Asymmetrical Flow FFF as an Analytical Tool for the Investigation of the Physical Stability of Virus-Like Particles

作者：Lang R^*; Vogt L; Zuercher A; Winter G

来源：LC-GC North America, 2009, 27(9): 844-852.

A class of vaccines of growing interest is virus-like particles (VLPs). For quality control purposes the application of sensitive analytical methods is very important. In this study the rational development of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation methods (FFF) for the investigation of VLPs is illustrated. The effect of different membrane materials, cross-flow profiles and focusing times was investigated and the repeatability of a selected asymmetrical flow FFF method was analyzed. It is shown that VLP compositions can be classified by asymmetrical flow FFF into different fractions, that is, VLP fragments, monomers, dimers, oligomers and aggregates. Furthermore, by coupling asymmetrical flow FFF to UV and multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) detectors accurate quantification of the specific fraction and the determination of the molecular weight distributions are possible. Furthermore, asymmetrical flow FFF was compared to dynamic light scattering and size-exclusion chromatography. It was found that asymmetrical flow FFF exceeds the capabilities of these commonly applied methods with regard to the analysis of the physical properties of VLPs. In summary, the results demonstrate the high potential of asymmetrical flow FFF for the investigation of VLP formulations.

• 出版日期2009-9