1
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Ruppen I, Verscheure L, Vandenheede I, Ortiz A, de Melo IS, Liebig T, Sandra P, Beydon ME, Sandra K. Characterization of mAb size heterogeneity originating from a cysteine to tyrosine substitution using denaturing and native LC-MS. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2023; 236:115743. [PMID: 37757547 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115743] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Upon assessing the comparability between a biosimilar mAb and its reference product by non-reducing CE-SDS, increased levels of a heavy-heavy-light chain (HHL) variant, present as a low molecular weight (LMW) peak, were observed. RPLC-MS applied at top, middle-up and bottom-up level revealed the existence of Cys-to-Tyr substitutions, predominantly at position HC226 involved in connecting LC and HC, explaining the abundant HHL levels. Antigen binding was not impacted by the presence of this size variant suggesting a non-covalent association of Tyr substituted HHL and LC. The latter complex is not maintained in the denaturing conditions associated with CE-SDS and RPLC-MS. Its existence could, nevertheless, be confirmed by native SEC-MS which preserves non-covalent protein interactions during separation and electrospray ionization. Amino acid analysis furthermore demonstrated a depletion of Cys during the fed-batch process indicating that the observed size/sequence variant is not of genetic but rather of metabolic origin. Native SEC-MS showed that supplementing the cell culture medium with Cys halts misincorporation of Tyr and promotes the formation of the desired mAb structure. To the best of our knowledge, Cys-to-Tyr substitutions preventing interchain disulfide bridge formation have not been described earlier. This observation adds to the impressive structural heterogeneity reported to date for mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Ruppen
- mAbxience Research, Manuel Pombo Angulo 28, 28050 Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Alexia Ortiz
- RIC group, President Kennedypark 26, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Timo Liebig
- mAbxience Research, Manuel Pombo Angulo 28, 28050 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pat Sandra
- RIC group, President Kennedypark 26, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Koen Sandra
- RIC group, President Kennedypark 26, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.
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2
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Yan Y, Xing T, Liu AP, Zhang Z, Wang S, Li N. Post-Column Denaturation-Assisted Native Size-Exclusion Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for Rapid and In-Depth Characterization of High Molecular Weight Variants in Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2021; 32:2885-2894. [PMID: 34786946 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.1c00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The high molecular weight (HMW) size variants present in therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) samples need to be closely monitored and characterized due to their impact on product safety and efficacy. Because of the complexity and often low abundances in final drug substance (DS) samples, characterization of such HMW species is challenging and traditionally requires offline enrichment of the HMW species followed by analysis using various analytical tools. Here, we report the development of a postcolumn denaturation-assisted native SEC-MS method that allows rapid and in-depth characterization of mAb HMW species directly from unfractionated DS samples. This method not only provides high-confidence identification of HMW complexes based on accurate mass measurement of both the intact assembly and the constituent subunits but also allows in-depth analysis of the interaction nature and location. In addition, using the extracted ion chromatograms, derived from high-quality, native-like mass spectra, the elution profiles of each noncovalent and/or nondissociable complex can be readily reconstructed, facilitating the comprehension of a complex HMW profile. The utility of this novel method was demonstrated in different applications, ranging from enriched HMW characterization at late stage development, comparability assessment due to process changes, and forced degradation study of coformulated mAbs. As this method does not require prior enrichment, it is thus desirable for providing both rapid and in-depth characterization of HMW species during the development of therapeutic mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuetian Yan
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
| | - Tao Xing
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
| | - Anita P Liu
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
| | - Zhengqi Zhang
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
| | - Shunhai Wang
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
| | - Ning Li
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
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3
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Chen G, Tao L, Li Z. Recent advancements in mass spectrometry for higher order structure characterization of protein therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:196-206. [PMID: 34571276 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Molecular characterization of higher order structure (HOS) in protein therapeutics is crucial to the selection of candidate molecules, understanding of structure-function relationships, formulation development, stability assessment, and comparability studies. Recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS), including native MS, hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX)-MS, and fast photochemical oxidation of proteins (FPOP) coupled with MS, have provided orthogonal ways to characterize HOS of protein therapeutics. In this review, we present the utility of native MS, HDX-MS and FPOP-MS in protein therapeutics discovery and development, with a focus on epitope mapping, aggregation assessment, and comparability studies. We also discuss future trends in the application of these MS methods to HOS characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Chen
- Analytical Development and Attribute Sciences, Biologics Development, Global Product Development and Supply, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
| | - Li Tao
- Analytical Development and Attribute Sciences, Biologics Development, Global Product Development and Supply, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Zhengjian Li
- Analytical Development and Attribute Sciences, Biologics Development, Global Product Development and Supply, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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4
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Hamuro Y, Derebe MG, Venkataramani S, Nemeth JF. The effects of intramolecular and intermolecular electrostatic repulsions on the stability and aggregation of NISTmAb revealed by HDX-MS, DSC, and nanoDSF. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1686-1700. [PMID: 34060159 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The stability and aggregation of NIST monoclonal antibody (NISTmAb) were investigated by hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and nano-differential scanning fluorimetry (nanoDSF). NISTmAb was prepared in eight formulations at four different pHs (pH 5, 6, 7, and 8) in the presence and absence of 150 mM NaCl and analyzed by the three methods. The HDX-MS results showed that NISTmAb is more conformationally stable at a pH near its isoelectric point (pI) in the presence of NaCl than a pH far from its pI in the absence of NaCl. The stabilization effects were global and not localized. The midpoint temperature of protein thermal unfolding transition results also showed the CH 2 domain of the protein is more conformationally stable at a pH near its pI. On the other hand, the onset of aggregation temperature results showed that NISTmAb is less prone to aggregate at a pH far from its pI, particularly in the absence of NaCl. These seemingly contradicting results, higher conformational stability yet higher aggregation propensity near the pI than far away from the pI, can be explained by intramolecular and intermolecular electrostatic repulsion using Lumry-Eyring model, which separates folding/unfolding equilibrium and aggregation event. The further a pH from the pI, the higher the net charge of the protein. The higher net charge leads to greater intramolecular and intermolecular electrostatic repulsions. The greater intramolecular electrostatic repulsion destabilizes the protein and the greater intermolecular electrostatic repulsion prevents aggregation of the protein molecules at pH far from the pI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mehabaw Getahun Derebe
- Janssen R&D, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA.,Merck & Co., Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
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5
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Huang RYC, Wang F, Wheeler M, Wang Y, Langish R, Chau B, Dong J, Morishige W, Bezman N, Strop P, Rajpal A, Gudmundsson O, Chen G. Integrated Approach for Characterizing Bispecific Antibody/Antigens Complexes and Mapping Binding Epitopes with SEC/MALS, Native Mass Spectrometry, and Protein Footprinting. Anal Chem 2020; 92:10709-10716. [PMID: 32639723 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), with a unique mechanism of recognizing two different epitopes or antigens, have shown potential in various therapeutic areas. Molecular characterization of BsAbs' epitopes not only allows for detailed understanding of their mechanism of actions but also guides the design and selection of drug candidate molecules. In this study, we illustrate the practical utility of an integrated approach, including size exclusion chromatography with multiangle light scattering and native mass spectrometry (MS) for the biophysical characterization of complex formation of a BsAb with two target antigens, cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) and B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). MS-based protein footprinting strategies, including hydrogen/deuterium exchange MS, fast photochemical oxidation of proteins, and carboxyl group footprinting with glycine ethyl ester, were further applied to determine BsAb's binding epitopes. This combination approach provides molecular details on the binding mechanisms of BsAb to the two distinct antigens with rapid output and high resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Y-C Huang
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Nonclinical Research and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Feng Wang
- Protein Engineering, Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Matthew Wheeler
- Discovery Biology, Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Yun Wang
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Nonclinical Research and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Robert Langish
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Nonclinical Research and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Bryant Chau
- Protein Engineering, Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Jia Dong
- Protein Engineering, Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Winse Morishige
- Protein Engineering, Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Natalie Bezman
- Discovery Biology, Research and Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Pavel Strop
- Protein Engineering, Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Arvind Rajpal
- Protein Engineering, Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Olafur Gudmundsson
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Nonclinical Research and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Guodong Chen
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Nonclinical Research and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
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6
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Das TK, Narhi LO, Sreedhara A, Menzen T, Grapentin C, Chou DK, Antochshuk V, Filipe V. Stress Factors in mAb Drug Substance Production Processes: Critical Assessment of Impact on Product Quality and Control Strategy. J Pharm Sci 2020; 109:116-133. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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7
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The use of fast photochemical oxidation of proteins coupled with mass spectrometry in protein therapeutics discovery and development. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:829-834. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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8
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Yan Y, Liu AP, Wang S, Daly TJ, Li N. Ultrasensitive Characterization of Charge Heterogeneity of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies Using Strong Cation Exchange Chromatography Coupled to Native Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2018; 90:13013-13020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b03773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuetian Yan
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
| | - Anita P. Liu
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
| | - Shunhai Wang
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
| | - Thomas J. Daly
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
| | - Ning Li
- Analytical Chemistry Group, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, United States
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9
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MS-based conformation analysis of recombinant proteins in design, optimization and development of biopharmaceuticals. Methods 2018; 144:134-151. [PMID: 29678586 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods for analyzing protein higher order structures have gained increasing application in the field of biopharmaceutical development. The predominant methods used in this area include native MS, hydrogen deuterium exchange-MS, covalent labeling, cross-linking and limited proteolysis. These MS-based methods will be briefly described in this article, followed by a discussion on how these methods contribute at different stages of discovery and development of protein therapeutics.
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10
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Toth RT, Pace SE, Mills BJ, Joshi SB, Esfandiary R, Middaugh CR, Weis DD, Volkin DB. Evaluation of Hydrogen Exchange Mass Spectrometry as a Stability-Indicating Method for Formulation Excipient Screening for an IgG4 Monoclonal Antibody. J Pharm Sci 2018; 107:1009-1019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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