Minimizing acylation of peptides in PLGA microspheres

The main objective of this study was to characterize and find mechanisms to prevent acylation of therapeutic peptides encapsulated in glucose-star poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. The effect of addition of divalent cation salts CaCl(2), MnCl(2) as well as carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) on inhibition of acylation of octreotide (Oct), salmon calcitonin (sCT), and human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) was evaluated. Peptide content and integrity inside the degrading microspheres was monitored by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry during release incubation under physiological conditions. The extent of peptide acylation was strongly inhibited in the formulations containing divalent cations and/or CMCS as excipients, although specific effects were dependent on the specific peptide and excipient combinations. Both inorganic cations improved stability of Oct and hPTH but not sCT. Addition of CMCS alone was ineffective. Combining inorganic cations with CMCS improved stability of Oct and sCT but it had no effect on hPTH stability. The operative stabilization mechanisms are consistent with blocking peptide-PLGA interactions by a) directly competing for PLGA interactions with dications and/or b) increasing peptide affinity in the stabilizer phase within PLGA pores. Hence, inorganic multivalent cations are general stabilizers against peptide acylation, the effect of which may be augmented in certain instances with addition of CMCS.