Investigating the Oligomerization Properties of Engineered Antibodies Using High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract

The human immune system comprises various defense mechanisms that work together in a precisely coordinated manner to protect the body from pathogens. The complement system, with its various activation mechanisms, plays a main role. In the classical complement activation pathway, antigen-antibody complexes are crucial. The enhanced formation of these complexes is applied in immunotherapies already used for various pathogens and tumors. To improve the effectiveness of existing therapies or to develop new drugs, an understanding of the basic activation mechanisms of the immune system is decisive. This work, as part of a research project at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, investigates the oligomerization capabilities of specially Fc-modified IgG antibodies (IgG1-IgG4), which are already in preclinical development. This mutation is known from other studies in mice to enhance complement activation. The mutants are investigated and compared to their wild-type counterparts by using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM).

Date of Award	2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	FH Gesundheitsberufe OÖ GmbH
Supervisor	Andreas Karner (Supervisor)