Non-Native Aggregation of an IgG1 Antibody in Acidic Conditions: 1. Unfolding, Colloidal Interactions, and Formation of Amyloid-Like High Molecular Weight Aggregates
Abstract
Monomeric and aggregated states of an IgG1 antibody were characterized under acidic conditions as a function of solution pH (3.5–5.5). A combination of intrinsic/extrinsic fluorescence (FL), circular dichroism, calorimetry, chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and laser light scattering were used to characterize unfolding, refolding, native colloidal interactions, aggregate structure and morphology, and aggregate dissociation. Lower pH led to larger net repulsive colloidal interactions, decreased thermal stability of Fc and Fab regions, and increased solubility of thermally accelerated aggregates. Unfolding of the Fab domains, and possibly the CH3 domain, was inferred as a key step in the formation of aggregation-prone monomers. High-molecular-weight soluble aggregates displayed nonnative secondary structure, had a semi-rigid chain morphology, and bound thioflavin T (ThT), consistent with at least a portion of the monomer forming amyloid-like structures. Soluble aggregates also formed during monomer refolding under conditions moving from high to low denaturant concentrations. Both thermally and chemically induced aggregates showed similar ThT binding and secondary structural changes, and were noncovalent based on dissociation in concentrated guanidine hydrochloride solutions. Changes in intrinsic FL during chemical versus thermal unfolding suggest a greater degree of structural change during chemical unfolding, although aggregation proceeded through partially unfolded monomers in both cases.
Department
Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences
Publication Date
1-6-2011
Journal Title
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Publisher
Elsevier
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Brummitt RK, Nesta DP, Chang L, Chase SF, Laue TM, Roberts CJ (2011) “Non-Native Aggregation of an IgG1 Antibody in Acidic Conditions: 1. Unfolding, Colloidal Interactions, and Formation of Amyloid-Like High Molecular Weight Aggregates” J. Pharm. Sci., 100, 2087–2103.