The present invention relates to a novel method for the isolation or purification of immunoglobulins (a special class of proteins) from a solution containing immunoglobulins, e.g. hybridoma cell culture supernatants, animal plasma or sera, or colostrum. The method includes the use of a minimum of salts, such as lyotropic salts, in the binding process and preferably also the use of small amounts of organic solvents in the elution process. The solid phase matrices, preferably epichlorohydrin activated agarose matricees, are functionalised with mono- or bicyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic ligands (molecular weight: at the most 500 Dalton) which, preferably, comprises an acidic substituent, e.g. a carboxylic acid. The matrices utilised show excellent properties in a xe2x80x9cStandard Immunoglobulin Binding Testxe2x80x9d and in a xe2x80x9cMonoclonal Antibody Array Binding Testxe2x80x9d with respect to binding efficiency and purity, and are stable in 1M NaOH.

The present invention relates to a method for isolation or purification of immunoglobulins from various raw materials and solid phase matrices therefor.
Immunoglobulinsxe2x80x94or antibodiesxe2x80x94constitute a very important class of proteins which are present in various body fluids of mammals, birds and fish functioning as protective agents of the animal against substances, bacteria and virus challenging the animal. Immunoglobulins are typically present in animal blood, milk, and saliva as well as other body fluids and secretions.
The biological activity, which the immunoglobulins possess, is today exploited in a range of different applications in the human and veterinary diagnostic, health care and therapeutic sector.
Diagnostics
Antibodies have for many years been applied as an important analytic tool in connection with A detection and quantification of a large variety of substances of relevance in the diagnosis of diseases and are increasingly important in areas such as quality control of food products, environmental control, drugs of abuse, and monitoring and control of industrial processes.
For these purposes, the desired antibodies can be produced by hyper-immunisation of suitable host animals, such as rabbits and sheep, or, alternatively, by producing monoclonal antibodies in hybridoma cell cultures.
Following the primary production of the antibodies in either a host animal or in cell culture, the antibody is typically isolated from the bulk of other substances in the raw material by some sort of isolation process. This is necessary in order to avoid interference from these other substances with the antibody activity in the analytical application.
Health Care and Therapeutic Applications
Passive immunisation by intramuscularly injection of immunoglobulin concentrates is a well-known application for temporary protection against infectious diseases, which is typically applied when people are travelling from one part of the world to the other. The success of this kind of treatment on humans is now being followed up in the veterinary field where passive immunisation of new born cattle, horses, pigs and chickens are being applied and developed to enhance the survival rate of these animals during their first weeks of live. An important issue in this field is of course the cost of such a treatment, which to a high degree depends on the cost of producing the immunoglobulin concentrate.
Isolates of animal immunoglobulins, e.g. from bovine milk, are also under investigation as an oral health care or even therapeutic product to avoid or treat gastrointestinal infections, e.g. in AIDS patients. For such applications both the degree of purity of the product as well as the cost is of major importance.
A more sophisticated application of antibodies for therapeutic use is based on so called xe2x80x9cdrug-targetingxe2x80x9d where very potent drugs are covalently linked to antibodies with specific binding affinities towards specific cells in the human organism, e.g. cancer cells. This technique ensures that the drug is concentrated on the diseased cells giving maximal effect of the drug without the severe side-effects that frequently occurs when using chemotherapy. For such purposes the antibodies have to be very carefully controlled and of high purity, and the typical way of performing the primary production are either by producing monoclonal antibodies in hybridoma cell culture or by fermenting genetically engineered bacteria, e.g. E.coli
Isolation of Immunoglobulins
All the above mentioned applications of immunoglobulins requires some sort of isolation of the antibody from the crude raw material, but each kind of application has its own very varying demands with respect to the final purity and allowable cost of the antibody product
Generally, there exists a very broad range of different methods available for isolation of immunoglobulins giving a very broad range of final purities, yields and cost of the product.
Traditional methods for isolation of immunoglobulins are based on selective reversible precipitation of the protein fraction comprising the immunoglobulins while leaving other groups of proteins in solution. Typical precipitation agents being ethanol, polyethylene glycol, lyotropic (anti-chaotropic) salts such as ammonium sulfate and potassium phosphate, and caprylic acid.
Typically, these precipitation methods are giving very impure products while at the same time being time consuming and laborious. Furthermore, the addition of the precipitating agent to the raw material makes it difficult to use the supernatant for other purposes and creates a disposal problem. This is particularly relevant when speaking of large scale purification of immunoglobulins from, e.g., whey and plasma.
Ion exchange chromatography is another well known method of protein fractionation frequently used for isolation of immunoglobulins. However, this method is not generally applicable because of the restraints in ionic strength and pH necessary to ensure efficient binding of the antibody together with the varying isoelectric points of different immunoglobulins.
Protein A and Protein G affinity chromatography are very popular and widespread methods for isolation and purification of immunoglobulins, particularly for isolation of monoclonal antibodies, mainly due to the ease of use and the high purity obtained. Although being popular it is however recognised that Protein A and Protein G poses several problems to the user among which are: very high cost, variable binding efficiency of different monoclonal antibodies (particularly mouse IgG1), leakage of Protein A/Protein G into the product, and low stability of the matrix in typical cleaning solutions, e.g. 1 M sodium hydroxide. Each of these drawbacks have its specific consequence in the individual application, ranging from insignificant to very serious and prohibitive consequences.
Hydrophobic chromatography is also a method widely described for isolation of immunoglobulins, e.g in xe2x80x9cApplication Note 210, BioProcess Mediaxe2x80x9d published by Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology, 1991. In this reference a state of the art product xe2x80x9cPhenyl Sepharose High Performancexe2x80x9d is described for the purpose of purifying monoclonal antibodies from cell culture supernatants. As with other hydrophobic matrices employed so far it is necessary to add lyotropic salts to the raw material to make the immunoglobulin bind efficiently. The bound antibody is released from the matrix by lowering the concentration of lyotropic salt in a continuous or stepwise gradient. It is recommended to combine the hydrophobic chromatography with a further step if highly pure product is the object.
The disadvantage of this procedure is the necessity to add lyotropic salt to the raw material as this gives a d problem and thereby increased cost to the large scale user. For other raw materials than cell culture supernatants such as whey, plasma, and egg yolk the addition of lyotropic salts to the raw materials would in many instances be prohibitive in large scale applications as the salt would prevent any economically feasible use of the immunoglobulin depleted raw material in combination with the problem of disposing several thousand liters of waste.
Thiophilic adsorption chromatography was introduced by J. Porath in 1985 (J. Porath et al; FEBS Letters, vol. 185, p.306, 1985) as a new chromatographic adsorption principle for isolation of immunoglobulins. In this paper, it is described how divinyl sulfone activated agarose coupled with various ligands comprising a free mercapto-group show specific binding of immunoglobulins in the presence of 0.5 M potassium sulfate, i.e. a lyotropic salt. It was postulated that the sulfone group, from the vinyl sulfone spacer, and the resulting thio-ether in the ligand was a structural necessity to obtain the described specificity and capacity for binding of antibodies. It was however later shown that the thio-ether could be replaced by nitrogen or oxygen if the ligand further comprised an aromatic radical (K. L. Knudsen et al, Analytical Biochemistry, vol 201, p.170, 1992).
Although the matrices described for thiophilic chromatography generally show good performance, they also have a major disadvantage in that it is needed to add lyotropic salts to the raw material to ensure efficient binding of the immunoglobulin, which is a problem for the reasons discussed above.
Other thiophilic ligands coupled to epoxy activated agarose have been disclosed in (J. Porath et.al. Makromol. Chem., Makromol. Symp., vol. 17, p.359, 1988) and (A. Schwarz et.al., Journal of Chromatography B, vol. 664, pp. 83-88, 1995), e.g. 2-mercaptopyridine, 2-mercaptopyrimidine, and 2-mercaptothiazoline. However, all these affinity matrices still have inadequate affinity constants to ensure an efficient binding of the antibody without added lyotropic salts.
Binding and Isolation of Proteins and Other Biomolecules
WO 96/00735 and WO 96/09116 disclose resins (matrices) for purifying proteins and peptides which resins are characterized by the fact that they contain ionizable ligands and/or functionalities which are uncharged at the pH of binding the target protein or peptide, thereby facilitating hydrophobic interactions, and charged at the pH of desorption, thereby disrupting the established hydrophobic interaction between the resin and the target protein or peptide. WO 96/00735 mentions the possibility of coupling 2-mercapto-benzimidazole to epoxy-activated Sepharose 6 B. The actual ligand concentration is not disclosed, however the coupling was performed with an epoxy-activated Sepharose wherein the content of epoxy-groups is disclosed to be in the range of 1.02-1.28 mmol/g dry matter.
WO 92/16292 discloses a number of different ligands coupled to divinyl sulfone activated agarose and the use of the resulting solid phase matrices for thiophilic adsorption of proteins, preferably immunoglobulins. Specifically is mentioned solid phase matrices comprising 4-amino-benzoic acid as a ligand on a divinyl sulfone activated agarose. The adsorption of proteins, preferably immunoglobulins in WO 92/16292, is performed at high concentrations of lyotropic salts i.e. with an ionic strength of on or above 2.25.
It has now surprisingly been found that several types of aromatic or heteroaromatic substances linked to a solid phase matrix can be utilised in a novel method for the isolation and/or purification of immunoglobulins of different kinds from widely different raw materials with high efficiency and with special advantages with respect to the use of little or no salts, especially lyotropic salts, in the binding process and with respect to the ability to bind a wide range of inmunoglobulins. Furthermore, these matrices have special advantages with respect to stability in NaOH, which is especially relevant when the solid phase matrices are to be regenerated after use.
Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for the isolation of immunoglobulins from a solution containing one or more immunoglobulins, comprising the following operations:
a) contacting a solution containing one or more immunoglobulins and having a pH in the range of 2.0 to 10.0 and a total salt content corresponding to a ionic strength of at the most 2.0 with a solid phase matrix of the general formula
M-SP1-L,
wherein M designates the matrix backbone, SP1 designates a spacer, and L designates a ligand comprising a mono- or bicyclic optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety,
whereby at least a part of the inmunoglobulins becomes bound to the solid phase matrix;
b) separating the solid phase matrix having immunoglobulins bound thereto from the solution;
c) optionally washing the solid phase matrix; and
d) contacting the solid phase matrix with an eluent in order to liberate the one or more immunoglobulins from the solid phase matrix;
with the first proviso that at least two of the criteria (a), (b), and (c) are fulfilled:
(a) the solid phase matrix has a binding efficiency of at least 50% when tested at a pH in the range of 2.0 to 10.0 in the xe2x80x9cStandard Immunoglobulin Binding Testxe2x80x9d described herein; or
(b) the solid phase matrix has an average binding efficiency of at least 60% for all of the immunoglobulins tested in the xe2x80x9cMonoclonal Antibody Array Binding Testxe2x80x9d when tested at a pH in the range of 2.0 to 10.0; or
(c) the stability of the solid phase matrix in 1 M NaOH is so that incubation of the matrix in 1 M NaOH in the dark at room temperature for 7 days reduces the binding efficiency at a pH in the range of one pH unit lower than the binding maximum pH value to one pH unit higher than the binding maximum pH value, as determined in the xe2x80x9cStandard Immunoglobulin Binding Testxe2x80x9d described herein, with less than 25% compared to a corresponding untreated matrix; and
with the second proviso that the molecular weight of the ligand -L is at the most 500 Dalton.
The present invention furthermore provides a solid phase matrix, comprising a functionalised matrix backbone carrying a plurality of functional groups of the following formula
M-SP1-L
wherein M designates the matrix backbone, SP1 designates a spacer, and L designates a ligand comprising a mono- or bicyclic optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety,
and wherein at least two of the criteria (a), (b), and (c) are fulfilled.
(a) the solid phase matrix has a binding efficiency of at least 50% when tested at a pH in the range of 2.0 to 10.0 in the xe2x80x9cStandard Immunoglobulin Binding Testxe2x80x9d described herein; or
(b) the solid phase matrix has a binding efficiency of at least 40% for all of the immunoglobulins tested in the xe2x80x9cMonoclonal Antibody Array Binding Testxe2x80x9d when tested at a pH in the range of 2.0 to 10.0; or
(c) the stability of the solid phase matrix in 1 M NaOH is so that incubation of the matrix in 1 M NaOH in the dark at room temperature for 7 days reduces the binding efficiency at a pH in the range of one pH unit lower than the binding maximum pH value to one pH unit higher than the binding maximum pH value, as determined in the xe2x80x9cStandard Immunoglobulin Binding Testxe2x80x9d described herein, with less than 25% compared to a corresponding untreated matrix;
with the first proviso that the molecular weight of the ligand -L is at the most 500 Dalton; and with the second proviso that when M is agarose and SP1 is derived from vinyl sulfone then L is not 4-aminobenzoic acid,
which is especially suited for use in the method according to the invention.
It has furthermore been found that the matrices mentioned above, wherein the aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety is carrying an acidic group, optionally via a spacer SP2, are equally suited for the isolation and purification of proteins without the need to add lyotropic salts to the protein containing solution (the raw material) and without the need to use large amounts of organic solvents for elution of the bound proteins from the matrix.
Thus, the present invention also provides a solid phase matrix, comprising a functionalised matrix backbone carrying a plurality of functional groups of the following formula
M-SP1-X-A-SP2-ACID
wherein M designates the matrix backbone; SP1 designates a spacer; X designates xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, or xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94; A designates a mono- or bicyclic optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety; SP2 designates an optional spacer; and ACID designates an acidic group;
with the fist proviso that the molecular weight of the ligand -L is at the most 500 Dalton; and with the second proviso that when M is agarose and SP1 is derived from vinyl sulfone then L is not 4-aminobenzoic acid;
and a method for the isolation of proteins from a solution containing one or more of proteins, comprising the following operations:
a) contacting a solution containing one or more proteins having a pH in the range of 1.0 to 6.0 and a total salt content corresponding to a ionic strength of at the most 2.0 with a solid phase matrix as described herein, whereby at least a part of the proteins becomes bound to the solid phase matrix;
b) separating the solid phase matrix having proteins bound thereto from the solution;
c) optionally washing the solid phase matrix; and
d) contacting the solid phase matrix with an eluent in order to liberate one or more of the proteins from the solid phase matrix, wherein the eluent used comprises less than 10% (v/v) of organic solvents.
Isolation of Immunoglobulins
In general, the method for isolation of immunoglobulins may be divided into several steps:
(a) Equilibration of the solid phase matrix
(b) Contacting the solid phase with immunoglobulin solution
(c) Washing the solid phase
(d) Separation of the solid phase from the solution
(d) Elution of the bound immunoglobulin
(e) Regeneration of the solid phase matrix
It may however depend on the specific application whether all steps are performed each time or at all. Thus, the only mandatory steps are the contacting, separation, and the elution steps, while the equilibration, washing, and regeneration steps may or may not be performed according to the specific requirements relevant to the actual application. The type of the separation step depends on the actual set-up (see below).
Equilibration
Before contacting the solid phase matrix with the immunoglobulin containing solution it is preferred to ensured that both the matrix and the solution are in a condition resulting in the wanted binding of immunoglobulin. In this respect, it may therefore be necessary to adjust parameters such as pH, ionic strength, and temperature and in some instances the addition of substances of different kind to promote binding of immunoglobulins and/or to prevent binding of impurities.
Thus, it is an optional step to perform an equilibration of the solid phase matrix by washing it with a solution (e.g. a buffer for adjusting pH, ionic strength, etc., or for the introduction of a detergent) bringing the necessary characteristics to the solid phase.
Contacting
When the solid phase matrix is in the form of particles of either spherical or irregular form the contacting of a solution, containing one or more immunoglobulins may be performed either in a packed bed column or in a fluidised/expanded bed column containing the solid phase matrix. It may also be performed in a simple batch operation where the solid phase matrix is mixed with the solution for a certain time to allow binding of the immunoglobulin(s).
Whenever the solid phase matrix is in the form of permeable or semi-permeable membranes or sheets the contacting is generally performed by pumping/forcing the immunoglobulin containing solution across the surface and/or through a porous structure of the membrane or sheet to ensure that the immunoglobulins are coming in close contact with the ligands immobilised on the surface and/or in the porous structures.
Further guidelines for this process are given in xe2x80x9cPurification Tools for Monoclonal Antibodiesxe2x80x9d, Gagnon, P., Validated Biosystems, 1996.
Washing
After contacting the solid phase matrix with the immunoglobulin containing solution there is optionally performed a washing procedure to remove unbound or loosely bound substances such as other proteins, lipids, nucleic acids or other impurities from the matrix. However in some cases where very high purity of the immunoglobulin is not critical the washing procedure may be omitted saving a process-step as well as washing solution.
In other cases where very high purity of the immunoglobulin is needed there may be employed several different washing procedures with different washing buffers before elution is commenced.
The washing buffers employed will depend on the nature of the chromatographic adsorbent and the ligand binding the immunoglobulins. The washing buffer should not disturb the binding of the immunoglobulin to the adsorbent i.e. pH, salt concentration and other additives should be adjusted so that only the unwanted impurities are removed either by simple substitution of the solution containing impurities and present in and around the adsorbent with the washing bufferxe2x80x94or in combination herewith also releasing impurities bound to the adsorbent. The releasing of impurities bound to the matrix may be accomplished either by changing pH and/or ionic strength or by adding a substance to the washing buffer which interacts competitively with either the adsorbent or the impurity, and thereby displacing the impurity from the adsorbent.
The washing (operation (c) in the method according to the invention) is preferably performed in order to remove remainders from the solution containing the immunoglobulins, and in order to remove other type of biomolecules.
Elution
Elution of the bound immunoglobulin is generally performed by contacting the solid phase matrix comprising the bound immunoglobulins with a solution that releases the immunoglobulin from the ligand on the matrix. The immunoglobulin is hereby released into the solution and can be washed out of the matrix. The solution employed to release the immunoglobulin should generally have different characteristics than what was used for binding of the immunoglobulin e.g. the solution may have a different pH, a different ionic strength, a different temperature and/or it may comprise organic solvents (preferably only small amounts), detergents, chaotropes or other denaturing reagents. Combinations of changes in these different parameters are also generally employed.
Elution may also be performed by applying a solution gradually changing the conditions from binding to non-binding conditions, a procedure which typically is phrased gradient elution.
Once the immunoglobulin have been released from the solid phase matrix into the eluting solution it may be recovered from this by different optional means known per se. In the most simple case the immunoglobulin may be used directly without any changes but in many instances some sort of concentrating procedure would be preferred e.g. ultra-filtration, freeze-drying or precipitation (e.g. salting out). The immunoglobulin solution may also very well be purified further in a further processing step of optional character.
Regeneration
The solid phase matrix may optionally by cleaned ie. regenerated after elution of the immunoglobulin. This procedure is typically performed regularly to minimise the building up of impurities fouling up the surface of the solid phase and/or to sterilise the matrix to avoid contamination of the product with microorganisms proliferating and escaping from the solid phase and the equipment used during the process. Popular ways of performing such a regeneration step is to wash the solid phase matrix with solutions able to clean the matrix and/or kill microorganisms. Typical solutions for these purposes would be, e.g., 0.1-1.0 M sodium hydroxide; solutions of peracids or hydrogen peroxide; denaturants such as guanidinium hydrochloride; solutions comprising active chlorine such as hypochlorite solutions, organic solvents such as ethanol; detergents etc. An especially preferred method for this purpose is to use 0.1-1.0 M sodium hydroxide due to the very high efficiency, low cost, ease of neutralization with hydrochloric acid and lack of waste problems.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method includes: (i) equilibration (optional step), (ii) contacting, (iii) washing (optional step), (iv) separation, (v) elution, and (vi) regeneration, where cycle of steps (i)-(v) are repeated one or several times before regeneration, and were the solid phase matrix is reused after regeneration.
The conditions employed in both the binding, washing and elution step(s) may be very decisive for the resulting binding efficiency, yield and purity of the immunoglobulin. Different solid phase matrices according to the invention may need different binding, washing and elution conditions to ensure an optimal result. Likewise the nature of the raw material will have a very significant impact on the conditions chosen for that particular isolation procedure e.g. very dilute solutions of monoclonal antibodies in hybridoma cell culture supernatants (typically 10-100 xcexcg/ml) behave differently than the same type of antibodies present in more concentrated solutions such as ascites fluids (1-5 mg/ml) and immunoglobulins present in, e.g., whey (1-2 mg/ml) need other conditions than immunoglobulins from plasma/serum (5-20 mg/ml) etc.
Also the composition ie. the contents of different types of impurities may vary significantly between different raw materials, e.g., egg yolk has a very different composition as compared to hybridoma cell culture supernatants.
As mentioned above it is generally possible to add different substances to the immunoglobulin containing solution as to enhance the binding of antibodies to the solid phase matrix.
In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to methods for the isolation of immunoglobulins and solid phase matrices therefor yielding an isolated immunoglobulin of a purity of at least 10% such as at least 30%, preferably at least 50% such as at least 70%, more preferably at least 80% such as 90%, in particular at least 99%.
As mentioned above, it is believed that the binding efficiency maximum pH value for the solid phase matrices is in the range of 2.0 to 10.0, most likely in the range of 3.0 to 9.0. It is therefore most relevant to conduct the isolation process near that maximum (which of course may vary for different combinations of immunoglobulins/solid phase matrices. Thus, the pH of the solution containing the immunoglobulins (or proteins in general) is preferably in the range of 2.0 to 10, such as in the range of 3.0 to 9.0. However, depending on the ligand type and the matrix backbone, the pH range is preferably 3.0 to 7.0 or 6.0 to 9.0.
It is believed that, when the ligand is of the type X-A-SP2-ACID, then should the pH of the solution containing the immunoglobulins be in the range of 2.0 to 6.0, preferably in the range of 2.5 to 5.5 such as in the range of 3.0 to 5.5, or in the range of 4.0 to 5.5, corresponding to an expected binding efficiency maximum for that specific type of matrix.
With respect to contacting operation (a) above, it has been found that it is not necessary to add excessive amounts of lyotropic salt in order for the immunoglobulins to bind to the matrix. Thus, the total salt content, including e.g. NaCl, of the solution containing the immunoglobulins need only be so that it corresponds to a ionic strength of at the most 2.0, preferably in the range of 0.05 to 2.0, such as 0.05 to 1.4, especially in the range of 0.05 to 1.0. As an alternative requirement, the concentration of lyotropic salt as such should be as low as possible, thus, it has been shown that it is possible to operate with a solution containing immunoglobulins where the concentration of lyotropic salts is at the most 0.4 M, preferably at the most 0.3 M, in particular at the most 0.2 M, such as at the most 0.1 M.
Examples of lyotropic salts are given in xe2x80x9cPurification Tools for Monoclonal Antibodiesxe2x80x9d, Gagnon, P., Validated Biosystems, 1996), where the Hofmeister series of lyotropic ions are presented.
With respect to the concentration of immunoglobulins in the solution, it is believed that the solid phase matrices can operate for a very large range concentration range, thus, it is believed that the solid phase matrices operate equally efficient for concentration of immunoglobulins in the solution containing the immunoglobulins in the range of 0.001 to 0.2, preferably 0.01 to 0.1, mg/ml, as in hybridoma cell culture supernatants, in the range of 0.2 to 2.0 mg/ml as in milk and whey, in the range of 5.0 to 20 mg/ml as for different animal sear and plasma, and even in the range of 20-80 mg/ml as for colostrum.
It has been found that the present invention is especially suitable for solutions comprising in the range of 0.1 to 30 mg immunoglobulins per gram of solid phase matrix, such as in the range of 0.2 to 2 or in the range of 5.0 to 25 mg per gram of solid phase matrix.
Thus, the solution containing the immunoglobulins may be artificially as well as biologically solution of immunoglobulins such as crude fermentation broths; mammalian cell cultures such as hybridoma cell cultures; fermentation broths from cultures of genetically engineered microorganisms such as E.coli; ascites fluids such as mouse and rat ascites fluid; milk, whey, blood, plasma and serum from man, mouse, rat, cow, pig, rabbit, goat, guinea pig, and donkey; and egg yolk such as chicken egg yolk.
Furthermore, it has been shown (see the examples) that special advantages with respect to purity may be obtained when the solution containing the immunoglobulins comprises a negatively charged detergent. Without being bound to any theory it is believed that the detergent suppresses the adherence of other biomolecules to the matrix. Examples of such detergent are octyl sulfate, bromphenol blue, octane sulfonate, sodium laurylsarcosinate, and hexane sulfonate.
Also, in the washing step (operation (c) of the method according to the invention) it is, probably for the same reasons, advantageous to use an negatively charged detergent. The detergent may be used alone or in combination with an buffer, e.g. a lyotropic salt buffer. Use of lyotropic salts in the washing step (small volume) represents only a minor waste product problem compared with using lyotropic salts in the binding processes (operation (a)) (in that the binding process includes the use of large volumes is most cases).
Also, the excellent properties of the solid phase matrices for use in the method according to the invention may be expressed even without the use of organic solvents in the eluation step (operation (d)), thus, preferably, the eluent used comprises less than 10% (v/v), more preferably less than 5%, of organic solvents. Most preferably, no organic solvents are used at all.
Alternatively, as has been shown in example 14, a larger amount of non-toxic solvents, e.g. propylene glycol, may be used, e.g. up to 40% propylene glycol.
The contacting step (operation (a)) as well as the following step, i.e. separation, washing, and eluation, may be performed in various way. The physical measures selected are often guided by the scale and whether the process has to be repeated. The solid phase matrices according to the invention may be used in almost any of the set-ups used for development and for industrial purposes. Thus, the solid phase matrix may be contacted with the solution containing the immunoglobulins, e.g., in a stirred batch process, in a packed bed chromatographic column process, and in a fluidised bed process. Further guidelines are given in xe2x80x9cPurification Tools for Monoclonal Antibodiesxe2x80x9d, Gagnon, P., Validated Biosystems, 1996.
Other necessary measures for performing the isolation of immunoglobulins according to the invention follow conventional methodologies.
The present invention provides a method for the isolation and purification of immunoglobulins from a large variety of raw materials having different concentrations of immunoglobulins, typically ranging from about 10 xcexcg/ml in hybridoma cell culture supernatants and about 1-2 mg/ml in milk and whey to about 5-20 mg/ml in different animal sera/plasma, and up to 50-60 mg/ml in colostrum. The nature and relative concentration of different impurities potentially interfering with the binding and isolation of immunoglobulins are also varying to a great extent between the different immunoglobulin sources.
For some applications of immunoglobulins it is of high important that the immunoglobulins are extremely pure, e.g. having a purity of more than 99%. This is particularly true whenever the immunoglobulin is to be used as a therapeutic, but is also necessary for other applications. In the diagnostic field the degree of purity needed may depend on a number of factors such as whether the antibody is to be used un-derivatised, in which case there may not be required a high degree of purity, i.e. less than 50%, or whether the antibody has to be labelled with a signal molecule such as an enzyme, e.g. horseradish peroxidase, in which case the antibody often is required to be at least 80% pure or more. For other applications the need for purity may differ correspondingly. It seems however to be a general demand that the purity of the immunoglobulin is at least 10% on a dry matter basis to enable a proper use of the product. However, the present invention provides, as it should be clear, guidelines for solving these problems.
Solid Phase Matrices
As described above, the method according to the invention includes the use of a solid phase matrix, where the solid phase matrix comprises a functionalised matrix backbone carrying a plurality of functional groups of the following formula
M-SP1-L
wherein M designates the matrix backbone, SP1 designates a spacer, and L designates a ligand comprising an mono- or bicyclic optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety, which has to fulfil certain criteria.
It should be noted that the present invention also relates to these solid phase matrices as such. Thus, the definitions below relate to the method according to the invention as well as to the solid phase matrices according to the invention.
The solid phase matrix may comprise, as the matrix backbone, any natural or synthetic and organic or inorganic material known per se to be applicable in solid phase separation of proteins and other biomolecules, e.g. natural or synthetic polysaccharides such as agar-agar and agaroses; celluloses, cellulose ethers such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl celluose; starches; gums such as guar gum, and gum arabic, gum ghatti, gum tragacanth, locust bean gum, xanthan gum; pectins; mucins; dextrans; chitins; chitosans; alginates; carrageenans; heparins; gelatins; synthetic polymers such as polyamides such as polyacrylamides and polymethacrylamides; polyimides; polyesters; polyethers; polymeric vinyl compounds such as polyvinylalcohols and polystyrenes; polyalkenes; inorganic materials such as silicious materials such as silicon dioxide including amorphous silica and quartz; silicas; metal silicates, controlled pore glasses and ceramics; metal oxides and sulfides, or combinations of these natural or synthetic and organic or inorganic materials.
The matrix backbone is preferably selected from agar-agar, agaroses, celluloses, cellulose ethers such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyamides such as poly(meth)acrylamides, polyvinylalcohols, silicas, and controlled pore glasses.
Especially interesting solid phase materials as matrix backbones are e.g. agar or agarose beads such as Sepharose and Superose beads from Pharmacia Biotech, Sweden and Biogel A from Biorad, USA; dextran based beads such as Sephadex, Pharmacia Biotech; cellulose based beads and membranes such as Perloza cellulose from Secheza, Czechoslovakia; composite beads such as Sephacryl and Superdex, Pharmacia Biotech; beads of synthetic organic polymers such as Fractogel from Toso-Haas, USA; POROS media from Perceptive Biosystems, USA, Bio-Rex, Bio-Gel P and Macro Prep from Biorad, HEMA and Separon from TESSEK and Hyper D and Trisacryl media from BioSepra, USA, Enzacryl and Azlactone, 3M, USA; beads of siliceous materials such as controlled pore glass, PROSEP, from Bioprocesing, England and Spherocil, BioSepra; and coated silica composites in the form of beads or membranes such as ACTI-DISK, ACTI-MOD and CycloSep from Arbor Technologies, USA.
Typically, the solid phase matrix backbone, as well as the resulting functionalised solid phase matrix, may, e.g., be in the form of irregular particles or spherical beads, membranes or sheets, moulded surfaces, or stick. The solid phase material may further be fully or partly permeable or completely impermeable to proteins. In a particularly interesting embodiment of the present invention, the matrix is in the form of irregular spherical beads with sizes in the range of 1-10000 xcexcm, preferably 10-1000 xcexcm; such as 10-60 xcexcm for high performance applications and such as 50-500 xcexcm, preferably 50-300 xcexcm, for preparative purposes.
A particular interesting form of matrix is a density controlled matrix in the form of a conglomerate comprising density controlling particles. These conglomerates, which are especially applicable in large scale operations for fluidised or expanded bed chromatography as well as different batch-wise chromatography techniques in non-packed columns, e.g. simple batch adsorption in stirred tanks, are described in the WO 92/00799, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The ligands L may be attached to the solid phase material by any type of covalent bond known per se to be applicable for this purpose, either by a direct chemical reaction between the ligand and the solid phase material or by a preceding activation of the solid phase material or of the ligand with a suitable reagent known per se making it possible to link the matrix backbone and the ligand. Examples of such suitable activating reagents are epichlorohydrin, epibromohydrin, allyl glycidylether; bis-epoxides such as butanedioldiglycidylether; halogen-substituted aliphatic compounds such as di-chloro-propanol, divinyl sulfone; carbonyldiimidazole; aldehydes such as glutaric dialdehyde; quinones; cyanogen bromide; periodates such as sodium-meta-periodate; carbodiimides; chloro-triazines such as cyanuric chloride; sulfonyl chlorides such as tosyl chlorides and tresyl chlorides; N-hydroxy succinimides; 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium toluene-4-sulfonates; oxazolones; maleimides; pyridyl disulfides; and hydrazides. Among these, the activating reagents leaving a spacer group SP1 different from a single bond, e.g. epichlorohydrin, epibromohydrin, allyl-glycidylether; bis-epoxides; halogen-substituted aliphatic compounds; divinyl sulfone; aldehydes; quinones; cyanogen bromide; chloro-triazines; oxazolones; maleimides; pyridyl disulfides; and hydrazides, are preferred.
Especially interesting activating reagents are believed to be epoxy-compounds such as epichlorohydrin, allyl-glycidylether and butanedioldiglycidylether.
In certain instances the activating reagent may even constitute a part of the functionality contributing to the binding of immunoglobulins to the solid phase matrix, e.g. in cases where divinyl sulfone is used as the activating reagent. In other cases the activating reagent is released from the matrix during reaction of the functional group with the matrix. This is the case when carbodiimidazoles and carbodiimides are used.
The above mentioned possibilities makes it relevant to define the presence of an optional spacer SP1lining the matrix M and the ligand L. In the present context the spacer SP1 is to be considered as the part of the activating reagent which forms the link between the matrix and the ligand. Thus, the spacer SP1 corresponds to the activating reagents and the coupling reactions involved. In some cases, e.g. when using carbodiimides, the activating reagent forms an activated form of the matrix or of the ligand reagent. After coupling no parts of the activating reagent is left between the ligand and the matrix, and, thus, SP1 is simply a single bond.
In other cases the spacer SP1 is an integral part of the functional group effecting the binding characteristics, i.e. the ligand, and this will be especially significant if the spacer SP1 comprises functionally active sites or substituents such as thiols, amines, acidic groups, sulfone groups, nitro groups, hydroxy groups, nitrile groups or other groups able to interact through hydrogen bonding, electrostatic bonding or repulsion, charge transfer or the like.
In still other cases the spacer SP1 may comprise an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring which plays a significant role for the binding characteristics of the solid phase matrix. This would for example be the case if quinones or chlorotriazines where used as activation agents for the solid phase matrix or the ligand.
Preferably, the spacer SP1 is a single bond or a biradical derived from an activating reagent selected from epichlorohydrin, allyl-glycidylether, bis-epoxides such as butanedioldiglycidylether, halogen-substituted aliphatic compounds such as 1,3-dichloropropan-2-ol, aldehydes such as glutaric dialdehyde, divinyl sulfone, quinones, cyanogen bromide, chloro-triazines such as cyanuric chloride, 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium toluene-4-sulfonates, maleimides, oxazolones, and hydrazides.
Preferably the spacer SP1 is selected from short chain aliphatic biradicals, e.g. of the formulaxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH(OH)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 (derived from epichlorohydrin), xe2x80x94(CH2)3xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH(OH)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 (derived from allyl-glycidylether) or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH(OH)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CH2)4xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH(OH)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 (derived from butane-dioldiglycidylether; or a single bond.
Due to the risk of leakage of material (e.g. the ligand and/or the spacer) from a solid phase matrix into the eluted product (e.g. the immunoglobulin) the molecular weight of the ligand (or the ligand+the optional spacer) is advantageously chosen as low as possible. A major drawback of using protein A, protein G, synthetic peptides and other relatively high molecular weight ligands (e.g. dyes) is that it may be difficult or even impossible to separate any released ligand (optionally including the spacer) from the eluted immunoglobulin due to the small difference between the respective molecular weights and the natural tendency of the components to bind to, each other. This may have a detrimental effect in those cases where the immunoglobulin is to be used as a therapeutic agent causing allergic chock or other serious symptoms in the patient. The smaller the molecular weight of the ligand (including its spacer) the more efficient can any leaked ligand be separated from the immunoglobulin product Another sign t advantage of having the smallest possible molecular weight of the ligand (or the ligand-spacer arm conjugate) is that any leaked material which may not have been separated from the immunoglobulin prior to injection/ingestion in the patient will elucidate a minimum of antigenicity the lower the molecular weight and therefore in general be relatively more acceptable to the organism than higher molecular weight ligands.
It is therefore, preferred that the ligand L has a molecular weight below 500 Dalton, preferably below 400 Dalton, more preferably below 300 Dalton, such as below 250 Dalton, or even below 200 Dalton.
With respect to the ligand-spacer arm conjugate (-SP1-L), it is preferred that the molecular weight is below 500 Dalton, more preferably below 400 Dalton, such as below 300 Dalton, or even below 260 Dalton.
According to the invention, the matrix comprises ligands which either alone or in combination with a spacer SP1 (and even the matrix backbone) make it possible to bind immunoglobulins thereto. It is found that a crucial part of the ligand is a mono- or bicyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety which may carry one or more substituents, one of which preferably being a substituent comprising an acidic moiety.
The term xe2x80x9cmono- or bicyclicxe2x80x9d is intended to mean that the core part of the moiety in question is consisting of one ring or two fused rings, e.g. as in benzene and naphthalene, respectively, and, thus, not to ligands comprising two separate rings as in biphenyl.
It has been found that the structure of the aromatic or heteroaromatic part of the ligand, L, may cover a very wide spectrum of different structures optionally having one or more substituents on the aromatic or heteroaromatic ring(s). However, it seems to be rather decisive which substituents are present on, e.g., a benzene ring as to whether the ligand will bind the immunoglobulin(s) efficiently, which is the object of the present invention, or whether the binding is only moderately or low.
Even though the ligands are named here and in the following using the nomenclature corresponding to the individual and discrete chemical compound, from which they are derived, it should be understood that the actual ligand L is a radical of such a compound
However, based on our preliminary findings, it is especially preferred to employ matrices comprising aromatic or heteroaromatic groups (radicals) of the following types as functional groups: benzoic acids such as 2aminobenzoic acids, 3-aminobenzoic acids, 4aminobenzoic acids, 2-mercaptobenzoic acids, 4amino-2-chlorobenzoic acid, 2amino-5chlorobenzoic acid, 2amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acids, 5-aminosalicylic acids, 3,4-diaminobenzoic acids, 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid, 5-aminoisophthalic acid, 4-aminophthalic acid; cinnamic acids such as hydroxy-cinnamic acids; nicotinic acids such as 2-mercaptonicotinic acids; naphthoic acids such as 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid; quinolines such as 2-mercaptoquinoline; tetrazolacetic acids such as 5-mercapto-1-tetrazolacetic acid; thiadiazols such as 2-mercapto-5-methyl1,3,4-thiadiazol; benzimidazols such as 2-amino-benzimidazol, 2-mercaptobenzimidazol, and 2-mercapto5-nitro-benzimidazol; benzothiazols such as 2-aminobenzothiazol, 2-amino-6-nitrobenzothiazol, 2-mercaptobenzothiazol and 2-mercapto-6-ethoxybenzothiazol; benzoxazols such as 2-mercaptobenzoxazol; thiophenols such as thiophenol and 2-aminothiophenol; 2-(4-aminophenylthio)acetic acid; aromatic or heteroaromatic sulfonic acids and phosphonic acids, such as 1-amino-2-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid and phenols such as 2-amino-4-nitrophenol. It should be noted that the case where M is agarose, SP1 is derived from vinyl sulfone, and L is 4-amino-benzoic acid is specifically disclaimed in relation to the solid phase matrices according to the invention, cf. WO 92/16292.
The detailed structure of the ligand seems to determine important functional characteristics relevant for the isolation of immunoglobulins from different sources. Thus, different ligands comprising remote or closely related aromatic structures seems to result in significant changes in the binding strength, binding selectivity, binding capacity and overall yield of immunoglobulin when applied in the isolation of antibodies from different raw materials.
For binding of immunoglobulins at near neutral pH (about pH 5 to pH 9) it is preferred to use a ligand comprising radicals derived from a benzene ring fused with a heteroaromatic ring system, e.g. a ligand selected from benzimidazoles such as 2-mercapto-benzimidazol and 2-mercapto-5-nitro-benzimidazol; benzothiazols such as 2-amino-6-nitrobenzothiazol, 2-mercaptobenzothiazol and 2-mercapto-6-ethoxybenzothiazol; benzoxazols such as 2-mercaptobenzoxazol Not belonging to the former group of ligands but also preferred for the binding of immunoglobulins at near neutral pH are ligands chosen from the group of thiophenols such as thiophenol and 2-aminothiophenol.
Thus, as it is clear from the above and the results shown herein, the ligand L is preferably selected from radicals having the following formula
-X-A-SUB
wherein X designates xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, or xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94, A designates an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring or ring system, and SUB designates one or more substituents.
It is understood that X is an integral part of the ligand in that the aromatic or heteroaromatic compound which forms the ligand part of the solid phase matrix after reaction with an activated matrix backbone, must include a hydroxy group (X is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94), a mercapto group a is xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94) or an amino group (K is xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94) directly attached the aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. Examples of such compounds are 3-hydroxy-cinnamic acid, 2-mercapto-benzoic acid, and 2-aminobenzoic acid. It should be understood that if the aromatic or heteroaromatic compound comprises, e.g., a hydroxy group as well as an amino group, the resulting solid phase matrix may comprise a mixture of ligand being attached to the linker through the amino group and through the hydroxy group, respectively.
The aromatic radicals are preferably selected from benzene radicals and naphthalene radicals.
The aromatic radical is preferably a benzene radical such as phenyl, 1,2-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 1,4-phenylene, 1,2,3-benzenetriyl, 1,2,4-benzenetriyl, 1,3,5-benzenetriyl, 1,2,3,4-benzentetrayl, 1,2,3,5-benzenetetrayl, 1,2,4,5-benzenetetrayl, and 1,2,3,4,5-benizenepentayl.
The heteroaromatic radicals are preferably selected from monocyclic heteroaromatic radicals such as thiophene, furan, pyran, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, isothiazole, isoxazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, and pyridazine radicals; and bicyclic heteroaromatic radicals such as indole, purine, quinoline, benzofuran, benzimidazole, benzothiazole, and benzoxazole radicals.
The heteroaromatic radical is preferably selected from radicals of pyridine, benzimidazole, benzothiazole and benzoxazole.
A preferred group of ligands for high purity immunoglobulin isolates is chosen among amino-benzoic acids like 2-amino-benzoic acid, 2-mercapto-benzoic acid, 3-aminobenzoic acid, 4amino-benzoic acid, 4-amino-2-chlorobenzoic acid, 2-amino-5-chlorobenzoic acid, 2-amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acids, 5-aminosalicylic acids, 3,4-diaminobenzoic acids, 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid, 5-aminoisophthalic acid, 4-aminophthalic acid.
Another preferred group of ligands giving a high degree of purity of the isolated immunoglobulin is the group of cinnamic acids such as 2-hydroxy-cinnamic acids, 3-hydroxy-cinnamic acid and 4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid.
Still another preferred group of ligands for isolation of high purity immunoglobulins are derived from the group of heteroaromatic compounds comprising a carboxylic acid and an amino group as substituents such as 2-amino-nicotinic acid, 2-mercapto-nicotinic acid, 6-amino-nicotinic acid and 2-amino-4hydroxypyrimidine-carboxylic acid.
Agarose matrix backbones and spacers derived from epoxy compounds are especially relevant in combination with these preferred groups of ligands.
With respect to the substituents on the aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety, SUB preferably comprises at least one acidic group.
In a particularly interesting embodiment of the present invention, SUB comprises at least one substituent of the following formula
-SP2-ACID
wherein SP2 designate an optional second spacer and ACID designates an acidic group.
In the present context the term xe2x80x9cacidic groupxe2x80x9d is intended to mean groups having a pKa-value of less than about 6.0, such as a carboxylic acid group (xe2x80x94COOH), sulfonic acid group (xe2x80x94SO2OH), sulfinic acid group (xe2x80x94S(O)OH), phosphinic acid group (xe2x80x94PH(O)(OH)), phosphonic acid monoester groups (xe2x80x94P(O)(OH)(OR)), and phosphonic acids group (xe2x80x94P(O)(OH)2). The pKa-value of the acidic group should preferably be in the range of 1.0 to 6.0.
The acidic group is preferably selected from carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, and phosphonic acid.
The group SP2 is selected from C1-6-alkylene, and C2-6-alkenylene, or SP2 designates a single bond. Examples of relevant biradicals are methylene, ethylene, propylene, propenylene, iso-propylene, and cyclohexylene. Preferably, SP2 designates methylene, ethylene, or a single bond.
In one embodiment of the present invention SUB designates one group -SP2-ACID. In this case SP2 is preferably a single bond.
SUB may, however, designate a substituent -SP2-ACID as well as one or more further substituent(s) independently selected from hydroxy, amino, cyano, mono- and di(C1-6-alkyl)amino, halogen such as iodo, bromo, chloro, and fluoro, sulfanyl, nitro, C1-6-alkylcarboxy, and aminocarboxy, mono- and di(C1-6-alkyl)aminocarboxy, carboxy, sulfono, sulfonamide, phosphonic ester with C1-6-alkyl, optionally substituted C1-12-alkyl, optionally substituted C2-12-alkenyl, optionally substituted C1-12-alkynyl, and optionally substituted C1-12-alkoxy, thioester, or the substituent is an oxygen atom which together with two valences of a carbon atom of the aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety form an oxo group. Furthermore, SUB may designate a further group -SP2-ACID as defined above. It should be understood that the substituents defined for SUB correspond to the optional substituents for L.
In another preferred embodiment, SUB designates a substituent -SP2-ACID as well as one or more further substituent(s) independently selected from hydroxy, amino, cyano, halogen, sulfanyl, nitro, optionally substituted C1-6-alkyl methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl and cyclohexyl, optionally substituted C2-6-alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-6-alkynyl, optionally substituted C1-6-alkoxy, carboxy, and sulfono, or the substituent is an oxygen atom which together with two valences of a carbon atom of the aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety form an oxo group. Also in this case, SP2 preferably designates methylene, ethenylene, or a single bond, preferably a single bond.
In the present context, the term xe2x80x9cC1-12-alkylxe2x80x9d is intended to mean alkyl groups with 1-12 carbon atoms which may be straight or branched or cyclic such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, dodecyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, decalinyl, etc.
The term xe2x80x9coptionally substituted C1-12-alkylxe2x80x9d is intended to mean a C1-12-alkyl group which may be substituted with one or more, preferably 1-3, groups selected from carboxy; protected carboxy such as a carboxy ester, e.g. C1-6-alkoxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl; mono- and di(C1-6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl; amino-C1-6-alkyl-aminocarbonyl; mono- and di(C1-6-alkyl)amino-C1-6-alkyl-aminocarbonyl; amino; mono- and di(C1-6-alkyl)amino; C1-6-alkylcarbonylamino; hydroxy; protected hydroxy such as acyloxy, e.g. C1-6-alkanoyloxy; sulfono; C1-6-alkylsulfonyloxy; nitro; phenyl; phenyl-C1-6-alkyl; halogen; nitrilo; and mercapto.
Examples of substituted C1-12-alkyl groups are carboxy-C1-12-alkyl (e.g. carboxymethyl and carboxyethyl), protected carboxy-C1-12-alkyl such as esterified carboxy-C1-6alkyl (e.g. C1-6-alkoxy-carbonyl-C1-12-alkyl such as methoxycarbonylmethyl, ethoxycarbonylmethyl, and methoxycarbonylethyl), aminocarbonyl-C1-12-alkyl (e.g. aminocarbonylethyl, aminocarbonylethyl and aminocarbonylpropyl), C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl-C1-12-alkyl (e.g. methylaminocarbonylmethyl and ethylaminocarbonylmethyl), amino-C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl-C1-12-alkyl (e.g. aminomethylaminocarbonylmethyl and aminoethylaminocarbonylmethyl), mono- or di(C1-6-alkyl)amino-C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl-C1-12-alkyl (e.g. dimethylaminomethylaminocarbonylmethyl and dimethylaminoethylaminocarbonylmethyl), mono- or di(C1-6-alkylamino-C1-12alkyl (e.g. di-methylaminomethyl and dimethylimioethyl), hydroxy-C1-12-alkyl (e.g. hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl), protected hydroxy-C1-12-alkyl such as acyloxy-C1-12-alkyl (e.g. C1-6-alkaoyloxy-C1-12-alkyl such as acetyloxyethyl, acetyloxypropyl, acetyloxybutyl, acetyloxypentyl, propionyloxy-methyl, butyryloxymethyl, and hexanoyloxymethyl).
In the present context, the term xe2x80x9cC2-12-alkenylxe2x80x9d is intended to mean mono-, di- or polyunsaturated alkyl groups with 2-12 carbon atoms which may be straight or branched or cyclic in which the double bond(s) may be present anywhere in the chain or the ring(s), for example vinyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, hexenyl, decenyl, 1,3-heptadienyl, cylohexenyl etc. Some of the substituents exist both in a cis and a trans configuration. The scope of this invention comprises both the cis and trans forms.
In the present context, the term xe2x80x9cC2-12-alkynylxe2x80x9d is intended to mean a straight or branched alkyl group with 2-12 carbon atoms and incorporating one or more triple bond(s), e.g. ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 2-butynyl, 1,6-heptadiynyl, etc.
In the expressions xe2x80x9coptionally substituted C2-12-alkenylxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9coptionally substituted C2-12-alkynylxe2x80x9d, the term xe2x80x9coptionally substitutedxe2x80x9d is intended to mean that the moiety may be substituted one or more times, preferably 1-3 times, with one of the groups defined above for xe2x80x9coptionally substituted C1-12-alkylxe2x80x9d.
The term xe2x80x9coptionally substituted C1-12-alkoxyxe2x80x9d designates, as in traditional chemical nomenclature, an optionally substituted C1-12-alkyl-oxy group, which may be substituted one or more times, preferably 1-3 times, with the substituents indicated for xe2x80x9coptionally substituted alkylxe2x80x9d described above.
The terms xe2x80x9cC1-6-alkylxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cC2-6-alkenylxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cC2-6-alkynylxe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cC1-6-alkoxyxe2x80x9d reflect the shorter analogues of the xe2x80x9cC1-12-alkylxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cC2-12-alkenylxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cC2-12-alkynylxe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cC1-12-alkoxyxe2x80x9d groups.
The terms xe2x80x9cC1-6-alkylenexe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cC2-6-alkenylenexe2x80x9d is intended to mean biradicals of the groups defined for xe2x80x9cC1-6-alkylxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cC2-6-alkenylxe2x80x9d, respectively. The present invention should not be bound to any specific theory, however, it is envisaged that the special electronic configuration of the aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety in combination with one or more heteroatoms, which may be located in the heteroaromatic ring system or as a substituent thereon, is involved in the specific binding of immunoglobulins, as well as the binding of other proteins.
Thus, in an interesting embodiment of the present invention the ligand comprises at least one nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorous atom, e.g. as a ring atom or as a substituent on the (hetero)aromatic ring, such as an amino or nitro group or a sulfonic acid group or a phosphonic acid group.
An especially interesting combination of substituents seem to be any combination of at least one amino or mercapto group with at least one acidic group selected from carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, and phosphonic acids.
It is envisaged that a combination of two or more of the ligands tripe defined herein on the same matrix backbone may lead to certain to certain advantages with respect to high binding efficiency and/or high purity of the immunoglobulin. However, in an important embodiment of the present invention, all of the functional groups on the solid phase matrix are substantially identical.
It may also be found to enhance binding efficiency and purity of the product by coupling the ligand to a matrix already comprising negatively or positively charged moieties such as positively charged amino-groups or negatively charged carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid or phosphonic acid groups.
The ligand concentration may also be of major significance for the functional characteristics of a matrix according to the invention e.g. a ligand may show a high degree of selective binding of immunoglobulins at one ligand concentration, while an increase in the ligand concentration results in a decrease in the binding selectivity. As is well-known to a person skilled in the art too high ligand concentrations may lead to strong binding of unwanted impurities by mechanism of multiple binding points, because the ligands are too closely spaced on the solid phase backbone. If the ligand concentration is kept low the ligands will be spaced with larger distances and therefore not course the binding of impurities by binding at multiple sites. Another negative effect of too high ligand concentration is the risk of binding the wanted protein e.g. the immunoglobulin by multiple binding sites. Such a multiple binding may lead to difficulties in releasing the protein e.g. the immunoglobulin with an appropriate elution buffer. In some instances it may even be necessary to utilise strongly denaturing conditions and/organic solvents for release of the product from such to highly substituted solid phase matricesxe2x80x94with loss of biological activity as a consequence.
Ligand concentration of solid phase matrices may be disclosed in several different ways. One way of describing the ligand concentration is to disclose the amount of ligand present per gram of dry matter (e.g. in xcexcmol/g dry matter). This is the result obtained directly if for example the ligand concentration is measured by elemental analysis of dried (e.g. freeze-dried) samples of the solid phase matrix. The ligand concentration may, however, also be disclosed as the amount of ligand present on one ml wet and sedimented solid phase matrix (also often referred to as one ml packed bed matrix). This is a figure which is easily calculated from a determination based on dried solid phase matrix (e.g. xcexcmol/g dry matter), if the dry matter content of the hydrated solid phase matrix has been determined at the same time (ie. gram of dry matter/ml wet sedimented solid phase matrix). Still another way of disclosing the ligand concentration is as the amount of ligand present in one gram of wet, but suction drained matrix. This figure is again easily calculated from a determination based on dry matter, if the solid phase dry matter content per gram of wet, but suction drained matrix has been determined at the same time.
Thus, the ligand concentration of the solid phase matrices of the invention is preferably in the range of 10-990 xcexcmol/g dry matter of solid phase matrix, such as 100-990 xcexcmol/g, more preferably 200-980 xcexcmol/g, in particular 250-975 xcexcmol/g; or
the ligand concentration the solid phase matrices of the invention is preferably in the range of 1-145 xcexcmol/ml of hydrated, sedimented solid phase matrix, such as 10-120 xcexcmol/ml, more preferably 15-100 xcexcmol/ml, in particular 20-80 xcexcmol/ml; or
the ligand concentration the solid phase matrices of the invention is preferably in the range of 1-130 xcexcmol/g wet, but suction drained solid phase matrix, such as 10-110 xcexcmol/gram, more preferably 20-100 xcexcmol/g, in particular 20-90 xcexcmol/gram.
It is, as should already be clear from the above, the aim of the present invention to provide solid phase matrices having a high binding efficiency.
Thus, the solid phase matrices, which are useful within the scope of the present invention must fulfil two of three criteria (a), (b), and (c) (see above), e.g. criteria (a) and (b), criteria (a) and (c), or criteria (b) and (c). Preferably all three criteria are fulfilled.
With respect to criterion (a), it is highly desirably in combination with the other criteria set forth herein or as an alternative thereto, that the solid phase matrix has a binding efficiency of at least 50% when tested at a pH in the range of 2.0 to 10.0 in the xe2x80x9cStandard Immunoglobulin Binding Testxe2x80x9d described herein. It is envisaged that the binding efficiency maximum (which can be estimated quite accurately, within half a pH unit, by testing the binding efficiency over an pH range using, e.g., increments of 0.5 pH units) of most of the matrices according to the invention is in the range of 3.0 to 9.0, e.g. in the range 3.0 to 7.0 or in the range of 6.0 to 9.0 depending on the nature of the ligand.
It has been found that the binding efficiency at pH 4.5 and pH 7.0 is especially relevant when performing a general evaluation of a solid phase matrix for isolation of immunoglobulins, thus, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a solid phase matrix having a binding efficiency of at least 50% at pH 4.5 or pH 7.0, in the xe2x80x9cStandard Immunoglobulin Binding Testxe2x80x9d described herein.
Thus, in a particularly interesting embodiment of the present invention, the solid phase matrix has a binding efficiency of at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, such as at least 90%, in the xe2x80x9cStandard Immunoglobulin Binding Testxe2x80x9d described herein, at least one pH-value of the solvent in the range of pH 1.0 to pH 11.0, in particular in the range of pH 3.0 to pH 9.0, and more particularly at pH 4.5 or 7.0.
Furthermore, it is also the aim of the present invention to provide solid phase matrices which are able to bind a vide range of immunoglobulins, so that the end user can rely on one solid phase matrix instead of an number of products which has to be tested individually for each clone of immunoglobulins.
Thus, with respect to the criterion (b), the solid phase matrix preferably has an average binding efficiency of at least 50%, such as at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, especially at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, for the immunoglobulins tested in the xe2x80x9cMonoclonal Antibody Array Binding Testxe2x80x9d when tested at a pH in the range of 2.0 to 10.0, such as in the range of 3.0 to 9.0, e.g. in the range of 3.0 to 7.0 or in the range of 6.0 to 9.0. Typically, the binding efficiency is determined at two pH values, e.g. at pH 4.5 and pH 7.0, and the optimum is then found by varying the pH value in increments of 0.5 around the one of the two pH values giving the most promising binding efficiency.
The functional stability of the matrix, which is interesting and important with respect to lower risk of leaching and the possibility of regeneration, may be influenced by the chemical structure of the ligand, i.e. the stability to harsh regeneration conditions such as 1 M sodium hydroxide is dependent on the ligand structure, as well as the matrix backbone and any spacer moiety.
Therefore, with respect to criterion (c), it is a preferred that the stability (see example 8) of the solid phase matrix in 1 M NaOH is so that incubation of the matrix in 1 M NaOH in the dark at room temperature for 7 days reduces the binding efficiency at a pH in the range of one pH unit lower than the binding maximum pH to one pH unit higher than the binding maximum pH value, as determined according to the xe2x80x9cStandard Immunoglobulin Bind testxe2x80x9d described herein, with less than 50%, preferably less than 25%, compared to a corresponding untreated matrix. Preferably the reduction is less than 15%, such as at less than 10%, in particular less than 5%.
It has been found that solid phase matrices comprising a functionalised matrix backbone carrying a plurality of functional groups of the following formula
M-SP1-X-A-SP2-ACID
wherein M designates the matrix backbone; SP1 designates a spacer; X designates xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, or xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94; A designates a mono- or bicyclic optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety; SP2 designates an optional spacer; and ACID designates an acidic group;
with the first proviso that the molecular weight of the ligand -L is at the most 500 Dalton,
are novel in themselves (specifically disclaiming 4-aminobenzoic acid disclosed in K. L. Knudsen et al, Analytical Biochemistry, vol. 201, p. 170, 1992 and WO 92/16292, which has been used for the isolation of immunoglobulins in combination with lyotropic salts, as a ligand), and that they are well suited for the isolation and/or purification of immunoglobulins as well as for the isolation and/or purification of proteins and other biomolecules in general.
It has furthermore been found that the above-mentioned solid phase matrices comprising functional groups of the formula M-SP1-X-A-SP2-ACID, are equally applicable for pH-dependent reversible binding of proteins and other biomolecules.
Thus, the present invention also provides a method for the isolation of proteins from a solution containing one or more of proteins, comprising the following operations:
a) contacting a solution containing one or more proteins having a pH in the range of 1.0 to 6.0 and a total salt content corresponding to a ionic strength of at the most 2.0 with a solid phase of the formula M-SP1-X-A-SP2-ACID, whereby at least a part of the proteins becomes bound to the solid phase matrix;
b) separating the solid phase matrix having proteins bound thereto from the solution;
c) optionally washing the solid phase matrix; and
d) contacting the solid phase matrix with an eluent in order to liberate one or more of the proteins from the solid phase matrix, wherein the eluent used comprises less than 10% (v/v) of organic solvents.
The pH of the solution containing the proteins is preferably in the range of 1.0 to 6.0, such as 2.0 to 6.0, especially in the range of 8.0 to 5.5, such as 4.0 to 5.0, and the pH of the eluent is in the range of 6.0 to 11, preferably in the range of 6.0 to 9.0.
As in the method for the isolation of the immunoglobulins, the total salt content of the solution containing the proteins preferably corresponds to a ionic strength of at the most 20, such as in the range of 0.05 to 2.0, in particular in the range of 0.05 to 1.4, especially in the range of 0.05 to 1.0, and/or the concentration of lyotropic salts preferably is at the most 0.4 M, such as at the most 0.3 M, in particular at the most 0.2 M. especially at the most 0.1 M. Furthermore, as above, it is advantageous to use a negatively charged detergent in the contacting step (operation (a)) and/or in the washing step (operation (c)). Preferably, the washing step (operation (c)) preferably implies the use of an inorganic or organic salt buffer comprising a negatively charged detergent.
The method for the isolation of proteins and other biomolecules may be employed for a number of proteins, examples of which are proteases such as pro-enzymes, trypsins, chymotrypsins, subtilisin, pepsin, plasminogen, papain, renin, thrombin, and elastase; lipases, glucosidases; xylanases; lectins; albumins; proteins from fermentations broths; protein from milk and whey; proteins from blood, plasma, and serum; proteins from fish waste; proteins from slaughterhouse waste such as organ and tissue extracts, e.g. alkaline phosphatase from bovine intestines; and proteins from vegetable extracts such as potato, tomato, coconut, e.g. horse radish peroxidase.
Synthesis of Solid Phase Matrices
Generally a solid phase matrix may be derivatised so as to comprise covalently linked ligands according to the invention be methods know per se, e.g., activation of the solid phase matrix with a suitable reagent known per se followed by coupling of the ligand to the activated matrix, optionally incorporating a spacer SP1 between the ligand and the matrix by coupling the spacer to the activated matrix first followed by coupling the ligand to the spacer via a suitable condensation reagent or even a second activation of the spacer followed by coupling of the ligand.
The sequence and choice of reagents may depend on the actual ligand to be coupled and the solid phase material to be derivatised with consideration to, e.g., the content of reactive groups such as hydroxyl, amino, mercapto, and silanols etc. In some cases it may be preferable to activate or derivatise the ligand instead of the solid phase matrix followed by a reaction of the derivatised ligand with the solid phase matrix.
Thus, in a preferred method for of synthesising a solid phase matrix according to the invention, the solid phase matrix is first reacted with a reagent able to react with the solid phase matrix and thereby activate it for further reaction with the ligand, optionally washing away the activation reagent followed by a reaction of the activated solid phase matrix with a solution comprising the ligand and optionally followed by washing the solid phase matrix comprising the covalently immobilised ligand with one or more suitable solutions cleaning the matrix for surplus reactants.
In some cases in may be possible to combine the activation and the coupling of the ligand by mixing the two reagents and let the reactions take place in parallel. This is a great advantage as it saves costs and time as well as minimising the volume of waste water. Thus, the activation and the coupling step is preferably performed in one combined step.
Furthermore, it is a significant advantage if the activation and/or the coupling reaction can be performed without the need to add organic solvents to the reaction medium. These organic solvents are often used to solubilise the reactive reagents or to ensure that hydrolysis of reactive species are kept at a minimum. However, the use of organic solvents adds to the cost and risk of the process because of the risk of explosions, the risk of health damage, the waste problems and the relatively high cost of the solvents themselves. Thus, the activation and/or the coupling procedure is preferably performed without the addition of any organic solvent to the reaction medium.


Systems and methods of screening memory cells by modulating bitline and/or wordline voltage. In a read operation, the wordline may be overdriven or underdriven as compared to a nominal operating voltage on the wordline. In a write operation, the one or both of the bitline and wordline may be overdriven or underdriven as compared to a nominal operating voltage of each. A built-in self test (BIST) system for screening a memory array has bitline and wordline margin controls to modulate bitline and wordline voltage, respectively, in the memory array.

It may be helpful to screen memory devices so that the memory devices will perform reliably. Screening may involve testing memory devices in a less stable state with the assumption that if a device functions properly in the less stable state, it will also function properly in a stable state. A less stable state may be a state that is prone to disturbs. A less stable state may be achieved by placing the memory device under stress by, for example, varying temperature. Screening may provide an operational margin—that is, the less stable state under which the device should still function properly.
For memory devices comprising planar transistors—i.e., transistors with active drain and source portions planar with the oxide or insulator layer, screening may involve modulating the N-well to place the place the memory devices in a less stable state. Modulation, as used herein, means applying a higher or lower voltage as compared to a nominal operating voltage. Such a method, however, may not be available for memory devices using fin field-effect (FinFET) transistors, which have active drain and source portions that protrude above the oxide or insulator layer in a fin-like manner. The active drain and source portions of a FinFET transistor may not be impacted by changes to the N-well due to the distance between the active drain and source portions and the N-well in the FinFET transistor architecture.


In accordance with one embodiment, a system and method for providing advertising to select consumers using payroll data includes a process for providing advertising to select consumers using payroll data whereby one or more advertisements and/or marketing devices are distributed to a given consumer based, at least in part, on data representing financial information about the given consumer obtained from a payroll system and/or payroll service. The one or more advertisements and/or marketing devices are distributed to the given consumer through the payroll system and/or payroll service and, in some instances; the one or more advertisements and/or marketing devices are distributed to the given consumer as printed and/or electronic attachments to the given consumer's paycheck and/or payroll account.

Advertising and marketing of products and/or services is one of the largest industries in the world. One important, and often expensive, component of many advertising/marketing campaigns is the creation, and distribution, of advertisements and marketing devices such as, but not limited to: printed and/or digital media advertisements; web-site based advertisements and/or coupons; discount certificates; price guarantees; package/upgrade vouchers; group discount vouchers; multiple "for the price of one" offers/vouchers; and or any other advertisement and/or marketing device designed to encourage some form of consumer action and/or inaction.
Traditionally, some advertisements and/or marketing devices have been distributed in "hard-copy", typically printed, form by various means, including, but not limited to: by mail; in newspapers; in magazines; in flyers and inserts; at store front and/or product displays; and/or as attachments to store receipts (i.e., printed on the back of a receipt or appended to a receipt). More recently, electronic media based advertisements and/or marketing devices have been offered/distributed using electronic means such as, but not limited to: networks of computing systems, including public networks such as the Internet; through and/or on web-sites; by e-mail; as electronic attachments to electronic receipts; and as electronic attachments to transactional data, such as, but not limited to, transactional data from and/or displayed by, banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions.
Advertisements and/or marketing devices, such as those displayed on web-sites, provided in printed media, displayed on television, and/or as distributed through the mail, are most effective, and often only effective, if the advertisements and/or marketing devices are displayed and/or distributed to the largest number of viewers. In addition, in many cases, it is important that a given advertisement and/or marketing device be viewed by the largest number of viewers multiple times, i.e., a given viewer should be exposed to the advertisements and/or marketing devices at least a determined minimum number of times and typically as many times as possible. As noted above, the result is that to try and achieve this desired/required number of "impressions" to the right viewers, the advertisements and/or marketing devices themselves, as well as the advertisement and/or marketing device distribution means, can represent a significant expense to the advertisement and/or marketing device provider.
Typically, the advertisement and/or marketing device providers are willing to incur this expense to meet various, and often specific, marketing goals, including, but not limited to: induce customers to purchase a specific item or service; to help build up a customer base; to get consumers into a store; to retain customers who find a lower price for an item from a competitor; to lure customers away from a competitor; and/or to help clear excess inventory and/or to boost sales of a given product.
However, for many advertisement and/or marketing device providers, especially advertisement and/or marketing device providers using digital and/or on-line advertising, it is very difficult to reach the required number of desirable viewers, and provide the number of desirable viewers the desired number of impressions, in order to justify the advertisement and/or marketing device creation and/or distribution costs.
For instance, using current methods of "targeting" desirable viewers, digital and/or on-line advertisement and/or marketing device providers often rely on typically unverifiable demographic information, e.g., the consumers' self-reported age, sex, and/or income information. In other cases, the advertisement and/or marketing device providers attempt to target specific consumers by relying on information about the content contained within the hosting website, e.g., they may provide advertisements and/or marketing devices related to children's products on parenting-related web-sites. However, this targeting data is very speculative and unreliable, at best. Consequently, using current methods, advertisement and/or marketing device providers often pay for impressions of their advertisement and/or marketing device made to consumers who are not interested, or for whom the subject of the advertisement and/or marketing device is simply not relevant.
In an attempt to more efficiently use their marketing and/or advertising resources, sellers of products and/or services, and other providers of advertisements and/or market devices, often wish to provide their advertisements and/or marketing devices only to consumers who have specific attributes that are particularly desirable to the seller.
As one example, a seller may be particularly interested in targeting consumers who have a specific income. As a more specific example, a seller of high end products and/or services may be interested in targeting select consumers who have a threshold income, for instance an annual income if $100,000.00 or more. In these instances, the seller may wish to avoid "wasting" their advertising resources on lower income consumers who would not be likely to use their product and/or service. In other instances, a seller may provide products and/or services that are typically not of interest to higher income consumers, for instance pawn shops or sub-prime lenders. In these instances, the seller may wish to target select consumers who have lower incomes and not "waste" their advertising resources on higher income consumers who would not be likely to use their product and/or service.
As another example, a seller may be particularly interested in targeting consumers who have a family. As a more specific example, a seller of child-related products and/or services may be interested in targeting select consumers who have at least one dependent. In these instances, the seller may wish to avoid "wasting" their advertising resources on consumers who do not have any children.
Similar to the desires of the advertisement and/or marketing device providers, most consumers would also prefer to receive advertisements and/or marketing devices that are relevant to the consumer, i.e., that are of use to the consumer and/or are directed to products and/or services the consumer uses, or that the consumer may be planning to use in the future.
Despite the desire of sellers, and other providers of advertisements and/or marketing devices, as well as consumers, to create a better system for reaching desirable consumers, there currently is often no information, or limited information, available to the sellers, and other providers of advertisements and/or marketing devices, about a given consumer to enable the sellers, and other providers of advertisements and/or marketing devices, to accurately identify the consumer as a desirable, and/or preferred, customer.

Method and system for providing advertising to select consumers using payroll data and systems


This invention relates to a structure of a variable triangular warning light for a third braking light in a rear turbulence plate of an automobile, in particular, to an "LED" third braking light which is hidden within the rear turbulence plate, and can be formed into a flashable triangular failure warning light by means of pulling-out, folding and locking means to indicate a failure when the automobile is in failure, characterized in that the rear turbulence plate is provided with a receiving groove, receiving tubular holes and springs, and a three-section typed "LED" third braking light of an elongate strip shape having hinges is a foldable structure; live lock member can be used as disengagement/engagement means for the outward pulling or inward inserting of the three-section typed third braking light. Further, after the third braking light has been pulled out and folded into a triangular shape, both ends of the three-section third braking light can be connected together to form a flashable flashable triangular failure light.

The present invention relates to a variable triangular failure warning light for the third braking light provided in the rear turbulence plate of an automobile, in particular, to an "LED" (light emitted diode) third braking light device which is provided in the rear turbulence plate of an automobile which can be pulled out and folded into a triangular warning light for indicating failure of the vehicle.
Since a third braking light of an automobile can warn the other automobiles behind when braking, and the numbers of automobiles in recent years has increased and all the roads and freeways are crowded, the third braking lights have become a popular device for driving more safely, and also have become standard equipment for most automobile.
Further, a triangular warning sign of reflection type which can be put on the road behind the automobile which has a failure, is usually kept in rear trunk of an automobile. Hence, when an automobile has a failure, the driver must first park the failed automobile in a proper position, and then take the triangular warning sign from the rear trunk of the automobile, and put it on the road behind the automobile at a proper distance to warn the other automobiles behind.
The third braking lights have become necessary equipment for an automobile, while the conventional triangular failure warning signs are not convenient in use and have many disadvantages: for example, A: the sign is not easy to be seen by the drivers of the automobiles behind the failure automobile due to the fact that the triangular failed warning sign is placed low on the ground; B: the warning effect of the conventional triangular failure warning sign is poor since said sign is of a reflection type; C: when using the conventional warning sign, the driver must open the rear trunk and then take out the warning sign and fold it into triangular shape, walk a distance to put it on the ground behind the automobile, and after the use of the sign is ended, the driver must return the warning sign to the rear trunk, which will affect the willingness of the driver to use the conventional triangular sign. Hence, it is necessary to improve the conventional triangular failure sign.
The aforesaid disadvantages can be avoided by this invention. It is found that the conventional triangular failure sign is requested to be put at a distance behind the failed automobile, which is because the triangular warning sign can not be easily seen by the drivers of automobiles far away from the failed automobile; therefore it is necessary to increase the distance between the automobile and the sign, also because of the poor warning effect of the conventional warning sign of reflection type, the distance between the automobile and the sign must be increased and thus the driver must walk back and forth to put and return the warning sign, which is very troublesome and inconvenient. Hence, if height of the warning sign (i.e., being put high above the ground) and the brightness of the sign can be improved, the aforesaid disadvantages can be overcome.

Structure of a variable triangular warning light on the third braking light in the rear turbulence plate of an automobile


A power distribution network including a voltage support transformer is disclosed which uses the fault current from a line of the power distribution network in which a fault condition exists to support or stabilize the voltage across one or more other lines of the network connected to the same bus and seeing the same source impedance, to maintain the voltage in those lines substantially at the pre-fault levels. The voltage support or stabilization in the unfaulted line is based upon a current change due to the impedance change in the faulted line caused by the fault.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process and device for limiting the effect of a fault condition in one line of a power distribution network on other power lines in the same network using a voltage support transformer.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,690, issued to Judson et al., describes a multi-coupler which employs a multiple filar-wound transformer. The multi-coupler receives power from a single power source and redistributes the power to a number of different loads. Any unbalancing load current between the various power lines feeding the different loads is reflected back into each transformer winding pair and dissipated through balance resistors which shunt each winding pair. Therefore, power is evenly distributed across to each load.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,728, issued to Mitsui et al., describes an interconnection apparatus with impedance insertion means for use in an electrical power system. The interconnection apparatus and impedance insertion means are used to instantaneously isolate one or more sections of the power system when there is a fault condition present, thus limiting the fault condition to the affected sections of the power distribution section.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,471, issued to Bishop et al., describes a current limiting power supply in which a plurality of loads are isolated from each other with a saturating transformer and a series inductor, such that each load can be shorted without affecting the operation of any other load.
Prior systems, however, fail to adequately reduce the effects of a power perturbation in a power distribution network on unperturbed lines.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a voltage and current support in unperturbed, e.g., unfaulted, lines of a power distribution network during a perturbation, e.g., fault, in one line supplied from the same power source.
It is therefore also an object of the present invention to reduce the effects voltage or current perturbations, e.g., fault conditions, have on unperturbed lines of a power distribution network.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a voltage transformer and distribution system which can be designed for smaller current stresses and with lower design and production costs.
It is yet another object of the present invention to protect important or sensitive loads on a power distribution network from the effects of a fault or other power perturbation within the network.

Power distribution network incorporating a voltage support transformer and process of use


An upflow or downflow furnace comprising a housing; a heat exchanger section in the housing, a blower section in the housing, and a blower deck in the housing having an upward side and a downward side. The heat exchanger section includes at least one heat exchanger and the blower section includes a blower for moving air through the heat exchanger section. The blower deck separates the blower section and the heat exchanger section. The blower deck includes an aperture and means, in proximity to the aperture, for either mounting the blower to the downward side of the blower deck for an upflow furnace configuration or mounting the blower to the upward side of the blower deck for a downflow furnace configuration.

The present invention is directed to a heat exchanger for a gas furnace, and more particularly, to a blower deck which can support a blower in either an upflow furnace arrangement or a downflow furnace arrangement.
In previous furnaces two distinct blower decks have been required to supply the separate needs of an upflow furnace and a downflow furnace. An upflow furnace required a blower deck from which the blower hung, while a downflow furnace required a blower deck upon which the blower rested. In these previous arrangements the blower is affixed to the blower deck using spot welded brackets or other cumbersome and time consuming arrangements.

Blower deck for upflow or downflow furnace