1
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Li JY, Zhou CM, Jin RL, Song JH, Yang KC, Li SL, Tan BH, Li YC. The detection methods currently available for protein aggregation in neurological diseases. J Chem Neuroanat 2024; 138:102420. [PMID: 38626816 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2024.102420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Protein aggregation is a pathological feature in various neurodegenerative diseases and is thought to play a crucial role in the onset and progression of neurological disorders. This pathological phenomenon has attracted increasing attention from researchers, but the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated yet. Researchers are increasingly interested in identifying chemicals or methods that can effectively detect protein aggregation or maintain protein stability to prevent aggregation formation. To date, several methods are available for detecting protein aggregates, including fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and molecular detection methods. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of methods to observe protein aggregation in situ under a microscope. This article reviews the two main aspects of protein aggregation: the mechanisms and detection methods of protein aggregation. The aim is to provide clues for the development of new methods to study this pathological phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yi Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Changchun city, Jilin Province 130021, PR China
| | - Cheng-Mei Zhou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Changchun city, Jilin Province 130021, PR China
| | - Rui-Lin Jin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Changchun city, Jilin Province 130021, PR China
| | - Jia-Hui Song
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Changchun city, Jilin Province 130021, PR China; Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Ke-Chao Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Changchun city, Jilin Province 130021, PR China
| | - Shu-Lei Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Changchun city, Jilin Province 130021, PR China
| | - Bai-Hong Tan
- Laboratory Teaching Center of Basic Medicine, Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Changchun city, Jilin Province 130021, PR China
| | - Yan-Chao Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Changchun city, Jilin Province 130021, PR China; Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China.
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2
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Garcia-Villen F, Gallego I, Sainz-Ramos M, Ordoyo-Pascual J, Ruiz-Alonso S, Saenz-del-Burgo L, O’Mahony C, Pedraz JL. Stability of Monoclonal Antibodies as Solid Formulation for Auto-Injectors: A Pilot Study. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2049. [PMID: 37631263 PMCID: PMC10459033 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug adherence is a significant medical issue, often responsible for sub-optimal outcomes during the treatment of chronic diseases such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. Monoclonal antibodies (which are exclusively given parenterally) have been proven to be an effective treatment in these cases. The use of auto-injectors is an effective strategy to improve drug adherence in parenteral treatments since these pen-like devices offer less discomfort and increased user-friendliness over conventional syringe-based delivery. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of including a monoclonal antibody as a solid formulation inside an auto-injector pen. Specifically, the objective was to evaluate the drug stability after a concentration (to reduce the amount of solvent and space needed) and freeze-drying procedure. A preliminary screening of excipients to improve stability was also performed. The nano-DSC results showed that mannitol improved the stability of the concentrated, freeze-dried antibody in comparison to its counterpart without it. However, a small instability of the CH2 domain was still found for mannitol samples, which will warrant further investigation. The present results serve as a stepping stone towards advancing future drug delivery systems that will ultimately improve the patient experience and associated drug adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Garcia-Villen
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (L.S.-d.-B.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Resarch Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Idoia Gallego
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (L.S.-d.-B.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Resarch Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Myriam Sainz-Ramos
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (L.S.-d.-B.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Resarch Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Jorge Ordoyo-Pascual
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (L.S.-d.-B.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Resarch Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Sandra Ruiz-Alonso
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (L.S.-d.-B.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Resarch Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Laura Saenz-del-Burgo
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (L.S.-d.-B.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Resarch Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Conor O’Mahony
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, T12 R5CP Cork, Ireland;
| | - Jose Luis Pedraz
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (L.S.-d.-B.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Resarch Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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3
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Rembert KB, Zhang J, Lee YJ. Effects of Salts and Surface Charge on the Biophysical Stability of a Low pI Monoclonal Antibody. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:947-953. [PMID: 36395898 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The impact of five representative Hofmeister salts (NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, Na2SO4, and NaSCN) on the thermal stability and aggregation kinetics of a slightly acidic monoclonal antibody (mAb) were investigated under different pH conditions. The thermal stability of the mAb was assessed by measuring the lowest unfolding transition temperature, Tm, with differential scanning fluorimetry. MgCl2 and NaSCN significantly decreased Tm at all three charged states of the mAb, but to the greatest extent when the mAb surface charge was net positive. Non-native aggregation kinetics was monitored by measuring Rayleigh light scattering. When the mAb surface charge was net positive or net neutral, the nucleation rate increased non-monotonically with MgCl2 and NaSCN but decreased monotonically with NaCl, KCl, and Na2SO4. By contrast, when the mAb surface was negatively charged, there were only minor changes in the nucleation rate with all salts tested. Furthermore, there was less structural perturbation and slower aggregation rates when the mAb was net negatively charged than when it was net neutrally or positively charged. The observed salt effects on thermal unfolding are consistent with ion-specific mechanisms dominated by short-range amide backbone binding. On the other hand, the salt effects on nucleation rates appear to be influenced by both amide backbone binding and long-range electrostatic binding of ions to charged amino acid side chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin B Rembert
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, United States
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Drug Delivery and Device Development, Medimmune-AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, United States.
| | - Young Jong Lee
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, United States.
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4
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Wu HH, Crames M, Wei Y, Liu D, Gueneva-Boucheva K, Son I, Frego L, Han F, Kroe-Barrett R, Nixon A, Michael M. Effect of the ADCC-modulating mutations and the selection of human IgG isotypes on physicochemical properties of Fc. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:2411-2421. [PMID: 35760121 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies, particularly IgGs and Ig-based molecules, are a well-established and growing class of biotherapeutic drugs. In order to improve efficacy, potency and pharmacokinetics of these therapeutic drugs, pharmaceutical industries have investigated significantly in engineering fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain of these drugs to optimize the interactions of these drugs and Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) in recent ten years. The biological function of the therapeutics with the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) enhanced double mutation (S239D/I332E) of isotype IgG1, the ADCC reduced double mutation (L234A/L235A) of isotype IgG1, and ADCC reduced isotype IgG4 has been well understood. However, limited information regarding the effect of these mutations or isotype difference on physicochemical properties (PCP), developability, and manufacturability of therapeutics bearing these different Fc regions is available. In this report, we systematically characterize the effects of the mutations and IgG4 isotype on conformation stability, colloidal stability, solubility, and storage stability at accelerated conditions in two buffer systems using six Fc variants. Our results provide a basis for selecting appropriate Fc region during development of IgG or Ig-based therapeutics and predicting effect of the mutations on CMC development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Haixia Wu
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovation Unit, Biotherapeutics Discovery, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA.
| | - Maureen Crames
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovation Unit, Biotherapeutics Discovery, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yangjie Wei
- Amgen Inc., Drug Product Technologies, Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Dongmei Liu
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovation Unit, Biotherapeutics Discovery, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kristina Gueneva-Boucheva
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovation Unit, Biotherapeutics Discovery, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ikbae Son
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovation Unit, Biotherapeutics Discovery, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lee Frego
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovation Unit, Biotherapeutics Discovery, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Fei Han
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovation Unit, Biotherapeutics Discovery, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Rachel Kroe-Barrett
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovation Unit, Biotherapeutics Discovery, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Andrew Nixon
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovation Unit, Biotherapeutics Discovery, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Marlow Michael
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovation Unit, Biotherapeutics Discovery, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
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5
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Berger JE, Teixeira SCM, Reed K, Razinkov VI, Sloey CJ, Qi W, Roberts CJ. High-Pressure, Low-Temperature Induced Unfolding and Aggregation of Monoclonal Antibodies: Role of the Fc and Fab Fragments. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:4431-4441. [PMID: 35675067 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c10528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The effects of high pressure and low temperature on the stability of two different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were examined in this work. Fluorescence and small-angle neutron scattering were used to monitor the in situ effects of pressure to infer shifts in tertiary structure and characterize aggregation prone intermediates. Partial unfolding was observed for both MAbs, to different extents, under a range of pressure/temperature conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was also used to monitor ex situ changes in secondary structure. Preservation of native secondary structure after incubation at elevated pressures and subzero ° C temperatures was independent of the extent of tertiary unfolding and reversibility. Several combinations of pressure and temperature were also used to discern the respective contributions of the isolated Ab fragments (Fab and Fc) to unfolding and aggregation. The fragments for each antibody showed significantly different partial unfolding profiles and reversibility. There was not a simple correlation between stability of the full MAb and either the Fc or Fab fragment stabilities across all cases, demonstrating a complex relationship to full MAb unfolding and aggregation behavior. That notwithstanding, the combined use of spectroscopic and scattering techniques provides insights into MAb conformational stability and hysteresis in high-pressure, low-temperature environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan E Berger
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Susana C M Teixeira
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States.,NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Kaelan Reed
- PharmBIO Products, W. L. Gore & Associates, Elkton, Maryland 21921, United States
| | - Vladimir I Razinkov
- Drug Product Technologies, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
| | - Christopher J Sloey
- Drug Product Technologies, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
| | - Wei Qi
- Drug Product Technologies, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
| | - Christopher J Roberts
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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6
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Garidel P, Eiperle A, Blech M, Seelig J. Thermal and Chemical Unfolding of a Monoclonal IgG1 Antibody: Application of the Multistate Zimm-Bragg Theory. Biophys J 2020; 118:1067-1075. [PMID: 32049058 PMCID: PMC7063443 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The thermal unfolding of a recombinant monoclonal antibody IgG1 (mAb) was measured with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC thermograms reveal a pretransition at 72°C with an unfolding enthalpy of ΔHcal ∼200-300 kcal/mol and a main transition at 85°C with an enthalpy of ∼900-1000 kcal/mol. In contrast to small single-domain proteins, mAb unfolding is a complex reaction that is analyzed with the multistate Zimm-Bragg theory. For the investigated mAb, unfolding is characterized by a cooperativity parameter σ ∼6 × 10-5 and a Gibbs free energy of unfolding of gnu ∼100 cal/mol per amino acid. The enthalpy of unfolding provides the number of amino acid residues ν participating in the unfolding reaction. On average, ν∼220 ± 50 amino acids are involved in the pretransition and ν∼850 ± 30 in the main transition, accounting for ∼90% of all amino acids. Thermal unfolding was further studied in the presence of guanidineHCl. The chemical denaturant reduces the unfolding enthalpy ΔHcal and lowers the midpoint temperature Tm. Both parameters depend linearly on the concentration of denaturant. The guanidineHCl concentrations needed to unfold mAb at 25°C are predicted to be 2-3 M for the pretransition and 5-7 M for the main transition, varying with pH. GuanidineHCl binds to mAb with an exothermic binding enthalpy, which partially compensates the endothermic mAb unfolding enthalpy. The number of guanidineHCl molecules bound upon unfolding is deduced from the DSC thermograms. The bound guanidineHCl-to-unfolded amino acid ratio is 0.79 for the pretransition and 0.55 for the main transition. The pretransition binds more denaturant molecules and is more sensitive to unfolding than the main transition. The current study shows the strength of the Zimm-Bragg theory for the quantitative description of unfolding events of large, therapeutic proteins, such as a monoclonal antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Garidel
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Innovation Unit, PDB, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
| | - Andrea Eiperle
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Innovation Unit, PDB, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Michaela Blech
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Innovation Unit, PDB, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Joachim Seelig
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, Basel, Switzerland.
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7
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de Marco A, Ferrer-Miralles N, Garcia-Fruitós E, Mitraki A, Peternel S, Rinas U, Trujillo-Roldán MA, Valdez-Cruz NA, Vázquez E, Villaverde A. Bacterial inclusion bodies are industrially exploitable amyloids. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2019; 43:53-72. [PMID: 30357330 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuy038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the structure, functionalities and biology of functional amyloids is an issue of emerging interest. Inclusion bodies, namely protein clusters formed in recombinant bacteria during protein production processes, have emerged as unanticipated, highly tunable models for the scrutiny of the physiology and architecture of functional amyloids. Based on an amyloidal skeleton combined with varying amounts of native or native-like protein forms, bacterial inclusion bodies exhibit an unusual arrangement that confers mechanical stability, biological activity and conditional protein release, being thus exploitable as versatile biomaterials. The applicability of inclusion bodies in biotechnology as enriched sources of protein and reusable catalysts, and in biomedicine as biocompatible topographies, nanopills or mimetics of endocrine secretory granules has been largely validated. Beyond these uses, the dissection of how recombinant bacteria manage the aggregation of functional protein species into structures of highly variable complexity offers insights about unsuspected connections between protein quality (conformational status compatible with functionality) and cell physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ario de Marco
- Laboratory for Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska Cesta 13, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
| | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Carrer de la Vall Moronta s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Carrer de la Vall Moronta s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Carrer de la Vall Moronta s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Elena Garcia-Fruitós
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Mitraki
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.,Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), N. Plastira 100, Vassilika Vouton, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Ursula Rinas
- Leibniz University of Hannover, Technical Chemistry and Life Science, 30167 Hannover, Germany.,Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mauricio A Trujillo-Roldán
- Programa de Investigación de Producción de Biomoléculas, Unidad de Bioprocesos, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 Ciudad de México, México
| | - Norma A Valdez-Cruz
- Programa de Investigación de Producción de Biomoléculas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 Ciudad de México, México
| | - Esther Vázquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Carrer de la Vall Moronta s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Carrer de la Vall Moronta s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Carrer de la Vall Moronta s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Carrer de la Vall Moronta s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Carrer de la Vall Moronta s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Carrer de la Vall Moronta s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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8
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Kumar V, Chaudhuri TK. Spontaneous refolding of the large multidomain protein malate synthase G proceeds through misfolding traps. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:13270-13283. [PMID: 29959230 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.003903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Most protein folding studies until now focus on single domain or truncated proteins. Although great insights in the folding of such systems has been accumulated, very little is known regarding the proteins containing multiple domains. It has been shown that the high stability of domains, in conjunction with inter-domain interactions, manifests as a frustrated energy landscape, causing complexity in the global folding pathway. However, multidomain proteins despite containing independently foldable, loosely cooperative sections can fold into native states with amazing speed and accuracy. To understand the complexity in mechanism, studies were conducted previously on the multidomain protein malate synthase G (MSG), an enzyme of the glyoxylate pathway with four distinct and adjacent domains. It was shown that the protein refolds to a functionally active intermediate state at a fast rate, which slowly produces the native state. Although experiments decoded the nature of the intermediate, a full description of the folding pathway was not elucidated. In this study, we use a battery of biophysical techniques to examine the protein's folding pathway. By using multiprobe kinetics studies and comparison with the equilibrium behavior of protein against urea, we demonstrate that the unfolded polypeptide undergoes conformational compaction to a misfolded intermediate within milliseconds of refolding. The misfolded product appears to be stabilized under moderate denaturant concentrations. Further folding of the protein produces a stable intermediate, which undergoes partial unfolding-assisted large segmental rearrangements to achieve the native state. This study reveals an evolved folding pathway of the multidomain protein MSG, which involves surpassing the multiple misfolding traps during refolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Kumar
- From the Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Tapan K Chaudhuri
- From the Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
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9
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Yoshizawa S, Arakawa T, Shiraki K. Thermal aggregation of human immunoglobulin G in arginine solutions: Contrasting effects of stabilizers and destabilizers. Int J Biol Macromol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.06.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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10
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Postnikov P, Krotov G, Mesonzhnik N, Efimova Y, Rodchenkov G. Fc-fragment removal allows the EPO-Fc fusion protein to be detected in blood samples by IEF-PAGE. Drug Test Anal 2015; 7:999-1008. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Postnikov
- Moscow Antidoping Centre; Russian Federation Moscow 105005 Elizavetinsky per., 10/1 Russia
| | - Grigory Krotov
- Moscow Antidoping Centre; Russian Federation Moscow 105005 Elizavetinsky per., 10/1 Russia
| | - Natalia Mesonzhnik
- Moscow Antidoping Centre; Russian Federation Moscow 105005 Elizavetinsky per., 10/1 Russia
| | - Yulia Efimova
- Moscow State university of fine chemical technologies; Russian Federation Moscow 119571 Vernadsky pr., 86 Russia
| | - Grigory Rodchenkov
- Moscow Antidoping Centre; Russian Federation Moscow 105005 Elizavetinsky per., 10/1 Russia
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11
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Wu H, Truncali K, Ritchie J, Kroe-Barrett R, Singh S, Robinson AS, Roberts CJ. Weak protein interactions and pH- and temperature-dependent aggregation of human Fc1. MAbs 2015; 7:1072-83. [PMID: 26267255 PMCID: PMC4966490 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2015.1079678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Fc (fragment crystallizable) is a common structural region in immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) proteins, IgG-based multi-specific platforms, and Fc-fusion platform technologies. Changes in conformational stability, protein-protein interactions, and aggregation of NS0-produced human Fc1 were quantified experimentally as a function of pH (4 to 6) and temperature (30 to 77 °C), using a combination of differential scanning calorimetry, laser light scattering, size-exclusion chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. The Fc1 was O-glycosylated at position 3 (threonine), and confirmed to correspond to the intact IgG1 by comparison with Fc1 produced by cleavage of the parent IgG1. Changing the pH caused large effects for thermal unfolding transitions, but it caused surprisingly smaller effects for electrostatic protein-protein interactions. The aggregation behavior was qualitatively similar across different solution conditions, with soluble dimers and larger oligomers formed in most cases. Aggregation rates spanned approximately 5 orders of magnitude and could be divided into 2 regimes: (i) Arrhenius, unfolding-limited aggregation at temperatures near or above the midpoint-unfolding temperature of the CH2 domain; (ii) a non-Arrhenius regime at lower temperatures, presumably as a result of the temperature dependence of the unfolding enthalpy for the CH2 domain. The non-Arrhenius regime was most pronounced for lower temperatures. Together with the weak protein-protein repulsions, these highlight challenges that are expected for maintaining long-term stability of biotechnology products that are based on human Fc constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; University of Delaware; Newark, DE USA
- Department of Biotherapeutics; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Kristopher Truncali
- Department of Biotherapeutics; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Julie Ritchie
- Department of Biotherapeutics; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Rachel Kroe-Barrett
- Department of Biotherapeutics; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Sanjaya Singh
- Department of Biotherapeutics; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Anne S Robinson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Tulane University; New Orleans, LA USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; University of Delaware; Newark, DE USA
| | - Christopher J Roberts
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; University of Delaware; Newark, DE USA
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12
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Mehta SB, Bee JS, Randolph TW, Carpenter JF. Partial unfolding of a monoclonal antibody: role of a single domain in driving protein aggregation. Biochemistry 2014; 53:3367-77. [PMID: 24804773 DOI: 10.1021/bi5002163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
We have examined the effect of incubating a monoclonal antibody (mAb) in low (0-2.0 M) concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl) on the protein's conformation and aggregation during isothermal incubation. In GdnHCl solutions at concentrations from 1.2 to 1.6 M, the mAb was partially unfolded. As demonstrated by fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy, the partially unfolded state of the antibody had perturbed tertiary structure but retained native secondary structure. Furthermore, partial unfolding of the antibody was documented by analytical ultracentrifugation, dynamic light scattering, and limited proteolysis. Subsequent aggregation of the antibody was characterized using size-exclusion chromatography, analytical ultracentrifugation, and dynamic light scattering. Over the entire concentration range (0-2.0 M) of GdnHCl, protein-protein interactions were attractive, as quantified by negative osmotic second virial coefficients measured with static light scattering. However, during isothermal incubation at 37 °C, the aggregation of the antibody was detected only in solutions that induced partial unfolding. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the antibody's CH2 domains were unfolded in antibody molecules that had been incubated in 1.2 M and higher concentrations of GdnHCl. These results suggest that unfolding of the CH2 domains leads to aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam B Mehta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
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13
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Competing aggregation pathways for monoclonal antibodies. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:936-41. [PMID: 24530501 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.01.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aggregation is mediated by local unfolding to allow aggregation "hot spot(s)" to become solvent exposed and available to associate with a hot spot on another partially unfolded protein. Historically, the unfolding of either the crystallizable fragment (Fc) or the antigen binding fragment (Fab) regions of a given monoclonal antibody (MAb) has been implicated in aggregation, with differing results across different proteins. The present work focuses on separately quantifying the aggregation kinetics of isolated Fc, isolated Fab, and intact MAb as a function of pH under accelerated (high temperature) conditions. The results show that both Fab and Fc are aggregation prone and compete within the same MAb.
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14
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Neergaard MS, Nielsen AD, Parshad H, Van De Weert M. Stability of monoclonal antibodies at high-concentration: head-to-head comparison of the IgG1 and IgG4 subclass. J Pharm Sci 2013; 103:115-27. [PMID: 24282022 DOI: 10.1002/jps.23788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 09/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have so far directly compared the impact of antibody subclass on protein stability. This case study investigates two mAbs (one IgG1 and one IgG4 ) with identical variable region. Investigations of mAbs that recognize similar epitopes are necessary to identify possible differences between the IgG subclasses. Both physical and chemical stability were evaluated by applying a range of methods to measure formation of protein aggregates [size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)-HPLC and UV340 nm], structural integrity (circular dichroism and FTIR), thermodynamic stability (differential scanning calorimetry), colloidal interactions (dynamic light scattering), and fragmentation and deamidation (SEC-HPLC and capillary isoelectric focusing). The impact of pH (4-9) and ionic strength (10 and 150 mM) was investigated using highly-concentrated (150 mg/mL) mAb formulations. Lower conformational stability was identified for the IgG4 resulting in increased levels of soluble aggregates. The IgG1 was chemically less stable as compared with the IgG4 , presumably because of the higher flexibility in the IgG1 hinge region. The thermodynamic stability of individual mAb domains was also addressed in detail. The stability of our mAb molecules is clearly affected by the IgG framework, and this study suggests that subclass switching may alter aggregation propensity and aggregation pathway and thus potentially improve the overall formulation stability while retaining antigen specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin S Neergaard
- Section for Biologics, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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15
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Tang L, Sundaram S, Zhang J, Carlson P, Matathia A, Parekh B, Zhou Q, Hsieh MC. Conformational characterization of the charge variants of a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody using H/D exchange mass spectrometry. MAbs 2012; 5:114-25. [PMID: 23222183 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.22695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MAb1, a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody produced in a NS0 cell line, exhibits charge heterogeneity because of the presence of variants formed by processes such as N-terminal glutamate cyclization, C-terminal lysine truncation, deamidation, aspartate isomerization and sialylation in the carbohydrate moiety. Four major charge variants of MAb1 were isolated and the conformations of these charge variants were studied using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, including the H/D exchange time course (HX-MS) and the stability of unpurified proteins from rates of H/D exchange (SUPREX) techniques. HX-MS was used to evaluate the conformation and solution dynamics of MAb1 charge variants by measuring their deuterium buildup over time at the peptide level. The SUPREX technique evaluated the unfolding profile and relative stability of the charge variants by measuring the exchange properties of globally protected amide protons in the presence of a chemical denaturant. The H/D exchange profiles from both techniques were compared among the four charge variants of MAb1. The two techniques together offered extensive understanding about the local and subglobal/global unfolding of the charge variants of MAb1. Our results demonstrated that all four charge variants of MAb1 were not significantly different in conformation, solution dynamics and chemical denaturant-induced unfolding profile and stability, which aids in understanding the biofunctions of the molecules. The analytical strategy used for conformational characterization may also be applicable to comparability studies done for antibody therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangjie Tang
- BioAnalytical Sciences, ImClone Systems Corporation, Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, Branchburg, NJ, USA
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16
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Ganesan A, Watkinson A, Moore BD. Biophysical characterisation of thermal-induced precipitates of recombinant anthrax protective antigen: evidence for kinetically trapped unfolding domains in solid-state. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2012; 82:475-84. [PMID: 22683695 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2012.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2012] [Revised: 04/25/2012] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Insoluble aggregation or precipitation is one of the most common degradation pathways observed for biotherapeutics; despite this, the structural mechanisms by which this occurs remain poorly understood due to difficulties associated with biophysical characterisation of protein particulates. To address this knowledge gap, we developed a solid-state circular dichroism (CD) technique, which allows in situ measurements of the secondary and tertiary structural changes associated with the formation of visible therapeutic protein aggregates. We demonstrate how solid-state CD, in conjunction with other biophysical and computational methods can aid in gaining valuable insights into the mechanisms and pathways of thermal-induced precipitation of Bacillus anthracis recombinant protective antigen (rPA), the primary immunogen of anthrax subunit vaccine. Using these methods, we show the domains d3 and d4 are the most labile of the four structurally distinct domains of rPA and play the critical role in nucleating the cascade of unfolding and aggregation. During the assembly process, the domains d1 and d2 become kinetically trapped within the insoluble aggregate and reveal previously intractable distinct tertiary structural elements of the rPA native structure. These findings reveal a uniquely detailed insight into the role of rPA domains on protein stability and provide a mechanistic framework for thermal-induced unfolding and precipitation. It also shows that solid-state CD provides a novel approach in characterising protein precipitation that may facilitate rational improvements to the stability of biopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Ganesan
- XstalBio Ltd., University Avenue, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
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17
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Houde D, Berkowitz SA. Conformational comparability of factor IX-Fc fusion protein, factor IX, and purified Fc fragment in the absence and presence of calcium. J Pharm Sci 2012; 101:1688-700. [PMID: 22271461 DOI: 10.1002/jps.23064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Revised: 12/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
A long lasting recombinant factor IX -Fc fusion protein (rFIX-Fc) is being developed for the treatment of hemophilia B and is currently in late stage clinical investigation. By limiting injection frequency and maintaining efficacy, rFIX-Fc shows promise as a new therapeutic option for hemophilia B patients. However, before gaining regulatory approval, rFIX-Fc must undergo rigorous analytical and biological testing, in addition to clinical trials. Included in this testing is the need to understand this protein's higher-order structure and dynamics. In this study, we investigated and compared the biophysical properties of rFIX-Fc, rFIX, and Fc using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetry. Within the limits of these techniques, our results show that structural comparability exists between rFIX and the FIX region of rFIX-Fc. In addition, changes in the structure and dynamics of both proteins, in response to calcium binding, a requirement for FIX function, are also highly comparable. In the case of Fc and Fc region of rFIX-Fc, conformational comparability is also established. These biophysical results further support the conclusion that fusing an immunoglobulin gamma 1 Fc to rFIX does not significantly alter the higher-order structure of FIX or Fc, Ca binding to FIX, or Fc functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Houde
- Analytical Development, Biogen Idec, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.
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18
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Patois E, Capelle M, Palais C, Gurny R, Arvinte T. Evaluation of nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) in the characterization of therapeutic antibodies and seasonal influenza vaccines: pros and cons. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s1773-2247(12)50069-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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19
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Patois E, Capelle MAH, Gurny R, Arvinte T. Stability of seasonal influenza vaccines investigated by spectroscopy and microscopy methods. Vaccine 2011; 29:7404-13. [PMID: 21803109 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.07.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Revised: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 07/17/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The stability of different seasonal influenza vaccines was investigated by spectroscopy and microscopy methods before and after the following stress-conditions: (i) 2 and 4 weeks storage at 25°C, (ii) 1 day storage at 37°C and (iii) one freeze-thaw cycle. The subunit vaccine Influvac (Solvay Pharma) and the split vaccine Mutagrip (Sanofi Pasteur) were affected by all stresses. The split vaccine Fluarix (GlaxoSmithKline) was affected only by storage at 25°C. The virosomal vaccine Inflexal V (Berna Biotech) was stable after the temperature stresses but aggregated after one freeze-thaw cycle. This study provides new insights into commercial vaccines of low antigen concentration and highlights the importance of using multiple techniques to assess vaccine stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Patois
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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20
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Joubert MK, Luo Q, Nashed-Samuel Y, Wypych J, Narhi LO. Classification and characterization of therapeutic antibody aggregates. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:25118-33. [PMID: 21454532 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.160457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A host of diverse stress techniques was applied to a monoclonal antibody (IgG(2)) to yield protein particles with varying attributes and morphologies. Aggregated solutions were evaluated for percent aggregation, particle counts, size distribution, morphology, changes in secondary and tertiary structure, surface hydrophobicity, metal content, and reversibility. Chemical modifications were also identified in a separate report (Luo, Q., Joubert, M. K., Stevenson, R., Narhi, L. O., and Wypych, J. (2011) J. Biol. Chem. 286, 25134-25144). Aggregates were categorized into seven discrete classes, based on the traits described. Several additional molecules (from the IgG(1) and IgG(2) subtypes as well as intravenous IgG) were stressed and found to be defined with the same classification system. The mechanism of protein aggregation and the type of aggregate formed depends on the nature of the stress applied. Different IgG molecules appear to aggregate by a similar mechanism under the same applied stress. Aggregates created by harsh mechanical stress showed the largest number of subvisible particles, and the class generated by thermal stress displayed the largest number of visible particles. Most classes showed a disruption of the higher order structure, with the degree of disorder depending on the stress process. Particles in all classes (except thermal stress) were at least partially reversible upon dilution in pH 5 buffer. High copper content was detected in isolated metal-catalyzed aggregates, a stress previously shown to produce immunogenic aggregates. In conclusion, protein aggregates can be a very heterogeneous population, whose qualities are the result of the type of stress that was experienced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa K Joubert
- Department of Formulation and Analytical Resources, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320, USA
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21
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Chen S, Lau H, Brodsky Y, Kleemann GR, Latypov RF. The use of native cation-exchange chromatography to study aggregation and phase separation of monoclonal antibodies. Protein Sci 2010; 19:1191-204. [PMID: 20512972 DOI: 10.1002/pro.396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
This study introduces a novel analytical approach for studying aggregation and phase separation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The approach is based on using analytical scale cation-exchange chromatography (CEX) for measuring the loss of soluble monomer in the case of individual and mixed protein solutions. Native CEX outperforms traditional size-exclusion chromatography in separating complex protein mixtures, offering an easy way to assess mAb aggregation propensity. Different IgG1 and IgG2 molecules were tested individually and in mixtures consisting of up to four protein molecules. Antibody aggregation was induced by four different stress factors: high temperature, low pH, addition of fatty acids, and rigorous agitation. The extent of aggregation was determined from the amount of monomeric protein remaining in solution after stress. Consequently, it was possible to address the role of specific mAb regions in antibody aggregation by co-incubating Fab and Fc fragments with their respective full-length molecules. Our results revealed that the relative contribution of Fab and Fc regions in mAb aggregation is strongly dependent on pH and the stress factor applied. In addition, the CEX-based approach was used to study reversible protein precipitation due to phase separation, which demonstrated its use for a broader range of protein-protein association phenomena. In all cases, the role of Fab and Fc was clearly dissected, providing important information for engineering more stable mAb-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Chen
- Process and Product Development, Amgen Inc., Seattle, Washington 98119, USA
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22
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Fast JL, Cordes AA, Carpenter JF, Randolph TW. Physical instability of a therapeutic Fc fusion protein: domain contributions to conformational and colloidal stability. Biochemistry 2010; 48:11724-36. [PMID: 19899812 DOI: 10.1021/bi900853v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein therapeutics made up of artificially combined proteins or protein domains, so-called fusion proteins, are a novel and growing class of biopharmaceuticals. We have studied abatacept (Orencia), a fusion protein that is constructed of a modified IgG Fc domain and the soluble part of the T-cell receptor CTLA-4. In accelerated degradation studies conducted at 40 degrees C, a pH shift from 7.5 to 6.0 yields significantly faster aggregation kinetics, as measured by size-exclusion chromatography. To understand how the fusion domains and their interactions contribute to this result, we considered aggregation in light of the modified Lumry-Eyring reaction pathway. Protein conformational stabilities against chaotropes and temperature were measured. The structural consequences of these perturbations were observed by a variety of experimental techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry, circular dichroism, and intrinsic fluorescence. Abatacept's colloidal stability was studied by measuring zeta potentials and osmotic second virial coefficients, as well as by modeling electrostatic potentials on the protein's surface. The domains of abatacept exhibit different conformational stabilities that are highly pH dependent, whereas abatacept was weakly colloidally unstable at pH 6 or 7.5. These results are ascribed to conformational instability of the CTLA-4 and C(H)2 domains, which unfold to form a molten globule-like structure that is aggregation-prone. We suggest the instability against aggregation is determined by the least stable domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas L Fast
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.
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23
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Hawe A, Sutter M, Jiskoot W. Extrinsic fluorescent dyes as tools for protein characterization. Pharm Res 2008; 25:1487-99. [PMID: 18172579 PMCID: PMC2440933 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-007-9516-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 872] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2007] [Accepted: 12/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Noncovalent, extrinsic fluorescent dyes are applied in various fields of protein analysis, e.g. to characterize folding intermediates, measure surface hydrophobicity, and detect aggregation or fibrillation. The main underlying mechanisms, which explain the fluorescence properties of many extrinsic dyes, are solvent relaxation processes and (twisted) intramolecular charge transfer reactions, which are affected by the environment and by interactions of the dyes with proteins. In recent time, the use of extrinsic fluorescent dyes such as ANS, Bis-ANS, Nile Red, Thioflavin T and others has increased, because of their versatility, sensitivity and suitability for high-throughput screening. The intention of this review is to give an overview of available extrinsic dyes, explain their spectral properties, and show illustrative examples of their various applications in protein characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Hawe
- Division of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Sutter
- Division of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Novartis Pharma AG, WSJ-316.4.14, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wim Jiskoot
- Division of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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24
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Ionescu RM, Vlasak J, Price C, Kirchmeier M. Contribution of variable domains to the stability of humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibodies. J Pharm Sci 2008; 97:1414-26. [PMID: 17721938 DOI: 10.1002/jps.21104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Temperature-induced unfolding of three humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibodies and their Fab and Fc fragments was monitored by differential scanning calorimetry at neutral pH. With some exceptions, the thermogram of the intact antibody presents two peaks and the transition with the larger experimental enthalpy contains the contribution from the Fab fragments. Although the measured enthalpy was similar for all three Fab fragments studied, the apparent melting temperatures were found to vary significantly, even for Fab fragments originating from the same human germline. Therefore, we propose to use the measured enthalpy of unfolding as the key parameter to recognize the unfolding events in the melting profile of an intact IgG1 antibody. If the variable domain sequences, resulting from complementarity determining regions (CDRs) grafting and humanization, destabilize the Fab fragment with respect to the CH3 domain, the first transition represents the unfolding of the Fab fragment and the CH2 domain, while the second transition represents CH3 domain unfolding. Otherwise, the first transition represents CH2 domain unfolding, and the second transition represents the unfolding of the Fab fragment and the CH3 domain. In some cases, the DSC profile may present three transitions, with the Fab unfolding occurring at distinct temperatures compared to the melting of the CH2 and CH3 domains. If the DSC profile of a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody cannot be described by the model above, the result may be an indication of significant structural heterogeneity and/or of disruption of the Fab cooperative unfolding. Low stability or heterogeneity of the Fab fragment may prove problematic for long-term storage or consistency of production. Therefore, understanding the features of a DSC profile is important for clone selection and process maturation in the early stages of development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana M Ionescu
- Biologics and Vaccines PR&D, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck and Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA.
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