Methods to modulate lysine variant distribution

Abstract

The instant invention relates to the field of protein production and purification, and in particular to compositions and processes for controlling the distribution or amount of lysine variants expressed by host cells, as well as to compositions and processes for controlling the amount of lysine variants present in purified preparations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising a human anti-TNFα antibody comprising the heavy and light chain variable domains of adalimumab, wherein less than 62% of the lysine variant species in said composition have zero C-terminal lysines (Lys 0). 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the human anti-TNFα antibody is adalimumab. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein less than 60% of the lysine variant species in said composition have zero C-terminal lysines (Lys 0). 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein 50-60% of the lysine variant species in said composition have zero C-terminal lysines (Lys 0). 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein less than 55% of the lysine variant species in said composition have zero C-terminal lysines (Lys 0). 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said composition is lyophilized. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said composition exhibits increased cartilage tissue penetration. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said adalimumab is produced in a mammalian host cell grown in cell culture. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the mammalian host cell is selected from the group consisting of a CHO cell, an NSO cell, a COS cell, and an SP2 cell. 
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical formulation comprising the composition of  claim 2  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         11 . A composition comprising a human anti-TNFα antibody comprising the heavy and light chain variable domains of adalimumab, wherein the sum of the lysine variant species having one C-terminal lysine (Lys 1) and the lysine variant species having two C-terminal lysines (Lys 2) in said composition is greater than 35%. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the human anti-TNFα antibody is adalimumab. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the sum of the lysine variant species having one C-terminal lysine (Lys 1) and the lysine variant species having two C-terminal lysines (Lys 2) in said composition is greater than 40%. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the sum of the lysine variant species having one C-terminal lysine (Lys 1) and the lysine variant species having two C-terminal lysines (Lys 2) in said composition is 40-50%. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the sum of the lysine variant species having one C-terminal lysine (Lys 1) and the lysine variant species having two C-terminal lysines (Lys 2) in said composition is greater than 50%. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein greater than 25% of the lysine variant species in said composition have one C-terminal lysine (Lys 1). 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein greater than 30% of the lysine variant species in said composition have one C-terminal lysine (Lys 1). 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein greater than 8% of the lysine variant species in said composition have two C-terminal lysines (Lys 2). 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein greater thanl2% of the lysine variant species in said composition have two C-terminal lysines (Lys 2). 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein said composition is lyophilized.