Anti-VEGFR2 F(ab')<sub>2</sub> drug conjugate promotes renal accumulation and glomerular repair in diabetic nephropathy.

Liu, Di; Song, Yanling; Chen, Hui; You, Yuchan; Zhu, Luwen; Zhang, Jucong; Xu, Xinyi; Hu, Jiahao et al. · Nat Commun · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Poor renal distribution of antibody-based drugs is the key factor contributing to low treatment efficiency for renal diseases and side effects. Here, we prepare F(ab')<sub>2</sub> fragmented vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 antibody (anti-VEGFR2 (F(ab')<sub>2</sub>) to block VEGFR2 overactivation in diabetic nephropathy (DN). We find that the anti-VEGFR2 F(ab')<sub>2</sub> has a higher accumulation in DN male mice kidneys than the intact VEGFR2 antibody, and simultaneously preserves the binding ability to VEGFR2. Furthermore, we develop an antibody fragment drug conjugate, anti-VEGFR2 F(ab')<sub>2</sub>-SS31, comprising the anti-VEGFR2 F(ab')<sub>2</sub> fragment linked to the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant peptide SS31. We find that introduction of SS31 potentiates the efficacy of anti-VEGFR2 F(ab')<sub>2</sub>. These findings provide proof of concept for the premise that antibody fragment drug conjugate improves renal distribution and merits drug validation in renal disease therapy.

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