PEGylation explained

PEGylation (or pegylation) is the process of both covalent and non-covalent attachment or amalgamation of polyethylene glycol (PEG, in pharmacy called macrogol) polymer chains to molecules and macrostructures, such as a drug, therapeutic protein or vesicle, which is then described as PEGylated.[1] [2] [3] [4] PEGylation affects the resulting derivatives or aggregates interactions, which typically slows down their coalescence and degradation as well as elimination in vivo.[5] [6]

PEGylation is routinely achieved by the incubation of a reactive derivative of PEG with the target molecule. The covalent attachment of PEG to a drug or therapeutic protein can "mask" the agent from the host's immune system (reducing immunogenicity and antigenicity), and increase its hydrodynamic size (size in solution), which prolongs its circulatory time by reducing renal clearance. PEGylation can also provide water solubility to hydrophobic drugs and proteins. Having proven its pharmacological advantages and acceptability, PEGylation technology is the foundation of a growing multibillion-dollar industry.[7]

Methodology

PEGylation is the process of attaching the strands of the polymer PEG to molecules, most typically peptides, proteins, and antibody fragments, that can improve the safety and efficiency of many therapeutics.[8] [9] It produces alterations in the physiochemical properties including changes in conformation, electrostatic binding, hydrophobicity etc. These physical and chemical changes increase systemic retention of the therapeutic agent. Also, it can influence the binding affinity of the therapeutic moiety to the cell receptors and can alter the absorption and distribution patterns.

PEGylation, by increasing the molecular weight of a molecule, can impart several significant pharmacological advantages over the unmodified form, such as improved drug solubility, reduced dosage frequency with potentially reduced toxicity and without diminished efficacy, extended circulating life, increased drug stability, and enhanced protection from proteolytic degradation; PEGylated forms may also be eligible for patent protection.[10]

PEGylated drugs

The attachment of an inert and hydrophilic polymer was first reported around 1970 to extend blood life and control immunogenicity of proteins.[11] Polyethylene glycol was chosen as the polymer.[12] [13] In 1981 Davis and Abuchowski founded Enzon, Inc., which brought three PEGylated drugs to market. Abuchowski later founded and is CEO of Prolong Pharmaceuticals.[14]

The clinical value of PEGylation is now well established. ADAGEN (pegademase bovine) manufactured by Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., US was the first PEGylated protein approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 1990, to enter the market. It is used to treat a form of severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (ADA-SCID), as an alternative to bone marrow transplantation and enzyme replacement by gene therapy. Since the introduction of ADAGEN, a large number of PEGylated protein and peptide pharmaceuticals have followed and many others are under clinical trial or under development stages. Sales of the two most successful products, Pegasys and Neulasta, exceeded $5 billion in 2011.[15] [16] All commercially available PEGylated pharmaceuticals contain methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) or mPEG. PEGylated pharmaceuticals on the market (in reverse chronology by FDA approval year) have included:[17]

Patent litigation

The PEGylated lipid nanoparticle drug delivery (LNP) system of the mRNA vaccine known as mRNA-1273 has been the subject of ongoing patent litigation with Arbutus Biopharma, from whom Moderna had previously licensed LNP technology.[24] [25] On 4 September 2020, Nature Biotechnology reported that Moderna had lost a key challenge in the ongoing case.[26]

Use in research

PEGylation has practical uses in biotechnology for protein delivery,[27] cell transfection, and gene editing in non-human cells.[28]

Process

The first step of the PEGylation is the suitable functionalization of the PEG polymer at one or both ends. PEGs that are activated at each end with the same reactive moiety are known as "homobifunctional", whereas if the functional groups present are different, then the PEG derivative is referred as "heterobifunctional" or "heterofunctional". The chemically active or activated derivatives of the PEG polymer are prepared to attach the PEG to the desired molecule.[29]

The overall PEGylation processes used to date for protein conjugation can be broadly classified into two types, namely a solution phase batch process and an on-column fed-batch process.[30] The simple and commonly adopted batch process involves the mixing of reagents together in a suitable buffer solution, preferably at a temperature between 4 and 6 °C, followed by the separation and purification of the desired product using a suitable technique based on its physicochemical properties, including size exclusion chromatography (SEC), ion exchange chromatography (IEX), hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) and membranes or aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS).[31] [32]

The choice of the suitable functional group for the PEG derivative is based on the type of available reactive group on the molecule that will be coupled to the PEG. For proteins, typical reactive amino acids include lysine, cysteine, histidine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, threonine and tyrosine. The N-terminal amino group and the C-terminal carboxylic acid can also be used as a site specific site by conjugation with aldehyde functional polymers.[33]

The techniques used to form first generation PEG derivatives are generally reacting the PEG polymer with a group that is reactive with hydroxyl groups, typically anhydrides, acid chlorides, chloroformates and carbonates. In the second generation PEGylation chemistry more efficient functional groups such as aldehyde, esters, amides etc. are made available for conjugation.

As applications of PEGylation have become more and more advanced and sophisticated, there has been an increase in need for heterobifunctional PEGs for conjugation. These heterobifunctional PEGs are very useful in linking two entities, where a hydrophilic, flexible and biocompatible spacer is needed. Preferred end groups for heterobifunctional PEGs are maleimide, vinyl sulfones, pyridyl disulfide, amine, carboxylic acids and NHS esters.[34] [35] [36]

Third-generation pegylation agents, where the polymer has been branched, Y-shaped or comb-shaped are available and show reduced viscosity and lack of organ accumulation.[37] Recently also enzymatic approaches of PEGylation have been developed, thus further expanding the conjugation tools.[38] [39] PEG-protein conjugates obtained by enzymatic methods are already in clinical use, for example: Lipegfilgrastim, Rebinyn, Esperoct.

Limitations

Unpredictability in clearance times for PEGylated compounds may lead to the accumulation of large-molecular-weight compounds in the liver leading to inclusion bodies with no known toxicologic consequences.[40] Furthermore, alteration in the chain length may lead to unexpected clearance times in vivo.[41] Moreover, the experimental conditions of PEGylation reaction (i.e. pH, temperature, reaction time, overall cost of the process and molar ratio between PEG derivative and peptide) also have an impact on the stability of the final PEGylated products.[42] To overcome the above-mentioned limitations different strategies such as changing the size (Mw), the number, the location and the type of linkage of PEG molecule were offered by several researchers.[43] [44] Conjugation to biodegradable polysaccharides, which is a promising alternative to PEGylation, is another way to solve the biodegradability issue of PEG.[45]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Jokerst . Jesse V . Lobovkina . Tatsiana . Zare . Richard N . Gambhir . Sanjiv S . Nanoparticle PEGylation for imaging and therapy . Nanomedicine . June 2011 . 6 . 4 . 715–728 . 10.2217/nnm.11.19 . 21718180 . 3217316 .
  2. Knop . Katrin . Hoogenboom . Richard . Fischer . Dagmar . Schubert . Ulrich S. . Poly(ethylene glycol) in Drug Delivery: Pros and Cons as Well as Potential Alternatives . Angewandte Chemie International Edition . 23 August 2010 . 49 . 36 . 6288–6308 . 10.1002/anie.200902672 . 20648499 .
  3. Veronese . Francesco M . Mero . Anna . The Impact of PEGylation on Biological Therapies . BioDrugs . 2008 . 22 . 5 . 315–329 . 10.2165/00063030-200822050-00004 . 18778113 . 23901382 .
  4. Veronese . Francesco M. . Pasut . Gianfranco . PEGylation, successful approach to drug delivery . Drug Discovery Today . November 2005 . 10 . 21 . 1451–1458 . 10.1016/S1359-6446(05)03575-0 . 16243265 .
  5. Blume G, Cevc, G . Liposomes for the sustained drug release in vivo . Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes . 1029 . 1 . 91–97 . 13 April 1990 . 10.1016/0005-2736(90)90440-y . 2223816.
  6. Klibanov AL, Maruyama K, Torchilin VP, Huang L . Amphipathic polyethyleneglycols effectively prolong the circulation time of liposomes . FEBS Lett . 268 . 1 . 235–237 . 30 July 1990 . 10.1016/0014-5793(90)81016-h . 2384160. 11437990 . free .
  7. Damodaran V. B. ; Fee C. J. . 2010 . Protein PEGylation: An overview of chemistry and process considerations . European Pharmaceutical Review . 15 . 1 . 18–26 .
  8. Veronese . FM . Harris . JM . Introduction and overview of peptide and protein pegylation . Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews . June 2002 . 54 . 4 . 453–456 . 10.1016/s0169-409x(02)00020-0 . 12052707 .
  9. Porfiryeva . N. N. . Moustafine . R. I. . Khutoryanskiy . V. V. . PEGylated Systems in Pharmaceutics . Polymer Science, Series C . January 2020 . 62 . 1 . 62–74 . 10.1134/S181123822001004X . 226664780 .
  10. Milla. P. Dosio. F. 13 January 2012. PEGylation of proteins and liposomes: a powerful and flexible strategy to improve the drug delivery.. Current Drug Metabolism. 13. 1. 105–119. 10.2174/138920012798356934 . 21892917. 2318/86788. free.
  11. Davis . Frank F. . The origin of pegnology . Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews . June 2002 . 54 . 4 . 457–458 . 10.1016/s0169-409x(02)00021-2 . 12052708 .
  12. 405385. 1977. Abuchowski. A. Alteration of immunological properties of bovine serum albumin by covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 252. 11. 3578–81. Van Es. T. Palczuk. N. C.. Davis. F. F.. 10.1016/S0021-9258(17)40291-2. free.
  13. 16907. 1977. Abuchowski. A. Effect of covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol on immunogenicity and circulating life of bovine liver catalase. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 252. 11. 3582–6. McCoy. J. R.. Palczuk. N. C.. Van Es. T. Davis. F. F.. 10.1016/S0021-9258(17)40292-4. free.
  14. Web site: Dr. Abraham Abuchowski, Ph.D. – Home. prolongpharma.com. 2020-01-15.
  15. Klauser, Alexander (Head), Roche Group Media Relations, "Roche in 2011: Strong results and positive outlook," www.roche.com/med-cor-2012-02-01-e.pdf, Feb 1, 2012, p.7
  16. "Amgen 2011 Annual Report and Financial Summary," http://investors.amgen.com/static-files/3ebd791b-5d6d-49b2-a0ef-66f1b726c8fe 2011 AnnualReport.pdf, Feb 23 2012, p. 71
  17. Book: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64081-9.00001-2 . Evolution of polymer conjugation to proteins . Polymer-Protein Conjugates . 2020 . Zalipsky . Samuel . Pasut . Gianfranco . 3–22 . 9780444640819 . 209731201 .
  18. 10.1111/all.14711. Allergic reactions to the first COVID‐19 vaccine: A potential role of Polyethylene glycol?. 2020. Cabanillas. Beatriz. Akdis. Cezmi. Novak. Natalija. Allergy. 76. 6. 1617–1618. 33320974. 229284320. free.
  19. News: New York Times. 17 December 2020 . 2 Alaska Health Workers Got Emergency Treatment After Receiving Pfizer's Vaccine. Weiland . Noah. LaFraniere. Sharon. Baker. Mike. Thomas. Katie.
  20. News: Firger . Jessica . Caldwell . Travis . Third Alaskan health care worker has allergic reaction to Covid-19 vaccine . Cable News Network . 19 December 2020.
  21. News: Powers . Marie . Biomarin aces final exam: Palynziq gains FDA approval to treat PKU in adults . BioWorld . May 29, 2018 . en.
  22. Levy . Harvey L. . Sarkissian . Christineh N. . Stevens . Raymond C. . Scriver . Charles R. . Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL): From discovery to enzyme substitution therapy for phenylketonuria . Molecular Genetics and Metabolism . 124 . 4 . 223–229 . June 2018 . 10.1016/j.ymgme.2018.06.002. 29941359 . 49411168 .
  23. Web site: FDA approves modified antihemophilic factor for hemophilia A . www.fda.gov . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151116023524/http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm472643.htm . 2015-11-16.
  24. . Patent Issues Highlight Risks of Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine . 14 September 2020 . Dorothy R. . Auth . Michael B.. Powell . vanc . 1 December 2020.
  25. . Moderna's Mysterious Coronavirus Vaccine Delivery System . Nathan . Vardi . vanc . 29 June 2020 . 1 December 2020.
  26. Moderna loses key patent challenge . Nature Biotechnology . 38 . 9 . 1009 . September 2020 . 32887970 . 10.1038/s41587-020-0674-1 . 221504018 .
  27. Book: Pasut . Gianfranco . Zalipsky . Samuel . Polymer-Protein Conjugates: From Pegylation and Beyond . 2020 . Elsevier . 978-0-444-64082-6 . 1127111107 .
  28. Balazs . Daniel A. . Godbey . WT . Liposomes for Use in Gene Delivery . Journal of Drug Delivery . 15 December 2011 . 2011 . 326497 . 10.1155/2011/326497 . 21490748 . 3066571 . free .
  29. Pasut . Gianfranco . Veronese . Francesco M. . State of the art in PEGylation: The great versatility achieved after forty years of research . Journal of Controlled Release . July 2012 . 161 . 2 . 461–472 . 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.10.037 . 22094104 .
  30. 10.1016/j.ces.2005.04.040 . PEG-proteins: Reaction engineering and separation issues . 2006 . Fee . Conan J. . Van Alstine . James M. . Chemical Engineering Science . 61 . 3 . 924. 10.1.1.509.2865.
  31. Book: Veronese. Francesco M.. PEGylated protein drugs basic science and clinical applications. 2009. Birkhäuser. Basel. 978-3-7643-8679-5. 113–125. Online-Ausg.. Protein conjugates purification and characterization.
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  33. Book: 10.1002/9783527653096.ch7. Production of PEGylated Proteins. Biopharmaceutical Production Technology. 199. 2012. Fee. Conan J.. Damodaran. Vinod B.. 9783527653096.
  34. Polypeptide therapeutics and uses thereof . Wipo (PCT) . 2016 . WO . 138413A1.
  35. Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating candida auris in blood . Wipo (PCT) . 2019 . WO . 126695A2.
  36. Arginase formulations and methods . Wipo (PCT) . 2011 . WO . 8495A2.
  37. 10.1517/17425247.5.4.371 . Advances in PEGylation of important biotech molecules: Delivery aspects . 2008 . Ryan . Sinéad M . Mantovani . Giuseppe . Wang . Xuexuan . Haddleton . David M . Brayden . David J . Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery . 5 . 4 . 371–83 . 18426380. 97373496 .
  38. Book: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2018.01.003 . Transglutaminase and Sialyltransferase Enzymatic Approaches for Polymer Conjugation to Proteins . Therapeutic Proteins and Peptides . Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology . 2018 . Maso . Katia . Grigoletto . Antonella . Pasut . Gianfranco . 112 . 123–142 . 29680235 . 9780128143407 .
  39. da Silva Freitas . Débora . Mero . Anna . Pasut . Gianfranco . Chemical and Enzymatic Site Specific PEGylation of hGH . Bioconjugate Chemistry . 20 March 2013 . 24 . 3 . 456–463 . 10.1021/bc300594y . 23432141 . 11577/2574695 . free .
  40. Kawai . F. . Microbial degradation of polyethers . Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology . 1 January 2002 . 58 . 1 . 30–38 . 10.1007/s00253-001-0850-2 . 11831473 . 7600787 .
  41. Veronese . Francesco M . Peptide and protein PEGylation . Biomaterials . March 2001 . 22 . 5 . 405–417 . 10.1016/s0142-9612(00)00193-9 . 11214751 .
  42. González-Valdez . José . Rito-Palomares . Marco . Benavides . Jorge . Advances and trends in the design, analysis, and characterization of polymer–protein conjugates for 'PEGylaided' bioprocesses . Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry . June 2012 . 403 . 8 . 2225–2235 . 10.1007/s00216-012-5845-6 . 22367287 . 22642574 .
  43. Zhang . Genghui . Han . Baozhong . Lin . Xiaoyan . Wu . Xin . Yan . Husheng . Modification of Antimicrobial Peptide with Low Molar Mass Poly(ethylene glycol) . The Journal of Biochemistry . December 2008 . 144 . 6 . 781–788 . 10.1093/jb/mvn134 . 18845567 .
  44. Obuobi . Sybil . Wang . Ying . Khara . Jasmeet Singh . Riegger . Andreas . Kuan . Seah Ling . Ee . Pui Lai Rachel . Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Activities of Surface Engineered Polycationic Albumin Nanoparticles with Reduced Hemolytic Activity . Macromolecular Bioscience . October 2018 . 18 . 10 . 1800196 . 10.1002/mabi.201800196 . 30066983 . 51888683 .
  45. Zhou. Yang. Petrova. Stella P.. Edgar. Kevin J.. 2021-11-15. Chemical synthesis of polysaccharide–protein and polysaccharide–peptide conjugates: A review. Carbohydrate Polymers. en. 274. 118662. 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118662. 34702481. 239999294. 0144-8617. free.

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