Computer-assisted evaluation of polydisperse two-dimensional gel patterns of polysaccharide-protein conjugate...

Native Hemophilus influenzae polysaccharide-protein conjugate particles were analyzed by a two-dimensional agarose electrophoresis procedure. In view of their preparation by random chemical crosslinking, the conjugates necessarily exhibit a polydisperse two-dimensional gel pattern which varies depending on the conditions of the particular preparation. The polydisperse patterns were interpreted with regard to the size and surface net charge density of the conjugate on the basis of the extended Ogston model. Data processing was performed by a new program, designated ZWEIDI.DO, written in the language of M-LAB (modeling laboratory). The program computes particle and gel fiber specific parameters from the positions of standards and unknown(s) on the two-dimensional gel using a simultaneous linear least-square curve fitting routine. Based on these calculations, the program serves to compute a nomogram of iso-size and iso-free-mobility profiles. Superimposing these profiles on the gel patterns, the size and free mobility range of the polydisperse conjugate mixtures is obtained. Potentially, the procedure could serve as a tool for quality control in the production of conjugates as vaccines and for the physical characterization of polydisperse subcellular particles and vesicles.