U.S. patent application number 13/196680 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-01 for refolding of recombinant proteins.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENENTECH, INC.. Invention is credited to SHELLY PIZARRO, AILEN SANCHEZ, CHARLES H. SCHMELZER.
Application Number | 20110294990 13/196680 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38722613 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110294990 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PIZARRO; SHELLY ; et
al. |
December 1, 2011 |
Refolding of Recombinant Proteins
Abstract
Processes are provided for recovering and purifying refolded
recombinant proteins produced in heterologous host cells, which
includes the step of refolding the protein in a high pH buffer.
Inventors: |
PIZARRO; SHELLY; (SAN
CARLOS, CA) ; SANCHEZ; AILEN; (FOSTER CITY, CA)
; SCHMELZER; CHARLES H.; (BURLINGAME, CA) |
Assignee: |
GENENTECH, INC.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
CA
|
Family ID: |
38722613 |
Appl. No.: |
13/196680 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11777997 |
Jul 13, 2007 |
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13196680 |
|
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60830831 |
Jul 14, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
530/399 ;
530/412; 530/416 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 1/1136 20130101;
C07K 1/20 20130101; C07K 1/14 20130101; C07K 14/00 20130101; C07K
1/1133 20130101; C07K 1/36 20130101; C07K 14/475 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
530/399 ;
530/412; 530/416 |
International
Class: |
C07K 1/36 20060101
C07K001/36; C07K 14/475 20060101 C07K014/475; C07K 1/14 20060101
C07K001/14 |
Claims
1. A process for recovering a refolded recombinant protein from a
prokaryotic cell culture, the process comprising the steps of: (a)
isolating a recombinant protein from the prokaryotic cell culture;
(b) solubilizing said protein in a first buffered solution, pH
greater than 9, comprising a first chaotropic agent; (c) refolding
said solubilized protein in a second buffered solution, pH >9
but .ltoreq.11, comprising a second chaotropic agent, two or more
reducing agents and addition of air or oxygen for such a time and
under such conditions that refolding of the recombinant protein
occurs; and (d) recovering said refolded recombinant protein.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein the recombinant protein is a
growth factor.
3. The process of claim 2, wherein the growth factor is vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
4. The process of claim 3, wherein the VEGF is VEGF.sub.165.
5. The process of claim 1, wherein the first and second chaotropic
agents are urea.
6. The process of claim 1, wherein the first buffered solution
further comprises arginine.
7. The process of claim 1, wherein the second buffered solution
further comprises arginine.
8. The process of claim 1, wherein the first buffered solution
comprises 1 M Urea, 300 mM arginine, 10 mM CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 11,
final concentration.
9. The process of claim 1, wherein the first buffered solution
comprises 1 M Urea, 300 mM arginine, 10 mM TRIS, 5 mM EDTA, pH 11,
final concentration.
10. The process of claim 1, wherein the second buffered solution
comprises 1 M Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 2 mM DTT, 100 mM arginine, 10
mM CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 10, final concentration.
11. The process of claim 1, wherein the second buffered solution
comprises 1 M Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 0.5-2 mM DTT, 100 mM arginine,
10 mM TRIS, 5 mM EDTA, pH 10, final concentration.
12. The process of claim 1, wherein the recombinant protein is
incubated in the first buffered solution for at least 1 hour.
13. The process of claim 12, wherein the incubation is performed at
2-40.degree. C.
14. The process of claim 1, wherein the solubilized protein is
incubated in the second buffered solution for about 3 to 24
hours.
15. The process of claim 14, wherein the incubation is performed at
2-40.degree. C.
16. The process of claim 1, wherein the two or more reducing agents
comprises cysteine and DTT.
17. The process of claim 1, wherein the addition of air or oxygen
is provided at ak.sub.La=0.001 to 0.1 min.sup.-1.
18. The process of claim 1, further comprising stabilizing the
refolded recombinant protein by adding nitrogen.
19. The process of claim 1, wherein said recovery step (d)
comprises clarifying the second buffered solution with the
recombinant protein and sequentially contacting said refolded
recombinant protein to a mixed mode chromatographic support, a
cationic chromatographic support, and a first hydrophobic
chromatographic support, and selectively eluting the refolded
recombinant protein from each support.
20. The process of claim 19, wherein the clarifying step comprises:
adding detergent to a final concentration of 1%, adjusting pH to
about 8.5-9.5, incubating solution for 1 to 10 hours at
25-30.degree. C., centrifuging the solution; and filtering liquid
recovered from the centrifugation step.
21. The process of claim 19, further comprising contacting said
refolded recombinant protein to a second hydrophobic
chromatographic support or an ion exchange support and selectively
eluting the refolded recombinant protein from the support.
22. The process of claim 19 or 21, wherein said first and second
hydrophobic interaction chromatographic support is selected from
the group consisting of butyl-, propyl-, octyl-, phenyl- and
aryl-agarose resins.
23. A process for recovering a refolded recombinant protein from a
prokaryotic cell culture, the method comprising the steps of: (a)
isolating a recombinant protein from the prokaryotic cell culture;
(b) solubilizing and refolding said protein in a combo buffered
solution, pH >9 but .ltoreq.11, with addition of air or oxygen;
and, (c) recovering said refolded recombinant protein.
24. The process of claim 23, wherein the recovery step comprises
clarifying the combo solution with the recombinant protein and
sequentially contacting said refolded recombinant protein to a
mixed mode chromatographic support, a cationic chromatographic
support, and a first hydrophobic chromatographic support, and
selectively eluting the refolded recombinant protein from each
support.
25. The process of claim 24, wherein the clarifying step comprises:
adding detergent to a final concentration of 1%, adjusting pH to
about 8.5-9.5, incubating solution for 1 to 10 hours at
25-30.degree. C., centrifuging the solution; and filtering liquid
recovered from the centrifugation step.
26. The process of claim 23, wherein the combo buffered solution
comprises 1 M Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 2 mM DTT, 100 mM arginine, 10
mM CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 10, final concentration.
27. The process of claim 23, wherein the combo buffered solution
comprises 1 M Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 0.5-2 mM DTT, 100 mM arginine,
10 mM TRIS, 5 mM EDTA, pH 10, final concentration.
28. The process of claim 23, wherein the recombinant protein is
incubated in the combo buffered solution for about 3 to 24
hours.
29. The process of claim 28, wherein the incubation is performed at
2-40.degree. C.
30. The process of claim 24, further comprising contacting said
refolded recombinant protein to a second hydrophobic
chromatographic support or an ion exchange support and selectively
eluting the refolded recombinant protein from the support.
31. A method for purifying a recombinant protein, the method
comprising the steps of: sequentially contacting a recombinant
protein with a mixed mode support, a cationic chromatographic
support, a first hydrophobic interaction chromatographic support,
and selectively eluting the recombinant protein from each
support.
32. The method of claim 30, further comprising contacting the
recombinant protein with a second hydrophobic chromatographic
support or an ion exchange support, and selectively eluting the
recombinant protein from the support.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
11/777,997, filed on Jul. 13, 2007 which claims priority and the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/830,831, filed
Jul. 14, 2006 specification of which is incorporated herein in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to methods for obtaining heterologous
recombinant proteins produced in cell culture. The invention
includes methods for recovering and purifying refolded recombinant
proteins that have been produced in prokaryotic host cells and are
present in these cells, typically in the periplasmic or
intracellular space. The recombinant proteins produced in
prokaryotic host cells can also be found as soluble proteins or as
a mixture of soluble and insoluble proteins.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many therapeutically relevant recombinant proteins are
produced in a variety of host organisms. Most proteins can be
expressed in their native form in eukaryotic hosts such as CHO
cells. Animal cell culture generally requires prolonged growing
times to achieve maximum cell density and ultimately achieves lower
cell density than prokaryotic cell cultures (Cleland, J. (1993) ACS
Symposium Series 526, Protein Folding: In Vivo and In Vitro,
American Chemical Society). Additionally, animal cell cultures
often require expensive media containing growth components that may
interfere with the recovery of the desired protein. Bacterial host
expression systems provide a cost-effective alternative to the
manufacturing scale production of recombinant proteins. Numerous
U.S. patents on general bacterial expression of recombinant
proteins exist, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,565,785; 4,673,641;
4,795,706; and 4,710,473. A major advantage of the production
method is the ability to easily isolate the product from the
cellular components by centrifugation or microfiltration. See,
e.g., Kipriyanov and Little, (1999) Molecular Biotechnology, 12:
173-201; and, Skerra and Pluckthun, (1988) Science, 240:
1038-1040.
[0004] However, bacterial expression systems such as E. coli lack
the cellular machinery to facilitate proper refolding of the
proteins and generally do not result in the secretion of large
proteins into the culture media. Recombinant proteins expressed in
bacterial host cells are often found as inclusion bodies consisting
of dense masses of partially folded and misfolded reduced protein.
See, e.g., Baneyx, (1999) Current Opin. Biotechnology 10:411-421;
and, Villaverde and Carrio, (2003) Biotech. Letts. 25:1385-1395.
Proteins may also be expressed without forming inclusion bodies.
See, e.g., Id. Typically in inclusion bodies, the recombinant
protein is generally inactive.
[0005] Additionally, refolding often produces misfolded and
disulfide-linked dimers, trimers, and multimers. (Morris et al.,
(1990) Biochem. J., 268:803-806; Toren et al., (1988) Anal.
Biochem., 169:287-299). This association phenomenon is very common
during protein refolding, particularly at higher protein
concentrations, and appears often to involve association through
hydrophobic interaction of partially folded intermediates (Cleland
and Wang, (1990) Biochemistry, 29:11072-11078).
[0006] Misfolding occurs either in the cell during fermentation or
during the isolation procedure. Proteins recovered from periplasmic
or intracellular space must be solubilized and the soluble protein
refolded into the native state. See, e.g., Rudolph, Renaturation of
Recombinant, Disulfide-Bonded Proteins From "Inclusion Bodies" in
Modern Methods in Protein-and Nucleic Acid Research (Walter de
Gruyter New York, 1990) pp. 149-172. In vitro methods for refolding
the proteins into the correct, biologically active conformation are
essential for obtaining functional proteins. Typical downstream
processing of proteins recovered from inclusion bodies includes the
dissolution of the inclusion body at high concentration of a
denaturant such as urea followed by dilution of the denaturant to
permit refolding to occur (see, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,512,922;
4,511,502; and 4,511,503). See also, e.g., Rudolph and Lilie,
(1996) FASEB J. 10:49-56; Fischer et al., (1993), Biotechnology and
Bioengineering, 41:3-13; Misawa & Kumagai, (1999) Biopolymers
51:297-307; and, Clark, (1998) Current Opinion in Biotechnology,
9:157-163; and, Tsumoto et al., (2003) Protein Expression and
Purification 28:1-8. Such recovery methods are regarded as being
universally applicable, with minor modifications, to the recovery
of biologically active recombinant proteins from inclusion bodies.
These methods have been applied to heparin binding protein (HBP)
such as VEGF (Siemeister et al. (1996) supra). These methods seek
to eliminate random disulfide bonding prior to coaxing the
recombinant protein into its biologically active conformation
through its other stabilizing forces and may not eliminate
improperly folded intermediates, provide homogenous populations of
properly folded product, or provide sufficient amounts of the
properly folded product. Reversed micelles or ion exchange
chromatography have been used to assist refolding of denatured
proteins by enclosing a single protein within micelles or isolating
them on a resin and then removing the denaturant (Hagen et al.,
(1990) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 35:966-975; Creighton (1985) in Protein
Structure Folding and Design (Oxender, D. L. Ed.) pp. 249-251, New
York: Alan R. Liss, Inc.). These methods have been useful in
preventing protein aggregation and facilitating proper refolding.
To alter the rate or extent of refolding, conformation-specific
refolding has been performed with ligands and antibodies to the
native structure of the protein (Cleland and Wang, (1993), in
Biotechnology, (Rehm H.-J., and Reed G. Eds.) pp 528-555, New York,
VCH). For example, creatine kinase was refolded in the presence of
antibodies to the native structure (Morris et al., (1987) Biochem.
J. 248:53-57). In addition to antibodies, ligands and cofactors
have been used to enhance refolding. These molecules would be more
likely to interact with the folding protein after formation of the
native protein. Therefore, the folding equilibrium could be
"driven" to the native state. For example, the rate of refolding of
ferricytochrome c was enhanced by the extrinsic ligand for the
axial position of the heme iron (Brems and Stellwagon, (1983) J.
Biol. Chem. 258:3655-3661). Chaperone proteins and folding
catalysts have also been used to assist with protein folding. See,
e.g., Baneyx, (1999) Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 10:411-421;
& Carrio & Villaverde, (2003) FEBS Letters 537:215-221.
However, these methods are not always efficient or sufficient to
produce quantities of protein product.
[0007] There is a need for new and more effective methods of
folding and/or recovering recombinant proteins from a host cell
culture, e.g., for the efficient and economical production of
recombinant proteins in bacterial cell culture. These new and more
effective methods provide for improved recovery of a highly
purified biologically active properly refolded protein and that are
generally applicable to manufacturing scale production of the
proteins. The invention addresses these and other needs, as will be
apparent upon review of the following disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides a method for recovering and purifying
refolded recombinant proteins from cell culture. In particular the
invention provides a method of recovering a recombinant protein
from prokaryotic host cells, e.g., bacterial cells. The processes
of the invention are broadly applicable to recombinant proteins. In
certain embodiments, the recombinant protein is a growth factor,
e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In one embodiment,
the growth factor is VEGF.sub.165.
[0009] In one embodiment, a process includes: (a) isolating said
recombinant protein from the prokaryotic cell culture; (b)
solubilizing said protein in a first buffered solution, pH greater
than 9, comprising a first chaotropic agent; (c) refolding said
solubilized protein in a second buffered solution, pH >9 but
.ltoreq.11, comprising a second chaotropic agent, two or more
reducing agents and addition of air or oxygen for such a time and
under such conditions that refolding of the recombinant protein
occurs; and (d) recovering said refolded recombinant protein. In
one embodiment, the first buffered solution and/or the second
buffered solution further comprises arginine. In one embodiment,
the first buffered solution comprises 1 M Urea, 300 mM arginine, 10
mM CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 11, final concentration. In another
embodiment, the first buffered solution comprises 1 M Urea, 300 mM
arginine, 10 mM TRIS, 5 mM EDTA, pH 11, final concentration. In one
embodiment, the second buffered solution comprises two or more
reducing agents, e.g., DTT and cysteine. In one embodiment, the
second buffered solution comprises 1 M Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 2 mM
DTT, 100 mM arginine, 10 mM CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 10, final
concentration. In another embodiment, the second buffered solution
comprises 1 M Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 0.5-2 mM DTT, 100 mM arginine,
10 mM TRIS, 5 mM EDTA, pH 10, final concentration.
[0010] In one embodiment, a process includes: (a) isolating said
recombinant protein from the prokaryotic cell culture; (b)
solubilizing and refolding said protein in a combo buffered
solution, pH >9 but .ltoreq.11 with the addition of air or
oxygen; and, (c) recovering said recombinant protein.
[0011] In one embodiment, the combo buffered solution comprises 1 M
Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 2 mM DTT, 100 mM arginine, 10 mM CHES, 5 mM
EDTA, pH 10, final concentration. In another embodiment, the combo
buffered solution comprises 1 M Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 0.5-2 mM DTT,
100 mM arginine, 10 mM TRIS, 5 mM EDTA, pH 10, final
concentration.
[0012] The oxygen or air for the refold reaction can be provided by
an air source or an oxygen enriched compressed gas supply. In one
embodiment, a k.sub.La of 0.004 min.sup.-1 is used, e.g., which
represents a mixing rate of 200-400rpm and sparging rate of 0.3
cc/min/L in a 2.5 L vessel containing a marine type impeller. In
other embodiments, k.sub.La=0.01 min.sup.-1 or 0.1 min.sup.-1 are
used to produce refolded protein.
[0013] The solubilization and/or refolding can be done at a variety
of temperatures. In one embodiment, the incubation temperature for
the solubilization and/or refolding is room temperature. The
incubation time can vary according to the recombinant protein being
recovered and refolded. In one embodiment, the recombinant protein
is incubated in the first buffered solution for at least 1 hour, or
1 to 2 hours. In one embodiment, the solubilized protein is
incubated in the second buffered solution for about 3 to 24 hours.
In one embodiment, the isolated recombinant protein is incubated in
the combo buffered solution for 3 to 24 hours.
[0014] The invention additionally provides processes and methods
for refolding of recombinant proteins either alone or in connection
with the recovery of the recombinant protein as described herein.
In a particular embodiment, purification methods include clarifying
the solution containing the recombinant protein and contacting said
refolded recombinant protein in the clarified solution with a mixed
mode support, a cationic chromatographic support, a first
hydrophobic interaction chromatographic support, and optionally, a
second hydrophobic chromatographic support or an ion exchange
support; and selectively recovering or eluting the refolded
recombinant protein from each support. In one embodiment,
clarifying the solution comprises adding detergent to a final
concentration of 1%, adjusting pH to about 8.5-9.5, incubating
solution for 1 to 10 hours at 25-30.degree. C., centrifuging the
solution; and filtering the liquid recovered from the
centrifugation step. In one embodiment, the pH is about 8.7. In
another embodiment, the pH is about 9.0. It is contemplated that
the steps for recovery steps can be performed in any order, e.g.,
sequentially or altering the order of the chromatographic
supports.
[0015] In certain embodiments of the invention, methods are
provided for recovering and purifying refolded recombinant proteins
from manufacturing or industrial scale cell culture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example a time course study of the
refolding process as described herein, which was evaluated by
rpHPLC chromatography.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a chromatograph from VEGF produced by
bacterial strain W3110 loaded on a CaptoMMC.TM. column. The column
is equilibrated with 25 mM HEPES pH 9.0. The VEGF is eluted from
the MMC column isocratically with 1 M arginine/25 mM HEPES, pH
6-9.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a chromatograph from VEGF produced by
bacterial strain W3110 loaded on a SPHP column. For example, the
SPHP column is equilibrated in 50 mM HEPES, pH 7.5. The column is
eluted using a linear gradient from 0.0-1.2 M sodium acetate in, 50
mM HEPES, pH 7.5 over 1 column volume. The eluant is monitored at
280 nm. The protein is recovered from fractions with the highest
absorbance at 280 nm (OD max at .about.42 mS/cm), which typically
contain >90% of the VEGF, are pooled for further processing.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a chromatograph from VEGF produced by
bacterial strain W3110 loaded on a HiPropyl column.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a chromatograph from VEGF produced by
bacterial strain W3110 loaded on a Phenyl Sepharose column.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates the effect of urea and arginine on
refolding conditions.
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates the effect of N.sub.2 in stabilizing the
refold pool up to 48 hours as evaluated by rpHPLC time course, when
N.sub.2 was added 6 hours after refolding started.
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates the effect of varying air sparging rates
on refolding conditions
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates a column assay, where cation exchange
HPLC is used to assay for refolded VEGF.
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates the amino acid sequence of VEGF.sub.165
with disulfide bonds indicated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Definitions
[0026] As used herein, "polypeptide" refers generally to peptides
and proteins from any cell source having more than about ten amino
acids. "Heterologous" polypeptides are those polypeptides foreign
to the host cell being utilized, such as a human protein produced
by E. coli. While the heterologous polypeptide may be prokaryotic
or eukaryotic, preferably it is eukaryotic, more preferably
mammalian, and most preferably human. In certain embodiments of the
invention, it is a recombinantly produced (e.g., a recombinant
polypeptide or a recombinant protein).
[0027] Examples of mammalian polypeptides include molecules such
as, e.g., a growth factor; a heparin-binding growth factor;
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), e.g., VEGF-A (isoforms),
VEGF-B, VEGF-C and VEGF-D; a receptor and antibody to VEGF such as
rhuFab V2 and bevacizumab, ranibizumab; an antibody to VEGF
receptors; rennin; a growth hormone, including human growth hormone
(hGH); bovine growth hormone; growth hormone releasing factor;
parathyroid hormone; thyroid stimulating hormone; lipoproteins;
1-antitrypsin; insulin A-chain; insulin B-chain; proinsulin;
thrombopoietin; follicle stimulating hormone; calcitonin;
luteinizing hormone; glucagon; growth hormone receptors; growth
hormone releasing protein (GHRF); LIV-1 (EP 1263780); TRAIL;
clotting factors such as factor VIIIC, factor IX, tissue factor,
and von Willebrands factor; Factor VIII; Factor VIII B domain;
anti-tissue factor; anti-clotting factors such as Protein C; atrial
naturietic factor; lung surfactant; a plasminogen activator, such
as urokinase or human urine or tissue-type plasminogen activator
(t-PA) and variants thereof; bombesin; thrombin; hemopoietic growth
factor; tumor necrosis factor-alpha and -beta; antibodies to ErbB2
domain(s), enkephalinase; a serum albumin such as human serum
albumin; Muellerian-inhibiting substance; relaxin A-chain; relaxin
B-chain; prorelaxin; mouse gonadotropin-associated peptide; a
microbial protein, such as beta-lactamase; DNase; inhibin; activin;
receptors for hormones or growth factors; integrin; protein A or D;
rheumatoid factors; a neurotrophic factor such as brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3, -4, -5, or -6 (NT-3,
NT-4, NT-5, or NT-6), or a nerve growth factor such as NGF;
cardiotrophins (cardiac hypertrophy factor) such as cardiotrophin-1
(CT-1); platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) (A, B, C or D);
fibroblast growth factor such as aFGF and bFGF; epidermal growth
factor (EGF); transforming growth factor (TGF) such as TGF-alpha
and TGF-beta, including TGF-1, TGF-2, TGF-3, TGF-4, or TGF-5;
insulin-like growth factor-I and -II (IGF-I and IGF-II) and their
receptors such as IGFBP-1-IGFBP-6; des(1-3)-IGF-I (brain IGF-I),
insulin-like growth factor binding proteins; CD proteins such as
CD-3, CD-4, CD-8, and CD-19; erythropoietin; osteoinductive
factors; immunotoxins; a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP); an
interferon such as interferon-alpha, -beta, and -gamma; serum
albumin, such as human serum albumin (HSA) or bovine serum albumin
(BSA); colony stimulating factors (CSFs), e.g., M-CSF, GM-CSF, and
G-CSF; interleukins (ILs), e.g., IL-1 to IL-10; anti-HER-2
antibody; Apo2 ligand; superoxide dismutase; anti-CD20; heregulin,
anti-IgE, anti-CD11a, anti-CD18; tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and
antibodies thereto, TNF receptor and related antibodies,
TNF-receptor-IgG, TNF receptor associated factors (TRAF5) and
inhibitors thereof, T-cell receptors; surface membrane proteins;
decay accelerating factor; anti-TGF such as anti-TGF-beta;
anti-activin; anti-inhibin; anti-Fas antibodies; Apo-2 ligand
inhibitor; Apo-2 receptor; Apo-3; apoptotic factors; Ced-4; DcR3;
death receptor and agonist antibodies (DR4, DR5); lymphotoxin (LT);
prolactin; prolactin receptor; SOB proteins; WISP (wnt-induced
secreted proteins); anti-NGF; DNase; hepatitis antigen; herpes
simplex antigen; leptin; Toll protein, TIE ligands, CD40 and
anti-CD40, immunoadhesins, subtilisin, hepatocyte growth factor
(HGF), thrombopoietin (TPO); prostrate-specific cancer antigen
(PSCA); viral antigen such as, for example, a portion of the AIDS
envelope; transport proteins; homing receptors; addressins;
regulatory proteins; antibodies; and fragments of any of the
above-listed polypeptides. The term "antibody" herein is used in
the broadest sense and specifically covers intact monoclonal
antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g.
bispecific antibodies) formed from at least two intact antibodies,
and antibody fragments, so long as they exhibit the desired
biological activity. In certain embodiments of the invention, the
recombinant polypeptide is a growth factor. In one embodiment, the
recombinant polypeptide is the mammalian polypeptide VEGF. In
another embodiment, the recombinant polypeptide is human VEGF
(e.g., VEGF.sub.165). In one embodiment, the recombinant
polypeptide is not angiostatin. In one embodiment, the recombinant
polypeptide is not IGF-1.
[0028] As used herein, "vascular endothelial growth factor", or
"VEGF", refers to a mammalian growth factor derived originally from
bovine pituitary follicular cells having the amino acid sequence
disclosed in Castor, C. W., et al., (1991) Methods in Enzymol.
198:391-405, together with functional derivatives thereof having
the qualitative biological activity of a corresponding native VEGF,
including, but not limited to, the human VEGF amino acid sequence
as reported in Houck et al., (1991) Mol. Endocrin. 5:1806-1814. See
also, Leung et al. (1989) Science, 246:1306, and, Robinson &
Stringer, (2001) Journal of Cell Science, 144(5):853-865, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,332,671. This is also referred to as VEGF-A. Other members of
the family are indicated by a letter notation at the end of VEGF,
e.g., VEGF-B, VEGF-C, or VEGF-D. The predominant form of VEGF or
VEGF-A is a 165 amino acid homodimer having sixteen cysteine
residues that form 7 intramolecular disulfide bonds and two
intermolecular disulfide bonds. Alternative splicing has been
implicated in the formation of multiple human VEGF polypeptides
consisting of 121, 145, 165, 189 and 206 amino acids, however the
VEGF.sub.121 variant lacks the heparin binding domain of the other
variants. All isoforms of VEGF share a common amino-terminal
domain, but differ in the length of the carboxyl-terminal portion
of the molecule. The preferred active form of VEGF, VEGF.sub.165,
has disulfide bonds between amino acid residues Cys26-Cys68;
Cys57-Cys104; Cys61-Cys102; Cys117-Cys135; Cys120-Cys137;
Cys139-Cys; 158; Cys146-Cys160 in each monomer. See FIG. 10. See
also, e.g., Keck et al., (1997) Archives of Biochemistry and
Biophysics 344(1):103-113. The VEGF.sub.165 molecule is composed of
two domains: an amino-terminal receptor-binding domain (amino acids
1-110 disulfide linked homodimer) and a carboxyl-terminal
heparin-binding domain (residues 111-165). See, e.g., Keyt et al.,
(1996) J. Biol. Chem., 271(13):7788-7795. In certain embodiments of
the invention, the VEGF.sub.165 isolated and purified is not
glycosylated at residue 75 (Asn). See, e.g., Yang et al., (1998)
Journal of Pharm. & Experimental Therapeutics, 284:103-110. In
certain embodiments of the invention, the VEGF.sub.165 isolated and
purified is substantially undeamidated at residue Asn10. In certain
embodiments of the invention, the VEGF.sub.165 isolated and
purified is a mixture of deamidated (at residue Asn10) and
undeamidated protein, typically with majority of the protein being
undeamidated. Since VEGF.sub.165 is a homodimer, deamination can
occur on one or both polypeptide chains.
[0029] The term "heparin binding protein" as used herein refers to
a polypeptide capable of binding heparin (as herein defined). The
definition includes the mature, pre, pre-pro, and pro forms of
native and recombinantly produced heparin-binding proteins. Typical
examples of heparin-binding proteins are "heparin binding growth
factors," including but not limited to epidermal growth factor
(EGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast
growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF),
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor
(HGF) (also known as scatter factor, SF), and nerve growth factor
(NGF), IL-8, etc.
[0030] "Heparin" (also referred to as heparinic acid) is a
heterogenous group of highly sulfated, straight-chain anionic
mucopolysaccharides, called glycosaminoglycans. Although others may
be present, the main sugars in heparin are: .alpha.-L-iduronic acid
2-sulfate, 2-deoxy-2-sulfamino-.alpha.-glucose 6-sulfate,
.beta.-D-glucuronic acid, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-.alpha.-D-glucose,
and L-iduronic acid. These and optionally other sugars are joined
by glycosidic linkages, forming polymers of varying sizes. Due to
the presence of its covalently linked sulfate and carboxylic acid
groups, heparin is strongly acidic. The molecular weight of heparin
varies from about 3,000 to about 20,000 daltons depending on the
source and the method of determination. Native heparin is a
constituent of various tissues, especially liver and lung, and mast
cells in several mammalian species. Heparin and heparin salts
(heparin sodium) are commercially available and are primarily used
as anticoagulants in various clinical situations.
[0031] As used herein "properly folded" or "biologically active"
VEGF or other recombinant protein and the like refers to a molecule
with a biologically active conformation. The skilled artisan will
recognize that misfolded and disulfide scrambled intermediates may
have biological activity. In such a case the properly folded or
biologically active VEGF or recombinant protein corresponds to the
native folding pattern of the VEGF (described above) or other
recombinant protein. For example, properly folded VEGF has the
above noted disulfide pairs, in addition to two intermolecular
disulfide bonds in the dimeric molecule, however other
intermediates may be produced by bacterial cell culture. For
properly folded VEGF, the two intermolecular disulfide bonds occur
between the same residues, Cys51 and Cys60, of each monomer. See,
e.g., WO98/16551. Biological activities of VEGF include, but are
not limited to, e.g., promoting vascular permeability, promoting
growth of vascular endothelial cells, binding to a VEGF receptor,
binding and signaling through a VEGF receptor (see, e.g., Keyt et
al., (1996) Journal of Biological Chemistry, 271(10):5638-5646),
inducing angiogenesis, etc.
[0032] The terms "purified" or "pure recombinant protein" and the
like refer to a material free from substances which normally
accompany it as found in its recombinant production and especially
in prokaryotic or bacterial cell culture. Thus the terms refer to a
recombinant protein which is free of contaminating DNA, host cell
proteins or other molecules associated with its in situ
environment. The terms refer to a degree of purity that is at least
about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about
90%, at least about 95% or at least about 98% or more.
[0033] The terms "inclusion bodies" or "refractile bodies" refer to
dense intracellular masses of aggregated polypeptide of interest,
which constitute a significant portion of the total cell protein,
including all cell components. In some cases, but not all cases,
these aggregates of polypeptide may be recognized as bright spots
visible within the enclosure of the cells under a phase-contrast
microscope at magnifications down to 1,000 fold.
[0034] As used herein, the term "misfolded" protein refers to
precipitated or aggregated polypeptides that are contained within
refractile bodies. As used herein, "insoluble" or "misfolded" VEGF
or other recombinant protein refers to precipitated or aggregated
VEGF or recombinant protein that is contained within the periplasm
or intracellular space of prokaryotic host cells, or is otherwise
prokaryotic host cell associated, and assumes a biologically
inactive conformation with mismatched or unformed disulfide bonds.
The insoluble recombinant protein is generally, but need not be,
contained in refractile bodies, i.e., it may or may not be visible
under a phase contrast microscope.
[0035] As used herein, "chaotropic agent" refers to a compound
that, in a suitable concentration in aqueous solution, is capable
of changing the spatial configuration or conformation of
polypeptides through alterations at the surface thereof so as to
render the polypeptide soluble in the aqueous medium. The
alterations may occur by changing, e.g., the state of hydration,
the solvent environment, or the solvent-surface interaction. The
concentration of chaotropic agent will directly affect its strength
and effectiveness. A strongly denaturing chaotropic solution
contains a chaotropic agent in large concentrations which, in
solution, will effectively unfold a polypeptide present in the
solution effectively eliminating the proteins secondary structure.
The unfolding will be relatively extensive, but reversible. A
moderately denaturing chaotropic solution contains a chaotropic
agent which, in sufficient concentrations in solution, permits
partial folding of a polypeptide from whatever contorted
conformation the polypeptide has assumed through intermediates
soluble in the solution, into the spatial conformation in which it
finds itself when operating in its active form under endogenous or
homologous physiological conditions. Examples of chaotropic agents
include guanidine hydrochloride, urea, and hydroxides such as
sodium or potassium hydroxide. Chaotropic agents include a
combination of these reagents, such as a mixture of a hydroxide
with urea or guanidine hydrochloride.
[0036] As used herein, "reducing agent" refers to a compound that,
in a suitable concentration in aqueous solution, maintains free
sulfhydryl groups so that the intra- or intermolecular disulfide
bonds are chemically disrupted. Representative examples of suitable
reducing agents include dithiothreitol (DTT), dithioerythritol
(DTE), beta-mercaptoethanol (BME), cysteine, cysteamine,
thioglycolate, glutathione, and sodium borohydride.
[0037] As used herein, "buffered solution" refers to a solution
which resists changes in pH by the action of its acid-base
conjugate components.
[0038] The "bacteria" for purposes herein include eubacteria and
archaebacteria. In certain embodiments of the invention,
eubacteria, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, are
used in the methods and processes described herein. In one
embodiment of the invention, gram-negative bacteria are used, e.g.,
Enterobacteriaceae. Examples of bacteria belonging to
Enterobacteriaceae include Escherichia, Enterobacter, Erwinia,
Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, Serratia, and Shigella. Other
types of suitable bacteria include Azotobacter, Pseudomonas,
Rhizobia, Vitreoscilla, and Paracoccus. In one embodiment of the
invention, E. coli is used. Suitable E. coli hosts include E. coli
W3110 (ATCC 27,325), E. coli 294 (ATCC 31,446), E. coli B, and E.
coli X1776 (ATCC 31,537). These examples are illustrative rather
than limiting, and W3110 is one example. Mutant cells of any of the
above-mentioned bacteria may also be employed. It is, of course,
necessary to select the appropriate bacteria taking into
consideration replicability of the replicon in the cells of a
bacterium. For example, E. coli, Serratia, or Salmonella species
can be suitably used as the host when well-known plasmids such as
pBR322, pBR325, pACYC177, or pKN410 are used to supply the
replicon. See further below regarding examples of suitable
bacterial host cells.
[0039] As used herein, the expressions "cell," "cell line,"
"strain," and "cell culture" are used interchangeably and all such
designations include progeny. Thus, the words "transformants" and
"transformed cells" include the primary subject cell and cultures
derived therefrom without regard for the number of transfers. It is
also understood that all progeny may not be precisely identical in
DNA content, due to deliberate or inadvertent mutations. Mutant
progeny that have the same function or biological activity as
screened for in the originally transformed cell are included. Where
distinct designations are intended, it will be clear from the
context.
[0040] A mixed mode column refers to a column with a resin that has
both cation exchange properties as well as hydrophobic
interactions.
Recombinant Proteins
[0041] Recombinant proteins, e.g., growth factors such as acidic
fibroblast growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and
vascular endothelial growth factor have been recovered and purified
from a number of sources including bacteria (Salter D. H. et al.,
(1996) Labor. Invest. 74(2):546-556 (VEGF); Siemeister et al.,
(1996) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 222(2):249-55 (VEGF); Cao et
al., (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 261(6):3154-62 (VEGF); Yang et al.,
(1994) Gaojishu Tongxun, 4:28-31 (VEGF); Anspach et al., (1995) J.
Chromatogr. A 711(1):129-139 (aFGF and bFGF); Gaulandris (1994) J
Cell. Physiol. 161(1):149-59 (bFGF); Estape and Rinas (1996)
Biotech. Tech. 10(7):481-484 (bFGF); McDonald et al., (1995) FASEB
J. 9(3):A410 (bFGF)). For example, the predominant active form of
VEGF is a homodimer of two 165-amino acid polypeptides (VEGF-165).
In this structure, each subunit contains 7 pairs of intrachain
disulfide bonds and two additional pairs which effect the covalent
linkage of the two subunits (Ferrara et al., (1991) J. Cell.
Biochem. 47:211-218). The native conformation includes a strongly
basic domain which has been shown to readily bind heparin (Ferrara
et al (1991) supra). While covalent dimerization of VEGF is needed
for effective receptor binding and biological activity (Potgens et
al., (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:32879-32885; Claffey et al., (1995)
Biochim. et Biophys. Acta 1246:1-9), the bacterial product
potentially contains several misfolded and disulfide scrambled
intermediates. Procedures are provided which are useful in
isolating, purifying, and, reactivating proteins which appear in
host cells in the form of "refractile bodies" and as soluble
proteins as well.
Isolating Recombinant Protein
[0042] Insoluble, misfolded recombinant protein is isolated from
prokaryotic host cells expressing the protein by any of a number of
art standard techniques. For example, the insoluble recombinant
protein is isolated in a suitable isolation buffer by exposing the
cells to a buffer of suitable ionic strength to solubilize most
host proteins, but in which the subject protein is substantially
insoluble, or disrupting the cells so as to release the inclusion
bodies or the protein form the periplasmic or intracellular space
and make them available for recovery by, for example,
centrifugation. This technique is well known and is described in,
for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,503. Kleid et al., disclose
purification of refractile bodies by homogenization followed by
centrifugation (Kleid et al., (1984) in Developments in Industrial
Microbiology, (Society for Industrial Microbiology, Arlington, Va.)
25:217-235). See also, e.g., Fischer et al., (1993) Biotechnology
and Bioengineering 41:3-13.
[0043] U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,026 describes a typical method for
recovering protein from inclusion bodies and is summarized as
follows. The prokaryotic cells are suspended in a suitable buffer.
Typically the buffer consists of a buffering agent suitable for
buffering at between pH 5 to 9, or about 6 to 8 and a salt. Any
suitable salt, including NaCl, is useful to maintain a sufficient
ionic strength in the buffered solution. Typically an ionic
strength of about 0.01 to 2 M, or 0.1 to 0.2 M is employed. The
cells, while suspended in this buffer, are disrupted or lysed using
techniques commonly employed such as, for example, mechanical
methods, e.g., Homogenizer (Manton-Gaulin press, Microfluidizer, or
Niro-Soavi), a French press, a bead mill, or a sonic oscillator, or
by chemical or enzymatic methods.
[0044] Examples of chemical or enzymatic methods of cell disruption
include spheroplasting, which entails the use of lysozyme to lyse
the bacterial wall (H. Neu et al., (1964) Biochem. Biophys. Res.
Comm., 17:215), and osmotic shock, which involves treatment of
viable cells with a solution of high tonicity and with a cold-water
wash of low tonicity to release the polypeptides (H. Neu et al.,
1965 J. Biol. Chem., 240(9):3685-3692). Sonication is generally
used for disruption of bacteria contained in analytical scale
volumes of fermentation broth. At larger scales high pressure
homogenization is typically used.
[0045] After the cells are disrupted, the suspension is typically
centrifuged at low speed, generally around 500 to 15,000.times.g,
e.g., in one embodiment of the invention about 12,000.times.g is
used, in a standard centrifuge for a time sufficient to pellet
substantially all of the insoluble protein. Such times can be
simply determined and depend on the volume being centrifuged as
well as the centrifuge design. Typically about 10 minutes to 0.5
hours is sufficient to pellet the insoluble protein. In one
embodiment the suspension is centrifuged at 12,000.times.g for 10
minutes.
[0046] The resulting pellet contains substantially all of the
insoluble protein fraction. If the cell disruption process is not
complete, the pellet may also contain intact cells or broken cell
fragments. Completeness of cell disruption can be assayed by
resuspending the pellet in a small amount of the same buffer
solution and examining the suspension with a phase contrast
microscope. The presence of broken cell fragments or whole cells
indicates that further sonication or other means of disruption is
necessary to remove the fragments or cells and the associated
non-refractile polypeptides. After such further disruption, if
required, the suspension is again centrifuged and the pellet
recovered, resuspended, and reexamined. The process is repeated
until visual examination reveals the absence of broken cell
fragments in the pelleted material or until further treatment fails
to reduce the size of the resulting pellet.
[0047] The above process can be employed whether the insoluble
protein is intracellular or in the periplasmic space. In one
embodiment of the invention, the conditions given herein for
isolating recombinant protein are directed to inclusion bodies
precipitated in the periplasmic space or intracellular space and
relate particularly to VEGF. However, the processes and procedures
are thought to be applicable to recombinant proteins in general
with minor modifications as noted throughout the following text. In
certain embodiments of the invention, the processes and procedures
are applicable to manufacturing or industrial scale production,
refolding, and purification of the recombinant protein.
[0048] In one embodiment, the isolated recombinant protein in the
pellet is incubated in a first buffered solution sufficient to
substantially solubilize the recombinant protein. This incubation
takes place under conditions of concentration, incubation time, and
incubation temperature that will allow solubilization of desired
amount or substantially all the recombinant protein.
[0049] The first buffered solution comprises a buffering agent
suitable for maintaining the pH range of the buffer at least about
9 or greater, with the typical range being 9-11. In one embodiment,
the pH for VEGF is pH 11. Examples of suitable buffers that will
provide a pH within this latter range include TRIS
(Tris[hydroxymethyl]aminomethane), HEPPS
(N-[2-Hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-[3-propane-sulfonic acid]), CAPSO
(3-[Cyclohexylamino]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonic acid), AMP
(2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol), CAPS
(3-[Cyclohexylamino]-1-propanesulfonic acid), CHES
(2[N-Cyclohexylamino]ethanesulfonic acid), arginine, lysine, and
sodium borate. In one embodiment, the buffer herein includes CHES
and arginine at about pH 11. In another embodiment, the buffer
herein includes Tris and arginine at about pH 11. In one
embodiment, the buffer herein includes CHES at about pH 11. In
another embodiment, the buffer herein includes Tris at about pH 11.
In certain embodiments, the first buffered solution includes a
chaotropic agent.
[0050] Chaotropic agents suitable for practicing this invention
include, e.g., urea and salts of guanidine or thiocyanate, e.g.,
urea, guanidine hydrochloride, sodium thiocyanate, etc. The amount
of chaotropic agent necessary to be present in the buffer is an
amount sufficient to unfold the recombinant protein in solution. In
certain embodiments of the invention, a chaotrope is present at
about between about 0.5-5 molar. In one embodiment of the
invention, the chaotropic agent is urea at about 1 M.
[0051] The concentration of the protein in the buffered solution
must be such that the protein will be substantially solubilized as
determined by optical density. The exact amount to employ will
depend on, e.g., the concentrations and types of other ingredients
in the buffered solution, particularly the protein concentration,
chaotropic agent, and the pH of the buffer. In one embodiment of
the invention, the concentration of recombinant protein is in the
range of 0.5-5.5 mg per ml, or 1.5-5.0 mg/ml. The solubilization is
typically carried out at about 0-45.degree. C., or about
2-40.degree. C., or about 20-40.degree. C., or about 23-37.degree.
C., or about 25-37.degree. C., or about 25.degree. C. for at least
about one to 24 hours. Typically, the temperature is not apparently
affected by salt, reducing agent and chaotropic agent levels. In
certain embodiments, the solubilization is carried out at
atmospheric pressure.
[0052] Measurement of the degree of solubilization in the buffered
solution can be determined and is suitably carried out, for
example, by turbidity determination, by analyzing fractionation
between the supernatant and pellet after centrifugation, on reduced
SDS-PAGE gels, by protein assay (e.g., the Bio-Rad protein assay
kit), or by HPLC. Optionally, the disrupted cells are not
centrifuged but are diluted, e.g., 1:4, 1:6, 1:8 in a second
buffered solution described herein (refolding buffer). This
incubation takes place under conditions of concentration,
incubation time, and incubation temperature that will allow
solubilization and refolding of the recombinant protein. In one
embodiment, about 30% or more of recombinant protein is solubilized
and refolded.
Refolding Recombinant Proteins
[0053] After the polypeptide is solubilized or, alternatively, the
cells are disrupted, it is placed or diluted into a second buffered
solution containing at least one reducing agent, and a chaotropic
agent, at concentration which allow for refolding of the
recombinant protein, along with the addition of air or oxygen,
e.g., using a constant volumetric mass transfer coefficient
k.sub.La=0.004 to 0.1 min.sup.-1 (e.g., for a 2.5 L vessel with a
marine type impeller, air sparging rate is 0.3-10 cc/min/L, 0.3-3
cc/min/L, or 1 cc/min/L, or 25 cc/min/L with mixing speed of
200-400 rpm). The oxygen or air for the refold reaction can be
provided by an air source or an oxygen enriched compressed gas
supply. The efficiency of mass transfer from the gas phase to the
liquid phase is controlled by agitation, sparging and
pressurization and is captured by the volumetric mass transfer
coefficient, k.sub.La. See, e.g., Blanch, & Clark, Biochemical
engineering, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1997; and, Aunins, &
Henzler, Aeration in cell culture bioreactors, in Biotechnology: A
multi-volume comprehensive treatise, G. Stephanopoulos, Ed.,
Weinheim, New York, 1993, pp. 219-281. In one embodiment, a
k.sub.La of 0.004 min.sup.-1 is used representing a mixing rate of
200-400 rpm and sparging rate of 0.3 cc/min/L in a 2.5 L vessel
containing a marine type impeller. In other embodiments,
k.sub.La=0.01 min.sup.-1 or 0.1 min.sup.-1 are used to produce
properly folded protein.
[0054] In certain embodiments of the invention, the second buffered
solution contains two or more reducing agents. The polypeptide may
be diluted with the refolding buffer, e.g., at least five fold, or
at least about ten fold, or about 20 fold, or about 40 fold. The
conditions of this second incubation of the soluble, unfolded
protein will generally be such that desired amount or substantial
or complete refolding of the protein will take place. The exact
conditions will depend on, for example, the pH of the buffer and
the types and concentrations of chaotropic and reducing agents
present. The incubation temperature is generally about 0-40.degree.
C. and the incubation will generally be carried out for at least
about 1 hour to about 48 hours to effect refolding. In certain
embodiments, the reaction is carried out, e.g., at about
0-45.degree. C., or about 2-40.degree. C., or about 20-40.degree.
C., or about 23-37.degree. C., or about 25-37.degree. C., or about
25.degree. C., for at least about 3 hours, for at least about 10
hours, or between about 3 and 30 hours, or between about 3 and 24
hours. In certain embodiments, the reaction is carried out at
atmospheric pressure.
[0055] The second buffered solution comprises a buffering agent
suitable for maintaining the pH range of the buffer at least about
9 or greater than 9, with the typical range being 9-11, a
chaotropic agent, and at least one reducing agent. In certain
embodiments, the second buffered solution comprises two or more
reducing agents. In one embodiment, the pH for VEGF is pH 10.
Examples of suitable buffers that will provide a pH within this
latter range include TRIS. (Tris[hydroxymethyl]aminomethane), HEPPS
(N-[2-Hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-[3-propane-sulfonic acid]), CAPSO
(3-[Cyclohexylamino]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonic acid), AMP
(2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol), CAPS
(3-[Cyclohexylamino]-1-propanesulfonic acid), CHES
(2-[N-Cyclohexylamino]ethanesulfonic acid), arginine, lysine, and
sodium borate. In one embodiment, the second buffered solution
herein comprises CHES and arginine at about pH 10 (at about a
concentration of 10 mM and 100 mM final concentration,
respectively), with two or more reducing agents and at least one
chaotropic agent. In another embodiment, the second buffered
solution herein comprises Tris and arginine at about pH 10 (at
about a concentration of 10 mM and 100 mM final concentration,
respectively), with two or more reducing agents and at least one
chaotropic agent.
[0056] Arginine (or another positively charged amino acid), e.g.,
L-arginine/HCl, can be present in the first buffered solution and
the second buffered solution. In certain embodiments of the
invention, the concentration of arginine is e.g., about 50-500 mM,
about 75-300 mM, or about 100-300 mM, or about 100 mM or 300 mM
final concentration, etc. In certain embodiments of the invention,
the protein is in a first buffered solution at pH greater than 9
and 0.5-3 M urea, 50-500 mM arginine and 5 mM EDTA, final
concentration. In one embodiment, 10 mM CHES final concentration is
used. In another embodiment, 10 mM Tris final concentration is
used. In one embodiment, the first buffered solution comprises 1 M
Urea, 300 mM arginine, 10 mM CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 11, final
concentration. In another embodiment, the first buffered solution
comprises 1 M Urea, 300 mM arginine, 10 mM Tris, 5 mM EDTA, pH 11,
final concentration. In certain embodiments of the invention, the
protein is in a second buffered solution (refolding buffered
solution) at pH >9 but .ltoreq.11 containing 0.5-3 M urea,
50-500 mM arginine, 0.25-1 mM DTT, 5-20 mM cysteine, and 2-10 mM
EDTA, final concentration. In one embodiment, 10 mM CHES final
concentration is used. In another embodiment, 10 mM Tris final
concentration is used. In one embodiment, the protein is in a
refolding buffer solution with 1 M urea, 15 mM cysteine, 2 mM DTT,
100 mM arginine, 10 mM CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 9-10, final
concentration. In another embodiment, the protein is in a refolding
buffer solution with 1 M urea, 15 mM cysteine, 0.5-2 mM DTT, 100 mM
arginine, 10 mM Tris, 5 mM EDTA, pH 9-10, final concentration.
[0057] As noted, the solution also contains at least one reducing
agent. Examples of suitable reducing agents include, but are not
limited to, dithiothreitol (DTT), .beta.-mercaptoethonol (BME),
cysteine, DTE, etc. The amount of reducing agent to be present in
the buffer will depend mainly on the type of reducing agent and
chaotropic agent, the type and pH of the buffer employed, the
amount of oxygen entrained in or introduced to the solution, and
the concentration of the protein in the buffer. For example, the
reducing agent is suitably selected from those described above in
the concentration range of about 0.5 to about 20 mM for cysteine,
0.25-3.0 mM for DTT (e.g., 0.5-2 mM DTT), and less than about 0.2
mM for BME. In one embodiment of the invention, there are two or
more reducing agents, e.g., DTT at about 0.5-2 mM and 0.5 to about
20 mM cysteine. Whereas DTT and BME can be used in connection with
the procedures provided herein for recombinant proteins in general,
a combination of cysteine at about 15 mM and DTT as described above
is an example for the recovery of VEGF. In one embodiment, the
reducing agent is DTT at about 2 mM, with 15 mM cysteine, final
concentration. In another embodiment, the reducing agent is DTT at
about 0.5 mM, with 15 mM cysteine, final concentration.
[0058] The second buffered solution contains at least one
chaotropic agent at a concentration such that refolding of the
recombinant protein occurs. Generally a chaotrope is present at
about between about 0.5 and 2 molar final concentration. In one
embodiment of the invention, the chaotropic agent herein is urea at
about 0.5-2 M, 0.5-2 M, or at about 1 M, final concentration. In
another embodiment of the invention, the chaotropic agent is
guanidine hydrochloride at about 0.1-1 M final concentration.
[0059] The refolding buffer can optionally contain additional
agents such as any of a variety of non-ionic detergents such as
TRITON.TM. X-100, NONIDET.TM. P-40, the TWEEN.TM. series and the
BRIJ.TM. series. The non-ionic detergent is present at about
between 0.01% and 1.0% final concentration. In one example, the
concentrations for non ionic detergent are between about 0.025% and
0.05%, or about 0.05% final concentration.
[0060] The degree of refolding is suitably determined by high
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis using e.g.,
rpHPLC chromatography column, a cation exchange HPLC (SP-5PW TSK
gel column, Tosoh Bioscience LLC), or other appropriate heparin
affinity column. Increasing correctly folded recombinant peak size
in the cation exchange HPLC assay or Heparin binding HPLC assay
directly correlates with increasing amounts of folded, biologically
active recombinant protein present in the buffer. The incubation is
carried out to maximize the ratio of correctly folded recombinant
protein to misfolded recombinant protein recovered, as determined
by rpHPLC assay.
[0061] In one embodiment, the quality and quantity of
properly-folded VEGF is assessed using a heparin-binding assay.
Samples containing the diluted recombinant protein are loaded on a
e.g., Heparin-5PW column (7.5.times.75 mm, Tosoh Biosciences LLC,
Tokyo, Japan) or other suitable heparin affinity column. For
example, the Heparin-5PW column is equilibrated in 10 mM sodium
phosphate, pH 7.4 containing 0.15 M sodium chloride. At a flow rate
of 1 ml/min or 2 ml/min, the column is eluted using a linear
gradient from 0.15-2 M sodium chloride in, 10 mM sodium phosphate,
pH 7.4 over 10 minutes. The eluant is monitored at 280 nm. In one
embodiment, the protein is recovered in a single peak corresponding
to the biologically active properly refolded VEGF. In one
embodiment of the invention, an assay for determining properly
refolded VEGF is RPHPLC. Disulfide linkages can optionally be
confirmed by peptide map. Circular dichroism can also be used in
for determining 2 & 3D structure/folding.
[0062] In one embodiment, solubilization and refolding is performed
in one step. After obtaining the disrupted cell pellet, it is
placed or diluted into the second buffered solution described above
(in this case entitled a combo buffered solution). The polypeptide
may be diluted with the combo buffered solution, e.g., at least
five fold, or at least about ten fold, or about 20 fold, or about
40 fold. The conditions of this incubation of the pellet will
generally be such that desired amount or substantial or complete
solubilization and refolding of the protein will take place, with
the addition of air or oxygen. In one embodiment, a k.sub.La of
0.004 min.sup.-1 is used representing a mixing rate of 200-400 rpm
and sparging rate of 0.3 cc/min/L in a 2.5 L vessel containing a
marine type impeller. In other embodiments, k.sub.La=0.01
min.sup.-1 or 0.1 min.sup.-1 are used to produce properly folded
protein. The exact conditions will depend on, for example, the pH
of the buffer and the types and concentrations of chaotropic and
reducing agents present. The incubation temperature is generally
about 0-40.degree. C. and the incubation will generally be carried
out for at least about 1 to 48 hours to effect solubilization and
refolding. The reaction is carried out, e.g., at about 0-45.degree.
C., or about 2-40.degree. C., or about 20-40.degree. C., or about
23-37.degree. C., or about 25-37.degree. C., or about 25.degree.
C., for at least about 3 hours, for at least about 10 hours, or
between about 3 and 48 hours, or between about 3 and 30 hours. In
certain embodiments, the reaction is carried out at atmospheric
temperature.
Recovery and Purification of Recombinant Proteins
[0063] Although recovery and purification of the recombinant
protein can employ various methods and known procedures for the
separation of such proteins such as, for example, salt and solvent
fractionation, adsorption with colloidal materials, gel filtration,
ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography,
immunoaffinity chromatography, electrophoresis and high performance
liquid chromatography (HPLC), an example of a clarification step
and a multi-step chromatographic procedure is described. The
clarification step comprises adding detergent to a final
concentration of 1% (e.g., Triton-X-100), adjusting pH to about
8.5-9.5 (or about 8.7 or about 9), incubating solution for 1 to 10
hours at 25-30.degree. C., centrifuging the solution; and filtering
liquid recovered from the centrifugation step. The multi-step
chromatographic procedure comprises contacting said refolded
recombinant protein with a mixed mode resin, a cationic
chromatographic support, a first hydrophobic chromatography
support, and optionally, a second hydrophobic chromatography
support or an ion exchange support; and selectively recovering or
eluting the recombinant protein from each support. It is
contemplated that the steps of either procedure can be performed in
any order. In one embodiment of the invention, the steps are
performed sequentially.
[0064] A suitable first step in the further recovery and
purification of the recombinant protein characteristically provides
for the concentration of the recombinant protein and a reduction in
sample volume. For example, the second incubation step described
above, may result in a large increase in the volume of the
recovered recombinant protein and concomitant dilution of the
protein in the refolding buffer. Suitable first chromatographic
supports provide a reduction in volume of recovered recombinant
protein and may advantageously provide some purification of the
protein from unwanted contaminating proteins. Suitable first
chromatographic steps include chromatographic supports which can be
eluted and loaded directly onto a second chromatographic
support.
[0065] Exemplary first chromatographic supports include, but are
not limited to, mixed mode resin (e.g., CaptoMMC.TM., GE
Healthcare, or MEP Hypercel, Pall Corporation), hydroxyapatite
chromatographic supports, e.g., CHT ceramic type I and type II
(formally known as MacroPrep ceramic), Bio-Gel HT, Bio-Gel HTP,
Biorad, Hercules, CA, etc.; metal chelating chromatographic
supports consisting of an inert resin of immobilized metal ions
such as copper, nickel, etc.; as well as non-derivatized silica
gels. In one embodiment of the invention, the first chromatographic
supports for the purification and recovery of VEGF are mixed ion
exchange chromatographic supports. Elution from the first
chromatographic support is accomplished according to art standard
practices. Suitable elution conditions and buffers will facilitate
the loading of the eluted recombinant protein directly onto the
cationic chromatographic support as described below.
[0066] Various anionic constituents may be attached to matrices in
order to form cationic supports for chromatography. Anionic
constituents include carboxymethyl, sulfethyl groups, sulfopropyl
groups, phosphate and sulfonate (S). Cellulosic ion exchange resins
such as SE52 SE53, SE92, CM32, CM52, CM92, P11, DE23, DE32, DE52,
EXPRESS ION.TM. S and EXPRESS ION.TM. C are available from Whatman
LTD, Maidstone Kent U.K. SEPHADEX.TM. and SEPHAROSE.TM. based and
cross linked ion exchangers are also known under the product names
CM SEPHADEX.TM. C-25, CM SEPHADEX.TM. C-50 and SP SEPHADEX.TM. C-25
SP SEPHADEX.TM. C-50 and SP-SEPHAROSE.TM. High Performance,
SP-SEPHAROSE.TM.-XL SP-SEPHAROSE.TM. Fast Flow, CM-SEPHAROSE.TM.
Fast Flow, and CM-SEPHAROSE.TM., CL-6B, all available from
Pharmacia AB. Examples of ion exchangers for the practice of the
invention include but are not limited to, e.g., ion exchangers
under the product names MACROPREP.TM. such as for example
MACROPREP.TM. S support, MACROPREP.TM. High S support and
MACROPREP.TM. CM support from BioRad, Hercules, Calif.
[0067] Elution from cationic chromatographic supports is generally
accomplished by increasing salt concentrations. Because the elution
from ionic columns involves addition of salt and because, as
mentioned herein, HIC is enhanced in salt concentration the
introduction of HIC step following the ionic step or other salt
step is optionally used. In one embodiment of the invention, a
cationic exchange chromatographic step precedes at least the HIC
step, e.g., a first hydrophobic interaction chromatographic support
and/or a second hydrophobic interaction.
[0068] Hydrophobic columns can be used in the purification of the
recombinant protein, e.g., in the 2.sup.nd, 3.sup.rd, and/or
4.sup.th purification steps. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography
is well known in the art and is predicated on the interaction of
hydrophobic portions of the molecule interacting with hydrophobic
ligands attached to "chromatographic supports." A hydrophobic
ligand coupled to a matrix is variously referred to as an HIC
chromatographic support, HIC gel, or HIC column and the like. It is
further appreciated that the strength of the interaction between
the protein and the HIC column is not only a function of the
proportion of non-polar to polar surfaces on the protein but of the
distribution of the non-polar surfaces as well.
[0069] A number of matrices may be employed in the preparation of
HIC columns. The most extensively used is agarose, although silica
and organic polymer resins may be used. Useful hydrophobic ligands
include but are not limited to alkyl groups having from about 2 to
about 10 carbon atoms, such as butyl, propyl, or octyl, or aryl
groups such as phenyl. Conventional HIC supports for gels and
columns may be obtained commercially from suppliers such as
Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden under the product names
butyl-SEPHAROSE.TM., buty-SEPHAROSE.TM.-Fast Flow,
phenyl-SEPHAROSE.TM. CL-4B, octyl SEPHAROSE.TM. FF and phenyl
SEPHAROSE.TM. FF and Tosoh Corporation, Tokyo, Japan under the
product names TOYOPEARL.TM. butyl 650M (Fractogel TSK Butyl-650) or
TSK-GEL phenyl 5PW.
[0070] Ligand density is an important parameter in that it
influences not only the strength of the interaction of the protein
but the capacity of the column as well. The ligand density of the
commercially available phenyl or octyl phenyl gels is on the order
of 5-40 .mu.moles/ml gel bed. Gel capacity is a function of the
particular protein in question as well as pH, temperature and salt
concentration but generally can be expected to fall in the range of
3-20 mg/ml gel.
[0071] The choice of particular gel can be determined by the
skilled artisan. In general the strength of the interaction of the
protein and the HIC ligand increases with the chain length of the
alkyl ligands but ligands having from about 4 to about 8 carbon
atoms are suitable for most separations. A phenyl group has about
the same hydrophobicity as a pentyl group, although the selectivity
can be different owing to the possibility of pi-pi interaction with
aromatic groups of the protein.
[0072] Adsorption of the protein to a HIC column is favored by high
salt concentration, but the actual concentration can vary over a
wide range depending of the nature of the protein and the
particular HIC ligand chosen. In general salt concentration between
about 1 and 4 M are useful.
[0073] Elution from an HIC support, whether stepwise or in the form
of a gradient, can be accomplished in a variety of ways such as a)
by changing the salt concentration, b) by changing the polarity of
the solvent or c) by adding detergents. By decreasing salt
concentrations adsorbed proteins are eluted in order of increasing
hydrophobicity. Changes in polarity may be effected by additions of
solvents such as ethylene glycol or isopropanol thereby decreasing
the strength of the hydrophobic interactions. Detergents function
as displacers of proteins and have been used primarily in
connection with the purification of membrane proteins.
[0074] Examples of methods for purifying VEGF is described herein
below, e.g., see Examples IV and V.
Expressing Recombinant Protein
[0075] In brief, expression vectors capable of autonomous
replication and protein expression relative to the host prokaryotic
cell genome are introduced into the host cell. Construction of
appropriate expression vectors is well known in the art including
the nucleotide sequences of the recombinant proteins described
herein. See, e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory
Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (Cold Spring Harbor,
N.Y.) (2001); Ausubel et al., Short Protocols in Molecular Biology,
Current Protocols John Wiley and Sons (New Jersey) (2002); and,
Baneyx, (1999) Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 10:411-421.
Appropriate prokaryotic cell, including bacteria, expression
vectors are available commercially through, for example, the
American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md. Methods for
the large scale growth of prokaryotic cells, and especially
bacterial cell culture are well known in the art and these methods
can be used in the context of the invention.
[0076] For example, prokaryotic host cells are transfected with
expression or cloning vectors encoding the recombinant protein of
interest and cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as
appropriate for inducing promoters, selecting transformants, or
amplifying the genes encoding the desired sequences. The nucleic
acid encoding the polypeptide of interest is suitably RNA, cDNA, or
genomic DNA from any source, provided it encodes the polypeptide(s)
of interest. Methods are well known for selecting the appropriate
nucleic acid for expression of heterologous polypeptides (including
variants thereof) in microbial hosts. Nucleic acid molecules
encoding the polypeptide are prepared by a variety of methods known
in the art. For example, a DNA encoding VEGF is isolated and
sequenced, e.g., by using oligonucleotide probes that are capable
of binding specifically to the gene encoding VEGF.
[0077] The heterologous nucleic acid (e.g., cDNA or genomic DNA) is
suitably inserted into a replicable vector for expression in the
microorganism under the control of a suitable promoter. Many
vectors are available for this purpose, and selection of the
appropriate vector will depend mainly on the size of the nucleic
acid to be inserted into the vector and the particular host cell to
be transformed with the vector. Each vector contains various
components depending on the particular host cell with which it is
compatible. Depending on the particular type of host, the vector
components generally include, but are not limited to, one or more
of the following: a signal sequence, an origin of replication, one
or more marker genes, a promoter, and a transcription termination
sequence.
[0078] In general, plasmid vectors containing replicon and control
sequences that are derived from species compatible with the host
cell are used in connection with microbial hosts. The vector
ordinarily carries a replication site, as well as marking sequences
that are capable of providing phenotypic selection in transformed
cells. For example, E. coli is typically transformed using pBR322,
a plasmid derived from an E. coli species (see, e.g., Bolivar et
al., (1977) Gene, 2:95). pBR322 contains genes for ampicillin and
tetracycline resistance and thus provides easy means for
identifying transformed cells. The pBR322 plasmid, or other
bacterial plasmid or phage, also generally contains, or is modified
to contain, promoters that can be used by the host for expression
of the selectable marker genes.
[0079] (i) Signal Sequence
[0080] Polypeptides of the invention may be produced recombinantly
not only directly, but also as a fusion polypeptide with a
heterologous polypeptide, which is typically a signal sequence or
other polypeptide having a specific cleavage site at the N-terminus
of the mature protein or polypeptide. The heterologous signal
sequence selected typically is one that is recognized and processed
(i.e., cleaved by a signal peptidase) by the host cell. For
prokaryotic host cells that do not recognize and process the native
polypeptide signal sequence, the signal sequence is substituted by
a prokaryotic signal sequence selected, for example, from the group
of the alkaline phosphatase, penicillinase, lpp, or heat-stable
enterotoxin II leaders.
[0081] (ii) Origin of Replication Component
[0082] Expression vectors contain a nucleic acid sequence that
enables the vector to replicate in one or more selected host cells.
Such sequences are well known for a variety of microbes. The origin
of replication from the plasmid pBR322 is suitable for most
Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli.
[0083] (iii) Selection Gene Component
[0084] Expression vectors generally contain a selection gene, also
termed a selectable marker. This gene encodes a protein necessary
for the survival or growth of transformed host cells grown in a
selective culture medium. Host cells not transformed with the
vector containing the selection gene will not survive in the
culture medium. This selectable marker is separate from the genetic
markers as utilized and defined by this invention. Typical
selection genes encode proteins that (a) confer resistance to
antibiotics or other toxins, e.g., ampicillin, neomycin,
methotrexate, or tetracycline, (b) complement auxotrophic
deficiencies other than those caused by the presence of the genetic
marker(s), or (c) supply critical nutrients not available from
complex media, e.g., the gene encoding D-alanine racemase for
Bacilli.
[0085] One example of a selection scheme utilizes a drug to arrest
growth of a host cell. In this case, those cells that are
successfully transformed with the nucleic acid of interest produce
a polypeptide conferring drug resistance and thus survive the
selection regimen. Examples of such dominant selection use the
drugs neomycin (Southern et al., (1982) J. Molec. Appl. Genet., 1:
327), mycophenolic acid (Mulligan et al., (1980) Science 209: 1422)
or hygromycin (Sugden et al., (1985) Mol. Cell. Biol., 5: 410-413).
The three examples given above employ bacterial genes under
eukaryotic control to convey resistance to the appropriate drug
G418 or neomycin (geneticin), xgpt (mycophenolic acid), or
hygromycin, respectively.
[0086] (iv) Promoter Component
[0087] The expression vector for producing the recombinant protein
of interest contains a suitable promoter that is recognized by the
host organism and is operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding
the polypeptide of interest. Promoters suitable for use with
prokaryotic hosts include the beta-lactamase and lactose promoter
systems (Chang et al., (1978) Nature, 275: 615; Goeddel et al.,
(1979) Nature, 281: 544), the arabinose promoter system (Guzman et
al., (1992) J. Bacteriol., 174: 7716-7728), alkaline phosphatase, a
tryptophan (trp) promoter system (Goeddel, (1980) Nucleic Acids
Res., 8: 4057 and EP 36,776) and hybrid promoters such as the tac
promoter (deBoer et al., (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 80:
21-25). However, other known bacterial promoters are suitable.
Their nucleotide sequences have been published, thereby enabling a
skilled worker operably to ligate them to DNA encoding the
polypeptide of interest (Siebenlist et al, (1980) Cell, 20: 269)
using linkers or adaptors to supply any required restriction sites.
See also, e.g., Sambrook et al., supra; and Ausubel et al.,
supra.
[0088] Promoters for use in bacterial systems also generally
contain a Shine-Dalgarno (S.D.) sequence operably linked to the DNA
encoding the polypeptide of interest. The promoter can be removed
from the bacterial source DNA by restriction enzyme digestion and
inserted into the vector containing the desired DNA.
[0089] (v) Construction and Analysis of Vectors
[0090] Construction of suitable vectors containing one or more of
the above-listed components employs standard ligation techniques.
Isolated plasmids or DNA fragments are cleaved, tailored, and
re-ligated in the form desired to generate the plasmids
required.
[0091] For analysis to confirm correct sequences in plasmids
constructed, the ligation mixtures are used to transform E. coli
K12 strain 294 (ATCC 31,446) or other strains, and successful
transformants are selected by ampicillin or tetracycline resistance
where appropriate. Plasmids from the transformants are prepared,
analyzed by restriction endonuclease digestion, and/or sequenced by
the method of Sanger et al., (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 74:
5463-5467 or Messing et al., (1981) Nucleic Acids Res., 9: 309, or
by the method of Maxam et al., (1980) Methods in Enzymology, 65:
499. See also, e.g., Sambrook et al., supra; and Ausubel et al.,
supra.
[0092] The nucleic acid encoding the recombinant protein of
interest is inserted into the host cells. Typically, this is
accomplished by transforming the host cells with the
above-described expression vectors and culturing in conventional
nutrient media modified as appropriate for inducing the various
promoters.
Culturing the Host Cells
[0093] Suitable prokayotic cells for the practice of the invention
are well known in the art. Host cells that express the recombinant
protein abundantly in the form of inclusion bodies or in the
perplasmic or intracellular space are typically used. Suitable
prokaryotes include bacteria, e.g., eubacteria, such as
Gram-negative or Gram-positive organisms, for example, E. coli,
Bacilli such as B. subtilis, Pseudomonas species such as P.
aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, or Serratia marcescens. One
example of an E. coli host is E. coli 294 (ATCC 31,446). Other
strains such as E. coli B, E. coli X1776 (ATCC 31,537), and E. coli
W3110 (ATCC 27,325) are also suitable. These examples are
illustrative rather than limiting. Strain W3110 is a typical host
because it is a common host strain for recombinant DNA product
fermentations. In one aspect of the invention, the host cell should
secrete minimal amounts of proteolytic enzymes. For example, strain
W3110 may be modified to effect a genetic mutation in the genes
encoding proteins, with examples of such hosts including E. coli
W3110 strains 1A2, 27A7, 27B4, and 27C7 described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,410,026 issued Apr. 25, 1995. For example, a strain for the
production of VEGF is E. coli stain W3110 having the genotype
tonA.DELTA. ptr3 phoA.DELTA.E15 .DELTA.(argF-lac)169 degP41 ilvg
designated 49B3. See also, e.g., table spanning pages 23-24 of
WO2004/092393.
[0094] Prokaryotic cells used to produce the recombinant protein of
interest are grown in media known in the art and suitable for
culture of the selected host cells, including the media generally
described by Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory
Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (Cold Spring Harbor,
N.Y.) (2001). Media that are suitable for bacteria include, but are
not limited to, AP5 medium, nutrient broth, Luria-Bertani (LB)
broth, Neidhardt's minimal medium, and C.R.A.P. minimal or complete
medium, plus necessary nutrient supplements. In certain
embodiments, the media also contains a selection agent, chosen
based on the construction of the expression vector, to selectively
permit growth of prokaryotic cells containing the expression
vector. For example, ampicillin is added to media for growth of
cells expressing ampicillin resistant gene. Any necessary
supplements besides carbon, nitrogen, and inorganic phosphate
sources may also be included at appropriate concentrations
introduced alone or as a mixture with another supplement or medium
such as a complex nitrogen source. Optionally the culture medium
may contain one or more reducing agents selected from the group
consisting of glutathione, cysteine, cystamine, thioglycollate,
dithioerythritol, and dithiothreitol.
[0095] Examples of suitable media are given in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,304,472 and 5,342,763. C.R.A.P. phosphate-limiting media consists
of 3.57 g (NH.sub.4).sub.2(SO.sub.4), 0.71 g Na citrate-2H.sub.2O,
1.07 g KCl, 5.36 g Yeast Extract (certified), 5.36 g
HycaseSF.TM.-Sheffield, adjusted pH with KOH to 7.3, volume
adjusted to 872 ml with deionized H.sub.2O and autoclaved; cooled
to 55.degree. C. and supplemented with 110 ml 1 M MOPS pH 7.3, 11
ml 50% glucose, 7 ml 1M MgSO.sub.4). Carbenicillin may then be
added to the induction culture at a concentration of 50
.mu.g/ml.
[0096] The prokaryotic host cells are cultured at suitable
temperatures. For E. coli growth, for example, the temperature
ranges from, e.g., about 20.degree. C. to about 39.degree. C., or
from about 25.degree. C. to about 37.degree. C., or at about
30.degree. C.
[0097] Where the alkaline phosphatase promoter is employed, E. coli
cells used to produce the polypeptide of interest of this invention
are cultured in suitable media in which the alkaline phosphatase
promoter can be partially or completely induced as described
generally, e.g., in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A
Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (Cold Spring
Harbor, N.Y.) (2001). The culturing need never take place in the
absence of inorganic phosphate or at phosphate starvation levels.
At first, the medium contains inorganic phosphate in an amount
above the level of induction of protein synthesis and sufficient
for the growth of the bacterium. As the cells grow and utilize
phosphate, they decrease the level of phosphate in the medium,
thereby causing induction of synthesis of the polypeptide.
[0098] If the promoter is an inducible promoter, for induction to
occur, typically the cells are cultured until a certain optical
density is achieved, e.g., a A.sub.550 of about 200 using a high
cell density process, at which point induction is initiated (e.g.,
by addition of an inducer, by depletion of a medium component,
etc.), to induce expression of the gene encoding the polypeptide of
interest.
[0099] Any necessary supplements may also be included at
appropriate concentrations that would be known to those skilled in
the art, introduced alone or as a mixture with another supplement
or medium such as a complex nitrogen source. The pH of the medium
may be any pH from about 5-9, depending mainly on the host
organism. For E. coli, the pH is, e.g., from about 6.8 to about
7.4, or about 7.0.
Use of Recombinant Proteins
[0100] The polypeptide thus recovered may be formulated in a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and is used for various
diagnostic, therapeutic, or other uses known for such molecules.
For example, proteins described herein can be used in immunoassays,
such as enzyme immunoassays.
[0101] Therapeutic uses for the recombinant proteins obtained using
the methods described herein are also contemplated. For example, a
growth factor or hormone, e.g., VEGF, can be used to enhance growth
as desired. For example, VEGF can be used to promote wound healing
of, e.g., an acute wound (e.g., burn, surgical wound, normal wound,
etc.) or a chronic wound (e.g., diabetic ulcer, pressure ulcer, a
decubitus ulcer, a venous ulcer, etc.), to promote hair growth, to
promote tissue growth and repair, etc. Therapeutic formulations of
recombinant proteins are prepared for storage by mixing a molecule,
e.g., a polypeptide, having the desired degree of purity with
optional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients or
stabilizers (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 18th edition,
Osol, A. Ed. (1995)), in the form of lyophilized formulations or
aqueous solutions. Acceptable carriers, excipients, or stabilizers
are nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations
employed, and include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other
organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid and methionine;
preservatives (such as octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride;
hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium
chloride; phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as
methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol; cyclohexanol;
3-pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecular weight (less than about 10
residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin,
or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as
polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine,
asparagine, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides,
disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose,
or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose,
mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming counter-ions such as
sodium; metal complexes (e.g. Zn-protein complexes); and/or
non-ionic surfactants such as TWEEN.TM., PLURONICS.TM. or
polyethylene glycol (PEG).
[0102] In certain embodiments, the formulations to be used for in
vivo administration are sterile. This is readily accomplished by
filtration through sterile filtration membranes. Recombinant
proteins can be stored in lyophilized form or as an aqueous
solution or gel form. The pH of the recombinant protein
preparations can be, e.g., from about 4 to 8 (in one embodiment, pH
5.0), although higher or lower pH values may also be appropriate in
certain instances. It will be understood that use of certain of the
excipients, carriers, or stabilizers can result in the formation of
salts of the recombinant protein.
[0103] The route of polypeptide administration is in accord with
known methods, e.g., topical administration, injection or infusion
by intravenous, intraperitoneal, intracerebral, intramuscular,
intraocular, intraarterial, or intralesional routes, or by
sustained-release systems as noted below. The polypeptide can be
administered continuously by infusion or by bolus injection.
[0104] Typically for wound healing, recombinant protein is
formulated for site-specific delivery. When applied topically, the
recombinant protein is suitably combined with other ingredients,
such as carriers and/or adjuvants. There are no limitations on the
nature of such other ingredients, except that they must be
pharmaceutically acceptable and efficacious for their intended
administration, and cannot significantly degrade the activity of
the active ingredients of the composition. Examples of suitable
vehicles include ointments, creams, gels, sprays, or suspensions,
with or without purified collagen. The compositions also may be
impregnated into sterile dressings, transdermal patches, plasters,
and bandages, optionally in liquid or semi-liquid form.
[0105] For obtaining a gel formulation, the recombinant protein
formulated in a liquid composition may be mixed with an effective
amount of a water-soluble polysaccharide or synthetic polymer such
as polyethylene glycol to form a gel of the proper viscosity to be
applied topically. The polysaccharide that may be used includes,
for example, cellulose derivatives such as etherified cellulose
derivatives, including alkyl celluloses, hydroxyalkyl celluloses,
and alkylhydroxyalkyl celluloses, for example, methylcellulose,
hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose; starch and
fractionated starch; agar; alginic acid and alginates; gum arabic;
pullullan; agarose; carrageenan; dextrans; dextrins; fructans;
inulin; mannans; xylans; arabinans; chitosans; glycogens; glucans;
and synthetic biopolymers; as well as gums such as xanthan gum;
guar gum; locust bean gum; gum arabic; tragacanth gum; and karaya
gum; and derivatives and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments
of the invention, the gelling agent herein is one that is, e.g.,
inert to biological systems, nontoxic, simple to prepare, and/or
not too runny or viscous, and will not destabilize the recombinant
protein held within it.
[0106] In certain embodiments of the invention, the polysaccharide
is an etherified cellulose derivative, in another embodiment one
that is well defined, purified, and listed in USP, e.g.,
methylcellulose and the hydroxyalkyl cellulose derivatives, such as
hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose. In one embodiment, methylcellulose is the
polysaccharide.
[0107] The polyethylene glycol useful for gelling is typically a
mixture of low and high molecular weight polyethylene glycols to
obtain the proper viscosity. For example, a mixture of a
polyethylene glycol of molecular weight 400-600 with one of
molecular weight 1500 would be effective for this purpose when
mixed in the proper ratio to obtain a paste.
[0108] The term "water soluble" as applied to the polysaccharides
and polyethylene glycols is meant to include colloidal solutions
and dispersions. In general, the solubility of the cellulose
derivatives is determined by the degree of substitution of ether
groups, and the stabilizing derivatives useful herein should have a
sufficient quantity of such ether groups per anhydroglucose unit in
the cellulose chain to render the derivatives water soluble. A
degree of ether substitution of at least 0.35 ether groups per
anhydroglucose unit is generally sufficient. Additionally, the
cellulose derivatives may be in the form of alkali metal salts, for
example, the Li, Na, K, or Cs salts.
[0109] If methylcellulose is employed in the gel, e.g., it
comprises about 2-5%, or about 3%, or about 4% or about 5%, of the
gel, and the recombinant protein is present in an amount of about
300-1000 mg per ml of gel.
[0110] The active ingredients may also be entrapped in
microcapsules prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or
by interfacial polymerization, for example, hydroxymethylcellulose
or gelatin-microcapsules and poly-(methylmethacylate)
microcapsules, respectively, in colloidal drug delivery systems
(for example, liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions,
nano-particles and nanocapsules) or in macroemulsions. Such
techniques are disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences
18th edition, Osol, A. Ed. (1995). See also Johnson et al., Nat.
Med., 2:795-799 (1996); Yasuda, Biomed. Ther., 27:1221-1223 (1993);
Hora et al., Bio/Technology, 8:755-758 (1990); Cleland, "Design and
Production of Single Immunization Vaccines Using Polylactide
Polyglycolide Microsphere Systems," in Vaccine Design: The Subunit
and Adjuvant Approach, Powell and Newman, eds, (Plenum Press: New
York, 1995), pp. 439-462; WO 97/03692, WO 96/40072, WO 96/07399;
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,010.
[0111] Sustained-release preparations may be prepared. Suitable
examples of sustained-release preparations include semipermeable
matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing a polypeptide of
the invention, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles,
e.g. films, or microcapsules. Examples of sustained-release
matrices include polyesters, hydrogels (for example,
poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate), or poly(vinylalcohol)),
polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919), copolymers of L-glutamic
acid and .gamma. ethyl-L-glutamate, non-degradable ethylene-vinyl
acetate, degradable lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers such as
the LUPRON DEPOT.TM. (injectable microspheres composed of lactic
acid-glycolic acid copolymer and leuprolide acetate),
poly-lactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) polymer, and
poly-D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyric acid. While polymers such as
ethylene-vinyl acetate and lactic acid-glycolic acid enable release
of molecules for over 100 days, certain hydrogels release proteins
for shorter time periods. When encapsulated proteins remain in the
body for a long time, they may denature or aggregate as a result of
exposure to moisture at 37.degree. C., resulting in a loss of
biological activity and possible changes in immunogenicity.
Rational strategies can be devised for stabilization depending on
the mechanism involved. For example, if the aggregation mechanism
is discovered to be intermolecular S--S bond formation through
thio-disulfide interchange, stabilization may be achieved by
modifying sulfhydryl residues, lyophilizing from acidic solutions,
controlling moisture content, using appropriate additives, and
developing specific polymer matrix compositions.
[0112] Sustained-release polypeptide compositions also include
liposomally entrapped polypeptides. Liposomes containing the
protein are prepared by methods known per se: DE 3,218,121; Epstein
et al., (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82: 3688-3692; Hwang et
al., (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77: 40304034; EP 52,322; EP
36,676; EP 88,046; EP 143,949; EP 142,641; Japanese patent
application 83-118008; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,485,045 and 4,544,545; and
EP 102,324. Ordinarily the liposomes are of the small (about
200-800 Angstroms) unilamellar type in which the lipid content is
greater than about 30 mol. % cholesterol, the selected proportion
being adjusted for the most effective therapy with polypeptide.
[0113] An effective amount of recombinant protein to be employed
therapeutically will depend, for example, upon the therapeutic
objectives, the route of administration, and the condition of the
patient. Accordingly, it will be necessary for the therapist to
titer the dosage and modify the route of administration as required
to obtain the most beneficial therapeutic effect. A typical daily
dosage might range from about 1 .mu.g/kg to up to 10 mg/kg or more,
depending on the factors mentioned above. Typically, the clinician
will administer polypeptide until a dosage is reached that achieves
the desired effect. A patient can also administer the polypeptide
under the guidance of the clinician. The progress of this therapy
is easily monitored by conventional assays. The following examples
are offered by way of illustration and not by way of
limitation.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Solubilizing and Refolding of Recombinant Human VEGF Expressed in
Escherichia coli
Methods
[0114] Plasmid for VEGF.sub.165 expression--The plasmid pVEGF171 is
designed for the expression of human VEGF.sub.165 (see, e.g., Leung
et al., (1989) Science, 246:1306-1309) in the E. coli periplasm.
Transcription of the VEGF coding sequence is placed under tight
control of the alkaline phosphatase (AP) promoter (see, e.g.,
Kikuchi et al., (1981) Nucleic Acids Research, 9:5671-8), while
sequences required for translation initiation are provided by the
trp Shine-Dalgarno region (see, e.g., Yanofsky et al., (1981)
Nucleic Acids Research, 9:6647-68). The VEGF coding sequence is
fused downstream of the bacterial heat-stable enterotoxin II (STII)
signal sequence (see, e.g., Lee et al., (1983) Infect. Immun.
42:264-8; and, Picken et al., (1983) Infect. Immun. 42:269-75) for
subsequent secretion into the E. coli periplasm. Codon
modifications in the STII signal sequence provide for an adjusted
translation level, which results in an optimal level of VEGF
accumulation in the periplasm (see, e.g., Simmons and Yansura,
(1996) Nature Biotechnoloy, 14:629-34). The lambda to
transcriptional terminator (see, e.g., Scholtissek and Grosse,
(1987) Nucleic Acids Research 15:3185) is located downstream of the
VEGF translational termination codon. The replication origin, and
both ampicillin and tetracycline resistance genes, are provided by
the plasmid pBR322. See, e.g., Bolivar et al., (1977) Gene
2:95-113.
[0115] Cell Homogenization and Refractile body preparation--Whole
cell broth from Escherichia coli cells producing recombinant
protein are homogenized with a microfluidizer or Niro Soavi at
pressures greater than 8000 psid. The homogenate is diluted 1:1
with 160 mM MgSO.sub.4, 0.0375 dextran sulfate and 1% Triton X-100
prior to harvesting the pellet by centrifugation (BTUX centrifuge,
Alfa Laval, Sweden).
[0116] Solubilization and Refolding--The pellet (e.g., 1 gram) is
suspended in 4 volumes (e.g., 4 ml) of solubilization buffer: 1M
Urea/300 mM arginine, 10 mM Tris or CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 11, final
concentration, (4 L/kg pellet). The suspension is thoroughly mixed
for 1-2 hours at room temperature (15-30.degree. C.). Refolding is
initiated by addition of 3 volumes (1:4 v/v) of buffer per volume
of solubilization buffer, which results in the final concentration
of the refolding buffer being 1 M Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 0.5-2 mM
DTT, 100 mM arginine, 10 mM Tris or CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 9-10. The
mixture is stirred with addition of air or oxygen at a constant
volumetric mass transfer coefficient k.sub.La (e.g., for air
sparging in 2.5 L vessel k.sub.La=0.004 to 0.01 min.sup.-1,
sparging rate is 0.3-3 cc/min/L and mixing speed is 200-400 rpm)
for 6-24 hours at room temperature. See FIG. 1 for a time course of
refolding. Optionally, VEGF can be stabilized in the refold buffer
by adding nitrogen (e.g., 0.3-3 cc/min/L for 2.5 L tank) in place
of air after 6 hours. See FIG. 7. The folding is monitored by
SDS-PAGE, cation exchange HPLC and rpHPLC chromatography, and/or
Heparin HPLC.
[0117] A significant reduction in the process volume (5-fold) while
maintaining the yield of recovered VEGF dimer is observed by
refolding in a high pH buffer containing mild levels of denaturants
and reductants. It is expected that that this method is applicable
in the refolding of other recombinant protein, e.g., other growth
factors.
Example II
Single Step Solubilization and Refolding of Recombinant Human VEGF
Expressed in Escherichia coli
[0118] Solubilization and Refolding--The pellet is suspended in
10-39 liter volumes of refolding buffer (in this case termed "combo
buffered solution") for every kg of cell pellet, where the combo
buffered solution contains 1 M Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 0.5 or 2 mM
DTT, 100 mM arginine, 10 mM Tris or CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 9.5-10.5,
final concentration. See FIG. 6 for the effect of urea and arginine
addition in the refolding buffered solution. FIG. 6 shows the
results of a 1-step pellet refold (combo buffered solution) as
described in this example at pH 9.5 for 15 hours at room
temperature. The denaturant concentrations are varied as follows:
(1) 1 M urea and 100 mM arginine; (2) 1 M urea (and 0 mM arginine);
(3) 2 M urea (and 0 mM arginine), while all the other buffer
components (e.g., Tris or CHES, DTT, etc.) remain in the same
concentration. The VEGF titer extracted from these is equivalent as
determined by the cation exchange HPLC assay. FIG. 6 shows that the
rpHPLC profiles are comparable with or without the presence of
arginine.
[0119] Solubilization and refolding incubation is conducted at room
temperature for 3-24 hours and is sparged with air at a mass
transfer coefficient k.sub.1=0.004 to 0.1 min.sup.-1, (e.g., For
2.5 L vessel with marine type impeller, the air sparging rate would
be 0.3 to 10 cc/min/L, or 0.3-1 cc/min/L, or 1 cc/min/L, or 25
cc/min/L while mixing is 200-400 rpm). See FIG. 8, for the effects
of varying air sparing rates on the refolding conditions. For
example, the VEGF containing pellet was added to the combo buffered
solution at pH 10 at a ratio of 1:39 (pellet kg to buffer L). Three
2.5 L reaction tanks were prepared and the mixing rate and air
sparging rate was varied for each one to achieve a kLa of (a)
0.004, (b) 0.01, (c) 0.1 min-1. The tested mixing rates in each
tank were 314 rpm whereas the range for the air sparging was from 1
cc/L/min to 25 cc/L/min. The reactions were monitored over time for
yield and product quality. The rpHPLC profiles presented in FIG. 8
show comparable product quality for the resulting folded VEGF after
12 hrs. Optionally, the incubation can be conducted at room
temperature for up to about 48 hours. Optionally, VEGF can be
stabilized in the refold buffer by adding nitrogen in place of air
at the same sparging and mixing rate after 6 hours. See FIG. 7,
which shows the results from a 2-step pellet refold (as described
in Example I) in the presence of air (e.g., k.sub.La=0.004
min.sup.-1 or 0.3 cc/min/L for 2.5 L tank) where at 6 hours the
monomer peak is diminished (thus, indicating that the refolding
reaction is substantially complete). The air sparging is
substituted with N.sub.2 (e.g., k.sub.La=0.004 min.sup.-1) for up
to 48 hours. As seen in FIG. 7, the material remains stable as
shown by the rpHPLC traces. The folding is monitored by SDS-PAGE,
cation exchange HPLC and rpHPLC chromatography columns, and/or
Heparin HPLC.
Example III
Non-Pellet Refolding of Recombinant Protein
[0120] Escherichia coli whole cell broth producing recombinant
protein is homogenized in a model 15 M laboratory homogenizer
Gaulin 15M (small scale) or M3 (large scale) (Gaulin Corporation,
Everett, Mass.) and diluted 1:4 (v/v) in refolding buffer per
volume of homogenate and sparging with air at a mass transfer
coefficient k.sub.La=0.004 to 0.01 min.sup.-1, (e.g., For 2.5 L
vessel with marine type impeller, the air sparging rate would be
0.3 to 3 cc/min/L, or 0.3-1 cc/min/L, or 1 cc/min/L, or 3 cc/min/L
while mixing is 200-400 rpm). The refolding buffer contains 1 M
Urea, 15 mM cysteine, 2 mM DTT, 100 mM arginine, 10 mM Tris or
CHES, 5 mM EDTA, pH 9-10, final concentration. Refold incubation is
conducted at room temperature for 3-24 hours. Optionally, VEGF can
be stabilized in the refold buffer by adding nitrogen in place of
air after 3 hours refold incubation. The folding is monitored by
cation exchange HPLC, rpHPLC chromatography, and/or Heparin
HPLC.
Example IV
Purification of Recombinant Human VEGF (rhVEGF) after Refolding
[0121] Purification: The refold pool is clarified by adding Triton
X-100 to a final concentration of 1%, adjusting to pH 9 and then
centrifugation (10,000.times.g for 20 minutes at 4.degree. C.). The
supernatant is then filtered (Cuno depth filter+0.22 or 0.45.mu.
membrane filter) prior to capture on a mixed mode resin
(CaptoMMC.TM., GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.) at pH 9 and
conductivity <10 mS/cm. Optionally, the refold pool is diluted
at least 1:5 in equilibration loading buffer and then filtered
(Cuno depth filter+0.22 or 0.45.mu. membrane filter) prior to
capture on a mixed mode resin (CaptoMMC.TM., GE Healthcare,
Piscataway, N.J.) at pH 9 and conductivity <10 mS/cm. The packed
column is equilibrated with 25 mM HEPES pH 9 prior to loading the
sample on the column. The VEGF is eluted from the MMC column
isocratically with 1 M arginine/25 mM HEPES, at pH 6-9 (e.g., pH
7.5). See FIG. 2.
[0122] The CaptoMMC.TM. pool is adjusted to pH 7.5 with 0.1 N
sodium hydroxide and diluted with WFI to 20 mS/cm conductivity
prior to loading onto a SP-Sepharose HP column (equilibrated with
50 mM HEPES pH 7.5). The VEGF is eluted using a linear salt
gradient composed of 50 mM HEPES/0-1.2 M sodium acetate pH 7.5 over
10-20 column volumes (e.g., 15 column volumes) and fractions are
collected (1 column volume). The fractions with the highest
absorbance @ 280 nm (OD max at .about.42 mS/cm) typically contain
>90% of the VEGF and are pooled for further processing. See FIG.
3.
[0123] The third chromatography step includes a hydrophobic resin
(e.g., Hi Propyl, J. T. Baker, Phenyl Sepharose Fast Flow (low
sub), GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.). The SP-Sepharose HP elution
pool is conditioned to 50 mS/cm conductivity using either sodium
acetate or sodium sulfate prior to loading onto the equilibrated
column (50 mM HEPES, 1.2 M sodium acetate, pH 7.5). See FIG. 4. The
VEGF elutes isocratically into 50 mM HEPES, pH 7.5 and the pool is
analyzed for remaining host cell impurities and soluble aggregates.
Fractions are collected and those which contained properly-folded
VEGF, as determined by assays described herein are pooled.
Optionally, an additional chromatography step is performed, e.g.,
using a second hydrophobic resin (e.g., Phenyl TSK) or ion exchange
resin.
[0124] Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration--The pooled VEGF can be
ultrafiltered on a 5 kD regenerated cellulose membrane. on a
labscale TFF system to a concentration of 6 g/L (UF1). The sample
is diafiltrated with 7-14 DV (Diavolume) with 5 mM sodium succinate
via TFF system to 10 g/L and then formulated at 5 g/L for storage
at -80.degree. C. The formulation buffer used is 5 mM sodium
succinate/275 mM trehalose dehydrate/0.01% polysorbate 20/pH
5.0.
Example V
Purification of Recombinant Human VEGF (rhVEGF) After Refolding
[0125] Purification: The refold pool is clarified by adding Triton
X-100 to a final concentration of 1%, adjusting to pH 8.5-9.5
(e.g., pH 8.7) and holding at 25-30.degree. C. for 1 to 10 hours
prior to centrifugation. After processing on the centrifuge
(10,000.times.g for 20 minutes at 4.degree. C.) to remove the large
density particles, the recovered liquid (centrate) is passed thru a
series of depth filters and sterile guard (0.22 or 0.45.mu.
membrane) filters to remove the fine particles. rhVEGF is then
captured on a mixed mode resin (CaptoMMC.TM., GE Healthcare,
Piscataway, N.J.) at pH 8.7 and conductivity <10 mS/cm. The
packed column is equilibrated with 25 mM CHES pH 8.7 prior to
loading the sample on the column. The VEGF is eluted from the MMC
column isocratically with 0.9 M L-arginine HCl/25 mM HEPES, at pH
6-9 (e.g., pH 7.5).
[0126] The CaptoMMC.TM. pool is adjusted to pH 7.5 with 0.1 N
sodium hydroxide and diluted with WFI to 20 mS/cm conductivity
prior to loading onto a SP-Sepharose High Performance column
(equilibrated with 25 mM HEPES pH 7.5). The VEGF is eluted using a
linear salt gradient composed of 50 mM HEPES/0-1.2 M sodium acetate
pH 7.5 over 10-20 column volumes (e.g., 15 column volumes) and
fractions are collected (1 column volume). The fractions with the
highest absorbance @ 280 nm (OD max at .about.42 mS/cm) typically
contain >90% of the VEGF and are pooled for further processing.
The third chromatography step includes a hydrophobic resin (e.g.,
Hi Propyl, J. T. Baker, Phenyl Sepharose Fast Flow (low sub), GE
Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.). The SP-Sepharose HP elution pool is
loaded directly onto the equilibrated HIC column (25 mM HEPES, 0.75
M sodium acetate, pH 7.5). See FIG. 5. The VEGF elutes
isocratically into 50 mM HEPES, pH 7.5 and the pool is analyzed for
remaining host cell impurities and soluble aggregates. Fractions
are collected and those which contained properly-folded VEGF, as
determined by assays described herein are pooled. Optionally, an
additional chromatography step is performed to further remove host
impurities, e.g., using a second hydrophobic resin (e.g., Phenyl
TSK) or ion exchange resin.
[0127] Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration--The pooled VEGF can be
ultrafiltered on a 5 kD regenerated cellulose membrane in
commercial TFF system (Pellicon 2 cassettes, Millipore, Billerica,
Mass.) to a concentration of 10 g/L then diafiltered with 7-14
diavolumes (eg., 10 DV) into the formulation buffer. Final
conditioning produces a solution containing 5 g/L VEGF in 5 mM
sodium succinate/275 mM trehalose dehydrate/0.01% polysorbate 20/pH
5.0 that can be stored at -80.degree. C.
Example VI
Assays for Determining Folded and/or Purified Recombinant
Protein
[0128] In methods and processes described herein, final purity
and/or activity can be assessed by peptide mapping, disulfide
mapping, SDS-PAGE (both reduced and non-reduced), circular
dichroism, limulus amobocyte lysate (LAL), Cation exchange HPLC,
heparin HPLC (e.g., Heparin HPLC can be used to determine VEGF
dimer concentration and level of misfolded species), reverse phase
(rp) HPLC chromatography (e.g., rpHPLC of reduced samples can be
used to determine total VEGF concentration whereas rpHPLC of native
samples can assess the quality of refolded VEGF), receptor binding
(for example for VEGF e.g., KDR receptor binding-Bioanalytic
R&D, and/or Flt1 receptor binding), SEC Analysis, cell assays,
HUVEC potency assays, ELISAs with VEGF antibodies, mass spec
analysis, etc.
[0129] Assay to Determine Total VEGF Expression
[0130] (1) rpHPLC of reduced samples--The quantity of expressed
VEGF is measured using a reverse phase HPLC assay on a C18 column
(Jupiter C18 column (4.6.times.250 mm, 5 micron, by Phenomenex,
Torrance, Calif.). The column is equilibrated in 0.22%
trifluoroacetic acid and eluted using a linear gradient of 25% to
45% acetonitrile containing 0.2% trifluoroacetic acid in 30 min
with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The eluant is monitored at 280 nm.
The sample is treated and fully reduced in guanidine and DTT prior
to injection. The reduced VEGF protein elutes around 26 min and the
peak area is used to calculate the amount of total VEGF in the
sample from a known standard curve.
[0131] Assays for Refolded VEGF
[0132] (1) Cation Exchange HPLC assay--The quantity of properly
refolded VEGF dimers is determined using an analytical cation
exchange column, e.g., SP-5PW column (TSK gel SP-5PW, 7.5.times.75
mm, 10 micron, by Tosoh Biosciences LLC, Japan). The column is
equilibrated in 50 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.5. At a flow rate of 1
mL/min the column is eluted using a linear gradient from 0 to 2 M
sodium chloride in equilibration buffer over 60 min. The eluant is
monitored at 280 nm or 214 nm. Typically, the majority of protein
is eluted in the first 30 min and VEGF is eluted around 40 min. See
FIG. 9.
[0133] (2) rp-HPLC assay--The quality of properly refolded VEGF is
determined using a Zorbax 300SB-C8 column (4.6.times.150 mm, 3.5
micron, by Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, Calif.). The column
is equilibrated in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid and eluted using a
linear gradient of 0 to 50% acetonitrile containing 0.08%
trifluoroacetic acid over 50 min with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The
eluant is monitored at 214 nm. Typically, VEGF elutes around 35 min
and the peak profile is evaluated for the percent content of the
leading edge hydrophobic species relative to the main peak.
Unfolded VEGF monomer elutes 2-3 min later.
[0134] (3) Heparin-binding HPLC Assay--The quality and quantity of
properly refolded VEGF is determined using a column containing
immobilized heparin. The column Heparin-5PW (7.5.times.75 mm, 10
micron, TSK gel by Tosoh Biosciences LLC, Japan) is equilibrated in
10 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.4 containing 0.15 M sodium chloride.
At a flow rate of 1 mL/min the column is eluted using a linear
gradient from 0.15 M to 1.6 M sodium chloride in equilibration
buffer over 20 min. In some assays, elution is done in 16 min. The
eluant is monitored at 280 nm. Typically, the majority of protein
is eluted in the void volume and 3 classes of VEGF could be
identified. The highest affinity, latest-eluting species is
identified as correctly folded VEGF and is sometimes identified as
"Peak 3 VEGF."
[0135] It is understood that the deposits, examples and embodiments
described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that
various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested
to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the
spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended
claims. All publications, citations, patents, and patent
applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety for all purposes.
Sequence CWU 1
1
11165PRTHomo sapiens 1Ala Pro Met Ala Glu Gly Gly Gly Gln Asn His
His Glu Val Val1 5 10 15Lys Phe Met Asp Val Tyr Gln Arg Ser Tyr Cys
His Pro Ile Glu 20 25 30Thr Leu Val Asp Ile Phe Gln Glu Tyr Pro Asp
Glu Ile Glu Tyr 35 40 45Ile Phe Lys Pro Ser Cys Val Pro Leu Met Arg
Cys Gly Gly Cys 50 55 60Cys Asn Asp Glu Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr
Glu Glu Ser Asn65 70 75Ile Thr Met Gln Ile Met Arg Ile Lys Pro His
Gln Gly Gln His 80 85 90Ile Gly Glu Met Ser Phe Leu Gln His Asn Lys
Cys Glu Cys Arg 95 100 105Pro Lys Lys Asp Arg Ala Arg Gln Glu Asn
Pro Cys Gly Pro Cys 110 115 120Ser Glu Arg Arg Lys His Leu Phe Val
Gln Asp Pro Gln Thr Cys 125 130 135Lys Cys Ser Cys Lys Asn Thr Asp
Ser Arg Cys Lys Ala Arg Gln140 145 150Leu Glu Leu Asn Glu Arg Thr
Cys Arg Cys Asp Lys Pro Arg Arg 155 160 165
* * * * *