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Uhler R, Popa-Wagner R, Kröning M, Brehm A, Rennert P, Seifried A, Peschke M, Krieger M, Kohla G, Kannicht C, Wiedemann P, Hafner M, Rosenlöcher J. Glyco-engineered HEK 293-F cell lines for the production of therapeutic glycoproteins with human N-glycosylation and improved pharmacokinetics. Glycobiology 2021; 31:859-872. [PMID: 33403396 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwaa119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
N-glycosylated proteins produced in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells often carry terminal N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and only low levels of sialylation. On therapeutic proteins, such N-glycans often trigger rapid clearance from the patient bloodstream via efficient binding to asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) and mannose receptor (MR). This currently limits the use of HEK 293 cells for therapeutic protein production. To eliminate terminal GalNAc, we knocked-out GalNAc transferases B4GALNT3 and B4GALNT4 by CRISPR/Cas9 in FreeStyle 293-F cells. The resulting cell line produced a coagulation factor VII-albumin fusion protein without GalNAc but with increased sialylation. This glyco-engineered protein bound less efficiently to both the ASGP-R and MR in vitro and it showed improved recovery, terminal half-life and area under the curve in pharmacokinetic rat experiments. By overexpressing sialyltransferases ST6GAL1 and ST3GAL6 in B4GALNT3 and B4GALNT4 knock-out cells, we further increased factor VII-albumin sialylation; for ST6GAL1 even to the level of human plasma-derived factor VII. Simultaneous knock-out of B4GALNT3 and B4GALNT4, and overexpression of ST6GAL1 further lowered factor VII-albumin binding to ASGP-R and MR. This novel glyco-engineered cell line is well-suited for the production of factor VII-albumin and presumably other therapeutic proteins with fully human N-glycosylation and superior pharmacokinetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rico Uhler
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, 68163 Mannheim, Germany.,Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals GmbH, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Mario Kröning
- Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals GmbH, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Brehm
- Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals GmbH, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Rennert
- Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals GmbH, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Markus Krieger
- Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals GmbH, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guido Kohla
- Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals GmbH, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Kannicht
- Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals GmbH, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Octapharma Biopharmaceuticals GmbH, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Wiedemann
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, 68163 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mathias Hafner
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, 68163 Mannheim, Germany.,Institute for Medical Technology, University Heidelberg and the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, 68163 Mannheim, Germany
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Majewska NI, Tejada ML, Betenbaugh MJ, Agarwal N. N-Glycosylation of IgG and IgG-Like Recombinant Therapeutic Proteins: Why Is It Important and How Can We Control It? Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2020; 11:311-338. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-102419-010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory bodies worldwide consider N-glycosylation to be a critical quality attribute for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgG-like therapeutics. This consideration is due to the importance of posttranslational modifications in determining the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic properties of biologics. Given its critical role in protein therapeutic production, we review N-glycosylation beginning with an overview of the myriad interactions of N-glycans with other biological factors. We examine the mechanism and drivers for N-glycosylation during biotherapeutic production and the several competing factors that impact glycan formation, including the abundance of precursor nucleotide sugars, transporters, glycosidases, glycosyltransferases, and process conditions. We explore the role of these factors with a focus on the analytical approaches used to characterize glycosylation and associated processes, followed by the current state of advanced glycosylation modeling techniques. This combination of disciplines allows for a deeper understanding of N-glycosylation and will lead to more rational glycan control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia I. Majewska
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA;,
- Cell Culture and Fermentation Sciences, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, USA
| | - Max L. Tejada
- Bioassay, Impurities and Quality, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, USA
| | - Michael J. Betenbaugh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA;,
| | - Nitin Agarwal
- Cell Culture and Fermentation Sciences, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, USA
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Hartholt RB, van Velzen AS, Peyron I, Ten Brinke A, Fijnvandraat K, Voorberg J. To serve and protect: The modulatory role of von Willebrand factor on factor VIII immunogenicity. Blood Rev 2017; 31:339-347. [PMID: 28716211 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Hemophilia A is a bleeding disorder characterized by the absence or dysfunction of blood coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). Patients are treated with regular infusions of FVIII concentrate. In response to treatment, approximately 30% of patients with severe hemophilia A develop inhibitory antibodies targeting FVIII. Both patient and treatment related risk factors for inhibitor development have been described. Multiple studies comparing the immunogenicity of recombinant and plasma-derived FVIII have yielded conflicting results. The randomized controlled SIPPET (Survey of Inhibitors in Plasma-Product Exposed Toddlers) trial demonstrated an increased risk of inhibitor development of recombinant FVIII when compared to von Willebrand factor (VWF)-containing plasma-derived FVIII. Presently, it is unclear which mechanism underlies the reduced immunogenicity of plasma-derived FVIII. In this review we address the potential role of VWF on FVIII immunogenicity and we discuss how VWF affects the immune recognition, processing and presentation of FVIII. We also briefly discuss the potential impact of glycan-composition on FVIII immunogenicity. It is well established that VWF shields the uptake of FVIII by antigen presenting cells. We have recently shown that VWF binds to the surface of dendritic cells. Here, we present a novel model in which surface bound FVIII-VWF complexes regulate the internalization of FVIII. Binding of FVIII to VWF is critically dependent on sulfation of Tyr1699 (HVGS numbering) in the light chain of FVIII. Incomplete sulfation of Tyr1699 has been suggested to occur in several recombinant FVIII products resulting in a loss of VWF binding. We hypothesize that this results in alternative pathways of FVIII internalization by antigen presenting cells which are not regulated by VWF. This hypothetical mechanism may explain the reduced immunogenicity of VWF containing plasma-derived FVIII concentrates as found in the SIPPET study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin B Hartholt
- Department of Plasma Proteins, Sanquin Research, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Alice S van Velzen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ivan Peyron
- Department of Plasma Proteins, Sanquin Research, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Anja Ten Brinke
- Department of Plasma Proteins, Sanquin Research, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Karin Fijnvandraat
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan Voorberg
- Department of Plasma Proteins, Sanquin Research, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Reusch D, Tejada ML. Fc glycans of therapeutic antibodies as critical quality attributes. Glycobiology 2015; 25:1325-34. [PMID: 26263923 PMCID: PMC4634315 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwv065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 299] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Critical quality attributes (CQA) are physical, chemical, biological or microbiological properties or characteristics that must be within an appropriate limit, range or distribution to ensure the desired product quality, safety and efficacy. For monoclonal antibody therapeutics that rely on fraction crystalizable (Fc)-mediated effector function for their clinical activity, the terminal sugars of Fc glycans have been shown to be critical for safety or efficacy. Different glycosylation variants have also been shown to influence the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic behavior while other Fc glycan structural elements may be involved in adverse immune reactions. This review focuses on the role of Fc glycans as CQAs. Fc glycan information from the published literature is summarized and evaluated for impact on patient safety, immunogenicity, bioactivity and pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dietmar Reusch
- Pharma Biotech Development Penzberg, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg 82377, Germany
| | - Max L Tejada
- Biological Technologies, Genentech, CA 94080, USA
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Reusch D, Haberger M, Selman MH, Bulau P, Deelder AM, Wuhrer M, Engler N. High-throughput work flow for IgG Fc-glycosylation analysis of biotechnological samples. Anal Biochem 2013; 432:82-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2012.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Revised: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Güttinger M, Padrun V, Pralong WF, Boison D. Seizure suppression and lack of adenosine A1 receptor desensitization after focal long-term delivery of adenosine by encapsulated myoblasts. Exp Neurol 2005; 193:53-64. [PMID: 15817264 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2004.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2004] [Revised: 11/25/2004] [Accepted: 12/10/2004] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adenosine is an important inhibitory modulator of brain activity. In a previous ex vivo gene therapy approach, local release of adenosine by encapsulated fibroblasts implanted into the vicinity of an epileptic focus, was sufficient to provide transient protection from seizures (Huber, A., Padrun, V., Deglon, N., Aebischer, P., Mohler, H., Boison, D., 2001. Grafts of adenosine-releasing cells suppress seizures in kindling epilepsy. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 98, 7611-7616). Long-term seizure suppression beyond 2 weeks was precluded by limited life expectancy of the encapsulated fibroblasts. To study the feasibility for long-term seizure suppression by adenosine releasing brain implants, in the present contribution, mouse C2C12 myoblasts were engineered to release adenosine by genetic inactivation of adenosine kinase. After encapsulation, the myoblasts were grafted into the lateral brain ventricles of epileptic rats kindled in the hippocampus. While seizure activity in animals with wild-type implants remained unaltered, 1 week after grafting all rats with adenosine-releasing implants (n = 25) displayed complete protection from convulsive seizures and a corresponding reduction of afterdischarges in EEG-recordings. The duration of seizure suppression was maintained for a period of 3 weeks in 50% of the animals ranging to a maximum of 8 weeks in one animal. During the course of these experiments, adenosine A1 receptors remained responsive to selective agonists and antagonists indicating a lack of desensitization of A1 receptors after local long-term exposure to adenosine. Furthermore, local release of adenosine did not affect locomotor activity, whereas systemic application of the A1 agonist 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine caused strong sedation. Thus, the local release of adenosine by cellular implants provides a feasible option for a potential side-effect free approach for the long-term treatment of focal epilepsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Güttinger
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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