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Thorlaksen C, Stanciu AM, Busch Neergaard M, Jiskoot W, Groenning M, Foderà V. Subtle pH variation around pH 4.0 affects aggregation kinetics and aggregate characteristics of recombinant human insulin. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2022; 179:166-172. [PMID: 36087880 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.09.001] [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: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Insulin is a biotherapeutic protein, which, depending on environmental conditions such as pH, has been shown to form a large variety of aggregates with different structures and morphologies. This work focuses on the formation and characteristics of insulin particulates, dense spherical aggregates having diameters spanning from nanometre to low-micron size. An in-depth investigation of the system is obtained by applying a broad range of techniques for particle sizing and characterisation. An interesting observation was achieved regarding the formation kinetics and aggregate characteristics of the particulates; a subtle change in the pH from pH 4.1 to pH 4.3 markedly affected the kinetics of the particulate formation and led to different particulate sizes, either nanosized or micronsized particles. Also, a clear difference between the secondary structure of the protein particulates formed at the two pH values was observed, where the nanosized particulates had an increased content of aggregated β-structure compared to the micronsized particles. The remaining characteristics of the particles were identical for the two particulate populations. These observations highlight the importance of carefully studying the formulation design space and of knowing the impact of parameters such as pH on the aggregation to secure a drug product in control. Furthermore, the identification of particles only varying in few parameters, such as size, are considered highly valuable for studying the effect of particle features on the immunogenicity potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Thorlaksen
- Biophysical analysis, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark; Department of pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Adriana-Maria Stanciu
- Biophysical analysis, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark; Department of pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Wim Jiskoot
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Minna Groenning
- Biophysical analysis, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark.
| | - Vito Foderà
- Department of pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Chaaban H, Vallooran JJ, van de Weert M, Foderà V. Ion-Mediated Morphological Diversity in Protein Amyloid Systems. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:3586-3593. [PMID: 35426676 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Salt ions are considered among the major determinants ruling protein folding, stability, and self-assembly in the context of amyloid-related diseases, protein drug development, and functional biomaterials. Here, we report that Hofmeister ions not only determine the rate constants of the aggregation reaction for human insulin and hen egg white lysozyme but also control the generation of a plethora of amyloid-like morphologies ranging from the nanoscale to the microscale. We anticipate that the latter is a result of a balance between colloidal and conformational stability combined with an ion-specific effect and highlight the importance of salt ions in controlling the biological functions of protein aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Chaaban
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jijo J Vallooran
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marco van de Weert
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vito Foderà
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Balasco N, Diaferia C, Morelli G, Vitagliano L, Accardo A. Amyloid-Like Aggregation in Diseases and Biomaterials: Osmosis of Structural Information. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:641372. [PMID: 33748087 PMCID: PMC7966729 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.641372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery that the polypeptide chain has a remarkable and intrinsic propensity to form amyloid-like aggregates endowed with an extraordinary stability is one of the most relevant breakthroughs of the last decades in both protein/peptide chemistry and structural biology. This observation has fundamental implications, as the formation of these assemblies is systematically associated with the insurgence of severe neurodegenerative diseases. Although the ability of proteins to form aggregates rich in cross-β structure has been highlighted by recent studies of structural biology, the determination of the underlying atomic models has required immense efforts and inventiveness. Interestingly, the progressive molecular and structural characterization of these assemblies has opened new perspectives in apparently unrelated fields. Indeed, the self-assembling through the cross-β structure has been exploited to generate innovative biomaterials endowed with promising mechanical and spectroscopic properties. Therefore, this structural motif has become the fil rouge connecting these diversified research areas. In the present review, we report a chronological recapitulation, also performing a survey of the structural content of the Protein Data Bank, of the milestones achieved over the years in the characterization of cross-β assemblies involved in the insurgence of neurodegenerative diseases. A particular emphasis is given to the very recent successful elucidation of amyloid-like aggregates characterized by remarkable molecular and structural complexities. We also review the state of the art of the structural characterization of cross-β based biomaterials by highlighting the benefits of the osmosis of information between these two research areas. Finally, we underline the new promising perspectives that recent successful characterizations of disease-related amyloid-like assemblies can open in the biomaterial field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
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Pounot K, Grime GW, Longo A, Zamponi M, Noferini D, Cristiglio V, Seydel T, Garman EF, Weik M, Foderà V, Schirò G. Zinc determines dynamical properties and aggregation kinetics of human insulin. Biophys J 2021; 120:886-898. [PMID: 33545104 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.11.2280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation is a widespread process leading to deleterious consequences in the organism, with amyloid aggregates being important not only in biology but also for drug design and biomaterial production. Insulin is a protein largely used in diabetes treatment, and its amyloid aggregation is at the basis of the so-called insulin-derived amyloidosis. Here, we uncover the major role of zinc in both insulin dynamics and aggregation kinetics at low pH, in which the formation of different amyloid superstructures (fibrils and spherulites) can be thermally induced. Amyloid aggregation is accompanied by zinc release and the suppression of water-sustained insulin dynamics, as shown by particle-induced x-ray emission and x-ray absorption spectroscopy and by neutron spectroscopy, respectively. Our study shows that zinc binding stabilizes the native form of insulin by facilitating hydration of this hydrophobic protein and suggests that introducing new binding sites for zinc can improve insulin stability and tune its aggregation propensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Pounot
- Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Würtemberg, Germany.
| | | | - Alessandro Longo
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, Palermo, Italy
| | - Michaela Zamponi
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science JCNS, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Outstation at MLZ, Garching, Germany
| | - Daria Noferini
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science JCNS, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Outstation at MLZ, Garching, Germany
| | | | - Tilo Seydel
- Science Division, Institut Max von Laue-Paul Langevin, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Martin Weik
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Vito Foderà
- Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Giorgio Schirò
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
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