Azadeh H, Farazmandfar T. Promoter methylation analysis of WNT/β-catenin pathway regulators and its association with expression of DNMT1 enzyme in colorectal cancer. J Biomed Sci. 2014;21(1):73.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
14.
go back to reference King TD, Zhang W, Suto MJ, Li Y. Frizzled7 as an emerging target for cancer therapy. Cell Signal. 2012;24(4):846–51.CrossRefPubMed King TD, Zhang W, Suto MJ, Li Y. Frizzled7 as an emerging target for cancer therapy. Cell Signal. 2012;24(4):846–51.CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Xie W, Zhao H, Wang F, Wang Y, He Y, Wang T, et al. A novel humanized Frizzled-7-targeting antibody enhances antitumor effects of Bevacizumab against triple-negative breast cancer via blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. J Exp Clin Cancer Res : CR. 2021;40(1):30.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Xie W, Zhao H, Wang F, Wang Y, He Y, Wang T, et al. A novel humanized Frizzled-7-targeting antibody enhances antitumor effects of Bevacizumab against triple-negative breast cancer via blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. J Exp Clin Cancer Res : CR. 2021;40(1):30.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
16.
go back to reference Liang GQ, Liu J, Zhou XX, Lin ZX, Chen T, Chen G, et al. Anti-CXCR4 single-chain variable fragment antibodies have anti-tumor activity. Front Oncol. 2020;10: 571194.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Liang GQ, Liu J, Zhou XX, Lin ZX, Chen T, Chen G, et al. Anti-CXCR4 single-chain variable fragment antibodies have anti-tumor activity. Front Oncol. 2020;10: 571194.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
17.
go back to reference Satheeshkumar PK. Expression of single chain variable fragment (scFv) molecules in plants: a comprehensive update. Mol Biotechnol. 2020;62(3):151–67.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Satheeshkumar PK. Expression of single chain variable fragment (scFv) molecules in plants: a comprehensive update. Mol Biotechnol. 2020;62(3):151–67.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
18.
go back to reference Juárez-González VR, Riaño-Umbarila L, Quintero-Hernández V, Olamendi-Portugal T, Ortiz-León M, Ortíz E, et al. Directed evolution, phage display and combination of evolved mutants: a strategy to recover the neutralization properties of the scFv version of BCF2 a neutralizing monoclonal antibody specific to scorpion toxin Cn2. J Mol Biol. 2005;346(5):1287–97.CrossRefPubMed Juárez-González VR, Riaño-Umbarila L, Quintero-Hernández V, Olamendi-Portugal T, Ortiz-León M, Ortíz E, et al. Directed evolution, phage display and combination of evolved mutants: a strategy to recover the neutralization properties of the scFv version of BCF2 a neutralizing monoclonal antibody specific to scorpion toxin Cn2. J Mol Biol. 2005;346(5):1287–97.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Nickho H, Younesi V, Aghebati-Maleki L, Motallebnezhad M, Majidi Zolbanin J, Movassagh Pour A, et al. Developing and characterization of single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody against frizzled 7 (Fzd7) receptor. Bioengineered. 2017;8(5):501–10.CrossRefPubMed Nickho H, Younesi V, Aghebati-Maleki L, Motallebnezhad M, Majidi Zolbanin J, Movassagh Pour A, et al. Developing and characterization of single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody against frizzled 7 (Fzd7) receptor. Bioengineered. 2017;8(5):501–10.CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Moutel S, El Marjou A, Vielemeyer O, Nizak C, Benaroch P, Dübel S, et al. A multi-Fc-species system for recombinant antibody production. BMC Biotechnol. 2009;9:14.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Moutel S, El Marjou A, Vielemeyer O, Nizak C, Benaroch P, Dübel S, et al. A multi-Fc-species system for recombinant antibody production. BMC Biotechnol. 2009;9:14.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
22.
go back to reference Mohammadi M, Nejatollahi F, Ghasemi Y, Faraji SN. Anti-metastatic and anti-invasion effects of a specific anti-MUC18 scFv antibody on breast cancer cells. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2017;181(1):379–90.CrossRefPubMed Mohammadi M, Nejatollahi F, Ghasemi Y, Faraji SN. Anti-metastatic and anti-invasion effects of a specific anti-MUC18 scFv antibody on breast cancer cells. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2017;181(1):379–90.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Bilir B, Kucuk O, Moreno CS. Wnt signaling blockage inhibits cell proliferation and migration, and induces apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells. J Transl Med. 2013;11:280.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Bilir B, Kucuk O, Moreno CS. Wnt signaling blockage inhibits cell proliferation and migration, and induces apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells. J Transl Med. 2013;11:280.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
24.
go back to reference Brabletz T, Hlubek F, Spaderna S, Schmalhofer O, Hiendlmeyer E, Jung A, et al. Invasion and metastasis in colorectal cancer: epithelial-mesenchymal transition, mesenchymal-epithelial transition, stem cells and beta-catenin. Cells Tissues Organs. 2005;179(1–2):56–65.CrossRefPubMed Brabletz T, Hlubek F, Spaderna S, Schmalhofer O, Hiendlmeyer E, Jung A, et al. Invasion and metastasis in colorectal cancer: epithelial-mesenchymal transition, mesenchymal-epithelial transition, stem cells and beta-catenin. Cells Tissues Organs. 2005;179(1–2):56–65.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Zarei N, Fazeli M, Mohammadi M, Nejatollahi F. Cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in breast cancer cells induced by anti-FZD7 scFvs: involvement of bioinformatics-based design of novel epitopes. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2018;169(3):427–36.CrossRefPubMed Zarei N, Fazeli M, Mohammadi M, Nejatollahi F. Cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in breast cancer cells induced by anti-FZD7 scFvs: involvement of bioinformatics-based design of novel epitopes. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2018;169(3):427–36.CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Kinsella P, Clynes M, Amberger-Murphy V. Imatinib and docetaxel in combination can effectively inhibit glioma invasion in an in vitro 3D invasion assay. J Neurooncol. 2011;101(2):189–98.CrossRefPubMed Kinsella P, Clynes M, Amberger-Murphy V. Imatinib and docetaxel in combination can effectively inhibit glioma invasion in an in vitro 3D invasion assay. J Neurooncol. 2011;101(2):189–98.CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference Pode-Shakked N, Harari-Steinberg O, Haberman-Ziv Y, Rom-Gross E, Bahar S, Omer D, et al. Resistance or sensitivity of Wilms’ tumor to anti-FZD7 antibody highlights the Wnt pathway as a possible therapeutic target. Oncogene. 2011;30(14):1664–80.CrossRefPubMed Pode-Shakked N, Harari-Steinberg O, Haberman-Ziv Y, Rom-Gross E, Bahar S, Omer D, et al. Resistance or sensitivity of Wilms’ tumor to anti-FZD7 antibody highlights the Wnt pathway as a possible therapeutic target. Oncogene. 2011;30(14):1664–80.CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Janda CY, Waghray D, Levin AM, Thomas C, Garcia KC. Structural basis of Wnt recognition by Frizzled. Science (New York, NY). 2012;337(6090):59–64.CrossRef Janda CY, Waghray D, Levin AM, Thomas C, Garcia KC. Structural basis of Wnt recognition by Frizzled. Science (New York, NY). 2012;337(6090):59–64.CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Jimeno A, Gordon M, Chugh R, Messersmith W, Mendelson D, Dupont J, et al. A first-in-human phase I study of the anticancer stem cell agent Ipafricept (OMP-54F28), a decoy receptor for Wnt ligands, in patients with advanced solid tumors. Clin Cancer Res : Official J Am Association Cancer Res. 2017;23(24):7490–7.CrossRef Jimeno A, Gordon M, Chugh R, Messersmith W, Mendelson D, Dupont J, et al. A first-in-human phase I study of the anticancer stem cell agent Ipafricept (OMP-54F28), a decoy receptor for Wnt ligands, in patients with advanced solid tumors. Clin Cancer Res : Official J Am Association Cancer Res. 2017;23(24):7490–7.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Synthesis of the scFv fragment of anti-Frizzled-7 antibody and evaluation of its effects on triple-negative breast cancer in vitro study
Authors
Ebrahim Khodaverdi
Ali Akbar Shabani
Hamid Madanchi
Leila Farahmand
Publication date
13-06-2023
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Clinical and Translational Oncology / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 1699-048X
Electronic ISSN: 1699-3055
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-023-03242-1

Other articles of this Issue 1/2024

Clinical and Translational Oncology 1/2024 Go to the issue
Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras
Prof. Fabrice Barlesi
Developed by: Springer Medicine