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Long- and Short-Range Electrostatic Interactions Affect the Rheology of Highly Concentrated Antibody Solutions

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Abstract

Purpose

To explain the differences in protein-protein interactions (PPI) of concentrated versus dilute formulations of a model antibody.

Methods

High frequency rheological measurements from pH 3.0 to 12.0 quantitated viscoelasticity and PPI at high concentrations. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) characterized PPI in dilute solutions.

Results

For concentrated solutions at low ionic strength, the storage modulus, a viscosity component and a measure of PPI, is highest at the isoelectric point (pH 9.0) and lowest at pH 5.4. This profile flattens at higher ionic strength but not completely, indicating PPI consist of long-range electrostatics and other short-range attractions. At low concentrations, PPI are near zero at pI but become repulsive as the pH is shifted. Higher salt concentrations completely flatten this profile to zero, indicating that these PPI are mainly electrostatic.

Conclusions

This discrepancy occurs because long-range interactions are significant at low concentrations, whereas both long- and short-range interactions are significant at higher concentrations. Computer modeling was used to calculate antibody properties responsible for long- and short-range interactions, i.e. net charge and dipole moment. Charge-charge interactions are repulsive while dipole-dipole interactions are attractive. Their net effect correlated with the storage modulus profile. However, only charge-charge repulsions correlated with PPI determined by DLS.

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Abbreviations

B 22 :

second osmotic virial coefficient

B′ 22 :

second osmotic virial coefficient multiplied by solute molecular weight

CD:

circular dichroism

DLS:

dynamic light scattering

E B22 :

pairwise energetic interaction term

G′ :

storage modulus of complex viscosity

G″ :

loss modulus of complex viscosity

IgG:

immunoglobulin G

k D :

interaction parameter from DLS

mAb:

monoclonal antibody

|η*|:

magnitude of complex viscosity

PDB:

Protein Databank

PPI:

protein-protein interaction(s)

V B22 :

excluded volume term

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Pfizer Inc. for donating the mAb for this study and for partial financial support of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, 69 North Eagleville Rd., U-3092, Storrs, Connecticut, 06269, USA

    Ravi Chari, Kavita Jerath & Devendra S. Kalonia

  2. Global Biologics, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Chesterfield, Missouri, 63017, USA

    Advait V. Badkar

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  1. Ravi Chari
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  2. Kavita Jerath
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  4. Devendra S. Kalonia
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Correspondence to Devendra S. Kalonia.

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Chari, R., Jerath, K., Badkar, A.V. et al. Long- and Short-Range Electrostatic Interactions Affect the Rheology of Highly Concentrated Antibody Solutions. Pharm Res 26, 2607–2618 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-009-9975-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-009-9975-2

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