Specification-driven acceptance criteria for validation of biopharmaceutical processes.

Intermediate acceptance criteria are the foundation for developing control strategies in process validation stage 1 in the pharmaceutical industry. At drug substance or product level such intermediate acceptance criteria for quality are available and referred to as specification limits. However, it often remains a challenge to define acceptance criteria for intermediate process steps. Available guidelines underpin the importance of intermediate acceptance criteria, because they are an integral part for setting up a control strategy for the manufacturing process. The guidelines recommend to base the definition of acceptance criteria on the entirety of process knowledge. Nevertheless, the guidelines remain unclear on how to derive such limits. Within this contribution we aim to present a sound data science methodology for the definition of intermediate acceptance criteria by putting the guidelines recommendations into practice (ICH Q6B, 1999). By using an integrated process model approach, we leverage manufacturing data and experimental data from small scale to derive intermediate acceptance criteria. The novelty of this approach is that the acceptance criteria are based on pre-defined out-of-specification probabilities, while also considering manufacturing variability in process parameters. In a case study we compare this methodology to a conventional +/- 3 standard deviations (3SD) approach and demonstrate that the presented methodology is superior to conventional approaches and provides a solid line of reasoning for justifying them in audits and regulatory submission.

Tumor-Localized Costimulatory T-Cell Engagement by the 4-1BB/HER2 Bispecific Antibody-Anticalin Fusion PRS-343.

PURPOSE: 4-1BB (CD137) is a key costimulatory immunoreceptor and promising therapeutic target in cancer. To overcome limitations of current 4-1BB-targeting antibodies, we have developed PRS-343, a 4-1BB/HER2 bispecific molecule. PRS-343 is designed to facilitate T-cell costimulation by tumor-localized, HER2-dependent 4-1BB clustering and activation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: PRS-343 was generated by the genetic fusion of 4-1BB-specific Anticalin proteins to a variant of trastuzumab with an engineered IgG4 isotype. Its activity was characterized using a panel of in vitro assays and humanized mouse models. The safety was assessed using ex vivo human cell assays and a toxicity study in cynomolgus monkeys. RESULTS: PRS-343 targets 4-1BB and HER2 with high affinity and binds both targets simultaneously. 4-1BB-expressing T cells are efficiently costimulated when incubated with PRS-343 in the presence of cancer cells expressing HER2, as evidenced by increased production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL2, GM-CSF, TNFα, and IFNγ). In a humanized mouse model engrafted with HER2-positive SK-OV-3 tumor cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, PRS-343 leads to tumor growth inhibition and a dose-dependent increase of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. In IND-enabling studies, PRS-343 was found to be well tolerated, with no overt toxicity and no relevant drug-related toxicologic findings. CONCLUSIONS: PRS-343 facilitates tumor-localized targeting of T cells by bispecific engagement of HER2 and 4-1BB. This approach has the potential to provide a more localized activation of the immune system with higher efficacy and reduced peripheral toxicity compared with current monospecific approaches. The reported data led to initiation of a phase I clinical trial with this first-in-class molecule.See related commentary by Su et al., p. 5732.

Essentials for ATP synthesis by F1F0 ATP synthases.

The majority of cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is synthesized by the ubiquitous F(1)F(0) ATP synthase. Power for ATP synthesis derives from an electrochemical proton (or Na(+)) gradient, which drives rotation of membranous F(0) motor components. Efficient rotation not only requires a significant driving force (DeltamuH(+)), consisting of membrane potential (Deltapsi) and proton concentration gradient (DeltapH), but also a high proton concentration at the source P side. In vivo this is maintained by dynamic proton movements across and along the surface of the membrane. The torque-generating unit consists of the interface of the rotating c ring and the stator a subunit. Ion translocation through this unit involves a sophisticated interplay between the c-ring binding sites, the stator arginine, and the coupling ions on both sides of the membrane. c-ring rotation is transmitted to the eccentric shaft gamma-subunit to elicit conformational changes in the catalytic sites of F(1), leading to ATP synthesis.

Functional asymmetry of the F(0) motor in bacterial ATP synthases.

F(1)F(0) ATP synthases use the electrochemical potential of H(+) or Na(+) across biological membranes to synthesize ATP by a rotary mechanism. In bacteria, the enzymes can act in reverse as ATP-driven ion pumps creating the indispensable membrane potential. Here, we demonstrate that the F(0) parts of a Na(+)- and H(+)-dependent enzyme display major asymmetries with respect to their mode of operation, reflected by the requirement of approximately 100 times higher Na(+) or H(+) concentrations for the synthesis compared with the hydrolysis of ATP. A similar asymmetry is observed during ion transport through isolated F(0) parts, indicating different affinities for the binding sites in the a/c interface. Together with further data, we propose a model that provides a rationale for a differential usage of membrane potential and ion gradient during ATP synthesis as observed experimentally. The functional asymmetry might also reflect an important property of the ATP synthesis mechanism in vivo. In Escherichia coli, we observed respiratory chain-driven ATP production at pH 7-8, while P-site pH values < 6.5 were required for ATP synthesis in vitro. This discrepancy is discussed with respect to the hypothesis that during respiration lateral proton diffusion could lead to significant acidification at the membrane surface.

Deltapsi and DeltapH are equivalent driving forces for proton transport through isolated F(0) complexes of ATP synthases.

The membrane-embedded F(0) part of ATP synthases is responsible for ion translocation during ATP synthesis and hydrolysis. Here, we describe an in vitro system for measuring proton fluxes through F(0) complexes by fluorescence changes of the entrapped fluorophore pyranine. Starting from purified enzyme, the F(0) part was incorporated unidirectionally into phospholipid vesicles. This allowed analysis of proton transport in either synthesis or hydrolysis direction with Deltapsi or DeltapH as driving forces. The system displayed a high signal-to-noise ratio and can be accurately quantified. In contrast to ATP synthesis in the Escherichia coli F(1)F(0) holoenzyme, no significant difference was observed in the efficiency of DeltapH or Deltapsi as driving forces for H(+)-transport through F(0). Transport rates showed linear dependency on the driving force. Proton transport in hydrolysis direction was about 2400 H(+)/(s x F(0)) at Deltapsi of 120 mV, which is approximately twice as fast as in synthesis direction. The chloroplast enzyme was faster and catalyzed H(+)-transport at initial rates of 6300 H(+)/(s x F(0)) under similar conditions. The new method is an ideal tool for detailed kinetic investigations of the ion transport mechanism of ATP synthases from various organisms.

Arginine-induced conformational change in the c-ring/a-subunit interface of ATP synthase.

The rotational mechanism of ATP synthases requires a unique interface between the stator a subunit and the rotating c-ring to accommodate stability and smooth rotation simultaneously. The recently published c-ring crystal structure of the ATP synthase of Ilyobacter tartaricus represents the conformation in the absence of subunit a. However, in order to understand the dynamic structural processes during ion translocation, studies in the presence of subunit a are required. Here, by intersubunit Cys-Cys cross-linking, the relative topography of the interacting helical faces of subunits a and c from the I. tartaricus ATP synthase has been mapped. According to these data, the essential stator arginine (aR226) is located between the c-ring binding pocket and the cytoplasm. Furthermore, the spatially vicinal residues cT67C and cG68C in the isolated c-ring structure yielded largely asymmetric cross-linking products with aN230C of subunit a, suggesting a small, but significant conformational change of binding-site residues upon contact with subunit a. The conformational change was dependent on the positive charge of the stator arginine or the aR226H substitution. Energy-minimization calculations revealed possible modes for the interaction between the stator arginine and the c-ring. These biochemical results and structural restraints support a model in which the stator arginine operates as a pendulum, moving in and out of the binding pocket as the c-ring rotates along the interface with subunit a. This mechanism allows efficient interaction between subunit a and the c-ring and simultaneously allows almost frictionless movement against each other.

A structural analysis of asymmetry required for catalytic activity of an ABC-ATPase domain dimer.

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-transporter haemolysin (Hly)B, a central element of a Type I secretion machinery, acts in concert with two additional proteins in Escherichia coli to translocate the toxin HlyA directly from the cytoplasm to the exterior. The basic set of crystal structures necessary to describe the catalytic cycle of the isolated HlyB-NBD (nucleotide-binding domain) has now been completed. This allowed a detailed analysis with respect to hinge regions, functionally important key residues and potential energy storage devices that revealed many novel features. These include a structural asymmetry within the ATP dimer that was significantly enhanced in the presence of Mg2+, indicating a possible functional asymmetry in the form of one open and one closed phosphate exit tunnel. Guided by the structural analysis, we identified two amino acids, closing one tunnel by an apparent salt bridge. Mutation of these residues abolished ATP-dependent cooperativity of the NBDs. The implications of these new findings for the coupling of ATP binding and hydrolysis to functional activity are discussed.

Functional characterization and ATP-induced dimerization of the isolated ABC-domain of the haemolysin B transporter.

Nucleotide-binding domains (NBD) are highly conserved constituents of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Members of this family couple ATP hydrolysis to the transfer of various molecules across cell membranes. The NBD of the HlyB transporter, HlyB-NBD, was characterized with respect to its uncoupled ATPase activity, oligomeric state, and stability in solution. Experimental data showed that both the nature and pH of an assay buffer influenced the level of protein activity. Comparative analysis of protein stability and ATPase activity in various buffers suggests an inverse relationship between the two. The highest ATPase activity was detected in HEPES, pH 7.0. A kinetic analysis of the ATPase activity in this buffer revealed an enzyme concentration dependence and ATP-induced protein oligomerization. Assuming that the dimer is the active form of enzyme, at least half of the purified HlyB-NBD was estimated to be a dimer at 1.2 microM under the most optimal conditions for ATP hydrolysis. This is about 2 orders of magnitude lower than reported for other canonical ABC-ATPases. The maximum reaction velocity of 0.6 micromol/mg x min at 22 degrees C and the apparent kinetic constant K(app)(0.5) of 0.26 mM for ATP were determined for the dimerized HlyB-NBD. Gel filtration experiments with the wild-type protein and HlyB-NBD mutated in a key catalytic residue, H662A, provided further evidence for ATP-induced protein dimerization. ATPase activity experiments with protein mixtures composed of wild-type and the ATPase-deficient H662A mutant demonstrated that one intact NBD within a dimer is sufficient for ATP hydrolysis. This single site turnover might suggest a sequential mechanism of ATP hydrolysis in the intact HlyB transporter.

Elevated expression of TARC (CCL17) and MDC (CCL22) in models of cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary inflammation.

TARC (CCL17) and MDC (CCL22) are well-known chemoattractants for Th2 cells. Here, we evaluated the role of both chemokines for cigarette smoke-induced airway inflammation. The expression profiles of MDC, TARC, and their receptor CCR4 were analyzed in models of acute and chronic cigarette smoke-induced airway inflammation that is characterized by a Th1 immune response. The results were compared to the expression of both chemokines in models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and acute asthma, which are associated with a Th2 immune response. The expression of MDC and TARC was found to be elevated in all lung inflammation models. In contrast to the findings in the asthma and lung fibrosis models, the increased expression of MDC and TARC in the cigarette-smoke model was not associated with an increased infiltration of Th2 cells into smoke-treated lungs. Our data indicate that instead of Th2 cells, airway epithelial cells expressing CCR4 might be the principal targets for MDC and TARC released from alveolar macrophages during cigarette smoke-induced airway inflammation.