Hydroxyapatite Resin Elution Buffer Calcium Phosphate Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydroxyapatite resins deteriorate over time due to the desorption of hydroxonium ions during acidic protein elution conditions, leading to reduced resin effectiveness in protein separation and purification.

Innovation Solution

The use of an elution buffer containing calcium ions and phosphate ions at acidic pH conditions, often with sodium chloride, to effectively elute proteins from hydroxyapatite resins without causing resin deterioration, allowing for extended resin life and efficient protein separation, including the separation of monoclonal antibodies from high molecular weight aggregates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If acidic elution conditions are used to desorb proteins from hydroxyapatite resin, then protein elution is achieved, but the resin deteriorates due to hydroxonium ion desorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein elution efficiencyVSAvoidresin stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Calcium ions are introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates between the acidic elution conditions and the hydroxyapatite resin. The calcium ions bind to phosphate groups on the resin surface, preventing hydroxonium ion desorption and resin deterioration, while still allowing protein elution to occur through the acidic conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the elution buffer by adding calcium ions and controlling phosphate ion concentrations. This parameter modification allows the buffer to maintain acidic pH for protein elution while simultaneously preventing resin deterioration through calcium-phosphate complexation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If hydroxyapatite resin is used for multiple protein separations, then resin utility is extended, but resin deterioration accumulates over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresin useful lifeVSAvoidresin integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elution buffer is pre-formulated with calcium ions that provide protective cushioning to the resin before deterioration can occur. This prior protection prevents cumulative damage during repeated use cycles, maintaining resin integrity over extended periods of multiple protein separations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If acidic pH conditions are applied to elute proteins, then protein desorption is achieved, but hydroxyapatite surface saturation with hydroxonium ions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein desorption efficiencyVSAvoidhydroxonium ion saturation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the chemical parameters of the elution environment by adding calcium ions and adjusting phosphate concentrations. These parameter changes create a buffer system that maintains stable hydroxonium ion saturation at the resin surface even under acidic pH conditions, preventing resin deterioration while allowing protein desorption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method extends the useful life of hydroxyapatite resins by maintaining their integrity and functionality, enabling multiple protein separations without loss of performance, and effectively purifies proteins and monoclonal antibodies by optimizing elution conditions based on the type of retentive interaction.

Implementation Method 1

the use of an elution buffer that contains a combination of calcium ions and phosphate ions at acidic conditions of about pH 6.0 or below

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

The choice of whether or not to include sodium chloride and its amount when included depend on the type of retentive interaction between the protein and the hydroxyapatite, such as for example an ion exchange interaction or a coordination chemistry interaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoordination chemistry interaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

Hydroxyapatite is known to be useful in the separation and purification of proteins using retention protocols that involve affinity, ion exchange or hydrophobic interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 4

Protein loading of a hydroxyapatite column is commonly conducted at pH 6.5 with phosphate buffer at 2mM to 5mM, conditions that promote the adsorption of protein to the hydroxyapatite surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP2606059B1Elution of proteins from hydroxyapatite resins without resin deterioration
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC
  • EP2606059B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2606059B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2606059B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Proteins, including monoclonal antibodies, that have been retained on hydroxyapatite resins for purposes of protein separation, purification, or both, are eluted from the resins by a elution buffer that contains controlled amounts of calcium and phosphate ions. The buffer allows elution to be performed in repeated runs at an acidic pH without deterioration of the resin.