IFN-λ1 in CHO cells: its expression and biological activity

Prokaryotic expression of soluble IFN-λ1 recombinant protein with cold-shock system

Interferon (IFN)-λ1, a member of type III IFN, possesses unique antiviral, anti-tumor, and immune modulation properties. IFN-λ alone or combined with other drugs is considered an essential therapeutic regimen in the clinic. Obtaining high-quality, biologically-active recombinant human IFN-λ1 (rhIFN-λ1) is of great practical significance. In this study, pCold-II-IFN-λ1 expression plasmid was correctly constructed, the rhIFN-λ1 was expressed in BL21(DE3) E.coli and reached the highest level under the optimal condition of 15 °C culture temperature and at 1 μg/L IPTG induction for 12 h. The soluble rhIFN-λ1 was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The purified rhIFN-λ1 can effectively activate the JAK1-STAT1 signaling pathway and induce the expression of a large number of interferon-stimulated genes (ISG) including ISG15, ISG54, ISG56, TRAIL, OAS1, MX1, IRF7 and IRF9. In addition, rhIFN-λ1 can effectively inhibit the growth/proliferation of cervical cancer HeLa cells in a dose-dependent pattern. Collectively, the soluble rhIFN-λ1 was successfully expressed in BL21(DE3) E.coli with the cold-shock system, and the purified rhIFN-λ1 demonstrated excellent biological activity. This study lays a solid basis for acquiring high-quality rhIFN-λ1 and its clinical application.

Bioprocessing and the Production of Antiviral Biologics in the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infectious Disease

Emerging, re-emerging and zoonotic viral pathogens represent a serious threat to human health, resulting in morbidity, mortality and potentially economic instability at a global scale. Certainly, the recent emergence of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus (and its variants) highlighted the impact of such pathogens, with the pandemic creating unprecedented and continued demands for the accelerated production of antiviral therapeutics. With limited effective small molecule therapies available for metaphylaxis, vaccination programs have been the mainstay against virulent viral species. Traditional vaccines remain highly effective at providing high antibody titres, but are, however, slow to manufacture in times of emergency. The limitations of traditional vaccine modalities may be overcome by novel strategies, as outlined herein. To prevent future disease outbreaks, paradigm shift changes in manufacturing and distribution are necessary to advance the production of vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, cytokines and other antiviral therapies. Accelerated paths for antivirals have been made possible due to advances in bioprocessing, leading to the production of novel antiviral agents. This review outlines the role of bioprocessing in the production of biologics and advances in mitigating viral infectious disease. In an era of emerging viral diseases and the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance, this review provides insight into a significant method of antiviral agent production which is key to protecting public health.

Interferon-Based Biopharmaceuticals: Overview on the Production, Purification, and Formulation

The advent of biopharmaceuticals in modern medicine brought enormous benefits to the treatment of numerous human diseases and improved the well-being of many people worldwide. First introduced in the market in the early 1980s, the number of approved biopharmaceutical products has been steadily increasing, with therapeutic proteins, antibodies, and their derivatives accounting for most of the generated revenues. The success of pharmaceutical biotechnology is closely linked with remarkable developments in DNA recombinant technology, which has enabled the production of proteins with high specificity. Among promising biopharmaceuticals are interferons, first described by Isaacs and Lindenmann in 1957 and approved for clinical use in humans nearly thirty years later. Interferons are secreted autocrine and paracrine proteins, which by regulating several biochemical pathways have a spectrum of clinical effectiveness against viral infections, malignant diseases, and multiple sclerosis. Given their relevance and sustained market share, this review provides an overview on the evolution of interferon manufacture, comprising their production, purification, and formulation stages. Remarkable developments achieved in the last decades are herein discussed in three main sections: (i) an upstream stage, including genetically engineered genes, vectors, and hosts, and optimization of culture conditions (culture media, induction temperature, type and concentration of inducer, induction regimens, and scale); (ii) a downstream stage, focusing on single- and multiple-step chromatography, and emerging alternatives (e.g., aqueous two-phase systems); and (iii) formulation and delivery, providing an overview of improved bioactivities and extended half-lives and targeted delivery to the site of action. This review ends with an outlook and foreseeable prospects for underdeveloped aspects of biopharma research involving human interferons.

Development and biological activity of long-acting recombinant human interferon-α2b

BACKGROUND

The type I human interferon (IFN) family consists of a group of cytokines with a multiplicity of biological activities, including antiviral, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects. However, because the half-life of IFN is short, its clinical application is limited. Increasing the yield and biological activity of IFN while extending its half-life is currently the focus of IFN research.

RESULTS

Two novel long-acting recombinant human IFN-α2b (rhIFN-α2b) proteins were designed in which the carboxyl-terminal peptide (CTP) of the human chorionic gonadotropin β su bunit and N-linked glycosylation sequences were linked to rhIFN-α2b. They were designated IFN-1CTPON (fused at the C-terminus of rhIFN-α2b) and IFN-2CTPON (fused at both the C-terminus and N-terminus of rhIFN-α2b). Monoclonal CHO cell strains stably and efficiently expressing the IFNs were successfully selected with methotrexate (MTX), and the highest expression levels were 1468 mg/l and 1196 mg/l for IFN-1CTPON and IFN-2CTPON, respectively. The proteins were purified with affinity chromatography and molecular sieve chromatography. IFN-1CTPON and IFN-2CTPON showed antiviral and antiproliferative activities in vitro. Notably, the half-life of IFN-1CTPON and IFN-2CTPON in vivo were three-fold and two-fold longer than that of commercially available rhIFN-α2b.

CONCLUSIONS

CHO cell strains stably expressing long-acting rhIFN-α2b were screened. The purified IFN-CTPON protein has biological activity and an extended half-life, and therefore potential applications.

The generation and biological activity of a long-lasting recombinant human interferon-λ1

The previously generated recombinant human (rh) interferon (IFN)-λ1 protein has a short half-life, and this feature makes it challenging to conduct studies on potential clinical applications for rhIFN-λ1. In an attempt to overcome this difficulty, we constructed a 'long-life' version of rhIFN-λ1. This modified rhIFN-λ1, named rhIFN-λ1-CTPON, has a human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit carboxyl-terminal peptide (CTP) and an N-glycosylation sequence linked to its C-terminus. We confirmed the sequence of rhIFN-λ1-CTPON by mass spectrometry and then measured its biological activities. The results show that rhIFN-λ1-CTPON had antiviral activity and anti-proliferation activity in vitro that were similar to those of rhIFN-λ1 and that it similarly promoted natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Notably, the in vivo half-life of rhIFN-λ1-CTPON was determined to be 3-fold higher than that of rhIFN-λ1. We also assessed the anti-hepatitis B virus activity of rhIFN-λ1-CTPON; it was able to inhibit the production of the antigens HBs-Ag and HBe-Ag and induce antiviral gene expression. In conclusion, rhIFN-λ1-CTPON has a longer half-life than rhIFN-λ1 and has similar biological activities, so rhIFN-λ1-CTPON is an appropriate substitute for rhIFN-λ1 in the further study of potential clinical applications for rhIFN- λ1.