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Sripada SA, Hosseini M, Ramesh S, Wang J, Ritola K, Menegatti S, Daniele MA. Advances and opportunities in process analytical technologies for viral vector manufacturing. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 74:108391. [PMID: 38848795 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108391] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Viral vectors are an emerging, exciting class of biologics whose application in vaccines, oncology, and gene therapy has grown exponentially in recent years. Following first regulatory approval, this class of therapeutics has been vigorously pursued to treat monogenic disorders including orphan diseases, entering hundreds of new products into pipelines. Viral vector manufacturing supporting clinical efforts has spurred the introduction of a broad swath of analytical techniques dedicated to assessing the diverse and evolving panel of Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) of these products. Herein, we provide an overview of the current state of analytics enabling measurement of CQAs such as capsid and vector identities, product titer, transduction efficiency, impurity clearance etc. We highlight orthogonal methods and discuss the advantages and limitations of these techniques while evaluating their adaptation as process analytical technologies. Finally, we identify gaps and propose opportunities in enabling existing technologies for real-time monitoring from hardware, software, and data analysis viewpoints for technology development within viral vector biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sobhana A Sripada
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Mahshid Hosseini
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Srivatsan Ramesh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Junhyeong Wang
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Kimberly Ritola
- North Carolina Viral Vector Initiative in Research and Learning (NC-VVIRAL), North Carolina State University, 890 Oval Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Neuroscience Center, Brain Initiative Neurotools Vector Core, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stefano Menegatti
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA; North Carolina Viral Vector Initiative in Research and Learning (NC-VVIRAL), North Carolina State University, 890 Oval Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, North Carolina State University, 890 Main Campus Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
| | - Michael A Daniele
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; North Carolina Viral Vector Initiative in Research and Learning (NC-VVIRAL), North Carolina State University, 890 Oval Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, 890 Oval Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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2
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Buckland B, Sanyal G, Ranheim T, Pollard D, Searles JA, Behrens S, Pluschkell S, Josefsberg J, Roberts CJ. Vaccine process technology-A decade of progress. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024; 121:2604-2635. [PMID: 38711222 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
In the past decade, new approaches to the discovery and development of vaccines have transformed the field. Advances during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed the production of billions of vaccine doses per year using novel platforms such as messenger RNA and viral vectors. Improvements in the analytical toolbox, equipment, and bioprocess technology have made it possible to achieve both unprecedented speed in vaccine development and scale of vaccine manufacturing. Macromolecular structure-function characterization technologies, combined with improved modeling and data analysis, enable quantitative evaluation of vaccine formulations at single-particle resolution and guided design of vaccine drug substances and drug products. These advances play a major role in precise assessment of critical quality attributes of vaccines delivered by newer platforms. Innovations in label-free and immunoassay technologies aid in the characterization of antigenic sites and the development of robust in vitro potency assays. These methods, along with molecular techniques such as next-generation sequencing, will accelerate characterization and release of vaccines delivered by all platforms. Process analytical technologies for real-time monitoring and optimization of process steps enable the implementation of quality-by-design principles and faster release of vaccine products. In the next decade, the field of vaccine discovery and development will continue to advance, bringing together new technologies, methods, and platforms to improve human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Buckland
- National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Gautam Sanyal
- Vaccine Analytics, LLC, Kendall Park, New Jersey, USA
| | - Todd Ranheim
- Advanced Analytics Core, Resilience, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - David Pollard
- Sartorius, Corporate Research, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Sue Behrens
- Engineering and Biopharmaceutical Processing, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Stefanie Pluschkell
- National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Jessica Josefsberg
- Merck & Co., Inc., Process Research & Development, Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Christopher J Roberts
- National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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3
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Tabler CO, Tilton JC. Analysis of Individual Viral Particles by Flow Virometry. Viruses 2024; 16:802. [PMID: 38793683 PMCID: PMC11125929 DOI: 10.3390/v16050802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the emerging field of flow virometry, the study and characterization of individual viral particles using flow cytometry instruments and protocols optimized for the detection of nanoscale events. Flow virometry faces considerable technical challenges including minimal light scattering by small viruses that complicates detection, coincidental detection of multiple small particles due to their high concentrations, and challenges with sample preparation including the inability to easily "wash" samples to remove unbound fluorescent antibodies. We will discuss how the field has overcome these challenges to reveal novel insights into viral biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John C. Tilton
- Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
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Toister E, Cherry L, Lupu E, Monash A, Dor E, Levin L, Girshengorn M, Natan N, Chapman S, Shmaya S, Epstein E, Adar Y, Zichel R, Ophir Y, Diamant E. Development and Validation of a Plaque Assay to Determine the Titer of a Recombinant Live-Attenuated Viral Vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:374. [PMID: 38675756 PMCID: PMC11054748 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040374] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in more than seven million deaths worldwide. To reduce viral spread, the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) developed and produced a new rVSV-SARS-CoV-2-S vaccine candidate (BriLife®) based on a platform of a genetically engineered vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector that expresses the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 instead of the VSV-G protein on the virus surface. Quantifying the virus titer to evaluate vaccine potency requires a reliable validated assay that meets all the stringent pharmacopeial requirements of a bioanalytical method. Here, for the first time, we present the development and extensive validation of a quantitative plaque assay using Vero E6 cells for the determination of the concentration of the rVSV-SARS-CoV-2-S viral vector. Three different vaccine preparations with varying titers (DP_low, DP_high, and QC sample) were tested according to a strict validation protocol. The newly developed plaque assay was found to be highly specific, accurate, precise, and robust. The mean deviations from the predetermined titers for the DP_low, DP_high, and QC preparations were 0.01, 0.02, and 0.09 log10, respectively. Moreover, the mean %CV values for intra-assay precision were 18.7%, 12.0%, and 6.0%, respectively. The virus titers did not deviate from the established values between cell passages 5 and 19, and no correlation was found between titer and passage. The validation results presented herein indicate that the newly developed plaque assay can be used to determine the concentration of the BriLife® vaccine, suggesting that the current protocol is a reliable methodology for validating plaque assays for other viral vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Einat Toister
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Lilach Cherry
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel;
| | - Edith Lupu
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Arik Monash
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Eyal Dor
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Lilach Levin
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Meni Girshengorn
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Niva Natan
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Shira Chapman
- Department of Pharmacology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel;
| | - Shlomo Shmaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel;
| | - Eyal Epstein
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Yaakov Adar
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Ran Zichel
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
| | - Yakir Ophir
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Eran Diamant
- Department of Biotechnology, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel; (E.T.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (A.M.); (E.D.); (M.G.); (N.N.); (E.E.); (Y.A.); (R.Z.)
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Bacher J, Lali N, Steiner F, Jungbauer A. Cytokines as fast indicator of infectious virus titer during process development. J Biotechnol 2024; 383:55-63. [PMID: 38325657 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.01.016] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Measuring infectious titer is the most time-consuming method during the production and process development of live viruses. Conventionally, it is done by measuring the tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) or plaque forming units (pfu) in cell-based assays. Such assays require a time span of more than a week to the readout and significantly slow down process development. In this study, we utilized the pro-inflammatory cytokine response of a Vero production cell line to a recombinant measles vaccine virus (MVV) as model system for rapidly determining infectious virus titer within several hours after infection instead of one week. Cytokines are immunostimulatory proteins contributing to the first line of defence against virus infection. The probed cytokines in this study were MCP-1 and RANTES, which are secreted in a virus dose as well as time dependent manner and correlate to TCID50 over a concentration range of several logarithmic levels with R2 = 0.86 and R2 = 0.83, respectively. Furthermore, the pro-inflammatory cytokine response of the cells was specific for infectious virus particles and not evoked with filtered virus seed. We also discovered that individual cytokine candidates may be more suitable for off- or at-line analysis, depending on the secretion profile as well as their sensitivity towards changing process conditions. Furthermore, the method can be applied to follow a purification procedure and is therefore suited for process development and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Bacher
- acib - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Krenngasse 37, Graz A-8010, Austria; Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Narges Lali
- acib - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Krenngasse 37, Graz A-8010, Austria; Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Steiner
- acib - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Krenngasse 37, Graz A-8010, Austria
| | - Alois Jungbauer
- acib - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Krenngasse 37, Graz A-8010, Austria; Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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6
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Cooper CL, Morrow G, Yuan M, Coleman JW, Hou F, Reiserova L, Li SL, Wagner D, Carpov A, Wallace-Selman O, Valentin K, Choi Y, Wilson A, Kilianski A, Sayeed E, Agans KN, Borisevich V, Cross RW, Geisbert TW, Feinberg MB, Gupta SB, Parks CL. Nonhuman Primates Are Protected against Marburg Virus Disease by Vaccination with a Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Vector-Based Vaccine Prepared under Conditions to Allow Advancement to Human Clinical Trials. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1582. [PMID: 36298451 PMCID: PMC9610558 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are needed to disrupt or prevent continued outbreaks of filoviruses in humans across Western and Central Africa, including outbreaks of Marburg virus (MARV). As part of a filovirus vaccine product development plan, it is important to investigate dose response early in preclinical development to identify the dose range that may be optimal for safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy, and perhaps demonstrate that using lower doses is feasible, which will improve product access. To determine the efficacious dose range for a manufacturing-ready live recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vaccine vector (rVSV∆G-MARV-GP) encoding the MARV glycoprotein (GP), a dose-range study was conducted in cynomolgus macaques. Results showed that a single intramuscular injection with as little as 200 plaque-forming units (PFUs) was 100% efficacious against lethality and prevented development of viremia and clinical pathologies associated with MARV Angola infection. Across the vaccine doses tested, there was nearly a 2000-fold range of anti-MARV glycoprotein (GP) serum IgG titers with seroconversion detectable even at the lowest doses. Virus-neutralizing serum antibodies also were detected in animals vaccinated with the higher vaccine doses indicating that vaccination induced functional antibodies, but that the assay was a less sensitive indicator of seroconversion. Collectively, the data indicates that a relatively wide range of anti-GP serum IgG titers are observed in animals that are protected from disease implying that seroconversion is positively associated with efficacy, but that more extensive immunologic analyses on samples collected from our study as well as future preclinical studies will be valuable in identifying additional immune responses correlated with protection that can serve as markers to monitor in human trials needed to generate data that can support vaccine licensure in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Krystle N. Agans
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Robert W. Cross
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Thomas W. Geisbert
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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7
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Yi S, McCracken R, Davide J, Salovich DR, Whitmer T, Bhat A, Vlasak J, Ha S, Sehlin D, Califano J, Ploeger K, Mukherjee M. Development of process analytical tools for rapid monitoring of live virus vaccines in manufacturing. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15494. [PMID: 36109543 PMCID: PMC9476422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19744-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In the development of end-to-end large-scale live virus vaccine (LVV) manufacturing, process analytical technology (PAT) tools enable timely monitoring of critical process parameters (CPP) and significantly guide process development and characterization. In a commercial setting, these very same tools can enable real time monitoring of CPPs on the shop floor and inform harvest decisions, predict peak potency, and serve as surrogates for release potency assays. Here we introduce the development of four advanced PAT tools for upstream and downstream process monitoring in LVV manufacturing. The first tool explores the application of capacitance probes for real time monitoring of viable cell density in bioreactors. The second tool utilizes high content imaging to determine optimum time of infection in a microcarrier process. The third tool uses flow virometry (or nanoscale flow cytometry) to monitor total virus particle counts across upstream and downstream process steps and establishes a robust correlation to virus potency. The fourth and final tool explores the use of nucleic acid dye staining to discriminate between “good” and “damaged” virus particles and uses this strategy to also monitor virus aggregates generated sometimes during downstream processing. Collectively, these tools provide a comprehensive monitoring toolbox and represent a significantly enhanced control strategy for the manufacturing of LVVs.
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8
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DeRose PC, Benkstein KD, Elsheikh EB, Gaigalas AK, Lehman SE, Ripple DC, Tian L, Vreeland WN, Welch EJ, York AW, Zhang YZ, Wang L. Number Concentration Measurements of Polystyrene Submicrometer Particles. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3118. [PMID: 36144906 PMCID: PMC9501160 DOI: 10.3390/nano12183118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The number of techniques to measure number concentrations and size distributions of submicrometer particles has recently increased. Submicrometer particle standards are needed to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of these techniques. The number concentrations of fluorescently labeled polystyrene submicrometer sphere suspensions with nominal 100 nm, 200 nm and 500 nm diameters were measured using seven different techniques. Diameter values were also measured where possible. The diameter values were found to agree within 20%, but the number concentration values differed by as much as a factor of two. Accuracy and reproducibility related with the different techniques are discussed with the goal of using number concentration standards for instrument calibration. Three of the techniques were used to determine SI-traceable number concentration values, and the three independent values were averaged to give consensus values. This consensus approach is proposed as a protocol for certifying SI-traceable number concentration standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. DeRose
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Kurt D. Benkstein
- Biomolecular Measurement Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Elzafir B. Elsheikh
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Adolfas K. Gaigalas
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Sean E. Lehman
- Biomolecular Measurement Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Dean C. Ripple
- Biomolecular Measurement Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Linhua Tian
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Wyatt N. Vreeland
- Biomolecular Measurement Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Eric J. Welch
- Protein and Cell Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eugene, OR 97402, USA
| | - Adam W. York
- Protein and Cell Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eugene, OR 97402, USA
| | - Yu-Zhong Zhang
- Protein and Cell Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eugene, OR 97402, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
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9
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Prout A, Rustandi RR, Tubbs C, Winters MA, McKenna P, Vlasak J. Functional profiling of Covid 19 vaccine candidate by flow virometry. Vaccine 2022; 40:5529-5536. [PMID: 35985887 PMCID: PMC9359933 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Vaccine development is a complex process, starting with selection of a promising immunogen in the discovery phase, followed by process development in the preclinical phase, and later by clinical trials in tandem with process improvements and scale up. A large suite of analytical techniques is required to gain understanding of the vaccine candidate so that a relevant immunogen is selected and subsequently manufactured consistently throughout the lifespan of the product. For viral vaccines, successful immunogen production is contingent on its maintained antigenicity and/or infectivity, as well as the ability to characterize these qualities within the context of the process, formulation, and clinical performance. In this report we show the utility of flow virometry during preclinical development of a Covid 19 vaccine candidate based on SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein expressed on vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies, we were able to detect the S protein on the surface of the recombinant VSV virus, monitor the expression levels, detect differences in the antigen based on S protein sequence and after virus inactivation, and monitor S protein stability. Collectively, flow virometry provided important data that helped to guide preclinical development of this vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Prout
- Vaccine Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Richard R Rustandi
- Vaccine Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Christopher Tubbs
- Vaccine Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Winters
- Vaccine Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Philip McKenna
- Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Josef Vlasak
- Vaccine Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA, USA.
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10
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Hancock TJ, Hetzel ML, Ramirez A, Sparer TE. MCMV Centrifugal Enhancement: A New Spin on an Old Topic. Pathogens 2021; 10:1577. [PMID: 34959531 PMCID: PMC8705575 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen infecting a majority of people worldwide, with diseases ranging from mild to life-threatening. Its clinical relevance in immunocompromised people and congenital infections have made treatment and vaccine development a top priority. Because of cytomegaloviruses' species specificity, murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) models have historically informed and advanced translational CMV therapies. Using the phenomenon of centrifugal enhancement, we explored differences between MCMVs derived in vitro and in vivo. We found centrifugal enhancement on tissue culture-derived virus (TCV) was ~3× greater compared with salivary gland derived virus (SGV). Using novel "flow virometry", we found that TCV contained a distinct submicron particle composition compared to SGV. Using an inhibitor of exosome production, we show these submicron particles are not extracellular vesicles that contribute to centrifugal enhancement. We examined how these differences in submicron particles potentially contribute to differing centrifugal enhancement phenotypes, as well as broader in vivo vs. in vitro MCMV differences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tim E. Sparer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; (T.J.H.); (M.L.H.); (A.R.)
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