1
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Nguyen TMD, Nguyen TT, Combarnous Y. Single-chain human follicle-stimulating hormone with a di-N-glycosylated linker. Theriogenology 2024; 224:50-57. [PMID: 38733814 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.005] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The classic way to produce single-chain (sc) glycoprotein hormones is to fuse their two subunits through the carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) from human Choriogonadotropin (hCG). The CTP confers a longer half-life to single-chain hormones thanks to its four O-glycosyl side chains. However, unlike syncytiotrophoblastic cells, most cells used for recombinant protein production do not transfer O-glycosyl chains efficiently. We thus choose to fuse the hFSH subunits with a linker comprising two N-glycosyl side chains (sc-hFSH LNN) or none (sc-hFSH L0N), that were generated using two expression systems, HEK293 and CHO K1 cells. Their production levels and biological activities were tested and compared. Both expression systems successfully produced biologically active sc-hFSH, but, in our hands, CHO K1 cells yielded about 30-fold higher amounts of recombinant protein than HEK293 cells. Moreover, sc-hFSH L0N was considerably less expressed than sc-hFSH LNN in both cell types. Our data show that sc-hFSH L0N and sc-hFSH LNN produced from both cell lines stimulate cAMP and progesterone production in mLTC cells expressing hFSH receptors and exhibit similar B/I (in vitro Bioactivity/Immuno activity) ratios. Finally, the ratio of in vivo/in vitro bioactivities for sc-hFSH LNN relative to natural pituitary heterodimeric hFSH increased 8-fold, most likely because of a longer half-life in the blood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thi Tho Nguyen
- Quy Nhon University, Binh Dinh Province, Viet Nam; Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Viet Nam
| | - Yves Combarnous
- Joint INRAE, CNRS, Tours University Unit, Physiologie de La Reproduction & des Comportements (PRC), 37380, Nouzilly, France
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2
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Libby AE, Solt CM, Jackman MR, Sherk VD, Foright RM, Johnson GC, Nguyen TT, Breit MJ, Hulett N, Rudolph MC, Roberson PA, Wellberg EA, Jambal P, Scalzo RL, Higgins J, Kumar TR, Wierman ME, Pan Z, Shankar K, Klemm DJ, Moreau KL, Kohrt WM, MacLean PS. Effects of follicle-stimulating hormone on energy balance and tissue metabolic health after loss of ovarian function. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2024; 326:E626-E639. [PMID: 38536037 PMCID: PMC11208003 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00400.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Loss of ovarian function imparts increased susceptibility to obesity and metabolic disease. These effects are largely attributed to decreased estradiol (E2), but the role of increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in modulating energy balance has not been fully investigated. Previous work that blocked FSH binding to its receptor in mice suggested this hormone may play a part in modulating body weight and energy expenditure after ovariectomy (OVX). We used an alternate approach to isolate the individual and combined contributions of FSH and E2 in mediating energy imbalance and changes in tissue-level metabolic health. Female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and given the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist degarelix to suppress FSH production. E2 and FSH were then added back individually and in combination for a period of 3 wk. Energy balance, body mass composition, and transcriptomic profiles of individual tissues were obtained. In contrast to previous studies, suppression and replacement of FSH in our paradigm had no effect on body weight, body composition, food intake, or energy expenditure. We did, however, observe organ-specific effects of FSH that produced unique transcriptomic signatures of FSH in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue. These included reductions in biological processes related to lipogenesis and carbohydrate transport. In addition, rats administered FSH had reduced liver triglyceride concentration (P < 0.001), which correlated with FSH-induced changes at the transcriptomic level. Although not appearing to modulate energy balance after loss of ovarian function in rats, FSH may still impart tissue-specific effects in the liver and white adipose tissue that might affect the metabolic health of those organs.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We find no effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on energy balance using a novel model in which rats are ovariectomized, subjected to gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonism, and systematically given back FSH by osmotic pump. However, tissue-specific effects of FSH on adipose tissue and liver were observed in this study. These include unique transcriptomic signatures induced by the hormone and a stark reduction in hepatic triglyceride accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Libby
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Claudia M Solt
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Matthew R Jackman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Vanessa D Sherk
- Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
- Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Rebecca M Foright
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Campus, Kansas City, Kansas, United States
| | - Ginger C Johnson
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Thi-Tina Nguyen
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Matthew J Breit
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Nicholas Hulett
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Michael C Rudolph
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Campus, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Paul A Roberson
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Wellberg
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Campus, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Purevsuren Jambal
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Rebecca L Scalzo
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Janine Higgins
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - T Rajendra Kumar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Margaret E Wierman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Zhaoxing Pan
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Kartik Shankar
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Dwight J Klemm
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratory, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Kerrie L Moreau
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Wendy M Kohrt
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Paul S MacLean
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
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3
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Lin L, Kightlinger W, Warfel KF, Jewett MC, Mrksich M. Using High-Throughput Experiments To Screen N-Glycosyltransferases with Altered Specificities. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1290-1302. [PMID: 38526141 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00769] [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] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The important roles that protein glycosylation plays in modulating the activities and efficacies of protein therapeutics have motivated the development of synthetic glycosylation systems in living bacteria and in vitro. A key challenge is the lack of glycosyltransferases that can efficiently and site-specifically glycosylate desired target proteins without the need to alter primary amino acid sequences at the acceptor site. Here, we report an efficient and systematic method to screen a library of glycosyltransferases capable of modifying comprehensive sets of acceptor peptide sequences in parallel. This approach is enabled by cell-free protein synthesis and mass spectrometry of self-assembled monolayers and is used to engineer a recently discovered prokaryotic N-glycosyltransferase (NGT). We screened 26 pools of site-saturated NGT libraries to identify relevant residues that determine polypeptide specificity and then characterized 122 NGT mutants, using 1052 unique peptides and 52,894 unique reaction conditions. We define a panel of 14 NGTs that can modify 93% of all sequences within the canonical X-1-N-X+1-S/T eukaryotic glycosylation sequences as well as another panel for many noncanonical sequences (with 10 of 17 non-S/T amino acids at the X+2 position). We then successfully applied our panel of NGTs to increase the efficiency of glycosylation for three protein therapeutics. Our work promises to significantly expand the substrates amenable to in vitro and bacterial glycoengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Weston Kightlinger
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Katherine F Warfel
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 443 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Milan Mrksich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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4
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Rocamora F, Peralta AG, Shin S, Sorrentino J, Wu MYM, Toth EA, Fuerst TR, Lewis NE. Glycosylation shapes the efficacy and safety of diverse protein, gene and cell therapies. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 67:108206. [PMID: 37354999 PMCID: PMC11168894 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108206] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Over recent decades, therapeutic proteins have had widespread success in treating a myriad of diseases. Glycosylation, a near universal feature of this class of drugs, is a critical quality attribute that significantly influences the physical properties, safety profile and biological activity of therapeutic proteins. Optimizing protein glycosylation, therefore, offers an important avenue to developing more efficacious therapies. In this review, we discuss specific examples of how variations in glycan structure and glycoengineering impacts the stability, safety, and clinical efficacy of protein-based drugs that are already in the market as well as those that are still in preclinical development. We also highlight the impact of glycosylation on next generation biologics such as T cell-based cancer therapy and gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Rocamora
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Angelo G Peralta
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Seunghyeon Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - James Sorrentino
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mina Ying Min Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Eric A Toth
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Thomas R Fuerst
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Nathan E Lewis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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5
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Lispi M, Humaidan P, Bousfield GR, D'Hooghe T, Ulloa-Aguirre A. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Biological Products: Does Potency Predict Clinical Efficacy? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109020. [PMID: 37240364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109020] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), together with luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), plays a fundamental role in human reproduction. The discovery of FSH and other gonadotropins was a defining moment in our understanding of reproduction and led to the development of many treatments for infertility. In this regard, exogenous FSH has been used to treat infertility in women for decades. Today, several recombinant and highly purified urinary forms of FSH are used in medically assisted reproduction (MAR). However, differences in the macro- and micro-heterogeneity of FSH result in a variety of FSH glycoforms, with glycoform composition determining the bioactivity (or potency), pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profiles, and clinical efficacy of the different forms of FSH. This review illustrates how the structural heterogeneity of FSH glycoforms affects the biological activity of human FSH products, and why potency does not predict effects in humans in terms of PK, PD, and clinical response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Lispi
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
- Unit of Endocrinology, PhD School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Peter Humaidan
- Fertility Clinic at Skive Regional Hospital, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - George R Bousfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67260, USA
| | - Thomas D'Hooghe
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
- Laboratory of Endometrium, Endometriosis & Reproductive Medicine, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University Medical School, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Alfredo Ulloa-Aguirre
- Red de Apoyo a la Investigación, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)-Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición SZ, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
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6
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Toul M, Slonkova V, Mican J, Urminsky A, Tomkova M, Sedlak E, Bednar D, Damborsky J, Hernychova L, Prokop Z. Identification, characterization, and engineering of glycosylation in thrombolyticsa. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 66:108174. [PMID: 37182613 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108174] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and pulmonary embolism, are the most common causes of disability and death worldwide. Blood clot hydrolysis by thrombolytic enzymes and thrombectomy are key clinical interventions. The most widely used thrombolytic enzyme is alteplase, which has been used in clinical practice since 1986. Another clinically used thrombolytic protein is tenecteplase, which has modified epitopes and engineered glycosylation sites, suggesting that carbohydrate modification in thrombolytic enzymes is a viable strategy for their improvement. This comprehensive review summarizes current knowledge on computational and experimental identification of glycosylation sites and glycan identity, together with methods used for their reengineering. Practical examples from previous studies focus on modification of glycosylations in thrombolytics, e.g., alteplase, tenecteplase, reteplase, urokinase, saruplase, and desmoteplase. Collected clinical data on these glycoproteins demonstrate the great potential of this engineering strategy. Outstanding combinatorics originating from multiple glycosylation sites and the vast variety of covalently attached glycan species can be addressed by directed evolution or rational design. Directed evolution pipelines would benefit from more efficient cell-free expression and high-throughput screening assays, while rational design must employ structure prediction by machine learning and in silico characterization by supercomputing. Perspectives on challenges and opportunities for improvement of thrombolytic enzymes by engineering and evolution of protein glycosylation are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Toul
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/C13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Slonkova
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/C13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mican
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/C13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Urminsky
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Tomkova
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, P. J. Safarik University in Kosice, Jesenna 5, 04154 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Erik Sedlak
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, P. J. Safarik University in Kosice, Jesenna 5, 04154 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - David Bednar
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/C13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Damborsky
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/C13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Hernychova
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Zbynek Prokop
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/C13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic.
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7
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Mastrangeli R, Satwekar A, Bierau H. Innovative Metrics for Reporting and Comparing the Glycan Structural Profile in Biotherapeutics. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083304. [PMID: 37110538 PMCID: PMC10143042 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083304] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation is a critical quality attribute in biotherapeutics, impacting properties such as protein stability, solubility, clearance rate, efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety. Due to the heterogenic and complex nature of protein glycosylation, comprehensive characterization is demanding. Moreover, the lack of standardized metrics for evaluating and comparing glycosylation profiles hinders comparability studies and the establishment of manufacturing control strategies. To address both challenges, we propose a standardized approach based on novel metrics for a comprehensive glycosylation fingerprint which greatly facilitates the reporting and objective comparison of glycosylation profiles. The analytical workflow is based on a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based multi-attribute method. Based on the analytical data, a matrix of glycosylation-related quality attributes, both at site-specific and whole molecule level, are computed, which provide metrics for a comprehensive product glycosylation fingerprint. Two case studies illustrate the applicability of the proposed indices as a standardized and versatile approach for reporting all dimensions of the glycosylation profile. The proposed approach further facilitates the assessments of risks associated with changes in the glycosylation profile that may affect efficacy, clearance, and immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Mastrangeli
- Global CMC Development Technology & Innovation, CMC Science & Intelligence, Merck Serono SpA (An affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Guidonia Montecelio, 00012 Rome, Italy
| | - Abhijeet Satwekar
- Global CMC Development, Global Analytical Development, Global Analytical-Pharmaceutical Science & Innovation, Merck Serono SpA (An affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Guidonia Montecelio, 00012 Rome, Italy
| | - Horst Bierau
- Global CMC Development Technology & Innovation, CMC Science & Intelligence, Merck Serono SpA (An affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Guidonia Montecelio, 00012 Rome, Italy
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8
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Yadaorao Raut S, Fu K, Taichun H, Gahane A, Chaudhari D, Kushwah V, Suresh Managuli R, Hegde AR, Jain S, Kalthur G, Bandu Joshi M, Chang HI, Dai NT, Mutalik S. Engineered Nano-carrier Systems for the oral targeted delivery of Follicle Stimulating Hormone: Development, characterization, and, assessment of in vitro and in vivo performance and targetability. Int J Pharm 2023; 637:122868. [PMID: 36958606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122868] [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] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is widely used for the treatment of female infertility, where the level of FSH is suboptimal due to which arrest in follicular development and anovulation takes place. Currently, only parenteral formulations are available for FSH in the market. Due to the drawbacks of parenteral administration and the high market shares of FSH, there is a need for easily accessible oral formulation. Therefore, enteric coated capsules filled with FSH loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) or liposomes were prepared. Preliminary studies such as circular dichroism, SDS-PAGE, FTIR and ELISA were conducted to analyze FSH. Prepared formulations were optimized with respect to the size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency using the design of experiments. Optimized formulations were subjected to particle counts and distribution analysis, TEM analysis, in vitro drug release, dissolution of enteric coated capsules, cell line studies, everted sac rat's intestinal uptake study, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and stability studies. In the case of liposomes, RGD conjugation was done by carbodiimide chemistry and conjugation was confirmed by FTIR, 1HNMR and Raman spectroscopy. The prepared formulations were discrete and spherical. The release of FSH from enteric coated capsules was slow and sustained. The increased permeability of nano-formulations was observed in Caco-2 monoculture as well as in Caco-2 and Raji-B co-culture models. NLCs and liposomes showed an improvement in oral bioavailability and efficacy of FSH in rats. This may be due to mainly chylomicron-assisted lymphatic uptake of NLCs; whereas, in the case of liposomes, RGD-based targeting of β1 integrins of M cells on Peyer's patches may be the main reason for the better effect by FSH. FSH was found to be stable chemically and conformationally. Overall, the study reveals the successful development and evaluation of FSH loaded NLCs and liposomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushil Yadaorao Raut
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka State, India
| | - Kengyen Fu
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan 114
| | - Huang Taichun
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan 114
| | - Avinash Gahane
- Department of Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh State, India
| | - Dasharath Chaudhari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar 160062, Punjab State, India
| | - Varun Kushwah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar 160062, Punjab State, India
| | - Renuka Suresh Managuli
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka State, India
| | - Aswathi R Hegde
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka State, India; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Gnanagangothri Campus, New B.E.L. Road, M.S.R. Nagar, M.S.R.I.T Post, Bengaluru 560054, Karnataka State, India
| | - Sanyog Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar 160062, Punjab State, India
| | - Guruprasad Kalthur
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, Karnataka State, India
| | - Manjunath Bandu Joshi
- Department of Aging Research, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka State, India
| | - Hsin-I Chang
- Department of Biochemical Sciences and Technology, National Chiayi University, 300 Syuefu Road, Chiayi City, 60004, Taiwan
| | - Niann-Tzyy Dai
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan 114
| | - Srinivas Mutalik
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka State, India.
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9
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Sathoria P, Chuphal B, Rai U, Roy B. Molecular cloning, characterization and 3D modelling of spotted snakehead fbn1 C-terminal region encoding asprosin and expression analysis of fbn1. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4470. [PMID: 36934166 PMCID: PMC10024713 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31271-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The FBN1 gene encodes profibrillin protein that is cleaved by the enzyme furin to release fibrillin-1 and a glucogenic hormone, asprosin. Asprosin is implicated in diverse metabolic functions as well as pathological conditions in mammals. However, till date, there are no studies on asprosin in any non-mammalian vertebrate. In this study, we have retrieved the spotted snakehead Channa punctata fbn1 gene (ss fbn1) from the testicular transcriptome data and validated it. The transcript is predicted to encode 2817 amino acid long putative profibrillin protein. Amino acid sequence alignment of deduced ss profibrillin with human profibrillin revealed that the furin cleavage site in profibrillin is well conserved in C. punctata. Further, differential expression of ss fbn1 was observed in various tissues with the highest expression in gonads. Prominent expression of furin was also observed in the gonads suggesting the possibility of proteolytic cleavage of profibrillin protein and secretion of asprosin in C. punctata. In addition, the C-terminal of the fbn1 gene of C. punctata that codes for asprosin protein has been cloned. Using in silico approach, physicochemical properties of the putative ss asprosin were characterized and post-translational changes were predicted. The putative ss asprosin protein sequence is predicted to consist of 142 amino acid residues, with conserved glycosylation sites. Further, the 3D model of ss asprosin was predicted followed by MD (molecular dynamics) simulation for energy minimization. Thus, the current study, for the first time in non-mammalian vertebrates, predicts and characterizes the novel protein asprosin using in silico approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Sathoria
- Department of Zoology, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, Chanakyapuri, Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Bhawna Chuphal
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Umesh Rai
- University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, 180006, India
| | - Brototi Roy
- Department of Zoology, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, Chanakyapuri, Delhi, 110021, India.
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10
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Lundahl MLE, Fogli S, Colavita PE, Scanlan EM. Aggregation of protein therapeutics enhances their immunogenicity: causes and mitigation strategies. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:1004-1020. [PMID: 34458822 PMCID: PMC8341748 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00067e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation in biotherapeutics has been identified to increase immunogenicity, leading to immune-mediated adverse effects, such as severe allergic responses including anaphylaxis. The induction of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) moreover enhances drug clearance rates, and can directly block therapeutic function. In this review, identified immune activation mechanisms triggered by protein aggregates are discussed, as well as physicochemical properties of aggregates, such as size and shape, which contribute to immunogenicity. Furthermore, factors which contribute to protein stability and aggregation are considered. Lastly, with these factors in mind, we encourage an innovative and multidisciplinary approach with regard to further research in the field, with the overall aim to avoid immunogenic aggregation in future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mimmi L E Lundahl
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland
| | - Silvia Fogli
- Glycome Biopharma, Unit 4, Joyce House, Barrack Square, Ballincollig Co Cork P31 HW35 Ireland
| | - Paula E Colavita
- School of Chemistry and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland
| | - Eoin M Scanlan
- School of Chemistry and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland
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11
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Villarraza CJ, Antuña S, Tardivo MB, Rodríguez MC, Mussio P, Cattaneo L, Fontana D, Díaz PU, Ortega HH, Tríbulo A, Macagno A, Bó GA, Ceaglio N, Prieto C. Development of a suitable manufacturing process for production of a bioactive recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin (reCG) in CHO-K1 cells. Theriogenology 2021; 172:8-19. [PMID: 34082223 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone produced by pregnant mares that has been used to improve reproductive performance in different domestic species. Several strategies to produce the hormone in a recombinant way have been reported; nevertheless, no approach has been able to produce a recombinant eCG (reCG) with significant in vivo bioactivity or in sufficient quantities for commercial purposes. For this reason, the only current product available on the market consists of partially purified preparations from serum of pregnant mares (PMSG). Herein, we describe a highly efficient process based on third-generation lentiviral vectors as delivery method for the production of reCG in suspension CHO-K1 cells, with productivities above 20 IU 106 cell-1.d-1 and 70% purification yields after one purification step. Importantly, reCG demonstrated biological activity in cattle, since around 30 μg of reCG were needed to exert the same biologic effect of 400 IU of PMSG in an ovulation synchronization protocol. The results obtained demonstrate that the developed strategy represents an attractive option for the production of reCG and constitutes an auspicious alternative for the replacement of animals as a source of PMSG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Javier Villarraza
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB (School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences), CBL (Biotechnological Center of Litoral), Cell Culture Laboratory, Ciudad Universitaria, Ruta Nacional 168 - Km 472.4 - C.C. 242, (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Antuña
- Biotecnofe S.A., PTLC, Ruta 168 Pje El Pozo, (CP3000), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | - María Celeste Rodríguez
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB (School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences), CBL (Biotechnological Center of Litoral), Cell Culture Laboratory, Ciudad Universitaria, Ruta Nacional 168 - Km 472.4 - C.C. 242, (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Pablo Mussio
- UNL, FBCB (School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences), CBL (Biotechnological Center of Litoral), Biotechnological Development Laboratory, Ciudad Universitaria, Ruta Nacional 168 - Km 472.4 - C.C. 242 - (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | - Diego Fontana
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB (School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences), CBL (Biotechnological Center of Litoral), Cell Culture Laboratory, Ciudad Universitaria, Ruta Nacional 168 - Km 472.4 - C.C. 242, (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Argentina; Cellargen Biotech S.R.L., Antonia Godoy 6369 (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Argentina; Biotecnofe S.A., PTLC, Ruta 168 Pje El Pozo, (CP3000), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Pablo U Díaz
- UNL, FCV, R.P. Kreder, 2805, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias Del Litoral (ICiVet Litoral), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Hugo H Ortega
- UNL, FCV, R.P. Kreder, 2805, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias Del Litoral (ICiVet Litoral), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Andres Tríbulo
- Instituto de Reproducción Animal Córdoba (IRAC), Paraje Pozo Del Tigre, Zona Rural Gral, Paz, (X5145), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Macagno
- Instituto AP de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Nacional de Villa María (UNVM), Villa Del Rosario, (X5963), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Gabriel A Bó
- Instituto AP de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Nacional de Villa María (UNVM), Villa Del Rosario, (X5963), Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Reproducción Animal Córdoba (IRAC), Paraje Pozo Del Tigre, Zona Rural Gral, Paz, (X5145), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Natalia Ceaglio
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB (School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences), CBL (Biotechnological Center of Litoral), Cell Culture Laboratory, Ciudad Universitaria, Ruta Nacional 168 - Km 472.4 - C.C. 242, (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Claudio Prieto
- UNL, FBCB (School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences), CBL (Biotechnological Center of Litoral), Biotechnological Development Laboratory, Ciudad Universitaria, Ruta Nacional 168 - Km 472.4 - C.C. 242 - (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Argentina; Cellargen Biotech S.R.L., Antonia Godoy 6369 (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Argentina; Biotecnofe S.A., PTLC, Ruta 168 Pje El Pozo, (CP3000), Santa Fe, Argentina.
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12
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Pharmacokinetics Versus In Vitro Antiproliferative Potency to Design a Novel Hyperglycosylated hIFN-α2 Biobetter. Pharm Res 2021; 38:37-50. [PMID: 33443683 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-020-02978-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE IFN4N is a glycoengineered version of recombinant human interferon alpha 2 (rhIFN-α2) that was modified to exhibit four N-glycosylation sites. It shows reduced in vitro specific biological activity (SBA) mainly due to R23 mutation by N23. However, it has improved pharmacokinetics and led to a high in vivo antitumor activity in mice. In order to prepare a new IFN-based biobetter, this work compares the influence of glycosylation (affecting pharmacokinetics) with the in vitro antiproliferative SBA on the in vivo efficacy. METHODS Based on IFN4N, three groups of muteins were designed, produced, and characterized. Group A: variants with the same glycosylation degree (4N) but higher in vitro antiproliferative SBA (R23 restored); group B: muteins with higher glycosylation degree (5N) but similar in vitro antiproliferative activity; and group C: variants with improved glycosylation (5N and 6N) and in vitro antiproliferative bioactivity. RESULTS Glycoengineering was successful for improving pharmacokinetics, and R23 restoration considerably increased in vitro antiproliferative activity of new muteins compared to IFN4N. Hyperglycosylation was able to improve the in vivo efficacy similarly to or even better than R23 restoration. Additionally, the highest glycosylated mutein exhibited the lowest immunogenicity. CONCLUSIONS Hyperglycosylation constitutes a successful strategy to prepare a novel IFN biobetter.
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Al Rifai O, Julien C, Lacombe J, Faubert D, Lira-Navarrete E, Narimatsu Y, Clausen H, Ferron M. The half-life of the bone-derived hormone osteocalcin is regulated through O-glycosylation in mice, but not in humans. eLife 2020; 9:61174. [PMID: 33284103 PMCID: PMC7822592 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteocalcin (OCN) is an osteoblast-derived hormone with pleiotropic physiological functions. Like many peptide hormones, OCN is subjected to post-translational modifications (PTMs) which control its activity. Here, we uncover O-glycosylation as a novel PTM present on mouse OCN and occurring on a single serine (S8) independently of its carboxylation and endoproteolysis, two other PTMs regulating this hormone. We also show that O-glycosylation increases OCN half-life in plasma ex vivo and in the circulation in vivo. Remarkably, in human OCN (hOCN), the residue corresponding to S8 is a tyrosine (Y12), which is not O-glycosylated. Yet, the Y12S mutation is sufficient to O-glycosylate hOCN and to increase its half-life in plasma compared to wildtype hOCN. These findings reveal an important species difference in OCN regulation, which may explain why serum concentrations of OCN are higher in mouse than in human. Bones provide support and protection for organs in the body. However, over the last 15 years researchers have discovered that bones also release chemicals known as hormones, which can travel to other parts of the body and cause an effect. The cells responsible for making bone, known as osteoblasts, produce a hormone called osteocalcin which communicates with a number of different organs, including the pancreas and brain. When osteocalcin reaches the pancreas, it promotes the release of another hormone called insulin which helps regulate the levels of sugar in the blood. Osteocalcin also travels to other organs such as muscle, where it helps to degrade fats and sugars that can be converted into energy. It also has beneficial effects on the brain, and has been shown to aid memory and reduce depression. Osteocalcin has largely been studied in mice where levels are five to ten times higher than in humans. But it is unclear why this difference exists or how it alters the role of osteocalcin in humans. To answer this question, Al Rifai et al. used a range of experimental techniques to compare the structure and activity of osteocalcin in mice and humans. The experiments showed that mouse osteocalcin has a group of sugars attached to its protein structure, which prevent the hormone from being degraded by an enzyme in the blood. Human osteocalcin has a slightly different protein sequence and is therefore unable to bind to this sugar group. As a result, the osteocalcin molecules in humans are less stable and cannot last as long in the blood. Al Rifai et al. showed that when human osteocalcin was modified so the sugar group could attach, the hormone was able to stick around for much longer and reach higher levels when added to blood in the laboratory. These findings show how osteocalcin differs between human and mice. Understanding this difference is important as the effects of osteocalcin mean this hormone can be used to treat diabetes and brain disorders. Furthermore, the results reveal how the stability of osteocalcin could be improved in humans, which could potentially enhance its therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Al Rifai
- Molecular Physiology Research unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Programme de biologie moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Catherine Julien
- Molecular Physiology Research unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Julie Lacombe
- Molecular Physiology Research unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Denis Faubert
- Proteomics Discovery Platform, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Erandi Lira-Navarrete
- University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yoshiki Narimatsu
- University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Clausen
- University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mathieu Ferron
- Molecular Physiology Research unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Programme de biologie moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
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14
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15
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Guo J, Tu H, Rao B M, Chillara AK, Chang E, Atouf F. More comprehensive standards for monitoring glycosylation. Anal Biochem 2020; 612:113896. [PMID: 32818506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Biologics manufacturers must continually monitor the attachment of carbohydrates, called glycans, to their products, because any variability can impact safety and efficacy. To help the industry meet this challenge, the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) offers glycan reference standards and validated methods for glycoprofiling using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The industry has recently adopted more advanced technologies for glycan analysis, including ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and mass spectrometry. In this study, we confirm that USP's glycan reference standards are compatible with UHPLC by demonstrating comparable peak separation and glycan identification to HPLC methods. The improved resolving power and shorter run-times of UHPLC also allowed us to identify many of the minor glycan components present in USP's glycan reference standards. These more comprehensively characterized glycan reference standards will enable manufacturers to assess the micro-heterogeneity that can negatively impact the safety and efficacy of biological products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhong Guo
- United States Pharmacopeial Convention, 12601 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Huiping Tu
- United States Pharmacopeial Convention, 12601 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Maheswara Rao B
- United States Pharmacopeial Convention, 12601 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | | | - Edith Chang
- United States Pharmacopeial Convention, 12601 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Fouad Atouf
- United States Pharmacopeial Convention, 12601 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
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16
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Casarini L, Crépieux P, Reiter E, Lazzaretti C, Paradiso E, Rochira V, Brigante G, Santi D, Simoni M. FSH for the Treatment of Male Infertility. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072270. [PMID: 32218314 PMCID: PMC7177393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) supports spermatogenesis acting via its receptor (FSHR), which activates trophic effects in gonadal Sertoli cells. These pathways are targeted by hormonal drugs used for clinical treatment of infertile men, mainly belonging to sub-groups defined as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or idiopathic infertility. While, in the first case, fertility may be efficiently restored by specific treatments, such as pulsatile gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) or choriogonadotropin (hCG) alone or in combination with FSH, less is known about the efficacy of FSH in supporting the treatment of male idiopathic infertility. This review focuses on the role of FSH in the clinical approach to male reproduction, addressing the state-of-the-art from the little data available and discussing the pharmacological evidence. New compounds, such as allosteric ligands, dually active, chimeric gonadotropins and immunoglobulins, may represent interesting avenues for future personalized, pharmacological approaches to male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Casarini
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.P.); (V.R.); (G.B.); (D.S.); (M.S.)
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0593961705; Fax: +39-0593962018
| | - Pascale Crépieux
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l’Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France; (P.C.); (E.R.)
| | - Eric Reiter
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l’Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France; (P.C.); (E.R.)
| | - Clara Lazzaretti
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.P.); (V.R.); (G.B.); (D.S.); (M.S.)
- International PhD School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Elia Paradiso
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.P.); (V.R.); (G.B.); (D.S.); (M.S.)
- International PhD School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Rochira
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.P.); (V.R.); (G.B.); (D.S.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Brigante
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.P.); (V.R.); (G.B.); (D.S.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Santi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.P.); (V.R.); (G.B.); (D.S.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.P.); (V.R.); (G.B.); (D.S.); (M.S.)
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l’Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France; (P.C.); (E.R.)
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
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Barolo L, Abbriano RM, Commault AS, George J, Kahlke T, Fabris M, Padula MP, Lopez A, Ralph PJ, Pernice M. Perspectives for Glyco-Engineering of Recombinant Biopharmaceuticals from Microalgae. Cells 2020; 9:E633. [PMID: 32151094 PMCID: PMC7140410 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae exhibit great potential for recombinant therapeutic protein production, due to lower production costs, immunity to human pathogens, and advanced genetic toolkits. However, a fundamental aspect to consider for recombinant biopharmaceutical production is the presence of correct post-translational modifications. Multiple recent studies focusing on glycosylation in microalgae have revealed unique species-specific patterns absent in humans. Glycosylation is particularly important for protein function and is directly responsible for recombinant biopharmaceutical immunogenicity. Therefore, it is necessary to fully characterise this key feature in microalgae before these organisms can be established as industrially relevant microbial biofactories. Here, we review the work done to date on production of recombinant biopharmaceuticals in microalgae, experimental and computational evidence for N- and O-glycosylation in diverse microalgal groups, established approaches for glyco-engineering, and perspectives for their application in microalgal systems. The insights from this review may be applied to future glyco-engineering attempts to humanize recombinant therapeutic proteins and to potentially obtain cheaper, fully functional biopharmaceuticals from microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Barolo
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Raffaela M. Abbriano
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Audrey S. Commault
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Jestin George
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Tim Kahlke
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Michele Fabris
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Matthew P. Padula
- School of Life Sciences and Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia;
| | - Angelo Lopez
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK;
| | - Peter J. Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Mathieu Pernice
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Campus, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, Australia; (R.M.A.); (A.S.C.); (J.G.); (T.K.); (M.F.); (P.J.R.)
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18
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Stachowski TR, Snell ME, Snell EH. Structural insights into conformational switching in latency-associated peptide between transforming growth factor β-1 bound and unbound states. IUCRJ 2020; 7:238-252. [PMID: 32148852 PMCID: PMC7055372 DOI: 10.1107/s205225251901707x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ-1) is a secreted signalling protein that directs many cellular processes and is an attractive target for the treatment of several diseases. The primary endogenous activity regulatory mechanism for TGFβ-1 is sequestration by its pro-peptide, latency-associated peptide (LAP), which sterically prohibits receptor binding by caging TGFβ-1. As such, recombinant LAP is promising as a protein-based therapeutic for modulating TGFβ-1 activity; however, the mechanism of binding is incompletely understood. Comparison of the crystal structure of unbound LAP (solved here to 3.5 Å resolution) with that of the bound complex shows that LAP is in a more open and extended conformation when unbound to TGFβ-1. Analysis suggests a mechanism of binding TGFβ-1 through a large-scale conformational change that includes contraction of the inter-monomer interface and caging by the 'straight-jacket' domain that may occur in partnership through a loop-to-helix transition in the core jelly-roll fold. This conformational change does not appear to include a repositioning of the integrin-binding motif as previously proposed. X-ray scattering-based modelling supports this mechanism and reveals possible orientations and ensembles in solution. Although native LAP is heavily glycosylated, solution scattering experiments show that the overall folding and flexibility of unbound LAP are not influenced by glycan modification. The combination of crystallography, solution scattering and biochemical experiments reported here provide insight into the mechanism of LAP sequestration of TGFβ-1 that is of fundamental importance for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R. Stachowski
- Hauptman–Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Mary E. Snell
- Hauptman–Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Edward H. Snell
- Hauptman–Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Materials Design and Innovation, State University of New York at Buffalo, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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19
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Gugliotta A, Ceaglio N, Kratje R, Oggero M. Effect of ANITVNITV peptide fusion on the bioactivity and pharmacokinetics of human IFN-α2b and a hyper-N-glycosylated variant. J Biotechnol 2019; 303:46-52. [PMID: 31336133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Different strategies have been developed and successfully applied to biotherapeutics in order to improve their in vivo efficacy. The genetic fusion to natural or synthetic glycosylated peptides constitutes a promising strategy since it conserves the protein sequence and results in the improvement of the pharmacokinetic properties. The ANITVNITV peptide described by Perlmann and coworkers presents 9 amino acids and 2 potential N-glycosylation sites. Its fusion to FSH resulted in the increase of the molecular mass and negative charge of the protein. Consequently, the pharmacokinetics was considerably improved. The aim of the present study was to compare the influence of ANITVNITV peptide fusion on the physicochemical, biological and pharmacokinetic properties of native hIFN-α2b (IFNwt), which contains a single O-glycosylation site, and a hyperglycosylated variant (IFN4N), that bears, in addition, 4 N-linked glycans. The resulting molecules, IFNwtNter and IFN4NNter, evidenced a higher molecular mass and negative charge compared to IFNwt and IFN4N, respectively. Therefore, the pharmacokinetic properties of the new molecules were significantly improved. The molecules obtained by the synthetic peptide fusion strategy evidenced a decrease in their in vitro antiviral specific biological activities (SBA). However, in vitro antiproliferative SBA was differentially modified for IFNwtNter and IFN4NNter in comparison with the parental molecules. For IFNwtNter, a reduction in the antiproliferative SBA was also observed. Remarkably, the addition of the ANITVNITV peptide to the N-terminus of IFN4N had a positive impact on its growth-inhibitory activity. This feature together with its improved pharmacokinetics encourages the development of IFN4NNter as an IFN-α based biobetter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Gugliotta
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB (School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences), CBL (Biotechnological Center of Litoral), Ciudad Universitaria, Ruta Nacional 168 - Km 472.4 - C.C. 242 - (S3000ZAA) Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Natalia Ceaglio
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB (School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences), CBL (Biotechnological Center of Litoral), Ciudad Universitaria, Ruta Nacional 168 - Km 472.4 - C.C. 242 - (S3000ZAA) Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Kratje
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB (School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences), CBL (Biotechnological Center of Litoral), Ciudad Universitaria, Ruta Nacional 168 - Km 472.4 - C.C. 242 - (S3000ZAA) Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Marcos Oggero
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB (School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences), CBL (Biotechnological Center of Litoral), Ciudad Universitaria, Ruta Nacional 168 - Km 472.4 - C.C. 242 - (S3000ZAA) Santa Fe, Argentina.
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20
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Lunenfeld B, Bilger W, Longobardi S, Alam V, D'Hooghe T, Sunkara SK. The Development of Gonadotropins for Clinical Use in the Treatment of Infertility. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:429. [PMID: 31333582 PMCID: PMC6616070 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The first commercially available gonadotropin product was a human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) extract, followed by animal pituitary gonadotropin extracts. These extracts were effective, leading to the introduction of the two-step protocol, which involved ovarian stimulation using animal gonadotropins followed by ovulation triggering using hCG. However, ovarian response to animal gonadotropins was maintained for only a short period of time due to immune recognition. This prompted the development of human pituitary gonadotropins; however, supply problems, the risk for Creutzfeld-Jakob disease, and the advent of recombinant technology eventually led to the withdrawal of human pituitary gonadotropin from the market. Urinary human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) preparations were also produced, with subsequent improvements in purification techniques enabling development of products with standardized proportions of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) activity. In 1962 the first reported pregnancy following ovulation stimulation with hMG and ovulation induction with hCG was described, and this product was later established as part of the standard protocol for ART. Improvements in immunopurification techniques enabled the removal of LH from hMG preparations; however, unidentified urinary protein contaminants remained a problem. Subsequently, monoclonal FSH antibodies were used to produce a highly purified FSH preparation containing <0.1 IU of LH activity and <5% unidentified urinary proteins, enabling the formulation of smaller injection volumes that could be administered subcutaneously rather than intramuscularly. Ongoing issues with gonadotropins derived from urine donations, including batch-to-batch variability and a finite donor supply, were overcome by the development of recombinant gonadotropin products. The first recombinant human FSH molecules received marketing approvals in 1995 (follitropin alfa) and 1996 (follitropin beta). These had superior purity and a more homogenous glycosylation pattern compared with urinary or pituitary FSH. Subsequently recombinant versions of LH and hCG have been developed, and biosimilar versions of follitropin alfa have received marketing authorization. More recent developments include a recombinant FSH produced using a human cell line, and a long-acting FSH preparation. These state of the art products are administered subcutaneously via pen injection devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lunenfeld
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Wilma Bilger
- Medical Affairs Fertility, Endocrinology and General Medicine, Merck Serono GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Veronica Alam
- Global Clinical Development, EMD Serono, Rockland, MA, United States
- A Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Thomas D'Hooghe
- Global Medical Affairs Fertility, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
- Organ Systems, Group Biomedical Sciences, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Sesh K. Sunkara
- Assisted Conception Unit, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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21
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Stowell SR, Stowell CP. Biologic roles of the ABH and Lewis histo-blood group antigens part II: thrombosis, cardiovascular disease and metabolism. Vox Sang 2019; 114:535-552. [PMID: 31090093 DOI: 10.1111/vox.12786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The ABH and Lewis antigens were among the first of the human red blood cell polymorphisms to be identified and, in the case of the former, play a dominant role in transfusion and transplantation. But these two therapies are largely twentieth-century innovations, and the ABH and related carbohydrate antigens are not only expressed on a very wide range of human tissues, but were present in primates long before modern humans evolved. Although we have learned a great deal about the biochemistry and genetics of these structures, the biological roles that they play in human health and disease are incompletely understood. This review and its companion, which appeared in a previous issue of Vox Sanguinis, will focus on a few of the biologic and pathologic processes which appear to be affected by histo-blood group phenotype. The first of the two reviews explored the interactions of two bacteria with the ABH and Lewis glycoconjugates of their human host cells, and described the possible connections between the immune response of the human host to infection and the development of the AB-isoagglutinins. This second review will describe the relationship between ABO phenotype and thromboembolic disease, cardiovascular disease states, and general metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean R Stowell
- Center for Apheresis, Center for Transfusion and Cellular Therapies, Emory Hospital, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christopher P Stowell
- Blood Transfusion Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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22
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Fares F, Azzam N. Development of long-acting recombinant glycoprotein hormones by increasing the carbohydrate content. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:1017-1022. [PMID: 30711574 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic recombinant glycoproteins are important for both the biotechnological industry and clinical purposes. Given the rapid clearance of these proteins from the circulation, they have to be injected frequently to obtain optimal therapy. Several strategies have been developed to overcome this limitation, aiming to increase the half-life of such proteins in the circulation. These strategies included chemical attachment of polyethylene glycol, nanocapsulation, fusion to immunoglobulins or to albumin as protein carriers, or enrichment of the carbohydrate content. Here, we describe a strategy for increasing the half-life of recombinant proteins using gene fusion to increase the carbohydrate content of the protein backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuad Fares
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel.
| | - Naiel Azzam
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; Migal-Galilee Research Institute, Kiryat Shmona 11016, Israel
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23
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Anderson RC, Newton CL, Anderson RA, Millar RP. Gonadotropins and Their Analogs: Current and Potential Clinical Applications. Endocr Rev 2018; 39:911-937. [PMID: 29982442 DOI: 10.1210/er.2018-00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The gonadotropin receptors LH receptor and FSH receptor play a central role in governing reproductive competency/fertility. Gonadotropin hormone analogs have been used clinically for decades in assisted reproductive therapies and in the treatment of various infertility disorders. Though these treatments are effective, the clinical protocols demand multiple injections, and the hormone preparations can lack uniformity and stability. The past two decades have seen a drive to develop chimeric and modified peptide analogs with more desirable pharmacokinetic profiles, with some displaying clinical efficacy, such as corifollitropin alfa, which is now in clinical use. More recently, low-molecular-weight, orally active molecules with activity at gonadotropin receptors have been developed. Some have excellent characteristics in animals and in human studies but have not reached the market-largely as a result of acquisitions by large pharma. Nonetheless, such molecules have the potential to mitigate risks currently associated with gonadotropin-based fertility treatments, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and the demands of injection-based therapies. There is also scope for novel use beyond the current remit of gonadotropin analogs in fertility treatments, including application as novel contraceptives; in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome; in the restoration of function to inactivating mutations of gonadotropin receptors; in the treatment of ovarian and prostate cancers; and in the prevention of bone loss and weight gain in postmenopausal women. Here we review the properties and clinical application of current gonadotropin preparations and their analogs, as well as the development of novel orally active, small-molecule nonpeptide analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross C Anderson
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Claire L Newton
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Robert P Millar
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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24
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Li Y, Fortin J, Ongaro L, Zhou X, Boehm U, Schneyer A, Bernard DJ, Lin HY. Betaglycan (TGFBR3) Functions as an Inhibin A, but Not Inhibin B, Coreceptor in Pituitary Gonadotrope Cells in Mice. Endocrinology 2018; 159:4077-4091. [PMID: 30364975 PMCID: PMC6372943 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Inhibins are gonadal hormones that act on pituitary gonadotrope cells to suppress FSH synthesis and secretion. Inhibin A and B are heterodimers of the inhibin ⍺-subunit disulfide-linked to one of two inhibin β-subunits. Homodimers or heterodimers of the inhibin β-subunits form the activins, which stimulate FSH production. Activins signal through complexes of type I and II receptor serine/threonine kinases to increase transcription of the FSHβ subunit gene. According to in vitro observations, inhibins impair FSH synthesis by competitively binding to activin type II receptors, particularly in the presence of the TGFβ type III receptor (TGFBR3, or betaglycan). The role of TGFBR3 in inhibin action in vivo has not been determined. Here, we ablated Tgfbr3 specifically in murine gonadotropes. Conditional knockout females were supra-fertile, exhibiting enhanced folliculogenesis, numbers of ovulated eggs per cycle, and litter sizes relative to control mice. Despite these phenotypes, FSH levels appeared to be unaltered in knockout mice, and the mechanisms underlying their enhanced fertility remain unexplained. Inhibin B is the predominant form of the hormone in males and in females during most stages of the estrous cycle. Remarkably, inhibin A, but not inhibin B, suppression of FSH synthesis was impaired in cultured pituitaries of knockout mice, which may explain the absence of discernible changes in FSH levels in vivo. Collectively, these data challenge current dogma by demonstrating that TGFBR3 (betaglycan) functions as an inhibin A, but not an inhibin B, coreceptor in gonadotrope cells in vivo. Mechanisms of inhibin B action merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jérôme Fortin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Saarland School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | | | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Correspondence: Daniel J. Bernard, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Room 1315, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada. E-mail: ; or Herbert Y. Lin, MD, Program in Membrane Biology/Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114. E-mail:
| | - Herbert Y Lin
- Program in Membrane Biology/Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Correspondence: Daniel J. Bernard, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Room 1315, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada. E-mail: ; or Herbert Y. Lin, MD, Program in Membrane Biology/Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114. E-mail:
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25
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Casarini L, Santi D, Brigante G, Simoni M. Two Hormones for One Receptor: Evolution, Biochemistry, Actions, and Pathophysiology of LH and hCG. Endocr Rev 2018; 39:549-592. [PMID: 29905829 DOI: 10.1210/er.2018-00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
LH and chorionic gonadotropin (CG) are glycoproteins fundamental to sexual development and reproduction. Because they act on the same receptor (LHCGR), the general consensus has been that LH and human CG (hCG) are equivalent. However, separate evolution of LHβ and hCGβ subunits occurred in primates, resulting in two molecules sharing ~85% identity and regulating different physiological events. Pituitary, pulsatile LH production results in an ~90-minute half-life molecule targeting the gonads to regulate gametogenesis and androgen synthesis. Trophoblast hCG, the "pregnancy hormone," exists in several isoforms and glycosylation variants with long half-lives (hours) and angiogenic potential and acts on luteinized ovarian cells as progestational. The different molecular features of LH and hCG lead to hormone-specific LHCGR binding and intracellular signaling cascades. In ovarian cells, LH action is preferentially exerted through kinases, phosphorylated extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2) and phosphorylated AKT (also known as protein kinase B), resulting in irreplaceable proliferative/antiapoptotic signals and partial agonism on progesterone production in vitro. In contrast, hCG displays notable cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated steroidogenic and proapoptotic potential, which is masked by estrogen action in vivo. In vitro data have been confirmed by a large data set from assisted reproduction, because the steroidogenic potential of hCG positively affects the number of retrieved oocytes, and LH affects the pregnancy rate (per oocyte number). Leydig cell in vitro exposure to hCG results in qualitatively similar cAMP/PKA and pERK1/2 activation compared with LH and testosterone. The supposed equivalence of LH and hCG has been disproved by such data, highlighting their sex-specific functions and thus deeming it an oversight caused by incomplete understanding of clinical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Casarini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Santi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Brigante
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy
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26
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Ben-Menahem D. Preparation, characterization and application of long-acting FSH analogs for assisted reproduction. Theriogenology 2018; 112:11-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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27
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Tejwani V, Andersen MR, Nam JH, Sharfstein ST. Glycoengineering in CHO Cells: Advances in Systems Biology. Biotechnol J 2018; 13:e1700234. [PMID: 29316325 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201700234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
For several decades, glycoprotein biologics have been successfully produced from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The therapeutic efficacy and potency of glycoprotein biologics are often dictated by their post-translational modifications, particularly glycosylation, which unlike protein synthesis, is a non-templated process. Consequently, both native and recombinant glycoprotein production generate heterogeneous mixtures containing variable amounts of different glycoforms. Stability, potency, plasma half-life, and immunogenicity of the glycoprotein biologic are directly influenced by the glycoforms. Recently, CHO cells have also been explored for production of therapeutic glycosaminoglycans (e.g., heparin), which presents similar challenges as producing glycoproteins biologics. Approaches to controlling heterogeneity in CHO cells and directing the biosynthetic process toward desired glycoforms are not well understood. A systems biology approach combining different technologies is needed for complete understanding of the molecular processes accounting for this variability and to open up new venues in cell line development. In this review, we describe several advances in genetic manipulation, modeling, and glycan and glycoprotein analysis that together will provide new strategies for glycoengineering of CHO cells with desired or enhanced glycosylation capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Tejwani
- Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY, 12203, USA
| | - Mikael R Andersen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Susan T Sharfstein
- Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY, 12203, USA
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28
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Gugliotta A, Ceaglio N, Etcheverrigaray M, Kratje R, Oggero M. Strategies to Develop Therapeutic N- and O-Hyperglycosylated Proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1674:163-181. [PMID: 28921436 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7312-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Glycoengineering by N- and/or O-hyperglycosylation represents a procedure to introduce potential sites for adding N- and/or O-glycosyl structures to proteins with the aim of producing biotherapeutics with improved pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. In this chapter, a detailed description of the steps routinely performed to generate new proteins having high content of N- and/or O-glycosyl moieties is carried out. The rational strategy involves the initial stage of designing N- and/or O-hyperglycosylated muteins to be expressed by mammalian cells and includes the upstream and downstream processing stages necessary to develop hyperglycosylated versions of the proteins of interest with the purpose of beginning the long road toward producing biobetters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Gugliotta
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB, Cell Culture Laboratory, Ciudad Universitaria UNL-C.C. 242, (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Pcia. de Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Natalia Ceaglio
- CONICET, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Marina Etcheverrigaray
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB, Cell Culture Laboratory, Ciudad Universitaria UNL-C.C. 242, (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Pcia. de Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Kratje
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB, Cell Culture Laboratory, Ciudad Universitaria UNL-C.C. 242, (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Pcia. de Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Marcos Oggero
- UNL, CONICET, FBCB, Cell Culture Laboratory, Ciudad Universitaria UNL-C.C. 242, (S3000ZAA), Santa Fe, Pcia. de Santa Fe, Argentina.
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29
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Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor: Advances and Remaining Challenges. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 338:1-58. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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30
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Pegg CL, Cooper LT, Zhao J, Gerometta M, Smith FM, Yeh M, Bartlett PF, Gorman JJ, Boyd AW. Glycoengineering of EphA4 Fc leads to a unique, long-acting and broad spectrum, Eph receptor therapeutic antagonist. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6519. [PMID: 28747680 PMCID: PMC5529513 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06685-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Eph receptors have emerged as targets for therapy in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic disease, however, particularly in non-neoplastic diseases, redundancy of function limits the effectiveness of targeting individual Eph proteins. We have shown previously that a soluble fusion protein, where the EphA4 ectodomain was fused to IgG Fc (EphA4 Fc), was an effective therapy in acute injuries and demonstrated that EphA4 Fc was a broad spectrum Eph/ephrin antagonist. However, a very short in vivo half-life effectively limited its therapeutic development. We report a unique glycoengineering approach to enhance the half-life of EphA4 Fc. Progressive deletion of three demonstrated N-linked sites in EphA4 progressively increased in vivo half-life such that the triple mutant protein showed dramatically improved pharmacokinetic characteristics. Importantly, protein stability, affinity for ephrin ligands and antagonism of cell expressed EphA4 was fully preserved, enabling it to be developed as a broad spectrum Eph/ephrin antagonist for use in both acute and chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra L Pegg
- Protein Discovery Centre, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, 4006, Australia.
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
| | - Leanne T Cooper
- Leukaemia Foundation Research Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, 4006, Australia
| | - Jing Zhao
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Michael Gerometta
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Fiona M Smith
- Leukaemia Foundation Research Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, 4006, Australia
| | - Michael Yeh
- The Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Queensland, 4006, Australia
| | - Perry F Bartlett
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Jeffrey J Gorman
- Protein Discovery Centre, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, 4006, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew W Boyd
- Leukaemia Foundation Research Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, 4006, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Queensland, 4006, Australia
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Koechling W, Plaksin D, Croston GE, Jeppesen JV, Macklon KT, Andersen CY. Comparative pharmacology of a new recombinant FSH expressed by a human cell line. Endocr Connect 2017; 6:297-305. [PMID: 28450423 PMCID: PMC5510450 DOI: 10.1530/ec-17-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant FSH proteins are important therapeutic agents for the treatment of infertility, including follitropin alfa expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells and, more recently, follitropin delta expressed in the human cell line PER.C6. These recombinant FSH proteins have distinct glycosylation, and have distinct pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles in women. Comparative experiments demonstrated that follitropin delta and follitropin alfa displayed the same in vitro potency at the human FSH receptor, but varied in their pharmacokinetics in mouse and rat. While follitropin delta clearance from serum depended in part on the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), follitropin alfa clearance was unaffected by ASGPR inhibition in rat or genetic ablation in mice. The distinct properties of follitropin delta and follitropin alfa are likely to contribute to the differing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles observed in women and to influence their efficacy in therapeutic protocols for the treatment of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Plaksin
- Bio-Technology General Israel LtdFerring Pharmaceuticals, Kiryat Malachi, Israel
| | | | - Janni V Jeppesen
- The Laboratory of Reproductive BiologyThe Department of Fertility at The Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital and The University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kirsten T Macklon
- The Laboratory of Reproductive BiologyThe Department of Fertility at The Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital and The University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- The Laboratory of Reproductive BiologyThe Department of Fertility at The Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital and The University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cell culture media supplementation of infrequently used sugars for the targeted shifting of protein glycosylation profiles. Biotechnol Prog 2017; 33:511-522. [DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 12/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Abstract
Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells represent the predominant platform in biopharmaceutical industry for the production of recombinant biotherapeutic proteins, especially glycoproteins. These glycoproteins include oligosaccharide or glycan attachments that represent one of the principal components dictating product quality. Especially important are the N-glycan attachments present on many recombinant glycoproteins of commercial interest. Furthermore, altering the glycan composition can be used to modulate the production quality of a recombinant biotherapeutic from CHO and other mammalian hosts. This review first describes the glycosylation network in mammalian cells and compares the glycosylation patterns between CHO and human cells. Next genetic strategies used in CHO cells to modulate the sialylation patterns through overexpression of sialyltransfereases and other glycosyltransferases are summarized. In addition, other approaches to alter sialylation including manipulation of sialic acid biosynthetic pathways and inhibition of sialidases are described. Finally, this review also covers other strategies such as the glycosylation site insertion and manipulation of glycan heterogeneity to produce desired glycoforms for diverse biotechnology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., 220 Maryland Hall, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Bojiao Yin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., 220 Maryland Hall, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Cheng-Yu Chung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., 220 Maryland Hall, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Michael J Betenbaugh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., 220 Maryland Hall, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
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Ulloa-Aguirre A, Lira-Albarrán S. Clinical Applications of Gonadotropins in the Male. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2016; 143:121-174. [PMID: 27697201 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) play a pivotal role in reproduction. The synthesis and secretion of gonadotropins are regulated by complex interactions among several endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine factors of diverse chemical structure. In men, LH regulates the synthesis of androgens by the Leydig cells, whereas FSH promotes Sertoli cell function and thereby influences spermatogenesis. Gonadotropins are complex molecules composed of two subunits, the α- and β-subunit, that are noncovalently associated. Gonadotropins are decorated with glycans that regulate several functions of the protein including folding, heterodimerization, stability, transport, conformational maturation, efficiency of heterodimer secretion, metabolic fate, interaction with their cognate receptor, and selective activation of signaling pathways. A number of congenital and acquired abnormalities lead to gonadotropin deficiency and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a condition amenable to treatment with exogenous gonadotropins. Several natural and recombinant preparations of gonadotropins are currently available for therapeutic purposes. The difference between natural and the currently available recombinant preparations (which are massively produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells for commercial purposes) mainly lies in the abundance of some of the carbohydrates that conform the complex glycans attached to the protein core. Whereas administration of exogenous gonadotropins in patients with isolated congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is a well recognized therapeutic approach, their role in treating men with normogonadotropic idiopathic infertility is still controversial. This chapter concentrates on the main structural and functional features of the gonadotropin hormones and how basic concepts have been translated into the clinical arena to guide therapy for gonadotropin deficit in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ulloa-Aguirre
- Research Support Network, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)-National Institutes of Health, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - S Lira-Albarrán
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
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Zhang YL, Guo KP, Ji SY, Liu XM, Wang P, Wu J, Gao L, Jiang TQ, Xu T, Fan HY. Development and characterization of a novel long-acting recombinant follicle stimulating hormone agonist by fusing Fc to an FSH-β subunit. Hum Reprod 2015; 31:169-82. [PMID: 26621853 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does a novel long-acting recombinant human FSH, KN015, a heterodimer composed of FSHα and FSHβ-Fc/Fc, offer a potential FSH alternative? SUMMARY ANSWER KN015 had in vitro activity and superior in vivo bioactivity than recombinant human FSH (rhFSH), suggesting KN015 could serve as a potential FSH agonist for clinical therapy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY rhFSH has very short half-life so that repeat injections are needed, resulting in discomfort and inconvenience for patients. The longest-acting rhFSH available in clinics is corifollitropin alpha (FSH-CTP), but its half-life is not long enough to sustain the whole therapy period, and additional injections of rhFSH are needed. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Plasmids containing FSHα, FSHβ-Fc and Fc cDNA were transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells for KN015 production. The pharmacokinetics of KN015 was investigated in 6-week-old SD rats (n = 6/group) and healthy Cynomolgus monkeys in two different dose groups (n = 2/group). A series of experiments were designed for in vitro and in vivo characterization of the bioactivity of KN015 relative to rhFSH. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The purity and molecular weight of KN015 were determined by reducing and non-reducing SDS-PAGE. To measure KN015 half-life, sera were collected at increasing time points and the remaining FSH concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To assess the bioactivity of KN015 versus rhFSH in vitro, firstly cAMP production was assessed in CHO cells expressing FSH receptor (FSHR) with the treatment of Fc/Fc, rhFSH or KN015 at eight different doses (0.03, 0.09, 0.28, 0.83, 2.5, 7.5, 22.5, 67.5 nM), and secondly cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs; n = 20/group) of ICR mice (primed-PMSG 44 h before sacrificed) were collected and cultured in medium containing 1.25 pM Fc/Fc, rhFSH or KN015 at 37°C and then germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and COC expansion were observed at 4 and 16 h, respectively. The in vivo activity of KN015 was compared with rhFSH by ovary weight gain and ovulation assays. In the former, ovary weight gains in 21-day-old female SD rats, after a single subcutaneous injection of KN015, were compared with those after several injections of rhFSH over a range of doses (n = 8/group). Sera were harvested for estradiol (E2) analysis, and the ovaries were processed for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase)-mediated dUDP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), RT-PCR and western blot. In the latter, 26-day-old female SD rats (n = 8/group) were injected with different doses of KN015 or rhFSH, and were sacrificed at 24 h after an injection of hCG (20 IU/rat). Moreover, the molecular responses stimulated by KN015 or rhFSH in the ovary were also analyzed through detecting expression of the FSH target genes (Cyp19a1, Fshr and Lhcgr) and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway activation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE KN015 has a molecular weight of 82 kD and its half-life is 84 h in SD rats (10-fold longer than that of rhFSH) and 215 h in Cynomolgus monkeys. The EC50 value of the cAMP induction in CHO cells (KN015 versus rhFSH, 1.84 versus 0.87 nM), COC expansion and oocyte maturation assays showed KN015 had approximately half of rhFSH's activity in vitro. A single dose of KN015 (1.5 pmol/rat, 166.1 ± 19.7 mg, P < 0.01) stimulated significantly larger ovary weight gain than several injections of rhFSH (1.5 pmol/rat, 59.3 ± 28.1 mg, P < 0.01). The serum E2 level in the KN015 group was significantly higher than that in rhFSH group. The number of oocytes obtained by ovulation induction was comparable with or higher in the KN015 group than in the rhFSH group. KN015 was more effective than rhFSH in inducing FSH target genes (Cyp19a1, Fshr, Lhcgr) or activating the PI3K pathway in vivo. Moreover, a single injection of KN015 promoted granulosa cell proliferation and prevented follicle atresia to the same extent as several injections of rhFSH. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION All assays in this study were operated only in animals and clinical trials are needed to confirm they can be extrapolated to humans. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS KN015 is a valuable alternative to FSH and may have great potential for therapeutic applications. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This study was supported by National Basic Research Program of China (2011|CB944504, 2012CB944403) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (81172473, 31371449). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Li Zhang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | | | - Shu-Yan Ji
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiao-Man Liu
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | | | - Jie Wu
- Alphamab Co. Ltd., Suzhou 215125, China
| | - Li Gao
- Alphamab Co. Ltd., Suzhou 215125, China
| | | | - Ting Xu
- Alphamab Co. Ltd., Suzhou 215125, China
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Asraf H, Amsterdam A, Ben-Menahem D. Modulation of the steroidogenic related activity according to the design of single-chain bovine FSH analogs. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2015; 216:171-81. [PMID: 25863346 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Single-chain (SC) gonadotropins have been genetically engineered to increase the repertoire of analogs for potential use in humans and domestic animals. The major aim of the current study was to examine the steroidogenic related activity of SC FSH analogs carrying structural differences. To address this issue, we designed and expressed three SC bovine FSH analogs in CHO cells: (i) FSHβα in which the tethered subunit domains are linked in tandem; (ii) FSHβCTPα that contains the carboxy terminal peptide (CTP) of the human choriogonadotropin (hCG) β subunit as a spacer, and (iii) FSHβboCTPα in which the linker is derived from a CTP-like sequence (boCTP) decoded from the bovine LHβ DNA. The data suggested that the secretion efficiency of these variants from the transfected cells was unaffected by the presence or absence of the CTP linker, N-glycans were attached to the analogs and the hCGβ-CTP domain in the FSHβCTPα variant was O-glycosylated. In a rat immortalized granulosa cell bioassay the potency of the three variants towards progesterone secretion varied. In immature mice, the analogs increased the ovary weight and induced StAR, Cyp11a (P450scc), Cyp17 (P450c17) and Cyp19 (P450aromatase) transcripts. However, the dose dependence and amplitude of these transcript levels differed in response to FSHβα, FSHβboCTPα and FSHβCTPα. Collectively, these data suggest that the design of the FSH analog can modulate the bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. A systematic analysis of receptor activation with ligands carrying structural differences may identify new regulatory factor/s involved in the pleiotropic FSH activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hila Asraf
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Abraham Amsterdam
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - David Ben-Menahem
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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Patil M. Gonadotrophins: The future. J Hum Reprod Sci 2015; 7:236-48. [PMID: 25624659 PMCID: PMC4296397 DOI: 10.4103/0974-1208.147490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the IVF clinician is to make the ART treatment safe, patient-friendly, cost effective and at the same time offer good and high quality treatment. IVF protocols are a burden for women and are one of the potential reasons why women don’t return for subsequent cycles. Frequent injections may increase stress and also result in high error rates. Simple short treatment regimen with optimal recovery of good quality oocytes results in development of good quality embryos followed by SET in treatment and cryopreservation cycles are a less burden and result in related lesser discontinuation, side effects, treatment cycles in time and are more cost-effective. Development of FSH analogues with longer terminal t1/2 and slower absorption to peak serum levels will increase the efficiency, decrease the side effects and also is easy to administer. This makes it convenient for the patients increasing the compliance. A certain minimum LH concentration is necessary for adequate thecal cell function and subsequent oestradiol synthesis in the granulosa cells. Adjuvant r-HLH gives clinician's precise control over the dose of LH bioactivity administered to target the therapeutic window. New parenteral, transdermal, inhaled and oral fertility drugs and regimens are currently under research and development with the objective to further simplify treatment for ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuri Patil
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Dr. Patil's Fertility and Endoscopy Clinic, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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38
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Abstract
Complexity and heterogeneity of oligosaccharides present a considerable challenge to the biopharmaceutical industry to manufacture biotherapeutics with reproducible and consistent glycoform profiles. Mammalian cells, especially Chinese hamster ovary cells, are the most widely used platform for the production of biotherapeutics. The glycans produced are predominantly of the complex type, with some differences between human and nonhuman mammalian glycosylation existing. This review briefly summarizes metabolic glyco-engineering strategies used in mammalian cells in order to alter the glycosylation patterns attached to proteins applied for diverse biotechnology applications.
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McDonald AG, Hayes JM, Bezak T, Głuchowska SA, Cosgrave EFJ, Struwe WB, Stroop CJM, Kok H, van de Laar T, Rudd PM, Tipton KF, Davey GP. Galactosyltransferase 4 is a major control point for glycan branching in N-linked glycosylation. J Cell Sci 2014; 127:5014-26. [PMID: 25271059 PMCID: PMC4248093 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.151878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein N-glycosylation is a common post-translational modification that produces a complex array of branched glycan structures. The levels of branching, or antennarity, give rise to differential biological activities for single glycoproteins. However, the precise mechanism controlling the glycan branching and glycosylation network is unknown. Here, we constructed quantitative mathematical models of N-linked glycosylation that predicted new control points for glycan branching. Galactosyltransferase, which acts on N-acetylglucosamine residues, was unexpectedly found to control metabolic flux through the glycosylation pathway and the level of final antennarity of nascent protein produced in the Golgi network. To further investigate the biological consequences of glycan branching in nascent proteins, we glycoengineered a series of mammalian cells overexpressing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). We identified a mechanism in which galactosyltransferase 4 isoform regulated N-glycan branching on the nascent protein, subsequently controlling biological activity in an in vivo model of hCG activity. We found that galactosyltransferase 4 is a major control point for glycan branching decisions taken in the Golgi of the cell, which might ultimately control the biological activity of nascent glycoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G McDonald
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), Fosters Avenue, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jerrard M Hayes
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), Fosters Avenue, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Tania Bezak
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), Fosters Avenue, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sonia A Głuchowska
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Eoin F J Cosgrave
- National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), Fosters Avenue, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Weston B Struwe
- National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), Fosters Avenue, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | | | - Han Kok
- Merck, Sharp & Dohme, 5340 BH Oss, The Netherlands
| | | | - Pauline M Rudd
- National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), Fosters Avenue, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Keith F Tipton
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Gavin P Davey
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Carvalho PD, Hackbart KS, Bender RW, Baez GM, Dresch AR, Guenther JN, Souza AH, Fricke PM. Use of a single injection of long-acting recombinant bovine FSH to superovulate Holstein heifers: a preliminary study. Theriogenology 2014; 82:481-9. [PMID: 24938802 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Our objective was to compare several experimental preparations of a single injection of long-acting recombinant bovine FSH (rbFSH; types A and B) to a porcine pituitary-derived FSH (Folltropin) to superovulate Holstein dairy heifers. Nonlactating, nonpregnant virgin Holstein heifers (n = 56) aged 12 to 15 months were randomly assigned to one of four superstimulatory treatments. Beginning at a random stage of the estrous cycle, all follicles greater than 5 mm were aspirated. Thirty-six hours later, heifers received an intravaginal P4 device and superstimulatory treatments were initiated. Treatments were (1) 300 mg of pituitary-derived FSH (Folltropin) administered in eight decreasing doses over a period of 3.5 days; (2) a single injection of 50 μg of A-rbFSH; (3) a single injection of 100 μg of A-rbFSH; and (4) a single injection of 50 μg of B-rbFSH. All heifers received 25 mg PGF2α at 48 and 72 hours after the insertion of P4 device. At 84 hours after insertion, P4 devices were removed, and ovulation was induced 24 hours later with hCG (2500 IU). Heifers were inseminated at 12 and 24 hours after hCG treatment. The number of ovulatory follicles was greatest for heifers treated with Folltropin and B50-rbFSH, least for heifers treated with A50-rbFSH, and was intermediate for heifers treated with A100-rbFSH (25.7 ± 3.2, 18.9 ± 3.2, 5.9 ± 0.9, and 16.6 ± 3.1, respectively; P < 0.001). The number of corpora lutea was greatest for heifers treated with Folltropin, B50-rbFSH, and A100-rbFSH, and least for heifers treated with A50-rbFSH (19.1 ± 2.4, 16.1 ± 3.0, 15.9 ± 2.9, and 2.6 ± 0.9, respectively; P < 0.001). The number of good-quality embryos differed among treatments and was greatest for heifers treated with B50-rbFSH, Folltropin, and A100-rbFSH and least for heifers treated with A50-rbFSH (7.6 ± 2.4, 6.5 ± 1.7, 4.3 ± 1.5, and 0.8 ± 0.5, respectively; P < 0.001). In conclusion, a single injection of a preparation of long-acting rbFSH (either 100 μg of A-rbFSH or 50 μg of B-rbFSH but not 50 μg of A-rbFSH) produced similar superovulatory responses resulting in the production of good-quality embryos when compared with a pituitary-derived FSH preparation administered twice daily for 4 days. More studies using different types of cattle and different doses of rbFSH are needed to confirm the findings reported in this preliminary study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo D Carvalho
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Robb W Bender
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Giovanni M Baez
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ana R Dresch
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jerry N Guenther
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Alex H Souza
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Paul M Fricke
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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Hudak JE, Bertozzi CR. Glycotherapy: new advances inspire a reemergence of glycans in medicine. CHEMISTRY & BIOLOGY 2014; 21:16-37. [PMID: 24269151 PMCID: PMC4111574 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2013.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Revised: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The beginning of the 20(th) century marked the dawn of modern medicine with glycan-based therapies at the forefront. However, glycans quickly became overshadowed as DNA- and protein-focused treatments became readily accessible. The recent development of new tools and techniques to study and produce structurally defined carbohydrates has spurred renewed interest in the therapeutic applications of glycans. This review focuses on advances within the past decade that are bringing glycan-based treatments back to the forefront of medicine and the technologies that are driving these efforts. These include the use of glycans themselves as therapeutic molecules as well as engineering protein and cell surface glycans to suit clinical applications. Glycan therapeutics offer a rich and promising frontier for developments in the academic, biopharmaceutical, and medical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason E Hudak
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Carolyn R Bertozzi
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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42
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Prados N, Pellicer A, Fernandez-Sanchez M. Corifollitropin alfa: a new recombinant FSH gonadotropin analog. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1586/eog.11.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Coss KP, Hawkes CP, Adamczyk B, Stöckmann H, Crushell E, Saldova R, Knerr I, Rubio-Gozalbo ME, Monavari AA, Rudd PM, Treacy EP. N-Glycan Abnormalities in Children with Galactosemia. J Proteome Res 2013; 13:385-94. [DOI: 10.1021/pr4008305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karen P. Coss
- University College Dublin (UCD), Clinical Research
Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colin P. Hawkes
- National
Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (NCIMD), Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Barbara Adamczyk
- National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), GlycoScience Group, Mount
Merrion, Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Henning Stöckmann
- National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), GlycoScience Group, Mount
Merrion, Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ellen Crushell
- National
Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (NCIMD), Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Radka Saldova
- National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), GlycoScience Group, Mount
Merrion, Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ina Knerr
- National
Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (NCIMD), Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Ardeshir A. Monavari
- National
Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (NCIMD), Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Pauline M. Rudd
- National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), GlycoScience Group, Mount
Merrion, Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eileen P. Treacy
- National
Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (NCIMD), Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity College, College Green, Dublin, Ireland
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Costa AR, Rodrigues ME, Henriques M, Oliveira R, Azeredo J. Glycosylation: impact, control and improvement during therapeutic protein production. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2013; 34:281-99. [PMID: 23919242 DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2013.793649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of the biopharmaceutical industry represented a major revolution for modern medicine, through the development of recombinant therapeutic proteins that brought new hope for many patients with previously untreatable diseases. There is a ever-growing demand for these therapeutics that forces a constant technological evolution to increase product yields while simultaneously reducing costs. However, the process changes made for this purpose may also affect the quality of the product, a factor that was initially overlooked but which is now a major focus of concern. Of the many properties determining product quality, glycosylation is regarded as one of the most important, influencing, for example, the biological activity, serum half-life and immunogenicity of the protein. Consequently, monitoring and control of glycosylation is now critical in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and a requirement of regulatory agencies. A rapid evolution is being observed in this context, concerning the influence of glycosylation in the efficacy of different therapeutic proteins, the impact on glycosylation of a diversity of parameters/processes involved in therapeutic protein production, the analytical methodologies employed for glycosylation monitoring and control, as well as strategies that are being explored to use this property to improve therapeutic protein efficacy (glycoengineering). This work reviews the main findings on these subjects, providing an up-to-date source of information to support further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Costa
- IBB - Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar , Braga , Portugal
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“Lost sugars” — reality of their biological and medical applications. Open Life Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.2478/s11535-012-0079-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe glycan chains attached to cell surfaces or to single proteins are highly dynamic structures with various functions. The glycan chains of mammals and of some microorganisms often terminate in sialic acids or α-1,3-galactose. Although these two sugars are completely distinct, there are several similarities in their biological and medical importance. First, one type of sialic acid, N-glycolylneuraminic acid, and the galactose bound by an α-1,3-linkage to LacNAc, that forms an α-gal epitope, were both eliminated in human evolution, resulting in the production of antibodies to these sugars. Both of these evolutionary events have consequences connected with the consumption of foods of mammalian origin, causing medical complications of varying severity. In terms of ageing, sialic acids prevent the clearance of glycoproteins and circulating blood cells, whereas cryptic α-gal epitopes on senescent red blood cells contribute to their removal from circulation. The efficiency of therapeutic proteins can be increased by sialylation. Another common feature is the connection with microorganisms since sialic acids and α-gal epitopes serve as receptors on host cells and can also be expressed on the surfaces of some microorganisms. Whereas, the sialylation of IgG antibodies may help to treat inflammation, the expression of the α-gal epitope on microbial antigens increases the immunogenicity of the corresponding vaccines. Finally, sialic acids and the α-gal epitope have applications in cancer immunotherapy. N-glycolylneuraminic acid is a powerful target for cancer immunotherapy, and the α-gal epitope increases the efficiency of cancer vaccines. The final section of this article contains a brief overview of the methods for oligosaccharide chain synthesis and the characteristics of sialyltransferases and α-1,3-galactosyltransferase.
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Sørensen ALT, Clausen H, Wandall HH. Carbohydrate clearance receptors in transfusion medicine. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2012; 1820:1797-808. [PMID: 22846227 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2012.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complex carbohydrates play important functions for circulation of proteins and cells. They provide protective shields and refraction from non-specific interactions with negative charges from sialic acids to enhance circulatory half-life. For recombinant protein therapeutics carbohydrates are especially important to enhance size and reduce glomerular filtration loss. Carbohydrates are, however, also ligands for a large number of carbohydrate-binding lectins exposed to the circulatory system that serve as scavenger receptors for the innate immune system, or have more specific roles in targeting of glycoproteins and cells. SCOPE OF REVIEW Here we provide an overview of the common lectin receptors that play roles for circulating glycoproteins and cells, and present a discussion of ways to engineer glycosylation of recombinant biologics and cells to improve therapeutic effects. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS While the pharmaceutical industry has learned how to exploit carbohydrates to improve pharmacokinetic properties of recombinant therapeutics, our understanding of how to improve cell-based therapies by manipulation of complex carbohydrates is still at its infancy. Progress with the latter has recently been achieved with cold-stored platelets, where exposure of uncapped glycans lead to rapid clearance from circulation by several lectin-mediated pathways. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Understanding lectin-mediated clearance pathways is essential for progress in development of biological pharmaceuticals.
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Arming S, Wipfler D, Mayr J, Merling A, Vilas U, Schauer R, Schwartz-Albiez R, Vlasak R. The human Cas1 protein: a sialic acid-specific O-acetyltransferase? Glycobiology 2011; 21:553-64. [PMID: 20947662 PMCID: PMC7108626 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwq153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sialic acids are important sugars at the reducing end of glycoproteins and glycolipids. They are among many other functions involved in cell-cell interactions, host-pathogen recognition and the regulation of serum half-life of glycoproteins. An important modification of sialic acids is O-acetylation, which can alter or mask the biological properties of the parent sialic acid molecule. The nature of mammalian sialate-O-acetyltransferases (EC 2.3.1.45) involved in their biosynthesis is still unknown. We have identified the human CasD1 (capsule structure1 domain containing 1) gene as a candidate to encode the elusive enzyme. The human CasD1 gene encodes a protein with a serine-glycine-asparagine-histidine hydrolase domain and a hydrophobic transmembrane domain. Expression of the Cas1 protein tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein in mammalian and insect cells directed the protein to the medial and trans-cisternae of the Golgi. Overexpression of the Cas1 protein in combination with α-N-acetyl-neuraminide α-2,8-sialyltransferase 1 (GD3 synthase) resulted in an up to 40% increased biosynthesis of 7-O-acetylated ganglioside GD3. By quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we found up to 5-fold increase in CasD1 mRNA in tumor cells overexpressing O-Ac-GD3. CasD1-specific small interfering RNA reduced O-acetylation in tumor cells. These results suggest that the human Cas1 protein is directly involved in O-acetylation of α2-8-linked sialic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Arming
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Salzburg, Austria
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Hesser MW, Morris JC, Gibbons JR. Advances in Recombinant Gonadotropin Production for Use in Bovine Superovulation. Reprod Domest Anim 2011; 46:933-42. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01767.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Berger M, Kaup M, Blanchard V. Protein glycosylation and its impact on biotechnology. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2011; 127:165-85. [PMID: 21975953 DOI: 10.1007/10_2011_101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Glycosylation is a post-translational modification that is of paramount importance in the production of recombinant pharmaceuticals as most recombinantly produced therapeutics are N- and/or O-glycosylated. Being a cell-system-dependent process, it also varies with expression systems and growth conditions, which result in glycan microheterogeneity and macroheterogeneity. Glycans have an effect on drug stability, serum half-life, and immunogenicity; it is therefore important to analyze and optimize the glycan decoration of pharmaceuticals. This review summarizes the aspects of protein glycosylation that are of interest to biotechnologists, namely, biosynthesis and biological relevance, as well as the tools to optimize and to analyze protein glycosylation.
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Verbost P, Sloot WN, Rose UM, de Leeuw R, Hanssen RGJM, Verheijden GFM. Pharmacologic profiling of corifollitropin alfa, the first developed sustained follicle stimulant. Eur J Pharmacol 2010; 651:227-33. [PMID: 21115001 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2010.10.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2010] [Revised: 10/07/2010] [Accepted: 10/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Corifollitropin alfa (Elonva®, MSD, previously N.V. Organon or Schering-Plough Oss, The Netherlands) is a newly developed sustained follicle stimulant composed of the α subunit of human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and a hybrid β subunit formed by fusion of the human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit carboxy terminal peptide with the β subunit of human FSH. Binding characteristics of corifollitropin alfa at the rat FSH receptor and transactivation properties at the rat FSH receptor, human luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor, and human thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSH receptor) were assessed in vitro. Bioactivity of corifollitropin alfa in rats was also assessed. Serum corifollitropin alfa levels in rats and dogs were used to derive the main pharmacokinetic parameters of corifollitropin alfa. Binding and transactivation profile of corifollitropin alfa to rat FSH receptor was specific and comparable to that of recombinant human FSH, with no intrinsic TSH receptor or LH receptor activation. From pharmacokinetic studies, circulating half-life of corifollitropin alfa was calculated to be 17.3h in rats and 46.9h in dogs, 1.5- to 2-fold longer than recombinant FSH. Corifollitropin alfa demonstrated a 2- to 4-fold increase in bioactivity (ovarian weight, serum estradiol and progesterone, ovulated ova) over recombinant FSH across all in vivo parameters assessed. These data demonstrate that corifollitropin alfa is a specific ligand with high affinity for FSH receptor, lacking intrinsic activity for LH receptor and TSH receptor. By virtue of its increased in vivo half-life, corifollitropin alfa can be a valuable alternative to FSH by acting as a sustained follicle stimulant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter Verbost
- Department of Pharmacology, Merck, Sharpe and Dohme MSD, 5340 BH Oss, The Netherlands
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