Reduction of endotoxin contamination of various crude vaccine materials by gram-negative bacteria using aminated poly(gamma-methyl L-glutamate) spherical particles

Single-use membrane adsorbers for endotoxin removal and purification of endogenous polysialic acid from Escherichia coli K1

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Production process for highly pure polysialic acid is shown.

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Single-use elements are used during cultivation and downstream processing.

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Maturation process led to increased polysialic acid release from the cell surface.

Polysialic acid (polySia) is a promising molecule for various medical applications (e.g., treatment of inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases).

In this study a complete production process for human-identical α-(2,8)-linked polySia was developed using a disposable bioreactor for cultivation of Escherichia coli K1 and single-use membrane adsorbers for downstream processing (DSP). The cultivation process was optimized to minimize complex media components and a maturation process after cultivation was established. The maturation led to further product release from the cell surface into the supernatant. Afterwards DSP was established using sodium hydroxide treatment combined with anion exchange membrane adsorbers for endotoxin and DNA depletion.

After downstream processing the final product had neither detectable protein nor DNA contamination. Endotoxin content was below 3 EU mg⁻¹. Investigation of the maximal chain length showed no effect of the harsh sodium hydroxide treatment during DSP on the stability of the polySia. Maximal chain length was ∼98 degree of polymerization.

Preparation of PVA/amino multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite microspheres for endotoxin adsorption

A novel polyvinyl alcohol-amino multi-walled carbon nanotube (PVA-AMWCNT) nanocomposite microsphere was prepared successfully for the first time and used for endotoxin removal. The resulting AMWCNT modified PVA microsphere was characterized by SEM, Raman spectrum and fluorescence image, which indicated AMWCNT was dispersed into the macropores of PVA microsphere uniformly. The PVA-AMWCNT microspheres showed better adsorption capability and faster adsorption equilibrium for endotoxin in aqueous solution when compared to the PVA microsphere with polymyxin B (PMB) as ligand. More noteworthy, the PVA based microspheres had little nonspecific adsorption in simulated serum. Therefore, PVA-AMWCNT nanocomposite microsphere with an excellent haemocompatibility has a great potential application in clinical blood purification.

A novel method to determine residual detergent in biological samples post endotoxin reduction treatment and evaluation of strategies for subsequent detergent removal

Endotoxin removal using detergent washes and extractions are well-established, efficient, and cost-effective methods; however, removing residual detergent post treatment has been shown to be a challenge. In this communication, we show a simple and fast method for determining the detergent concentration in a protein solution post treatment and highlight strategies for detergent removal to achieve levels below the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the minimum concentration at which detergent micelles form.

Preparative purification of recombinant proteins: current status and future trends

Advances in fermentation technologies have resulted in the production of increased yields of proteins of economic, biopharmaceutical, and medicinal importance. Consequently, there is an absolute requirement for the development of rapid, cost-effective methodologies which facilitate the purification of such products in the absence of contaminants, such as superfluous proteins and endotoxins. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of a selection of key purification methodologies currently being applied in both academic and industrial settings and discuss how innovative and effective protocols such as aqueous two-phase partitioning, membrane chromatography, and high-performance tangential flow filtration may be applied independently of or in conjunction with more traditional protocols for downstream processing applications.

Chromatographic removal of endotoxin from protein solutions by polymer particles

Endotoxins, constituents of cell walls of gram-negative bacteria, are potential contaminants of the protein solutions originating from biological products. Such contaminants have to be removed from solutions used for intravenous administration, because of their potent biological activities causing pyrogenic reactions. Separation methods used for decontamination of water, such as ultrafiltration, have little effect on endotoxin levels in protein solutions. To remove endotoxin from a solution of high-molecular-mass compounds, such as proteins, the adsorption method has proven to be most effective. In this review, we first introduce endotoxin-specific properties in an aqueous solution, and then provide various methods of chromatographic separation of endotoxins from cellular products using polymer adsorbents. We also provide the design of novel endotoxin-specific polymer adsorbents.

Seroprevalence of antibodies specific for gram-negative core antigens in chickens on the basis of an Escherichia coli J5 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Antibodies directed toward gram-negative core antigens (GNCAs) have been demonstrated in many mammalian species but to date are unexamined in any avian species. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with phenol-killed whole cell Escherichia coli J5 was used to assess the presence of serum antibodies directed toward GNCAs in chickens. The first experiment consisted of collecting blood samples from randomly selected hens at egg laying ranches in northern California. The ages ranged from several days of age to 77 wk of age. Birds were classified into age groups (hatchling [1 day-4 wk], pullet [4-18 wk], pullet cycle [18-60 wk], and postmolt [>60 wk]) and husbandry style for titer comparison. The geometric mean titer (GMT) for all adult hens regardless of age was 2147. The geometric mean titers were 220, 5691, 2304, and 1776 for hatchlings, pullets, pullet cycle hens, and postmolt hens, respectively. The age group titer trends were similar to those of humans rather than those of farm animals in that the highest titers occurred during "adolescence" (pullets) and titers decreased slightly with maturity. The GMTs were 2870 for hens housed intensively and 1872 for those housed extensively. The second experiment looked at the progression of GNCA titers within individual birds over a 1-yr period. Individual titers increased slightly throughout the study time of the second experiment.

Method for reducing endotoxin in Moraxella catarrhalis UspA2 protein preparations

The UspA2 protein from the bacterium Moraxella catarrhalis is a potential vaccine candidate for preventing human diseases caused by this organism. Before a vaccine can be administered parentally, the level of endotoxin must be reduced as much as possible. However, in this case the endotoxin was very tightly complexed with the UspA2 protein and could not be dissociated with Triton X-100. It was found that it dissociated from the protein with the zwitterionic detergents Zwittergent 3-12 and Zwittergent 3-14. The endotoxin could then be separated from the protein by either ion-exchange or gel filtration chromatography. Using the limulus amoebocyte lysate assay for quantitation, the endotoxin was reduced approximately 20,000-fold. The removal of residual endotoxin from UspA2 preparations had no detrimental effect on the immunological properties of the protein. Mouse antisera raised against UspA2 prior to, and following endotoxin reduction exhibited comparable antibody and bactericidal titers against the tested strains. Further, mice immunized with both preparations, followed by pulmonary challenge with either a homologous or a heterologous isolate, exhibited comparable levels of clearance.