Virus safety of plasma products using 20 nm instead of 15 nm filtration as virus removing step.

During the manufacture of human plasma derivatives, a series of complementary measures are undertaken to prevent transmission of blood-borne viruses. Virus filtration using 15 nm (Planova15N) filters has successfully been implemented in manufacturing processes for various plasma derivatives primarily because virus filtration is a technique, mild for proteins, that can effectively remove even small non-lipid-enveloped viruses, such as HAV and parvovirus B19. However, the use of 15 nm filters has limitations with regard to protein capacity of the filters and the process flow, resulting in an expensive manufacturing step. Therefore, studies were performed to test whether the use of 20 nm (Planova20N) filters, having different characteristics compared to 15 nm filters, can be an alternative for the use of 15 nm filters. It is shown that 20 nm filtration can be an alternative for 15 nm filtration. However, the virus removal capacity of the 20 nm filters depends on the plasma product that is filtered. Therefore, an optimisation study must be performed with regard to process parameters such as pressure, pH and protein concentration for each plasma product. In this study, using optimised conditions, the virus removal capacity of 20 nm filters appears to be comparable or even better when compared to that of 15 nm filters.

Viral safety of Nanogam, a new 15 nm-filtered liquid immunoglobulin product.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Producers of plasma derivatives continuously improve the viral safety of their products by, for example, introducing additional virus-reducing steps into the manufacturing process. Here we present virus-elimination studies undertaken for a number of steps employed in a new manufacturing process for liquid intravenous immunoglobulin (Nanogam) that comprises two specific virus-reducing steps: a 15-nm filtration step combined with pepsin treatment at pH 4.4 (pH 4.4/15NF); and solvent-detergent (SD) treatment. The manufacturing process also includes precipitation of Cohn fraction III and viral neutralization, which contribute to the total virus-reducing capacity of the manufacturing process. In addition, the mechanism and robustness of the virus-reducing steps were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Selected process steps were studied with spiking experiments using a range of lipid enveloped (LE) and non-lipid-enveloped (NLE) viruses. The LE viruses used were bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV); the NLE viruses used were parvovirus B19 (B19), canine parvovirus (CPV) and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC). After spiking, samples were collected and tested for residual infectivity, and the reduction factors were calculated. For B19, however, removal of B19 DNA was measured, not residual infectivity. To reveal the contribution of viral neutralization, bovine parvovirus (BPV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) were used. RESULTS: For the pH 4.4/15NF step, complete reduction (> 6 log(10)) was demonstrated for all viruses, including B19, but not for CPV (> 3.4 but < or = 4.2 log(10)). Robustness studies of the pH 4.4/15NF step with CPV showed that pH was the dominant process parameter. SD treatment for 10 min resulted in complete inactivation (> 6 log(10)) of all LE viruses tested. Precipitation of Cohn fraction III resulted in the significant removal (3-4 log(10)) of both LE and NLE viruses. Virus-neutralization assays of final product revealed significant reduction (> or = 3 log(10)) of both BPV and HAV. CONCLUSIONS: The manufacturing process of Nanogam comprises two effective steps for the reduction of LE viruses and one for NLE viruses. In addition, the precipitation of Cohn fraction III and the presence of neutralizing antibodies contribute to the total virus-reducing capacity of Nanogam. The overall virus-reducing capacity was > 15 log(10) for LE viruses. For the NLE viruses B19, CPV and EMC, the overall virus-reducing capacities were > 10, > 7 and > 9 log(10), respectively. Including the contribution of immune neutralization, the overall virus-reducing capacity for B19 and HAV is estimated to be > 10 log(10).

Monoclonal antibody mediated targeting of enzymes. A comparative study using the mouse spleen as a model system.

The aim of this study was to target enzymes specifically to cells in the murine spleen. Monomeric and polymeric conjugates of the enzymes horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase and monoclonal antibodies against cell surface determinants were prepared. Highly specific in vivo targeting of enzymes to macrophages was obtained only when monomeric MAb-enzyme conjugates were used.

Production of monomeric antigen-enzyme conjugate to study requirements for follicular immune complex trapping.

Studies concerning the localization of immune complexes in lymphoid follicles and the involvement of these trapped immune complexes in the regulation of the immune response have thus far been performed with poorly defined complexes in terms of size and composition. For that reason, the minimum requirements for trapping in terms of number of antigen- and antibody molecules present in immune complexes could not be determined. We here describe the production and in vivo use of a monomeric HSA-HRP antigen-enzyme conjugate, readily demonstrable in cryostat sections and ELISA. This conjugate was obtained by combining the glutaraldehyde coupling-method with chromatography to fractionate monomeric and multimeric constituents. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the conjugate consisted of a single molecular species of 109 kDa, whereas the often used periodate oxidation coupling method yielded a heterogeneous population of multimeric, oligomeric and monomeric molecules. We investigated the minimal size requirements for the composition of immune complexes to be trapped in murine spleen follicles using three different conjugates (monomeric HSA-HRP, multimeric HSA-HRP and multimeric HSA-HRP-Penicillin) and a panel of anti-HSA and anti-Penicillin monoclonal antibodies. We demonstrate that the smallest immune complexes, consisting of one antibody and two conjugate molecules, do not localize in splenic follicles. Immune complexes prepared with a single monoclonal antibody localize in follicles only if the epitope recognized occurs repeatedly on the antigen. The relevance of these results for physiological follicular trapping of protein antigens is discussed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Different epitopes on the dendritic cell-associated NLDC-145 molecule during ontogeny.

A monoclonal antibody, 6D2, is described that recognizes a different epitope on the NLDC-145 dendritic cell associated molecule in the mouse. During ontogeny the epitope appears on interdigitating cells in lymphoid organs only around birth, whereas the NLDC-145 antigen can be detected as early as day 16 of gestation. No differences can be observed in the expression of the two antigenic determinants on the epithelial cells of the thymus during ontogeny. Evidence is presented that the two antibodies recognize different epitopes on the same molecule.

An antigen expressed by murine CD8+ T cells and activated B cells.

A monoclonal antibody, H1F5, is described that reacts with a subset of Lyt-2 (CD8) mouse T cells and LPS-activated B cells. In both lymph nodes and spleen of BALB/c mice, the H1F5 antigen is coexpressed approximately on 20%-30% of the CD8+ T cells and approximately on 91% of LPS-activated B cells. In the thymus, few cells (less than 1%) are positive for the marker, but no correlation could be demonstrated with markers for mature T cells such as MEL-14 and PNA expression. Elimination of H1F5+ cells by complement lysis led to a 30%-50% reduction of specific lysis as measured in a primary allo CTL, indicating that the cytotoxic effector cells are injured. The relationship of this marker and other antigenic determinants on lymphocytes is discussed.

Marginal zone macrophages and their role in the immune response against T-independent type 2 antigens: modulation of the cells with specific antibody.

Marginal zone macrophages are strategically positioned in the marginal zone of the spleen and are thought to play an important role in the initiation of the immune response to T-independent type 2 responses. The cells are characterized by high phagocytic activity and by the selective uptake of neutral polysaccharides. In the mouse marginal zone macrophages react specifically with the monoclonal antibody ER-TR9. Injection of the antibody resulted in a complete abrogation of the uptake of neutral polysaccharides by the cells in vivo, although the cells were still capable of taking up latex and carbon particles. The complete blockade of the polysaccharide uptake did not result in an altered humoral immune response against this antigen. When the antibody ER-TR9 was coupled to the toxin gelonin a complete elimination of the marginal zone macrophages could be established in vivo. However, complete elimination did not result in changes of the immune responses against 2,4,6-trinitrophenylated Ficoll, suggesting that the marginal zone macrophages are either not involved in this type of response, or that their function can be taken over by other cells. The possible role of these cells and the importance of the spleen in the immune response against bacterial antigens is discussed.

In vitro and in vivo elimination of macrophage tumor cells using liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate.

It is shown in the present study that RAW 264 tumor cells can be killed by liposome-entrapped dichloromethylene diphosphonate (DMDP), both in vitro and in vivo. DMDP is ingested by phagocytic cells when entrapped in liposomes. Once phagocytized the liposomal membranes are digested and the drug is released into the cell and is ready for action. In vitro, even low doses of liposome-entrapped DMDP caused an significant reduction in cell numbers. In vivo, liposome-encapsulated DMDP markedly reduced tumor formation in the liver, when given 1 day after injection of 1 x 10(6) RAW 264 tumor cells. Liposome-encapsulated DMDP, given 4 or more days after injection of the tumor cells had no significant effect. We concluded that tumor formation by RAW 264 cells is only susceptible to in vivo treatment with liposome-entrapped DMDP during a short period of time after injection of the cells. Obviously, phagocytosis of the tumor cells is reduced after this period making the cells less susceptible to treatment with the liposome-entrapped drug.

Purification and enzymatic characterization of CMP-sialic acid: beta-galactosyl1----3-N-acetylgalactosaminide alpha 2----3-sialyltransferase from human placenta.

A CMP-NeuAc:Gal beta 1----3GalNAc-R alpha 2----3-sialyltransferase has been purified over 20,000-fold from a Triton X-100 extract of human placenta by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose and CDP-hexanolamine-Sepharose in a yield of 10%. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions revealed that the enzyme consists of a major polypeptide species with a molecular weight of 41,000 and some minor forms with molecular weights of 40,000, 43,000, and 65,000, respectively, which can be resolved partially by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Isoelectric focusing revealed that the enzyme occurs in a major and a minor charged form with pI values of 5.0-5.5 and 6.0, respectively. Acceptor specificity studies indicated that the enzyme catalyzes the incorporation of sialic acid from CMP-NeuAc into glycoproteins, glycolipids, and oligosaccharides which possess a terminal Gal beta----3GalNAc unit. Analysis of the structure of the product chain by high-pressure liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography as well as methylation analysis revealed that a NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----3GalNAc sequence is elaborated. The best glycoprotein acceptors are antifreeze glycoprotein and porcine submaxillary asialo/afucomucin. The disaccharide Gal beta 1----3GalNAc-Thr shows values for Km and V which are close to those of the latter glycoprotein. Lactose as well as oligosaccharides in which galactose is linked beta 1----3 or beta 1----4 to N-acetylglucosamine are less efficient acceptors. Of the glycolipids tested only gangliosides GM1 and GD1b served as an acceptor. The enzyme does not show an absolute aglycon specificity, and attaches sialic acid regardless the anomeric configuration of the N-acetylgalactosaminyl residue in the accepting Gal beta 1----3GalNAc unit. By use of specific acceptor substrates it could be demonstrated that the purified enzyme is free from other known sialyltransferase activities. Studies with rabbit antibodies raised against a partially purified sialyltransferase preparation indicated that the enzyme is immunologically unrelated to a Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc-R alpha 2----3-sialyltransferase, which previously had been identified in human placenta (Van den Eijnden, D.H., and Schiphorst, W. E. C. M. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 3159-3162). Initial-rate kinetic studies suggest that the sialyltransferase operates through a mechanism involving a ternary complex of enzyme, sugar donor, and acceptor. This is the first report on the extensive purification and characterization of a sialyltransferase from a human tissue.

Detection of different cellular sides in rat liver and kidney by two monoclonal antibodies raised against the nucleotide-sugar hydrolyzing enzymes phosphodiesterase I and CMP-sialic acid hydrolase.

Six different monoclonal antibodies were generated after immunization of mice with a partially purified enzyme preparation of rat liver, containing nucleotide-sugar hydrolase (NSH) I and II. These enzymes are also known under the names phosphodiesterase I and CMP-sialic acid hydrolase respectively [11]. In the enzyme-immunoassay the antibodies directed against NSH I displayed some cross-reactivity with the enzyme preparation of NSH II, and to a much lower extent the reverse was also true. Two antibodies, C and D highly reactive with NSH II and NSH I respectively, were used for immunocytochemical studies on sections of various rat tissues, which were known to contain high activities of both enzymes. Both antibodies were shown to be highly specific domain markers for different sides of the various cells. Antibody C was bound exclusively to the sinusoidal side of liver hepatocytes and to the basal side of cells from kidney tubule and epididymis. For antibody D the binding pattern was completely different, showing exclusive binding to the canalicular side of the hepatocytes and to the brush border membranes of kidney tubule cells, whereas in epididymis only binding to connective tissues was observed. Our studies clearly demonstrate, at least for liver and kidney, that NSH I and II are located at different cellular sides and that the monoclonal antibodies C and D can be used as domain markers for basal and apical sides of these cells respectively.

Enhanced cytostatic effectiveness of aniline mustard against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced rat mammary tumors during regression in response to ovariectomy.

Sprague-Dawley rats bearing 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors were treated with either of two aromatic alkylating agents, aniline mustard or melphalan, alone or combined with ovariectomy. Both drugs were applied once a week for 8 weeks. Eight-four percent of the tumors responded to ovariectomy, 38% regressing completely and 46% regressing partially. Aniline mustard, though virtually ineffective as a single agent, appeared synergistic with ovariectomy: a 100% regression rate (72% complete, 28% partial) was observed for this combination. Treatment with melphalan was as effective as ovariectomy, but the combination of melphalan with ovariectomy was no more effective than either treatment alone. The end product of aniline mustard metabolism, p-hydroxyaniline mustard O-glucuronide, may be more extensively activated by beta-glucuronidase in hormonally regressing than in growing or stationary tumors. Intratumoral levels of beta-glucoronidase occurring in DMBA-induced tumors 4 days after ovariectomy were found to be similar to those in the aniline mustard-sensitive mouse plasma cell tumor ADJ/PC6. It remains to be more extensively studied whether an effect of endocrine treatment on tumor beta-glucuronidase levels, and possibly on intracellular distribution of enzyme, could be used therapeutically. An effectively scheduled cytostatic treatment (with a drug conjugate such as that formed metabolically from aniline mustard) in conjunction with ovariectomy might be effective in the treatment of hormone-responsive breast cancer.