`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a2) United States Patent
`US 7,303,746 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Wiegandetal.
`Dec. 4, 2007
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`
`US007303746B2
`
`
`
`
`
`(75)
`
`
`
`
`
`(54) METHODS OF TREATING EYE DISORDERS
`WITH MODIFIED CHIMERIC
`
`
`
`POLYPEPTIDES
`
`
`
`
`
`Inventors: Stanley J. Wicgand, Croton on
`
`
`
`Hudson, NY (US); Nicholas
`
`
`Papadopoulos, LaGrangeville, NY
`
`
`
`(US): George D. Yancopoulos,
`
`
`
`Yorktown Heights, NY (US)
`
`
`
`
`(73) Assignee: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
`
`Tarrytown, NY (US)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1/2000 Charnock-Jonesetal.
`6,011,003 A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2005/0260203 Al* 11/2005 Wiegandet al.
`......... 424/145.1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2006/0030529 Al*
`2/2006 Wiegandet al.
`wee 514/12
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2006/0172944 Al*
`8/2006 Wiegandet al... 514/12
`
`
`
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`W097/44453
`11/1997
`
`
`WO98/13071
`4/1998
`
`
`
`W099/03996
`1/1999
`
`
`
`WO
`
`WO
`
`WO
`
`OTHRR PUBLICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`
`
`
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`
`
`
`
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 425 days.
`
`
`
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/988,243
`
`
`
`(22)
`
`
`
`Filed:
`
`
`
`
`
`Noy. 12, 2004
`
`
`
`(65)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`
`
`
`US 2005/0175610 Al
`Aug. 11, 2005
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`
`
`
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/009,852,
`
`
`
`
`
`filed as application No. PCT/US00/14142 on May23,
`
`
`
`
`
`2000, now Pat. No. 7,070,959.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/138,133, filed on Jun.
`
`
`8, 1999.
`
`
`
`
`
`(51)
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`
`
`(2006.01)
`AGIK 38/18
`(2006.01)
`CO7K 14/71
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(2006.01)
`CI2N 15/62
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(52) US. Ch vee 424/134.1; 424/192.1,
`
`
`
`
`514/2; 514/12; 530/350; 530/387.3; 536/23.4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search ......0.000000.. None
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`References Cited
` U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`1/1998 Kendallet al.
`
`
`
`5,712,380 A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(2003). Vascular endothelial growth factors and
`Witmer et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`angiogenesis in eye disease. Prog. Retin, Eye Res. 22:1-29.*
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Terman, B. I., et al, “Identification of a newendothelial cell growth
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`factor receptor tyrosine kinase”, Oncogene (1991) 6:1677-1683
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Terman, B.I., et al, “Identification of the KDR tyrosine kinase as a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receptor for vascular endothelial cell growth factor”. Biochem
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Biophys Res Comm (1992) 187(3): 1579-1586.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Davis-Smyth, T., et al., 1996, “The second immunoglobulin-like
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`domain of the VEGF tyrosine kinase receplor Fll-1 deiermines
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ligand binding and mayinitiate a signal transduction cascade”, The
`
`
`
`EMBO Journal 15(18):4919-4927.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Holash, J., et al., (2002) PNAS 99(17): 11393-11398.
`Heidaran, M.A., et al., (1990) J. Bio. Chem. 265(31):18741-18744.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cunningham, 8.A., et al., (1997) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm
`231:596-599.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fuh, G., et al., (1998) J. Bio. Chem. 273(18):11197-11204.
`Wiesmann,C., et al., (1997) Cell 91:695-704.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Barleon, B., et al., (1997) J. Bio. Chem. 272(16):10382-10388.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Davis-Smyth, T., et al., (1998) J. Bio. Chem. 273(6):3216-3222.
`
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner—Christine J. Saoud
`Assistant Examiner—Jon M. Lockard
`
`
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Valeta Gregg, E wq.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Modified chimeric polypeptides with improved pharmaco-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`kinetics are disclosed useful
`for treating eye disorders,
`
`
`
`
`
`including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic
`
`retinopathy.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`CELLTRION - EXHIBIT 1016
`0001
`
`
`
`
`0001
`
`CELLTRION - EXHIBIT 1016
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 1 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`£oainNoO
`
`o4-(NSYe-1)aig:pin
`
`
`
`94-(8V¢-1)L-wa:NW
`
`
`
`VEGF
`(0.1 pg/ml)
`
`+
`
`
`
`9-4-(€-L)b-HA
`
`ON
`
`
`
`payund
`
`paylpowun
`
`9-4-(€-4)t-s
`
`paiind
`
`payeAjsoe
`
`94-(€-b)--W
`
`ednsSod
`
`peyipowun
`
`94-(€-b)b-
`
`
`
`ednsSOD
`
`
`
`
`
`adnssod
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig.
`
`0002
`
`
`
`
`0002
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 2 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`0.4 ++ Unmodified Fit-1(1-3)-Fe
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“Mutt : Fit-1(1-3 ,p)-Fe
`
`
`
`
`--O- Mut2 : Fit-1(2-3 ,p)-Fe
`
`
`
`
`
`--2- Mut: Fit-1(2-3)-Fe
`
`
`
`
` 0.3
`
`OD
`
`
`
`0.2
`
`
`0.1
`
`0.01
`
`
`
`
`0.1
`
`1
`
`
`10
`
`100
`
`
`
`1000
`
`Fig.
`
`
`2
`
`
`
`0003
`
`
`
`
`0003
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 3 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-( Fit-1(1-3)-Fe COS supe
`
`
`
`
`
`-€>-Mutt
`: Fit-1(1-3,p)-Fe COS supe -+
`
`
`
`
`
`--O- Mut2:Fit-1(2-3,p)-Fc COS supe
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`=-7;- Mut3 : Fit-1(2-3)-Fe COS supe
`
`
`Fig. 3
`
`0004
`
`
`
`
`0004
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`(xO)94-(€-1)L-H4pere|Ajeoy—~
`
`Pr
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`Sheet 4 of 21
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`O4-(€-1)4-HPey!powy——
`
`
`
`94-(8Ve-1),-44snW)——
`
`ep
`
`|
`
`LOO
`
`L000
`
`LO
`
`ju/6r
`
`Fig. 4
`
`0005
`
`
`
`
`0005
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 5 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`2.5
`
`7.5
`5.0
`
`
`
`
`
`[Modified Flt Receptor] (nM)
`
`
`
`10.0
`
`
`
`
`12.5
`
`
`
`4
`
`3
`
`82
`
`1 %
`
`'0
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`®@ FitiD2FIk1D3.FedeltaC1 (a)
`
`
`A\Fit1 D2VEGFR3D3.FcdeltaC1(a)
`
`
`V TIE2-Fe
`
`= Fit1(1-3)-Fe
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 5
`
`0006
`
`
`
`
`0006
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`—#—FitiD2VEGFR3D3.FcdeltaC1(a)
`
`
`
`—e—FitiD2Flk1D3.FcdeltaC1(a)
`
`
`
`
`
`—+—Fiti(1-3)-Fe
`
`—-—Tie2-Fc
`
`Oo +
`o
`-OUlUerlUlUlUlUlU
`
`1.2
`
`1 8
`
`6
`
`0.4
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 6 of 21
`
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`100
`
`10°
`
`104
`
`1000
`
`[pM]
`
`
`
`
`wUdZS/OSp eoUequosay
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 6
`
`0007
`
`
`
`
`0007
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`Sheet 7 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`(2)LOVOS-ZHFHADSA8(8)LOV9S'EdMHZLid©}S9LADSAY$0AqewoiysiojsBuipuig
`((2)LV94-ZHIH4DANIDAA2)LOV04'EdDII4ZOUIs/49/|(Wu)S91JOSAY
`20'0¥6'0£0°0960AECIS*eHeloAy|16'0
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7
`
`Fig.
`
`0008
`
`
`
`
`0008
`
`
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 8 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`ModifiedFitReceptor[ug/ml]
`
`100
`
`
`
`TORRR
`
`
`
`
`
`—— Fiti(1-3)-Fe(A40)
`
`
`
`
`—— st Fit1D2FIk1D3.FcdeltaC1(a)
`
`
`
`
`—— t Fiti D2FIk1D3.FcdeltaC1(a)
`a
`eS —— tVEGFR1R2-FedeltaC1(a)
`
`
`
`
`
`0.01
`
`
`0.1
`
`
`Fig. 8
`
`0009
`
`
`
`
`0009
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 9 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`ModifiedFitReceptor[ug/ml]
`
`
`
`100
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`
`—=— Fit1(1-3)-Fco(A40)
`
`—— FitiD2VEGFR3D3.FcdeltaC1(a)
`
`
`—— Fit1D2Fik1D3.FcdeltaC1(a)
`
`
`
`0.01
`
`0.1
`
`
`
`
`
`Days
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 9
`
`0010
`
`
`
`
`0010
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`Sheet 10 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(Guu)swNjOAJOWN]
`
`150
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`:By/Gwgz4(Opv)04-(€-4)HA|a11UaA
`
`AM/X>G
`
`eqpl4zarug
`
`
`
`4(e),oeyepos:
`
`
`
`JyavxzByyGwe¢z
`
`
`
`{7 By/bwge4(Op)904-(e-b)LA
`
`qoa
`
`
`
` =400abyybu¢z4(2)Loeyepo44eahideous
`
`Fig.
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`0011
`
`
`
`
`0011
`
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 11 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`(GuuW)SUNjoAJOWN
`
`
`
`300
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SINUS
`
`
`
`“4(Op)O4-(€-LES
`
`ByBugz
`
`YMWXZ
`
`
`
`=MMW/XzByybwige
`
`+eqhi2dhis
`
`(2)Loeyepo
`
`
`
`“40-4}COLACHA
`
`
`
`4MM/Xz25y/bwg'2
`
`(e)poerep
`
`
`
`(ov)94-(€-b)Hd
`
`By/Bugz
`
`dog
`
`3€QMlacdHis
`
`
`
`(2)}Qeyapo4
`
`
`
`21055yy/bw¢z
`
`Fig.
`
`
`
`ll
`
`
`
`0012
`
`
`
`
`0012
`
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 12 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`peyeoisseqEy
`
`10M[J
`
`
`EGEYADAACGHS=Pldzarus-(€-1)HASdd
`
`
`
`-OSWdOSWd-)SWd-2SWdS$dd-Sdd
`(e)fovos’(e)Love4"Ed(oy)94
`
`Oct
`
`
`
`OO0€
`
`
`
`0S¢
`
`
`
`
`
`OS/
`
`00¢
`(Bw) yyuBiem auayy
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig.
`
`
`
`12
`
`
`
`0013
`
`
`
`
`0013
`
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 13 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
` SerumProgesterone
`
`Levels(ng/ml)
`
`
`
`PMSG-
`
`PBS
`
`
`
`
`PBS
`
`
`
`
`PMSG-
`
`
`Fit1 (1-3)-
`
`
`Fc (A40)
`
`25mqg/kg
`
`
`PMSG-
`
`FItiD2-
`
`Fik1D3.
`
`FcAC1 (a)
`
`25mg/kg
`
`
`Fig. 13A
`
`
`
`0014
`
`
`
`
`0014
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 14 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`30
`
`
`
`
`
`25
`
`
`
`20
`
`
`
`10 SerumProgesterone
`
`Levels(ng/ml)
`
`15
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PBS-
`PMSG-
`PMSG-
`PMSG-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fit1 (1-3)-
`FitiD2
`PBS
`PBS
`
`
`
`Fc (A40)
`FIk1D3.
`
`FcAC1(a)
`
`
`Fig. 138
`
`
`
`0015
`
`
`
`
`0015
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 15 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`Evansblue-albuminpermeation
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`2
`
`plasmaxgretina-1xhr-1) 8
`(ul
`
`
`
`0
`
`Non-Diabetic
`
`
`
`Diabetic
`
`
`
`
`
`Diabetic with VGT
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 14
`
`0016
`
`
`
`
`0016
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 16 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`preretinalendothelialnuclei/section
`
`
`
`
`100 -
`
`
`90 -
`
`
`80-
`
`
`70 -
`
`
`60 ~
`
`
`50 -
`
`40 -
`
`10 4 ome
`
`
`30 -
`
`
`20 +
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VGT 25mq/kg
`
`
`
`control
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 15
`
`0017
`
`
`
`
`0017
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 17 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`CNV
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Area 15
`
`
`
`
`Control
`
`
`
`
`VEGF Trap
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 16
`
`0018
`
`
`
`
`0018
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 18 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`(mm?x10°%)
`
`
`
`
`
`tA©
`
`&
`
`
`
`
`
`P<0.0001
`
`
`
`
`
`TotalareaofNeovascularization
`
`—WwSooO o VEGF-TRAP
`
`
`
`nMo
`
`
`
`
`
`
`( n=19)
`
`
`
`( n=17)
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 17
`
`
`
`0019
`
`
`
`
`0019
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 19 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`RetinatoLungLeakageRatio
`
`
`
`
`
`RetinatoLungLeakageRatio
`
`1
`
`
`
`P=0.045191
`0.9 po
`
`
`
`0.8
`
`0.1
`
`0.7
`
`0.6
`
`
`
`
`
`0.5
`
`
`
`
`0.4
`
`0.3
`
`0.2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fe
`
`(n=18)
`
`
`
`VEGF-TRAP
`
`(n=18)
`
`
`FIG. 18A
`
`
`
`1
`
`
`
`|
`
`P=0.040595
`
`
`
`|
`
`
`
`0.9
`
`0.8
`
`0.7
`
`0.6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`0.1
`
`0.5
`
`0.4
`
`
`
`
`
`0.2
`
`
`0.3
`
`
`Fe
`
`(n=20)
`
`FIG. 18B
`
`
`
`VEGF-TRAP
`
`(n=20)
`
`
`
`0020
`
`
`
`
`0020
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 20 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`WE Suture injury
`
`
`
`
`ChemicalInjury
`
`
`
`re TY
`
`P<0.01
`
`|
`
`P<0.01
`
`500
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Thickness
`
`(um)
`
`P<0.01
`
`P<0.01
`est
`
`Control
`
`
`
`Suture
`
`
`
`Suture-VGT
`
`
`
`Control
`
`
`
`
`Chemical Injury
`
`
`
`=Chem-VGT
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 19
`
`0021
`
`
`
`
`0021
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Dec. 4, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 21 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`IV(mg/kg)
`
`SLPIIELLLLLLLLLLLLLAL
`
`a
`
`RRAQQ0AHHHA pbo
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pbo
`
`500 (post)
`
`500
`
`
`
`
`
`ITV(ug)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`250
`
`50
`
`
`SoAUne
`
`
`LELLLELLELLEee
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SUOISS] y BPEIH %
`
`Treatment
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.20
`
`
`
`
`
`0022
`
`
`
`
`0022
`
`

`

`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`1
`METHODS OF TREATING EYE DISORDERS
`
`
`
`WITH MODIFIED CHIMERIC
`
`
`
`POLYPEPTIDES
`
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO REI-ATED
`
`APPLICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of application
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ser. No. 10/009,852 filed 6 Dec. 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7,070,959, which is the National Stage of International
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Application No. PCT/US00/14142 filed 23 May 2000,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of US.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Provisional 60/138, 133 filed 8 Jun. 1999, whichapplications
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`are herein specifically incorporated by reference in their
`entireties.
`
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING RELATED ART
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A class of cell-derived dimeric mitogens with selectivity
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`for vascular endothelial cells has been identified and desig-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nated vascular endothelial cell growth factor
`(VEGF).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VEGFis a dimer with an apparent molecular mass of about
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`46 kDa with each subunit having an apparent molecular
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mass of about 23 kDa. The membrane-bound tyrosine kinase
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receptor, knownas Fit (also known as VEGFR2), was shown
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to be a VEGF receptor (DeVries et al.
`(1992) Science
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`255:989991). Another form of the VEGF receptor, desig-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nated KDR or Fik-1 (also known as VEGFR3),
`is also
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`known to bind VEGFandinduce mitogenesis (Termanetal.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(1991) Oncogene 6:1677-1683; Terman et al. (1992) Bio-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`chem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 187:1579-1586).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USS. Pat. No. 6,011,003 describes an altered, soluble form
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ofFlt polypeptide capable of binding to VEGF comprising
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`five or fewer complete immunoglobulin domains. WO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`97/44453 describes chimeric VEGF receptor proteins com-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`prising amino acid sequences derived from VEGF receptors
`Fit] and KDR.
`
`
`
`
`w °o
`
`40
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`45
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ina first aspect, the invention provides an isolated nucleic
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`acid molecule, comprising (a) a nucleotide sequence encod-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor
`
`
`
`
`component consisting, essentially of an immunoglobulin-like
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(Ig) domain 2 of a first VEGF receptor and Ig domain 3 of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a second VEGF receptor, and (b) a nucleotide sequence
`
`
`
`
`
`
`encoding a multimerizing component, wherein the first
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VEGFreceptor is F1t1, the second VEGF receptor is Flk1 or
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fll4, and the VEGF receptor component is the only VEGF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receptor component of ihe fusion polypeptide.
`In one
`
`
`
`
`
`
`embodiment, the nucleotide sequence encoding Ig domain 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of the extracellular domain of the first VEGF receptor is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`upstream of the nucleotide sequence encoding Ig domain 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of the extracellular domain of the second VEGFreceptor.In
`
`
`
`
`
`
`another embodiment, the nucleotide sequence encoding Ig
`domain 2 of the extracellular domain of the first VEGF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receptor is downstream of the nucleotide sequence encoding
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ig domain 3 of the extracellular domain of the second VEGF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receptor. In one embodiment, the multimerizing component
`
`
`
`
`
`
`comprises an immunoglobulin domain. Preferably,
`the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`immunoglobulin domain is the Fe domain of IgG or the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`heavy chain of IgG.In specific embodiments, the nucleotide
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sequenceis selected from the group consisting of the nucle-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`otide sequence of SEQ ID NO:11, 13, and 15, or a nucleotide
`
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`a5S
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`sequence which, as a result of the degeneracy of the genetic
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`code, differs from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID
`
`
`
`
`NO:11, 13, and 15.
`
`
`
`
`
`The componentsofthe fusion polypeptide encoded bythe
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nucleic acid molecule of the invention are arrangedas 1,2,3;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1,3,2; 2,1,3; 2,3,1; 3,1,2; or 3,2,1, wherein 1
`is the first
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VEGF receptor component, 2 is the second VEGF receptor
`
`
`
`
`
`component, and 3 is the multimerizing component.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In a second aspect, the invention features a vector com-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`prises a nucleic acid molecule of the invention. In a more
`
`
`
`
`
`
`specific embodiment, the vector is an expression vector
`
`
`
`
`
`
`comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention opera-
`
`
`
`
`
`tively linked to an expression control sequence.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In a third aspect, the invention features a host-vector
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`system for the production of a fusion polypeptide which
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`comprises the expression vector of the invention in a suit-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`able host cell. The suitable host cell may be a bacterial cell,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`yeast cell,
`insect cell, or mammalian cell. In a preferred
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`embodiment, the host cell is an #. coli cell or a CHO cell.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In a fourth aspect,
`the invention features a method of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`producing, a fusion polypeptide which comprises growing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cells of the host-vector system of the invention under
`
`
`
`
`
`
`conditions permitting production ofthe fusion polypeptide
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and recovering the fusion polypeptide so produced.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ina fifth aspect, the invention features a dimeric vascular
`
`
`
`
`
`
`endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist, comprising
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`two fusion polypeptides, each fusion polypeptide compris-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing (a) a VEGFreceptor componentconsisting essentially of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`an immunoglobulin-like (ig) domain 2 of an Fit-1 VEGF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receplor and Ig domain 3 of an Flk-1 or Flt-4 VEGF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receptor; and (b) a multimerizing component, wherein the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VEGF receptor component
`is the only VEGF receptor
`
`
`
`
`
`
`component ofeach fusion protein. In specific embodiments,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the dimeric VEGF antagonist is modified byacetylation or
`
`pegylation.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ina sixth aspect, the invention features a fusion polypep-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tide, comprising (a) a VEGF receptor componentconsisting
`
`
`
`
`essentially of an immunoglobulin-like (Ig) domain 2 of an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Flt-1 VEGF receptor and Ig domain 3 of an Flk-1 or Fit-4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VEGF receptor; and (b)
`a multimerizing component,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`wherein the VEGF receptor component is the only VEGF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receptor component of the fusion polypeptide.
`In one
`
`
`
`
`
`
`embodiment,
`the multimerizing component comprises an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`immunoglobulin domain. More specifically, the multimer-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`izing componentis an immunoglobulin domain whichis one
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of the Fe domain of IgG or the heavy chain of IgG. In
`
`
`
`
`
`
`specific embodiments, the fusion polypeptide comprises an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SEQ ID NO:12 (FIt1D2. Flk1D3FeAC1(a)), SEQ ID NO:14
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(FItID2VEGFR3D3FcACl(a)),
`SEQ ID NO:16
`and
`
`
`(VEGFRIR2 I’cAC1(a)).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In a seventh aspect, the invention features a pharmaceu-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tical composition comprising the fusion polypeptide of the
`
`
`
`
`
`invention and a pharmaccutically acceptable carricr.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In an eighth aspect, the invention features a therapeutic
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`method for treating or ameliorating an eye disorder, com-
`
`
`
`
`
`prising administering the pharmaceutical composition of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`invention to a patient in need thereof. In one embodiment,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the eye disorder treated is age related macular degeneration.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In another embodiment, the eye disorder treated is diabetic
`
`retinopathy
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Other objects and advantages will become apparent from
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a reviewof the ensuing detailed description.
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 1. Binding of unmodified Flt1(1-3)-Fe, basic region
`
`
`
`
`
`
`deletion mutant Flt1(1-3)-Fe, and Flt1(1-*),._,,, mutant pro-
`
`
`
`teins in a Biacore-based assay.
`
`
`
`
`0023
`
`
`
`
`0023
`
`

`

`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 2. Binding of unmodified Flt1(1-3)-Fe, Mut1: Fit]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(1-3,,)-Fe, Mut2: Flt1(2-3,,)-Fe, and Flt] (2-3) mutant pro-
`
`
`
`
`teins to Matrigel® coated plates.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3. Binding of unmodified Flt1(1-3)-Fe, Mut1: Fitl
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(1-3,,)-Fe, Mut2: Fit! (2-3,,,)-Fe, and Fltl (2-3) mutant pro-
`
`
`
`teins in an ELISA-based assay.
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 4. Pharmacokinetic profiles of unmodified Fitl(1-
`
`
`
`
`
`3)-Fce, Mutl: Fltl(1-3,,)-Fe, Mut2: Fitl(2-3,,)-Fe, and
`
`
`
`Fit1(2-3) mutant proteins.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 5. Extra cellular matrix (ECM) assay of Flt1D2.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIk1D3. FeAC1(a) and FItlD2. VEGFR3D3. FeAC1 (a).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 6. MG/R2 Cell proliferation assay. Modified Fit
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receptors FItl(1-3)-Fe, FltlD2. FIk1D3. FeAC1(a) and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fit!1D2. VEGFR3D3. FeAC1(a), plus an irrelevant receptor
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`termed Tie2-Fc as a negative control, were titrated from 40
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nM to 20 pM and incubated on the cells for 1 hr at 37° C.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 6. Biacore analysis of binding stoichiometry. Bind-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing stoichiometry was calculated as a molar ratio of bound
`
`
`
`
`
`VEGF 165 to the immobilized Flt] D2FIk1D3. FeAC1(a) or
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VEGFRIR2-FcAC1 (a), using the conversion factor of 1000
`
`
`
`RU equivalent to 1 ng/ml.
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 8. Pharmacokinetics of Flt1(1-3)-Fe (A40), Flt1D2.
`
`
`
`
`
`FIk1D3. FeAC1(a) and VEGFR1R2-FceAC1(a).
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 9. Pharmacokinetics of Flt1(1-3)-Fe (A40), Flt1D2.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIk1D3. FeAC1 (a) and FItlD2. VEGFR3D3. FcAC1 (a).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 10. The ability of Flt!1D2. Flk1D3. FeAC1(a) to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`inhibit HT-1080 fibrosarcoma tumor growth in vivo.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. U1. The ability of FltlD2. Flk1D3. FcAC1(a) to
`
`
`
`
`
`inhibit C6 glioma tumor growth in vivo.
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 12. VEGF-induced uterine hyperpermeability.
`
`
`
`
`
`FIGS. 13A-B. Assessment of corpus luteum angiogenesis
`
`
`
`using progesterone as a readout.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 14. VEGFR1IR2-FcAC1(a) prevents Evans Blue
`
`
`
`leakage in streptozotocin-treated rats.
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 15. VEGFR1R2-FcAC1 (a) prevents neovasculariza-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion inducedbyretinal ischemia. Serial 10 um cross sections
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`were collected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. For
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`each animal, nuclei in preretinal neovessels were counted in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a series of ten sections within 300 micronsofthe optic nerve
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`head and averaged. Counts were obtained in three indepen-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`dent experiments, n=4 for each treatment group in each
`
`study.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 16. Effect of subcutaneous VEGFR1R2-FcAC1 (a)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`injections on choroidal neovascularization area. The size of
`CNV lesions was measured in choroidal flat mounts. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`images were digitized using an Axioskop microscope
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`equipped with a video camera,andthe total area of choroidal
`neovascularization associated with each laser burn was
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`measured using Image-Pro Plus software.
`subretinal
`
`
`
`
`
`17. VEGFRIR2-FeAC1(a)
`inhibits
`FIG.
`
`
`
`
`neovascularization in Rho/VEGF transgenic mice.
`FIGS. 18A-B. VEGF-Induced breakdown of the blood
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`retinal barrier. A. Following intravitreal injections of VEGF,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`adult mice
`(C57BL/6)
`treated with
`injections
`of
`
`
`
`
`
`VEGFRI1R2-FcAC1 (a) had a significantly smaller retina to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lung leakage ration than mice treated with Fc fragment,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`indicating less breakdown of BRB. B. Double transgenic
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mice treated with injections of VEGFR1R2-FcAC1 (a) had a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`significant reduction in the retina to lung leakage ration
`
`
`
`
`
`compared to mice treated with Fe fragment.
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 19. Effect of VEGFR1IR2-FcAC1(a) administration
`on corneal thickness in suture and alkali burn models of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`corneal trauma. Corneas were injured by suture placement or
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`application of NaOH as described, and a single dose of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VEGFRIR2-FcAC1 (a) (25 mg/kg,
`ip) or saline (n=5 per
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`group) was administered immediately following injury. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`contralateral cornea served as normal, undamaged controls.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mb on
`
`
`
`ie)°°
`
`
`
`w °o
`
`
`
`wo na
`
`
`
`40
`
`45
`
`
`
`
`
`a 2
`5
`
`
`
`
`
`60
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Comeas were collected 7 days later and cross-sections were
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Corneal thick-
`ness was measured as an index of corneal edema.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 20. System or intravitreal VEGF trap administration
`
`
`
`
`prevents laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV)
`and reverses vascular leak in established lesions.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`
`
`INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It has been a long standing problem in the art to produce
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a receptor based VEGF antagonist that has a pharmacoki-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`netic profile that is appropriate for consideration of the
`
`
`
`
`antagonist as a therapeutic candidate. Applicants describe
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`herein, for the first time, a chimeric polypeptide molecule,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`capable of antagonizing VEGF activity,
`that exhibits
`
`
`
`
`improved pharmacokinetic properties as compared to other
`
`
`
`
`
`
`known receptor-based VEGF antagonists. The chimeric
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`polypeptide molecules described herein thus provide for the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`first time appropriate molecules for use in therapies in which
`
`
`
`
`
`antagonism of VEGFis a desired result.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The extracellular ligand binding domain is defined as the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`portion of a receptor that, in its native conformation in the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cell membrane,
`is oriented extracellularly where it can
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`contact with its cognate ligand. The extracellular ligand
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`binding domain does not include the hydrophobic amino
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`acids associated with the receplor’s tansmembrane domain
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`or any amino acids associated with the receptor’s intracel-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lular domain. Generally,
`the intracellular or cytoplasmic
`
`
`
`
`
`
`domain of a receptor is usually composed of positively
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`charged or polar aminoacids(i.e. lysine, arginine, histidine,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`glutamicacid, aspartic acid). The preceding 15-30, predomi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nantly hydrophobic or apolar amino acids (i.e.
`leucine,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`valine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine) comprise the trans-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`membrane domain. The extracellular domain comprises the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`amino acids that precede the hydrophobic transmembrane
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`stretch of amino acids. Usually the transmembrane domain
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`is flanked by positively charged or polar amino acids such as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lysine or arginine. von Heijne has published detailed rules
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that are commonly referred to by skilled artisans when
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`determining which amino acids ofa given receptor belong to
`
`
`
`
`
`the extracellular, transmembrane, or intracellular domains
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(See, von Heijne (1995) BioEssays 17:25.
`Nucleic Acid Constructs
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`‘The present invention provides for the construction of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nucleic acid molecules encoding chimeric polypeptide mol-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ecules that are inserted into a vector that is able to express
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the chimeric polypeptide molecules when introduced into an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`appropriate host cell. Appropriate host cells include, but are
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`not limited to, bacterial cells, yeast cells, insect cells, and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mammaliancells. Any of the methods knownto oneskilled
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in the art for the insertion of DNA fragments into a vector
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`may be used to construct expression vectors encoding the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`chimeric polypeptide molecules under control of transcrip-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tional/translational control signals. These methods may
`
`
`
`
`
`
`include in vitro recombinant DNAand synthetic techniques
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and in vivo recombinations (See Sambrook,et al., Molecular
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Tabo-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ratory; Current Protocols
`in Molecular Biology, Eds.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ausubel, et al., Greene Publ. Assoc., Wiley-Interscience,
`
`N.Y).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Expression of nucleic acid molecules encoding the chi-
`
`
`
`
`
`meric polypeptide molecules may be regulated by a second
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nucleic acid sequence so that
`the chimeric polypeptide
`
`
`
`
`
`
`molecule is expressed in a host transformed with the recom-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`binant DNA molecule. For example, expression of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`0024
`
`
`
`
`0024
`
`

`

`
`
`US 7,303,746 B2
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`chimeric polypeptide molecules described herein may be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`controlled by any promoter/enhancer element knownin the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`art. Promoters which may be used to control expression of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the chimeric polypeptide molecules include, but are not
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`limited to, the long terminal repeat as described in Squinto
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`et al., (1991, Cell 65:1-20); the SV40 early promoter region
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(Bernoist et al.
`(1981) Nature 290:304-310),
`the CMV
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`promoter,
`the M-MuLV5' terminal repeat
`the promoter
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`contained in the 3' long terminal repeat of Rous sarcoma
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`virus (Yamamoto et al. (1980) Cell 22:787-797), the herpes
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`thymidine kinase promoter (Wagneret al. (1981) Proc. Natl.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78:144-1445), the regulatory sequences of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the metallothionine gene (Brinster et al.
`(1982) Nature
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`296:39-42); prokaryotic expression vectors such as the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`B-lactamase promoter (Villa-Kamaroff et al. (1978) Proc.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75:3727-3731), or the tac promoter
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(DeBoeret al. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80:21-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`25); promoter elements from yeast or other fungi such as the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Gal 4 promoter, the ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase) pro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`moter, PGK (phosphoglycerol kinase) promoter, alkaline
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`phosphatase promoter, and the following animal transcrip-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tional control regions, which exhibit tissue specificity and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`have been utilized in transgenic animals: elastase I] gene
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`control region whichis active in pancreatic acinar cells (see
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`for example, Swift et al. (1984) Cell 38:639-646); insulin
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gene control region which is active in pancreatic beta cells
`
`
`
`
`
`(Hanahan (1985) Nature 315:115-122),
`immunoglobulin
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gene control region which is active in lymphoid cells
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(Grossched] et al. (1984) Cell 38:647-658), mouse mam-
`w °o
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mary tumorvirus control region whichis active in testicular,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`breast, lymphoid and mast cells (Leder et al. (1986) Cell
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`45:485-495), albumin gene contro] region whichis active in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`liver (Pinkert et al. (1987) Genes Devel. 1:268-276), alpha-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`fetoprotein gene control region which is active in liver
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(Krumlautct al. (1985) Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:1639-1648); alpha
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1-antitrypsin gene control region whichis active in the liver
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(Kelsey et al. (1987) Genes Devel. 1:161-171), beta-globin
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gene control region which is active in myeloid cells (Mo-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gram et al. (1985) Nature 315:338-340); myelin basic pro-
`40
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tein gene control region whichis active in oligodendrocyte
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cells in the brain (Readheadet al. (1987) Cell 48:703-712);
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`myosin light chain-2 gene control region which is active in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`skeletal muscle (Shani (1985) Nature 314:283-286), and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gonadotropic releasing hormone gene control region which
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`is active in the hypothalamus (Masonet al. (1986) Science
`
`234:1372-1378).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Thus, according to the invention, expression vectors
`
`
`
`
`
`
`capable of being, replicated in a bacterial or eukaryotic host
`
`
`
`
`comprising
`chimeric
`polypeptide malecule-encoding
`a 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nucleic acid as described herein, are used to transfect the 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`host and thereby direct expression of such nucleic acids to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`produce the chimeric polypeptide molecules, which may
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`then be recovered in a biologically active form. As used
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`herein, a biologically active form includes a form capable of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`binding to VEGF. Expression vectors containing the chi-
`meric nucleic acid molecules described herein can be iden-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tified by three general approaches: (a) DNA-DNA hybrid-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ization, (b) presence or absence of “marker” gene functions,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and (c) expression of inserted sequences.
`In the first
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`approach, the presence of a foreign gene inserted in an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`expression vector can be detected by DNA-DNAhybridiza-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion using probes comprising sequencesthat are homologous
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to the inserted chimeric polypeptide molecule sequences. In
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the second approach, the recombinant vector/host system
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`can be identified and selected based upon the presence or
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`absenceof certain “marker” gene functions(e.g., t