Selection of High-Affinity Heterodimeric Antigen-Binding Fc Fragments from a Large Yeast Display Library

Antigen-binding Fc (Fcab™) fragments, where a novel antigen binding site is introduced by the mutagenesis of the C-terminal loops of the C_H3 domain, function as parts of bispecific IgG-like symmetrical antibodies when they replace their wild-type Fc. Their homodimeric structure typically leads to bivalent antigen binding. In particular, biological situations monovalent engagement, however, would be preferred, either for avoiding agonistic effects leading to safety issues, or the attractive option of combining a single chain (i.e., one half) of an Fcab fragment reactive with different antigens in one antibody. We present the strategies for construction and selection of yeast libraries displaying heterodimeric Fcab fragments and discuss the effects of altered thermostability of the basic Fc scaffold and novel library designs that lead to isolation of highly affine antigen binding clones.