Crucell Holland B.v.

Dirk J E Opstelten

Alphonsus G C M UytdeHaag

Provided are compositions comprising one or more isoforms of an erythropoietin ('EPO') comprising glycans linked thereto, wherein the glycans have Lewis x structures and on average at least six sialic acid moieties per EPO molecule. Further provided are methods for obtaining a composition comprising one or more isoforms of EPO comprising glycans linked thereto, wherein the glycans comprise on average at least six sialic acids per EPO molecule and from zero to two Lewis x structures, the method comprising: a) providing a eukaryotic cell containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding an adenoviral E1A protein in expressible format and a nucleic acid encoding EPO in expressible format, wherein the cell further contains a nucleic acid sequence encoding a sialyltransferase, e.g., an &#x3b1;-2,6-sialyltransferase or an &#x3b1;-2,3-sialyltransferase, under control of a heterologous promoter; b) culturing the cell in a serum-free culture medium and allowing expression of EPO in the cell; c) harvesting the expressed EPO from the cell and/or from the culture medium; and d) purifying and fractionating the EPO to obtain fractions that have an increased average sialic acid content of the N-linked glycans per EPO molecule, to obtain a composition comprising one or more isoforms of an EPO comprising glycans linked thereto, wherein the glycans comprise on average at least six sialic acids per EPO molecule and from zero to two Lewis x structures.

Methods to obtain recombinant proteins with increased sialylation from cells that express adenovirus E1A protein, and proteins obtained thereby

Disclosed are immortalized human embryonic retina cells, having a nucleic acid sequence encoding an adenoviral E1A protein integrated into the genome of the cells, and further comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme involved in post-translational modification of proteins, such as a sialyltransferase, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the enzyme involved in post-translational modification of proteins is under control of a heterologous promoter. Methods for producing recombinant proteins from such cells and obtaining such recombinant proteins having increased sialylation are provided as are novel compositions of isoforms of erythropoietin.

Methods of producing erythropoietin isoforms comprising Lewis-X structures and high sialic acid content and compositions of the same

The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isoforms of an erythropoietin (EPO) comprising glycans linked thereto, characterized in that said glycans comprise LewisX structures and on average at least 6 sialic acid moieties per EPO molecule. The invention further provides methods for obtaining a composition comprising one or more isoforms of an erythropoietin (EPO) comprising glycans linked thereto wherein said glycans comprise on average at least 6 sialic acids per EPO molecule and from 0 to 2 Lewis x structures, said method comprising: a) providing a eukaryotic cell containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding an adenoviral E1A protein in expressible format and further containing a nucleic acid encoding an EPO in expressible format, wherein said cell further contains a nucleic acid sequence encoding a sialyltransferase, preferably an alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase or an alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase, under control of a heterologous promoter; b) culturing said cell in a serum-free culture medium and allow expression of an EPO in said cell; c) harvesting the expressed EPO from said cell and/or from the culture medium; and d) purifying and fractionating the EPO to obtain fractions which have an increased average sialic acid content of the N-linked glycans per EPO molecule, to obtain a composition comprising one or more iso forms of an EPO comprising glycans linked thereto wherein said glycans comprise on average at least 6 sialic acids per EPO molecule and from 0 to 2 Lewis x structures.

Disclosed are immortalized human embryonic retina cells, having a nucleic acid sequence encoding an adenoviral E1A protein integrated into the genome of the cells, and further comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme involved in post-translational modification of proteins, such as a sialyltransferase, wherein said nucleic acid sequence encoding the enzyme involved in post-translational modification of proteins is under control of a heterologous promoter. Methods for producing recombinant proteins from such cells and obtaining such recombinant proteins having increased sialylation are provided as are novel compositions of isoforms of erythropoietin.

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Oegstgeest, Netherlands

Dirk J E Opstelten