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Novel macrolide-adjustable bidirectional expression modules for coordinated expression of two different transgenes in mice.

BACKGROUND: Precise control of transgene expression is essential for a variety of applications ranging from gene-function analysis, biopharmaceutical manufacturing to next-generation molecular interventions in gene therapy and tissue engineering. The regulation of gene expression is currently a key issue for clinical implementation of gene-therapy-based treatments since desired transgene expression may need to be maintained within a narrow therapeutic window for successful treatment of a particular human disease. METHODS: We have designed a novel bidirectional expression module that enables adjustable coregulation of two different transgenes in response to clinical doses of macrolide antibiotics. A bidirectional macrolide-responsive promoter consisting of a central operator module (ETR) specific for the macrolide-dependent transactivator (ET1) is flanked by two minimal promoters (P(hCMVmin); P(hsp70min)) which drive expression of two divergently oriented transgenes. Macrolide antibiotics modulate the binding affinity of ET1 to ETR and adjust expression of both transgenes to desired levels. RESULTS: Bidirectional expression configurations enabled excellent macrolide-adjustable coregulation profiles of two secreted reporter genes or one-vector-based autoregulated fine-tuning of a single transgene in various transgenic rodent and human cell lines. Following implantation of microencapsulated CHO-K1 cell derivatives transgenic for macrolide-controlled bidirectional expression of erythropoietin (EPO) and the human secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) intraperitoneally into mice, serum EPO and SEAP levels could be coadjusted to desired levels by administration of different erythromycin doses. CONCLUSIONS: Based on their in vivo compatibility, the versatile bidirectional and macrolide-responsive expression modules represent an important advancement on the way to implementing targeted and conditional molecular interventions into a clinical reality.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Dual-regulated myoD- and msx1-based interventions in C2C12-derived cells enable precise myogenic/osteogenic/adipogenic lineage control.

BACKGROUND: Advanced gene therapy, tissue engineering and biopharmaceutical manufacturing require sophisticated and well-balanced multiregulated multigene interventions to reprogram desired mammalian cell phenotypes. METHODS: We have combined the streptogramin (PIP)- and tetracycline (TET)-responsive gene regulation systems for independent expression control of the differentiation determinants myoD and msx1 in C2C12-derived cells. RESULTS: Different dual-regulated expression scenarios which induce either both, only one or none of the lineage control genes triggered differential differentiation and precise control of myogenic, osteogenic or adipogenic cell phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings substantiate the use of multiregulated multigene interventions in reprogramming cellular differentiation pathways in a desired manner.

Adipocytes↗

Engineered Streptomyces quorum-sensing components enable inducible siRNA-mediated translation control in mammalian cells and adjustable transcription control in mice.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in functional genomics, gene therapy, tissue engineering, drug discovery and biopharmaceuticals production have been fostered by precise small-molecule-mediated fine-tuning of desired transgenes. METHODS: Capitalizing on well-evolved quorum-sensing regulatory networks in Streptomyces coelicolor we have designed a mammalian regulation system inducible by the non-toxic butyrolactone SCB1. Fusion of the S. coelicolor SCB1 quorum-sensing receptor ScbR to the human Kox-1-derived transsilencing domain reconstituted a mammalian transsilencer (SCS) able to repress transcription from SCS-specific operator-containing promoters in a reverse SCB1-adjustable manner. RESULTS: This quorum-sensing-derived mammalian transgene control system (Q-ON) enabled precise SCB1-specific fine-tuning of (i) desired transgene transcription in a variety of mammalian/human cell lines and human primary cells, (ii) small interfering RNA-mediated posttranscriptional knockdown (siRNA) in mammalian cells, and (iii) dosing of a human glycoprotein in mice. CONCLUSIONS: As exemplified by Q-ON technology, bacterial quorum-sensing regulons may represent a near-infinite source for the design of mammalian gene control systems compatible with molecular interventions relevant to future gene therapy and tissue engineering scenarios.

4-Butyrolactone↗

Crystal structures of human antibodies: a detailed and unfinished tapestry of immunoglobulin gene products.

Sequencing of all human immunoglobulin (Ig) germline gene segments has recently been completed. However, our first glimpses of the recombined products of this combinatorial gene system were in the 1970s, in landmark publications, reporting the crystal structures of two human myeloma proteins, the Mcg lambda light chain dimer and the New IgG1(lambda) Fab. Although numerous crystal structures of murine and human antibodies have now been determined, only a relatively small proportion of the human germline genes have had their corresponding protein three-dimensional structures resolved. Therefore, further structural investigations are required before the inherent diversity of the antibody repertoire can be fully appreciated. We discuss the detailed structural information available for human antibodies with regard to their immune functions. Also discussed, is how the structural information is finding application in the 'humanization' of murine antibodies as part of their development as 'biopharmaceuticals' for the treatment of human disease.

Animals↗

Identification and sequencing analysis of intact proteins via collision-induced dissociation and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Identifying unknown proteins has become a central focal point for proteomic and biopharmaceutical development laboratories. Our laboratory investigated using quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Qq/TOFMS) for the analysis of intact proteins for the purpose of identifying unknowns while limiting the number of sample-handling steps between protein extraction and identification. Eight standard proteins, both unmodified and disulfide-bonded and ranging in mass from 5 to 66 kDa, were analyzed using nanoelectrospray and collision-induced dissociation to generate peptide sequence tags. An MS analysis, followed by MS/MS analyses on two to five individual protein charge states, were obtained to make an identification. Peptide sequence tags were extracted from the MS/MS data and used, in conjunction with molecular mass and source origin, to obtain protein identifications using the web-based search engine ProteinInfo (www.proteometrics.com). All of the proteins were unambiguously identified from the input data, after which, all of the major product ions were identified for structural information. In most cases, N- and/or C-terminal ions, and also stretches of consecutive product ions from the protein interior, were observed. This method was applied to the analysis and identification of an unknown detected via reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ritonavir-PEG 8000 amorphous solid dispersions: in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

Ritonavir is a large, lipophilic molecule that is practically insoluble in aqueous media and exhibits an exceedingly slow intrinsic dissolution rate. Although it has favorable lipophilicity, in vitro permeability studies have shown that ritonavir is a substrate of P-glycoprotein. Thus, the oral absorption of ritonavir could be limited by both dissolution and permeability, thereby making it a Class IV compound in the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. Because formulations rarely exert direct influence on local intestinal permeability, the effect of enhanced dissolution rate on oral absorption was explored. More specifically, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-amorphous ritonavir solid dispersions were prepared with different drug loadings, and the in vitro and in vivo performances of the dispersions were evaluated. In vitro dissolution was conducted in 0.1N HCl with a USP Apparatus I. A crossover design was used to evaluate the oral bioavailability of amorphous dispersions relative to crystalline drug in beagle dogs. Intrinsic dissolution measurements of the two solid phases indicated a 10-fold improvement in intrinsic dissolution rate for amorphous ritonavir compared with the crystalline counterpart. In vitro dissolution of ritonavir depended on the solid phase as well as drug loading of the dispersion. In vivo study results indicate that amorphous solid dispersions containing 10-30% drug exhibited significant increases in area under the curve of concentration versus time (AUC) and maximum concentration (C(max)) over crystalline drug. For example, 10% amorphous dispersion exhibited increases of 22- and 13.7-fold in AUC and C(max), respectively. However, both in vitro dissolution and bioavailability decreased with increasing drug load, which led to the construction of a multiple Level C in vitro-in vivo relationship for this Class IV compound. The established relationship between in vitro dissolution and in vivo absorption can help guide formulation development.

Absorption↗

Effect of common excipients on Caco-2 transport of low-permeability drugs.

The Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) allows waivers of in vivo bioequivalence for rapidly dissolving immediate-release (IR) formulations of drugs with high solubility and high permeability. One potential issue in possibly extending BCS biowaivers to low-permeability drugs is the potential for excipients to modulate the intestinal permeability of the drug. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of nine individual excipients on the Caco-2 permeability of seven low-permeable compounds that differ in their physiochemical properties. Generally, most excipients had no influence on drug permeability. With the exception of sodium lauryl sulfate, no excipient affected Caco-2 monolayer integrity. Sodium lauryl sulfate moderately increased the permeability of almost all the drugs. Tween 80 significantly increased the apical-to-basolateral direction permeability of furosemide, cimetidine, and hydrochlorothiazide, presumably by inhibiting their active efflux, without affecting mannitol permeability. Additionally, docusate sodium moderately increased cimetidine permeability. Other excipients did not have significant effect on the permeability of these three drugs. Further work is needed to interpret the in vivo consequences of these observations from cell culture.

Biological Transport↗

Implementation of an ADME enabling selection and visualization tool for drug discovery.

The pharmaceutical industry has large investments in compound library enrichment, high throughput biological screening, and biopharmaceutical (ADME) screening. As the number of compounds submitted for in vitro ADME screens increases, data analysis, interpretation, and reporting will become rate limiting in providing ADME-structure-activity relationship information to guide the synthetic strategy for chemical series. To meet these challenges, a software tool was developed and implemented that enables scientists to explore in vitro and in silico ADME and chemistry data in a multidimensional framework. The present work integrates physicochemical and ADME data, encompassing results for Caco-2 permeability, human liver microsomal half-life, rat liver microsomal half-life, kinetic solubility, measured log P, rule of 5 descriptors (molecular weight, hydrogen bond acceptors, hydrogen bond donors, calculated log P), polar surface area, chemical stability, and CYP450 3A4 inhibition. To facilitate interpretation of this data, a semicustomized software solution using Spotfire was designed that allows for multidimensional data analysis and visualization. The solution also enables simultaneous viewing and export of chemical structures with the corresponding ADME properties, enabling a more facile analysis of ADME-structure-activity relationship. In vitro and in silico ADME data were generated for 358 compounds from a series of human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitors, resulting in a data set of 5370 experimental values which were subsequently analyzed and visualized using the customized Spotfire application. Implementation of this analysis and visualization tool has accelerated the selection of molecules for further development based on optimum ADME characteristics, and provided medicinal chemistry with specific, data driven structural recommendations for improvements in the ADME profile.

Absorption↗

Comparison of statistical analysis and Bayesian Networks in the evaluation of dissolution performance of BCS Class II model drugs.

This project compared the effect of formulation variables on the dissolution performance of model Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II drugs from hard gelatin capsules using statistical analysis and Bayesian networks. The drugs chosen for this study were carbamazepine (CAR), chlorpropamide (CHL), diazepam (DIA), ketoprofen (KET), and naproxen (NAP). Formulations contained anhydrous lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium stearyl fumerate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and croscarmellose sodium. A Box-Behnken experimental design was used in the statistical analysis. The weakly acidic drugs were tested using USP apparatus II with capsule sinkers in 0.1M pH 6.8 Potassium Phosphate buffer. The weakly basic drugs were tested using USP apparatus I in 0.1N HCl buffer. Mean dissolution profiles were compared via calculation of the similarity factor. The Box-Behnken experimental design was found to be useful in assessing primary and secondary excipient effects on dissolution. The Bayesian Network developed for the dataset mirrored the key excipient effects on dissolution performance.

Bayes Theorem↗

Role of water in the physical stability of solid dosage formulations.

The interaction of moisture with pharmaceutical solids is highly crucial to an understanding of water-based processes, for example, manufacturing processes or prediction of solid dosage form stability and shelf life. Both the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and excipients in the formulation have different moisture sorption properties that can result in unexpected processing-induced phase transitions and they can affect solid-state phase transitions in the final dosage forms. The character of excipient effects on the stability of formulation. Phase transformations in formulations can lead to instability in physicochemical, biopharmaceutical, and processing properties of products. The aim of the present study was to investigate the water sorption properties of different excipients, model the sorption isotherms, examine the phase transitions, and identify differences of excipients in solid dosage form stability using dynamic vapor sorption analysis, near-infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction methods. The thermal processing was carried out with a variable temperature X-ray powder diffractometer to compare the dehydration behavior of wet excipients and evaluate solid-state properties during heating. These results showed that despite some limitations, moisture sorption isotherms of excipients are useful in predicting solid-state stability, interactions at early stages of formulation development, and effects of moisture on physicochemical properties of the final dosage forms.

Cellulose↗

Biowaiver monographs for immediate release solid oral dosage forms: acetaminophen (paracetamol).

Literature data are reviewed on the properties of acetaminophen (paracetamol) related to the biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS). According to the current BCS criteria, acetaminophen is BCS Class III compound. Differences in composition seldom, if ever, have an effect on the extent of absorption. However, some studies show differences in rate of absorption between brands and formulations. In particular, sodium bicarbonate, present in some drug products, was reported to give an increase in the rate of absorption, probably caused by an effect on gastric emptying. In view of Marketing Authorizations (MAs) given in a number of countries to acetaminophen drug products with rapid onset of action, it is concluded that differences in rate of absorption were considered therapeutically not relevant by the Health Authorities. Moreover, in view of its therapeutic use, its wide therapeutic index and its uncomplicated pharmacokinetic properties, in vitro dissolution data collected according to the relevant Guidances can be safely used for declaring bioequivalence (BE) of two acetaminophen formulations. Therefore, accepting a biowaiver for immediate release (IR) acetaminophen solid oral drug products is considered scientifically justified, if the test product contains only those excipients reported in this paper in their usual amounts and the test product is rapidly dissolving, as well as the test product fulfils the criterion of similarity of dissolution profiles to the reference product.

Acetaminophen↗

Active dimer of Epratuzumab provides insight into the complex nature of an antibody aggregate.

Understanding the intermolecular products of antibodies as a consequence of host-cell expression, aging, and heat-stress can be insightful especially when it involves the development of a stable biopharmaceutical product. The dimerized form of Epratuzumab (an IgG(1) antibody) with a molecular mass of approximately 300 kDa (twice the monomer antibody molecular weight of approximately 150 kDa) was examined to gain a better perspective of its properties pertaining to structure and activity. The nascent dimer was shown to partially dissociate upon incubation at 30 degrees C and 37 degrees C, exhibit no discernable alteration of structure (i.e., secondary or tertiary structure based on CD and 2nd derivative UV spectroscopy), have approximately 70% covalent forms (based upon CE-SDS results) and manifest twofold higher activity relative to the active monomer form (on a weight basis the dimer and monomer have equal activity). Interestingly, these properties were not attributed to a single dimer species, but rather to a more complex dimer assembly. The Epratuzumab dimer was digested with papain to reveal three uniquely dimerized aggregates. The relative molar distribution of Fab:Fab, Fc:Fc, and Fab:Fc was found to be 4:3:8, respectively. The data suggest that all three predominantly covalent dimer adducts are capable of full activity, shedding light on their complex nature and showing that their target specificity was unaltered. ESI-MS data indicated the presence of remnant levels of noncovalent dimers for all three dimerized forms. Material aged at 37 degrees C exhibited a similar papain digest molar distribution of the three dimerized forms, except with enhanced chemical heterogeneity and an increase in covalent forms to approximately 84%.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Biowaiver monographs for immediate release solid oral dosage forms: cimetidine.

Literature data relevant to the decision to allow a waiver of in vivo bioequivalence (BE) testing for the approval of immediate release (IR) solid oral dosage forms containing cimetidine are reviewed. According to the current Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), cimetidine would be assigned to Class III. Cimetidine's therapeutic use and therapeutic index, its pharmacokinetic properties, data related to the possibility of excipient interactions, and reported BE/bioavailability (BA) problems were also taken into consideration. On the basis of the overall evidence, a biowaiver can be recommended for cimetidine IR products, provided that the test product contains only those excipients reported in this paper in their usual amounts, and that the test and the comparator drug products both are "rapidly dissolving" as per BCS.

Administration, Oral↗

Biowaiver monographs for immediate release solid oral dosage forms: amitriptyline hydrochloride.

Literature data relevant to the decision to allow a waiver of in vivo bioequivalence (BE) testing for the approval of immediate release (IR) solid oral dosage forms containing amitriptyline hydrochloride are reviewed. Its therapeutic uses, its pharmacokinetic properties, the possibility of excipient interactions and reported BE/bioavailability (BA) problems are also taken into consideration. Literature data indicates that amitriptyline hydrochloride is a highly permeable active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Data on the solubility according to the current Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) were not fully available and consequently amitriptyline hydrochloride could not be definitively assigned to either BCS Class I or BCS Class II. But all evidence taken together, a biowaiver can currently be recommended provided that IR tablets are formulated with excipients used in existing approved products and that the dissolution meets the criteria defined in the Guidances.

Administration, Oral↗

Quantitation of aggregate levels in a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody formulation by size-exclusion chromatography, asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation, and sedimentation velocity.

Size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC, SEC) is the long-standing biopharmaceutical industry standard for quantitation of soluble protein aggregates. Recently, sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation (SV-AUC) has emerged as a possible orthogonal technique to SEC for soluble aggregate quantitation. Moreover, asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (AF4) has shown early promise in quantifying protein aggregates, both soluble and insoluble. We report soluble aggreg ate quantities measured by SEC, AF4, and SV-AUC analyzed by SEDFIT/c(s) for acid stressed and unstressed samples of a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody. In equivalent antibody samples, SV-AUC, and AF4 detect markedly higher total aggregate levels than SEC. Furthermore, SEC fails to detect higher molecular weight soluble aggregates apparent in SV-AUC and AF4 analyses. Pooled fractions containing soluble dimeric aggregates were purified and re-analyzed by both SV-AUC and SEC. Reinjection of purified dimer onto the SEC column induces formation of detectable quantities of monomer and trimer. All sample types show statistically significant (p-values<0.01) antibody losses through the SEC column. This incomplete mass recovery from SEC indicates probable antibody physical adsorption to gel filtration media. Analysis of the sedimentation behavior of high molecular weight components suggests increased molecular asphericity with increasing molecular weight. We present an aggregation model based on nearly linear end-to-end assembly of monomeric subunits which is shown to be consistent with SV-AUC, SEC, AF4, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) results.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Biowaiver monographs for immediate release solid oral dosage forms: isoniazid.

Literature data relevant to the decision to allow a waiver of in vivo bioequivalence (BE) testing for the approval of immediate release (IR) solid oral dosage forms containing isoniazid as the only active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) are reviewed. Isoniazid's solubility and permeability characteristics according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), as well as its therapeutic use and therapeutic index, its pharmacokinetic properties, data related to the possibility of excipient interactions and reported BE/bioavailability (BA) problems were taken into consideration. Isoniazid is "highly soluble" but data on its oral absorption and permeability are inconclusive, suggesting this API to be on the borderline of BCS Class I and III. For a number of excipients, an interaction with the permeability is extreme unlikely, but lactose and other deoxidizing saccharides can form condensation products with isoniazid, which may be less permeable than the free API. A biowaiver is recommended for IR solid oral drug products containing isoniazid as the sole API, provided that the test product meets the WHO requirements for "very rapidly dissolving" and contains only the excipients commonly used in isoniazid products, as listed in this article. Lactose and/or other deoxidizing saccharides containing formulations should be subjected to an in vivo BE study.

Biological Availability↗

Timed release from polymeric films containing drugs and kinetics of drug release.

The preparation of cast films of ethylcellulose containing caffeine and salicylic acid is described. These films exhibit timed release of drugs. Release rates were found to agree with both the classical first-order equation (log drug retained against time) and diffusion-controlled release models, as exemplified by Higuchi's equations (drug release linearly related to square root of time). Mathematical analysis of the data shows that the release behavior actually conforms with the diffusion-controlled model. Literature results, reported as first order, for the release of cetylpyridinium chloride and benzalkonium chloride from polyamide films were analyzed similarly and shown to be diffusion controlled. Recommendations are made for presentation and routine treatment of drug release data to avoid ambiguity and provide useful biopharmaceutical information.

Caffeine↗

Separation of multisized drug suspensions into narrow distributions by centrifugal elutriation.

A centrifugal elutriator rotor was used to separate suspensions of micronized hydrocortisone acetate and prednisolone acetate. Up to five distinct particle fractions could beisolated from a single parent suspension, and reasonable reproducibility was exhibited between various elutriator runs. Arithmetic means and associated standard deivations, based on volume, were calculated for each isolated fraction. These data demonstrate the narrowness and uniqueness of each fraction. The particle-size data show an apparent log-normal distribution for each isolate. The uniqueness of each fraction also was demonstrated by dissolution experiments where Fraction 1, the smallest fraction of prednisolone acetate, dissolved much more rapidly than Fraction 4, the largest fraction. The substantial difference in dissolution behavior of these two fractions of prednisolone acetate powder was biopharmaceutically significant.

Centrifugation↗