gamma-Carboxyglutamic acids 36 and 40 do not contribute to human factor IX function

Recent advances in the production of recombinant factor IX: bioprocessing and cell engineering

Appropriate treatment of Hemophilia B is vital for patients' quality of life. Historically, the treatment used was the administration of coagulation Factor IX derived from human plasma. Advancements in recombinant technologies allowed Factor IX to be produced recombinantly. Successful recombinant production has triggered a gradual shift from the plasma derived origins of Factor IX, as it provides extended half-life and expanded production capacity. However, the complex post-translational modifications of Factor IX have made recombinant production at scale difficult. Considerable research has therefore been invested into understanding and optimizing the recombinant production of Factor IX. Here, we review the evolution of recombinant Factor IX production, focusing on recent developments in bioprocessing and cell engineering to control its post-translational modifications in its expression from Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells.

Coagulation factor IX analysis in bioreactor cell culture supernatant predicts quality of the purified product

Coagulation factor IX (FIX) is a complex post-translationally modified human serum glycoprotein and high-value biopharmaceutical. The quality of recombinant FIX (rFIX), especially complete γ-carboxylation, is critical for rFIX clinical efficacy. Bioreactor operating conditions can impact rFIX production and post-translational modifications (PTMs). With the goal of optimizing rFIX production, we developed a suite of Data Independent Acquisition Mass Spectrometry (DIA-MS) proteomics methods and used these to investigate rFIX yield, γ-carboxylation, other PTMs, and host cell proteins during bioreactor culture and after purification. We detail the dynamics of site-specific PTM occupancy and structure on rFIX during production, which correlated with the efficiency of purification and the quality of the purified product. We identified new PTMs in rFIX near the GLA domain which could impact rFIX GLA-dependent purification and function. Our workflows are applicable to other biologics and expression systems, and should aid in the optimization and quality control of upstream and downstream bioprocesses.

Characterisation of recombinant factor IX before and after GlycoPEGylation

The effect of the GlycoPEGylation process used for prolonging the half-life of recombinant factor IX (rFIX) has no impact on the primary and higher order structure of activated factor IX. Characterisation work performed on recombinant factor IX and on the GlycoPEGylated form of rFIX (N9-GP), confirm that the primary structure as well as the post translational modifications (PTMs) (disulphide bonds, γ-carboxylation, β-hydroxylation, sulphation and O- and N-linked glycan structures) were comparable for rFIX and N9-GP. Three O-linked glycan sites were identified in the activation peptide (Thr159, Thr163 and Thr169), where Thr163 has not been reported previously. For N9-GP, the mono GlycoPEGylation is directed toward one of the two N-linked glycans present at Asn157 and Asn167 in the activation peptide in a one to one ratio. Spectroscopic techniques, such as far and near UV Circular Dichroism studies show comparable secondary and tertiary structures of rFIX and N9-GP. The thermally induced unfolding of rFIX and N9-GP shows that the unfolding temperature is approximately 1 °C higher for N9-GP than that of the rFIX. Furthermore, the pH dependent degradation was reduced due to the GlycoPEGylation of rFIX. GlycoPEGylated rFIX (N9-GP) is used for the manufacturing of Refixia® (nonacog beta pegol, Rebinyn®, Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

Identification of novel glycosylation events on human serum-derived factor IX

Human Factor IX is a highly post-translationally modified protein that is an important clotting factor in the blood coagulation cascade. Functional deficiencies in Factor IX result in the bleeding disorder haemophilia B, which is treated with plasma-derived or recombinant Factor IX concentrates. Here, we investigated the post-translational modifications of human serum-derived Factor IX and report previously undescribed O-linked monosaccharide compositions at serine 141 and a novel site of glycosylation. At serine 141 we observed two monosaccharide compositions, with HexNAc₁Hex₁NeuAc₂ dominant and a low level of HexNAc₁Hex₁NeuAc₁. This O-linked site lies N-terminal to the first cleavage site for the activation peptide, an important region of the protein that is removed to activate Factor IX. The novel site is an N-linked site in the serine protease domain with low occupancy in a non-canonical consensus motif at asparagine 258, observed with a HexNAc₄Hex₅NeuAc₂ monosaccharide composition attached. This is the first reported instance of a site of modification in the serine protease domain. The description of these glycosylation events provides a basis for future functional studies and contributes to structural characterisation of native Factor IX for the production of effective therapeutic biosimilars and biobetters.

Critical Evaluation of Strategies for the Production of Blood Coagulation Factors in Plant-Based Systems

The use of plants as production platforms for pharmaceutical proteins has been on the rise for the past two decades. The first marketed plant-made pharmaceutical, taliglucerase alfa against Gaucher's disease produced in carrot cells by Pfizer/Protalix Biotherapeutics, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012. The advantages of plant systems are low cost and highly scalable biomass production compared to the fermentation systems, safety compared with other expression systems, as plant-based systems do not produce endotoxins, and the ability to perform complex eukaryotic post-translational modifications, e.g., N-glycosylation that can be further engineered to achieve humanized N-glycan structures. Although bleeding disorders affect only a small portion of the world population, costs of clotting factor concentrates impose a high financial burden on patients and healthcare systems. The majority of patients, ∼75% in the case of hemophilia, have no access to an adequate treatment. The necessity of large-scale and less expensive production of human blood coagulation factors, particularly factors associated with rare bleeding disorders, may be an important area for plant-based systems, as coagulation factors do not fit into the industry-favored production models. In this review, we explore previous studies on recombinant production of coagulation Factor II, VIII, IX, and XIII in different plant species. Production of bioactive FII and FIX in plants was not achieved yet due to complex post-translational modifications, including vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxylation and propeptide removal. Although plant-made FVIII and FXIII showed specific activities, there are no follow-up studies like pre-clinical/clinical trials. Significant progress has been achieved in oral delivery of bioencapsulated FVIII and FIX to induce immune tolerance in murine models of hemophilia A and B, resp. Potential strategies to overcome bottlenecks in the production systems are also addressed in this review.

Characterization of IXINITY® (Trenonacog Alfa), a Recombinant Factor IX with Primary Sequence Corresponding to the Threonine-148 Polymorph

The goal of these studies was to extensively characterize the first recombinant FIX therapeutic corresponding to the threonine-148 (Thr-148) polymorph, IXINITY (trenonacog alfa [coagulation factor IX (recombinant)]). Gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and gel filtration were used to determine purity and confirm structure. Chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques were used to identify and quantify posttranslational modifications. Activity was assessed as the ability to activate factor X (FX) both with and without factor VIIIa (FVIIIa) and in a standard clotting assay. All results were consistent across multiple lots. Trenonacog alfa migrated as a single band on Coomassie-stained gels; activity assays were normal and showed <0.002 IU of activated factor IX (FIXa) per IU of FIX. The molecule has >97%  γ-carboxylation and underwent the appropriate structural change upon binding calcium ions. Trenonacog alfa was activated normally with factor XIa (FXIa); once activated it bound to FVIIIa and FXa. When activated to FIXa, it was inhibited efficiently by antithrombin. Glycosylation patterns were similar to plasma-derived FIX with sialic acid content consistent with the literature reports of good pharmacokinetic performance. These studies have shown that trenonacog alfa is a highly pure product with a primary sequence and posttranslational modifications consistent with the common Thr-148 polymorphism of plasma-derived FIX.

Engineering protein processing of the mammary gland to produce abundant hemophilia B therapy in milk

Both the low animal cell density of bioreactors and their ability to post-translationally process recombinant factor IX (rFIX) limit hemophilia B therapy to <20% of the world’s population. We used transgenic pigs to make rFIX in milk at about 3,000-fold higher output than provided by industrial bioreactors. However, this resulted in incomplete γ-carboxylation and propeptide cleavage where both processes are transmembrane mediated. We then bioengineered the co-expression of truncated, soluble human furin (rFurin) with pro-rFIX at a favorable enzyme to substrate ratio. This resulted in the complete conversion of pro-rFIX to rFIX while yielding a normal lactation. Importantly, these high levels of propeptide processing by soluble rFurin did not preempt γ-carboxylation in the ER and therefore was compartmentalized to the Trans-Golgi Network (TGN) and also to milk. The Golgi specific engineering demonstrated here segues the ER targeted enhancement of γ-carboxylation needed to biomanufacture coagulation proteins like rFIX using transgenic livestock.

Quantifying vitamin K-dependent holoprotein compaction caused by differential γ-carboxylation using high-pressure size exclusion chromatography

This study uses high-pressure size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) to quantify divalent metal ion (X(2+))-induced compaction found in vitamin K-dependent (VKD) proteins. Multiple X(2+) binding sites formed by the presence of up to 12 γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) residues are present in plasma-derived FIX (pd-FIX) and recombinant FIX (r-FIX). Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) was used to calibrate the Stokes radius (R) measured by HPSEC. A compaction of pd-FIX caused by the filling of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) binding sites resulted in a 5 to 6% decrease in radius of hydration as observed by HPSEC. The filling of Ca(2+) sites resulted in greater compaction than for Mg(2+) alone where this effect was additive or greater when both ions were present at physiological levels. Less X(2+)-induced compaction was observed in r-FIX with lower Gla content populations, which enabled the separation of biologically active r-FIX species from inactive ones by HPSEC. HPSEC was sensitive to R changes of approximately 0.01nm that enabled the detection of FIX compaction that was likely cooperative in nature between lower avidity X(2+) sites of the Gla domain and higher avidity X(2+) sites of the epidermal growth factor 1 (EGF1)-like domain.

Improved expression of recombinant human factor IX by co-expression of GGCX, VKOR and furin

Recombinant human FIX concentrates (rhFIX) are essential in the treatment and prevention of bleeding in the bleeding disorder haemophilia B. However, due to the complex nature of FIX production yields are low which leads to high treatment costs. Here we report the production of rhFIX with substantially higher yield by co-expressing human FIX with GGCX (γ-glutamyl carboxylase), VKOR (vitamin K epoxide reductase) and furin (paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Our results show that controlled co-expression of GGCX with FIX is critical to obtain high rhFIX titre, and, that co-expression of VKOR further increased the yield of active rhFIX. Furin co-expression improved processing of the leader peptide of rhFIX but had a minor effect on yield of active rhFIX. The optimal expression level of GGCX was surprisingly low and required unusual engineering of expression vector elements. For VKOR and furin the control of expression was less critical and could be achieved by standard vector element. Using our expression vectors an rhFIX-producing clone with an expression level of up to 30 mg/L of active rhFIX was obtained. In addition an efficient single step purification method was developed to obtain pure and active rhFIX with up to 94% yield.

Process-scale purification and analytical characterization of highly gamma-carboxylated recombinant human prothrombin

Prothrombin (coagulation Factor II) is a complex multidomain glycoprotein that plays a central role in blood coagulation. It is the zymogen precursor to the protease thrombin that catalyzes the formation of the fibrin clot and regulates a multitude of other cellular responses related to coagulation and hemostasis. For the biological activity of prothrombin, the vitamin K dependent posttranslational modification of glutamic acid residues to gamma-carboxylglutamic acid is of crucial importance. Prothrombin can be recombinantly expressed using mammalian cell culture. However, the product is a heterogeneous mixture of variants with different degrees of carboxylation, requiring separation of closely related charge isoforms. A second challenge for purification is the need to remove traces of the product-related impurity thrombin, a protease, to extremely low levels. In this work, we describe a purification strategy that provides solutions to both challenges and results in an efficient and robust process for active recombinant prothrombin. We also describe the analytical characterization of recombinant prothrombin by HPLC, LC-MS/MS, and complementary biochemical assays.

Improved kinetics of rIX-FP, a recombinant fusion protein linking factor IX with albumin, in cynomolgus monkeys and hemophilia B dogs

BACKGROUND

Prophylaxis of hemophilia B, at present, requires multiple infusions of human factor (F)IX concentrates per week. A FIX molecule with a prolonged half-life has the potential to greatly improve the convenience of, and adherence to, prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our studies was to investigate the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profile of a recombinant fusion protein linking coagulation FIX with albumin (rIX-FP).

METHODS

Cynomolgus monkeys and hemophilia B dogs received single intravenous doses of rIX-FP (50-500 IU kg(-1)). rIX-FP plasma levels were determined by an activity-based assay (dogs only) and anti-FIX ELISA methods. Additionally, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was determined in hemophilia B dogs. Data were compared with a direct study comparator (recombinant FIX [rFIX]) or previously published data.

RESULTS

The terminal half-life of rIX-FP was prolonged in both species compared with FIX reference data. In hemophilia B dogs, human FIX antigen levels remained above 0.05 IU mL(-1) more than three times longer after rIX-FP (7.3 days) compared with rFIX (2.3 days), whereas respective calculations based on activity levels confirmed the observed superior profile. Prolonged PDs of rIX-FP were demonstrated with APTT<60 s sustained around four times longer with rIX-FP (5.9 days) than rFIX (1.5 days).

CONCLUSIONS

These studies indicate that the recombinant albumin fusion technology successfully improves the PK profile of FIX. Clinical studies will test whether the improved kinetics result in a significant half-life extension in patients with hemophilia B.

Pilot production of recombinant human clotting factor IX from transgenic sow milk

Valuable pharmaceutical proteins produced from the mammary glands of transgenic livestock have potential use in the biomedical industry. In this study, recombinant human clotting factor IX (rhFIX) produced from transgenic sow milk for preclinical animal studies have been established. The transgenic sow milk was skimmed and treated with sodium phosphate buffer to remove abundant casein protein. Then, the γ-carboxylated rhFIX fraction was segregated through the Q Sepharose chromatography from uncarboxylated one. For safety issue, the process included virus inactivation by solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment. Subsequently, the S/D treated sample was loaded into the Heparin Sepharose column to recover the rhFIX fraction, which was then reapplied to the Heparin Sepharose column to enhance rhFIX purity and lower the ratio of activated form rhFIX (rhFIXa) easily. This was possible due to the higher affinity of the Heparin affinity sorbent for rhFIXa than for the rhFIX zymogen. Furthermore, an IgA removal column was used to eliminate porcine IgA in purified rhFIX. Finally, nanofiltration was performed for viral clearance. Consequently, a high-quality rhFIX product was produced (approximately 700 mg per batch). Other values for final rhFIX preparation were as follows: purity, >99%; average specific activity, 415.6±57.7 IU/mL and total milk impurity, <0.5 ng/mg. This is the first report that described the whole process and stable production of bioactive rhFIX from transgenic sow milk. The overall manufacturing process presented here has the potential for industrial production of rhFIX for treatment of hemophilia B patients.

Coagulation Factor IX for Hemophilia B Therapy

Factor IX is a zymogen enzyme of the blood coagulation cascade. Inherited absence or deficit of the IX functional factor causes bleeding disorder hemophilia B, which requires constant protein replacement therapy. Reviewed herein are the current state in the manufacturing of FIX, improved variants of the recombinant protein for therapy, transgenic organisms for obtaining FIX, and the advances in the gene therapy of hemophilia B.

Prolonged half-life and preserved enzymatic properties of factor IX selectively PEGylated on native N-glycans in the activation peptide

Current management of hemophilia B entails multiple weekly infusions of factor IX (FIX) to prevent bleeding episodes. In an attempt to make a longer acting recombinant FIX (rFIX), we have explored a new releasable protraction concept using the native N-glycans in the activation peptide as sites for attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Release of the activation peptide by physiologic activators converted glycoPEGylated rFIX (N9-GP) to native rFIXa and proceeded with normal kinetics for FXIa, while the K(m) for activation by FVIIa-tissue factor (TF) was increased by 2-fold. Consistent with minimal perturbation of rFIX by the attached PEG, N9-GP retained 73%-100% specific activity in plasma and whole-blood-based assays and showed efficacy comparable with rFIX in stopping acute bleeds in hemophilia B mice. In animal models N9-GP exhibited up to 2-fold increased in vivo recovery and a markedly prolonged half-life in mini-pig (76 hours) and hemophilia B dog (113 hours) compared with rFIX (16 hours). The extended circulation time of N9-GP was reflected in prolonged correction of coagulation parameters in hemophilia B dog and duration of effect in hemophilia B mice. Collectively, these results suggest that N9-GP has the potential to offer efficacious prophylactic and acute treatment of hemophilia B patients at a reduced dosing frequency.

Characterization of γ-carboxylated tryptic peptides by collision-induced dissociation and electron transfer dissociation mass spectrometry

Vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of glutamic acid (Glu) residues into γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) is a post-translational modification essential for normal protein activity of, for example, proteins involved in the blood coagulation system. These proteins may contain as many as 12 sites for γ-carboxylation within a protein sequence of 45 amino acid residues. In the biopharmaceutical industry, powerful analytical techniques are required for identification and localization of modified sites. We here present comparatively easy and rapid methods for studies of Gla-containing proteins using recent technology. The performances of two mass spectrometric fragmentation techniques, collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD), were evaluated with respect to γ-carboxylated peptides, applying on-line LC-ion trap MS. ETD MS has so far not been reported for Gla-containing peptides and the applicability of CID for heavily γ-carboxylated proteins has not been evaluated. The anticoagulant protein, protein C, containing nine Gla-sites, was chosen as a model protein. After tryptic digestion, three peptides containing Gla-residues were detected by MS; a 1.2 kDa fragment containing two Gla-residues, a 4.5 kDa peptide containing seven residues and also the 5.6 kDa tryptic peptides containing all nine Gla-residues. Regarding the shortest peptide, both CID and ETD provided extensive peptide sequencing. For the larger peptides, fragmentation by CID resulted in loss of the 44 Da CO(2)-group, while little additional fragmentation of the peptide chain was observed. In contrast, ETD resulted in comprehensive fragmentation of the peptide backbone. The study demonstrates that the combination of both techniques would be beneficial and complementary for investigation of γ-carboxylated proteins and peptides.

Characterization of canine coagulation factor VII and its complex formation with tissue factor: canine-human cross-species compatibility

BACKGROUND

Canine models have been good predictors of efficacy of hemophilia treatments, including recombinant human coagulation factor (F)VIIa (hFVIIa). However, canine FVIIa and tissue factor (TF) have remained incompletely characterized.

OBJECTIVE

 To explore canine-human cross-species FVIIa-TF compatibility in order to strengthen the predictive value of canine models in research on FVIIa and TF.

METHODS

Canine FVIIa (cFVIIa) and canine TF((1-217)) [cTF((1-217))] were produced by recombinant techniques, and canine-human cross-species FVIIa-TF interactions were characterized in vitro.

RESULTS

 Recombinant cFVIIa and soluble cTF((1-217)) were produced and purified to homogeneity. hFVIIa and cFVIIa bound with comparably high affinities to cTF((1-217)) (K(D)=6.0±0.7 nm and K(D)=6.0±0.3 nm, respectively) and to cell surface-expressed cTF (K(D)=8.4±0.4 nm and K(D)=7.2±1.2 nm, for (125) I-labeled hFVIIa and cFVII, respectively). In contrast, cFVIIa bound to human TF (hTF) with decreased affinity, both in solution and on cell surfaces. The decreased binding resulted in reduced activity of cFVIIa in functional assays with hTF((1-209)) . In direct comparison, cFVIIa was more active than hFVIIa, both in the absence and the presence of cognate TF.

CONCLUSION

The present finding that hFVIIa binds to cTF essentially as it does to hTF substantiates the hypothesis that human FVIIa-TF biology can be reliably recapitulated in canine models on administration of hFVIIa to dogs.

Prolonged activity of factor IX as a monomeric Fc fusion protein

Treatment of hemophilia B requires frequent infusions of factor IX (FIX) to prophylax against bleeding episodes. Hemophilia B management would benefit from a FIX protein with an extended half-life. A recombinant fusion protein (rFIXFc) containing a single FIX molecule attached to the Fc region of immunoglobulin G was administered intravenously and found to have an extended half-life, compared with recombinant FIX (rFIX) in normal mice, rats, monkeys, and FIX-deficient mice and dogs. Recombinant FIXFc protein concentration was determined in all species, and rFIXFc activity was measured in FIX-deficient animals. The half-life of rFIXFc was approximately 3- to 4-fold longer than that of rFIX in all species. In contrast, in mice in which the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) was deleted, the half-life of rFIXFc was similar to rFIX, confirming the increased circulatory time was due to protection of the rFIXFc via the Fc/FcRn interaction. Whole blood clotting time in FIX-deficient mice was corrected through 144 hours for rFIXFc, compared with 72 hours for rFIX; similar results were observed in FIX-deficient dogs. Taken together, these studies show the enhanced pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of the rFIXFc fusion protein and provide the basis for evaluating rFIXFc in patients with hemophilia B.

Protein replacement therapy and gene transfer in canine models of hemophilia A, hemophilia B, von willebrand disease, and factor VII deficiency

Dogs with hemophilia A, hemophilia B, von Willebrand disease (VWD), and factor VII deficiency faithfully recapitulate the severe bleeding phenotype that occurs in humans with these disorders. The first rational approach to diagnosing these bleeding disorders became possible with the development of reliable assays in the 1940s through research that used these dogs. For the next 60 years, treatment consisted of replacement of the associated missing or dysfunctional protein, first with plasma-derived products and subsequently with recombinant products. Research has consistently shown that replacement products that are safe and efficacious in these dogs prove to be safe and efficacious in humans. But these highly effective products require repeated administration and are limited in supply and expensive; in addition, plasma-derived products have transmitted bloodborne pathogens. Recombinant proteins have all but eliminated inadvertent transmission of bloodborne pathogens, but the other limitations persist. Thus, gene therapy is an attractive alternative strategy in these monogenic disorders and has been actively pursued since the early 1990s. To date, several modalities of gene transfer in canine hemophilia have proven to be safe, produced easily detectable levels of transgene products in plasma that have persisted for years in association with reduced bleeding, and correctly predicted the vector dose required in a human hemophilia B liver-based trial. Very recently, however, researchers have identified an immune response to adeno-associated viral gene transfer vector capsid proteins in a human liver-based trial that was not present in preclinical testing in rodents, dogs, or nonhuman primates. This article provides a review of the strengths and limitations of canine hemophilia, VWD, and factor VII deficiency models and of their historical and current role in the development of improved therapy for humans with these inherited bleeding disorders.

Analysis of the N-glycans of recombinant human Factor IX purified from transgenic pig milk

Glycosylation of recombinant proteins is of particular importance because it can play significant roles in the clinical properties of the glycoprotein. In this work, the N-glycan structures of recombinant human Factor IX (tg-FIX) produced in the transgenic pig mammary gland were determined. The majority of the N-glycans of transgenic pig-derived Factor IX (tg-FIX) are complex, bi-antennary with one or two terminal N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) moieties. We also found that the N-glycan structures of tg-FIX produced in the porcine mammary epithelial cells differed with respect to N-glycans from glycoproteins produced in other porcine tissues. tg-FIX contains no detectable Neu5Gc, the sialic acid commonly found in porcine glycoproteins produced in other tissues. Additionally, we were unable to detect glycans in tg-FIX that have a terminal Galalpha(1,3)Gal disaccharide sequence, which is strongly antigenic in humans. The N-glycan structures of tg-FIX are also compared to the published N-glycan structures of recombinant human glycoproteins produced in other transgenic animal species. While tg-FIX contains only complex structures, antithrombin III (goat), C1 inhibitor (rabbit), and lactoferrin (cow) have both high mannose and complex structures. Collectively, these data represent a beginning point for the future investigation of species-specific and tissue/cell-specific differences in N-glycan structures among animals used for transgenic animal bioreactors.

Crystal Structure of the Calcium-stabilized Human Factor IX Gla Domain Bound to a Conformation-specific Anti-factor IX Antibody

The binding of Factor IX to membranes during blood coagulation is mediated by the N-terminal gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-rich (Gla) domain, a membrane-anchoring domain found on vitamin K-dependent blood coagulation and regulatory proteins. Conformation-specific anti-Factor IX antibodies are directed at the calcium-stabilized Gla domain and interfere with Factor IX-membrane interaction. One such antibody, 10C12, recognizes the calcium-stabilized form of the Gla domain of Factor IX. We prepared the fully carboxylated Gla domain of Factor IX by solid phase peptide synthesis and crystallized Factor IX-(1-47) in complex with Fab fragments of the 10C12 antibody. The overall structure of the Gla domain in the Factor IX-(1-47)-antibody complex at 2.2 A is similar to the structure of the Factor IX Gla domain in the presence of calcium ions as determined by NMR spectroscopy (Freedman, S. J., Furie, B. C., Furie, B., and Baleja, J. D. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 12126-12137) and by x-ray crystallography (Shikamoto, Y., Morita, T., Fujimoto, Z., and Mizuno, H. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 24090-24094). The complex structure shows that the complementarity determining region loops of the 10C12 antibody form a hydrophobic pocket to accommodate the hydrophobic patch of the Gla domain consisting of Leu-6, Phe-9, and Val-10. Polar interactions also play an important role in the antibody-antigen recognition. Furthermore, the calcium coordination network of the Factor IX Gla domain is different than in Gla domain structures of other vitamin K-dependent proteins. We conclude that this antibody is directed at the membrane binding site in the omega loop of Factor IX and blocks Factor IX function by inhibiting its interaction with membranes.

Purification of recombinant DNA-derived factor IX produced in transgenic pig milk and fractionation of active and inactive subpopulations

Transgenic animal bioreactors can be engineered to make gram per liter quantities of complex recombinant glycoproteins in milk. However, little is known about the limitations in post-translational processing that occurs for very complex proteins and how this impacts the task of purification. We report on the purification of recombinant factor IX (rFIX) from the milk of transgenic pigs having an expression level of 2-3 g rFIX/(l(-1) h(-1)), an expression level that is about 20-fold higher than previously reported. This purification process efficiently recovers highly active rFIX and shows that even complex mixtures like pig milk, which contains 60 g/l total endogenous milk protein and multiple subpopulations of rFIX, can be processed using conventional, non-immunoaffinity chromatographic methods. Without prior removal of caseins, heparin-affinity chromatography was used to first purify the total population of rFIX at greater than 90% yield. After the total population was isolated, the biologically active and inactive subpopulations were fractionated by high-resolution anion exchange chromatography using an ammonium acetate elution. Capillary isoelectric focusing of the active and inactive rFIX fractions demonstrated that the active subpopulations are the most acidic.

Binding of the Factor IX γ-Carboxyglutamic Acid Domain to the Vitamin K-dependent γ-Glutamyl Carboxylase Active Site Induces an Allosteric Effect That May Ensure Processive Carboxylation and Regulate the Release of Carboxylated Product

Propeptides of the vitamin K-dependent proteins bind to an exosite on gamma-glutamyl carboxylase; while they are bound, multiple glutamic acids in the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain are carboxylated. The role of the propeptides has been studied extensively; however, the role of the Gla domain in substrate binding is less well understood. We used kinetic and fluorescence techniques to investigate the interactions of the carboxylase with a substrate containing the propeptide and Gla domain of factor IX (FIXproGla41). In addition, we characterized the effect of the Gla domain and carboxylation on propeptide and substrate binding. For the propeptide of factor IX (proFIX18), FIXproGla41, and carboxylated FIXproGla41, the Kd values were 50, 2.5, and 19.7 nM and the koff values were 273 x 10(-5), 9 x 10(-5), and 37 x 10(-5) s(-1), respectively. The koff of proFIX18 is reduced 3-fold by FLEEL and 9-fold by the Gla domain (residues 1-46) of FIX. The pre-steady state rate constants for carboxylation of FIXproGla41 was 0.02 s(-1) in enzyme excess and 0.016 s(-1) in substrate excess. The steady state rate in substrate excess is 4.5 x 10(-4) s(-1). These results demonstrate the following. 1) The pre-steady state carboxylation rate constant of FIXproGla41 is significantly slower than that of FLEEL. 2) The Gla domain plays an allosteric role in substrate-enzyme interactions. 3) Carboxylation reduces the allosteric effect. 4) The similarity between the steady state carboxylation rate constant and product dissociation rate constant suggests that product release is rate-limiting. 5) The increased dissociation rate after carboxylation contributes to the release of product.

Mutagenesis of the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid domain of human factor VII to generate maximum enhancement of the membrane contact site

Site-directed mutagenesis of the 40 N-terminal residues (gamma-carboxyglutamic acid domain) of blood clotting factor VII was carried out to identify sites that improve membrane affinity. Improvements and degree of change included P10Q (2-fold), K32E (13-fold), and insertion of Tyr at position 4 (2-fold). Two other beneficial changes, D33F (2-fold) and A34E (1.5-fold), may exert their impact via influence of K32E. The modification D33E (5.2-fold) also resulted in substantial improvement. The combined mutant with highest affinity, (Y4)P10Q/K32E/D33F/A34E, showed 150-296-fold enhancement over wild-type factor VIIa, depending on the assay used. Undercarboxylation of Glu residues at positions 33 and 34 may result in an underestimate of the true contributions of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid at these positions. Except for the Tyr(4) mutant, all other beneficial mutations were located on the same surface of the protein, suggesting a possible membrane contact region. An initial screening assay was developed that provided faithful evaluation of mutants in crude mixtures. Overall, the results suggest features of membrane binding by vitamin K-dependent proteins and provide reagents that may prove useful for research and therapy.

Continuous purification of a clotting factor IX concentrate and continuous regeneration by preparative annular chromatography

Preparative continuous annular chromatography, a method to separate proteins in a truly continuous manner, was investigated in an industrial environment. Plasma-derived clotting factor IX concentrate was used as model protein. Separation of vitronectin, a common impurity in commercial available factor IX concentrates, from factor IX was studied and compared to conventional packed bed chromatography in batch mode. As sorbent, Toyopearl DEAE 650M was used. Regeneration was performed simultaneously with the purification of factor IX in continuous mode. All required parameters applied for preparative annular chromatography such as feed flow-rate and elution flow-rate were first estimated from experiments on conventional batch columns. Then preparative annular chromatography and conventional packed beds were compared regarding enrichment, purity and productivity. Three different process scenarios, the optimal batch process,the preparative annular chromatography process and the batch process equivalent to the preparative annular chromatography process were investigated. The productivity of the optimal batch process was higher than that of the preparative annular chromatography and batch process equivalent to the preparative annular chromatography process. Therefore the throughput could not be increased by the use of the continuous chromatographic system.

Characterization of clotting factor IX in plasma-derived preparations by electrophoretic techniques

Clotting factor IX preparations from human plasma (pdFIX) have been characterized using electrophoretic methods like sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Factor IX prior to and after activation with factor XIa was separated by one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and on isoelectric focusing gels. The main differences between the band patterns of the two pdFIX preparations are due to their purity. Vitronectin was identified by immunological techniques as major accompanying plasma protein, separated from factor IX and characterized by isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Posttranslational modifications of recombinant myotube-synthesized human factor IX

Recent data demonstrate that the introduction into skeletal muscle of an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector expressing blood coagulation factor IX (F.IX) can result in long-term expression of the transgene product and amelioration of the bleeding diathesis in animals with hemophilia B. These data suggest that biologically active F.IX can be synthesized in skeletal muscle. Factor IX undergoes extensive posttranslational modifications in the liver, the normal site of synthesis. In addition to affecting specific activity, these posttranslational modifications can also affect recovery, half-life in the circulation, and the immunogenicity of the protein. Before initiating a human trial of an AAV-mediated, muscle-directed approach for treating hemophilia B, a detailed biochemical analysis of F.IX synthesized in skeletal muscle was carried out. As a model system, human myotubes transduced with an AAV vector expressing F.IX was used. F.IX was purified from conditioned medium using a novel strategy designed to purify material representative of all species of rF.IX in the medium. Purified F.IX was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), N-terminal sequence analysis, chemical gamma-carboxyglutamyl analysis, carbohydrate analysis, assays for tyrosine sulfation, and serine phosphorylation, and for specific activity. Results show that myotube-synthesized F.IX has specific activity similar to that of liver-synthesized F.IX. Posttranslational modifications critical for specific activity, including removal of the signal sequence and propeptide, and gamma-carboxylation of the N-terminal glutamic acid residues, are also similar, but carbohydrate analysis and assessment of tyrosine sulfation and serine phosphorylation disclose differences. In vivo experiments in mice showed that these differences affect recovery but not half-life of muscle-synthesized F.IX.

Biotechnology: alternatives to human plasma-derived therapeutic proteins

Proteins derived from human plasma have become critically important therapeutic products since their introduction in the 1940s. In the last 20 years, the tools of molecular biology have provided alternatives to the administration of the natural products. Recombinant analogues of Factor VIII and Factor IX are commercially available, and recombinant forms of other plasma proteins are under development. Genetic engineering also provides the opportunity to modify a natural protein to improve the efficiency with which it can be produced in vitro, or to change its therapeutic profile. More efficient production systems, such as transgenic plants or animals, may yield less costly therapies and a wider availability of products that are now in limited supply. Finally, gene therapy offers the prospect of permanently correcting conditions arising from deficiencies in any one of several plasma proteins, freeing individuals from the need to undergo periodic treatments with exogenous proteins.

Identification and purification of vitamin K-dependent proteins and peptides with monoclonal antibodies specific for gamma -carboxyglutamyl (Gla) residues

Novel monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize gamma-carboxyglutamyl (Gla) residues in proteins and peptides have been produced. As demonstrated by Western blot and time-resolved immunofluorescence assays the antibodies are pan-specific for most or all of the Gla-containing proteins tested (factors VII, IX, and X, prothrombin, protein C, protein S, growth arrest-specific protein 6, bone Gla protein, conantokin G from a cone snail, and factor Xa-like proteins from snake venom). Only the Gla-containing light chain of the two-chain proteins was bound. Decarboxylation destroyed the epitope(s) on prothrombin fragment 1, and Ca(2+) strongly inhibited binding to prothrombin. In Western blot, immunofluorescence, and surface plasmon resonance assays the antibodies bound peptides conjugated to bovine serum albumin that contained either a single Gla or a tandem pair of Gla residues. Binding was maintained when the sequence surrounding the Gla residue(s) was altered. Replacement of Gla with glutamic acid resulted in a complete loss of the epitope. The utility of the antibodies was demonstrated in immunochemical methods for detecting Gla-containing proteins and in the immunopurification of a factor Xa-like protein from tiger snake venom. The amino acid sequences of the Gla domain and portions of the heavy chain of the snake protein were determined.

Localization of labile posttranslational modifications by electron capture dissociation: the case of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid

Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) of 28 residue peptides harboring gamma-carboxylated glutamic acid residues, a posttranslational modification of several proenzymes of the blood coagulation cascade, using either collisions or infrared photons results in complete ejection of the gamma-CO2 moieties (-44 Da) before cleavage of peptide-backbone bonds. However, MS/MS using electron capture dissociation (ECD) in a Fourier transform mass spectrometer cleaves backbone bonds without ejecting CO2, allowing direct localization of this labile modification. Sulfated side chains are also retained in ECD backbone fragmentations of a 21-mer peptide, although CAD causes extensive SO3 loss. ECD thus is a unique complement to conventional methods for MS/MS, causing less undesirable loss of side-chain functionalities as well as more desirable backbone cleavages.

Mammalian recombinant coagulation proteins: structure and function

Recombinant DNA technology has permitted the production of synthetic proteins which are potentially free of human infectious agents. Despite production in foreign cells, these proteins are structurally and functionally comparable to the native proteins. Recombinant clotting factors VIII, IX, VIIa, and von Willebrand factor have the same primary sequence as their plasma counterparts. The secondary and tertiary structures are similar, Post-translational modifications, including proteolytic processing, disulfide bonding, addition and processing of N- and O-linked glycans, gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid residues, beta-hydroxylation of aspartic acid residues, sulfation of tyrosine residues, and phosphorylation of serine residues, are similar but not always identical, In some instances. these differences may cause significant functional differences. For example, reduced tyrosine sulfation and serine phosphorylation of recombinant factor IX have been correlated with reduced recovery following intravenous infusion. The specific clotting activity of the recombinant factors, an indication of their coagulant function, is equivalent to that of the plasma factors. Finally, these proteins have been used clinically and shown to correct clinical deficiencies of these proteins in a manner that is similar to replacement with plasma factors. All in all, the promise of recombinant DNA technology for coagulation and other disorders remains bright.