1
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Benazza R, Koutsopetras I, Vaur V, Chaubet G, Hernandez-Alba O, Cianférani S. SEC-MS in denaturing conditions (dSEC-MS) for in-depth analysis of rebridged monoclonal antibody-based formats. Talanta 2024; 272:125727. [PMID: 38364570 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125727] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Disulfide rebridging methods are emerging recently as new ways to specifically modify antibody-based entities and produce future conjugates. Briefly, the solvent-accessible disulfide bonds of antibodies or antigen-binding fragments (Fab) thereof are reduced under controlled conditions and further covalently attached with a rebridging agent allowing the incorporation of one payload per disulfide bond. There are many examples of successful rebridging cases providing homogeneous conjugates due to the use of symmetrical reagents, such as dibromomaleimides. However, partial rebridging due to the use of unsymmetrical ones, containing functional groups with different reactivity, usually leads to the development of heterogeneous species that cannot be identified by a simple sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel eletrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) due to its lack of sensitivity, resolution and low mass accuracy. Mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography (LC-MS) approaches have already been demonstrated as highly promising alternatives for the characterization of newly developed antibody-drug-conjugate (ADC) and monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based formats. We report here the in-depth characterization of covalently rebridged antibodies and Fab fragments in-development, using size-exclusion chromatography hyphenated to mass spectrometry in denaturing conditions (denaturing SEC-MS, dSEC-MS). DSEC-MS was used to monitor closely the rebridging reaction of a conjugated trastuzumab, in addition to conjugated Fab fragments, which allowed an unambiguous identification of the covalently rebridged products along with the unbound species. This all-in-one approach allowed a straightforward analysis of the studied samples with precise mass measurement; critical quality attributes (CQAs) assessment along with rebridging efficiency determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Benazza
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, 67087 Strasbourg, France; Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI-FR2048, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Ilias Koutsopetras
- Bio-Functional Chemistry (UMR 7199), Institut du Médicament de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, 74 Route du Rhin, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Valentine Vaur
- Bio-Functional Chemistry (UMR 7199), Institut du Médicament de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, 74 Route du Rhin, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Guilhem Chaubet
- Bio-Functional Chemistry (UMR 7199), Institut du Médicament de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, 74 Route du Rhin, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Oscar Hernandez-Alba
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, 67087 Strasbourg, France; Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI-FR2048, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sarah Cianférani
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, 67087 Strasbourg, France; Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI-FR2048, 67087 Strasbourg, France.
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2
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Castel J, Delaux S, Hernandez-Alba O, Cianférani S. Recent advances in structural mass spectrometry methods in the context of biosimilarity assessment: from sequence heterogeneities to higher order structures. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2023; 236:115696. [PMID: 37713983 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115696] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Biotherapeutics and their biosimilar versions have been flourishing in the biopharmaceutical market for several years. Structural and functional characterization is needed to achieve analytical biosimilarity through the assessment of critical quality attributes as required by regulatory authorities. The role of analytical strategies, particularly mass spectrometry-based methods, is pivotal to gathering valuable information for the in-depth characterization of biotherapeutics and biosimilarity assessment. Structural mass spectrometry methods (native MS, HDX-MS, top-down MS, etc.) provide information ranging from primary sequence assessment to higher order structure evaluation. This review focuses on recent developments and applications in structural mass spectrometry for biotherapeutic and biosimilar characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Castel
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Strasbourg 67087, France; Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048 CNRS CEA, Strasbourg 67087, France
| | - Sarah Delaux
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Strasbourg 67087, France; Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048 CNRS CEA, Strasbourg 67087, France
| | - Oscar Hernandez-Alba
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Strasbourg 67087, France; Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048 CNRS CEA, Strasbourg 67087, France
| | - Sarah Cianférani
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Strasbourg 67087, France; Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048 CNRS CEA, Strasbourg 67087, France.
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3
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Juliano BR, Keating JW, Li HW, Anders AG, Xie Z, Ruotolo BT. Development of an Automated, High-Throughput Methodology for Native Mass Spectrometry and Collision-Induced Unfolding. Anal Chem 2023; 95:16717-16724. [PMID: 37924308 PMCID: PMC11081713 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Native ion mobility mass spectrometry (nIM-MS) has emerged as a useful technology for the rapid evaluation of biomolecular structures. When combined with collisional activation in a collision-induced unfolding (CIU) experiment, nIM-MS experimentation can be leveraged to gain greater insight into biomolecular conformation and stability. However, nIM-MS and CIU remain throughput limited due to nonautomated sample preparation and introduction. Here, we explore the use of a RapidFire robotic sample handling system to develop an automated, high-throughput methodology for nMS and CIU. We describe native RapidFire-MS (nRapidFire-MS) capable of performing online desalting and sample introduction in as little as 10 s per sample. When combined with CIU, our nRapidFire-MS approach can be used to collect CIU fingerprints in 30 s following desalting by using size exclusion chromatography cartridges. When compared to nMS and CIU data collected using standard approaches, ion signals recorded by nRapidFire-MS exhibit identical ion collision cross sections, indicating that the same conformational populations are tracked by the two approaches. Our data further suggest that nRapidFire-MS can be extended to study a variety of biomolecular classes, including proteins and protein complexes ranging from 5 to 300 kDa and oligonucleotides. Furthermore, nRapidFire-MS data acquired for biotherapeutics suggest that nRapidFire-MS has the potential to enable high-throughput nMS analyses of biopharmaceutical samples. We conclude by discussing the potential of nRapidFire-MS for enabling the development of future CIU assays capable of catalyzing breakthroughs in protein engineering, inhibitor discovery, and formulation development for biotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brock R Juliano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Joseph W Keating
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Henry W Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Anna G Anders
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Zhuoer Xie
- Attribute Sciences, Process Development, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
| | - Brandon T Ruotolo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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4
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Ventouri IK, Veelders S, Passamonti M, Endres P, Roemling R, Schoenmakers PJ, Somsen GW, Haselberg R, Gargano AFG. Micro-flow size-exclusion chromatography for enhanced native mass spectrometry of proteins and protein complexes. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1266:341324. [PMID: 37244657 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341324] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) employing aqueous mobile phases with volatile salts at neutral pH combined with native mass spectrometry (nMS) is a valuable tool to characterize proteins and protein aggregates in their native state. However, the liquid-phase conditions (high salt concentrations) frequently used in SEC-nMS hinder the analysis of labile protein complexes in the gas phase, necessitating higher desolvation-gas flow and source temperature, leading to protein fragmentation/dissociation. To overcome this issue, we investigated narrow SEC columns (1.0 mm internal diameter, I.D.) operated at 15-μL/min flow rates and their coupling to nMS for the characterization of proteins, protein complexes and higher-order structures (HOS). The reduced flow rate resulted in a significant increase in the protein-ionization efficiency, facilitating the detection of low-abundant impurities and HOS up to 230 kDa (i.e., the upper limit of the Orbitrap-MS instrument used). More-efficient solvent evaporation and lower desolvation energies allowed for softer ionization conditions (e.g., lower gas temperatures), ensuring little or no structural alterations of proteins and their HOS during transfer into the gas phase. Furthermore, ionization suppression by eluent salts was decreased, permitting the use of volatile-salt concentrations up to 400 mM. Band broadening and loss of resolution resulting from the introduction of injection volumes exceeding 3% of the column volume could be circumvented by incorporating an online trap-column containing a mixed-bed ion-exchange (IEX) material. The online IEX-based solid-phase extraction (SPE) or "trap-and-elute" set-up provided on-column focusing (sample preconcentration). This allowed the injection of large sample volumes on the 1-mm I.D. SEC column without compromising the separation. The enhanced sensitivity attained by the micro-flow SEC-MS, along with the on-column focusing achieved by the IEX precolumn, provided picogram detection limits for proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iro K Ventouri
- Analytical Chemistry group, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Sharene Veelders
- Analytical Chemistry group, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marta Passamonti
- Analytical Chemistry group, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick Endres
- Tosoh Bioscience GmbH, Im Leuschnerpark 4, 64347, Griesheim, Germany
| | - Regina Roemling
- Tosoh Bioscience GmbH, Im Leuschnerpark 4, 64347, Griesheim, Germany
| | - Peter J Schoenmakers
- Analytical Chemistry group, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Govert W Somsen
- Analytical Chemistry group, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081, HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Haselberg
- Analytical Chemistry group, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081, HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea F G Gargano
- Analytical Chemistry group, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam, van't Hoff Insititute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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5
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Deslignière E, Ollivier S, Beck A, Ropartz D, Rogniaux H, Cianférani S. Benefits and Limitations of High-Resolution Cyclic IM-MS for Conformational Characterization of Native Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies. Anal Chem 2023; 95:4162-4171. [PMID: 36780376 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) currently represent the main class of therapeutic proteins. mAbs approved by regulatory agencies are selected from IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 subclasses, which possess different interchain disulfide connectivities. Ion mobility coupled to native mass spectrometry (IM-MS) has emerged as a valuable approach to tackle the challenging characterization of mAbs' higher order structures. However, due to the limited resolution of first-generation IM-MS instruments, subtle conformational differences on large proteins have long been hard to capture. Recent technological developments have aimed at increasing available IM resolving powers and acquisition mode capabilities, namely, through the release of high-resolution IM-MS (HR-IM-MS) instruments, like cyclic IM-MS (cIM-MS). Here, we outline the advantages and drawbacks of cIM-MS for better conformational characterization of intact mAbs (∼150 kDa) in native conditions compared to first-generation instruments. We first assessed the extent to which multipass cIM-MS experiments could improve the separation of mAbs' conformers. These initial results evidenced some limitations of HR-IM-MS for large native biomolecules which possess rich conformational landscapes that remain challenging to decipher even with higher IM resolving powers. Conversely, for collision-induced unfolding (CIU) approaches, higher resolution proved to be particularly useful (i) to reveal new unfolding states and (ii) to enhance the separation of coexisting activated states, thus allowing one to apprehend gas-phase CIU behaviors of mAbs directly at the intact level. Altogether, this study offers a first panoramic overview of the capabilities of cIM-MS for therapeutic mAbs, paving the way for more widespread HR-IM-MS/CIU characterization of mAb-derived formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evolène Deslignière
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Strasbourg 67000, France.,Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI - FR2048, Strasbourg 67087, France
| | - Simon Ollivier
- UR BIA, INRAE, Nantes F-44316, France.,PROBE Research Infrastructure, BIBS Facility, INRAE, Nantes F-44316, France
| | - Alain Beck
- IRPF Centre d'Immunologie Pierre-Fabre (CIPF), Saint-Julien-en-Genevois 74160, France
| | - David Ropartz
- UR BIA, INRAE, Nantes F-44316, France.,PROBE Research Infrastructure, BIBS Facility, INRAE, Nantes F-44316, France
| | - Hélène Rogniaux
- UR BIA, INRAE, Nantes F-44316, France.,PROBE Research Infrastructure, BIBS Facility, INRAE, Nantes F-44316, France
| | - Sarah Cianférani
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Strasbourg 67000, France.,Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI - FR2048, Strasbourg 67087, France
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6
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van Schaick G, Domínguez-Vega E, Castel J, Wuhrer M, Hernandez-Alba O, Cianférani S. Online Collision-Induced Unfolding of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody Glyco-Variants through Direct Hyphenation of Cation Exchange Chromatography with Native Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2023; 95:3932-3939. [PMID: 36791123 PMCID: PMC9979139 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) not only substantially increase structural heterogeneity of proteins but can also alter the conformation or even biological functions. Monitoring of these PTMs is particularly important for therapeutic products, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), since their efficacy and safety may depend on the PTM profile. Innovative analytical strategies should be developed to map these PTMs as well as explore possible induced conformational changes. Cation-exchange chromatography (CEX) coupled with native mass spectrometry has already emerged as a valuable asset for the characterization of mAb charge variants. Nevertheless, questions regarding protein conformation cannot be explored using this approach. Thus, we have combined CEX separation with collision-induced unfolding (CIU) experiments to monitor the unfolding pattern of separated mAbs and thereby pick up subtle conformational differences without impairing the CEX resolution. Using this novel strategy, only four CEX-CIU runs had to be recorded for a complete CIU fingerprint either at the intact mAb level or after enzymatic digestion at the mAb subunit level. As a proof of concept, CEX-CIU was first used for an isobaric mAb mixture to highlight the possibility to acquire individual CIU fingerprints of CEX-separated species without compromising CEX separation performances. CEX-CIU was next successfully applied to conformational characterization of mAb glyco-variants, in order to derive glycoform-specific information on the gas-phase unfolding, and CIU patterns of Fc fragments, revealing increased resistance of sialylated glycoforms against gas-phase unfolding. Altogether, we demonstrated the possibilities and benefits of combining CEX with CIU for in-depth characterization of mAb glycoforms, paving the way for linking conformational changes and resistance to gas-phase unfolding charge variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guusje van Schaick
- Center
for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden
University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Domínguez-Vega
- Center
for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden
University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jérôme Castel
- Laboratoire
de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Strasbourg 67087, France,Infrastructure
Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048
CNRS CEA, Strasbourg 67087, France
| | - Manfred Wuhrer
- Center
for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden
University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar Hernandez-Alba
- Laboratoire
de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Strasbourg 67087, France,Infrastructure
Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048
CNRS CEA, Strasbourg 67087, France
| | - Sarah Cianférani
- Laboratoire
de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Strasbourg 67087, France,Infrastructure
Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048
CNRS CEA, Strasbourg 67087, France,
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7
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Liu L, Wang Z, Zhang Q, Mei Y, Li L, Liu H, Wang Z, Yang L. Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry for the Separation and Characterization of Small Molecules. Anal Chem 2023; 95:134-151. [PMID: 36625109 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Longchan Liu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Ziying Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Yuqi Mei
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Linnan Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Huwei Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Zhengtao Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Li Yang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory of New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The Shanghai Key Laboratory for Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai201203, China.,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai201203, China
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8
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Eldrid C, Cragnolini T, Ben-Younis A, Zou J, Raleigh DP, Thalassinos K. Linking Gas-Phase and Solution-Phase Protein Unfolding via Mobile Proton Simulations. Anal Chem 2022; 94:16113-16121. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Eldrid
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, SouthamptonSO16 1BJ, U.K
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Bioscience, University College London, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Tristan Cragnolini
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, LondonWC1E 7HX, U.K
| | - Aisha Ben-Younis
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Bioscience, University College London, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Junjie Zou
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Rd., Stony Brook, New York11794, United States
| | - Daniel P. Raleigh
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Bioscience, University College London, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Rd., Stony Brook, New York11794, United States
| | - Konstantinos Thalassinos
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Bioscience, University College London, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, LondonWC1E 7HX, U.K
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9
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Deslignière E, Ollivier S, Ehkirch A, Martelet A, Ropartz D, Lechat N, Hernandez-Alba O, Menet JM, Clavier S, Rogniaux H, Genet B, Cianférani S. Combination of IM-Based Approaches to Unravel the Coexistence of Two Conformers on a Therapeutic Multispecific mAb. Anal Chem 2022; 94:7981-7989. [PMID: 35604400 PMCID: PMC9178554 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c00928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Multispecific antibodies,
which target multiple antigens at once,
are emerging as promising therapeutic entities to offer more effective
treatment than conventional monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). However,
these highly complex mAb formats pose significant analytical challenges.
We report here on the characterization of a trispecific antibody (tsAb),
which presents two isomeric forms clearly separated and identified
with size exclusion chromatography coupled to native mass spectrometry
(SEC-nMS). Previous studies showed that these isomers might originate
from a proline cis/trans isomerization
in one Fab subunit of the tsAb. We combined several innovative ion
mobility (IM)-based approaches to confirm the isomeric nature of the
two species and to gain new insights into the conformational landscape
of both isomers. Preliminary SEC-nIM-MS measurements performed on
a low IM resolution instrument provided the first hints of the coexistence
of different conformers, while complementary collision-induced unfolding
(CIU) experiments evidenced distinct gas-phase unfolding behaviors
upon activation for the two isomers. As subtle conformational differences
remained poorly resolved on our early generation IM platform, we performed
high-resolution cyclic IM (cIM-MS) to unambiguously conclude on the
coexistence of two conformers. The cis/trans equilibrium was further tackled by exploiting the IMn slicing capabilities of the cIM-MS instrument. Altogether, our results
clearly illustrate the benefits of combining state-of-the-art nMS
and IM-MS approaches to address challenging issues encountered in
biopharma. As engineered antibody constructs become increasingly sophisticated,
CIU and cIM-MS methodologies undoubtedly have the potential to integrate
the drug development analytical toolbox to achieve in-depth conformational
characterization of these products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evolène Deslignière
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67087 Strasbourg, France.,Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI - FR2048, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Simon Ollivier
- INRAE, UR BIA, F-44316 Nantes, France.,INRAE, BIBS Facility, F-44316 Nantes, France
| | - Anthony Ehkirch
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67087 Strasbourg, France.,Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI - FR2048, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Armelle Martelet
- CMC Development, BioAnalytics department France, SANOFI R&D, 94400 Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - David Ropartz
- INRAE, UR BIA, F-44316 Nantes, France.,INRAE, BIBS Facility, F-44316 Nantes, France
| | - Nelly Lechat
- CMC Development, BioAnalytics department France, SANOFI R&D, 94400 Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Oscar Hernandez-Alba
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67087 Strasbourg, France.,Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI - FR2048, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Michel Menet
- CMC Development, BioAnalytics department France, SANOFI R&D, 94400 Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Séverine Clavier
- CMC Development, BioAnalytics department France, SANOFI R&D, 94400 Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Hélène Rogniaux
- INRAE, UR BIA, F-44316 Nantes, France.,INRAE, BIBS Facility, F-44316 Nantes, France
| | - Bruno Genet
- CMC Development, BioAnalytics department France, SANOFI R&D, 94400 Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Sarah Cianférani
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67087 Strasbourg, France.,Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI - FR2048, 67087 Strasbourg, France
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10
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Vallejo DD, Rojas Ramírez C, Parson KF, Han Y, Gadkari VV, Ruotolo BT. Mass Spectrometry Methods for Measuring Protein Stability. Chem Rev 2022; 122:7690-7719. [PMID: 35316030 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry is a central technology in the life sciences, providing our most comprehensive account of the molecular inventory of the cell. In parallel with developments in mass spectrometry technologies targeting such assessments of cellular composition, mass spectrometry tools have emerged as versatile probes of biomolecular stability. In this review, we cover recent advancements in this branch of mass spectrometry that target proteins, a centrally important class of macromolecules that accounts for most biochemical functions and drug targets. Our efforts cover tools such as hydrogen-deuterium exchange, chemical cross-linking, ion mobility, collision induced unfolding, and other techniques capable of stability assessments on a proteomic scale. In addition, we focus on a range of application areas where mass spectrometry-driven protein stability measurements have made notable impacts, including studies of membrane proteins, heat shock proteins, amyloidogenic proteins, and biotherapeutics. We conclude by briefly discussing the future of this vibrant and fast-moving area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Vallejo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Carolina Rojas Ramírez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Kristine F Parson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yilin Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Varun V Gadkari
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Brandon T Ruotolo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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11
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Studying protein structure and function by native separation–mass spectrometry. Nat Rev Chem 2022; 6:215-231. [PMID: 37117432 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-021-00353-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in protein structure may have profound effects on biological function. Analytical techniques that permit characterization of proteins while maintaining their conformational and functional state are crucial for studying changes in the higher order structure of proteins and for establishing structure-function relationships. Coupling of native protein separations with mass spectrometry is emerging rapidly as a powerful approach to study these aspects in a reliable, fast and straightforward way. This Review presents the available native separation modes for proteins, covers practical considerations on the hyphenation of these separations with mass spectrometry and highlights the involvement of affinity-based separations to simultaneously obtain structural and functional information of proteins. The impact of these approaches is emphasized by selected applications addressing biomedical and biopharmaceutical research questions.
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12
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Borotto NB, Osho KE, Richards TK, Graham KA. Collision-Induced Unfolding of Native-like Protein Ions Within a Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry Device. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2022; 33:83-89. [PMID: 34870999 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.1c00273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Native mass spectrometry and collision-induced unfolding (CIU) workflows continue to grow in utilization due to their ability to rapidly characterize protein conformation and stability. To perform these experiments, the instrument must be capable of collisionally activating ions prior to ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) analyses. Trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) is an ion mobility implementation that has been increasingly adopted due to its inherently high resolution and reduced instrumental footprint. In currently deployed commercial instruments, however, typical modes of collisional activation do not precede IMS analysis, and thus, the instruments are incapable of performing CIU. In this work, we expand on a recently developed method of activating protein ions within the TIMS device and explore its analytical utility toward the unfolding of native-like protein ions. We demonstrate the unfolding of native-like ions of ubiquitin, cytochrome C, β-lactoglobulin, and carbonic anhydrase. These ions undergo extensive unfolding upon collisional activation. Additionally, the improved resolution provided by the TIMS separation uncovers previously obscured unfolding complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B Borotto
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
| | - Kemi E Osho
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
| | | | - Katherine A Graham
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
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13
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Cline EN, Alvarez C, Duan J, Patrie SM. Online μSEC 2-nRPLC-MS for Improved Sensitivity of Intact Protein Detection of IEF-Separated Nonhuman Primate Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins. Anal Chem 2021; 93:16741-16750. [PMID: 34881887 PMCID: PMC10476446 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Proteoform-resolved information, obtained by top-down (TD) "intact protein" proteomics, is expected to contribute substantially to the understanding of molecular pathogenic mechanisms and, in turn, identify novel therapeutic and diagnostic targets. However, the robustness of mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of intact proteins in complex biological samples is hindered by the high dynamic range in protein concentration and mass, protein instability, and buffer complexity. Here, we describe an evolutionary step for intact protein investigations through the online implementation of tandem microflow size-exclusion chromatography with nanoflow reversed-phase liquid chromatography and MS (μSEC2-nRPLC-MS). Online serial high-/low-pass SEC filtration overcomes the aforementioned hurdles to intact proteomic analysis through automated sample desalting/cleanup and enrichment of target mass ranges (5-155 kDa) prior to nRPLC-MS. The coupling of μSEC to nRPLC is achieved through a novel injection volume control (IVC) strategy of inserting protein trap columns, pre- and post-μSEC columns, to enable injection of dilute samples in high volumes without loss of sensitivity or resolution. Critical characteristics of the approach are tested via rigorous investigations on samples of varied complexity and chemical background. Application of the platform to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) prefractionated by OFFGEL isoelectric focusing drastically increases the number of intact mass tags (IMTs) detected within the target mass range (5-30 kDa) in comparison to one-dimensional nRPLC-MS with approximately 100× less CSF than previous OFFGEL studies. Furthermore, the modular design of the μSEC2-nRPLC-MS platform is robust and promises significant flexibility for large-scale TDMS analysis of diverse samples either directly or in concert with other multidimensional fractionation steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika N Cline
- Department of Chemistry and the Proteomics Center of Excellence, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Carina Alvarez
- Department of Chemistry and the Proteomics Center of Excellence, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jiana Duan
- Department of Chemistry and the Proteomics Center of Excellence, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Steven M Patrie
- Department of Chemistry and the Proteomics Center of Excellence, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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14
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Füssl F, Strasser L, Cari S, Bones J. Native LC-MS for capturing quality attributes of biopharmaceuticals on the intact protein level. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 71:32-40. [PMID: 34157600 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Intact protein analysis by means of mass spectrometry has become a well-established method for the characterization of biotherapeutics. However, due to the highly complex nature of recombinant proteins, prior chromatographic separation is inevitable for a comprehensive analysis. In recent years, progress in coupling a variety of liquid chromatography-based native separation modes such as size exclusion, ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography to mass spectrometry (native LC-MS) has been reported, therefore allowing for rapid assessment of molecular mass and deep characterization of the heterogeneity of complex, recombinantly produced therapeutic proteins. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the development and application of native LC-MS for biopharmaceutical characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Füssl
- NIBRT - The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, A94 X099, Ireland
| | - Lisa Strasser
- NIBRT - The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, A94 X099, Ireland
| | - Sara Cari
- NIBRT - The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, A94 X099, Ireland
| | - Jonathan Bones
- NIBRT - The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, A94 X099, Ireland; School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland.
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- James E. Keener
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Guozhi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Michael T. Marty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Bio5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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