Preparation of clinical grade monoclonal antibodies from serum-containing cell culture supernatants.

Three mouse monoclonal antibodies (Mab), RIV6, MN12, and WT31, were purified from cell culture supernatants containing foetal bovine serum (FBS) by two-step purification protocols, involving protein A affinity and ion exchange chromatography. Provided that the purification conditions were adapted to the physico-chemical properties of the individual Mab, clinical grade products could be obtained. The residual levels of bovine IgG originating from FBS were below 1% on a protein basis. Endotoxin levels were below 1 ng/ml. The contents of other serum proteins, DNA, and protein A were below or near the detection limits. The final products met the requirements for therapeutic Mab. Special attention was paid to the behaviour of foetal bovine IgG in the different purification steps. Large variations in the IgG contents of different batches of FBS were observed. However, the properties of the IgG fractions of the batches were very similar. A major IgG fraction with a low affinity for protein A and with components with relatively acidic isoelectric points (pIs) was distinguished from a minor fraction exhibiting a high affinity for protein A and a more diverse pI pattern. The impact of these findings on the purification strategy used for the Mab is discussed.