Comparison of different technologies for producing recombinant adeno-associated virus on a laboratory scale

Adeno-associated virus vectors are among the most promising ones for the delivery of transgenes to various organs and tissues. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is able to transduce both dividing and non-dividing cells, has low immunogenicity, and is able to provide long-term expression of transgenes. Modern technologies make it possible to obtain rAAV for in vivo use, but they are not without drawbacks associated with laboriousness, scalability difficulties, and high cost, therefore, improvement of technological schemes for obtaining rAAV is an urgent issue. The aim of the study was to compare different technological approaches to rAAV production based on different conditions of the transfected HEK293 cell line cultivation on a laboratory scale. Materials and methods: HEK293 cell culture, AAV-DJ Packaging System, PlasmidSelect Xtra Starter Kit were used in the study. The technologies were compared using a model rAAV vector with a single-domain antibody transgene fused to the Fc-fragment of IgG1 specific to botulinum toxin. HEK293 cells were transfected with supercoiled plasmid DNA isolated by three-step chromatographic purification. The identity of the rAAV preparation was determined by electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: the study demonstrated the efficiency of the chromatographic method for obtaining a supercoiled form of plasmid DNA that can be used for efficient transfection of cell culture in order to produce rAAV. The study compared the following processes of rAAV production: using transient transfection and cultivation of the transfected HEK293 cell suspension in Erlenmeyer flasks, adherent culture in T-flasks, and adherent culture in a BioBLU 5p bioreactor on a matrix of Fibra-Cel disks. Conclusions: the data obtained showed the possibility of using the described approaches to purification of plasmid DNA, cell transfection, and cultivation of the transfected cells under various conditions to obtain rAAV samples that expresses the antibody gene. The BioBLU 5p reactor with Fibra-Cel discs was used for the first time to produce preparative quantities of rAAV on a laboratory scale, which increased the adherent surface area during cell culture and transfection, and, as a result, increased the yield of the target product

Production and characterisation of a SARS-CoV-2 S-protein RBD homodimer with increased avidity for specific antibodies

Monitoring of the proportion of immune individuals and the effectiveness of vaccination in a population involves evaluation of several important parameters, including the level of virus-neutralising antibodies. In order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to develop approaches to detecting SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies by safe, simple and rapid methods that do not require live viruses. To develop a test system for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects potential neutralising antibodies, it is necessary to obtain a highly purified recombinant receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein with high avidity for specific antibodies.The aim of the study was to obtain and characterise a SARS-CoV-2 S-protein RBD homodimer and a recombinant RBD-expressing cell line, as well as to create an ELISA system for detecting potential neutralising antibodies.Materials and methods: the genetic construct was designed in silico. To generate a stable producer cell line, the authors transfected CHO-S cells, subjected them to antibiotic pressure, and selected the optimal clone. To isolate monomeric and homodimeric RBD forms, the authors purified the recombinant RBD by chromatographic methods. Further, they analysed the activity of the RBD forms by Western blotting, bio-layer interferometry, and indirect ELISA. The analysis involved mono clonal antibodies GamXRH19, GamP2C5, and h6g3, as well as serum samples from volunteers vaccinated with Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) and unvaccinated ones.Results: the authors produced the CHO-S cell line for stable expression of the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 S-protein RBD. The study demonstrated the recombinant RBD’s ability to homodimerise after fed-batch cultivation of the cell line for more than 7 days due to the presence of unpaired cysteines. The purified recombinant RBD yield from culture broth was 30–50 mg/L. Monomeric and homodimeric RBD forms were separated using gel-filtration chromatography and characterised by their ability to interact with specific monoclonal antibodies, as well as with serum samples from vaccinated volunteers. The homodimeric recombinant RBD showed increased avidity for both monoclonal and immune sera antibodies.Conclusions: the homodimeric recombinant RBD may be more preferable for the analysis of levels of antibodies to the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein

Сравнение различных технологий получения рекомбинантного аденоассоциированного вируса в лабораторном масштабе

Adeno-associated virus vectors are among the most promising ones for the delivery of transgenes to various organs and tissues. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is able to transduce both dividing and non-dividing cells, has low immunogenicity, and is able to provide long-term expression of transgenes. Modern technologies make it possible to obtain rAAV for in vivo use, but they are not without drawbacks associated with laboriousness, scalability difficulties, and high cost, therefore, improvement of technological schemes for obtaining rAAV is an urgent issue. The aim of the study was to compare different technological approaches to rAAV production based on different conditions of the transfected HEK293 cell line cultivation on a laboratory scale. Materials and methods: HEK293 cell culture, AAV-DJ Packaging System, PlasmidSelect Xtra Starter Kit were used in the study. The technologies were compared using a model rAAV vector with a single-domain antibody transgene fused to the Fc-fragment of IgG1 specific to botulinum toxin. HEK293 cells were transfected with supercoiled plasmid DNA isolated by three-step chromatographic purification. The identity of the rAAV preparation was determined by electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: the study demonstrated the efficiency of the chromatographic method for obtaining a supercoiled form of plasmid DNA that can be used for efficient transfection of cell culture in order to produce rAAV. The study compared the following processes of rAAV production: using transient transfection and cultivation of the transfected HEK293 cell suspension in Erlenmeyer flasks, adherent culture in T-flasks, and adherent culture in a BioBLU 5p bioreactor on a matrix of Fibra-Cel disks. Conclusions: the data obtained showed the possibility of using the described approaches to purification of plasmid DNA, cell transfection, and cultivation of the transfected cells under various conditions to obtain rAAV samples that expresses the antibody gene. The BioBLU 5p reactor with Fibra-Cel discs was used for the first time to produce preparative quantities of rAAV on a laboratory scale, which increased the adherent surface area during cell culture and transfection, and, as a result, increased the yield of the target product.Векторы на основе аденоассоциированного вируса являются одними из наиболее перспективных для доставки трансгенов в различные органы и ткани. Рекомбинантный аденоассоциированный вирус (rAAV) способен трансдуцировать как делящиеся, так и неделящиеся клетки, обладает низкой иммуногенностью и способен обеспечивать долгосрочную экспрессию трансгенов. На сегодняшний день существуют технологии, позволяющие получать rAAV для применения in vivo, однако они не лишены недостатков, связанных с трудоемкостью, сложностями масштабирования и высокой стоимостью, поэтому вопрос об усовершенствовании технологических схем получения rAAV является актуальным. Цель работы: сравнение технологических подходов к получению rAAV, основанных на различных условиях культивирования трансфицированной клеточной линии HEK293 в лабораторном масштабе. Материалы и методы: в исследовании использовали культуру клеток HEK293, плазмидную систему AAV-DJ Packaging System, систему PlasmidSelect Xtra Starter Kit. В качестве модели для сравнения технологий использовали вектор rAAV с трансгеном однодоменного антитела, слитого с Fc-фрагментом IgG1, специфичного к ботулотоксину. Применяли метод трансфекции клеток HEK293 суперскрученной плазмидной ДНК, выделенной при помощи трехступенчатой хроматографической очистки. Определение подлинности препарата rAAV проводили методами электрофореза, иммуноблоттинга и полимеразной цепной реакции в режиме реального времени. Результаты: продемонстрирована эффективность получения суперскрученной формы плазмидной ДНК, применимой для эффективной трансфекции с целью получения rAAV. Проведено сравнение процесса транзиентной трансфекции и культивирования трансфицированных клеток HEK293 в условиях суспензии в колбах, адгезии в культуральных флаконах и адгезии в биореакторе BioBLU 5p на матрице из дисков Fibra-Cel с целью продукции rAAV. Выводы: показана возможность применения описанных подходов к очистке плазмидной ДНК, трансфекции и культивированию трансфицированных клеток в различных условиях для получения препарата rAAV, эспрессирующего ген антитела. Реактор BioBLU 5p с дисками Fibra-Cel был впервые использован для получения препаративных количеств rAAV в лабораторном масштабе, что позволило увеличить площадь поверхности адгезии при культивировании и трансфекции клеток и, как следствие, увеличить выход целевого продукта

Получение и характеристика гомодимерной формы RBD S-белка SARS-CoV-2, обладающей повышенной авидностью к специфическим антителам

Monitoring of the proportion of immune individuals and the effectiveness of vaccination in a population involves evaluation of several important parameters, including the level of virus-neutralising antibodies. In order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to develop approaches to detecting SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies by safe, simple and rapid methods that do not require live viruses. To develop a test system for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects potential neutralising antibodies, it is necessary to obtain a highly purified recombinant receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein with high avidity for specific antibodies. The aim of the study w as t o obtain and characterise a SARSCoV-2 S-protein RBD homodimer and a recombinant RBD-expressing cell line, as well as to create an ELISA system for detecting potential neutralising antibodies. Materials and methods: the genetic construct was designed in silico. To generate a stable producer cell line, the authors transfected CHO-S cells, subjected them to antibiotic pressure, and selected the optimal clone. To isolate monomeric and homodimeric RBD forms, the authors purified the recombinant RBD by chromatographic methods. Further, they analysed the activity of the RBD forms by Western blotting, bio-layer interferometry, and indirect ELISA. The analysis involved monoclonal antibodies GamXRH19, GamP2C5, and h6g3, as well as serum samples from volunteers vaccinated with Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) and unvaccinated ones. Results: the authors produced the CHO-S cell line for stable expression of the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 S-protein RBD. The study demonstrated the recombinant RBD’s ability to homodimerise after fed-batch cultivation of the cell line for more than 7 days due to the presence of unpaired cysteines. The purified recombinant RBD yield from culture broth was 30–50 mg/L. Monomeric and homodimeric RBD forms were separated using gel-filtration chromatography and characterised by their ability to interact with specific monoclonal antibodies, as well as with serum samples from vaccinated volunteers. The homodimeric recombinant RBD showed increased avidity for both monoclonal and immune sera antibodies. Conclusions: the homodimeric recombinant RBD may be more preferable for the analysis of levels of antibodies to the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein.Важным параметром, оцениваемым при мониторинге иммунной прослойки у населения и эффективности вакцинации населения, является уровень вируснейтрализующих антител. Разработка подхода к выявлению вируснейтрализующих антител к вирусу SARS-CoV-2 с помощью безопасного, простого и быстрого метода, не требующего использования живых вирусов, имеет большое значение для борьбы с пандемией COVID-19. Для разработки тест-систем для проведения иммуноферментного анализа (ИФА), детектирующих потенциально вируснейтрализующие антитела, необходимо получение высокоочищенного рекомбинантного рецептор-связывающего домена (RBD) S-белка, обладающего высокой авидностью к специфическим антителам. Цель работы: получение и характеристика гомодимерной формы RBD S-белка вируса SARS-CoV-2, а также клеточной линии, продуцирующей рекомбинантный RBD, для создания ИФА тест-системы для выявления потенциально вируснейтрализующих антител. Материалы и методы: дизайн генетической конструкции проводили in silico. Стабильную клеточную линию получали при помощи трансфекции клеток CHO-S, селекции на антибиотике и отбора оптимального клона. Рекомбинантный RBD очищали с использованием хроматографических методов, получали мономерную и гомодимерную формы RBD. Активность полученных форм анализировали с использованием методов Вестерн-блот, биослойной интерферометрии и непрямго ИФА. Для анализа использовали моноклональные антитела GamXRH19, GamP2C5 и h6g3, а также образцы сывороток крови добровольцев, вакцинированных препаратом Гам-КОВИД-Вак, и невакцинированных добровольцев. Результаты: получена клеточная линия CHO-S, стабильно продуцирующая рекомбинантный RBD S-белка вируса SARS-CoV-2. Показано, что при культивировании данной клеточной линии в режиме fed-batch более 7 суток рекомбинантный RBD способен образовывать гомодимеры за счет наличия неспаренных цистеинов. Количественный выход очищенного рекомбинантного RBD из культуральной жидкости составил 30–50 мг/л. Мономерная и гомодимерная формы RBD были разделены при помощи гель-фильтрации и охарактеризованы по способности взаимодействовать со специфическими моноклональными антителами, а также сыворотками крови от вакцинированных добровольцев. Продемонстрировано, что именно гомодимерная форма рекомбинантного RBD обладает повышенной авидностью к моноклональным антителам и антителам в сыворотке крови вакцинированных. Выводы: гомодимерная форма рекомбинантного RBD может являться более предпочтительной для анализа уровня антител к рецептор-связывающему домену S-белка вируса SARS-CoV-2

rAAV expressing recombinant antibody for emergency prevention and long-term prophylaxis of COVID-19

IntroductionNumerous agents for prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2-induced diseases are currently registered for the clinical use. Formation of the immunity happens within several weeks following vaccine administration which is their key disadvantage. In contrast, drugs based on monoclonal antibodies, enable rapid passive immunization and therefore can be used for emergency pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19. However rapid elimination of antibody-based drugs from the circulation limits their usage for prolonged pre-exposure prophylaxis.MethodsIn current work we developed a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV), expressing a SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific antibody P2C5 fused with a human IgG1 Fc fragment (P2C5-Fc) using methods of molecular biotechnology and bioprocessing.Results and discussionsA P2C5-Fc antibody expressed by a proposed rAAV (rAAV-P2C5-Fc) was shown to circulate within more than 300 days in blood of transduced mice and protect animals from lethal SARS-CoV-2 virus (B.1.1.1 and Omicron BA.5 variants) lethal dose of 105 TCID50. In addition, rAAV-P2C5-Fc demonstrated 100% protective activity as emergency prevention and long-term prophylaxis, respectively. It was also demonstrated that high titers of neutralizing antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus were detected in the blood serum of animals that received rAAV-P2C5-Fc for more than 10 months from the moment of administration.Our data therefore indicate applicability of an rAAV for passive immunization and induction of a rapid long-term protection against various SARS-CoV-2 variants