An Albumin-Free Formulation for Escherichia coli-Derived Interferon Beta-1b with Decreased Immunogenicity in Immune Tolerant Mice

Abstract

Human serum albumin (HSA)-free formulation of Escherichia coli-derived human interferon beta (IFNβ-1b) with a high percentage of monomeric protein and low immunogenicity is developed and characterized in the current study. UV spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, Micro-Flow Imaging, resonant mass measurement, size exclusion, and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographies were applied to assess the effect of excipients on the stability of IFNβ-1b to establish a HSA-free formulation. The antiviral activity of IFNβ-1b was evaluated using human lung carcinoma cell line. Immune tolerant mice to hIFNβ were used to assess the immunogenicity of the HSA-free formulated IFNβ-1b in comparison to Betaferon(®) drug product and Avonex(®) drug substance as standards through IgG titering of plasma. HSA-free formulated IFNβ-1b, including 200 mM L-arginine, 200 mM trehalose, and 0.1% n-dodecyl β-D-maltoside in 10 mM sodium acetate buffer, pH 7.4, showed the highest biological activity. The stability of IFNβ-1b in the HSA-free formulation was monitored for 3 weeks at 4°C and 37°C with relative humidity of 10% and 75%, respectively. Protein aggregation and immunogenicity in transgenic mice were decreased in the HSA-free formulated IFNβ-1b compared to Betaferon. The stability, biological activity, and immunogenicity of the HSA-free formulation and Betaferon were evaluated. Incubation of formulations at 4°C and 37°C for 3 weeks showed that the HSA-free formulated IFNβ-1b was more stable and less immunogenic in transgenic FVB/N mice. Low immunogenicity and the absence of HSA, which reduces the potential risk of viral infection (eg, HIV and HCV), are promising for clinical studies.