Methods for characterizing protein complexes
11754569 · 2023-09-12
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
G01N33/6845
PHYSICS
International classification
Abstract
Methods for characterizing protein complexes formed between protein drug products and soluble ligands are provided herein. The disclosed methods can determine the size, heterogeneity, and conformation of protein complexes.
Claims
1. A method for assessing the stoichiometry and size distribution of heterogeneous protein complexes in a sample, wherein the method comprises the steps of: fractionating the sample by asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (A4F) using a perpendicularly-opposed cross-flow separation field that has a linear gradient cross flow, wherein the sample is eluted with a linear gradient cross flow from 3.0 mL/min to 0 mL/min; determining the molar mass, stoichiometry, and size distribution of the heterogeneous protein complexes in the sample using Multi-Angle Laser Light Scattering (MALLS), wherein the heterogeneous protein complexes comprise heterogeneous protein:ligand complexes comprising more than one protein bound to the ligand; and identifying the stoichiometry and size distribution of the heterogeneous protein:ligand complexes, wherein the protein in the heterogeneous protein ligand complexes is a monoclonal antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ligand is a soluble ligand.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the monoclonal antibody is a bispecific antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the monoclonal antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof in the heterogeneous protein:ligand complexes is the same type of antibody.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the heterogeneous protein:ligand complex is an antibody:ligand complex having a monoclonal antibody to ligand molar ratio of 2:1.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the heterogeneous antibody ligand complex has a molecular weight of 700 kDa to 8000 kDa.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the heterogeneous antibody:ligand complex has a molecular weight of 500 kDa to 4000 kDa.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the A4F is performed with a channel with a W350 spacer foil having a thickness of 350 μm and a width of 2.2 cm.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the A4F is performed with a channel with a W490 spacer foil having a thickness of 490 μm and a width of 2.2 cm.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fractionating step comprises (i) injection of the sample into the sample inlet port of the A4F channel and (ii) then focus of the sample by allowing the carrier fluid to flow into the channel from an inlet port and an outlet port.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein smaller protein:ligand complexes will elute before larger protein:ligand complexes.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fractionating step comprises (i) injection of the sample into the sample inlet port of the A4F channel and (ii) then focus of the sample by allowing the carrier fluid to flow into the channel from an inlet port and an outlet port.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein smaller protein:ligand complexes will elute before larger antibody:ligand complexes.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is eluted with a channel flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is eluted with a linear gradient cross flow from 1.2 mL/min to 0 mL/min.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is eluted with a linear gradient cross flow from 1.2 mL/min to 0 mL/min over 20 minutes.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is eluted with a linear gradient cross flow from 2.0 mL/min to 0 mL/min.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is eluted with a linear gradient cross flow from 2.0 mL/min to 0 mL/min over 45 minutes.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is eluted with a linear gradient cross flow from 3.0 mL/min to 0 mL/min over 25 minutes.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is eluted with a linear gradient cross flow from 3.0 mL/min to 0 mL/min over 45 minutes.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
I. Definitions
(17) It should be appreciated that this disclosure is not limited to the compositions and methods described herein as well as the experimental conditions described, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing certain embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.
(18) Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any compositions, methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. All publications mentioned are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
(19) The use of the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar referents in the context of describing the presently claimed invention (especially in the context of the claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.
(20) Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
(21) Use of the term “about” is intended to describe values either above or below the stated value in a range of approx. +/−10%; in other embodiments the values may range in value either above or below the stated value in a range of approx. +/−5%; in other embodiments the values may range in value either above or below the stated value in a range of approx. +/−2%; in other embodiments the values may range in value either above or below the stated value in a range of approx. +/−1%. The preceding ranges are intended to be made clear by context, and no further limitation is implied. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
(22) “Protein” refers to a molecule comprising two or more amino acid residues joined to each other by a peptide bond. Protein includes polypeptides and peptides and may also include modifications such as glycosylation, lipid attachment, sulfation, gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid residues, alkylation, hydroxylation and ADP-ribosylation. Proteins can be of scientific or commercial interest, including protein-based drugs, and proteins include, among other things, enzymes, ligands, receptors, antibodies and chimeric or fusion proteins. Proteins are produced by various types of recombinant cells using well-known cell culture methods, and are generally introduced into the cell by genetic engineering techniques (e.g., such as a sequence encoding a chimeric protein, or a codon-optimized sequence, an intronless sequence, etc.) where it may reside as an episome or be intergrated into the genome of the cell.
(23) “Antibody” refers to an immunoglobulin molecule consisting of four polypeptide chains, two heavy (H) chains and two light (L) chains inter-connected by disulfide bonds. Each heavy chain has a heavy chain variable region (HCVR or VH) and a heavy chain constant region. The heavy chain constant region contains three domains, CH1, CH2 and CH3. Each light chain has a light chain variable region and a light chain constant region. The light chain constant region consists of one domain (CL). The VH and VL regions can be further subdivided into regions of hypervariability, termed complementarity determining regions (CDR), interspersed with regions that are more conserved, termed framework regions (FR). Each VH and VL is composed of three CDRs and four FRs, arranged from amino-terminus to carboxy-terminus in the following order: FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, FR4. The term “antibody” includes reference to both glycosylated and non-glycosylated immunoglobulins of any isotype or subclass. The term “antibody” includes antibody molecules prepared, expressed, created or isolated by recombinant means, such as antibodies isolated from a host cell transfected to express the antibody. The term antibody also includes bispecific antibody, which includes a heterotetrameric immunoglobulin that can bind to more than one different epitope. Bispecific antibodies are generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,586,713, which is incorporated by reference into this application.
(24) “Fc fusion proteins” comprise part or all of two or more proteins, one of which is an Fc portion of an immunoglobulin molecule, which are not otherwise found together in nature. Preparation of fusion proteins comprising certain heterologous polypeptides fused to various portions of antibody-derived polypeptides (including the Fc domain) has been described, e.g., by Ashkenazi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. ScL USA 88: 10535, 1991; Byrn et al., Nature 344:677, 1990; and Hollenbaugh et al., “Construction of Immunoglobulin Fusion Proteins”, in Current Protocols in Immunology, Suppl. 4, pages 10.19.1-10.19.11, 1992. “Receptor Fc fusion proteins” comprise one or more extracellular domain(s) of a receptor coupled to an Fc moiety, which in some embodiments comprises a hinge region followed by a CH2 and CH3 domain of an immunoglobulin. In some embodiments, the Fe-fusion protein comprises two or more distinct receptor chains that bind to a one or more ligand(s). For example, an Fc-fasion protein is a trap, such as for example an IL-1 trap or VEGF trap.
(25) As used herein, “soluble ligand” refers to polar or charged ligands that cannot readily cross the plasma membrane of a cell. Most soluble ligands bind to the extracellular domains of cell-surface receptors.
(26) “A4F” represents asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation which is a fractionating technique in which separation of analytes is achieved through the interaction of the sample with an external, perpendicular physical field.
(27) Multi angle light scattering (MALS) describes a technique for measuring the light scattered by a sample into a plurality of angles. It is used for determining both the absolute molar mass and the average size of molecules in solution, by detecting how they scatter light. Collimated light from a laser source is most often used, in which case the technique can be referred to as multi angle laser light scattering (MALLS). In practice the terms MALS and MALLS are used interchangeably.
(28) As used herein, “Brownian motion” refers to the continuous motion of particles suspended in liquid.
II. Methods For Characterizing Protein Complexes
(29) Monoclonal antibody combination therapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for diseases such as cancer and inflammatory conditions in which multiple signaling pathways are involved. In addition, administration of more than one monoclonal antibody targeting the same pathway could be beneficial to completely block pathways involved in the pathogenesis of diseases when monotherapy alone does not fully inhibit the pathway. However, binding of therapeutic mAbs to soluble, multimeric targets can lead to the formation of large heterogeneous complexes. The size, shape, and conformation of a protein complex can affect immunogenicity and antibody clearance time, among other factors. Analysis of protein complexes is important to provide insight into the pharmacokinetics of a mAb during drug development.
(30) Therefore, methods and systems for characterizing protein complexes are provided. One embodiment provides a method for assessing the stoichiometry and size distribution of heterogeneous protein drug product ligand complexes in a sample by fractionating the sample using asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation and determining the molar mass, stoichiometry, and size distribution of heterogeneous protein complexes in the sample using multi-angle laser light scattering. The protein complexes typically are comprised of a protein that specifically binds to a protein of interest also referred to as a target or ligand. In one embodiment the protein that specifically binds to the target is an antibody or fusion protein.
(31) When an antibody or fusion protein is combined with its target or ligand in vivo or in vitro, a heterogeneous mixture of antibody:ligand or fusion protein:ligand can form. In one embodiment, binding of therapeutic proteins such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or fusion proteins to soluble, multimeric targets lead to large heterogeneous complexes or large heteromeric complexes. For example, the large protein complexes can be characterized as a protein complex with a protein:ligand ratio selected from the group consisting of 3:2, 2:3, 4:4, 6:6, or [2:2].sub.n. Large heterogeneous complexes refer to complexes formed between multiple multimeric ligand molecules and multiple protein drug product molecules. The term large heteromeric complex refers to ligand bound by two different protein drug products, for example two different antibodies, two different fusion proteins, or an antibody and a fusion protein binding the same ligand at different sites.
(32) Another embodiment provides a method of identifying protein drug products that form large heterogeneous complexes with soluble targets in vivo, in vitro, or both. The method includes preparing a sample containing a protein drug product and its soluble ligand to produce protein drug product:ligand complexes, fractionating the sample to separate the protein drug product:ligand complexes and analyzing the fractionated protein drug product:ligand complexes by multi-angle laser light scattering to determine the size and heterogeneity of protein complexes. In one embodiment, the protein sample is fractionated using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation.
(33) Further details of the disclosed methods and systems are provided below.
(34) A. System for Characterizing Protein Complexes
(35) In one embodiment, the system includes an asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (A4F) system and a multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) system. An example of a commercially available A4F system is an Eclipse™ 3+ A4F Separation System. An example of a commercially available MALLS system is the Wyatt Technology Dawn HELEOS® II laser light scattering instrument. The system typically includes a UV/VIS detector and/or a refractive index detector. An exemplary commercially available UV/VIS detector is Agilent 1260 infinity UV detector. An exemplary commercially available refractive index detector is Optilab® T-rEX refractive index detector. In one embodiment the A4F system includes an A4F short channel fitted with a 350 W spacer and a 4 kDa MWCO NADIR® hydrophilic PES (PESH) membrane. In another embodiment, the A4F short channel is fitted with a 490 W spacer and a 10 kDa MWCO Nadir® regenerated cellulose membrane. Exemplary mobile phases include 10 mM phosphate and 500 mM NaCl at pH 7.0. However, an advantage of A4F over column chromatography separation is that there are no limitations on the type of mobile phase, or carrier fluid that can be used. In one embodiment, the samples are separated using a linear gradient over 60 minutes. In one embodiment, the channel flow and cross-flow program are specifically optimized to achieve a desired resolution on a case-by-case basis. It is to be understood that a person of skill in the art could modify and optimize the elution profile according to the resolution being required of the specific sample being separated using A4F.
(36) Typically, the sample is injected into the sample inlet port of the A4F channel. The sample is then focused by allowing the carrier fluid to flow into the channel from both the inlet and outlet ports, meeting at a point in the channel, typically near the sample inlet port, to form a focusing zone. During the focusing period, particles from the injected sample are held in this focusing zone to allow for, relaxation prior to fractionation. The final step is fractionation of the particles. As particles flow along the channel, the perpendicularly-opposed cross-flow separation field pushes the molecules towards the bottom of the channel. As they accumulate near the bottom of the channel, they undergo a counter acting diffusion hack into the channel against the cross-flow field. The extent to which the molecules can diffuse back into the channel is dictated by their natural Brownian motion, a characteristic defined by the translational diffusion coefficient, which, in turn, is related to the size and shape unique to each individual species. Generally, smaller particles have a faster diffusion coefficient than larger ones and are able to diffuse higher into the channel against the cross-flow field. The rate of laminar flow within the channel is not uniform, it travels in a parabolic pattern with the speed of the flow increasing towards the center of the channel and decreasing towards the upper and lower walls of the channel. Therefore, the rate at which particles will be carried through will depend on their position within the channel. Those with faster diffusion, located near the center of the channel, will be transported with a greater velocity. The larger particles in the shallow, slower moving stream near the bottom accumulation wall of the channel are transported with lower flow velocity and elute later than smaller particles. This results in a gentle separation of particles based on mass with the elution order of smallest to largest.
(37) As the sample is flowing through the A4F channel, the leading portion of sample exits the channel through an outlet port. The multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) detector is in fluid communication with the A4F system and receives sample from the A4F outlet port. In some embodiments, the sample first flows through a UV/VIS detector to measure sample concentration as a function of absorbance. The MALLS system focuses a beam of polarized light (or a laser) onto the sample molecule and the scattered light is detected with a photo detector.
(38) Multi angle light scattering (MALS) measures light being scattered from a sample containing molecules, particles, or protein complexes. This scattering depends on the optical configuration of the setup, and in a typical experimental realization, the light is then detected at one or several different angles. In the one-scattering-angle solution, the three most popular designs are 90 degrees (also right angle light scattering or RALS), 7 degrees (also low angle light scattering or LALS), or 173 degrees (also non-invasive back scattering or NIBS). In the multi-angle setup there are in principle those where the angles are fixed (this is most often called the MALS or MALLS setup) and those where the angles are variable (typically referred to as a light scattering goniometer or spectrometer). MALS usually refers to a system with multiple fixed angles used as part of a particle separation setup, for example A4F. The most widespread application MALS is as an absolute molar mass detector in conjunction with a concentration detector (like RI or single-wavelength UV).
(39) MALS can be used to measure: M.sub.w—weight-averaged molar mass of a protein complex; R.sub.g—average radius of protein complex; and A.sub.2—solubility of protein in solution.
(40) B. Methods of Characterizing Protein Complexes
(41) The disclosed systems and methods can be used to characterize protein complexes, for example protein drug product:ligand complexes in a sample. One embodiment provides a method for assessing the stoichiometry and size distribution of heterogeneous protein complexes in a sample by fractionating the sample by asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (A4F), and determining the molar mass, stoichiometry and size distribution of protein complexes in the sample using Multi-Angle Laser Light Scattering (MALLS), wherein the complexes comprise or consist of antibody:ligand complexes or fusion protein:ligand complexes. In some embodiments, the ligand is a soluble ligand. Typically, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. In one embodiment, the protein complex is characterized by its antibody or fusion protein to ligand ratio. In a non-limiting example, the antibody or fusion protein to ligand ratio can be selected from the group consisting of 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 2:2, 3:2, 2:3, 4:4, 6:6, or [2:2].sub.n. It is to be understood that the antibody or fusion protein to ligand ratio will be dependent on the specific antibody or fusion protein and ligand that are being tested.
(42) 1. Mixtures of Protein Complexes
(43) To determine the characteristics of protein complexes, a theoretical mass can be determined for each component of the complex. In one embodiment, each protein and ligand is the mixture is analyzed separately to determine a theoretical molar mass for each component. In one embodiment, a protein drug product and its ligand are mixed to form protein drug product:ligand complexes and the complexes are then characterized. The fractionated protein drug product:ligands are subjected to A4F-MALLS to determine molar mass of the complexes. The masses of the complexes are then compared to the theoretical molar mass of the individual components to determine the likely stoichiometric ratio of individual components present in each complex. In one embodiment, the methods can detect a 1:1 protein drug product:ligand complex In another embodiment, the methods can detect any ratio of protein drug product:ligand. In a non-limiting example, the methods can detect a protein drug product:ligand complex of 1:0, 0:1, 2:1, 1:2, 2:2, 3:2, 2:3, 4:4, 6:6, or [2:2].sub.n. It is to be understood that the antibody or fusion protein to ligand ratio will be dependent on the specific antibody or fusion protein and ligand that are being tested. In some embodiments, the complex contains multiple different protein drug products complexed with a common soluble ligand.
(44) a. Ligands
(45) The ligand in the protein drug product:ligand complex can be a monomeric or multimeric ligand. In one embodiment, the ligand is a soluble ligand. In some embodiments the soluble ligands correspond to the extracellular portions of transmembrane proteins including but not limited to transmembrane receptor proteins.
(46) Monomeric ligands contain only one protein or one protein unit. Multimeric ligands can be for example dimeric, trimeric, etc., containing multiple proteins or protein subunits. For example the ligands can be homodimer or heterodimers. In some embodiments, the multimeric ligands bind to more than one molecule of a protein drug product.
(47) In one embodiment, the large, heterogeneous protein drug product:ligand complex has a size of 500 kDa or greater. In another embodiment, the heterogeneous protein drug product:ligand complex has a size of 500-4000 kDa. In another embodiment, the large, heterogeneous protein drug product:ligand has a ratio of protein drug product:ligand of 3:2, 2:3, 4:4, or 6:6.
(48) In one embodiment, the disclosed methods are used to determine if a lead protein drug product designed to target a multimeric ligand will form large, heterogeneous protein drug product:ligand complexes.
(49) In one embodiment, the disclosed methods can be used to determine if a multimeric ligand will form complexes with more than one protein drug product or fusion protein. The complexes that can be formed include but are not limited to protein:ligand ratios of 1:0, 0:1, 2:1, 1:2, 2:2, 3:2, 2:3, 4:4, 6:6, or [2:2].sub.n.
(50) Combination of Multiple mAbs
(51) Combination therapy using multiple protein drug products to target the same pathway or the same ligand is growing in popularity. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods can be used to distinguish between different combinations of antibodies targeting the same ligand based on the stoichiometry and size distributions of protein complexes formed by the protein drug products. When two protein drug products are mixed together with a monomeric ligand, the protein drug products have the potential to form a heteromeric complex. A heteromeric complex, as defined herein, refers to two different protein drug products binding the same target molecule. In addition, each of the two arms of the same antibody have the ability to bind two ligands which can also be bound by a second antibody to form a heteromeric complex.
(52) 2. Selecting Lead Protein Drug Product
(53) Another embodiment provides a method for selecting a lead protein drug product by adding a first protein drug product to a first sample comprising a target of the first protein drug product to produce heterogeneous protein:ligand complexes and adding a second protein drug product to the a second sample containing the target to form protein:ligand complexes. The method includes separating the heterogeneous protein:ligand complexes and determining the size distribution and stoichiometry of heterogeneous protein:ligand complexes using Asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation—Multi-Angle Laser Light Scattering. The methods also include selecting the protein drug product that forms fewer heterogeneous protein:ligand complexes as the lead target protein drug. In some embodiments, the ligand is a soluble ligand. The soluble ligand can be a monomeric ligand or a multimeric ligand. Typically, the protein drug product is an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, a fusion protein, or a recombinant protein. The protein complex can be characterized as a protein complex with an antibody or fusion protein to ligand ratio selected from the group consisting of but not limited to 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 2:2, 3:2, 2:3, 4:4, 6:6, or [2:2].sub.n. Another embodiment provides a pharmaceutical composition containing the lead protein drug product selected using the method above.
(54) 3. Determining Size and Shape of Protein Complexes
(55) In one embodiment, the disclosed methods can be used to determine the size of protein complexes. A mixture of protein drug products, and optionally soluble ligands, are separated using an A4F fractionation. The size and stoichiometry of the protein complexes can then be determined using MALLS analysis. In MALLS analysis, a beam of polarized light (or a laser) is focused onto the sample molecule and the scattered light is detected with a photo detector. The scattered light is detected at various different angles simultaneously. The intensity of the scattered light at each angle is proportional to the molar mass of the complex. In one embodiment, UV/Vis spectrometry is used to determine the concentration of each protein complex.
(56) In another embodiment, the shape/conformation of a protein complex formed between different protein drug products to a common ligand can be distinguished using the disclosed methods. Differences in elution time or elution profile between complexes with the same molar mass suggest differences in shape or conformation of the protein complexes. Complexes with the same or similar molar mass but with different elution times indicate that the complex with the slower elution time has an increased hydrodynamic volume due to a difference in shape or conformation of the complex.
(57) The size and heterogeneity of the protein complexes can be used to predict the clearance of the protein drug product. In one embodiment, the larger the protein complex, the faster the protein drug product is cleared from the body.
(58) C. Proteins in the Protein Complexes
(59) In one embodiment one of the proteins in the protein complex is a protein drug product or is a protein of interest suitable for expression in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. For example, the protein in the protein complexes can be an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, a chimeric antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, an ScFv or fragment thereof, an Fe-fusion protein or fragment thereof, a growth factor or a fragment thereof, a cytokine or a fragment thereof, or an extracellular domain of a cell surface receptor or a fragment thereof. Proteins in the complexes may be simple polypeptides consisting of a single subunit, or complex multisubunit proteins comprising two or more subunits. The protein of interest may be a biopharmaceutical product, food additive or preservative, or any protein product subject to purification and quality standards.
(60) In some embodiments, the protein in the protein complexes is an antibody, a human antibody, a humanized antibody, a chimeric antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a multispecific antibody, a bispecific antibody, an antigen binding antibody fragment, a single chain antibody, a diabody, triabody or tetrabody, a dual-specific, tetravalent immunoglobulin G-like molecule, termed dual variable domain immunoglobulin (DVD-IG), an IgD antibody, an IgE antibody, an IgM antibody, an IgG antibody, an IgG1 antibody, an IgG2 antibody, an IgG3 antibody, or an IgG4 antibody. In one embodiment, the antibody is an IgG1 antibody. In one embodiment, the antibody is an IgG2 antibody. In one embodiment, the antibody is an IgG4 antibody. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises a chimeric hinge. In still other embodiments, the antibody comprises a chimeric Fc. In one embodiment, the antibody is a chimeric IgG2/IgG4 antibody. In one embodiment, the antibody is a chimeric IgG2/IgG1 antibody. In one embodiment, the antibody is a chimeric IgG2/IgG1/IgG4 antibody.
(61) In some embodiments, the antibody is selected from the group consisting of an anti-Programmed Cell Death 1 antibody (e.g. an anti-PD1 antibody as described in U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. No. US2015/0203579A1), an anti-Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 (e.g., an anti-PD-L1 antibody as described in in U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. No. US2015/0203580A1), an anti-DI14 antibody, an anti-Angiopoetin-2 antibody (e.g., an anti-ANG2 antibody as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,402,898), an anti-Angiopoetin-Like 3 antibody (e.g., an anti-AngPtl3 antibody as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,018,356), an anti-platelet derived growth factor receptor antibody (e.g., an anti-PDGFR antibody as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,265,827), an anti-Erb3 antibody, an anti-Prolactin Receptor antibody (e.g., anti-PRLR antibody as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,302,015), an anti-Complement 5 antibody (e.g., an anti-C5 antibody as described in U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. No US2015/0313194A1), an anti-TNF antibody, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody (e.g., an anti-EGFR antibody as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,132,192 or an anti-EGFRvIII antibody as described in U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. No. US2015/0259423A1), an anti-Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin-9 antibody (e.g., an anti-PCSK9 antibody as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,062,640 or 9,540,449), an Anti-Growth and Differentiation Factor-8 antibody (e.g. an anti-GDF8 antibody, also known as anti-myostatin antibody, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,871,209 or 9,260,515), an anti-Glucagon Receptor (e.g. anti-GCGR, antibody as described in U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. Nos. US2015/0337045A1 or US2016/0075778A1), an anti-VEGF antibody, an anti-IL1R antibody, an interleukin 4 receptor antibody (e.g., an anti-IL4R antibody as described in U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. No. US2014/0271681A1 or U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,735,095 or 8,945,559), are anti-interleukin 6 receptor antibody (e.g an anti-IL6R antibody as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,582,298, 8,043,617 or 9,173,880), an anti-IL1 antibody, an anti-IL2 antibody, an anti-IL3 antibody, an anti-IL4 antibody, an anti-IL5 antibody, an anti-IL6 antibody, an anti-IL7 antibody, an anti-interleukin 33 (e.g., anti-IL33 antibody as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,453,072 or 9,637,535), an anti-Respiratory syncytial virus antibody (e.g., anti-RSV antibody as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,447,173), an anti-Cluster of differentiation 3 (e.g., an anti-CD3 antibody, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,447,173 and 9,447,173, and in U.S. Application No. 62/222,605), an anti-Cluster of differentiation 20 (e.g., an anti-CD20 antibody as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,657,102 and US20150266966A1, and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,879,984), an anti-CD19 antibody, an anti-CD28 antibody, an anti-Cluster of Differentiation-48 (e.g., anti-CD48 antibody as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,228,014), an anti-Fel d1 antibody (e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,079,948), an anti-Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus (e.g. an anti-MERS antibody as described in US. Pat. Appln. Pub. No. US201510337029A1), an anti-Ebola virus antibody (e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. No. 152016/0215040), an anti-Zika virus antibody, an anti-Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 antibody (e.g. an anti-LAG3 antibody, or an anti-CD223 antibody), an anti-Nerve Growth Factor antibody (e.g., an anti-NGF antibody as described in U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. No. US2016/0017029 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,309,088 and 9,353,176) and an anti-Protein Y antibody. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibody is selected from the group consisting of an anti-CD3×anti-CD20 bispecific antibody (as described in U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. Nos. US2014/0088295A1 and US20150266966A1), an anti-CD3×anti-Mucin 16 bispecific antibody (e.g., anti-CD3×anti-Muc16 bispecific antibody), and an anti-CD3×anti-Prostate-specific membrane antigen bispecific antibody (e.g., an anti-CD3×anti-PSMA bispecific antibody). In some embodiments, the protein of interest is selected from the group consisting of abciximab, adalimumab, adalimumab-atto, ado-trastuzumab, alemtuzumab, alirocumab, atezolizumab, avelumab, basiliximab, belimumab, benralizumab, bevacizumab, beziotoxumab, blinatunromab, brentuximab vedotin, brodalumab canakinumab, capromab pendetide, certolizumab pegol, cemiplimab, eetuximab, denosumab, dinutuximab, dupilumab, durvalumab, eculizumab, elotuzumab, emieizumab-kxwh, emtansinealirocumab, evinacumab, evolocumab, fasinumab, golimumab, guselkumab, ibriturnomab tiuxetan, idarucizumab, infliximab, infliximab-abda, infliximab-dyyb, ipilimumab, ixekizumab, mepolizumab, necitumumab, nesvacumab, nivolumab, obiltoxaximab, obinutuzumab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, olaratumab, omalizumab, panitumumab, pembrolizumab, pertuzumab, ramucirumab, ranibizumab, raxihacumab, reslizumab, rinueumab, rituximab, sarilumab, secukinumab, siltuximab, tocilizumab, tocilizurnab, trastuzumab, trevogrumab, ustekinumab, and vedolizumab.
(62) In some embodiments, the protein in the complexes is a recombinant protein that contains an Fc moiety and another domain, (e.g., an Fe-fusion protein). In some embodiments, an Fc-fusion protein is a receptor Fc-fusion protein, which contains one or more extracellular domain(s) of a receptor coupled to an Fc moiety. In some embodiments, the Fc moiety comprises a hinge region followed by a CH2 and CH3 domain of an IgG. In some embodiments, the receptor Fc-fusion protein contains two or more distinct receptor chains that bind to either a single ligand or multiple ligands. For example, an Fc-fusion protein is a TRAP protein, such as for example an IL-1 trap (e.g., rilonacept, which contains the IL-1RAcP ligand binding region fused to the Il-1R1 extracellular region fused to Fc of hIgG1; see U.S. Pat. No. 6,927,004, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), or a VEGF trap (e.g., aflibercept or ziv-aflibercept, which comprises the Ig domain 2 of the VEGF receptor Flt1 fused to the Ig domain 3 of the VEGF receptor Flk1 fused to Fc of hIgG1; see U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,087,411 and 7,279,159). In other embodiments, an Fe-fusion protein is a ScFv-Fc-fusion protein, which contains one or more of one or more antigen-binding domain(s), such as a variable heavy chain fragment and a variable light chain fragment, of an antibody coupled to an Fc moiety.
EXAMPLES
Example 1: A4F Analysis Offers Superior Resolution for Samples Containing Large, Heterogeneous Complexes Compared to SEC Fractionation
(63) Methods
(64) SEC-MALLS Mobile Phase Buffer
(65) The mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1) was prepared by combining 4.23 g sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, 5.20 g sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, and 500 mL 5 M sodium chloride; the solution was then brought to a volume to 5.0 L with HPLC grade water. The final measured pH of the buffer was 7.0. The mobile phase buffer was filtered (0.2 μm) before use.
(66) SEC-MALLS Analysis
(67) The SEC-MALLS system is composed of a Superose 6 GL column (10 mm×300 mm; GE Healthcare, cat # 17-5172-01), coupled to an Agilent 1200 Series HPLC system equipped with a ultraviolet (UV) diode array detector, Wyatt Technology miniDawn TREOS® laser light scattering instrument (LS), and an Optilab® T-rEX differential refractometer (RI) detector. The detectors were connected in series in the following order: UV-LS-RI. LS and RI detectors were calibrated according to instructions provided by Wyatt Technology.
(68) Defined amounts of anti-ProteinX mAb were each combined with recombinant ProteinX and diluted in 1×DPBS, pH 7.4 to yield the following molar ratios: 5 μM anti-ProteinX mAb: 1 μM ProteinX, 1 μM anti-:ProteinX mAb: 1 μM ProteinX, and 1 μM anti-ProteinX mAb: 5 μM ProteinX. All samples were incubated at ambient temperature for 2 hours and maintained unfiltered at 4° C. prior to injection into the column. The column was pre-equilibrated with the mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min, prior to the injection of each sample. Bovine serum albumin (BSA; 2 mg/mL; 150 μg sample load) was injected separately and included as a system suitability control.
(69) The SEC-MALLS mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1) was used throughout the fractionation. Each sample (100˜200 μg) was injected, and was eluted with a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. BSA was fractionated using the same parameter settings.
(70) A4F-MALLS Mobile Phase Buffer
(71) The mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1) was prepared by combining 4.23 g sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, 5.20 g sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, and 500 ml 5 M sodium chloride; the solution was then brought to a volume to 5.0 L with HPLC grade water. The final measured pH of the buffer was 7.0. The mobile phase buffer was filtered (0.2 μm) before use.
(72) A4F-MALLS
(73) The A4F-MALLS system was composed of an Eclipse™ 3+ A4F Separation System coupled to an Agilent 1200 Series HPLC system equipped with a ultraviolet (UV) diode array detector, Wyatt Technology Dawn HELEOS® II laser light scattering instrument (LS), and an Optilab® T-rEX differential refractometer (RI) detector. The detectors were connected in series in the following order: UV-LS-RL. LS and RI detectors were calibrated according to instructions provided by Wyatt Technology.
(74) Defined amounts of anti-ProteinX mAb were each combined with recombinant ProteinX and diluted in 1×DPBS, pH 7.4 to yield the following molar ratios: 5 μM anti-ProteinX mAb: 1 μM ProteinX, 2 μM anti-ProteinX mAb: 1 μM ProteinX, and 1 μM anti-ProteinX mAb: 1 μM ProteinX. All samples were incubated at ambient temperature for 2 hours and maintained unfiltered at 4° C. prior to injection into an Eclipse™ short channel fitted with a W350 spacer foil (350 μm spacer thickness, 2.2 cm spacer width) and using a 10 kDa MWCO Nadir regenerated cellulose membrane. The channel was pre-equilibrated with the mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1), prior to the injection of each sample. Bovine serum albumin (BSA; 2 mg/mL; 10 μg sample load) was injected separately and included as a system suitability control.
(75) The fractionation method consisted of four steps: injection, focusing, elution, and a channel “wash-out” step. The A4F-MALLS mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1) was used throughout the fractionation method. Each sample (7 μg) was injected at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min for 1 min and subsequently focused for 2 min with a focus flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. The sample was eluted with a channel flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with the linear gradient cross flow from 3.0 mL/min to 0 mL/min over 45 min. Finally, the cross flow was held at 0 mL/min for an additional 5 min to wash out the channel. BSA was fractionated using the same parameter settings.
(76) MALLS Data Analysis
(77) Data were analyzed using ASTRA V software (version 5.3.4.14, Wyatt Technology). The data were fit to the equation that relates the excess scattered light to the solute concentration and weight-average molar mass, Mw, (Wyatt, 1993; Kendrick, 2001)
(78)
(79) where c is the solute concentration, R(θ,c) is the excess Raleigh ratio from the solute as a function of scattering angle and concentration, Mw is the molar mass, P(θ) describes the angular dependence of scattered light (˜1 for particles with radius of gyration <50 nm), A.sub.2 is the second virial coefficient in the expansion of osmotic pressure (which can be neglected since measurements are performed on dilute solutions) and
(80)
(81) where n.sub.o represents the solvent refractive index, N.sub.A is Avogadro's number, λ.sub.0 is the wavelength of the incident light in a vacuum, and dn/dc represents the specific refractive index increment for the solute.
(82) The molar mass of BSA monomer served to evaluate the calibration constants of the light scattering and differential refractive index detectors during data collection (system suitability check). The relative standard deviation (% RSD) of the average molar mass of BSA determined from the UV and RI detectors was ≤5.0%.
(83) The normalization coefficients for the light scattering detectors, inter-detector delay volume and band broadening terms were calculated from the BSA chromatograms collected for the A4F-MALLS condition employed. These values were applied to the data files collected for all the other samples to correct for these terms.
(84) The dn/dc value and the extinction coefficient at 215 nm or 280 nm (corrected for glycosylation) were experimentally determined using the protein conjugate analysis provided in the Astra software. The corrected extinction coefficient and dn/dc value was used to analyze all protein-protein complex samples.
(85) Results
(86) SEC-MALLS analysis of the samples showed poor resolution of higher order complexes (elution volume=8-14 mL) and no distinction of intermediate complexes (
(87) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein X complexes. Peak 2 Peak 3 Peak 4 [Intact [Intact [Intact Peak 1 Antibody].sub.2: Antibody].sub.1: Antibody].sub.1: Molar Higher Order [ProteinX].sub.1 [ProteinX].sub.1 [ProteinX].sub.2 Ratio Complexes Complex Complex Complex Sample (mol:mol) R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa mAb1:ProteinX 5:1 9.0-12.6 ~390-1000 13.1 330.7 NA NA NA NA mAb1:ProteinX 1:1 8.0-13.4 ~400-3000 NA NA 15.4 166.9 NA NA mAb1:ProteinX 1:5 8.5-13.8 ~430-2000 NA NA NA NA 16.0 216.3 R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w: weight average molar mass; NA: Not Applicable; min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons;
(88) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein X complexes Peak 1 Peak 2 Peak 3 Peak 4 [Intact [Intact [Intact [Intact Antibody].sub.1: Antibody].sub.2: Antibody].sub.3: Antibody].sub.4: Peak 5 [ProteinX].sub.1-2 [ProteinX].sub.1 [ProteinX].sub.2 [ProteinX].sub.3 Higher Order Molar Complex Complex Complex Complex Complexes Ratio M.sub.w, M.sub.w, M.sub.w, M.sub.w, M.sub.w, Sample (mol:mol) R.sub.t, min kDa R.sub.t, min kDa R.sub.t, min kDa R.sub.t, min kDa R.sub.t, min kDa mAb1:ProteinX 5:1 NA NA 10.8 321.1 12.4 497.8 13.7 673.8 14.6 830-1190 mAb1:ProteinX 1:1 NA NA 10.7 332.8 12.5 514.8 13.7 671.3 14.6 780-1620 mAb1:ProteinX 1:5 9.4 191.1 NA NA 11.8 461.1 13.3 599.7 14.4 720-1180 R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w: weight average molar mass; NA: Not Applicable; min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons;
Example 2: Anti-Protein Y Complexes
(89) Methods
(90) A4F MALLS Mobile Phase Buffer
(91) 1×DPBS, pH 7.4, was prepared by diluting 500 mL of 10×DPBS with HPLC grade water to a total volume of 4.9 L. A solution of 0.0025% (w/v) sodium azide was added as an antimicrobial agent. Hydrochloric acid (12 M) was slowly added in small volume increments to adjust the pH to 7.4 before bringing the final volume to 5.0 L. The final, measured pH of the buffer was 7.4. The buffer solution was prepared fresh and filtered (0.2 μm) prior to use.
(92) A4F MALLS Analysis
(93) Defined amounts of anti-Protein mAbs (Lead A and Lead B) were each combined with recombinant human Protein Y and diluted in 1×DPBS, pH 7.4 to yield the following molar ratios: 1 μM anti-Protein Y mAb: 3 μM hActA, 1 μM anti-Protein Y mAb: 1 μM Protein Y, and 3 μM anti-Protein Y mAb: 1 μM Protein Y. All samples were incubated at ambient temperature for 2 hours and maintained unfiltered at 4° C. prior to injection into an Eclipse™ short channel fitted with a W490 spacer foil (490 μm spacer thickness, 2.2 cm spacer width) and using a 10 kDa MWCO Nadir regenerated cellulose membrane. The channel was pre-equilibrated with 1× DPBS buffer, pH 7.4, prior to the injection of each sample. Bovine serum albumin (BSA; 2 mg/mL; 10 μg sample load) was injected separately and included as a system suitability control.
(94) The fractionation method consisted of four steps: injection, focusing, elution, and a channel “wash-out” step. The A4F-MALLS mobile phase buffer (1×DPBS, pH 7.4) was used throughout the fractionation method. Each sample (10 μg) was injected at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min for 1 min and subsequently focused for 2 min with a focus flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. The sample was eluted with a channel flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with the linear gradient cross flow from 1.2 mL/min to 0 mL/min over 20 min. Finally, the cross flow was held at 0 mL/min for an additional 5 min to wash out the channel. BSA was fractionated using the same parameter settings.
(95) Mouse Anti-Human Antibody Titer
(96) Mouse anti-human antibody (MAHA) titers were determined using a sandwich ELISA specific for the detection of mAb A or mAb B mouse IgG. Briefly, mAb A or mAb B at 1 μg/mL in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were passively adsorbed to a microtiter plate overnight at 4° C., followed by a nonspecific binding block with 5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in PBS. Serial dilutions of serum samples were prepared in dilution buffer (0.5% BSA in PBS) starting from 1:100. Therefore, the corresponding dilution factor (100) was defined as the assay's lower limit of detection (LOD). Samples were then added to the mAb A or mAb B coated plate (100 μL/well) and incubated 16-18 hours at 4° C. Wells with addition of dilution buffer only were included to determine background signal. Subsequently, plate-captured mAb A or mAb B-specific MAHA was detected using horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated anti-mouse Fcγ at 40 ng/mL. The chromogenic HRP-substrate, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was used to detect HRP activity; and the resultant optical density at 450 nm (OD.sub.45) was read on a Perkin Elmer Victor X4 Multimode Plate Reader. Data of binding signal versus dilution factor were analyzed by non-linear regression using GraphPad Prism software and titers were calculated. The MAHA titer was defined as the calculated dilution factor of the serum sample corresponding to a binding signal equivalent to twice the background signal of the assay.
(97) Results
(98) The two lead mAbs formed distinctly different complexes with Protein Y. Under all conditions tested, mAb Lead-A formed smaller, less heterogeneous complexes with Protein Y than mAb Lead-B (
(99) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein Y complexes. Peak 1 Peak 2 [Intact [Intact Antibody].sub.1: Antibody].sub.2: Peak 3 [ProteinY].sub.2 [ProteinY].sub.3 Higher Order Molar Ratio Complex Complex Complexes Sample (mol:mol) R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa Lead-A:ProteinY 1:3 10.1 215.9 NA NA 13.1 ~500-1000 Lead-B:ProteinY 1:3 10.1 219.1 12.5 390.1 14.3 ~550-2000 R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w: weight average molar mass; NA: Not Applicable; min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons;
(100) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein Y complexes. Peak 1 Peak 2 Peak 3 [Intact [Intact [Intact Antibody].sub.2: Antibody].sub.2-3: Antibody].sub.4: Peak 4 [ProteinY].sub.1-2 [ProteinY].sub.3-4 [ProteinY].sub.3 Higher Order Molar Ratio Complex Complex Complex Complexes Sample (mol:mol) R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa Lead-A:ProteinY 1:1 11.9 347.7 13.5 589.4 NA NA 16.5 ~850-1400 Lead-B:ProteinY 1:1 NA NA 14.0 448.7 15.3 635.9 16.4 ~815-2300 R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w: weight average molar mass; NA: Not Applicable; min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons;
(101) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein Y complexes. Peak 1 [Intact Anti- Peak 2 body].sub.2:[ProteinY].sub.1 Higher Order Molar Complex Complexes Ratio R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, Sample (mol:mol) min kDa min kDa Lead- 3:1 11.3 265.3 13.0 ~400-900 A:ProteinY Lead- 3:1 11.6 306.9 12.9 ~480-1600 B:ProteinY R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w: weight average molar mass; NA: Not Applicable; min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons;
(102) The size and heterogeneity of anti-Protein Y complexes correlated well with mouse PK observations (
Example 3: Anti-Human Protein Z Complexes
(103) Methods
(104) Sample Preparation
(105) Samples were prepared in 1×DPBS, pH 7.4 and allowed to incubate at room temperature for 2 hrs. prior to fractionation of total protein by A4F-MALLS. The samples were as follows: 1 mM anti-Protein Z mAb1+Secondary mAb (0.5 mM+0.5 mM)+1 mM complement Protein Z (7 combinations) or 1 mM anti-Protein Z mAb6+ anti-Protein Z mab7 (0.5 mM+0.5 mM)+1 mM complement Protein Z. The list of secondary antibodies can be found in Table 6.
(106) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Sample Nomenclature. Nomenclature Combo Secondary mAbs Tested with anit-Protein Z mAb1 anti-Protein Z mAb2 mAb2 Combo anti-Protein Z mAb3 mAb3 Combo anti-Protein Z mAb4 mAb4 Combo anti-Protein Z mAb5 mAb5 Combo anti-Protein Z mAb5 mAb6 Combo anti-Protein Z mAb7 mAb7 Combo COMP1 mAb COMP1 Combo
(107) A4F MALLS Analysis
(108) All samples were incubated at ambient temperature for total of 2 hours and maintained unfiltered at 4° C. prior to injection into an Eclipse™ short channel fitted with a W350 spacer foil (350 μm spacer thickness, 2.2 cm spacer width) and using a 4 kDa MWCO hydrophilic PES (PESH) membrane. The channel was pre-equilibrated with the mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1), prior to the injection of each sample. BSA (2 mg/mL; 10 μg sample load) was injected separately and included as a system suitability control.
(109) The fractionation method consisted of four steps: injection, focusing, elution, and a channel “wash-out” step. The A4F-MALLS mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1) was used throughout the fractionation method. Each sample (7 μg complex or 4 μg individual component) was injected at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min and focused for 5 min with a focus flow rate of 1 mL/min. The sample was eluted with a channel flow rate of 1 mL/min with the linear gradient cross flow from 2 mL/min to 0 mL/min over 45 min. Finally, the cross flow was held at 0 mL/min for an additional 5 min to wash out the channel. BSA was fractionated using the same parameter settings.
(110) RBC Hemolysis Assay
(111) Alternative pathway hemolysis assay was used as the measure of complement activation to evaluate the ability of anti-Protein Z mAbs to block the lysis of rabbit red blood cells (RbRBCs). Lysis of rabbit red blood cells by membrane attack complex is the basis of the assay by which complement activation is experimentally measured.
(112) A desired number of RbRBCs are washed in GVB-M2+/EGTA buffer and re suspended at 2×10.sup.8 cell/ml. To test the efficacy of either single anti-C5 mAb or combination of anti-C5 mAbs, normal human serum was diluted to 50-96% in GVB-Mg.sup.2+/EGTA buffer to achieve a final concentration of 25-48% when added to RBC. Round bottom 96 well plates were used to measure hemolysis activity. A total of 100 ul RbRBCs (2×10.sup.8 cells/ml) were plated into 96-well plate at 37° C. followed by addition of 100 ul of diluted serum. Cells were gently mixed and incubated at 37° C. for 30-120 minutes. After incubation time, the cells were spun down by centrifugation at 1250×g at 4° C. A total of 100 uL of the supernatant was transferred to a fresh 96 flat bottom plate and read at 412 nm on a Spectramax microplate reader. The calculation of percent of hemolysis was done as described below.
(113) The percentage of hemolysis was calculated with the absorbance values by using the following equation:
(114)
(115) In this equation “background cell lysis” is the OD at A412 nm from the cells incubated in GVB-Mg.sup.2+/EGTA buffer only containing no serum. The “maximum cell lysis” is the OD at A412 nm from the cells treated with water. Maximum inhibition of lysis was calculated as a difference between bottom and top values in the curve expressed as a percentage of top value. Data represented as mean±Standard error of mean.
(116) Results
(117) Anti-Protein Z mAb1 (lead anti-Protein Z mAb) in combination with COMP1 mAb or other Protein Z mAbs completely blocks hemolysis of rabbit RBCs via alternative pathway activation (
(118) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Effect of anti-Protein Z antibodies on rabbit RBC hemolysis. % Max Inh. ABPID AP, IC50 [M] AP, IC80 [M] of Lysis Anti-Protein Z mAb1 8.896e−008 1.970e−007 81.25 Anti-Protein Z mAb2 8.366e−008 1.813e−007 88.66 Anti-Protein Z mAb3 5.252e−008 9.390e−008 59.24 Anti-Protein Z mAb4 4.942e−008 5.963e−008 38.63 Anti-Protein Z mAb5 7.419e−008 1.467e−007 77.83 Anti-Protein Z mAb6 9.346e−008 2.260e−007 62.80 Anti-Protein Z mAb7 7.424e−008 1.414e−007 76.21 COMP1 mAb 8.291e−008 1.185e−007 61.14 COMP2 mAb 4.568e−008 5.600e−008 88.83
(119) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Effect of anti-Protein Z antibody combinations on rabbit RBC hemolysis. % Max Inh. ABPID AP, IC50 [M] AP, IC80 [M] of Lysis Anti-Protein Z mAb1 + 7.182e−008 7.528e−008 97.59 Anti-Protein Z mAb2 Anti-Protein Z mAb1 + 7.709e−008 8.749e−008 98.11 Anti-Protein Z mAb3 Anti-Protein Z mAb1 + 9.751e−008 1.064e−007 98.16 Anti-Protein Z mAb4 Anti-Protein Z mAb1 + 9.571e−008 1.051e−007 98.10 Anti-Protein Z mAb5 Anti-Protein Z mAb1 + 7.737e−008 8.461e−008 97.29 Anti-Protein Z mAb6 Anti-Protein Z mAb1 + 8.353e−008 9.432e−008 98.14 Anti-Protein Z mAb7 Anti-Protein Z mAb1 7.372e−008 7.776e−008 98.26 COMP1 mAb Anti-Protein Z mAb1 + 7.306e−008 8.017e−008 98.07 COMP2 mAb
(120) In the absence of secondary mAbs, anti-Protein Z mAb1 formed canonical 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with Protein Z when mixed in equimolar amounts (
(121) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein Z complexes. Peak 1 Peak 2 [Intact Anti- [Intact Anti- body].sub.1:[ProteinZ].sub.1 body].sub.1:[ProteinZ].sub.2 Molar Complex Complex Ratio R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, Sample (mol:mol) min kDa min kDa mAb1:Pro- 1:1 13.7 341.1 15.3 498.7 teinZ R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w: weight average molar mass; min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons;
(122) Most secondary mAb combinations with anti-Protein Z mAb1 favored smaller, well defined complexes consistent with a heteromeric 2:2 mAb:Protein Z complex (
(123) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Theoretical molar mass of mAb:Protein Z complex. Theoretical Molar Mass mAb:Protein Z Complex (KDa) 1:0 150 0:1 195 1:1 345 2:1 495 1:2 540 2:2 690 3:2 840 2:3 885 4:4 1380 6:6 2070
(124) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein Z complexes. Peak 1 Peak 2 Peak 3 [Intact [Intact [Intact Antibody].sub.2: Antibody].sub.4: Antibody].sub.6: Peak 4 Molar [ProteinZ].sub.2 [ProteinZ].sub.4 [ProteinZ].sub.6 Higher Order Ratio Complex Complex Complex Complexes Sample (mol:mol) R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa mAb1:mAb5:ProteinZ 0.5:0.5:1 16.0 684.4 18.5 1342.4 20.1 1876.0 21.5 ~2250-3560 mAb1:mAb7:ProteinZ 0.5:0.5:1 16.1 687.7 18.5 1327.4 20.1 1865.6 21.5 ~2380-4250 R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w: weight average molar mass; min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons;
(125) TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein Z complexes. Peak 1 Peak 2 Peak 3 [Intact [Intact [Intact Antibody].sub.2: Antibody].sub.4: Antibody].sub.6: Peak 4 Molar [ProteinZ].sub.2 [ProteinZ].sub.4 [ProteinZ].sub.6 Higher Order Ratio Complex Complex Complex Complexes Sample (mol:mol) R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa mAb1:mAb3:ProteinZ 0.5:0.5:1 16.4 684.7 18.4 1261.8 NA NA 20.2 ~1700-2700 mAb1:mAb6:ProteinZ 0.5:0.5:1 15.7 685.9 17.7 1319.8 19.4 1849.8 20.6 ~2300-3800 mAb6:mAb7:ProteinZ 0.5:0.5:1 15.8 687.7 17.8 1333.8 19.3 1871.6 20.6 ~2300-3600
(126) Although anti-Protein Z mAb1/anti-Protein Z mAb3 combination formed similar sized complexes with Protein Z, differences in elution time/profile suggested that complexes formed had differences in shape/orientation compared to other combinations (
(127) TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein Z complexes. Peak 1 Peak 2 Peak 3 [Intact [Intact [Intact Antibody].sub.2: Antibody].sub.4: Antibody].sub.6: Peak 4 Molar [ProteinZ].sub.2 [ProteinZ].sub.4 [ProteinZ].sub.6 Higher Order Ratio Complex Complex Complex Complexes Sample (mol:mol) R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa mAb1:mAb2:ProteinZ 0.5:0.5:1 15.5 664.8 19.2 1304.3 21.9 1901.1 23.6 ~2300-4100 mAb1:COMP1:ProteinZ 0.5:0.5:1 15.4 713.7 18.8 1346.1 21.5 2001.9 24.2 ~2500-5000 R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w : weight average molar mass; min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons;
(128) Anti-Protein Z mAb4 combination with anti-Protein Z mAb1 displayed a reduced tendency to form heteromeric complexes with Protein Z (
(129) TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein Z complexes. Peak 1 Peak 2 [Intact Antibody].sub.2: [Intact Antibody].sub.4: Peak 3 Molar [ProteinZ].sub.2 [ProteinZ].sub.4 Higher Ratio Complex Complex Order Complexes Sample (mol:mol) R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa mAb1:mAb4:ProteinZ 0.5:0.5:1 15.9 649.6 19.1 1288.2 20.6 ~1700-2300 R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w : weight average molar mass; min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons
Example 4: Order of Addition Does Not Significantly Impact the Molar Mass and Distribution of Complexes Formed Between Anti-Protein Z mAb1, COMP1 mAb, and Protein Z
(130) Methods
(131) To determine whether order of addition impacts complex formation, equimolar combinations of COMP1 mAb and Protein Z were prepared in 1×DPBS, pH 7.4 to yield a molar ratio of 1 μM COMP1 mAb:1 μM Protein Z and allowed to incubate at ambient temperature for 1 hr. Following incubation, varying amounts of Anti-Protein Z mAb1 was added to the pre-formed COMP1 mAb:Protein Z complexes and diluted in 1×DPBS, pH 7.4 to yield the following molar ratios: 0.3 μM Anti-Protein Z mAb1:1 μM COMP1 mAb: 1 μM Protein Z, 1 μM Anti-Protein Z mAb: 1 μM COMP1 mAb: 1 μM Protein Z, and 3 μM Anti-Protein Z mAb1: 1 μM COMP1 mAb: 1 μM Protein Z, and incubated for an additional hour prior to injection onto the instrument. The A4F MALLS analysis methods of Example 3 were followed.
(132) Results
(133) Similar complexes, with respect to molar mass and distribution, were formed between anti-Protein Z mAb1 COMP1 mAb, and Protein Z regardless of whether anti-Protein Z mAb1 was added simultaneously (
(134) TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Approximate molar mass and retention time for mAb:Protein Z complexes. Peak 1 Peak 2 Peak 3 [Intact [Intact [Intact Antibody].sub.1: Antibody].sub.1: Antibody].sub.2-3: Peak 4 mAb1:COMP1:ProteinZ [ProteinZ].sub.1 [ProteinZ].sub.2 [ProteinZ].sub.2-3 Higher Order Molar Ratio Complex Complex Complex Complexes Sample (mol:mol) R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa Simultaneous 3:1:1 NA NA 14.5 536.6 16.7 888.6 18.0 ~1200-1950 Addition 1:1:1 NA NA 14.6 522.7 16.7 793.1 18.6 ~1400-2300 0.3:1:1 13.3 343.7 15.0 540.9 16.6 750.3 18.4 ~1000-1800 Sequential 3:1:1 NA NA 15.6 500.1 18.0 816.9 20.0 ~1200-1800 Addition 1:1:1 NA NA 15.7 496.4 18.0 806.2 20.0 ~1500-2400 0.3:1:1 14.2 379.8 16.4 662.7 17.9 817.8 19.9 ~1500-2600
Example 5 Anti-Protein W Complexes
(135) Methods
(136) A4F-MALLS Mobile Phase Buffer
(137) The mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1) was prepared by combining 1.4 g sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, 10.7 g sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, and 500 mL 5 M sodium chloride; the solution was then brought to a volume to 5.0 L with HPLC grade water. The final measured pH of the buffer was 7.0. The mobile phase buffer was filtered (0.2 μm) before use.
(138) A4F MALLS Analysis
(139) The A4F-MALLS system was composed of an Eclipse™ 3+ A4F Separation System coupled to an Agilent 1200 Series HPLC system equipped with a ultraviolet (UV) diode array detector, Wyatt Technology Dawn HELEOS® II laser light scattering instrument (LS), and an Optilab® T-rEX differential refractometer (RI) detector. The detectors were connected in series in the following order: UV-LS-RI. LS and RI detectors were calibrated according to instructions provided by Wyatt Technology.
(140) Defined amounts of anti-Protein W mAb were each combined with Protein W and diluted in 1×DPBS, pH 7.4 to yield the equimolar ratio: 1 μM anti-Protein W mAb: 1 μM Protein W. All samples were incubated at ambient temperature for 2 hours and maintained unfiltered at 4° C. prior to injection into an Eclipse™ short channel fitted with a W350 spacer foil (350 μm spacer thickness, 2.2 cm spacer width) and using a 10 kDa MWCO regenerated cellulose membrane. The channel was pre-equilibrated with the mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1), prior to the injection of each sample. Bovine serum albumin (BSA; 2 mg/mL; 10 μg sample load) was injected separately and included as a system suitability control.
(141) The fractionation method consisted of four steps: injection, focusing, elution, and a channel “wash-out” step. The A4F-MALLS mobile phase buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.0±0.1) was used throughout the fractionation method. Each sample (7 μg) was injected at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min for 1 min and subsequently focused for 3 min with a focus flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The sample was eluted with a channel flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with the linear gradient cross flow from 3.0 mL/min to 0 mL/rain over 25 min. Finally, the cross flow was held at 0 mL/min for an additional 5 min to wash out the channel. BSA was fractionated using the same parameter settings.
(142) Results:
(143) A4F-MALLS was used to assess the relative size distribution of complexes formed between Protein W, a dimeric, multi-domain ligand, and several anti-Protein W antibodies that specifically bind to different domains within the ligand. The theoretical molar mass and predicted stoichiometry of potential antibody complexes with Protein W are provided in Table 16.
(144) TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 Theoretical Molar Mass of mAb:Protein W Complexes. Theoretical Molar Mass mAb:ProteinW Complex (kDa) 1:0 146 0:1 146 1:1 292 .sup. 1:2.sup.1 438 2:2 584 .sup. 2:3.sup.1 730 3:3 876 .sup. 3:4.sup.1 1022 4:4 1168 .sup.1Unequal ratios (such as 1:2 and 2:1 cannot be differentiated, because they will have same MW.
(145) Overall, out of the panel of mAbs, mAb1 targeting Domain A formed the highest proportion of lower-order complexes with the predominant species representing a discrete 1:1 and 2:2 complex with Protein W when combined at equimolar ratios (Peak 2, ˜289 kDa; and peak 3, ˜562 kDa,
(146) TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 Molar Masses and Retention Time of Human Protein W Complexes with mAb1 Targeting Domain A. Peak 2 Peak 3 Peak 4 Peak 5 Peak 1 [mAb].sub.1: [mAb].sub.2: [mAb].sub.3: Higher Order Free mAb/ [ProteinW].sub.1 [ProteinW].sub.2 [ProteinW].sub.3 Heteromeric Molar ProteinW Complex Complex Complex Complexes Ratio R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, Sample (mol:mol) min kDa min kDa min kDa min kDa min kDa ProteinW — 9.6 146.6 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND mAb1 — 9.5 145.1 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND mAb1:ProteinW 1:1 9.3 145.7 10.7 288.6 12.6 561.9 13.7 823.9 14.5 ~1000-2000 R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w: weight average molar mass; NA: Not Applicable; min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons.
(147) Each of the mAbs targeting DomainB (mAb2, mAb3 and COMP1) predominantly formed a discrete 2:2 complex with ProteinW (Peak 3, ˜563-580 kDa,
(148) TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 18 Molar Masses and Retention Time of Human Protein W Complexes with mAbs targeting the Domain B. Peak 2 Peak 3 Peak 4 Peak 5 Peak 1 [mAb].sub.1: [mAb].sub.2: [mAb].sub.3: Higher Order Free mAb/ [ProteinW].sub.1 [ProteinW].sub.2 [ProteinW].sub.3 Heteromeric Molar ProteinW Complex Complex Complex Complexes Ratio R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, Sample (mol:mol) min kDa min kDa min kDa min kDa min kDa ProteinW — 9.6 146.6 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND mAb2 — 9.6 152.1 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND mAb2:ProteinW 1:1 9.4 144.4 10.9 282.5 13.2 574.2 13.9 731.3 15.4 ~1000-1900 mAb3:ProteinW 1:1 9.3 144.1 10.7 267.8 12.9 562.5 14.0 830.5 14.6 ~1000-1900 COMP1:ProteinW 1:1 9.4 143.1 10.8 298.3 13.0 580.1 13.9 764.7 15.0 ~1000-1900 R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w: weight average molar mass; NA: Not Applicable: min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons.
(149) TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 19 Molar Masses and Retention Time of Human Protein W Complexes with COMP2 targeting Domain A. Peak 3 Peak 4 Peak 5 Peak 1 [mAb].sub.1-2: [mAb].sub.2-3: Higher Order Free Peak 2 [ProteinW].sub.2 [ProteinW].sub.3 Heteromeric Molar ProteinW Free mAb Complex Complex Complexes Ratio R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, R.sub.t, M.sub.w, Sample (mol:mol) min kDa min kDa min kDa min kDa min kDa ProteinW — 9.6 146.6 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND COMP2 — 10.5 121.9 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND COMP2:ProteinW 1:1 ND ND 9.4 147.1 13.1 550.2 15.2 835.1 16.9 ~1000-1900 R.sub.t: Retention Time; M.sub.w: weight average molar mass; NA: Not Applicable: min: minutes; kDa: kiloDaltons.
(150) Based on the calculated molar masses of the individual components, peak 4 likely represents complexes containing at least 3 molecules of mAb coordinating 2-3 molecules of Protein W, whereas peak 5 corresponds to a heterogeneous distribution of higher order heteromeric complexes composed of ≥3 molecules of mAb coordinating ≥4 molecules of Protein W (Table 18). In contrast, mAbs targeting Domain C (mAb4 and COMP3); formed a broad distribution of large, heterogeneous complexes (molar mass ranging from ˜700-8000 kDa) with mAb4 displaying the most extensive “paper-dolling” amongst the panel of mAbs tested (
(151) TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 20 Molar Masses and Retention Time of Human ProteinW Complexes with mAbs targeting Domain C. Peak 2 Peak 3 Peak 1 [mAb].sub.1-2: Higher Order Molar Free mAb/ [ProteinW].sub.2 Heteromeric Ratio ProteinW Complex Complexes Sample (mol:mol) R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa R.sub.t, min M.sub.w, kDa PorteinW — 9.6 146.6 ND ND ND ND mAb4 — 9.5 148.3 ND ND ND ND mAb4:ProteinW 1:1 9.5 157.7 ND ND 28.5 1400-4000 COMP3:ProteinW 1:1 9.7 161.3 13.9 528.4 14.6 700-8000
(152) While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain embodiments thereof, and many details have been put forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
(153) All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.