Efficacy, safety, and manufacturability of therapeutic antibodies are influenced by their biopharmaceutical and biophysical properties. These properties can be optimized by library approaches or rationale protein design. Here, we employed a protein engineering approach to modify the variable domain of the light chain (VL) framework of an oxidized macrophage migration inhibitory factor (oxMIF)-specific antibody. The amendment of the antibody sequence was based on homology to human germline VL genes. Three regions or positions were identified in the VL domain-L1-4, L66, L79-and mutated independently or in combination to match the closest germline V gene. None of the mutations altered oxMIF specificity or affinity, but some variants improved thermal stability, aggregation propensity, and resulted in up to five-fold higher expression. Importantly, the improved biopharmaceutical properties translated into a superior pharmacokinetic profile of the antibody. Thus, optimization of the V domain framework can ameliorate the biophysical qualities of a therapeutic antibody candidate, and as result its manufacturability, and also has the potential to improve pharmacokinetics.

The catalytic domain of ADAMTS13 possesses one Zn2+ and up to three putative Ca2+ binding sites and can be inactivated by chelating agents. Although replenishment with an appropriate metallic cation is thought to restore the enzyme's proteolytic activity fully, ADAMTS13 stability in a metal ion‐depleting environment has not been explored.

Sub-visible particles were shown to facilitate unwanted immunogenicity of protein therapeutics. To understand the root cause of this phenomenon, a comprehensive analysis of these particles is required. We aimed at establishing a flow-cytometry-based technology to analyze the amount, size distribution and nature of sub-visible particles in protein solutions.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by a functional deficiency in the plasma metalloprotease ADAMTS13, caused by mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene or by autoantibody inhibition. ADAMTS13 is the key regulator of the hemostatic activity of von Willebrand factor (VWF), accomplished by cleavage of a single site within the A2 domain of VWF. The catalytic domain of ADAMTS13 possesses various binding sites for metallic cations including one Zn2+ binding site composed of three histidine residues within the sequence HEXXHXXGXXHD and up to three putative calcium ion-binding sites. The dependence of ADAMTS13 activity on zinc and calcium ions is reflected in its inactivation by chelating agents such as EDTA and doxycycline. Although replenishment with an appropriate metallic cation is thought to fully restore the proteolytic activity of the enzyme, the stability of ADAMTS13 in a Ca2+-depleting environment has not yet been explored. This aspect, however, is clinically relevant, as citrated human plasma serves as the standard source for testing ADAMTS13-specific parameters, where the chelator citrate not only prevents activation of the coagulation cascade, but also renders ADAMTS13 inactive.

Post-translational glycosylation determines the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutic proteins. While desialylation of FVIII/VWF (asialo-FVIII/VWF) has a significantly reduced half-life compared to normal FVIII/VWF complex (Sodetz et al 1977), we introduced additional sialic acids on recombinant (r) FVIII to obtain the opposite: prolonged survival of rFVIII in the circulation. Additional sialic acid residues were introduced to rFVIII by covalently binding polysialic acid (PSA) to full length (FL) rFVIII. The resulting drug candidate BAX 826, polysialylated human rFVIII, is manufactured from octocog alfa which is expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells by a plasma/albumin free cell culture method and is the active substance in Baxalta´s licensed product ADVATE.

Background & Methods Recombinant factor VII (rFVII), the precursor molecule for recombinant activated FVII (rFVIIa), is, due to its need for complex post translational modifications, produced in mammalian cells. To evaluate the suitability of a human cell line in order to produce rFVII with post-translational modifications as close as possible to pdFVII, we compared the biochemical properties of rFVII synthesized in human embryonic kidney-derived (HEK)293 cells (HEK293rFVII) with those of rFVII expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO, CHOrFVII) and baby hamster kidney (BHK, BHKrFVII) cells, and also with those of plasma derived FVII (pdFVII), using various analytical methods. rFVII was purified from selected production clones derived from BHK, CHO, and HEK293 cells after stable transfection, and rFVII isolates were analyzed for protein activity, impurities and post-translational modifications. Results & Discussion The analytical results showed no apparent gross differences between the various FVII proteins, except in their N-linked glycosylation pattern. Most N-glycans found on rFVII produced in HEK293 cells were not detected on rFVII from CHO and BHK cells, or, somewhat unexpectedly, on pdFVII; all other protein features were similar. HEK293rFVII glycans were mainly characterized by a higher structural variety and a lower degree of terminal sialylation, and a high amount of terminal N-acetyl galactosamines (GalNAc). All HEK293rFVII oligosaccharides contained one or more fucoses (Fuc), as well as hybrid and high mannose (Man) structures. Conclusions From all rFVII isolates investigated, CHOrFVII contained the highest degree of sialylation and no terminal GalNAc, and CHO cells were therefore assumed to be the best option for the production of rFVII.

BACKGROUND:Patients with hereditary emphysema are treated with alpha(1)-antitrypsin (alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor [A1PI]) concentrates. High-resolution isoelectric focusing (IEF) analysis of A1PI shows that commercial A1PI products have different glycoisoform band patterns predominantly caused by varying degrees of C-terminal Lys truncation at position 394 from the A1PI molecule. Basic carboxypeptidases (CPs) are a group of enzymes that specifically cleave C-terminal basic amino acids (Arg or Lys) from peptides and proteins.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this study, whether A1PI is a substrate for basic CPs was investigated. CPN and CPU, two CPs present in plasma, and CPM, a GPI-anchored membrane protein highly expressed in lung tissues, were included.RESULTS: Basic CPs are able to mediate the C-terminal Lys truncation of A1PI although with a very low efficiency. However, presence of ethanol, for example, during Cohn fractionation, renders A1PI highly susceptible to cleavage by CP with the extent of Lys truncation depending on the ethanol concentration. This ethanol concentration dependence elegantly explains the varying amounts of des-Lys A1PI present in commercial preparations purified from different Cohn fractions.CONCLUSIONS: The cause of C-terminal truncation of A1PI present in products used for augmentation therapy has been identified, and it has been shown that A1PI becomes a substrate for CPs, specifically CPN, because of the presence of ethanol during Cohn fractionation.

Covalent modification of therapeutic proteins by polyethylene glycol derivatives is an established method for improving pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutic proteins.

Post-translational glycosylation determines the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutic proteins. While desialylation of FVIII/VWF (asialo-FVIII/VWF) has a significantly reduced half-life compared to normal FVIII/VWF complex (Sodetz et al 1977), we tried to introduce additional sialic acids on rVWF to obtain the opposite: prolonged survival of rVWF in the circulation. Additional sialic acid residues were introduced to rVWF by chemically attaching polysialic acid (PSA, colominic acid) to lysines on recombinant VWF. rVWF was purified from the cell culture supernatant of CHO cells co-expressing rFVIII and rVWF. Coupling of PSA was performed by terminal oxidation of the vicinal diols in PSA to aldehydes and binding to the primary amino groups in the VWF molecule by Schiff-base formation. Schiff-bases were stabilized by reduction with NaCNBH3 under formation of a secondary amine.

Ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation is a pathogen inactivation method used for disinfection of pharmaceutical products derived from human blood. Previous studies have shown that UVC can potentially damage proteins through photolysis or can generate reactive species resulting in protein thiol oxidation. In this study, two fluorescence-based quantitative proteomic approaches were used to assess the effects of a novel UVC-disinfection strategy on human plasma fractions. We show minimal changes in protein content, but gross alterations in protein thiol reactivity, indicative of oxidative damage. We identify a number of the damaged proteins by mass spectrometry, including serum amyloid P component, and further demonstrate UVC-induced photolysis of its disulphide bond.

Recombinant VWF was co-expressed with recombinant FVIII in CHO cells. In order to obtain fully processed, mature rVWF, rVWF was exposed to recombinant CHO-cell-derived furin for VWF pro-peptide removal. Fermentation for both rVWF and furin and downstream processing were performed under serum-free conditions.

Mature CHO cell derived and highly purified rVWF was chemically derivatized by binding of 20 kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) succinimidyl glutarate, to the primary amino groups in rVWF with covalent bond formation, primarily with lysine residues. PEG conjugates of rVWF were further purified and pharmaceutically formulated for application into hemophilia A knock-out mice. Groups of 6 mice each were treated with respective test and control articles to measure pharmacokinetics. Mice were treated with chemically modified rVWF in combination with recombinant human FVIII (rFVIII, Advate). For control purposes, mice were treated with unmodified rVWF plus rFVIII. Citrated plasma was prepared from their blood and measured for FVIII activity with a chromogenic FVIII assay.