IgG light chain-independent secretion of heavy chain dimers: consequence for therapeutic antibody production and design

Rodent monoclonal antibodies with specificity towards important biological targets are developed for therapeutic use by a process of humanisation. This process involves the creation of molecules, which retain the specificity of the rodent antibody but contain predominantly human coding sequence. Here, we show that some humanised heavy chains (HCs) can fold, form dimers and be secreted even in the absence of a light chain (LC). Quality control of recombinant antibody assembly in vivo is thought to rely upon folding of the HC CH1 domain. This domain acts as a switch for secretion, only folding upon interaction with the LC CL domain. We show that the secreted heavy-chain dimers contain folded CH1 domains and contribute to the heterogeneity of antibody species secreted during the expression of therapeutic antibodies. This subversion of the normal quality control process is dependent on the HC variable domain, is prevalent with engineered antibodies and can occur when only the Fab fragments are expressed. This discovery will have an impact on the efficient production of both humanised antibodies and the design of novel antibody formats.