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Alois Jungbauer

Publications and source records attributed to Alois Jungbauer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Application of monoliths for plasmid DNA purification development and transfer to production.

The demand of high-purity plasmid DNA (pDNA) for gene-therapy and genetic vaccination is still increasing. For the large scale production of pharmaceutical grade plasmids generic and economic purification processes are needed. Most of the current processes for pDNA production use at least one chromatography step, which always constitutes as the key-step in the purification sequence. Monolithic chromatographic supports are an alternative to conventional supports due to their excellent mass transfer properties and their high binding capacity for pDNA. Anion-exchange chromatography is the most popular chromatography method for plasmid separation, since polynucleotides are negatively charged independent of the buffer conditions. For the implementation of a monolith-based anion exchange step into a pDNA purification process detailed screening experiments were performed. These studies included supports, ligand-types and ligand-densities and optimization of resolution and productivity. For this purpose model plasmids with a size of 4.3 and 6.9 kilo base pairs (kbp) were used. It could be shown, that up-scaling to the production scale using 800 ml CIM Convective Interaction Media radial flow monoliths is possible under low pressure conditions. CIM DEAE was successfully implemented as intermediate step of the cGMP pDNA manufacturing process. Starting from 2001 fermentation aliquots pilot scale purification runs were performed in order to prove scale-up and to predict further up-scaling to 8 1 tube monolithic columns. The analytical results obtained from these runs confirmed suitability for pharmaceutical applications.

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗

Combinatorial peptides directed to inhibitory antibodies against human blood clotting factor VIII.

The development of antibodies against blood clotting factor VIII is a major complication affecting 20-30% of hemophilia A patients receiving replacement with FVIII concentrates. This study investigated generating peptides acting as broadly neutralizing agents to block factor VIII antibodies. These peptides were selected from dual positional scanning decapeptide libraries on cellulose membranes. From this library comprising 6.8 x 10(12) peptides we selected 468 peptides for further screening rounds. Finally we identified two decapeptides with the ability to block 8 out of 10 inhibitory antibodies from sera of patients with FVIII inhibitors demonstrated by competition assays. Sequence alignment of the peptides showed similarity with several domains in the FVIII molecule demonstrating the mimotope nature of the selected peptides. Our results show the efficiency of the combinatorial library approach and show the potential of combinatorial peptides to compete out polyclonal inhibitor IgG from a broad range of patients' sera. Combinatorial peptides could be novel and highly effective drug candidates for alternative treatment in patients with factor VIII inhibitors.

Adolescent↗

Performance and characterization of a nanophased porous hydroxyapatite for protein chromatography.

Nanophased porous hydroxyapatite beads with particle diameters of 25 microm and 30 microm intended for use in protein and biomolecule separation are characterized with respect to chromatographic characteristics. These particles were produced from a hydroxyapatite gel by a controlled spray process yielding microspheres containing hydroxyapatite nanocrystals. By calcification of the microspheres, nanophased porous hydroxyapatite beads were obtained. As a reference material, ceramic hydroxyapatite Types I and II with a particle diameter of 40 microm was chosen. SEM pictures show that the surface of the nanophased hydroxyapatite is very rough compared to ceramic hydroxyapatite Types I and Type II. The calcium-to-phosphorous ratio of this nanophased hydroxyapatite is 1.6, which is slightly below the theoretical ratio of 1.67 of pure hydroxyapatite. The porosity is greater than 60%. An IgG binding capacity of 60.7 mg/ml for Bio-Rad Type I and 36.0 mg/ml for Type II, 42.0 mg/ml for the nanophased material with 25 microm and 19.7 mg/ml for the nanophased material with 30 microm were observed. The nanophased material with 30 microm had the lowest mass transfer resistancy as indicated by the dependency of the dynamic binding capacity on velocity. It is assumed that the mass transport properties are characterized by a low particle diffusion resistancy or by slight intraparticle convection. The material also showed high selectivity for IgG. When culture supernatant with 5% FCS containing 3 mg/ml was loaded, pure IgG could be eluted by linear gradient with increasing sodium phosphate concentration. This nanophased material comprises a novel stationary phase for IgG separation.

Adsorption↗

Mass transfer characteristics of plasmids in monoliths.

The hydrodynamic properties and pore-structure of monoliths based on functionalized poly(glycidyl methacrylate-ethylene dimethacrylate) were characterised by pulse response experiments using different probes representing a wide range of molecular mass. On a small scale, band spreading was found to be caused to the extent of more than 90% by extra-column effects. These monoliths have large channel diameters, providing a suitable chromatography adsorbent for processing of large molecules. Dynamic and static binding capacity for plasmid DNA was investigated. For our model plasmid, consisting of 4.9 kbp, a capacity of 7 mg/mL was observed in comparison to 0.3 mg/mL for a conventional medium designed for protein separation. When plasmids were loaded on the monolith a gradual increase in pressure drop was observed. The channels filled up and the cross-sectional area available for liquid flow decreased. Therefore, a higher pressure drop was observed during elution. This is caused by (i) shrinking of the channels as effect of the high salt concentration, (ii) high viscosity of the mobile phase due to high concentration of plasmids, and (iii) an increase of the hydrodynamic radius of the plasmid with salt concentration from 45 nm at 150 mM to 70 nm at 2 M NaCl, as measured by dynamic light scattering. These types of monoliths are considered to be the preferred adsorbents for plasmid separation.

Adsorption↗

Monoliths for fast bioseparation and bioconversion and their applications in biotechnology.

Monoliths have consolidated their position in bioseparation. More than 200 different applications have been reported in the past two decades and their advantages compared to conventional chromatography demonstrated. These include the high mass transfer efficiency due to the convective flow enabled by the macroporous character of the matrix. Recently plasmid DNA and viruses were separated with high efficiency and cryogels and monolithic superporous agarose were developed for capture of proteins from crude homogenates and separation of microorganisms or lymphocytes. Currently four companies manufacture monoliths mainly for analytical applications although monoliths with a volume of 0.8 liter are commercially available and 8 L are available as prototypes. A book entitled "Monolithic materials: preparation, properties and applications" was published in 2003 and became standard reference of the status of this area. This review focuses on the progress in monoliths that goes beyond the scope of this reference book. Less progress has been made in the field of bioconversions in spite of the fact that monolithic supports exhibit better performance than beads in enzymatic processing of macromolecules. It appears that the scientific community has not yet realized that supports for these applications are readily available. In addition, monoliths will further substantially advance bioseparations of both small and large molecules in the future.

Animals↗

Folding and refolding of proteins in chromatographic beds.

The correct folding of solubilized recombinant proteins is of key importance for their production in industry. On-column refolding of proteins is mainly achieved by three methods: size-exclusion chromatography, ion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography using immobilized metal chelates. The principles of these methods were first laid down in the 1990s, but many recent improvements have been made to these processes including sophisticated changes to the mobile phase composition and the recycling of aggregates to improve yield. Advances have also been made in the use of immobilized metal affinity chromatography and by mimicking the natural folding process with artificial chaperones.

Animals↗

Engineering protein A affinity chromatography.

Staphylococcal protein A can selectively interact with immunoglobulins. This protein is widely used as a ligand for affinity chromatography to purify therapeutic antibodies on an industrial scale. This type of affinity chromatography constitutes a generic step in processing antibodies. Questions of scale-up, design of chromatographic conditions, clearance of adventitious agents and operational modes, such as continuous operation or purification of antibodies in expanded-bed mode, will be addressed in this review.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Continuous matrix-assisted refolding of proteins.

A refolding reactor was developed for continuous matrix-assisted refolding of proteins. The reactor was composed of an annular chromatography system and an ultrafiltration system to recycle aggregated proteins produced during the refolding reaction. The feed solution containing the denatured protein was continuously fed to the rotating bed perfused with buffer promoting folding of the protein. As the protein passed through the column, it was separated from chaotropic and reducing agents and the refolding process took place. Native proteins and aggregates could be continuously separated due to different molecular size. The exit stream containing aggregates was collected, concentrated by ultrafiltration and recycled to the feed solution. The high concentrations of chaotropic and reducing agents in the feed solution enabled dissociation of the recycled aggregates and consequently were fed again to the refolding reactor. When the initial feed mixture of denatured protein is used up, only buffer-containing chaotropic agents and recycled aggregates are fully converted to native protein. This process resulted in a stoichiometric conversion from the denatured protein to its correctly folded native state. The system was tested with bovine alpha-lactalbumin as model protein. Superdex 75 PrepGrade was used as size-exclusion medium. The yield of 30% active monomer in the batch process was improved to 41% at a recycling rate of 65%. Assuming that the aggregates can be redissolved and recycled into the feed stream in a quantitative manner, a refolding yield close to 100% is possible. The method can be also applied to other chromatographic principles suited for the separation of aggregates.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Complex formation of a calcium-dependent antibody: a thermodynamical consideration.

The elution of FLAG-fusions (an octapeptide with the sequence DYKDDDDK) from immobilized anti-FLAG antibody M1 cannot be explained by a switch of the equilibrium binding constant to a lower value. To get a further insight into thermodynamics, the binding of anti-FLAG antibody M1 to the FLAG peptide was studied by real-time biosensor technology at seven different temperatures in the range from 5 to 35 degrees C. Binding studies were performed in the presence and absence of calcium. Thermodynamic parameters such as change in Gibbs free energy (deltaG), enthalpy (deltaH) and entropy (deltaS) were evaluated from the corresponding equilibrium data applying the integrated Van't Hoff equation. In contrast to similar kinetic data obtained, the contribution of deltaH and deltaS to deltaG in the presence or absence of calcium results in a different conformation of the antibody-antigen complex under binding and non-binding conditions. Therefore, complex dissociation with EDTA must be effected during a transition state of complex formation and dissociation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Comparison of reversed-phase liquid chromatography and hydrophilic interaction/cation-exchange chromatography for the separation of amphipathic alpha-helical peptides with L- and D-amino acid substitutions in the hydrophilic face.

Mixed-mode hydrophilic interaction/cation-exchange chromatography (HILIC/CEX) is a novel high-performance technique which has excellent potential for peptide separations. Separations by HILIX/CEX are carried out by subjecting peptides to linear increasing salt gradients in the presence of high levels of acetonitrile, which promotes hydrophilic interactions overlaid on ionic interactions with the cation-exchange matrix. In the present study, HILIC/CEX has been compared to reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) for separation of mixtures of diastereomeric amphipathic alpha-helical peptide analogues, where L- and D-amino acid substitutions were made in the centre of the hydrophilic face of the amphipathic alpha-helix. Unlike RP-HPLC, temperature had a substantial effect on HILIC/CEX of the peptides, with a rise in temperature from 25 to 65 degrees C increasing the retention times of the peptides as well as improving resolution. Our results again highlight the potential of HILIC/CEX as a peptide separation mode in its own right as well as an excellent complement to RP-HPLC.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography of proteins. II. Binding capacity, recovery and mass transfer properties.

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography media suited for large scale separations were compared regarding dynamic binding capacity, recovery and mass transfer properties. In all cases, pore diffusion was the rate limiting step. Reduced heights equivalent to a theoretical plate for bovine serum albumin derived from breakthrough curves at reduced velocities between 60 and 1500 ranged from 10 to 700. Pore diffusion coefficients were derived from pulse response experiments for the model proteins alpha-lactalbumin, lysozyme, beta-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin and immunoglobulin G. Diffusivity of lysozyme did not follow the trend of decreasing diffusivity with increasing molecular mass, as observed for the rest of the proteins. In general, mass transfer coefficients were smaller compared to ion-exchange chromatography. Dynamic binding capacities for the model protein bovine serum albumin varied within a broad range. However, sorbents based on polymethacrylate showed a lower dynamic capacity than media based on Sepharose. Some sorbents could be clustered regarding binding capacity affected by salt. These sorbents exhibited a disproportional increase of binding capacity with increasing ammonium sulfate concentration. Recovery of proteins above 75% could be observed for all sorbents. Several sorbents showed a recovery close to 100%.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Comparison of protein A affinity sorbents.

Protein A is a popular generic ligand for purification of monoclonal and recombinant antibodies. The performance of 15 commercially available protein A media was studied. Equilibrium and dynamic binding capacity for human IgG was determined and the capture of IgG from a crude feed-stock was investigated. For initial screening the dynamic binding capacity was determined at small scale. Media with good performance were further tested with increased column height. Comparing the data from the two different column heights it could be shown that the dynamic capacity strongly depends on the residence time. Agarose based media exhibited higher binding capacity at residence times longer than 3 min whereas polymeric media or media based on porous glass showed a lesser dependence on the flow velocity and the residence time. A quantitative description of this behavior was derived by determination of the adsorption isotherms and fitting the breakthrough profiles with the Thomas solution. Agarose based media exhibited higher maximum equilibrium binding capacities and the dissociation constants derived from adsorption isotherms were smaller. The other media exhibited higher apparent rate constants, indicating a faster mass transfer. This can be explained by the smaller particle diameter of these media and it can be assumed that constant pattern conditions are thereby obtained more quickly. Selectivity was tested by performing antibody purification under standardized conditions. Polyclonal human IgG in cell culture supernatant containing 2.5% fetal calf serum was used as a representative feed-stock. Under the applied conditions several sorbents showed very tight binding of IgG and in some cases most of the sample remained on the sorbent. The study can be useful as a guide for optimization of large-scale purification processes.

Adsorption↗

Whey proteins as a model system for chromatographic separation of proteins.

Although chromatographic separation of whey proteins has been considered too expensive, whey may serve as an excellent model mixture to investigate and validate the use of simulation tools in the development and optimization of chromatographic separations and the outcome could easily be utilized since the model system has an intrinsic value. Besides, milk from transgenic animals could be an attractive source of pharmaceuticals which must be separated from the other proteins in the milk. Several whey proteins are of interest especially, alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulins, immunoglobulins, lactoperoxidase, and lactoferrin. The scope of the project is to develop a consistent set of chromatographic data for whey proteins including isotherms, transport properties and scale-up studies and to develop the appropriate models for the anion exchangers Q-Sepharose XL, Source 30Q, Ceramic Q-HyperD F, and Merck Fractogel EMD TMAE 650 (S). In this work we have determined and correlated gradient and isocratic retention volumes in the linear range of the isotherm for alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin A and B, and bovine serum albumin at a pH from 6 to 9 at various NaCl concentrations.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Estrogenic activity in white and red wine extracts.

Red wine is enriched in resveratrol, trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene, a compound in grape skin that inhibits the development of pre-neoplastic lesions in mouse mammary tumor cells in culture and inhibits cancer cell proliferation in vitro. Grapes also contain other bioactive compounds including flavonoids, flavans, and anthocyanins. The estrogenic activities of extracts prepared from one white (Freie Weingärtner Wachau, Grüner Veltliner, Austria) and two red wines (Woodbridge, Cabernet Sauvignon, California; and Lenz Moser Prestige, Blaufränkisch Barrique, Austria) were examined and compared with those induced by estradiol (E(2)) and trans-resveratrol. First, the estrogenic activity of the wine extracts was evaluated in a yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay, in which yeast express copper-inducible estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and an estrogen-response-element (ERE)-driven beta-galactosidase reporter. In YES, the white wine extract showed no estrogenic activity. In contrast, both of the red wine extracts showed estrogenic activity equivalent to that of 0.2 nM E(2). Similarly, the white wine extract showed no transcriptional activity with either ERalpha and ERbeta in transiently transfected CHO-K1 cells. In contrast, both red wine extracts stimulated ERE-reporter activity in a concentration-dependent manner that was inhibited by 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT), indicating that the observed transcriptional activity was ER-mediated. The red wine extracts showed significantly higher ERbeta versus ERalpha agonist activity. Resveratrol showed no agonist activity in YES but activated ERalpha and ERbeta in CHO-K1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner that was inhibited by 4-OHT. This indicates that resveratrol requires mammalian cell components that are absent in yeast for estrogen agonist activity, whereas the estrogenic activity of wine extracts is directly through ERalpha and does not require mammalian cell factors such as coactivators. The estrogenic activity in red wine found by using YES indicates that estrogenic compounds other than resveratrol are present. Chemical analysis clearly showed that the trans-resveratrol content of the red wine extracts was 1 order of magnitude below the detection limit for YES assay.

Animals↗

Directed immobilization of peptide ligands to accessible pore sites by conjugation with a placeholder molecule.

When small ligands are immobilized onto a porous chromatography medium, only a limited number of binding sites contributes to the interaction with the target molecule. The main part of the ligand molecules is distributed on sites that are not accessible for the target protein due to steric hindrance. To direct the ligand into a well-accessible position, the ligand was conjugated to a large molecule that acted as a placeholder during the immobilization step. Then the placeholder molecule was cleaved off and washed out. Two linear peptides with affinity for lysozyme and human blood coagulation factor VIII, respectively, were studied as model systems. The protected peptide ligand was covalently linked to a 20-kDa poly(ethylene glycol) molecule containing an acid-labile linker. After selective deprotection of the peptide and purification, immobilization of this conjugate on a preactivated chromatography matrix was performed alternatively through the free N-terminus, the epsilon-amino group of lysine, or the sulfohydryl group of cysteine. After the immobilization reaction, the spacer molecule and remaining protecting groups were cleaved off and the gels were tested by affinity chromatography. This novel immobilization technique substantially increased the binding capacity and the ligand utilization for the target protein, and site-specific immobilization could be demonstrated.

Chromatography, Affinity↗

Kinetic analysis of estrogen receptor homo- and heterodimerization in vitro.

The coexistence of ERalpha and ERbeta suggests that active receptor complexes are present as homo- or heterodimers. In addition each of three forms of active receptors may trigger different cellular responses. A real-time biosensor based on surface plasmon resonance was used as instrument to determine binding kinetics of homo- and heterodimerization of estrogen receptor alpha and beta. Partially purified full-length estrogen receptor alpha was expressed intracellularly as a C-terminal fusion to a hexa-histidine tag using the baculovirus-expression system. Purified estrogen receptor alpha and beta without tags were used as partners in the dimerization process. An association rate constant of 3.6 x 10(3) to 1.5 x 10(4)M(-1)s(-1) for the homodimer formation of ERalpha and 5.7 x 10(3) to 1.5 x 10(4)M(-1)s(-1) for the heterodimer formation was found assuming a pseudo first-order reaction kinetic. The equilibrium dissociation constant for homodimerization of ERalpha was 2.2 x 10(-8) to 5.4 x 10(-8) and 1.8 x 10(-8) to 2.6 x 10(-8)M for the heterodimer formation. The homo- and heterodimer formation was characterized by a slow association kinetics and kinetic rate constants were within the same range.

Animals↗

Continuous purification of a clotting factor IX concentrate and continuous regeneration by preparative annular chromatography.

Preparative continuous annular chromatography, a method to separate proteins in a truly continuous manner, was investigated in an industrial environment. Plasma-derived clotting factor IX concentrate was used as model protein. Separation of vitronectin, a common impurity in commercial available factor IX concentrates, from factor IX was studied and compared to conventional packed bed chromatography in batch mode. As sorbent, Toyopearl DEAE 650M was used. Regeneration was performed simultaneously with the purification of factor IX in continuous mode. All required parameters applied for preparative annular chromatography such as feed flow-rate and elution flow-rate were first estimated from experiments on conventional batch columns. Then preparative annular chromatography and conventional packed beds were compared regarding enrichment, purity and productivity. Three different process scenarios, the optimal batch process,the preparative annular chromatography process and the batch process equivalent to the preparative annular chromatography process were investigated. The productivity of the optimal batch process was higher than that of the preparative annular chromatography and batch process equivalent to the preparative annular chromatography process. Therefore the throughput could not be increased by the use of the continuous chromatographic system.

Blotting, Western↗

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography of proteins. I. Comparison of selectivity.

Currently, the selection of a hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) sorbent for protein separation purposes is entirely based on empirical means. An attempt was made to characterize different HIC sorbents from various manufacturers. The selectivity was determined by isocratic pulse experiments of a set of reference proteins and an algorithm was developed to classify the sorbents according to their selectivity and hydrophobicity. The obtained semi-quantitative parameters take into account the dependence of salt on adsorption. The sorbent characteristics evaluated with the model proteins were compared to the separation of a real feedstock. A good agreement was achieved between the developed evaluation procedure and the separation behaviour of the real feed stock.

Chromatography, Liquid↗