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Abstract: Differential scanning calorimetry was used to identify the thermal stability profile of the replication deficient and protein IX deleted recombinant adenovirus type 5 that contains the p53 transgene (rAd/p53) in phosphate buffered saline (vPBS) or 10% glycerol (TRIS/phosphate buffer). The wildtype adenovirus (Ad/WT) and purified hexon protein (major capsid protein) were also evaluated in 10% glycerol (TRIS/phosphate buffer) as controls. The thermal profile of rAd/p53 revealed three endothermic transitions (T 1, T 2 and T 3) occurring between 25 °C and 90 °C. T 1, which occurred at 46.7 °C in vPBS and 49.4 °C in TRIS/PO4 10% glycerol buffer, was irreversible following repeated scanning and attributed to the degradation of the intact vector. The latter two endothermic transitions, T 2 and T 3, occurring at 69 °C and 78 °C, respectively, corresponded with the two transitions of purified hexon in temperature and amount of heat absorbed. The thermal profile of Ad/WT revealed four endothermic transitions at 51.5 °C (T 1), 70.5 °C (T 2A), 73.6 °C (T 2B), and 77.4 °C (T 3). The higher temperature of degradation as well as additional transition was attributed to the presence of protein IX associated with the hexon. The positions and excess molar heat capacities of the intact rAds were found to be affected by pH, glycerol, vector concentration and the presence or absence of protein IX in the capsid. Irreversibility of T 1 implied that the degradation of the intact virus may follow first-order kinetics. The thermal scan rate dependence of T 1 further confirmed that degradation of the intact virus may be first-order. The apparent activation energies for the degradation of the intact vectors were determined from the scan rate dependence of T 1 and shown to be affected by protein IX in the capsid and solution conditions. Analysis of rAd samples incubated at 45 °C by Field Emission Electron Microscopy (FESEM) confirmed that loss of single particles was first-order. Although aggregates were observed in the samples, degradation appeared to be the dominant reaction leading to disappearance of single virions from the aqueous matrix. Based on thermal and FESEM analysis, an empirical model was proposed that accounted for the disappearance of single rAd particles. At or near T 1, degradation of rAd particles followed a unidirectional, pseudo-first order reaction. However, at lower temperatures, disappearance of single virions resulted from competing irreversible degradation and aggregation reactions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The clinical application of recombinant adenoviruses as vectors for gene therapy brings about the need to develop new analytical methodologies for monitoring the quality of the viral production as well as establishing structure–function relationships. A mass spectrometry-based assay has been developed for the characterization of structural proteins of the recombinant adenovirus type 5 vector encoding human p53 tumor suppressor gene. The fingerprinting of the viral proteome was accomplished by integration of MALDI-MS and/or MALDI-PSD-MS with SDS–PAGE and RP-HPLC, followed by database search using MS-Fit and MS-Tag algorithms. Viral proteins (molecular weights ∼10,000–100,000 Da) corresponding to more than 95% of total protein mass were resolved and identified, which include hexon (II), penton base (III), peripentonal hexon-associated protein (IIIa), minor core protein (V), major core protein (VII), and other hexon-associated proteins (VI and VIII). An important finding of our studies was the identification of some precursor proteins (i.e., pVIII) and propeptides of precursor proteins (pVIII, pX, and pVI) present in the adenovirus sample. The information obtained allows direct and accurate assessment of the quality of recombinant adenoviruses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Three forms aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, PC-1, PC-2 and PC-3 (based on their order of elution from phosphocellulose columns), were purified from porcine thyroid utilizing fractional pH precipitations and columns chromatography. Two forms, PC-1 and PC-2, eluted identically from gel filtration columns and migrated the same electrophoretically and in glycerol density gradients. They were estimated to have sedimentation coefficients of 7 S and molecular weights of about 150000. Both PC-1 and PC-2 were equally inhibited by KCl. Their elution positions from phosphocellulose were unchanged upon rechromatography, indicating that they were non-equilibrium forms and they were present in post-mitochondrial supernatants in roughly equal amounts. All three forms were present in the same ratios whether or not phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride was present in homogenizing buffers PC-3 had the characteristics of an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex. It contained aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activity for 16 of 18 amino acids tested and was about 4% low-molecular-weight RNA. The complex did not significantly penetrate 5% polyacrylaimde gels, was excluded by Sephacryl S-200 and had a sedimentation coefficient greater than 20 S indicating a particles mass in excess of 500000 daltons. In addition, the PC-3 fraction contained a ribonuclease capable of degrading both aminoacyl-tRNA and tRNA. After storage, rechromatography of PC-3 on phosphocellulose showed that some dissociation of the enzymes had taken place. Aspartyl-tRNA synthetase activity was found in positions analogous to PC-1 as well as PC-3, and ribonuclease activity was found in two positions on the columns, one coincident with PC-3 and one preceding the position of elution of PC-1. Dissociation of the complex was also observed using glycerol density gradient centrifugation and by chromatography on Sepharose4B. When present the PC-3 complex, the aspartyl-tRNA synthetase activity and the ribonuclease activity were both stimulated by KCl. However, when dissociated to their free forms, the aspartyl-tRNA synhetase activity was inhibited by KCl, whereas the ribonuclease remained stimulated The effects on aspartyl-tRNA synthetase appeared to be potassium-ion-specific but were more pronounced in the presence of phosphate dianion than in chloride ion. The differential effects of potassium ion on the free and complexed forms of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase and the prescence of a ribonuclease in the aminoacyl-tRNA complex that is active toward tRNA could have functional significance in the intact cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recombinant adenoviruses (rAd), widely used as vectors for gene therapy, are generally purified by column chromatography and frequently contain empty capsids and other aberrant forms of virus particles. To determine particle heterogeneity we utilized analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) in CsCl density gradients. Preparations of three different rAd vectors were assessed. AUC was able to resolve multiple density forms including two empty capsid types in various virus preparations. One unusual density form (form V), was noninfectious and lacked protein VI. AUC was able to quantify empty capsids and monitor their removal during process development. Their relative concentrations were reduced by either addition of an immobilized zinc affinity chromatography (IZAC) step or by extension of the infection time. The Adenovirus Reference Material (ARM), a wild-type Ad5, had 2.2% empty capsids and no other detectable minor particle forms. Finally, AUC was utilized to monitor the thermal instability of the three rAd vectors via the transformations of different density forms. The vector and empty capsids containing protein IX were more stable than those without IX. Together, these results exemplify AUC in CsCl density gradients as a valuable technique for evaluating product particle heterogeneity and stability. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97: 746–763, 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Intravascular administration of recombinant adenovirus (rAd) in cancer patients has been well tolerated. However, dose-limiting hemodynamic responses associated with suppression of cardiac output have been observed at doses of 7.5×1013 particles. While analysis of hemodynamic responses induced by small-molecule pharmaceuticals is well established, little is known about the cardiovascular effects of rAd. Telemetric cardiovascular (CV) monitoring in mice was utilized to measure hemodynamic events following intravascular rAd administration. Electrocardiogram analysis revealed a block in the SA node 3–4 min postinfusion, resulting in secondary pacemaking initiated at the AV node. This was associated with acute bradycardia, reduced blood pressure, and hypothermia followed by gradual recovery. Adenovirus-primed murine sera with high neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers could inhibit CV responses, whereas human sera with equivalent nAb titers induced by natural infection were, surprisingly, not inhibitory. Interestingly, repeat dosing within 2–4 h of the primary injection resulted in desensitization, resembling tachyphylaxis, for subsequent CV responses. Last, depletion of Kupffer cells prior to rAd infusion precluded induction of CV responses. These inhibitory effects suggest that rAd interactions with certain cells of the reticular endothelial system are associated with induction of CV responses. Significantly, these studies may provide insight into management of acute adverse effects following rAd systemic delivery, enabling a broadening of therapeutic index. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An abstract of the article "Quantification of Empty Capsids in Preparations of Conditionally Replicating Adenovirus," by Sundari Ravindran, Xiaoyu Yang, Suganto Sutjipto, Yan-Hui Liu, and Gary Vellekamp is presented.