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Dekevic G, Tertel T, Tasto L, Schmidt D, Giebel B, Czermak P, Salzig D. A Bioreactor-Based Yellow Fever Virus-like Particle Production Process with Integrated Process Analytical Technology Based on Transient Transfection. Viruses 2023; 15:2013. [PMID: 37896790 PMCID: PMC10612092 DOI: 10.3390/v15102013] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Yellow Fever (YF) is a severe disease that, while preventable through vaccination, lacks rapid intervention options for those already infected. There is an urgent need for passive immunization techniques using YF-virus-like particles (YF-VLPs). To address this, we successfully established a bioreactor-based production process for YF-VLPs, leveraging transient transfection and integrating Process Analytical Technology. A cornerstone of this approach was the optimization of plasmid DNA (pDNA) production to a yield of 11 mg/L using design of experiments. Glucose, NaCl, yeast extract, and a phosphate buffer showed significant influence on specific pDNA yield. The preliminary work for VLP-production in bioreactor showed adjustments to the HEK cell density, the polyplex formation duration, and medium exchanges effectively elevated transfection efficiencies. The additive Pluronic F-68 was neutral in its effects, and anti-clumping agents (ACA) adversely affected the transfection process. Finally, we established the stirred-tank bioreactor process with integrated dielectric spectroscopy, which gave real-time insight in relevant process steps, e.g., cell growth, polyplex uptake, and harvest time. We confirmed the presence and integrity of YF-VLP via Western blot, imaging flow cytometry measurement, and transmission electron microscopy. The YF-VLP production process can serve as a platform to produce VLPs as passive immunizing agents against other neglected tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Dekevic
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (G.D.); (L.T.); (D.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Tobias Tertel
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 179, 45147 Essen, Germany; (T.T.); (B.G.)
| | - Lars Tasto
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (G.D.); (L.T.); (D.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Deborah Schmidt
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (G.D.); (L.T.); (D.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Bernd Giebel
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 179, 45147 Essen, Germany; (T.T.); (B.G.)
| | - Peter Czermak
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (G.D.); (L.T.); (D.S.); (P.C.)
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Denise Salzig
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (G.D.); (L.T.); (D.S.); (P.C.)
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Particles in Biopharmaceutical Formulations, Part 2: An Update on Analytical Techniques and Applications for Therapeutic Proteins, Viruses, Vaccines and Cells. J Pharm Sci 2021; 111:933-950. [PMID: 34919969 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.12.011] [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: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Particles in biopharmaceutical formulations remain a hot topic in drug product development. With new product classes emerging it is crucial to discriminate particulate active pharmaceutical ingredients from particulate impurities. Technical improvements, new analytical developments and emerging tools (e.g., machine learning tools) increase the amount of information generated for particles. For a proper interpretation and judgment of the generated data a thorough understanding of the measurement principle, suitable application fields and potential limitations and pitfalls is required. Our review provides a comprehensive overview of novel particle analysis techniques emerging in the last decade for particulate impurities in therapeutic protein formulations (protein-related, excipient-related and primary packaging material-related), as well as particulate biopharmaceutical formulations (virus particles, virus-like particles, lipid nanoparticles and cell-based medicinal products). In addition, we review the literature on applications, describe specific analytical approaches and illustrate advantages and drawbacks of currently available techniques for particulate biopharmaceutical formulations.
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Böszörményi K, Hirsch J, Kiemenyi Kayere G, Fagrouch Z, Heijmans N, Rodriguez Garcia R, Dwarka S, van Dijke A, Aaldijk B, Limpens R, Barcena M, Koster B, Verstrepen B, Bogers W, Kocken C, Cornellissen G, Verschoor E, Faber B. A Bacterially-Expressed Recombinant Envelope Protein from Usutu Virus Induces Neutralizing Antibodies in Rabbits. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020157. [PMID: 33669414 PMCID: PMC7920429 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Recently, an emerging flavivirus, Usutu virus (USUV), has caused an epidemic among birds in Europe, resulting in a massive die-off in Eurasian blackbirds. Currently found only in Europe and Africa, it can be envisioned that Usutu virus will follow the path of other flaviviruses, like West Nile virus and Zika virus, and will spread via its mosquito vectors and bird hosts to other parts of the world. Several cases of human infections by Usutu virus have already been published. Anticipating this spread, development of an efficacious vaccine would be highly desirable. Method: This study describes the production in E. coli, purification, and refolding of a partial USUV envelope protein. Prior to immunization, the protein was characterized using size exclusion chromatography, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, showing the limited presence of virus-like structures, indicating that the protein solution is probably a mixture of mono and multimeric envelope proteins. Results: Immunizations of two rabbits with the refolded E-protein fraction, mixed with a strong adjuvant, resulted in the generation of neutralizing antibodies, as evidenced in an in vitro assay. Discussion: The way forward towards a subunit vaccine against Usutu virus infection is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Böszörményi
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (B.F.); Tel.: +31-152842500 (K.B. & B.F.)
| | - Janet Hirsch
- Department of Biotechnology, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033 Hamburg, Germany; (J.H.); (G.C.)
| | - Gwendoline Kiemenyi Kayere
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
| | - Zahra Fagrouch
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
| | - Nicole Heijmans
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Roberto Rodriguez Garcia
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Soesjiel Dwarka
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Amy van Dijke
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Boyd Aaldijk
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Ronald Limpens
- Section Electron Microscopy, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.L.); (M.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Montserrat Barcena
- Section Electron Microscopy, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.L.); (M.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Bram Koster
- Section Electron Microscopy, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.L.); (M.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Babs Verstrepen
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
| | - Willy Bogers
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
| | - Clemens Kocken
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Gesine Cornellissen
- Department of Biotechnology, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033 Hamburg, Germany; (J.H.); (G.C.)
| | - Ernst Verschoor
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
| | - Bart Faber
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (B.F.); Tel.: +31-152842500 (K.B. & B.F.)
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Gerstweiler L, Billakanti J, Bi J, Middelberg A. Comparative evaluation of integrated purification pathways for bacterial modular polyomavirus major capsid protein VP1 to produce virus-like particles using high throughput process technologies. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1639:461924. [PMID: 33545579 PMCID: PMC7825977 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2021.461924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Modular virus-like particles and capsomeres are potential vaccine candidates that can induce strong immune responses. There are many described protocols for the purification of microbially-produced viral protein in the literature, however, they suffer from inherent limitations in efficiency, scalability and overall process costs. In this study, we investigated alternative purification pathways to identify and optimise a suitable purification pathway to overcome some of the current challenges. Among the methods, the optimised purification strategy consists of an anion exchange step in flow through mode followed by a multi modal cation exchange step in bind and elute mode. This approach allows an integrated process without any buffer adjustment between the purification steps. The major contaminants like host cell proteins, DNA and aggregates can be efficiently removed by the optimised strategy, without the need for a size exclusion polishing chromatography step, which otherwise could complicate the process scalability and increase overall cost. High throughput process technology studies were conducted to optimise binding and elution conditions for multi modal cation exchanger, Capto™ MMC and strong anion exchanger Capto™ Q. A dynamic binding capacity of 14 mg ml−1 was achieved for Capto™ MMC resin. Samples derived from each purification process were thoroughly characterized by RP-HPLC, SEC-HPLC, SDS-PAGE and LC-ESI-MS/MS Mass Spectrometry analytical methods. Modular polyomavirus major capsid protein could be purified within hours using the optimised process achieving purities above 87% and above 96% with inclusion of an initial precipitation step. Purified capsid protein could be easily assembled in-vitro into well-defined virus-like particles by lowering pH with addition of calcium chloride to the eluate. High throughout studies allowed the screening of a vast design space within weeks, rather than months, and unveiled complicated binding behaviour for CaptoTM MMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Gerstweiler
- The University of Adelaide, School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Jagan Billakanti
- Cytiva, Product and Application Specialist Downstream Design-In ANZ, Suite 547, Level 5, 7 Eden Park Drive, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Jingxiu Bi
- The University of Adelaide, School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Anton Middelberg
- The University of Adelaide, Division of Research and Innovation, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
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Comas-Garcia M, Colunga-Saucedo M, Rosales-Mendoza S. The Role of Virus-Like Particles in Medical Biotechnology. Mol Pharm 2020; 17:4407-4420. [PMID: 33147978 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are protein-based, nanoscale, self-assembling, cage architectures, which have relevant applications in biomedicine. They can be used for the development of vaccines, imaging approaches, drug and gene therapy delivery systems, and in vitro diagnostic methods. Today, three relevant viruses are targeted using VLP-based recombinant vaccines. VLP-based drug delivery, nanoreactors for therapy, and imaging systems are approaches under development with promising outcomes. Several VLP-based vaccines are under clinical evaluation. Herein, an updated view on the VLP-based biomedical applications is provided; advanced methods for the production, functionalization, and drug loading of VLPs are described, and perspectives for the field are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Comas-Garcia
- Department of Sciences, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi 78295, México.,Genomic Medicine Section, Research Center for Health Sciences and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi 78210, México.,High-Resolution Microscopy Section, Research Center for Health Sciences and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi 78210, México
| | - Mayra Colunga-Saucedo
- Genomic Medicine Section, Research Center for Health Sciences and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi 78210, México
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Departament of Chemical Sciences, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi 78210, México.,Biotechnology Section, Research Center for Health Sciences and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi 78210, México
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High pressure homogenization is a key unit operation in inclusion body processing. J Biotechnol 2020; 324S:100022. [PMID: 34154734 DOI: 10.1016/j.btecx.2020.100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant protein production in E. coli often leads to the formation of inclusion bodies (IBs). Although downstream processing of IBs has the reputation of being a great hurdle, advantages of IBs can be substantial. Highly pure recombinant protein with the possibility of correctly folded structures and an easy separation from cell matter are decisive factors that make IB processes so interesting. Product yield, purity and biological activity of the refolded protein are the responses to evaluate an IB process. The objective of this case study was to develop a refolding process in an integrated manner. The effects of the unit operations 1) homogenization, 2) IB wash and 3) IB solubilisation as well as their interdependencies were analyzed. We revealed interesting factor interactions between homogenization and IB wash, as well as homogenization and solubilisation, which would be overlooked if the single unit operations were investigated individually. Furthermore, we found that homogenization was a key unit operation for IB processing. By changing the conditions during homogenization only, the product yield, purity and biological activity of the refolded product was affected 2-fold, 1.2-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively.
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