Soluble glycosaminoglycanases and methods of preparing and using soluble glycosaminogly ycanases

Abstract

The invention relates to the discovery of novel soluble neutral active Hyaluronidase Glycoproteins (sHASEGPs), methods of manufacture, and their use to facilitate administration of other molecules or to alleviate glycosaminoglycan associated pathologies. Minimally active polypeptide domains of the soluble, neutral active sHASEGP domains are described that include asparagine-linked sugar moieties required for a functional neutral active hyaluronidase domain. Included are modified amino-terminal leader peptides that enhance secretion of sHASEGP. The invention further comprises sialated and pegylated forms of a recombinant sHASEGP to enhance stability and serum pharmacokinetics over naturally occurring slaughterhouse enzymes. Further described are suitable formulations of a substantially purified recombinant sHASEGP glycoprotein derived from a eukaryotic cell that generate the proper glycosylation required for its optimal activity.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11 / 065,716 filed Feb. 23, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 795,095, filed Mar. 5, 2004, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 452,360, filed Mar. 5, 2003, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention is generally related to Glycosaminoglycanase enzymes, including Neutral-Active, Soluble Hyaluronidase Glycoproteins (sHASEGPs), and portions thereof, particularly Hyaluronidase domains. More specifically, the invention is related to chemical modifications, pharmaceutical compositions, expression plasmids, methods for manufacture and therapeutic methods using the Glycosaminoglycanases (and domains thereof and the encoding nucleic acid molecules) for the therapeutic modification of glycosaminoglycans in the treatment of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] Catalytically active PEGylated and / or super-Sialated sHASEGP glycoproteins are also provided. PEGylated and / or super-sialated sHASEGPs possess greater serum half-lives compared to naturally occurring non-sialated bovine and ovine testes sHASEGPs, and are thus preferable for both enzyme stability and use as drugs or adjuvants in circumstances in which prolonged half-lives are desirable (such as is commonly the case with intravenous delivery). The invention provides methods for the preparation of PEGylated and / or super-Sialated sHASEGPs, compositions and uses thereof. Without being restricted to a particular application or mechanism of action, it is generally considered that the attachment of PEG moieties to sHASEGPs and other glycosaminoglycanases can be used to effectively shield the molecules, decreasing its relative sensitivity to proteases and potentially also decreasing the extent and rate of its clearance and elimination from the body. Applying these principles and techniques to other glycosaminoglycanases, PEGylated, super-sialated and / or otherwise modified versions of such other glycosaminoglycanases can likewise be generated and used in the context of methods and techniques as described and illustrated herein (e.g. techniques for promoting the dispersion of pharmacologics and other agents within tissues of the body).

[0106] As will be appreciated by those of skill in view of the detailed descriptions and illustrative embodiments provided herein, any of a large variety of agents can be co-introduced (e.g. by co-formulation or co-administration with the GAG Enzyme) and any of a variety of GAG Enzymes can be employed at concentrations in ranges such as those provided herein but typically optimized for the particular tissue and objective involved. The volume of liquid (V) applied in the above illustrative aspects will generally depend on the nature of the site of introduction and will likewise typically be optimized for the particular tissue and objective involved. As described and illustrated herein, in the case of non-IV parenteral administrations, V can be increased (within the particular constraints of the tissue site) in order to provide an enhanced hydrostatic driving pressure which, coupled with decreased impedance associated with degradation of hyaluronan or other glycosaminoglycan, can effectively cause the volume of liquid to function as a bolus—carrying any solute it contains into the downstream interstitial space and potentially beyond.

Problems solved by technology

Previous attempts to generate soluble neutral-active human hyaluronidase glycoproteins were unsuccessful.

Thus classic recombinant DNA technology does not permit the production of a catalytically active human sHASEGP, unlike bee venom hyaluronidase, which can be produced in E. coli.

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