Influence of aggregation and route of injection on the biodistribution of mouse serum albumin

PLoS One. 2014 Jan 22;9(1):e85281. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085281. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Protein aggregates are a major risk factor for immunogenicity. Until now most studies on aggregate-driven immunogenicity have focused on linking physicochemical features of the aggregates to the formation of anti-drug antibodies. Lacking is however, basic knowledge on the effect of aggregation on the biodistribution and clearance of therapeutic proteins in vivo. The aim of current study was to get insight into the effect of aggregation on biodistribution in mice using different routes of administration. Fluorescently labeled stressed and unstressed mouse serum albumin was injected via different routes in mice and detected via in vivo fluorescence imaging up to 48 hrs post-injection. We found that biodistribution of stressed MSA significantly differed from its unstressed counterpart. Subcutaneous and intramuscular administration resulted in accumulation of protein at the site of injection, from which clearance of stressed MSA was considerably slower than clearance of unstressed MSA. Upon intravenous and intraperitoneal injection of stressed MSA, fluorescent "hotspots" were observed in the spleens, livers and lungs. Further and more detailed examination of biodistribution after intraperitoneal injection showed higher fluorescence in most of tested organs suggesting more efficient diffusion and/or lymphatic uptake from peritoneum of unstressed MSA than the stressed formulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Dyes / administration & dosage
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / pharmacokinetics
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods
  • Lung / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Serum Albumin / administration & dosage*
  • Serum Albumin / chemistry
  • Serum Albumin / pharmacokinetics*
  • Spleen / metabolism*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Serum Albumin

Grants and funding

This study was funded by Utrecht University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.