Keith Fadgen

Analysis of host-cell proteins in biotherapeutic proteins by comprehensive online two-dimensional liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Assays for identification and quantification of host-cell proteins (HCPs) in biotherapeutic proteins over 5 orders of magnitude in concentration are presented. The HCP assays consist of two types: HCP identification using comprehensive online two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (2D-LC/MS), followed by high-throughput HCP quantification by liquid chromatography, multiple reaction monitoring (LC-MRM). The former is described as a “discovery” assay, the latter as a “monitoring” assay. Purified biotherapeutic proteins (e.g., monoclonal antibodies) were digested with trypsin after reduction and alkylation, and the digests were fractionated using reversed-phase (RP) chromatography at high pH (pH 10) by a step gradient in the first dimension, followed by a high-resolution separation at low pH (pH 2.5) in the second dimension. As peptides eluted from the second dimension, a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer was used to detect the peptides and their fragments simultaneously by alternating the collision cell energy between a low and an elevated energy (MSE methodology). The MSE data was used to identify and quantify the proteins in the mixture using a proven label-free quantification technique (“Hi3” method). The same data set was mined to subsequently develop target peptides and transitions for monitoring the concentration of selected HCPs on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in a high-throughput manner (20 min LC-MRM analysis). This analytical methodology was applied to the identification and quantification of low-abundance HCPs in six samples of PTG1, a recombinant chimeric anti-phosphotyrosine monoclonal antibody (mAb). Thirty three HCPs were identified in total from the PTG1 samples among which 21 HCP isoforms were selected for MRM monitoring. The absolute quantification of three selected HCPs was undertaken on two different LC-MRM platforms after spiking isotopically labeled peptides in the samples. Finally, the MRM quantitation results were compared with TOF-based quantification based on the Hi3 peptides, and the TOF and MRM data sets correlated reasonably well. The results show that the assays provide detailed valuable information to understand the relative contributions of purification schemes to the nature and concentrations of HCP impurities in biopharmaceutical samples, and the assays can be used as generic methods for HCP analysis in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Subzero Celsius separations in three-zone temperature controlled hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry.

Hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX MS) reports on the conformational landscape of proteins by monitoring the exchange between backbone amide hydrogen atoms and deuterium in the solvent. To maintain the label for analysis, quench conditions of low temperature and pH are required during the chromatography step performed after protease digestion but before mass spectrometry. Separation at 0°C is often chosen as this is the temperature where the most deuterium can be recovered without freezing of the typical water and acetonitrile mobile phases. Several recent reports of separations at subzero Celsius emphasize the promise for retaining more deuterium and using a much longer chromatographic gradient or direct infusion time. Here we present the construction and validation of a modified Waters nanoACQUITY HDX manager with a third temperature-controlled zone for peptide separations at subzero temperatures. A new Peltier-cooled door replaces the door of a traditional main cooling chamber and the separations and trapping column are routed through the door housing. To prevent freezing, 35% methanol is introduced post online digestion. No new pumps are required and online digestion is performed as in the past. Subzero separations, using conventional HPLC column geometry of 3μ m particles in a 1×50mm column, did not result in major changes to chromatographic efficiency when lowering the temperature from 0 to -20°C. There were significant increases in deuterium recovery for both model peptides and biologically relevant protein systems. Given the higher levels of deuterium recovery, expanded gradient programs can be used to allow for higher chromatographic peak capacity and therefore the analysis of larger and more complex proteins and systems.