Scale-up of the fermentation and purification of the recombinant heavy chain fragment C of botulinum neurotoxin serotype F, expressed in Pichia pastoris

A recombinant heavy chain fragment C of botulinum neurotoxin serotype F (BoNTF(Hc)) has been expressed in Pichia pastoris for use as an antigen in a proposed human vaccine. P. pastoris cells were grown using glycerol batch, glycerol fed-batch, and methanol fed-batch methods to achieve high cell densities. The total cellular protein recovered after homogenization was 72 mg/g of cell paste. BoNTF(Hc) was purified from soluble Pichia cell lysate employing ion-exchange chromatographic (IEC) and hydrophobic interaction chromatographic (HIC) methods developed at the bench scale using 10-100 mL columns. The process was performed at the pilot scale using 1-4L columns for evaluation of scale up. The purification process resulted in greater than 98% pure product consisting of at least three forms of BoNTF(Hc) based on mass spectrometry and yielded up to 205 mg/kg cells at the bench scale and 170 mg/kg cells at the pilot scale. Full-length BoNTF(Hc) is present based on mass spectrometry and SDS-PAGE, however is postulated to be N-terminally blocked by acetylation. N-terminal sequencing showed that two of the three forms are missing the first 11 (80%) and 14 (20%) amino acids of the N-terminus from the full-length form. The ratios of the two clipped forms were consistent from the bench to pilot scales. Purified BoNTF(Hc) at the pilot scale was found to sufficiently protect mice against a high dose of BoNTF neurotoxin.     

Cell bank characterization and fermentation optimization for production of recombinant heavy chain C-terminal fragment of botulinum neurotoxin serotype E (rBoNTE(H(c)): antigen E) by Pichia pastoris

A process was developed for production of a candidate vaccine antigen, recombinant C-terminal heavy chain fragment of the botulinum neurotoxin serotype E, rBoNTE(H(c)) in Pichia pastoris. P. pastoris strain GS115 was transformed with the rBoNTE(H(c)) gene inserted into pHILD4 Escherichia coli-P. pastoris shuttle plasmid. The clone was characterized for genetic stability, copy number, and BoNTE(H(c)) sequence. Expression of rBoNTE(H(c)) from the Mut(+) HIS4 clone was confirmed in the shake-flask, prior to developing a fed-batch fermentation process at 5 and 19 L scale. The fermentation process consists of a glycerol growth phase in batch and fed-batch mode using a defined medium followed by a glycerol/methanol transition phase for adaptation to growth on methanol and a methanol induction phase resulting in the production of rBoNTE(H(c)). Specific growth rate, ratio of growth to induction phase, and time of induction were critical for optimal rBoNTE(H(c)) production and minimal proteolytic degradation. A computer-controlled exponential growth model was used for process automation and off-gas analysis was used for process monitoring. The optimized process had an induction time of 9 h on methanol and produced up to 3 mg of rBoNTE(H(c)) per gram wet cell mass as determined by HPLC and Western blot analysis.     

Purification of a recombinant heavy chain fragment C vaccine candidate against botulinum serotype C neurotoxin [rBoNTC(H(c))] expressed in Pichia pastoris

A purification process for the manufacture of a recombinant C-terminus heavy chain fragment from botulinum neurotoxin serotype C [rBoNTC(H_c)], a potential vaccine candidate, has been defined and successfully scaled-up. The rBoNTC(H_c) was produced intracellularly in Pichia pastoris X-33 using a three step fermentation process, i.e., glycerol batch phase, a glycerol fed-batch phase to achieve high cell densities, followed by a methanol induction phase. The rBoNTC(H_c) was captured from the soluble protein fraction of cell lysate using hydrophobic charge induction chromatography (HCIC; MEP HyperCel?), and then further purified using a CM 650M ion exchange chromatography step followed by a polishing step using HCIC once again. Method development at the bench scale was achieved using 5–100 mL columns and the process was performed at the pilot scale using 0.6–1.6 L columns in preparation for technology transfer to cGMP manufacturing. The process yielded approximately 2.5 g of rBoNTC(H_c)/kg wet cell weight (WCW) at the bench scale and 1.6 g rBoNTC(H_c)/kg WCW at the pilot scale. The purified rBoNTC(H_c) was stable for at least 3 months at 5 and ?80 °C as determined by reverse phase-HPLC and SDS–PAGE and was stable for 24 months at ?80 °C based on mouse potency bioassay. N-Terminal amino acid sequencing confirmed that the N-terminus of the purified rBoNTC(H_c) was intact.     

Production and Purification of the Heavy-Chain Fragment C of Botulinum Neurotoxin, Serotype B, Expressed in the Methylotrophic YeastPichia pastoris

A recombinant H_cfragment of botulinum neurotoxin, serotype B (rBoNTB(H_c)), has been successfully expressed in a Mut⁺strain of the methylotrophic yeastPichia pastorisfor use as an antigen in a proposed human vaccine. The fermentation process consisted of batch phase on glycerol, followed by glycerol and methanol fed-batch phases yielding a final cell mass of 60 g/L (dcw) and was easily scaled-up to 60 L. A multistep ion-exchange chromatographic purification process was employed to produce 99% pure H_cfragment. The final yield of the purified antigen was 390 mg per kilogram of wet cell mass. The purified H_cfragment of serotype B was stable, elicited an immune response in mice, and protected upon challenge with native botulin.     

Effect of Nicking the C-terminal Region of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostridium botulinum</Emphasis> Serotype D Neurotoxin Heavy Chain on its Toxicity and Molecular Properties

A unique strain of Clostridium botulinum serotype D 4947 produces toxin complexes that are composed of un-nicked components, including a neurotoxin (BoNT) and auxiliary proteins. This BoNT showed aberrant elution upon Superdex gel filtration, indicating a much lower molecular weight, due to hydrophobic interaction with the column. Limited trypsin proteolysis of BoNT produces two nicks; first nick yielded a BoNT 50 kDa light chain disulfide linked to a 100 kDa heavy chain (Hc), and a second nick arose in Hc C-terminal 10 kDa. The second nick occurred in the putative binding domain of the BoNT molecule and induced alterations in its secondary structure, leading to a significant reduction of mouse toxicity in comparison with that of the fully-activated singly nicked BoNT. These results help to clarify the role of the C-terminal half of the Hc in the oral toxicity of single-chain and more complex forms of BoNT.     

Production and purification of the heavy chain fragment C of botulinum neurotoxin, serotype A, expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

A recombinant H(C) fragment of botulinum neurotoxin, serotype A (rBoNTA(H(C))), has been successfully expressed in a Mut(+) strain of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris for use as an antigen in a proposed human vaccine. Fermentation employed glycerol batch, glycerol-fed batch, and methanol-fed batch phases to achieve high cell density. Induction times were short to maximize rBoNTA(H(C)) production while minimizing proteolytic degradation. Concentration of rBoNTA(H(C)) in yeast cell lysates was generally 1-2% of the total protein based on ELISA analysis. The H(C) fragment was purified from cell lysates using a multistep ion-exchange (IEC) chromatographic process, including SP, Q, and HS resins. The zwitterionic detergent Chaps was included in the buffer system to combat possible interactions, such as protein-protein or protein-DNA interactions. Following IEC was a hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) polishing step, using phenyl resin. The H(C) fragment was purified to >95% purity with yields up to 450 mg/kg cells based on ELISA and Bradford protein assay. The purified H(C) fragment of serotype A was stable, elicited an immune response in mice, and was protected upon challenge with native botulinum type A neurotoxin.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis> fermentation with mixed-feeds of glycerol and methanol: growth kinetics and production improvement

Fed-batch fermentation of a methanol utilization plus (Mut⁺) Pichia pastoris strain typically has a growth phase followed by a production phase (induction phase). In the growth phase glycerol is usually used as carbon for cell growth while in the production phase methanol serves as both inducer and carbon source for recombinant protein expression. Some researchers employed a mixed glycerol-methanol feeding strategy during the induction phase to improve production, but growth kinetics on glycerol and methanol and the interaction between them were not reported. The objective of this paper is to optimize the mixed feeding strategy based on growth kinetic studies using a Mut⁺ Pichia strain, which expresses the heavy-chain fragment C of botulinum neurotoxin serotype C [BoNT/C(Hc)] intracellularly, as a model system. Growth models on glycerol and methanol that describe the relationship between specific growth rate (μ) and specific glycerol/methanol consumption rate (ν _gly, ν _MeOH) were established. A mixed feeding strategy with desired μ _gly/μ _MeOH =1, 2, 3, 4 (desired μ _MeOH set at 0.015 h⁻¹) was employed to study growth interactions and their effect on production. The results show that the optimal desired μ _gly/μ _MeOH is around 2 for obtaining the highest BoNT/C(Hc) protein content in cells: about 3 mg/g wet cells. Electronic Publication     

Exchange of the H(CC) domain mediating double receptor recognition improves the pharmacodynamic properties of botulinum neurotoxin

The four-domain structure of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) reflects their multistep intoxication process. The high toxicity of BoNTs primarily results from specific binding and uptake into neurons mediated by their 50-kDa cell-binding fragment (H(C) ). X-ray crystallography data have revealed that the H(C) fragment consists of two domains of equal size, named the 25-kDa N-terminal half of H(C) (H(CN) ) and the 25-kDa C-terminal half of H(C) (H(CC) ). In recent years, the ganglioside-binding sites of all seven BoNT serotypes have been allocated to the H(CC) domain. For BoNT/A, BoNT/B and BoNT/G, the protein receptor-binding site has been also been localized to the H(CC) domain. Here, we demonstrate that the H(CC) serotype can modulate the affinity of the H(C) fragment for neuronal membranes as well as the potency of full-length BoNT by replacing the BoNT/A H(CC) domain with the BoNT/B H(CC) , BoNT/C H(CC) and BoNT/E H(CC) domains, which exhibit higher affinity for synaptosomes. Indeed, the hybrids H(C) AB and H(C) AC display a higher affinity than wild-type H(C) A. Furthermore, the potency of a BoNT/A-based full-length hybrid containing the H(CC) B domain (AAAB; letters represent the serotype origin of the four domains) was quadrupled as compared with wild-type BoNT/A. Analogously, exchange of the H(C) fragment (AABB) yielded a neurotoxin with four-fold higher potency. As BoNT/A and BoNT/B are extensively used to treat neurological disorders, thereby facing the problem of BoNT neutralizing antibody formation, a BoNT with increased potency would lower the repeatedly administered protein dosage while maintaining the clinical benefit. Such a lowered protein load will delay the onset of neurotoxin antibody formation in patients.     

Production and purification of a chimeric monoclonal antibody against botulinum neurotoxin serotype A

Production of recombinant antibodies against botulinum neurotoxin is necessary for the development of a post-exposure treatment. CHO-DG44 cells were transfected with a plasmid encoding the light and heavy chains of a chimeric monoclonal antibody (S25) against botulism neurotoxin serotype A. Stable cell lines were obtained by dilution cloning and clones were shown to produce nearly equivalent levels of light and heavy chain antibody by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In suspension culture, cells produced 35 μg/ml of chimeric antibody after 6 days, corresponding to a specific antibody productivity of 3.1 pg/cell/day. A method for the harvest and recovery of an antibody against botulism neurotoxin serotype A was investigated utilizing ethylenediamine-N,N′-tetra(methylphosphonic) acid (EDTPA) modified zirconia and MEP-hypercel, a hydrophobic charge interaction chromatography resin. Purification of the S25 antibody was compared to that achieved using rProtein A–Sepharose Fast Flow resin. After the direct load of culture supernatant, analysis by ELISA and gel electrophoresis showed that S25 antibody could be recovered at purities of 41 and 44%, from the EDTPA modified zirconia and MEP-hypercel columns, respectively. Although the purity obtained from each of these columns was low, the ability to withstand high column pressures and nearly 90% recovery of the antibody makes EDTPA modified zirconia well suited as an initial capture step. Combining the EDTPA modified zirconia and HCIC columns in series resulted in both purity and final product yield of 72%.     

鼠源抗B型肉毒毒素单链抗体噬菌体文库的构建筛选及抗体免疫学活性的初步研究

B型肉毒毒素重链C-端片段(BoNTB/Hc)经金属螯和层析法纯化后免疫Balb/c小鼠,从其脾淋巴细胞中提取总RNA,反转录成cDNA,用抗体可变区混合引物进行全套抗体重、轻链可变区基因的扩增,体外随机装配成单链抗体(scFv)。将其克隆至pCANTAB5E中,构建单链抗体噬菌体抗体库。结果表明经过4轮"吸附-洗脱-扩增"的富集过程,筛选获得高亲和力的克隆。序列测定符合抗体可变区结构特点。     

A型肉毒毒素Hc结构域在大肠杆菌中的高水平表达及免疫原性

对A型肉毒毒素受体结合区Hc基因的全序列进行优化和人工合成,获得了全长1287bp,编码429aa的Hc基因。以pTIG-Trx为原核表达载体,实现了Hc在大肠杆菌中的高效可溶性表达及纯化,该表达水平可占可溶性全菌总蛋白的36%～53%,经一步亲和层析纯化可获得电泳级纯度的目的蛋白,在常规培养条件下,产量达到30mg/L以上。然后,纯化的重组蛋白Hc免疫小鼠后能够诱导产生高滴度特异性的抗体,也能诱导产生特异性的细胞免疫应答反应。小鼠体内A型肉毒毒素中和试验结果表明免疫组小鼠血清中含高滴度的体内中和抗体。结果表明,利用本实验的原核表达系统不仅能够高水平可溶性地表达A型肉毒毒素受体结合区Hc,而且重组Hc具有良好的免疫原性,可以用于制备治疗性抗毒素和作为亚单位候选疫苗用于预防A型肉毒毒素中毒。     

Development and preclinical evaluation of a new F(ab′)2 antitoxin against botulinum neurotoxin serotype A

Concern about the malicious applications of botulinum neurotoxin has highlighted the need for a new generation of safe and highly potent antitoxins. In this study, we developed and evaluated the preclinical pharmacology and safety of a new F(ab′)₂ antitoxin against botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A). As an alternative to formalin-inactivated toxoid, the recombinant Hc domain of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (rAHc) was used to immunize horses, and the IgGs from the hyperimmune sera were digested to obtain F(ab′)₂ antitoxin. The protective effect of the new F(ab′)₂ antitoxin against BoNT/A was determined both in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the F(ab′)₂ antitoxin could prevent botulism in mice challenged with BoNT/A and effectively delayed progression of paralysis from botulism in the therapeutic setting. The preclinical safety of the new F(ab′)₂ antitoxin was also evaluated, and it showed neither harmful effects on vital functions nor adverse effects such as acute toxicity, or immunological reactions in mice and dogs. Thus, our results provide valuable experimental data for this new antitoxin as a potential candidate for treatment of botulism caused by BoNT/A, and our findings support the safety of the new F(ab′)₂ antitoxin for clinical use. Our study further demonstrates the proof of concept for development of a similar strategy for obtaining potent antitoxin against other BoNT serotypes.     

重组质粒pVAX1-PENK大规模制备研究

目的：建立质粒pVAX1-PENK的大规模制备2--艺。方法：对大肠杆菌工程菌DH5α-pVAX1-PENK进行补料发酵,利用自行发明的连续碱裂解过程对菌体进行裂解,经超滤浓缩后,用Sepharnse 6 Fast Flow层析柱分离DNA与RNA,再经Plasmidselect Xtra层析柱分离超螺旋质粒DNA与开环或线性质粒DNA,最后经Source 15Q层析柱精制质粒DNA。结果：发酵获得质粒pVAX1-PENK的产率为182mg／L,经碱裂解及层析分离后,最终制备的质粒DNA超螺旋比例大于98％,总回收率为60.5％,纯度（D260nm／D280nm）为1.8～2.0。结论：建立的质粒DNA生产工艺可以制备大量高纯度的质粒DNA,并避免了使用动物源性的酶及有毒试剂。     

An epitopic approach to designing and characterization of a multiple antigenic polypeptide against Botulinum neurotoxins A and E

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes A, B and E are most frequently associated with human botulism. Recombinant vaccines against BoNTs are usually based on one or more domain(s) of the toxin molecule. In this study, we investigate a new-designed multiple antigenic polypeptide for serotypes A and E (MAP/AE), containing two linear epitopes from each serotype. A synthetic gene was used to express the recombinant MAP/AE, in E. coli. Anti-MAP/AE antibodies were produced by injecting the purified MAP/AE to Balb/C mice. The interactivity of these antibodies and BoNT/A and E has been shown by ELISA. High titers of anti-MAP/AE antibodies were detected in mice sera. The anti-MAP/AE antibody titer is clearly detectable even at 25,600 dilution level. The anti-MAP/AE antibodies bound to both BoNT/A and BoNT/E holotoxin molecules. Neutralization ability of the antibodies for both toxin serotypes was determined, by an inhibitory ELISA assay. Results are suggestive of the feasibility of this epitope targeting strategy to develop novel multivalent recombinant vaccines against BoNTs.     

精制地鼠肾细胞狂犬病疫苗纯化工艺的建立

分别用Srpharose4B、Sephacryl-200HR和Sepharose6-Fastflow柱色谱进行地鼠肾细胞狂犬病疫苗浓缩原液纯化试验,试制精制地鼠肾细胞狂犬病疫苗.对疫苗的残余牛血清含量、效力、收获率和安全性进行检测,优化和建立了精制地鼠肾细胞狂犬病疫苗纯化工艺.     

Inhibition of neurotransmitter release by peptides that mimic the N-terminal domain of SNAP-25

Botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A and E (BoNT/A and BoNT/E) block neurotransmitter release by cleaving the 206-amino-acid SNARE protein, SNAP-25. For each BoNT serotype, cleavage of SNAP-25 results in the loss of intact protein, the production of an N-terminal truncated protein, and the generation of a small C-terminal peptide. Peptides that mimic the C-terminal fragments of SNAP-25 following BoNT/A or BoNT/E cleavage were shown to depress transmitter release in bovine chromaffin cells and in Aplysia buccal ganglion cells. Similarly, the N-terminal–truncated SNAP-25 resulting from BoNT/A or BoNT/E cleavage has been found to inhibit transmitter exocytosis in various systems. With one exception, however, the inhibitory action of truncated SNAP-25 has not been demonstrated at a well-defined cholinergic synapse. The goal of the current study was to determine the level of inhibition of neurotransmitter release by N-terminal BoNT/A- or BoNT/E-truncated SNAP-25 in two different neuronal systems: cholinergically coupled Aplysia neurons and rat hippocampal cell cultures. Both truncated SNAP-25 products inhibited depolarization-dependent glutamate release from hippocampal cultures and depressed synaptic transmission in Aplysia buccal ganglion cells. These results suggest that truncated SNAP-25 can compete with endogenous SNAP-25 for binding with other SNARE proteins involved in transmitter release, thus inhibiting neurotransmitter exocytosis.     

B型肉毒毒素受体结合区C片段在大肠杆菌中的表达及免疫原性研究

目的:在大肠杆菌中表达、纯化B型肉毒毒素受体结合区C片段(BHc-C),研究其免疫原性。方法:将BHc-C基因克隆到原核表达载体pGEX-4T-1中,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导表达GST-BHc-C融合蛋白并通过亲和纯化;以纯化的融合蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠制备免疫血清,采用ELISA检测免疫血清的效价并测定其抗B型肉毒毒素中和活性。结果:在大肠杆菌中表达了GST-BHc-C融合蛋白;以该融合蛋白免疫小鼠获得高效价免疫血清,且该免疫血清具有中和活性。结论:获得了GST-BHc-C融合蛋白,并证实其具有免疫原性。     

Quantum dot immunoassays in renewable surface column and 96-well plate formats for the fluorescence detection of botulinum neurotoxin using high-affinity antibodies

A fluorescence sandwich immunoassay using high-affinity antibodies and quantum dot (QD) reporters has been developed for detection of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) using a nontoxic recombinant fragment of the holotoxin (BoNT/A-H_C-fragment) as a structurally valid simulant for the full toxin molecule. The antibodies used, AR4 and RAZ1, bind to nonoverlapping epitopes present on both the full toxin and on the recombinant fragment. In one format, the immunoassay is carried out in a 96-well plate with detection in a standard plate reader using AR4 as the capture antibody and QD-coupled RAZ1 as the reporter. Detection to 31 pM with a total incubation time of 3 h was demonstrated. In a second format, the AR4 capture antibody was coupled to Sepharose beads, and the reactions were carried out in microcentrifuge tubes with an incubation time of 1 h. The beads were subsequently captured and concentrated in a rotating rod “renewable surface” flow cell equipped with a fiber optic system for fluorescence measurements. In PBS buffer, the BoNT/A-H_C-fragment was detected to concentrations as low as 5 pM using the fluidic measurement approach.     

Synaptotagmins I and II act as nerve cell receptors for botulinum neurotoxin G

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) induce muscle paralysis by selectively entering cholinergic motoneurons and subsequent specific cleavage of core components of the vesicular fusion machinery. Complex gangliosides are requisite for efficient binding to neuronal cells, but protein receptors are critical for internalization. Recent work evidenced that synaptotagmins I and II can function as protein receptors for BoNT/B (Dong, M., Richards, D. A., Goodnough, M. C., Tepp, W. H., Johnson, E. A., and Chapman, E. R. (2003) J. Cell Biol. 162, 1293-1303). Here, we report the protein receptor for a second BoNT serotype. Like BoNT/B, BoNT/G employs synaptotagmins I and II to enter phrenic nerve cells. Using pull-down assays we show that only BoNT/G, but neither the five remaining BoNTs nor tetanus neurotoxin, interacts with synaptotagmins I and II. In contrast to BoNT/B, interactions with both isoforms are independent of the presence of gangliosides. Peptides derived from the luminal domain of synaptotagmin I and II are capable of blocking the neurotoxicity of BoNT/G in phrenic nerve preparations. Pull-down and neutralization assays further established the membrane-juxtaposed 10 luminal amino acids of synaptotagmins I and II as the critical segment for neurotoxin binding. In addition, we show that the carboxyl-terminal domain of the cell binding fragment of BoNT/B and BoNT/G mediates the interaction with their protein receptor.     

High level expression,purification and immunogenicity analysis of a protective recombinant protein against botulinum neurotoxin type E

Botulinum neurotoxin type E heavy chain consists of two domains: N-terminal half as a translocation domain and C-terminal half (Hcc) as a binding domain. In this research a synthetic gene fragment encoding the binding domain of botulinum neurotoxin type E (BoNT/E-Hcc) was highly expressed in Escherichia coli by pGEX4T-1 vector. After purification, the recombinant BoNT/E-Hcc was evaluated by SDS-PAGE and western blot (immunoblot) analysis. Average yields obtained in this research were 3.7 mg recombinant BoNT/E-Hcc per liter of bacterial culture. The recombinant protein was injected in mice for study of its protection ability against botulinum neurotoxin type E challenges. The challenge studies showed that, vaccinated mice were fully protected against 10⁴ × minimum lethal dose of botulinum neurotoxin type E.