Purification of humanized monoclonal antibody by hydrophobic interaction membrane chromatography

Humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) hold significant promise as biopharmaceuticals. One of the main challenges faced in the purification of mAbs is their separation from bovine serum albumin, which is the main protein present in most mammalian cell culture media. This paper discusses the purification of humanized mAb hIgG1-CD4 from CHO cell culture media by hydrophobic interaction membrane chromatography using a stack of microporous synthetic membranes. The effects of solution conditions on mAb solubility and binding on the membrane were first studied. The separation of a simulated mixture of bovine albumin and the mAb was then carried out to examine the feasibility of mAb purification. Separation experiments carried out under optimized conditions demonstrated that this membrane-based technique could be used for mAb purification from cell culture media. High purity (97%) and recovery (in excess of 97%) were obtained.     

Evaluation of a PEG/hydroxypropyl starch aqueous two‐phase system for the separation of monoclonal antibodies from cell culture supernatant

In this study, an aqueous two‐phase system (ATPS) with PEG and hydroxypropyl starch (HPS) was used to separate monoclonal antibody (mAb) from Chinese hamster ovary cell culture supernatant. The phase diagram of the PEG/HPS ATPS was determined, and the effects of NaCl addition were investigated. The results showed that NaCl addition could lead to a shift of the binodal curve and that phase separation would occur at higher PEG and HPS concentrations. The effects of NaCl addition, pH, and the load of cell supernatant on the partitioning of mAb in a PEG/HPS ATPS were investigated. It was found that with 6% cell supernatant and 15% NaCl addition at pH 6.0, the yield of mAb in the upper phase was 96.7% with a purity of 96.0%. The back‐extraction of mAb with a PEG/phosphate ATPS were also studied, and the results showed that after the two‐step extraction with ATPSs the purity of mAb could reach 97.6 ± 0.5% with a yield of 86.8 ± 1.0%, which was comparable to the purification with Protein A chromatography. These results indicate that the two‐step extraction with PEG/HPS and PEG/phosphate ATPSs might be a promising alternative for the separation of mAb from cell culture supernatant.     

Effect of α-Ketoglutarate on Monoclonal Antibody Production of Hybridoma Cell Lines in Serum-Free and Serum-Containing Medium

Process development and optimization for increase population growth and protein productivity in mammalian cell culture have been studied for many years. In this study, the behavior of hybridoma cells was investigated using six-well micro-titer plate systems with a working volume of 4 ml. Mouse hybridoma cell lines D2 and 2C83G2 were seeded in serum-free and serum-containing media and cultured for 8 days. alpha-Ketoglutarate is an integral component of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and is produced from glutamine via glutamate. To study its effect on cell growth, metabolism, and monoclonal antibody (mAb) production, 2 mM alpha-ketoglutarate (pH 7.2) was added in both media at the beginning of the cultivation and in another set after 72 h. High cell density was observed in D2 cell culturing in serum-free medium, while 2C83G2 cell line showed high cell density in serum-containing medium. However, both cell lines cultured in serum-free medium gave viability above 70% when grown for 8 days. The supplement of 2 mM alpha-ketoglutarate supported cell growth and mAb production of both hybridoma cell lines in serum-free and serum-containing medium. The addition of alpha-ketoglutarate at the beginning of the batch cultivation gave better result in cell growth and mAb production as compared to alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation after 72 h. However, addition after 72 h was better than no addition at all. This indicates that alpha-ketoglutarate have a positive effect on production and release of antibody.     

The complex role of the triphenylmethyl motif in anticancer compounds

Compounds incorporating the triphenylmethyl motif constitute an emerging family of potent anticancer agents. Although several small molecules containing this pharmacophore have now been identified, the mechanism of cell death induction for some of these compounds is unknown. In an effort to define their mechanism of action, and to distinguish subtypes within the group of compounds containing the triphenylmethyl moiety, we have created novel triphenylmethyl-containing small molecules and have evaluated them in a battery of biological assays. Here we show that several phosphonate and phosphonochloridates possessing the triphenylmethyl motif potently induce death of multiple cancer cell lines in culture. Further assays evaluating the ability to cause cell cycle arrest, inhibit tubulin polymerization, dissociate mitochondrial-bound hexokinase in cancer cells, and inhibit calcium-dependent potassium ion channels indicate that triphenylmethyl-containing compounds can be placed into at least four distinct categories, each with a different mechanism of action.     

LC-HRMS-based targeted metabolomics for high-throughput and quantitative analysis of 21 growth inhibition-related metabolites in Chinese hamster ovary cell fed-batch cultures

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells have been widely used in the biopharmaceutical industry for production of therapeutic proteins. CHO cells in fed-batch cultures produce various amino acid–derived intermediate metabolites. These small molecule metabolic byproducts have proven to be critical to cell growth, culture performance, and, more interestingly, antibody drug productivity. Herein, we developed an LC-HRMS-based targeted metabolomics approach for comprehensive quantification of total 21 growth inhibition-related metabolites generated from 14 different amino acids in CHO cell fed-batch cultures. High throughput derivatization procedures, matrix-matched calibration curves, stable isotope-labeled internal standards, and accurate mass full MS scan were utilized to achieve our goal for a wide range of metabolite screening as well as validity and reliability of metabolite quantification. We further present a novel analytical strategy for extending the assay's dynamic range by utilizing naturally occurring isotope M + 1 ion as a quantification analog in the circumstances where the principal M ion is beyond its calibration range. The integrated method was qualified for selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, isotope analysis, and other analytical aspects to demonstrate assay robustness. We then applied this metabolomics approach to characterize metabolites of interest in a CHO cell-based monoclonal antibody (mAb) production process with fed-batch bioreactor culture mode. Absolute quantification combined with multivariate statistical analysis illustrated that our target analytes derived from amino acids, especially from branched-chain amino acids, closely correlated with cell viability and significantly differentiated cellular stages in production process.     

Advances and Drawbacks of the Adaptation to Serum-Free Culture of CHO-K1 Cells for Monoclonal Antibody Production

Currently, mammalian cell technology has become the focus of biopharmaceutical production, with strict regulatory scrutiny of the techniques employed. Major concerns about the presence of animal-derived components in the culture media led to the development of serum-free (SF) culture processes. However, cell adaptation to SF conditions is still a major challenge and limiting step of process development. Thus, this study aims to assess the impact of SF adaptation on monoclonal antibody (mAb) production, identify the most critical steps of cell adaptation to the SF EX-CELL medium, and create basic process guidelines. The success of SF adaptation was dependent on critical steps that included accentuated cell sensitivity to common culture procedures (centrifugation, trypsinization), initial cell concentration, time given at each step of serum reduction, and, most importantly, medium supplements used to support adaptation. Indeed, only one of the five supplement combinations assessed (rhinsulin, ammonium metavanadate, nickel chloride, and stannous chloride) succeeded for the Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cell line used. This work also revealed that the chemically defined EX-CELL medium benefits mAb production in comparison with the general purpose Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium, but the complete removal of serum attenuates these positive effects.     

Design, synthesis and cytotoxicity of novel podophyllotoxin derivatives

A series of novel podophyllotoxin derivatives were designed using association strategy and synthesized by coupling either podophyllotoxin (1) or 4beta-amino podophyllotoxin (3) with substituted indol-3-yl-glyoxyl chlorides. Their structures were identified using spectroscopic techniques. These novel derivatives have been evaluated for cytotoxicity in vitro against four human cancer cell lines with comparison to the parent compounds 1, 3 and indibulin (2). Some of the compounds (7a, 7c) showed comparable cytotoxicity to that of podophyllotoxin.     

Synthesis,cytotoxicity, topoisomerase I inhibition and molecular docking of novel phosphoramide mustard sophoridinic acid analogues

A series of novel phosphoramide mustard sophoridinic acid analogues, consisting of nitrogen mustard group and sophoridinic acid scaffold, have been designed, synthesized and evaluated for their topoisomerase inhibitory activity as well as cytotoxicity against six tumor cell lines (SMMC‐7721, LoVo, MCF‐7, K562, S180 and H22) and a normal cell line (L929). Among the compounds tested, five were found to be potent inhibitors and exhibited potent cytotoxicity against S180 and H22 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 1–4 μM. Further mechanistic studies showed that this class of compounds acted as novel topoisomerase I (Topo I) catalytic inhibitors by preventing the binding of Topo I to DNA and inhibiting the cleavage of DNA, and molecular docking studies revealed that the binding energy for these compounds was comparable to that for classic Topo I inhibitors CPT and HCPT, indicating that the compounds have an interaction with DNA and Topo I.     

Comparison of standard and new generation hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins in the monoclonal antibody purification process

Recent efforts to improve hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) for use in monoclonal antibody (mAb) purification have focused on two approaches: optimization of resin pore size to facilitate mAb mass transport, and use of novel hydrophobic charge induction (HCIC) mixed mode ligands that allow capture of mAbs under low salt conditions. We evaluated standard HIC and new generation HIC and HIC-related chromatography resins for mAb purification process efficiency and product quality both as isolated chromatography steps and in purification process trains. We find that HIC resins with optimized pore size have significantly improved binding capacity which can increase HIC purification unit operation efficiency. The HCIC Mercapto-Ethyl-Pyridine (MEP) resin, which shows a different salt impact trend and impurity resolution pattern from standard HIC resin, can not only capture mAb from crude CHO fermentation supernatant but also substantially enhance mAb purification process flow efficiency when serving as a polishing role.     

Design,synthesis,characterization,cytotoxic and structure activity relationships of novel Ru(Ⅱ) complexes

Platinum containing compounds have shown antineoplastic potential, but their clinical applications have been limited by high toxicity. Ruthenium containing complexes have long been known to be well suited for biological applications, and have long been utilized as replacements to popular platinum based-drugs. Here, we report a novel series of ruthenium(II) arene compounds bearing thiosemicarbazone and isonicotinylhydrazone ligands with potent anticancer activity their structure activity relationships and apoptosis was studied. The cytotoxic activity of the new ruthenium(II) arene compounds has been evaluated in several cell lines (Molt 4/C8, L1210, CEM, HL60 and BEL7402). Among them, ten complexes were found to be excellent in vitro growth inhibitory activity against various cell lines with IC50 in the sub-micromolar range.     

Halichoblelides B and C,potent cytotoxic macrolides from a Streptomyces species separated from a marine fish

Halichoblelide B (1) and C (2), novel macrolides with potent cytotoxicity against tumor cells in culture, have been isolated from a strain of Streptomyces hygroscopicus originally derived from the marine fish Halichoeres bleekeri, and their absolute stereostructures have been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR techniques and chemical transformations. These compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel spin-labeled derivatives of podophyllotoxin as potential antineoplastic agents. Part XII

Five novel nitroxyl spin-labeled ester derivatives of podophyllotoxin (11a-11e) have been prepared and their structural information on these nitroxyl spin-labeled ester derivatives of podophyllotoxin (11a-11e) using (1)HNMR spectroscopy was efficiently obtained by application of the in situ reduction of representative nitroxyl spin-labeled ester derivative of podophyllotoxin 11e with phenylhydrazine for the preparation of N-hydroxylamine 12 in the NMR tube. These novel derivatives were further evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against five neoplastic cell lines (K562, HL-60, SPCA-1, Lewis, and L-1210) using MTT assay. Most of the target compounds (except for all these compounds against SPCA-1) exhibited more pronounced cytotoxicity against several neoplastic cell lines than that of the prototypical inhibitor etoposide.     

Synthesis of Novel 2-(Pyridin-2-yl) Pyrimidine Derivatives and Study of Their Anti-Fibrosis Activity

A pyrimidine moiety exhibiting a wide range of pharmacological activities has been employed in the design of privileged structures in medicinal chemistry. To prepare libraries of novel heterocyclic compounds with potential biological activities, a series of novel 2-(pyridin-2-yl) pyrimidine derivatives were designed, synthesized and their biological activities were evaluated against immortalized rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6). Fourteen compounds were found to present better anti-fibrotic activities than Pirfenidone and Bipy55′DC. Among them, compounds ethyl 6-(5-(p-tolylcarbamoyl)pyrimidin-2-yl)nicotinate (12m) and ethyl 6-(5-((3,4-difluorophenyl)carbamoyl)pyrimidin-2-yl)nicotinate (12q) show the best activities with IC₅₀ values of 45.69 μM and 45.81 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the study of anti-fibrosis activity was evaluated by Picro-Sirius red staining, hydroxyproline assay and ELISA detection of Collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) protein expression. Our study showed that compounds 12m and 12q effectively inhibited the expression of collagen, and the content of hydroxyproline in cell culture medium in vitro, indicating that compounds 12m and 12q might be developed the novel anti-fibrotic drugs.     

Chemical syntheses of the cochliomycins and certain related resorcylic acid lactones

The cochliomycins (7–12) are a group of six resorcylic acid lactones that have recently been isolated from culture broths of marine fungi found in the South China Sea. These natural products have attracted attention as synthetic targets because of (in certain instances) their novel structural features and their capacities to suppress biofouling. This short review summarizes the synthesis of these and some related compounds that have been reported to date, including those developed in the authors’ laboratories.     

Synthesis of new fluorescent nucleosides, 3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo (3,2-i) purine derivatives and their cytotoxic activities.

The novel nucleosides 3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo(3,2-i) purine (8) and their 9-substituted bromo, nitro and amino compounds (3, 6 and 11) have been prepared from a fully protected 3-beta-D-ribofuranosyl(3,2-i)purine-9-carboxyamide 1 by bromodeamidation (ipso bromination). Compounds 3, 8 and 11 exhibited antileukemic activity against mouse leukemia L5178Y cells in culture, while the 9-substituted nitro, ester and amide compounds (6, 12 and 13) showed no cytotoxicity.     

Application of Fragment‐Based Screening to the Design of Inhibitors of Escherichia coli DsbA

The thiol‐disulfide oxidoreductase enzyme DsbA catalyzes the formation of disulfide bonds in the periplasm of Gram‐negative bacteria. DsbA substrates include proteins involved in bacterial virulence. In the absence of DsbA, many of these proteins do not fold correctly, which renders the bacteria avirulent. Thus DsbA is a critical mediator of virulence and inhibitors may act as antivirulence agents. Biophysical screening has been employed to identify fragments that bind to DsbA from Escherichia coli. Elaboration of one of these fragments produced compounds that inhibit DsbA activity in vitro. In cell‐based assays, the compounds inhibit bacterial motility, but have no effect on growth in liquid culture, which is consistent with selective inhibition of DsbA. Crystal structures of inhibitors bound to DsbA indicate that they bind adjacent to the active site. Together, the data suggest that DsbA may be amenable to the development of novel antibacterial compounds that act by inhibiting bacterial virulence.     

Synthesis and In Vitro Biological Evaluation of Psoralen‐Linked Fullerenes

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a widely used medicinal treatment for the cancer therapy that utilizes the combination of a photosensitizer (PS) and light irradiation. In this study, we synthesized two novel C₆₀ fullerene derivatives, compounds 1 and 2 , with a psoralen moiety that can covalently bind to DNA molecules via cross‐linking to pyrimidine under photoirradiation. Along with several fullerene derivatives, the biological properties of several novel compounds have been evaluated. Compounds 1 and 2 , which have been shown to induce the production of hydroxyl radicals using several ROS detecting reagents, induced DNA strand breaks with relatively weak activities in the in vitro detection system using a supercoiled plasmid. However, the psoralen‐bound fullerene with carboxyl groups ( 2 ) only showed genotoxicity in the genotoxicity assay system of the umu test. Compound 2 was also seen to have cytotoxic activities in several cancer cell lines at higher doses compared to water‐soluble fullerenes.     

Design of self-assembling surfactant-like peptides and their applications

A surfactant is briefly defined as a material that can greatly reduce the surface tension of water when used in very low concentrations. Surfactants are usually organic compounds that are amphiphilic, containing both hydrophobic groups and hydrophilic groups. Therefore, they are soluble in both organic solvents and water. Many surfactants can also assemble in the bulk solution into aggregates such as vesicles and micelles. Self-assembling peptides are a novel category of designer peptides that can undergo spontaneous organization into well-ordered nanostructures with the great potentials in nanotechnology, nanomedicine including 3-dimensional (3-D) cell culture, drug delivery, wound repair, and so on. In this review, we introduce a family of designer surfactant-like peptides: the self-assembling peptides which have been derived by mimicking the structure of traditional surfactants.     

Povarov reactions of exo-glycals: preparation of C-linked, quinoline analogues

A one-pot approach based upon the Povarov reaction has been efficiently employed with a number of exo-glycals and para-substituted benzanilines to synthesize novel open-ring, carbohydrate-derived quinolines. The mechanism of this reaction was studied and an explanation for the observed stereoselectivity is proposed. Treatment of the compounds with the Lewis acid, boron trichloride, successfully removes the benzyl ether protecting groups in good yields. Several of the prepared compounds have been screened in the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s) 60 cell line model. Moderate activity was observed for several leukemia cell lines.     

Conversion of a murine monoclonal antibody A13 targeting epidermal growth factor receptor to a human monoclonal antibody by guided selection

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an attractive target for tumor therapy because it is overexpressed in the majority of solid tumors and the increase in receptor expression levels has been linked with a poor clinical prognosis. Also it is well established that blocking the interaction of EGFR and the growth factors could lead to the arrest of tumor growth and possibly result in tumor cell death. A13 is a murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) that specifically binds to various sets of EGFR-expressing tumor cells and inhibits EGF-induced EGFR phosphorylation. We isolated human immunoglobulin genes by guided selection based on the mAb A13. Four different human single chain Fvs (scFvs) were isolated from from hybrid scFv libraries containing a human VH repertoire with the VL of mAb A13 and a human VL repertoire with the VH of mAb A13. All the 4 scFvs bound to EGFR-expressing A431 cells. One scFv (SC414) with the highest affinity was converted to IgG1 (ER414). The ER414 exhibited ～17 fold lower affinity compared to the A13 mAb. In addition the ER414 inhibited an EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR with much lower efficacy compared to the A13 mAb and Cetuximab (Merck KgaA, Germany). We identified that the epitope of A13 mAb is retained in ER414. This approach will provide an efficient way of converting a murine mAb to a human mAb.