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Currie J, Dahlberg JR, Lundberg E, Thunberg L, Eriksson J, Schweikart F, Nilsson GA, Örnskov E. Stability indicating ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography method for modified mRNA. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 245:116144. [PMID: 38636193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Modified messenger RNA (mRNA) represents a rapidly emerging class of therapeutic drug product. Development of robust stability indicating methods for control of product quality are therefore critical to support successful pharmaceutical development. This paper presents an ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography (IP-RPLC) method to characterise modified mRNA exposed to a wide set of stress-inducing conditions, relevant for pharmaceutical development of an mRNA drug product. The optimised method could be used for separation and analysis of large RNA, sized up to 1000 nucleotides. Column temperature, mobile phase flow rate and ion-pair selection were each studied and optimised. Baseline separations of the model RNA ladder sample were achieved using all examined ion-pairing agents. We established that the optimised method, using 100 mM Triethylamine, enabled the highest resolution separation for the largest fragments in the RNA ladder (750/1000 nucleotides), in addition to the highest overall resolution for the selected modified mRNA compound (eGFP mRNA, 996 nucleotides). The stability indicating power of the method was demonstrated by analysing the modified eGFP mRNA, upon direct exposure to heat, hydrolytic conditions and treatment with ribonucleases. Our results showed that the formed degradation products, which appeared as shorter RNA fragments in front of the main peak, could be well monitored, using the optimised method, and the relative stability of the mRNA under the various stressed conditions could be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Currie
- Innovation Strategies and External Liaison, Pharmaceutical Technology and Development, Operations & IT, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jacob R Dahlberg
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ester Lundberg
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linda Thunberg
- Early Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jonas Eriksson
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fritz Schweikart
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gunilla A Nilsson
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eivor Örnskov
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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2
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Zhang H, Vandesompele J, Braeckmans K, De Smedt SC, Remaut K. Nucleic acid degradation as barrier to gene delivery: a guide to understand and overcome nuclease activity. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:317-360. [PMID: 38073448 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00194f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy is on its way to revolutionize the treatment of both inherited and acquired diseases, by transferring nucleic acids to correct a disease-causing gene in the target cells of patients. In the fight against infectious diseases, mRNA-based therapeutics have proven to be a viable strategy in the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Although a growing number of gene therapies have been approved, the success rate is limited when compared to the large number of preclinical and clinical trials that have been/are being performed. In this review, we highlight some of the hurdles which gene therapies encounter after administration into the human body, with a focus on nucleic acid degradation by nucleases that are extremely abundant in mammalian organs, biological fluids as well as in subcellular compartments. We overview the available strategies to reduce the biodegradation of gene therapeutics after administration, including chemical modifications of the nucleic acids, encapsulation into vectors and co-administration with nuclease inhibitors and discuss which strategies are applied for clinically approved nucleic acid therapeutics. In the final part, we discuss the currently available methods and techniques to qualify and quantify the integrity of nucleic acids, with their own strengths and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heyang Zhang
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jo Vandesompele
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kevin Braeckmans
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
- Centre for Nano- and Biophotonics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Nano- and Biophotonics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Remaut
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
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Gilar M, Doneanu C, Gaye MM. Liquid Chromatography Methods for Analysis of mRNA Poly(A) Tail Length and Heterogeneity. Anal Chem 2023; 95:14308-14316. [PMID: 37696042 PMCID: PMC10535021 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a new class of therapeutic compounds. The current advances in mRNA technology require the development of efficient analytical methods. In this work, we describe the development of several methods for measurement of mRNA poly(A) tail length and heterogeneity. Poly(A) tail was first cleaved from mRNA with the RNase T1 enzyme. The average length of a liberated poly(A) tail was analyzed with the size exclusion chromatography method. Size heterogeneity of the poly(A) tail was estimated with high-resolution ion-pair reversed phase liquid chromatography (IP RP LC). The IP RP LC method provides resolution of poly(A) tail oligonucleotide variants up to 150 nucleotide long. Both methods use a robust ultraviolet detection suitable for mRNA analysis in quality control laboratories. The results were confirmed by the LC-mass spectrometry (LC MS) analysis of the same mRNA sample. The poly(A) tail length and heterogeneity results were in good agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gilar
- Separations
R&D, Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
| | - Catalin Doneanu
- Discovery
and Development, Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
| | - Maissa M. Gaye
- Consumables
Research, Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
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Gau BC, Dawdy AW, Wang HL, Bare B, Castaneda CH, Friese OV, Thompson MS, Lerch TF, Cirelli DJ, Rouse JC. Oligonucleotide mapping via mass spectrometry to enable comprehensive primary structure characterization of an mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9038. [PMID: 37270636 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36193-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotide mapping via liquid chromatography with UV detection coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-UV-MS/MS) was recently developed to support development of Comirnaty, the world's first commercial mRNA vaccine which immunizes against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Analogous to peptide mapping of therapeutic protein modalities, oligonucleotide mapping described here provides direct primary structure characterization of mRNA, through enzymatic digestion, accurate mass determinations, and optimized collisionally-induced fragmentation. Sample preparation for oligonucleotide mapping is a rapid, one-pot, one-enzyme digestion. The digest is analyzed via LC-MS/MS with an extended gradient and resulting data analysis employs semi-automated software. In a single method, oligonucleotide mapping readouts include a highly reproducible and completely annotated UV chromatogram with 100% maximum sequence coverage, and a microheterogeneity assessment of 5' terminus capping and 3' terminus poly(A)-tail length. Oligonucleotide mapping was pivotal to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of mRNA vaccines by providing: confirmation of construct identity and primary structure and assessment of product comparability following manufacturing process changes. More broadly, this technique may be used to directly interrogate the primary structure of RNA molecules in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Gau
- BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Chesterfield, MO, USA.
| | - Andrew W Dawdy
- BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Chesterfield, MO, USA.
| | - Hanliu Leah Wang
- BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Chesterfield, MO, USA
| | - Bradley Bare
- BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Chesterfield, MO, USA
| | - Carlos H Castaneda
- BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Chesterfield, MO, USA
| | - Olga V Friese
- BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Chesterfield, MO, USA
| | | | - Thomas F Lerch
- BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Chesterfield, MO, USA
| | - David J Cirelli
- BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Andover, MA, USA
| | - Jason C Rouse
- BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Andover, MA, USA
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Nwokeoji AO, Nwokeoji EA, Chou T, Togola A. A novel sustainable platform for scaled manufacturing of double-stranded RNA biopesticides. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2022; 9:107. [PMID: 38647833 PMCID: PMC10992233 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-022-00596-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) represents one of the most conserved pathways evolved by eukaryotic cells for regulating gene expression. RNAi utilises non-translatable double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules to sequester or degrade mRNA molecules gene. In RNAi, specifically designed exogenous dsRNA delivered to the cell can silence a target gene, a phenomenon that has been exploited in many functional studies and explored in biopesticide applications. The search for safe and sustainable crop pest management options drives the need to offset the effect of inorganic pesticides on biodiversity. The prospect of replacing inorganic pesticides with dsRNA crop spray is gaining popularity, enhanced by its high-target specificity and low environmental impact. However, for dsRNA to reach the pesticide market, it must be produced cost-effectively and sustainably. In this paper, we develop a high-yield expression media that generates up to 15-fold dsRNA yield compared to existing expression media utilising 1 mM IPTG. We also optimise a low-cost purification method that generates high-quality and purified dsRNA. The developed method circumvents the need for hazardous chemical reagents often found in commercial kits or commercial nucleases to eliminate contaminating DNA or single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) species. We also demonstrate that the production platform is scalable, generating 6.29 mg dsRNA from 259 mg wet E. coli cell pellet. The results also provide structural insights into the heterogeneous dsRNA species within the microbial-derived dsRNA pool. Finally, we also show that the purified 'naked' dsRNA, without prior formulation, can induce insect toxicity under field conditions. This study provides a novel, complete, low-cost process dsRNA platform with potential for application in industrial dsRNA production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tachung Chou
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
- All First Technologies Co. Ltd, No.208, Longnan Rd, Pingzhen Dist, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Abou Togola
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Kano Station, PMB 3112, Sabo Bakin Zuwo road, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
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Kadlecová Z, Kalíková K, Tesařová E, Gilar M. Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides separation in ion-pairing reversed-phase liquid chromatography: effect of ion-pairing system. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1676:463201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Catani M, De Luca C, Medeiros Garcia Alcântara J, Manfredini N, Perrone D, Marchesi E, Weldon R, Müller-Späth T, Cavazzini A, Morbidelli M, Sponchioni M. Oligonucleotides: Current Trends and Innovative Applications in the Synthesis, Characterization, and Purification. Biotechnol J 2020; 15:e1900226. [PMID: 32298041 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201900226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oligonucleotides (ONs) are gaining increasing importance as a promising novel class of biopharmaceuticals. Thanks to their fundamental role in gene regulation, they can be used to develop custom-made drugs (also called N-to-1) able to act on the gene expression at pre-translational level. With recent approvals of ON-based therapeutics by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a growing demand for high-quality chemically modified ONs is emerging and their market is expected to impressively prosper in the near future. To satisfy this growing market demand, a scalable and economically sustainable ON production is needed. In this paper, the state of the art of the whole ON production process is illustrated with the aim of highlighting the most promising routes toward the auspicated market-size production. In particular, the most recent advancements in both the upstream stage, mainly based on solid-phase synthesis and recombinant technology, and the downstream one, focusing on chromatographic techniques, are reviewed. Since ON production is projected to expand to the large scale, automatized multicolumn countercurrent technologies will reasonably be required soon to replace the current ones based on batch single-column operations. This consideration is supported by a recent cutting-edge application of continuous chromatography for the ON purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Catani
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, via L. Borsari 46, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
| | - Chiara De Luca
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, via L. Borsari 46, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
| | - João Medeiros Garcia Alcântara
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta,", Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, Milano, 20131, Italy
| | - Nicolò Manfredini
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta,", Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, Milano, 20131, Italy
| | - Daniela Perrone
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, via L. Borsari 46, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
| | - Elena Marchesi
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, via L. Borsari 46, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
| | - Richard Weldon
- ChromaCon AG, Technoparkstrasse 1, Zürich, 8005, Switzerland
| | | | - Alberto Cavazzini
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, via L. Borsari 46, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
| | - Massimo Morbidelli
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta,", Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, Milano, 20131, Italy
| | - Mattia Sponchioni
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta,", Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, Milano, 20131, Italy
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