Prolonged half-life and preserved enzymatic properties of factor IX selectively PEGylated on native N-glycans in the activation peptide

Blood. 2011 Aug 25;118(8):2333-41. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-02-336172. Epub 2011 Jun 23.

Abstract

Current management of hemophilia B entails multiple weekly infusions of factor IX (FIX) to prevent bleeding episodes. In an attempt to make a longer acting recombinant FIX (rFIX), we have explored a new releasable protraction concept using the native N-glycans in the activation peptide as sites for attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Release of the activation peptide by physiologic activators converted glycoPEGylated rFIX (N9-GP) to native rFIXa and proceeded with normal kinetics for FXIa, while the K(m) for activation by FVIIa-tissue factor (TF) was increased by 2-fold. Consistent with minimal perturbation of rFIX by the attached PEG, N9-GP retained 73%-100% specific activity in plasma and whole-blood-based assays and showed efficacy comparable with rFIX in stopping acute bleeds in hemophilia B mice. In animal models N9-GP exhibited up to 2-fold increased in vivo recovery and a markedly prolonged half-life in mini-pig (76 hours) and hemophilia B dog (113 hours) compared with rFIX (16 hours). The extended circulation time of N9-GP was reflected in prolonged correction of coagulation parameters in hemophilia B dog and duration of effect in hemophilia B mice. Collectively, these results suggest that N9-GP has the potential to offer efficacious prophylactic and acute treatment of hemophilia B patients at a reduced dosing frequency.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dogs
  • Factor IX / chemistry*
  • Factor IX / genetics
  • Factor IX / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Half-Life
  • Hemophilia B / blood
  • Hemophilia B / drug therapy
  • Hemophilia B / genetics
  • Hemostatics / blood
  • Hemostatics / chemistry
  • Hemostatics / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Swine
  • Swine, Miniature

Substances

  • Hemostatics
  • Polysaccharides
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Factor IX