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VanAernum ZL, Sergi JA, Dey M, Toner T, Kilgore B, Lay-Fortenbery A, Wang Y, Bian S, Kochert BA, Bothe JR, Gao X, Richardson D, Schuessler HA. Discovery and Control of Succinimide Formation and Accumulation at Aspartic Acid Residues in The Complementarity-Determining Region of a Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody. Pharm Res 2023; 40:1411-1423. [PMID: 36627449 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03462-0] [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: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Succinimide formation and isomerization alter the chemical and physical properties of aspartic acid residues in a protein. Modification of aspartic acid residues within complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can be particularly detrimental to the efficacy of the molecule. The goal of this study was to characterize the site of succinimide accumulation in the CDR of a therapeutic mAb and understand its effects on potency. Furthermore, we aimed to mitigate succinimide accumulation through changes in formulation. METHODS Accumulation of succinimide was identified through intact and reduced LC-MS mass measurements. A low pH peptide mapping method was used for relative quantitation and localization of succinimide formation in the CDR. Statistical modeling was used to correlate levels of succinimide with basic variants and potency measurements. RESULTS Succinimide accumulation in Formulation A was accelerated when stored at elevated temperatures. A strong correlation between succinimide accumulation in the CDR, an increase in basic charge variants, and a decrease in potency was observed. Statistical modeling suggest that a combination of ion exchange chromatography and potency measurements can be used to predict succinimide levels in a given sample. Reformulation of the mAb to Formulation B mitigates succinimide accumulation even after extended storage at elevated temperatures. CONCLUSION Succinimide formation in the CDR of a therapeutic mAb can have a strong negative impact on potency of the molecule. We demonstrate that thorough characterization of the molecule by LC-MS, ion exchange chromatography, and potency measurements can facilitate changes in formulation that mitigate succinimide formation and the corresponding detrimental changes in potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary L VanAernum
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA.
| | - Joseph A Sergi
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Monisha Dey
- Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Timothy Toner
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Bruce Kilgore
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Ashley Lay-Fortenbery
- Preclinical Development, Merck & Co., Inc, 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
- Biologics Process and Analytical Development, National Resilience, Inc, Waltham, MA, 02451, USA
| | - Shengjie Bian
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
- CMC Regulatory & Technical Strategy, Amicus Therapeutics Inc. Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Brent A Kochert
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Jameson R Bothe
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Xinliu Gao
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Douglas Richardson
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Hillary A Schuessler
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
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Spontaneous cross-linking of proteins at aspartate and asparagine residues is mediated via a succinimide intermediate. Biochem J 2018; 475:3189-3200. [PMID: 30181147 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The breakdown of long-lived proteins (LLPs) is associated with aging, as well as disease; however, our understanding of the molecular processes involved is still limited. Of particular relevance, cross-linked proteins are often reported in aged tissues but the mechanisms for their formation are poorly understood. In the present study, sites of protein cross-linking in human ocular lenses were characterized using proteomic techniques. In long-lived lens proteins, several sites of cross-linking were found to involve the addition of Lys to Asp or Asn residues. Using model peptides containing Asp or Asn, a mechanism was elucidated that involves a succinimide intermediate. Succinimides formed readily from Asn at neutral pH, whereas a higher rate of formation from Asp peptides was observed at more acidic pHs. Succinimides were found to be relatively stable in the absence of nucleophiles. Since racemization of Asp residues, as well as deamidation of Asn, involves a succinimide intermediate, sites of d-Asp and isoAsp in LLPs should also be considered as potential sites of protein covalent cross-linking.
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Kabadi PG, Sankaran PK, Palanivelu DV, Adhikary L, Khedkar A, Chatterjee A. Mass Spectrometry Based Mechanistic Insights into Formation of Tris Conjugates: Implications on Protein Biopharmaceutics. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2016; 27:1677-1685. [PMID: 27488315 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-016-1447-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We present here extensive mass spectrometric studies on the formation of a Tris conjugate with a therapeutic monoclonal antibody. The results not only demonstrate the reactive nature of the Tris molecule but also the sequence and reaction conditions that trigger this reactivity. The results corroborate the fact that proteins are, in general, prone to conjugation and/or adduct formation reactions and any modification due to this essentially leads to formation of impurities in a protein sample. Further, the results demonstrate that the conjugation reaction happens via a succinimide intermediate and has sequence specificity. Additionally, the data presented in this study also shows that the Tris formation is produced in-solution and is not an in-source phenomenon. We believe that the facts given here will open further avenues on exploration of Tris as a conjugating agent as well as ensure that the use of Tris or any ionic buffer in the process of producing a biopharmaceutical drug is monitored closely for the presence of such conjugate formation. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep G Kabadi
- Molecular Characterization Laboratory, Biocon Research Limited, Biocon Limited, Biocon Park, Bommasandra - Jigani Link Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area Phase IV, Bangalore, 560099, India
| | - Praveen Kallamvalliillam Sankaran
- Molecular Characterization Laboratory, Biocon Research Limited, Biocon Limited, Biocon Park, Bommasandra - Jigani Link Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area Phase IV, Bangalore, 560099, India
| | - Dinesh V Palanivelu
- Molecular Characterization Laboratory, Biocon Research Limited, Biocon Limited, Biocon Park, Bommasandra - Jigani Link Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area Phase IV, Bangalore, 560099, India
| | - Laxmi Adhikary
- Molecular Characterization Laboratory, Biocon Research Limited, Biocon Limited, Biocon Park, Bommasandra - Jigani Link Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area Phase IV, Bangalore, 560099, India
| | - Anand Khedkar
- Molecular Characterization Laboratory, Biocon Research Limited, Biocon Limited, Biocon Park, Bommasandra - Jigani Link Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area Phase IV, Bangalore, 560099, India
| | - Amarnath Chatterjee
- Molecular Characterization Laboratory, Biocon Research Limited, Biocon Limited, Biocon Park, Bommasandra - Jigani Link Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area Phase IV, Bangalore, 560099, India.
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