1
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Armstrong GB, Shah V, Sanches P, Patel M, Casey R, Jamieson C, Burley GA, Lewis W, Rattray Z. A framework for the biophysical screening of antibody mutations targeting solvent-accessible hydrophobic and electrostatic patches for enhanced viscosity profiles. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:2345-2357. [PMID: 38867721 PMCID: PMC11167247 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The formulation of high-concentration monoclonal antibody (mAb) solutions in low dose volumes for autoinjector devices poses challenges in manufacturability and patient administration due to elevated solution viscosity. Often many therapeutically potent mAbs are discovered, but their commercial development is stalled by unfavourable developability challenges. In this work, we present a systematic experimental framework for the computational screening of molecular descriptors to guide the design of 24 mutants with modified viscosity profiles accompanied by experimental evaluation. Our experimental observations using a model anti-IL8 mAb and eight engineered mutant variants reveal that viscosity reduction is influenced by the location of hydrophobic interactions, while targeting positively charged patches significantly increases viscosity in comparison to wild-type anti-IL-8 mAb. We conclude that most predicted in silico physicochemical properties exhibit poor correlation with measured experimental parameters for antibodies with suboptimal developability characteristics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive case-by-case evaluation of mAbs. This framework combining molecular design and triage via computational predictions with experimental evaluation aids the agile and rational design of mAbs with tailored solution viscosities, ensuring improved manufacturability and patient convenience in self-administration scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina B. Armstrong
- Drug Substance Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Vidhi Shah
- Large Molecule Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK
| | - Paula Sanches
- Drug Substance Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK
| | - Mitul Patel
- Drug Substance Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK
| | - Ricky Casey
- Drug Substance Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK
| | - Craig Jamieson
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Glenn A. Burley
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - William Lewis
- Drug Substance Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK
| | - Zahra Rattray
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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2
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Armstrong GB, Lewis A, Shah V, Taylor P, Jamieson CJ, Burley GA, Lewis W, Rattray Z. A First Insight into the Developability of an Immunoglobulin G3: A Combined Computational and Experimental Approach. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:2439-2451. [PMID: 39144567 PMCID: PMC11320737 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Immunoglobulin G 3 (IgG3) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are high-value scaffolds for developing novel therapies. Despite their wide-ranging therapeutic potential, IgG3 physicochemical properties and developability characteristics remain largely under-characterized. Protein-protein interactions elevate solution viscosity in high-concentration formulations, impacting physicochemical stability, manufacturability, and the injectability of mAbs. Therefore, in this manuscript, the key molecular descriptors and biophysical properties of a model anti-IL-8 IgG1 and its IgG3 ortholog are characterized. A computational and experimental framework was applied to measure molecular descriptors impacting their downstream developability. Findings from this approach underpin a detailed understanding of the molecular characteristics of IgG3 mAbs as potential therapeutic entities. This work is the first report examining the manufacturability of IgG3 for high-concentration mAb formulations. While poorer conformational and colloidal stability and elevated solution viscosity were observed for IgG3, future efforts controlling surface potential through sequence-engineering of solvent-accessible patches can be used to improve biophysical parameters that dictate mAb developability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina B. Armstrong
- Drug
Substance Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, U.K.
- Strathclyde
Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, U.K.
| | - Alan Lewis
- Computational
and Modelling Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Vidhi Shah
- Large
Molecule Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Paul Taylor
- Drug
Substance Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Craig J. Jamieson
- Department
of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University
of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, U.K.
| | - Glenn A. Burley
- Department
of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University
of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, U.K.
| | - William Lewis
- Drug
Substance Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Zahra Rattray
- Strathclyde
Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, U.K.
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3
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Manning MC, Holcomb RE, Payne RW, Stillahn JM, Connolly BD, Katayama DS, Liu H, Matsuura JE, Murphy BM, Henry CS, Crommelin DJA. Stability of Protein Pharmaceuticals: Recent Advances. Pharm Res 2024; 41:1301-1367. [PMID: 38937372 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-024-03726-x] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
There have been significant advances in the formulation and stabilization of proteins in the liquid state over the past years since our previous review. Our mechanistic understanding of protein-excipient interactions has increased, allowing one to develop formulations in a more rational fashion. The field has moved towards more complex and challenging formulations, such as high concentration formulations to allow for subcutaneous administration and co-formulation. While much of the published work has focused on mAbs, the principles appear to apply to any therapeutic protein, although mAbs clearly have some distinctive features. In this review, we first discuss chemical degradation reactions. This is followed by a section on physical instability issues. Then, more specific topics are addressed: instability induced by interactions with interfaces, predictive methods for physical stability and interplay between chemical and physical instability. The final parts are devoted to discussions how all the above impacts (co-)formulation strategies, in particular for high protein concentration solutions.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Cornell Manning
- Legacy BioDesign LLC, Johnstown, CO, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - Ryan E Holcomb
- Legacy BioDesign LLC, Johnstown, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Robert W Payne
- Legacy BioDesign LLC, Johnstown, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Joshua M Stillahn
- Legacy BioDesign LLC, Johnstown, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Charles S Henry
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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4
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Kim J, Qin S, Zhou HX, Rosen MK. Surface Charge Can Modulate Phase Separation of Multidomain Proteins. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:3383-3395. [PMID: 38262618 PMCID: PMC10859935 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Phase separation has emerged as an important mechanism explaining the formation of certain biomolecular condensates. Biological phase separation is often driven by the multivalent interactions of modular protein domains. Beyond valency, the physical features of folded domains that promote phase separation are poorly understood. We used a model system─the small ubiquitin modifier (SUMO) and its peptide ligand, the SUMO interaction motif (SIM)─to examine how domain surface charge influences multivalency-driven phase separation. Phase separation of polySUMO and polySIM was altered by pH via a change in the protonation state of SUMO surface histidines. These effects were recapitulated by histidine mutations, which modulated SUMO solubility and polySUMO-polySIM phase separation in parallel and were quantitatively explained by atomistic modeling of weak interactions among proteins in the system. Thus, surface charge can tune the phase separation of multivalent proteins, suggesting a means of controlling phase separation biologically, evolutionarily, and therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonggul Kim
- Department
of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
- Howard
Hughes Medical Institute, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Sanbo Qin
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
- Department
of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Michael K. Rosen
- Department
of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
- Howard
Hughes Medical Institute, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
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5
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Heisler J, Kovner D, Izadi S, Zarzar J, Carter PJ. Modulation of the high concentration viscosity of IgG 1 antibodies using clinically validated Fc mutations. MAbs 2024; 16:2379560. [PMID: 39028186 PMCID: PMC11262234 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2024.2379560] [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: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The self-association of therapeutic antibodies can result in elevated viscosity and create problems in manufacturing and formulation, as well as limit delivery by subcutaneous injection. The high concentration viscosity of some antibodies has been reduced by variable domain mutations or by the addition of formulation excipients. In contrast, the impact of Fc mutations on antibody viscosity has been minimally explored. Here, we studied the effect of a panel of common and clinically validated Fc mutations on the viscosity of two closely related humanized IgG1, κ antibodies, omalizumab (anti-IgE) and trastuzumab (anti-HER2). Data presented here suggest that both Fab-Fab and Fab-Fc interactions contribute to the high viscosity of omalizumab, in a four-contact model of self-association. Most strikingly, the high viscosity of omalizumab (176 cP) was reduced 10.7- and 2.2-fold by Fc modifications for half-life extension (M252Y:S254T:T256E) and aglycosylation (N297G), respectively. Related single mutations (S254T and T256E) each reduced the viscosity of omalizumab by ~6-fold. An alternative half-life extension Fc mutant (M428L:N434S) had the opposite effect in increasing the viscosity of omalizumab by 1.5-fold. The low viscosity of trastuzumab (8.6 cP) was unchanged or increased by ≤ 2-fold by the different Fc variants. Molecular dynamics simulations provided mechanistic insight into the impact of Fc mutations in modulating electrostatic and hydrophobic surface properties as well as conformational stability of the Fc. This study demonstrates that high viscosity of some IgG1 antibodies can be mitigated by Fc mutations, and thereby offers an additional tool to help design future antibody therapeutics potentially suitable for subcutaneous delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Heisler
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Kovner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Saeed Izadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Zarzar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Paul J. Carter
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
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6
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Dai J, Izadi S, Zarzar J, Wu P, Oh A, Carter PJ. Variable domain mutational analysis to probe the molecular mechanisms of high viscosity of an IgG 1 antibody. MAbs 2024; 16:2304282. [PMID: 38269489 PMCID: PMC10813588 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2024.2304282] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Subcutaneous injection is the preferred route of administration for many antibody therapeutics for reasons that include its speed and convenience. However, the small volume limit (typically ≤ 2 mL) for subcutaneous delivery often necessitates antibody formulations at high concentrations (commonly ≥100 mg/mL), which may lead to physicochemical problems. For example, antibodies with large hydrophobic or charged patches can be prone to self-interaction giving rise to high viscosity. Here, we combined X-ray crystallography with computational modeling to predict regions of an anti-glucagon receptor (GCGR) IgG1 antibody prone to self-interaction. An extensive mutational analysis was undertaken of the complementarity-determining region residues residing in hydrophobic surface patches predicted by spatial aggregation propensity, in conjunction with residue-level solvent accessibility, averaged over conformational ensembles from molecular dynamics simulations. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used as a medium throughput screen for self-interaction of ~ 200 anti-GCGR IgG1 variants. A negative correlation was found between the viscosity determined at high concentration (180 mg/mL) and the DLS interaction parameter measured at low concentration (2-10 mg/mL). Additionally, anti-GCGR variants were readily identified with reduced viscosity and antigen-binding affinity within a few fold of the parent antibody, with no identified impact on overall developability. The methods described here may be useful in the optimization of other antibodies to facilitate their therapeutic administration at high concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Dai
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Saeed Izadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Zarzar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Wu
- Department of Bioanalytical Sciences, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Angela Oh
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Paul J. Carter
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
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7
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Ausserwöger H, Krainer G, Welsh TJ, Thorsteinson N, de Csilléry E, Sneideris T, Schneider MM, Egebjerg T, Invernizzi G, Herling TW, Lorenzen N, Knowles TPJ. Surface patches induce nonspecific binding and phase separation of antibodies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2210332120. [PMID: 37011217 PMCID: PMC10104583 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210332120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonspecific interactions are a key challenge in the successful development of therapeutic antibodies. The tendency for nonspecific binding of antibodies is often difficult to reduce by rational design, and instead, it is necessary to rely on comprehensive screening campaigns. To address this issue, we performed a systematic analysis of the impact of surface patch properties on antibody nonspecificity using a designer antibody library as a model system and single-stranded DNA as a nonspecificity ligand. Using an in-solution microfluidic approach, we find that the antibodies tested bind to single-stranded DNA with affinities as high as KD = 1 µM. We show that DNA binding is driven primarily by a hydrophobic patch in the complementarity-determining regions. By quantifying the surface patches across the library, the nonspecific binding affinity is shown to correlate with a trade-off between the hydrophobic and total charged patch areas. Moreover, we show that a change in formulation conditions at low ionic strengths leads to DNA-induced antibody phase separation as a manifestation of nonspecific binding at low micromolar antibody concentrations. We highlight that phase separation is driven by a cooperative electrostatic network assembly mechanism of antibodies with DNA, which correlates with a balance between positive and negative charged patches. Importantly, our study demonstrates that both nonspecific binding and phase separation are controlled by the size of the surface patches. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of surface patches and their role in conferring antibody nonspecificity and its macroscopic manifestation in phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Ausserwöger
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Georg Krainer
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J. Welsh
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Nels Thorsteinson
- Research and Development, Chemical Computing Group, Montreal, QuebecH3A 2R7, Canada
| | - Ella de Csilléry
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Tomas Sneideris
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias M. Schneider
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Egebjerg
- Global Research Technologies, Novo Nordisk A/S2760Måløv, Denmark
| | | | - Therese W. Herling
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolai Lorenzen
- Global Research Technologies, Novo Nordisk A/S2760Måløv, Denmark
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 1EW, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB3 0HE, United Kingdom
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8
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Rai BK, Apgar JR, Bennett EM. Low-data interpretable deep learning prediction of antibody viscosity using a biophysically meaningful representation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2917. [PMID: 36806303 PMCID: PMC9941094 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28841-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Deep learning, aided by the availability of big data sets, has led to substantial advances across many disciplines. However, many scientific problems of practical interest lack sufficiently large datasets amenable to deep learning. Prediction of antibody viscosity is one such problem where deep learning methods have not yet been explored due to the relative scarcity of relevant training data. In this work, we overcome this limitation using a biophysically meaningful representation that enables us to develop generalizable models even under limited training data. We present, PfAbNet-viscosity, a 3D convolutional neural network architecture, to predict high-concentration viscosity of therapeutic antibodies. We show that with the electrostatic potential surface of the antibody variable region as the only input to the network, the models trained on as few as couple dozen datapoints can generalize with high accuracy. Our feature attribution analysis shows that PfAbNet-viscosity has learned key biophysical drivers of viscosity. The applicability of our approach to other biological systems is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brajesh K Rai
- Pfizer Worldwide Research Development and Medical, Machine Learning and Computational Sciences, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | - James R Apgar
- Pfizer Worldwide Research Development and Medical, Biomedicine Design, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Eric M Bennett
- Pfizer Worldwide Research Development and Medical, Biomedicine Design, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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9
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Cain P, Huang L, Tang Y, Anguiano V, Feng Y. Impact of IgG subclass on monoclonal antibody developability. MAbs 2023; 15:2191302. [PMID: 36945111 PMCID: PMC10038059 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2191302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
IgG-based monoclonal antibody therapeutics, which are mainly IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 subclasses or related variants, have dominated the biotherapeutics field for decades. Multiple laboratories have reported that the IgG subclasses possess different molecular characteristics that can affect their developability. For example, IgG1, the most popular IgG subclass for therapeutics, is known to have a characteristic degradation pathway related to its hinge fragility. However, there remains a paucity of studies that systematically evaluate the IgG subclasses on manufacturability and long-term stability. We thus conducted a systematic study of 12 mAbs derived from three sets of unrelated variable regions, each cloned into IgG1, an IgG1 variant with diminished effector functions, IgG2, and a stabilized IgG4 variant with further reduced FcγR interaction, to evaluate the impact of IgG subclass on manufacturability and high concentration stability in a common formulation buffer matrix. Our evaluation included Chinese hamster ovary cell productivity, host cell protein removal efficiency, N-linked glycan structure at the conserved N297 Fc position, solution appearance at high concentration, and aggregate growth, fragmentation, charge variant profile change, and post-translational modification upon thermal stress conditions or long-term storage at refrigerated temperature. Our results elucidated molecular attributes that are common to all IgG subclasses, as well as those that are unique to certain Fc domains, providing new insight into the effects of IgG subclass on antibody manufacturability and stability. These learnings can be used to enable a balanced decision on IgG subclass selection for therapeutic antibodies and aid in acceleration of their product development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Cain
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Technology Center North, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lihua Huang
- Bioproduct Research & Development, Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Technology Center North, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yu Tang
- Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Victor Anguiano
- Bioproduct Research & Development, Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Technology Center North, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yiqing Feng
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Technology Center North, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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10
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Ausserwöger H, Schneider MM, Herling TW, Arosio P, Invernizzi G, Knowles TPJ, Lorenzen N. Non-specificity as the sticky problem in therapeutic antibody development. Nat Rev Chem 2022; 6:844-861. [PMID: 37117703 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-022-00438-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies are highly potent therapeutic scaffolds with more than a hundred different products approved on the market. Successful development of antibody-based drugs requires a trade-off between high target specificity and target binding affinity. In order to better understand this problem, we here review non-specific interactions and explore their fundamental physicochemical origins. We discuss the role of surface patches - clusters of surface-exposed amino acid residues with similar physicochemical properties - as inducers of non-specific interactions. These patches collectively drive interactions including dipole-dipole, π-stacking and hydrophobic interactions to complementary moieties. We elucidate links between these supramolecular assembly processes and macroscopic development issues, such as decreased physical stability and poor in vivo half-life. Finally, we highlight challenges and opportunities for optimizing protein binding specificity and minimizing non-specificity for future generations of therapeutics.
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11
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Huang C, Chen L, Franzen L, Anderski J, Qian F. Spray-Dried Monoclonal Antibody Suspension for High-Concentration and Low-Viscosity Subcutaneous Injection. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:1505-1514. [PMID: 35417176 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Administration of highly concentrated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) through injection is often not possible as the viscosity can be readily above 50 mPa·s when the concentration exceeds 150 mg/mL. Besides, highly concentrated mAb solutions always exhibit increased aggregation propensity and lower stability, which raise the difficulty for the successful development of highly concentrated mAb formulations. We hereby explored the possibility of suspension as another formulation form for high-concentration proteins to reduce viscosity and maintain stability. Specifically, we demonstrated that spray drying can serve as a process to prepare particles for suspension. Particles prepared from formulations with different mAb/trehalose mass ratios displayed good physical stability and antibody binding affinity, as indicated by circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based bioassay analyses. During spray drying, a surface tension-dominated enrichment of mAb on the particle surface was observed, but this did not show a significant negative impact on mAb stability. Spray-dried particles were subsequently suspended into benzyl benzoate, and the resulting suspension showed good stability and a lower viscosity when compared to its counterpart solution. Furthermore, mAbs recovered from the suspension maintained their conformational structure. Our study demonstrated that the suspension displayed low viscosity and good physical stability, so it may offer novel opportunities for the preparation of highly concentrated protein formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengnan Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, and Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Linc Chen
- Bayer Healthcare Co. Ltd., Beijing, 100020, P. R. China
| | - Lutz Franzen
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, 42096, Germany
| | - Juliane Anderski
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, 42096, Germany
| | - Feng Qian
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, and Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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12
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Effects of Monovalent Salt on Protein-Protein Interactions of Dilute and Concentrated Monoclonal Antibody Formulations. Antibodies (Basel) 2022; 11:antib11020024. [PMID: 35466277 PMCID: PMC9036246 DOI: 10.3390/antib11020024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we used sodium chloride (NaCl) to extensively modulate non-specific protein-protein interactions (PPI) of a humanized anti-streptavidin monoclonal antibody class 2 molecule (ASA-IgG2). The changes in PPI with varying NaCl (CNaCl) and monoclonal antibody (mAb) concentration (CmAb) were assessed using the diffusion interaction parameter kD and second virial coefficient B22 measured from solutions with low to moderate CmAb. The effective structure factor S(q)eff measured from concentrated mAb solutions using small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS) was also used to characterize the PPI. Our results found that the nature of net PPI changed not only with CNaCl, but also with increasing CmAb. As a result, parameters measured from dilute and concentrated mAb samples could lead to different predictions on the stability of mAb formulations. We also compared experimentally determined viscosity results with those predicted from interaction parameters, including kD and S(q)eff. The lack of a clear correlation between interaction parameters and measured viscosity values indicates that the relationship between viscosity and PPI is concentration-dependent. Collectively, the behavior of flexible mAb molecules in concentrated solutions may not be correctly predicted using models where proteins are considered to be uniform colloid particles defined by parameters derived from low CmAb.
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13
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Utility of High Resolution 2D NMR Fingerprinting in Assessing Viscosity of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies. Pharm Res 2022; 39:529-539. [PMID: 35174433 PMCID: PMC9043092 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03200-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The viscosity of highly concentrated therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) formulations at concentrations ≥ 100 mg/mL can significantly affect the stability, processing, and drug product development for subcutaneous delivery. An early identification of a viscosity prone mAb during candidate selection stages are often beneficial for downstream processes. Higher order structure of mAbs may often dictate their viscosity behavior at high concentration. Thus it is beneficial to gauge or rank-order their viscosity behavior using noninvasive structural fingerprinting methods and to potentially screen for suitable viscosity lowering excipients. Methods In this study, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and 2D NMR based methyl fingerprinting were used to correlate viscosity behavior of a set of Pfizer mAbs. The viscosities of mAbs were determined. Respective Fab and Fc domains were generated for studies. Result Methyl fingerprinting of intact mAbs allows for differentiation of viscosity prone mAbs from well behaved ones even at 30–40 mg/ml, where bulk viscosity of the solutions are near identical. For viscosity prone mAbs, peak broadening and or distinct chemical shift changes were noted in intact and fragment fingerprints, unlike the well-behaved mAbs, indicative of protein protein interactions (PPI). Conclusion Fab-Fab or Fab-Fc interactions may lead to formation of protein networks at high concentration. The early transients to these network formation may be manifested through peak broadening or peak shift in the 2D NMR spectrum of mAb/mAb fragments. Such insights go beyond rank ordering mAbs based on viscosity behavior, which can be obtained by other methods as well.. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11095-022-03200-6.
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Deciphering the high viscosity of a therapeutic monoclonal antibody in high concentration formulations by microdialysis-hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:1335-1345. [PMID: 34999091 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.12.027] [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: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
High concentration formulations of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are highly desired for subcutaneous injection. However, high concentration formulations can exhibit unusual molecular behaviors, such as high viscosity or aggregation, that present challenges for manufacturing and administration. To understand the molecular mechanism of the high viscosity exhibited by high concentration protein formulations, we analyzed a human IgG4 (mAb1) at high protein concentrations using sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation (SV-AUC), X-ray crystallography, hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), and protein surface patches analysis. Particularly, we developed a microdialysis HDX-MS method to determine intermolecular interactions at different protein concentrations. SV-AUC revealed that mAb1 displayed a propensity for self-association of Fab-Fab, Fab-Fc, and Fc-Fc. mAb1 crystal structure and HDX-MS results demonstrated self-association between complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) and Fc through electrostatic interactions. HDX-MS also indicated Fab-Fab interactions through hydrophobic surface patches constructed by mAb1 CDRs. Our multi-method approach, including fast screening of SV-AUC as well as interface analysis by X-ray crystallography and HDX-MS, helped to elucidate the high viscosity of mAb1 at high concentrations as induced by self-associations of Fab-Fc and Fab-Fab.
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15
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Phan S, Walmer A, Shaw EW, Chai Q. High-throughput profiling of antibody self-association in multiple formulation conditions by PEG stabilized self-interaction nanoparticle spectroscopy. MAbs 2022; 14:2094750. [PMID: 35830420 PMCID: PMC9291693 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2022.2094750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Affinity-capture self-interaction nanoparticle spectroscopy (AC-SINS) is an assay developed to monitor the propensity of antibody self-association, hence assessing its colloidal stability. It has been widely used by pharmaceutical companies to screen antibodies at the early discovery stages, aiming to flag potential issues with high concentration formulation. However, the original assay format is not suitable for certain formulation conditions, in particular histidine buffer. In addition, the previous data extrapolation method is suboptimal and cumbersome for processing large amounts of data (100s of molecules) in a high-throughput fashion. To address these limitations, we developed an assay workflow with two major improvements: 1) use of a stabilizing reagent to enable screening of a broader range of formulation conditions beyond phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4; and 2) inclusion of a novel algorithm and robust data processing schema that empowers streamlined data analysis. The optimized assay format expands the screening applicability to a wider range of formulation conditions critical for downstream development. Such capability is enhanced by a custom data management workflow for optimal data extraction, analysis, and automation. Our protocol and the R/Shiny application for analysis are publicly available and open-source to benefit the broader scientific community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Phan
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Biotechnology Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Auralee Walmer
- Research Information & Digital Solutions, Lilly Biotechnology Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Eudean W Shaw
- Research Information & Digital Solutions, Lilly Biotechnology Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Qing Chai
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Biotechnology Center, San Diego, CA, USA
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16
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Bramham JE, Davies SA, Podmore A, Golovanov AP. Stability of a high-concentration monoclonal antibody solution produced by liquid-liquid phase separation. MAbs 2021; 13:1940666. [PMID: 34225583 PMCID: PMC8265796 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2021.1940666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Subcutaneous injection of a low volume (<2 mL) high concentration (>100 mg/mL) formulation is an attractive administration strategy for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other biopharmaceutical proteins. Using concentrated solutions may also be beneficial at various stages of bioprocessing. However, concentrating proteins by conventional techniques, such as ultrafiltration, can be time consuming and challenging. Isolation of the dense fraction produced by macroscopic liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) has been suggested as a means to produce high-concentration solutions, but practicality of this method, and the stability of the resulting protein solution have not previously been demonstrated. In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate that LLPS can be used to concentrate a mAb solution to >170 mg/mL. We show that the structure of the mAb is not altered by LLPS, and unperturbed mAb is recoverable following dilution of the dense fraction, as judged by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Finally, we show that the physical properties and stability of a model high concentration protein formulation obtained from the dense fraction can be improved, for example through the addition of the excipient arginine·glutamate. This results in a stable high-concentration protein formulation with reduced viscosity and no further macroscopic LLPS. Concentrating mAb solutions by LLPS represents a simple and effective technique to progress toward producing high-concentration protein formulations for bioprocessing or administration. Abbreviations Arginine·glutamate (Arg·Glu), Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG), critical temperature (TC), high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), monoclonal antibody (mAb), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transverse relaxation rate (R2)
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack E Bramham
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Stephanie A Davies
- Dosage Form Design & Development, BioPharmaceuticals Development, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adrian Podmore
- Dosage Form Design & Development, BioPharmaceuticals Development, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexander P Golovanov
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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17
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Zeng Y, Tran T, Wuthrich P, Naik S, Davagnino J, Greene DG, Mahoney RP, Soane DS. Caffeine as a Viscosity Reducer for Highly Concentrated Monoclonal Antibody Solutions. J Pharm Sci 2021; 110:3594-3604. [PMID: 34181992 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Many monoclonal antibody (mAb) solutions exhibit high viscosity at elevated concentrations, which prevents manufacturing and injecting of concentrated mAb drug products at the small volumes needed for subcutaneous (SC) administration. Addition of excipients that interrupt intermolecular interactions is a common approach to reduce viscosity of high concentration mAb formulations. However, in some cases widely used excipients can fail to lower viscosity. Here, using infliximab and ipilimumab as model proteins, we show that caffeine effectively lowers the viscosity of both mAb formulations, whereas other common viscosity-reducing excipients, sodium chloride and arginine, do not. Furthermore, stability studies under accelerated conditions show that caffeine has no impact on stability of lyophilized infliximab or liquid ipilimumab formulations. In addition, presence of caffeine in the formulations does not affect in vitro bioactivities of infliximab or ipilimumab. Results from this study suggest that caffeine could be a useful viscosity reducing agent that complements other traditional excipients and provides viscosity reduction to a wider range of mAb drug products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Zeng
- ReForm Biologics Inc., 12 Gill Street Suite 4650, Woburn, MA 01801, United States.
| | - Timothy Tran
- ReForm Biologics Inc., 12 Gill Street Suite 4650, Woburn, MA 01801, United States
| | - Philip Wuthrich
- ReForm Biologics Inc., 12 Gill Street Suite 4650, Woburn, MA 01801, United States
| | - Subhashchandra Naik
- ReForm Biologics Inc., 12 Gill Street Suite 4650, Woburn, MA 01801, United States
| | - Juan Davagnino
- KBI Biopharma Inc., 1101 Hamlin Rd, Durham, NC 27704, United States
| | - Daniel G Greene
- ReForm Biologics Inc., 12 Gill Street Suite 4650, Woburn, MA 01801, United States
| | - Robert P Mahoney
- ReForm Biologics Inc., 12 Gill Street Suite 4650, Woburn, MA 01801, United States
| | - David S Soane
- ReForm Biologics Inc., 12 Gill Street Suite 4650, Woburn, MA 01801, United States
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18
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Banks DD, Cordia JF. Suppression of Electrostatic Mediated Antibody Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation by Charged and Noncharged Preferentially Excluded Excipients. Mol Pharm 2021; 18:1285-1292. [PMID: 33555888 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c01138] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Isotonic concentrations of inert cosolutes or excipients are routinely used in protein therapeutic formulations to minimize physical instabilities including aggregation, particulation, and precipitation that are often manifested during drug substance/product manufacture and long-term storage. Despite their prevalent use within the biopharmaceutical industry, a more detailed understanding for how excipients modulate the specific protein-protein interactions responsible for these instabilities is still needed so that informed formulation decisions can be made at the earliest stages of development when protein supply and time are limited. In the present report, subisotonic concentrations of the five common formulation excipients, sucrose, proline, sorbitol, glycerol, arginine hydrochloride, and the denaturant urea, were studied for their effect on the room temperature liquid-liquid phase separation of a model monoclonal antibody (mAb-B). Although each excipient lowered the onset temperatures of mAb-B liquid-liquid phase separation to different extents, all six were found to be preferentially excluded from the native state monomer by vapor pressure osmometry, and no apparent correlations to the excipient dependence of mAb-B melting temperatures were observed. These results and those of the effects of solution pH, addition of salt, and impact of a small number of charge mutations were most consistent with a mechanism of local excipient accumulation, to an extent dependent on their type, with the specific residues that mediate mAb-B electrostatic protein-protein interactions. These findings suggest that selection of excipients on the basis of their interaction with the solvent exposed residues of the native state may at times be a more effective strategy for limiting protein-protein interactions at pharmaceutically relevant storage conditions than choosing those that are excluded from the residues of the native state interior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas D Banks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol Myers Squibb, 4242 Campus Point Court, Suite 700, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jon F Cordia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol Myers Squibb, 4242 Campus Point Court, Suite 700, San Diego, California 92121, United States
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19
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Tilegenova C, Izadi S, Yin J, Huang CS, Wu J, Ellerman D, Hymowitz SG, Walters B, Salisbury C, Carter PJ. Dissecting the molecular basis of high viscosity of monospecific and bispecific IgG antibodies. MAbs 2021; 12:1692764. [PMID: 31779513 PMCID: PMC6927759 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1692764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Some antibodies exhibit elevated viscosity at high concentrations, making them poorly suited for therapeutic applications requiring administration by injection such as subcutaneous or ocular delivery. Here we studied an anti-IL-13/IL-17 bispecific IgG4 antibody, which has anomalously high viscosity compared to its parent monospecific antibodies. The viscosity of the bispecific IgG4 in solution was decreased by only ~30% in the presence of NaCl, suggesting electrostatic interactions are insufficient to fully explain the drivers of viscosity. Intriguingly, addition of arginine-HCl reduced the viscosity of the bispecific IgG4 by ~50% to its parent IgG level. These data suggest that beyond electrostatics, additional types of interactions such as cation-π and/or π-π may contribute to high viscosity more significantly than previously understood. Molecular dynamics simulations of antibody fragments in the mixed solution of free arginine and explicit water were conducted to identify hotspots involved in self-interactions. Exposed surface aromatic amino acids displayed an increased number of contacts with arginine. Mutagenesis of the majority of aromatic residues pinpointed by molecular dynamics simulations effectively decreased the solution's viscosity when tested experimentally. This mutational method to reduce the viscosity of a bispecific antibody was extended to a monospecific anti-GCGR IgG1 antibody with elevated viscosity. In all cases, point mutants were readily identified that both reduced viscosity and retained antigen-binding affinity. These studies demonstrate a new approach to mitigate high viscosity of some antibodies by mutagenesis of surface-exposed aromatic residues on complementarity-determining regions that may facilitate some clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saeed Izadi
- Early Stage Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jianping Yin
- Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Jiansheng Wu
- Protein Chemistry, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Diego Ellerman
- Protein Chemistry, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sarah G Hymowitz
- Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Walters
- Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Cleo Salisbury
- Early Stage Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Paul J Carter
- Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
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20
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Matsuoka T, Miyauchi R, Nagaoka N, Hasegawa J. Mitigation of liquid-liquid phase separation of a monoclonal antibody by mutations of negative charges on the Fab surface. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240673. [PMID: 33125371 PMCID: PMC7598502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Some monoclonal antibodies undergo liquid-liquid phase separation owing to self-attractive associations involving electrostatic and other soft interactions, thereby rendering monoclonal antibodies unsuitable as therapeutics. To mitigate the phase separation, formulation optimization is often performed. However, this is sometimes unsuccessful because of the limited time for the development of therapeutic antibodies. Thus, protein mutations with appropriate design are required. In this report, we describe a case study involving the design of mutants of negatively charged surface residues to reduce liquid-liquid phase separation propensity. Physicochemical analysis of the resulting mutants demonstrated the mutual correlation between the sign of second virial coefficient B2, the Fab dipole moment, and the reduction of liquid-liquid phase separation propensity. Moreover, both the magnitude and direction of the dipole moment appeared to be essential for liquid-liquid phase separation propensity, where electrostatic interaction was the dominant mechanism. These findings could contribute to a better design of mutants with reduced liquid-liquid phase separation propensity and improved drug-like biophysical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuji Matsuoka
- Modality Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo, Co., Ltd., Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuki Miyauchi
- Modality Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo, Co., Ltd., Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobumi Nagaoka
- Modality Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo, Co., Ltd., Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Hasegawa
- Modality Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo, Co., Ltd., Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
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21
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Sawant MS, Streu CN, Wu L, Tessier PM. Toward Drug-Like Multispecific Antibodies by Design. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7496. [PMID: 33053650 PMCID: PMC7589779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of antibody therapeutics is strongly influenced by their multifunctional nature that couples antigen recognition mediated by their variable regions with effector functions and half-life extension mediated by a subset of their constant regions. Nevertheless, the monospecific IgG format is not optimal for many therapeutic applications, and this has led to the design of a vast number of unique multispecific antibody formats that enable targeting of multiple antigens or multiple epitopes on the same antigen. Despite the diversity of these formats, a common challenge in generating multispecific antibodies is that they display suboptimal physical and chemical properties relative to conventional IgGs and are more difficult to develop into therapeutics. Here we review advances in the design and engineering of multispecific antibodies with drug-like properties, including favorable stability, solubility, viscosity, specificity and pharmacokinetic properties. We also highlight emerging experimental and computational methods for improving the next generation of multispecific antibodies, as well as their constituent antibody fragments, with natural IgG-like properties. Finally, we identify several outstanding challenges that need to be addressed to increase the success of multispecific antibodies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manali S. Sawant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.S.S.); (C.N.S.)
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Craig N. Streu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.S.S.); (C.N.S.)
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, Albion College, Albion, MI 49224, USA
| | - Lina Wu
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Peter M. Tessier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.S.S.); (C.N.S.)
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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22
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Apgar JR, Tam ASP, Sorm R, Moesta S, King AC, Yang H, Kelleher K, Murphy D, D’Antona AM, Yan G, Zhong X, Rodriguez L, Ma W, Ferguson DE, Carven GJ, Bennett EM, Lin L. Modeling and mitigation of high-concentration antibody viscosity through structure-based computer-aided protein design. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232713. [PMID: 32379792 PMCID: PMC7205207 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
For an antibody to be a successful therapeutic many competing factors require optimization, including binding affinity, biophysical characteristics, and immunogenicity risk. Additional constraints may arise from the need to formulate antibodies at high concentrations (>150 mg/ml) to enable subcutaneous dosing with reasonable volume (ideally <1.0 mL). Unfortunately, antibodies at high concentrations may exhibit high viscosities that place impractical constraints (such as multiple injections or large needle diameters) on delivery and impede efficient manufacturing. Here we describe the optimization of an anti-PDGF-BB antibody to reduce viscosity, enabling an increase in the formulated concentration from 80 mg/ml to greater than 160 mg/ml, while maintaining the binding affinity. We performed two rounds of structure guided rational design to optimize the surface electrostatic properties. Analysis of this set demonstrated that a net-positive charge change, and disruption of negative charge patches were associated with decreased viscosity, but the effect was greatly dependent on the local surface environment. Our work here provides a comprehensive study exploring a wide sampling of charge-changes in the Fv and CDR regions along with targeting multiple negative charge patches. In total, we generated viscosity measurements for 40 unique antibody variants with full sequence information which provides a significantly larger and more complete dataset than has previously been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Apgar
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Amy S. P. Tam
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rhady Sorm
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sybille Moesta
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Amy C. King
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Han Yang
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kerry Kelleher
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Denise Murphy
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Aaron M. D’Antona
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Guoying Yan
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Xiaotian Zhong
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Linette Rodriguez
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Weijun Ma
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Darren E. Ferguson
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gregory J. Carven
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Eric M. Bennett
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Laura Lin
- BioMedicine Design, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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23
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Kuroda D, Tsumoto K. Engineering Stability, Viscosity, and Immunogenicity of Antibodies by Computational Design. J Pharm Sci 2020; 109:1631-1651. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2020.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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24
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Hu Y, Toth RT, Joshi SB, Esfandiary R, Middaugh CR, Volkin DB, Weis DD. Characterization of Excipient Effects on Reversible Self-Association, Backbone Flexibility, and Solution Properties of an IgG1 Monoclonal Antibody at High Concentrations: Part 2. J Pharm Sci 2020; 109:353-363. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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25
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Hu Y, Arora J, Joshi SB, Esfandiary R, Middaugh CR, Weis DD, Volkin DB. Characterization of Excipient Effects on Reversible Self-Association, Backbone Flexibility, and Solution Properties of an IgG1 Monoclonal Antibody at High Concentrations: Part 1. J Pharm Sci 2020; 109:340-352. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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26
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Wu Y, Belmonte I, Sykes KS, Xiao Y, White RJ. Perspective on the Future Role of Aptamers in Analytical Chemistry. Anal Chem 2019; 91:15335-15344. [PMID: 31714748 PMCID: PMC10184572 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It has been almost 30 years since the invention of Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) methodology and the description of the first aptamers. In retrospect over the past 30 years, advances in aptamer development and application have demonstrated that aptamers are potentially useful reagents that can be employed in diverse areas within analytical chemistry, biotechnology, biomedicine, and molecular biology. While often touted as artificial antibodies with an ability to be selected for any target, aptamer development, unfortunately, lags behind development of analytical methodologies that employ aptamers, hindering deeper integration into the application of analytical tool development. This perspective covers recent advances in SELEX methodology for improving efficiency of the SELEX procedure and enhancing affinity and specificity of the selected aptamers, what we view as a critical barrier in the future role of aptamers in analytical chemistry. We discuss postselection modifications that can be used for enhancing performance of the selected aptamers in an analytical device by including understanding intermolecular interaction forces in the binding domain. While highlighting promising properties of aptamers that enable several analytical advances, we provide discussion on the challenges of penetration of aptamers in the analytical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wu
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio 45221 , United States
| | - Israel Belmonte
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio 45221 , United States
| | - Kiana S Sykes
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio 45221 , United States
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Ryan J White
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio 45221 , United States.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio 45221 , United States
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Singh P, Roche A, van der Walle CF, Uddin S, Du J, Warwicker J, Pluen A, Curtis R. Determination of Protein-Protein Interactions in a Mixture of Two Monoclonal Antibodies. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:4775-4786. [PMID: 31613625 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The coformulation of monoclonal antibody (mAb) mixtures provides an attractive route to achieving therapeutic efficacy where the targeting of multiple epitopes is necessary. Controlling and predicting the behavior of such mixtures requires elucidating the molecular basis for the self- and cross-protein-protein interactions and how they depend on solution variables. While self-interactions are now beginning to be well understood, systematic studies of cross-interactions between mAbs in solution do not exist. Here, we have used static light scattering to measure the set of self- and cross-osmotic second virial coefficients in a solution containing a mixture of two mAbs, mAbA and mAbB, as a function of ionic strength and pH. mAbB exhibits strong association at a low ionic strength, which is attributed to an electrostatic attraction that is enhanced by the presence of a strong short-ranged attraction of nonelectrostatic origin. Under all solution conditions, the measured cross-interactions are intermediate self-interactions and follow similar patterns of behavior. There is a strong electrostatic attraction at higher pH values, reflecting the behavior of mAbB. Protein-protein interactions become more attractive with an increasing pH due to reducing the overall protein net charges, an effect that is attenuated with an increasing ionic strength due to the screening of electrostatic interactions. Under moderate ionic strength conditions, the reduced cross-virial coefficient, which reflects only the energetic contribution to protein-protein interactions, is given by a geometric average of the corresponding self-coefficients. We show the relationship can be rationalized using a patchy sphere model, where the interaction energy between sites i and j is given by the arithmetic mean of the i-i and j-j interactions. The geometric mean does not necessarily apply to all mAb mixtures and is expected to break down at a lower ionic strength due to the nonadditivity of electrostatic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Singh
- Manchester Pharmacy School , University of Manchester , Manchester M13 9PL , United Kingdom
| | - Aisling Roche
- School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science , University of Manchester , Manchester M1 7DN , United Kingdom
| | - Christopher F van der Walle
- School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science , University of Manchester , Manchester M1 7DN , United Kingdom.,Dosage Form Design & Development , AstraZeneca , Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GH , United Kingdom
| | - Shahid Uddin
- Formulation Sciences CMC , Immunocore , Milton Park , Abingdon OX14 4RW , United Kingdom
| | - Jiali Du
- Dosage Form Design & Development , AstraZeneca , Gaithersburg MD20878 , United States
| | - Jim Warwicker
- School of Chemistry , University of Manchester , Manchester M1 7DN , United Kingdom
| | - Alain Pluen
- Manchester Pharmacy School , University of Manchester , Manchester M13 9PL , United Kingdom
| | - Robin Curtis
- School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science , University of Manchester , Manchester M1 7DN , United Kingdom
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28
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Schrag JD, Picard MÈ, Gaudreault F, Gagnon LP, Baardsnes J, Manenda MS, Sheff J, Deprez C, Baptista C, Hogues H, Kelly JF, Purisima EO, Shi R, Sulea T. Binding symmetry and surface flexibility mediate antibody self-association. MAbs 2019; 11:1300-1318. [PMID: 31318308 PMCID: PMC6748613 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1632114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Solution stability is an important factor in the optimization of engineered biotherapeutic candidates such as monoclonal antibodies because of its possible effects on manufacturability, pharmacology, efficacy and safety. A detailed atomic understanding of the mechanisms governing self-association of natively folded protein monomers is required to devise predictive tools to guide screening and re-engineering along the drug development pipeline. We investigated pairs of affinity-matured full-size antibodies and observed drastically different propensities to aggregate from variants differing by a single amino-acid. Biophysical testing showed that antigen-binding fragments (Fabs) from the aggregating antibodies also reversibly associated with equilibrium dissociation constants in the low-micromolar range. Crystal structures (PDB accession codes 6MXR, 6MXS, 6MY4, 6MY5) and bottom-up hydrogen-exchange mass spectrometry revealed that Fab self-association occurs in a symmetric mode that involves the antigen complementarity-determining regions. Subtle local conformational changes incurred upon point mutation of monomeric variants foster formation of complementary polar interactions and hydrophobic contacts to generate a dimeric Fab interface. Testing of popular in silico tools generally indicated low reliabilities for predicting the aggregation propensities observed. A structure-aggregation data set is provided here in order to stimulate further improvements of in silico tools for prediction of native aggregation. Incorporation of intermolecular docking, conformational flexibility, and short-range packing interactions may all be necessary features of the ideal algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D Schrag
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Montreal , QC H4P 2R2 , Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Picard
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, PROTEO, and Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Pavillon Charles-Eugène-Marchand , Québec City, QC G1V 0A6 , Canada
| | - Francis Gaudreault
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Montreal , QC H4P 2R2 , Canada
| | - Louis-Patrick Gagnon
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Montreal , QC H4P 2R2 , Canada
| | - Jason Baardsnes
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Montreal , QC H4P 2R2 , Canada
| | - Mahder S Manenda
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, PROTEO, and Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Pavillon Charles-Eugène-Marchand , Québec City, QC G1V 0A6 , Canada
| | - Joey Sheff
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , ON K1A 0R6 , Canada
| | - Christophe Deprez
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Montreal , QC H4P 2R2 , Canada
| | - Cassio Baptista
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Montreal , QC H4P 2R2 , Canada
| | - Hervé Hogues
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Montreal , QC H4P 2R2 , Canada
| | - John F Kelly
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , ON K1A 0R6 , Canada
| | - Enrico O Purisima
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Montreal , QC H4P 2R2 , Canada
| | - Rong Shi
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, PROTEO, and Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Pavillon Charles-Eugène-Marchand , Québec City, QC G1V 0A6 , Canada
| | - Traian Sulea
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada , Montreal , QC H4P 2R2 , Canada
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29
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Wang W, Ohtake S. Science and art of protein formulation development. Int J Pharm 2019; 568:118505. [PMID: 31306712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein pharmaceuticals have become a significant class of marketed drug products and are expected to grow steadily over the next decade. Development of a commercial protein product is, however, a rather complex process. A critical step in this process is formulation development, enabling the final product configuration. A number of challenges still exist in the formulation development process. This review is intended to discuss these challenges, to illustrate the basic formulation development processes, and to compare the options and strategies in practical formulation development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Biological Development, Bayer USA, LLC, 800 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA 94710, United States.
| | - Satoshi Ohtake
- Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Pfizer Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chesterfield, MO 63017, United States
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30
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Benschop RJ, Chow CK, Tian Y, Nelson J, Barmettler B, Atwell S, Clawson D, Chai Q, Jones B, Fitchett J, Torgerson S, Ji Y, Bina H, Hu N, Ghanem M, Manetta J, Wroblewski VJ, Lu J, Allan BW. Development of tibulizumab, a tetravalent bispecific antibody targeting BAFF and IL-17A for the treatment of autoimmune disease. MAbs 2019; 11:1175-1190. [PMID: 31181988 PMCID: PMC6748573 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1624463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a bispecific dual-antagonist antibody against human B cell activating factor (BAFF) and interleukin 17A (IL-17). An anti-IL-17 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) derived from ixekizumab (Taltz®) was fused via a glycine-rich linker to anti-BAFF tabalumab. The IgG-scFv bound both BAFF and IL-17 simultaneously with identical stoichiometry as the parental mAbs. Stability studies of the initial IgG-scFv revealed chemical degradation and aggregation not observed in either parental antibody. The anti-IL-17 scFv showed a high melting temperature (Tm) by differential scanning calorimetry (73.1°C), but also concentration-dependent, initially reversible, protein self-association. To engineer scFv stability, three parallel approaches were taken: labile complementary-determining region (CDR) residues were replaced by stable, affinity-neutral amino acids, CDR charge distribution was balanced, and a H44-L100 interface disulfide bond was introduced. The Tm of the disulfide-stabilized scFv was largely unperturbed, yet it remained monodispersed at high protein concentration. Fluorescent dye binding titrations indicated reduced solvent exposure of hydrophobic residues and decreased proteolytic susceptibility was observed, both indicative of enhanced conformational stability. Superimposition of the H44-L100 scFv (PDB id: 6NOU) and ixekizumab antigen-binding fragment (PDB id: 6NOV) crystal structures revealed nearly identical orientation of the frameworks and CDR loops. The stabilized bispecific molecule LY3090106 (tibulizumab) potently antagonized both BAFF and IL-17 in cell-based and in vivo mouse models. In cynomolgus monkey, it suppressed B cell development and survival and remained functionally intact in circulation, with a prolonged half-life. In summary, we engineered a potent bispecific antibody targeting two key cytokines involved in human autoimmunity amenable to clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Benschop
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chi-Kin Chow
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yu Tian
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - James Nelson
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Applied Molecular Evolution, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Barbra Barmettler
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Applied Molecular Evolution, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Shane Atwell
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Applied Molecular Evolution, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - David Clawson
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Eli Lilly and Company Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Qing Chai
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Applied Molecular Evolution, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Bryan Jones
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Applied Molecular Evolution, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jon Fitchett
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Applied Molecular Evolution, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Stacy Torgerson
- Department of Drug Disposition Development/Commercialization; Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Holly Bina
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ningjie Hu
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Joseph Manetta
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Victor J. Wroblewski
- Department of Drug Disposition Development/Commercialization; Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jirong Lu
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Barrett W. Allan
- Biotechnology Discovery Research, Applied Molecular Evolution, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, USA
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31
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Du Q, Damschroder M, Pabst TM, Hunter AK, Wang WK, Luo H. Process optimization and protein engineering mitigated manufacturing challenges of a monoclonal antibody with liquid-liquid phase separation issue by disrupting inter-molecule electrostatic interactions. MAbs 2019; 11:789-802. [PMID: 30913985 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1599634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case study in which liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) negatively impacted the downstream manufacturability of a therapeutic mAb. Process parameter optimization partially mitigated the LLPS, but limitations remained for large-scale manufacturing. Electrostatic interaction driven self-associations and the resulting formation of high-order complexes are established critical properties that led to LLPS. Through chain swapping substitutions with a well-behaved antibody and subsequent study of their solution behaviors, we found the self-association interactions between the light chains (LCs) of this mAb are responsible for the LLPS behavior. With the aid of in silico homology modeling and charged-patch analysis, seven charged residues in the LC complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) were selected for mutagenesis, then evaluated for self-association and LLPS properties. Two charged residues in the light chain (K30 and D50) were identified as the most significant to the LLPS behaviors and to the antigen-binding affinity. Four adjacent charged residues in the light chain (E49, K52, R53, and R92) also contributed to self-association, and thus to LLPS. Molecular engineering substitution of these charged residues with a neutral or oppositely-charged residue disrupted the electrostatic interactions. A double-mutation in CDR2 and CDR3 resulted in a variant that retained antigen-binding affinity and eliminated LLPS. This study demonstrates the critical nature of surface charged resides on LLPS, and highlights the applied power of in silico protein design when applied to improving physiochemical characteristics of therapeutic antibodies. Our study indicates that in silico design and effective protein engineering may be useful in the development of mAbs that encounter similar LLPS issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Du
- a Department of Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, AstraZeneca , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Melissa Damschroder
- a Department of Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, AstraZeneca , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Timothy M Pabst
- b Purification Process Sciences , AstraZeneca , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Alan K Hunter
- b Purification Process Sciences , AstraZeneca , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - William K Wang
- b Purification Process Sciences , AstraZeneca , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Haibin Luo
- b Purification Process Sciences , AstraZeneca , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
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32
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Chai Q, Shih J, Weldon C, Phan S, Jones BE. Development of a high-throughput solubility screening assay for use in antibody discovery. MAbs 2019; 11:747-756. [PMID: 30913963 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1589851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor solubility is a common challenge encountered during the development of high concentration monoclonal antibody (mAb) formulations, but there are currently no methods that can provide predictive information on high-concentration behavior of mAbs in early discovery. We explored the utility of methodologies used for determining extrapolated solubility as a way to rank-order mAbs based on their relative solubility properties. We devised two approaches to accomplish this: 1) vapor diffusion technique utilized in traditional protein crystallization practice, and 2) polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced precipitation and quantitation by turbidity. Using a variety of in-house mAbs with known high-concentration behavior, we demonstrated that both approaches exhibited reliable predictability of the relative solubility properties of these mAbs. Optimizing the latter approach, we developed a format that is capable of screening a large panel of mAbs in multiple pH and buffer conditions. This simple, material-saving, high-throughput approach enables the selection of superior molecules and optimal formulation conditions much earlier in the antibody discovery process, prior to time-consuming and material intensive high-concentration studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Chai
- a BioTechnology Discovery Research , Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - James Shih
- a BioTechnology Discovery Research , Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Caroline Weldon
- b Intellicyt Corporation , Part of the Sartorius Group , Albuquerque , NM , USA
| | - Samantha Phan
- a BioTechnology Discovery Research , Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Bryan E Jones
- a BioTechnology Discovery Research , Eli Lilly Biotechnology Center , San Diego , CA , USA
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33
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Tian Y, Huang L, Ruotolo BT, Wang N. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange-mass spectrometry analysis of high concentration biotherapeutics: application to phase-separated antibody formulations. MAbs 2019; 11:779-788. [PMID: 30890021 PMCID: PMC6601547 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1589850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
High concentration biotherapeutic formulations are often required to deliver large doses of drugs to achieve a desired degree of efficacy and less frequent dose. However, highly concentrated protein-containing solutions may exhibit undesirable therapeutic properties, such as increased viscosity, aggregation, and phase separation that can affect drug efficacy and raise safety issues. The characterization of high concentration protein formulations is a critical yet challenging analytical task for therapeutic development efforts, due to the lack of technologies capable of making accurate measurements under such conditions. To address this issue, we developed a novel dilution-free hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry (MS) method for the direct conformational analysis of high concentration biotherapeutics. Here, we particularly focused on studying phase separation phenomenon that can occur at high protein concentrations. First, two aliquots of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were dialyzed in either hydrogen- or deuterium-containing buffers at low salt and pH. Phases that separated were then discretely sampled and subjected to dilution-free HDX-MS analysis through mixing the non-deuterated and deuterated protein aliquots. Our HDX-MS results analyzed at a global protein level reveal less deuterium incorporation for the protein-enriched phase compared to the protein-depleted phase present in high concentration formulations. A peptide level analysis further confirmed these observed differences, and a detailed statistical analysis provided direct information surrounding the details of the conformational changes observed. Based on our HDX-MS results, we propose possible structures for the self-associated mAbs present at high concentrations. Our new method can potentially provide useful insights into the unusual behavior of therapeutic proteins in high concentration formulations, aiding their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Tian
- a Bioproduct Research and Development , Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Department of Chemistry , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Lihua Huang
- a Bioproduct Research and Development , Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Brandon T Ruotolo
- b Department of Chemistry , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Ning Wang
- a Bioproduct Research and Development , Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis , IN , USA
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34
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Hebditch M, Warwicker J. Web-based display of protein surface and pH-dependent properties for assessing the developability of biotherapeutics. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1969. [PMID: 30760735 PMCID: PMC6374528 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36950-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein instability leads to reversible self-association and irreversible aggregation which is a major concern for developing new biopharmaceutical leads. Protein solution behaviour is dictated by the physicochemical properties of the protein and the solution. Optimising protein solutions through experimental screens and targeted protein engineering can be a difficult and time consuming process. Here, we describe development of the protein-sol web server, which was previously restricted to protein solubility prediction from amino acid sequence. Tools are presented for calculating and mapping patches of hydrophobicity and charge on the protein surface. In addition, predictions of folded state stability and net charge are displayed as a heatmap for a range of pH and ionic strength conditions. Tools are evaluated in the context of antibodies, their fragments and interactions. Surprisingly, antibody-antigen interfaces are, on average, at least as polar as Fab surfaces. This benchmarking process provides the user with thresholds with which to assess non-polar surface patches, and possible solubility implications, in proteins of interest. Stability heatmaps compare favourably with experimental data for CH2 and CH3 domains. Display and quantification of surface polarity and pH/ionic strength dependence will be useful generally for investigation of protein biophysics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Hebditch
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Jim Warwicker
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
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35
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Hung JJ, Dear BJ, Karouta CA, Chowdhury AA, Godfrin PD, Bollinger JA, Nieto MP, Wilks LR, Shay TY, Ramachandran K, Sharma A, Cheung JK, Truskett TM, Johnston KP. Protein-Protein Interactions of Highly Concentrated Monoclonal Antibody Solutions via Static Light Scattering and Influence on the Viscosity. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:739-755. [PMID: 30614707 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b09527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ability to design and formulate mAbs to minimize attractive interactions at high concentrations is important for protein processing, stability, and administration, particularly in subcutaneous delivery, where high viscosities are often challenging. The strength of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of an IgG1 and IgG4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) from low to high concentration was determined by static light scattering (SLS) and used to understand viscosity data. The PPI were tuned using NaCl and five organic ionic co-solutes. The PPI strength was quantified by the normalized structure factor S(0)/ S(0)HS and Kirkwood-Buff integral G22/ G22,HS (HS = hard sphere) determined from the SLS data and also by fits with (1) a spherical Yukawa potential and (2) an interacting hard sphere (IHS) model, which describes attraction in terms of hypothetical oligomers. The IHS model was better able to capture the scattering behavior of the more strongly interacting systems (mAb and/or co-solute) than the spherical Yukawa potential. For each descriptor of PPI, linear correlations were obtained between the viscosity at high concentration (200 mg/mL) and the interaction strengths evaluated both at low (20 mg/mL) and high concentrations (200 mg/mL) for a given mAb. However, the only parameter that provided a correlation across both mAbs was the oligomer mass ratio ( moligomer/ mmonomer+dimer) from the IHS model, indicating the importance of self-association (in addition to the direct influence of the attractive PPI) on the viscosity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Hung
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Barton J Dear
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Carl A Karouta
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Amjad A Chowdhury
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - P Douglas Godfrin
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Jonathan A Bollinger
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States.,Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies , Sandia National Laboratories , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87185 , United States
| | - Maria P Nieto
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Logan R Wilks
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Tony Y Shay
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Kishan Ramachandran
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Ayush Sharma
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Jason K Cheung
- Pharmaceutical Sciences , MRL, Merck & Co., Inc. , Kenilworth , New Jersey 07033 , United States
| | - Thomas M Truskett
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Keith P Johnston
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
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36
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Johnson DE. Biotherapeutics: Challenges and Opportunities for Predictive Toxicology of Monoclonal Antibodies. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3685. [PMID: 30469350 PMCID: PMC6274697 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Biotherapeutics are a rapidly growing portion of the total pharmaceutical market accounting for almost one-half of recent new drug approvals. A major portion of these approvals each year are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). During development, non-clinical pharmacology and toxicology testing of mAbs differs from that done with chemical entities since these biotherapeutics are derived from a biological source and therefore the animal models must share the same epitopes (targets) as humans to elicit a pharmacological response. Mechanisms of toxicity of mAbs are both pharmacological and non-pharmacological in nature; however, standard in silico predictive toxicological methods used in research and development of chemical entities currently do not apply to these biotherapeutics. Challenges and potential opportunities exist for new methodologies to provide a more predictive program to assess and monitor potential adverse drug reactions of mAbs for specific patients before and during clinical trials and after market approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale E Johnson
- Morgan Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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37
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Shan L, Mody N, Sormani P, Rosenthal KL, Damschroder MM, Esfandiary R. Developability Assessment of Engineered Monoclonal Antibody Variants with a Complex Self-Association Behavior Using Complementary Analytical and in Silico Tools. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:5697-5710. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pietro Sormani
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
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38
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Zhao J, Nussinov R, Wu WJ, Ma B. In Silico Methods in Antibody Design. Antibodies (Basel) 2018; 7:E22. [PMID: 31544874 PMCID: PMC6640671 DOI: 10.3390/antib7030022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody therapies with high efficiency and low toxicity are becoming one of the major approaches in antibody therapeutics. Based on high-throughput sequencing and increasing experimental structures of antibodies/antibody-antigen complexes, computational approaches can predict antibody/antigen structures, engineering the function of antibodies and design antibody-antigen complexes with improved properties. This review summarizes recent progress in the field of in silico design of antibodies, including antibody structure modeling, antibody-antigen complex prediction, antibody stability evaluation, and allosteric effects in antibodies and functions. We listed the cases in which these methods have helped experimental studies to improve the affinities and physicochemical properties of antibodies. We emphasized how the molecular dynamics unveiled the allosteric effects during antibody-antigen recognition and antibody-effector recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- Division of Biotechnology Review and Research I, Office of Biotechnology Products, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA.
- Interagency Oncology Task Force (IOTF) Fellowship: Oncology Product Research/Review Fellow, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
- Sackler Inst. of Molecular Medicine, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Wen-Jin Wu
- Division of Biotechnology Review and Research I, Office of Biotechnology Products, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA.
| | - Buyong Ma
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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39
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Manning MC, Liu J, Li T, Holcomb RE. Rational Design of Liquid Formulations of Proteins. THERAPEUTIC PROTEINS AND PEPTIDES 2018; 112:1-59. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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40
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Sule SV, Fernandez JE, Mecozzi VJ, Kravets Y, Yang WC, Feng P, Liu S, Zang L, Capili AD, Estey TB, Gupta K. Assessing the Impact of Charge Variants on Stability and Viscosity of a High Concentration Antibody Formulation. J Pharm Sci 2017; 106:3507-3514. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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41
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Kuhn AB, Kube S, Karow-Zwick AR, Seeliger D, Garidel P, Blech M, Schäfer LV. Improved Solution-State Properties of Monoclonal Antibodies by Targeted Mutations. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:10818-10827. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b09126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander B. Kuhn
- Theoretical
Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lars V. Schäfer
- Theoretical
Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
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42
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Lin Y, Currie SL, Rosen MK. Intrinsically disordered sequences enable modulation of protein phase separation through distributed tyrosine motifs. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:19110-19120. [PMID: 28924037 PMCID: PMC5704491 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.800466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) is thought to contribute to the establishment of many biomolecular condensates, eukaryotic cell structures that concentrate diverse macromolecules but lack a bounding membrane. RNA granules control RNA metabolism and comprise a large class of condensates that are enriched in RNA-binding proteins and RNA molecules. Many RNA granule proteins are composed of both modular domains and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) having low amino acid sequence complexity. Phase separation of these molecules likely plays an important role in the generation and stability of RNA granules. To understand how folded domains and IDRs can cooperate to modulate LLPS, we generated a series of engineered proteins. These were based on fusions of an IDR derived from the RNA granule protein FUS (fused in sarcoma) to a multivalent poly-Src homology 3 (SH3) domain protein that phase-separates when mixed with a poly-proline–rich-motif (polyPRM) ligand. We found that the wild-type IDR promotes LLPS of the polySH3–polyPRM system, decreasing the phase separation threshold concentration by 8-fold. Systematic mutation of tyrosine residues in Gly/Ser-Tyr-Gly/Ser motifs of the IDR reduced this effect, depending on the number but not on the position of these substitutions. Mutating all tyrosines to non-aromatic residues or phosphorylating the IDR raised the phase separation threshold above that of the unmodified polySH3–polyPRM pair. These results show that low-complexity IDRs can modulate LLPS both positively and negatively, depending on the degree of aromaticity and phosphorylation status. Our findings provide plausible mechanisms by which these sequences could alter RNA granule properties on evolutionary and cellular timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Lin
- From the Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and.,the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Simon L Currie
- From the Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and.,the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Michael K Rosen
- From the Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and .,the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dallas, Texas 75390
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43
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Collins DS, Kourtis LC, Thyagarajapuram NR, Sirkar R, Kapur S, Harrison MW, Bryan DJ, Jones GB, Wright JM. Optimizing the Bioavailability of Subcutaneously Administered Biotherapeutics Through Mechanochemical Drivers. Pharm Res 2017; 34:2000-2011. [PMID: 28707164 PMCID: PMC5579144 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-017-2229-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The subcutaneous route offers myriad benefits for the administration of biotherapeutics in both acute and chronic diseases, including convenience, cost effectiveness and the potential for automation through closed-loop systems. Recent advances in parenteral administration devices and the use of additives which enhance drug dispersion have generated substantial additional interest in IV to SQ switching studies. Designing pre-clinical and clinical studies using SQ mediated delivery however requires deep understanding of complex inter-related physiologies and transport pathways governing the interstitial matrix, vascular system and lymphatic channels. This expert review will highlight key structural features which contribute to transport and biodistribution in the subcutaneous space and also assess the impact of drug formulations. Based on the rapidly growing interest in the SQ delivery route, a number of potential areas for future development are highlighted, which are likely to allow continued evolution and innovation in this important area.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Collins
- Eli Lilly Innovation Center, 450 Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - L C Kourtis
- Eli Lilly Innovation Center, 450 Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - N R Thyagarajapuram
- Eli Lilly Innovation Center, 450 Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - R Sirkar
- Eli Lilly Innovation Center, 450 Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - S Kapur
- Eli Lilly Innovation Center, 450 Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - M W Harrison
- Eli Lilly Innovation Center, 450 Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - D J Bryan
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts, 01805, USA
| | - G B Jones
- Clinical & Translational Science Institute, Tufts University Medical Center, 800 Washington St, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA.
| | - J M Wright
- Eli Lilly Innovation Center, 450 Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
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44
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Kheddo P, Bramham JE, Dearman RJ, Uddin S, van der Walle CF, Golovanov AP. Investigating Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation of a Monoclonal Antibody Using Solution-State NMR Spectroscopy: Effect of Arg·Glu and Arg·HCl. Mol Pharm 2017; 14:2852-2860. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b00418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Kheddo
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology and School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Jack E. Bramham
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology and School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Rebecca J. Dearman
- School
of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Shahid Uddin
- Formulation
Sciences, MedImmune Ltd., Aaron Klug Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, CB21 6GH, U.K
| | | | - Alexander P. Golovanov
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology and School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, U.K
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45
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Brader ML, Baker EN, Dunn MF, Laue TM, Carpenter JF. Using X-Ray Crystallography to Simplify and Accelerate Biologics Drug Development. J Pharm Sci 2017; 106:477-494. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2016.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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46
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Liquid-liquid phase separation causes high turbidity and pressure during low pH elution process in Protein A chromatography. J Chromatogr A 2017; 1488:57-67. [PMID: 28159365 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.01.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Turbid elution pools and high column back pressure are common during elution of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) by acidic pH in Protein A chromatography. This phenomenon has been historically attributed to acid-induced precipitation of incorrectly folded or pH-sensitive mAbs and host cell proteins (HCPs). In this work, we propose a new mechanism that may account for some observations of elution turbidity in Protein A chromatography. We report several examples of turbidity and high column back pressure occurring transiently under a short course of neutral conditions during Protein A elution. A systematic study of three mAbs displaying this behavior revealed phase separation characterized by liquid drops under certain conditions including neutral pH, low ionic strength, and high protein concentration. These liquid droplets caused solution turbidity and exhibited extremely high viscosity, resulting in high column back pressure. We found out that the droplets were formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) as a result of protein self-association. We also found multiple factors, including pH, temperature, ionic strength, and protein concentration can affect LLPS behaviors. Careful selection of process parameters during protein A elution, including temperature, flow rate, buffer, and salt can inhibit formation of a dense liquid phase, reducing both turbidity (by 90%) and column back pressure (below 20 pounds per square inch). These findings provide both mechanistic insight and practical mitigation strategies for Protein A chromatography induced LLPS.
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47
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Liquid-liquid phase separation of a monoclonal antibody at low ionic strength: Influence of anion charge and concentration. Biophys Chem 2017; 220:7-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Revised: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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48
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Apgar JR, Mader M, Agostinelli R, Benard S, Bialek P, Johnson M, Gao Y, Krebs M, Owens J, Parris K, St. Andre M, Svenson K, Morris C, Tchistiakova L. Beyond CDR-grafting: Structure-guided humanization of framework and CDR regions of an anti-myostatin antibody. MAbs 2016; 8:1302-1318. [PMID: 27625211 PMCID: PMC5058614 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1215786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibodies are an important class of biotherapeutics that offer specificity to their antigen, long half-life, effector function interaction and good manufacturability. The immunogenicity of non-human-derived antibodies, which can be a major limitation to development, has been partially overcome by humanization through complementarity-determining region (CDR) grafting onto human acceptor frameworks. The retention of foreign content in the CDR regions, however, is still a potential immunogenic liability. Here, we describe the humanization of an anti-myostatin antibody utilizing a 2-step process of traditional CDR-grafting onto a human acceptor framework, followed by a structure-guided approach to further reduce the murine content of CDR-grafted antibodies. To accomplish this, we solved the co-crystal structures of myostatin with the chimeric (Protein Databank (PDB) id 5F3B) and CDR-grafted anti-myostatin antibody (PDB id 5F3H), allowing us to computationally predict the structurally important CDR residues as well as those making significant contacts with the antigen. Structure-based rational design enabled further germlining of the CDR-grafted antibody, reducing the murine content of the antibody without affecting antigen binding. The overall "humanness" was increased for both the light and heavy chain variable regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Susan Benard
- Biomedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peter Bialek
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mark Johnson
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yijie Gao
- Biomedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mark Krebs
- Biomedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jane Owens
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kevin Parris
- Biomedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Kris Svenson
- Biomedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Carl Morris
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
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49
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Geoghegan JC, Fleming R, Damschroder M, Bishop SM, Sathish HA, Esfandiary R. Mitigation of reversible self-association and viscosity in a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody by rational, structure-guided Fv engineering. MAbs 2016; 8:941-50. [PMID: 27050875 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1171444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Undesired solution behaviors such as reversible self-association (RSA), high viscosity, and liquid-liquid phase separation can introduce substantial challenges during development of monoclonal antibody formulations. Although a global mechanistic understanding of RSA (i.e., native and reversible protein-protein interactions) is sufficient to develop robust formulation controls, its mitigation via protein engineering requires knowledge of the sites of protein-protein interactions. In the study reported here, we coupled our previous hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry findings with structural modeling and in vitro screening to identify the residues responsible for RSA of a model IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb-C), and rationally engineered variants with improved solution properties (i.e., reduced RSA and viscosity). Our data show that mutation of either solvent-exposed aromatic residues within the heavy and light chain variable regions or buried residues within the heavy chain/light chain interface can significantly mitigate RSA and viscosity by reducing the IgG's surface hydrophobicity. The engineering strategy described here highlights the utility of integrating complementary experimental and in silico methods to identify mutations that can improve developability, in particular, high concentration solution properties, of candidate therapeutic antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Geoghegan
- a Department of Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering , MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Ryan Fleming
- a Department of Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering , MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Melissa Damschroder
- a Department of Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering , MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Steven M Bishop
- b Department of Formulation Sciences , MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Hasige A Sathish
- b Department of Formulation Sciences , MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
| | - Reza Esfandiary
- b Department of Formulation Sciences , MedImmune , Gaithersburg , MD , USA
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