Literature
Host Cell Protein monitoring in process development – using mass spec
October 2 2009, by Ejvind Mørtz
Mass spectrometry-based Host Cell Protein identification and quantification
The Mass Spec Host Cell Protein (HCP) assay is applied for monitoring product purity and consistency of the pre-clinical tox batch and two clinical batches of a recombinant vaccine protein.
We separated proteins by 1D SDS PAGE and visualized them by silver staining. Then we digested the protein bands with trypsin and the proteins identified by MALDI MS/MS peptide mapping and database searching. In total, we identified eight specific HCPs.
The protein identities and information about physical properties, such as pI, Mw, and hydrophobicity, can guide further protein purification and process development for phase III. An advantage compared to ELISA-based HCP assays is that the MS HCP assay provides the identities of the contaminating HCPs. Also, it does not require the time-consuming development of antibodies.
Advantages of Mass Spec orthogonal method
- Immediate solution
- Alternative to ELISA when not available
- Identity for each HCP
- The relative quantity of HCPs
- Complementary with Western blot
- Fast assay setup in 2 weeks
Applications
- PAT compliant
- Monitor process development,
- Compare pre-clinic TOX batches and clinical batches
Mass Spec Host Cell Protein Assay Principle
Figure 1: The drug substance [DS] from different cGMP batches (samples 1-3) was first loaded on a 1D SDS-PAGE gel and stained with sensitive silver. Then the gel was overloaded with DS to detect tiny amounts of contaminating proteins. We cut out protein bands for analysis by MALDI mass spectroscopy to identify contaminating host cell proteins. Eight specific HCPs were identified and marked HCP1-HCP8, as well as product-related variants, marked DS.
References
[1] Mortz et al.: “Proteomics technology applied to upstream and downstream process development of a protein vaccine,” Bioprocess International 6, p36-43, 2008.
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