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Kittur FS, Hung CY, Zhu C, Shajahan A, Azadi P, Thomas MD, Pearce JL, Gruber C, Kallolimath S, Xie J. Glycoengineering tobacco plants to stably express recombinant human erythropoietin with different N-glycan profiles. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 157:158-169. [PMID: 32348856 PMCID: PMC8349175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Plant-based expression system has many potential advantages to produce biopharmaceuticals, but plants cannot be directly used to express human glycoproteins because of their differences in glycosylation abilities from mammals. To exploit plant-based expression system for producing recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuEPO), we glycoengineered tobacco plants by stably introducing seven to eight mammalian genes including a target human EPO into tobacco in order to generate capacities for β1,4-galactosylation, bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and sialylation. Wild type human β1,4-galactosyltransferase gene (GalT) or a chimeric GalT gene (ST/GalT) was co-expressed to produce rhuEPO bearing β1,4-galactose-extended N-glycan chains as well as compare their β1,4-galactosylation efficiencies. Five mammalian genes encoding enzymes/transporter for sialic acid biosynthesis, transport and transfer were co-expressed to build sialylation capacity in plants. The human MGAT3 was co-expressed to produce N-glycan chains with bisecting GlcNAc. Our results demonstrated that the above transgenes were incorporated into tobacco genome and transcribed. ST/GalT was found to be more efficient than GalT for β1,4-galactosylation. Furthermore, co-expressing MGAT3 generated N-glycans likely bearing bisected GlcNAc. However, our current efforts did not result in generating sialylation capacity. Created transgenic plants expressing EPO and ST/GalT could be used to produce rhuEPO with high proportion of β1,4-galactose-extended N-glycan chains for tissue protective purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farooqahmed S Kittur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Chiu-Yueh Hung
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Chuanshu Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Asif Shajahan
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Michelle D Thomas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Jackson L Pearce
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Clemens Gruber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Somanath Kallolimath
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jiahua Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA.
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Buettner A, Maier M, Bonnington L, Bulau P, Reusch D. Multi-Attribute Monitoring of Complex Erythropoetin Beta Glycosylation by GluC Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Peptide Mapping. Anal Chem 2020; 92:7574-7580. [PMID: 32426963 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant human erythropoetin (EPO) is an important biopharmaceutical mainly used for the treatment of anemia. It is highly heterogeneous because of common amino acid chemical degradations known to occur in protein therapeutics (e.g., oxidation and deamidation) and its complex glycosylation profile. Recently, multi-attribute monitoring (MAM), i.e., the quantification of multiple post-translational and chemical modifications in a single peptide mapping liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based method, has received increased attention for the analysis of antibody-like biotherapeutic proteins. In this study, an MAM method for examination of residue-specific glycan profiles of EPO was established. The MAM method, by virtue of the increased sensitivity and selectivity provided with LC-MS, yielded additional site-specific information not afforded by the conventional quality control (QC) methods. Low abundant glycans as well as additional post-translational and chemical modifications could also be simultaneously detected by the MAM method. Our results demonstrate that desialylated N-oligosaccharides (DeNO) and N-acetylneuraminic acids (Neu5Ac) could be monitored by the developed MAM approach with data readout highly comparable to QC methods, while differences were observed for charge isoform distribution. In summary, the comparative data obtained demonstrate that MAM by LC-MS peptide mapping can, in principle, adequately replace selected QC methods and would add value to the in-process control and release testing strategy of EPO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Buettner
- Pharma Technical Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg 82377, Germany
| | - Maria Maier
- Pharma Technical Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg 82377, Germany
| | - Lea Bonnington
- Pharma Technical Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg 82377, Germany
| | - Patrick Bulau
- Pharma Technical Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg 82377, Germany
| | - Dietmar Reusch
- Pharma Technical Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg 82377, Germany
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Lee JR, Choi D, Choi I, Park M, Choi E, Lee YJ, Park J, Yang YH, Ha G, Chul Jin H, Kim KP. Comprehensive Characterization of N‐Glycosylation in Darbepoetin Alfa. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.11856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Rok Lee
- Department of Applied ChemistryInstitute of Natural Science, Global Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredient Materials, Kyung Hee University Yongin 446‐701 South Korea
- Pharmaceutical Analysis CenterCJ HealthCare R&D Institute, CJ HealthCare Icheon 467‐812 South Korea
| | - Doyoung Choi
- Pharmaceutical Analysis CenterCJ HealthCare R&D Institute, CJ HealthCare Icheon 467‐812 South Korea
| | - Inseong Choi
- Pharmaceutical Analysis CenterCJ HealthCare R&D Institute, CJ HealthCare Icheon 467‐812 South Korea
| | - Mikyung Park
- Pharmaceutical Analysis CenterCJ HealthCare R&D Institute, CJ HealthCare Icheon 467‐812 South Korea
| | - Eunyoung Choi
- Biopharmaceutical Research CenterCJ HealthCare R&D Institute, CJ HealthCare Icheon 467‐812 South Korea
| | - Yoon Jung Lee
- Biopharmaceutical Research CenterCJ HealthCare R&D Institute, CJ HealthCare Icheon 467‐812 South Korea
| | - Jeehye Park
- Biopharmaceutical Research CenterCJ HealthCare R&D Institute, CJ HealthCare Icheon 467‐812 South Korea
| | - Yoo Hee Yang
- Biopharmaceutical Research CenterCJ HealthCare R&D Institute, CJ HealthCare Icheon 467‐812 South Korea
| | - Gyong‐Sik Ha
- Biopharmaceutical Research CenterCJ HealthCare R&D Institute, CJ HealthCare Icheon 467‐812 South Korea
| | - Hong Chul Jin
- Pharmaceutical Analysis CenterCJ HealthCare R&D Institute, CJ HealthCare Icheon 467‐812 South Korea
| | - Kwang Pyo Kim
- Department of Applied ChemistryInstitute of Natural Science, Global Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredient Materials, Kyung Hee University Yongin 446‐701 South Korea
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Grampp G, McElroy PL, Camblin G, Pollock A. Structure-Function Relationships for Recombinant Erythropoietins: A Case Study From a Proposed Manufacturing Change With Implications for Erythropoietin Biosimilar Study Designs. J Pharm Sci 2018; 107:1512-1520. [PMID: 29408510 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2018.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Comparability studies used to assess a proposed manufacturing change for a biological product include sensitive analytical studies to confirm there are no significant differences in structural or functional attributes that may contribute to clinically meaningful changes in efficacy or safety. When a proposed change is relatively complex or when clinically relevant differences between the product before and after the change cannot be ruled out based on analytical studies, nonclinical and clinical bridging studies are generally required to confirm overall comparability. In this study, we report findings from a comparability assessment of epoetin alfa before and after a proposed manufacturing process change. Although differences in glycosylation attributes were observed, these were initially believed to be irrelevant to the product's pharmacology. This assumption was initially supported via nonclinical and clinical pharmacology studies, but a clinically meaningful difference in potency was ultimately observed in a phase 3 clinical study conducted in a sensitive patient population using a sensitive study design. These results indicate that the nonclinical assessments of structure-function relationships were insufficiently sensitive to identify clinically relevant differences resulting from differences in the glycosylation profile. This case study highlights important findings that may be relevant in the development of biosimilar epoetin alfa products.
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Selbes YS, Caglayan MG, Eryilmaz M, Boyaci IH, Saglam N, Basaran AA, Tamer U. Surface-enhanced Raman probe for rapid nanoextraction and detection of erythropoietin in urine. Anal Bioanal Chem 2016; 408:8447-8456. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-9966-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Ahmed I, Kaspar B, Sharma U. Biosimilars: Impact of Biologic Product Life Cycle and European Experience on the Regulatory Trajectory in the United States. Clin Ther 2012; 34:400-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2011.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Kausar H, Gull S, Ijaz B, Ahmad W, Sarwar MT, Iqbal Z, Nawaz Z, Riazuddin S, Hassan S. Huh-7 cell line as an alternative cultural model for the production of human like erythropoietin (EPO). J Transl Med 2011; 9:186. [PMID: 22040235 PMCID: PMC3228713 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-9-186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone which is required to regulate the production of red blood cells. Deficiency of EPO is known to cause anemia in chronically infected renal patients and they require regular blood transfusion. Availability of recombinant EPO has eliminated the need for blood transfusion and now it is extensively used for the treatment of anemia. Glycosylation of erythropoietin is essential for its secretion, stability, protein conformation and biological activity. However, maintenance of human like glycosylation pattern during manufacturing of EPO is a major challenge in biotechnology. Currently, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line is used for the commercial production of erythropoietin but this cell line does not maintain glycosylation resembling human system. With the trend to eliminate non-human constituent from biopharmaceutical products, as a preliminary approach, we have investigated the potential of human hepatoma cell line (Huh-7) to produce recombinant EPO. MATERIALS AND METHODS Initially, the secretory signal and Kozak sequences was added before the EPO mature protein sequence using overlap extension PCR technique. PCR-amplified cDNA fragments of EPO was inserted into mammalian expression vector under the control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter and transiently expressed in CHO and Huh-7 cell lines. After RT-PCR analysis, ELISA and Western blotting was performed to verify the immunochemical properties of secreted EPO. RESULTS Addition of secretory signal and Kozak sequence facilitated the extra-cellular secretion and enhanced the expression of EPO protein. Significant expression (P < 0.05) of EPO was observed in the medium from Huh-7 cell line. CONCLUSION Huh-7 cell line has a great potential to produce glycosylated EPO, suggesting the use of this cell line to produce glycoproteins of the therapeutic importance resembling to the natural human system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humera Kausar
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore Pakistan
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Expression and secretion of the human erythropoietin using an optimized cbh1 promoter and the native CBH I signal sequence in the industrial fungus Trichoderma reesei. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2011; 165:1169-77. [PMID: 21845444 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-011-9334-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 08/02/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The human erythropoietin (HuEPO) structural gene was fused with the secretion signal of the Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I and controlled by a newly optimized cbh1 promoter in an integrated expression vector pTrCBH-EPO. The recombinant HuEPO construct was transformed into two different T. reesei strains, a protease-deficient strain RutC-30 M3, and a glycosylation-modified strain T108. After lactose induction, the heterologous rHuEPO was found to be stably expressed in the selected transformants T47 (derived from RutC-30 M3) and T112 (derived from T108), which were shown to have high genetic stability. Secretion of erythropoietin in these transformants was further confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis. Moreover, the secreted rHuEPO from T112 had an apparent molecular weight of 32 kDa, which was higher than from T47 (28 kDa) and similar to that of mammals (more than 30 kDa). These results demonstrate the potential of using industrial filamentous fungi for the production of human-derived erythropoietin.
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Seong J, Kim MJ, Kim HS, Kim SA, Jeon HW, Sung SH, Kim KC, Suh DS. Generation of transgenic silkworms for production of erythropoietin in Bombyx mori. Genes Genomics 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s13258-011-0022-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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The effect of cell concentration on alpha 2,3-sialyltransferase activity in attachment culture of a human erythropoietin-producing Chinese hamster ovary cell line. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-009-0050-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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13
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Glycosylation pattern of humanized IgG-like bispecific antibody produced by recombinant CHO cells. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2009; 85:535-42. [PMID: 19652963 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-009-2152-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Revised: 07/14/2009] [Accepted: 07/14/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The glycosylation pattern of a humanized anti-EGFRxanti-CD3 bispecific single-chain diabody with an Fc portion (hEx3-scDb-Fc) produced by recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cells was evaluated and compared with those of a recombinant humanized anti-IL-8 antibody (IgG1) and human serum IgG. N-Linked oligosaccharide structures were estimated by two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. No sialylation was observed with purified hEx3-scDb-Fc and the anti-IL-8 antibody. From the analysis of neutral oligosaccharides, approximately more than 90% of the N-linked oligosaccharides of hEx3-scDb-Fc and the anti-IL-8 antibody were alpha-1,6-fucosylated. The galactosylated biantennary oligosaccharides comprise over 40% of the total N-linked oligosaccharides in both hEx3-scDb-Fc and the anti-IL-8 antibody. The fully galactosylated biantennary oligosaccharides from hEx3-scDb-Fc and the anti-IL-8 antibody accounted for only 10% of the N-linked; however, more than 20% of the N-linked oligosaccharides were fully galactosylated biantennary oligosaccharides in human serum IgG. The glycosylation pattern of hEx3-scDb-Fc was quite similar to that of the anti-IL-8 antibody.
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Kanie Y, Yamamoto-Hino M, Karino Y, Yokozawa H, Nishihara S, Ueda R, Goto S, Kanie O. Insight into the regulation of glycan synthesis in Drosophila chaoptin based on mass spectrometry. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5434. [PMID: 19415110 PMCID: PMC2672165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2009] [Accepted: 03/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A variety of N-glycans attached to protein are known to involve in many important biological functions. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi localized enzymes are responsible to this template-independent glycan synthesis resulting glycoforms at each asparagine residues. The regulation mechanism such glycan synthesis remains largely unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings In order to investigate the relationship between glycan structure and protein conformation, we analyzed a glycoprotein of Drosophila melanogaster, chaoptin (Chp), which is localized in photoreceptor cells and is bound to the cell membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Detailed analysis based on mass spectrometry revealed the presence of 13 N-glycosylation sites and the composition of the glycoform at each site. The synthetic pathway of glycans was speculated from the observed glycan structures and the composition at each N-glycosylation site, where the presence of novel routes were suggested. The distribution of glycoforms on a Chp polypeptide suggested that various processing enzymes act on the exterior of Chp in the Golgi apparatus, although virtually no enzyme can gain access to the interior of the horseshoe-shaped scaffold, hence explaining the presence of longer glycans within the interior. Furthermore, analysis of Chp from a mutant (RNAi against dolichyl-phosphate α-d-mannosyltransferase), which affects N-glycan synthesis in the ER, revealed that truncated glycan structures were processed. As a result, the distribution of glycoforms was affected for the high-mannose-type glycans only, whereas other types of glycans remained similar to those observed in the control and wild-type. Conclusions/Significance These results indicate that glycan processing depends largely on the backbone structure of the parent polypeptide. The information we obtained can be applied to other members of the LRR family of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimi Kanie
- Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences (MITILS), Machida, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miki Yamamoto-Hino
- Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences (MITILS), Machida, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yayoi Karino
- Mitsubishi Chemical Group Science and Technology Research Center Inc., Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yokozawa
- Mitsubishi Chemical Group Science and Technology Research Center Inc., Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shoko Nishihara
- Division of Cell Biology, Soka University, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryu Ueda
- Invertebrate Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Goto
- Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences (MITILS), Machida, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Kanie
- Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences (MITILS), Machida, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Lectin affinity chromatography as a tool to differentiate endogenous and recombinant erythropoietins. J Chromatogr A 2008; 1212:82-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2008.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2008] [Revised: 10/03/2008] [Accepted: 10/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Kim HJ, Lee SJ, Kim HJ. Antibody-based enzyme-linked lectin assay (ABELLA) for the sialylated recombinant human erythropoietin present in culture supernatant. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2008; 48:716-21. [PMID: 18722069 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2008.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2008] [Revised: 07/03/2008] [Accepted: 07/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The terminal sialic acid of human erythropoietin (hEPO) is essential for in vivo activity. The current resorcinol and HPLC methods for analyzing alpha2,3-linked sialic acid require more than a microgram of purified rhEPO, and purification takes a great deal of time and labor. In this study, we assessed the use of an antibody-based enzyme-linked lectin assay (ABELLA) for analyzing non-purified recombinant hEPO (rhEPO). The major problem of this method was the high background due to terminal sialylation of components of the assay (antibody and bovine serum albumin) other than rhEPO. To solve this problem, we used a monoclonal antibody (Mab 287) to capture the rhEPO, and oxidized the bovine serum albumin used for blocking with meta-periodate. The sialic acid content of non-purified rhEPO measured by ABELLA was similar to that obtained by the resorcinol method on purified rhEPO. ABELLA has advantages such as adaptability and need for minimal amounts of rhEPO (40 ng/ml). Our observations suggest that ABELLA should reduce the time and labor needed to improve culture conditions so as to increase protein sialylation, and also facilitate the study of sialylation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyoung Jin Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 221 Huksuk-Dong, Dongjak-Ku, Seoul 156-756, South Korea
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Groleau PE, Desharnais P, Coté L, Ayotte C. Low LC-MS/MS detection of glycopeptides released from pmol levels of recombinant erythropoietin using nanoflow HPLC-chip electrospray ionization. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2008; 43:924-935. [PMID: 18563860 DOI: 10.1002/jms.1439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The test used by anti-doping laboratories to detect the misuse of recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) is based on its different migration pattern on isoelectric focusing (IEF) gel compared with the endogenous human erythropoietin (hEPO) that can possibly be explained by structural differences. While there is definitely a need to identify those differences by LC-MS/MS, the extensive characterization that was achieved for the rhEPO was never performed on human endogenous EPO because its standard is not available in sufficient amount. The goal of this study was to develop an analytical method to detect pmol amounts of N-linked and O-linked glycopeptides of the recombinant hormone as a model. Using a nanoflow HPLC-Chip electrospray ionization/ion trap mass spectrometer, the diagnostic ion at m/z 366 of oligosaccharides was monitored in the product ion spectra to identify the four theoretical glycosylation sites, Asn24, Asn38, Asn83 and Ser126, respectively, on glycopeptides 22-37, 38-55, 73-96 and 118-136. With 3 pmol of starting material applied on Chip, only the desialylated N-glycopeptides 22-37 and 38-55/38-43 could be observed, and of all the glycan isoforms, those with the smaller structures were predominantly detected. While the preservation of the sialic acid moieties decreased the detection of all the N-glycopeptides, it allowed a more extensive characterization of the O-linked glycopeptide 118-136. The technique described herein provides a mean to detect glycopeptides from commercially available pharmaceutical preparations of rhEPO with the sensitivity required to analyze pmol amounts of hEPO, which could ultimately lead to the identification of structural differences between the recombinant and the human forms of the hormone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paule Emilie Groleau
- Laboratoire de contrôle du dopage, INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, Québec, Canada.
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Abstract
Erythropoietin (EPO) gene expression is under the control of inhibitory (GATA-2, NF-kappaB) and stimulatory (hypoxia-inducible transcription factor [HIF]-2, hepatocyte nuclear factor [HNF]-4alpha [alpha]) transcription factors. EPO deficiency is the main cause of the anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a contributing factor in the anemias of inflammation and cancer. Small, orally active compounds capable of stimulating endogenous EPO production are in preclinical or clinical trials for treatment of anemia. These agents include stabilizers of the HIFs that bind to the EPO enhancer and GATA inhibitors which prevent GATA from suppressing the EPO promoter. While HIF stabilizing drugs may prove useful as inexpensive second-line choices, at present, their side effects--particularly tumorigenicity--preclude their use as first-choice therapy. As an alternative, EPO gene therapy has been explored in animal studies and in trials on CKD patients. Here, a major problem is immunogenicity of ex vivo transfected implanted cells and of the recombinant protein produced after ex vivo or in vivo EPO complementary DNA (cDNA) transfer. Recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) engineered in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cultures (epoetin alpha and epoetin beta [beta]) and its hyperglycosylated analogue darbepoetin alpha are established and safe drugs to avoid allogeneic red blood cell transfusion. Gene-activated EPO (epoetin delta [delta]) from human fibrosarcoma cells (HT-1080) has recently been launched for use in CKD. It is important to know the basics of the technologies, production processes, and structural properties of the novel anti-anemic strategies and drugs.
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Mikus T, Poplstein M, Sedláková J, Landa V, Jeníkova G, Trefil P, Lidický J, Malý P. Generation and phenotypic analysis of a transgenic line of rabbits secreting active recombinant human erythropoietin in the milk. Transgenic Res 2005; 13:487-98. [PMID: 15587272 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-004-9596-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Production of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) for therapeutic purposes relies on its expression in selected clones of transfected mammalian cells. Alternatively, this glycoprotein can be produced by targeted secretion into the body fluid of transgenic mammals. Here, we report on the generation of a transgenic rabbits producing rhEPO in the lactating mammary gland. Transgenic individuals are viable, fertile and transmit the rhEPO gene to the offspring. Northern blot data indicated that the expression of the transgene in the mammary gland is controlled by whey acidic protien (WAP) regulatory sequences during the period of lactation. While the hybridization with total RNA revealed the expression only in the lactating mammary gland, the highly sensitive combinatory approach using RT-PCR/hybridization technique detected a minor ectopic expression. The level of rhEPO secretion in the founder female, measured in the period of lactation, varied in the range of 60-178 and 60-162 mIU/ml in the milk and blood plasma, respectively. Biological activity of the milk rhEPO was confirmed by a standard [3H]-thymidine incorporation test. Thus, we describe the model of a rhEPO-transgenic rabbit, valuable for studies of rhEPO glycosylation and function, which can be useful for the development of transgenic approaches designed for the preparation of recombinant proteins by alternative biopharmaceutical production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Mikus
- BIOPHARM Research Institute of Biopharmacy and Veterinary Drugs, a.s., Center for Molecular and Gene Biotechnology, Pohori-Chotoun, 254 49 Jílové u Prahy, Czech Republic
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Stübiger G, Marchetti M, Nagano M, Reichel C, Gmeiner G, Allmaier G. Characterisation of intact recombinant human erythropoietins applied in doping by means of planar gel electrophoretic techniques and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation linear time-of-flight mass spectrometry. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2005; 19:728-742. [PMID: 15700237 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.1830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Our experiments show that it is possible to detect different types of recombinant human erythropoietins (rhEPOs), EPO-alpha, EPO-beta and novel erythropoesis stimulating protein (NESP), based on exact molecular weight (MW) determination by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) applying a high-resolution time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyser in the linear mode. Detection limits for the highly purified, intact glycoproteins were achievable in the low fmol range (25-50 fmol) using a sample preparation method applying a hydrophobic sample support (DropStop) as MALDI target surface. These results are very promising for the development of highly sensitive detection methods for a direct identification of rhEPO after enrichment from human body fluids. During our investigation we were able to differentiate EPO-alpha, EPO-beta and NESP based on distinct molecular substructures at the protein level by specific enzymatic reactions. MW determination of the intact molecules by high resolving one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate /polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D SDS-PAGE) and isoform separation by planar isoelectric focusing (IEF) was compared with MALDI-MS data. Migration differences between the rhEPOs were observed from gel electrophoresis, whereby MWs of 38 kDa in the case of EPO-alpha/beta and 49 kDa for NESP could be estimated. In contrast, an exact MW determination by MALDI-MS based on internal calibration revealed average MWs of 29.8 +/- 0.3 kDa for EPO-alpha/beta and 36.8 +/- 0.4 kDa for NESP. IEF separation of the intact rhEPOs revealed the presence of four to eight distinct isoforms in EPO-alpha and EPO-beta, while four isoforms, which appeared in the more acidic area of the gels, were detected by immunostaining in NESP. A direct detection of the different N- or O-glycoform pattern from rhEPOs using MALDI-MS was possible by de-sialylation of the glycan structures and after de-N-glycosylation of the intact molecules. Thereby, the main glycoforms of EPO-alpha, EPO-beta and NESP could be characterised based on their N-glycan composition. A microheterogeneity of the molecules based on the degree of sialylation of the O-glycan was observable directly from the de-N-glycosylated protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Stübiger
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/164, A-1060 Vienna, Austria
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Abstract
The glycoprotein hormone erythropoietin (EPO) is an essential viability and growth factor for the erythrocytic progenitors. EPO is mainly produced in the kidneys. EPO gene expression is induced by hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF). The principal representative of the HIF-family (HIF-1, -2 and -3) is HIF-1, which is composed of an O2-labile alpha-subunit and a constant nuclear beta-subunit. In normoxia, the alpha-subunit of HIF is inactivated following prolyl- and asparaginyl-hydroxylation by means of alpha-oxoglutarate and Fe(2+)-dependent HIF specific dioxygenases. While HIF-1 and HIF-2 activate the EPO gene, HIF-3, GATA-2 and NFkappaB are likely inhibitors of EPO gene transcription. EPO signalling involves tyrosine phosphorylation of the homodimeric EPO receptor and subsequent activation of intracellular antiapoptotic proteins, kinases and transcription factors. Lack of EPO leads to anemia. Treatment with recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) is efficient and safe in improving the management of the anemia associated with chronic renal failure. RHuEPO analogues with prolonged survival in circulation have been developed. Whether the recent demonstration of EPO receptors in various non-hemopoietic tissues, including tumor cells, is welcome or ominous still needs to be clarified. Evidence suggests that rHuEPO may be a useful neuroprotective agent.
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Jelkmann W. The enigma of the metabolic fate of circulating erythropoietin (Epo) in view of the pharmacokinetics of the recombinant drugs rhEpo and NESP. Eur J Haematol 2002; 69:265-74. [PMID: 12460230 DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0609.2002.02813.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) is a mainstay in the treatment of anaemia, primarily in renal failure. Because the half-life of circulating rhEpo is relatively short (4-8 h), the drug is usually administered 2-3 times weekly. Recently, a novel erythropoiesis-stimulating protein (NESP) with a longer half-life (24-26 h) has been approved. NESP possesses two additional N-glycans compared to endogenous Epo or rhEpo. The pharmacokinetics of rhEpo and NESP in humans have been investigated in detail. The composition of the N-glycans is clearly important in determining the biological activity and the velocity of the degradation of Epo and its analogues. However, due to the lack of knowledge of the main site and mechanism of the removal of Epo from circulation, the difference in survival of rhEpo and NESP has remained phenomenological. Investigators have implicated the liver, kidneys, and bone marrow as possible sites of the catabolism of Epo. However, while hepatocytes take up desialylated Epo, the liver does not appear to play a major role in the degradation of intact Epo. Likewise, renal Epo clearance is apparently of secondary importance. Studies showing non-linear pharmacokinetics of Epo suggest that Epo is eliminated by saturable mechanisms. The hormone, as well as the recombinant drugs, can be incorporated by erythrocytic progenitors and other tissues expressing the Epo receptor. The affinity of the Epo receptor for rhEpo is 4.3-fold higher than for NESP. Taken together, it seems most likely that native Epo, rhEpo and NESP are degraded following Epo receptor-mediated uptake, mainly in bone marrow.
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