Steven J. Shire

Identification of multiple sources of charge heterogeneity in a recombinant antibody.

Seven forms of a therapeutic recombinant antibody that binds to the her2/neu gene product were resolved by cation-exchange chromatography. Structural differences were assigned by peptide mapping and HIC after papain digestion. Deamidation of light chain asparagine 30 to aspartate in one or both light chains is responsible for two acidic forms. A low potency form is due to isomerization of heavy chain aspartate 102; the Asp102 succinimide is also present in a basic peak fraction. Forms with both Asn30 deamidation and Asp102 isomerization modifications were isolated. Deamidation of heavy chain Asn55 to isoaspartate was also detected. Isoelectric focusing in a polyacrylamide gel was used to verify the assignments. All modifications were found in complementarity determining regions.

Protein Inhalation Powders: Spray Drying vs Spray Freeze Drying

AbstractPurpose. To develop a new technique, spray freeze drying, for preparing protein aerosol powders. Also, to compare the spray freeze-dried powders with spray-dried powders in terms of physical properties and aerosol performance. Methods. Protein powders were characterized using particle size analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffractometry, and specific surface area measurement. Aerosol performance of the powders was evaluated after blending with lactose carriers using a multi-stage liquid impinger or an Anderson cascade impactor. Two recombinant therapeutic proteins currently used for treating respiratory tract-related diseases, deoxyribonuclase (rhDNase) and anti-IgE monoclonal antibody (anti-IgE MAb), were employed and formulated with different carbohydrate excipients. Results. Through the same atomization but the different drying process, spray drying (SD) produced small (∼3 μm), dense particles, but SFD resulted in large (∼8−10 μm), porous particles. The fine particle fraction (FPF) of the spray freeze-dried powder was significantly better than that of the spray-dried powder, attributed to better aerodynamic properties. Powders collected from different stages of the cascade impactor were characterized, which confirmed the concept of aerodynamic particle size. Protein formulation played a major role in affecting the powders aerosol performance, especially for the carbohydrate excipient of a high crystallization tendency. Conclusions. Spray freeze drying, as opposed to spray drying, produced protein particles with light and porous characteristics, which offered powders with superior aerosol performance due to favorable aerodynamic properties.

The Effect of Formulation Excipients on Protein Stability and Aerosol Performance of Spray-Dried Powders of a Recombinant Humanized Anti-IgE Monoclonal Antibody1

AbstractPurpose. To study the effect of trehalose, lactose, and mannitol on the biochemical stability and aerosol performance of spray-dried powders of an anti-IgE humanized monoclonal antibody. Methods. Protein aggregation of spray-dried powders stored at various temperature and relative humidity conditions was assayed by size exclusion chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Protein glycation was determined by isoelectric focusing and affinity chromatography. Crystallization was examined by X-ray powder diffraction. Aerosol performance was assessed as the fine particle fraction (FPF) of the powders blended with coarse carrier lactose, and was determined using a multiple stage liquid impinger. Results. Soluble protein aggregation consisting of non-covalent and disulfide-linked covalent dimers and trimers occurred during storage. Aggregate was minimized by formulation with trehalose at or above a molar ratio in the range of 300:1 to 500:1 (excipient:protein). However, the powders were excessively cohesive and unsuitable for aerosol administration. Lactose had a similar stabilizing effect, and the powders exhibited acceptable aerosol performance, but protein glycation was observed during storage. The addition of mannitol also reduced aggregation, while maintaining the FPF, but only up to a molar ratio of 200:1. Further increased mannitol resulted in crystallization, which had a detrimental effect on protein stability and aerosol performance. Conclusions. Protein stability was improved by formulation with carbohydrate. However, a balance must be achieved between the addition of enough stabilizer to improve protein biochemical stability without compromising blended powder aerosol performance.

pH-dependent processes in proteins.

Recent improvements in the understanding of electrostatic interactions in proteins serve as a focus for the general topic of pH-dependent processes in proteins. The general importance of pH-dependent processes is first set out in terms of hydrogen ion equilibria, stability, ligand interactions, assembly, dynamics, and events in related molecular systems. The development of various theoretical treatments includes various formalisms in addition to the solvent interface model developed by Shire et al. as an extension of the Tanford-Kirkwood treatment. A number of detailed applications of the model are presented and future potentialities are sketched.

A critical review of analytical ultracentrifugation and field flow fractionation methods for measuring protein aggregation

Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) and field flow fractionation (FFF) are 2 important biophysical methods for measuring protein aggregates. Both methods can separate protein monomer from its aggregate forms under a broad range of solution conditions. Recent advances in instrumentation and data analysis, particularly in the field of analytical ultracentrifugation technology, have significantly improved the capability and sensitivity of these biophysical methods for detecting protein aggregates. These advances have resulted in an increased use of these methods in the biopharmaceutical industry for characterization of therapeutic proteins. However, despite their many advantages over conventional methods, the difficulty in the use of the instrumentation and the complexity of data analysis process, have often hampered the widespread use and proper interpretation of data. This article reviews the recent progress in both technologies, and a few case studies are also presented to discuss their advantages and limitations.

Effect of moisture on the stability of a lyophilized humanized monoclonal antibody formulation

AbstractPurpose. To determine the effect of moisture and the role of the glass transition temperature (Tg) on the stability of a high concentration, lyophilized, monoclonal antibody. Methods. A humanized monoclonal antibody was lyophilized in a sucrose/histidine/polysorbate 20 formulation. Residual moistures were from 1 to 8%. Tg values were measured by modulated DSC. Vials were stored at temperatures from 5 to 50°C for 6 or 12 months. Aggregation was monitored by size exclusion chromatography and Asp isomerization by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Changes in secondary structure were monitored by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Results. Tg values varied from 80°C at 1% moisture to 25°C at 8% moisture. There was no cake collapse and were no differences in the secondary structure by FTIR. All formulations were stable at 5°C. High moisture cakes had higher aggregation rates than drier samples if stored above their Tg values. Intermediate moisture vials were more stable to aggregation than dry vials. High moisture samples had increased rates of Asp isomerization at elevated temperatures both above and below their Tg values. Chemical and physical degradation pathways followed Arrhenius kinetics during storage in the glassy state. Only Asp isomerization followed the Arrhenius model above the Tg value. Both chemical and physical stability at T ≤ Tg were fitted to Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) kinetics. The WLF constants were dependent on the nature of the degradation system and were not characteristic of the solid system. Conclusion. High moisture levels decreased chemical stability of the formulation regardless of whether the protein was in a glassy or rubbery state. In contrast, physical stability was not compromised, and may even be enhanced, by increasing residual moisture if storage is below the Tg value.

Weak Interactions Govern the Viscosity of Concentrated Antibody Solutions: High-Throughput Analysis Using the Diffusion Interaction Parameter

Weak protein-protein interactions are thought to modulate the viscoelastic properties of concentrated antibody solutions. Predicting the viscoelastic behavior of concentrated antibodies from their dilute solution behavior is of significant interest and remains a challenge. Here, we show that the diffusion interaction parameter (k(D)), a component of the osmotic second virial coefficient (B(2)) that is amenable to high-throughput measurement in dilute solutions, correlates well with the viscosity of concentrated monoclonal antibody (mAb) solutions. We measured the k(D) of 29 different mAbs (IgG(1) and IgG(4)) in four different solvent conditions (low and high ion normality) and found a linear dependence between k(D) and the exponential coefficient that describes the viscosity concentration profiles (|R| ≥ 0.9). Through experimentally measured effective charge measurements, under low ion normality where the electroviscous effect can dominate, we show that the mAb solution viscosity is poorly correlated with the mAb net charge (|R| ≤ 0.6). With this large data set, our results provide compelling evidence in support of weak intermolecular interactions, in contrast to the notion that the electroviscous effect is important in governing the viscoelastic behavior of concentrated mAb solutions. Our approach is particularly applicable as a screening tool for selecting mAbs with desirable viscosity properties early during lead candidate selection.

Mechanisms of aggregate formation and carbohydrate excipient stabilization of lyophilized humanized monoclonal antibody formulations.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms of aggregate formation and excipient stabilization in freeze-dried formulations of a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody. Protein degradation was measured using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE) and native size exclusion chromatography, and protein structure was studied using Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry and circular dichroism. The results showed that protein aggregates present following reconstitution were composed of native antibody structure and a reduced amount of free thiol when compared to protein monomer, which implied that intermolecular disulfides were involved in the aggregation mechanism. An excipient-free formulation resulted in reversible solid-state protein structural alteration and increased aggregation during storage. This correlated with dehydration to an extent that the amount of water was less than the estimated number of surface-accessible hydrogen-bonding sites on the protein. Improved native-like solid-state protein structure and reduced aggregation were obtained by formulation with enough carbohydrate to fulfill the hydrogen-bonding sites on the surface of the protein. Carbohydrate in excess of this concentration has less of an influence on protein aggregation. Reduced aggregation during storage was obtained by the addition of sufficient excipient to both stabilized solid-state protein structure and provide an environment that consisted of an amorphous glassy state matrix.

Effect of Spray Drying and Subsequent Processing Conditions on Residual Moisture Content and Physical/Biochemical Stability of Protein Inhalation Powders

AbstractPurpose. To understand the effect of spray drying and powder processing environments on the residual moisture content and aerosol performance of inhalation protein powders. Also, the long-term effect of storage conditions on the powders physical and biochemical stability was presented. Methods. Excipient-free as well as mannitol-formulated powders of a humanized monoclonal antibody (anti-IgE) and recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase) were prepared using a Buchi 190 model spray dryer. Residual moisture content and moisture uptake behavior of the powder were measured using thermal gravimetric analysis and gravimetric moisture sorption isotherm, respectively. Protein aggregation, the primary degradation product observed upon storage, was determined by size-exclusion HPLC. Aerosol performance of the dry powders was evaluated after blending with lactose carriers using a multi-stage liquid impinger (MSLI). Results. Spray-dried powders with a moisture level (~ 3%) equivalent to the freeze-dried materials could only be achieved using high-temperature spray-drying conditions, which were not favorable to large-male manufacturing, or subsequent vacuum drying. These dry powders would equilibrate with the subsequent processing and storage environments regardless of the manufacturing condition. As long as the relative humidity of air during processing and storage was lower than 50%, powders maintained their aerosol performance (fine particle fraction). However, powders stored under drier conditions exhibited better long-term protein biochemical stability. Conclusions. Manufacturing, powder processing, and storage environments affected powders residual moisture level in a reversible fashion. Therefore, the storage condition determined powders overall stability, but residual moisture had a greater impact on protein chemical stability than on powder physical stability.

The influence of charge distribution on self-association and viscosity behavior of monoclonal antibody solutions.

The present work investigates the influence of electrostatic surface potential distribution of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) on intermolecular interactions and viscosity. Electrostatic models suggest MAb-1 has a less uniform surface charge distribution than MAb-2. The patches of positive and negative potential on MAb-1 are predicted to favor intermolecular attraction, even in the presence of a small net positive charge. Consistent with this expectation, MAb-1 exhibits a negative second virial coefficient (B₂₂), an increase in static structure factor, S((q→0)), and a decrease in hydrodynamic interaction parameter, H((q→0)), with increase in MAb-1 concentration. Conversely, MAb-2 did not show such heterogeneous charge distribution as MAb-1 and hence favors intermolecular repulsion (positive B₂₂), lower static structure factor, S((q→0)), and repulsion induced increase in momentum transfer, H((q→0)), to result in lower viscosity of MAb-2. Charge swap mutants of MAb-1, M-5 and M-7, showed a decrease in charge asymmetry and concomitantly a loss in self-associating behavior and lower viscosity than MAb-1. However, replacement of charge residues in the sequence of MAb-2, M-10, did not invoke charge distribution to the same extent as MAb-1 and hence exhibited a similar viscosity and self-association profile as MAb-2.