title: Stability of Myrmecia pilosula (Jack Jumper) Ant venom for use in immunotherapy.
abstract: Allergy to Myrmecia pilosula (Jack Jumper Ant) venom is common in Australia, affecting ∼2.7% of some communities. Venom immunotherapy is a highly effective treatment, but for the venom to be widely distributed for clinical use, the stability and shelf-life of formulated Jack Jumper Ant venom must be demonstrated. HPLC-UV, ELISA Inhibition, SDS-PAGE and SDS-PAGE Immunoblot were used to assess venom stability under conditions of varying temperature, pH and in the presence of various stabilising agents. Optimal stability occurred between pH 8 and 10, however the presence of benzyl alcohol within this pH range resulted in a cloudy appearance within 3 days, so a pH of 6 was used. Increasing polysorbate 80 concentrations accelerated the degradation of allergenic peptides in 100 μg/mL venom, but improved stability at concentrations of 1 μg/mL or less. Sucrose reduced degradation of allergens Myr p 1 and Myr p 3, whilst glycerol was destabilizing. In the presence of 22% sucrose, 1.1mg/mL Jack Jumper Ant venom was stable at -18 °C and 4 °C for 12 months; following dilution to 100 μg/mL with 0.9% sodium chloride, 10mM phosphate (pH 6), 0.05% polysorbate 80 and 0.9% benzyl alcohol (giving 2% sucrose), venom was stable for 7 days when stored at 4 °C. Concentrated Jack Jumper Ant venom can be stored in 22% sucrose for 12 months, and after dilution to 100 μg/mL for clinical use, it should be discarded after 7 days.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia. Michael.wiese@unisa.edu.au
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wiese
authors.forename: Noel W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Tim K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Chataway
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Milne
authors.forename: Simon G A
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Heddle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000862:Ant Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004355:Drug Stability; D004356:Drug Storage; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005615:Freezing; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007167:Immunotherapy; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011136:Polysorbates / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000862:Ant Venoms; D010455:Peptides; D011136:Polysorbates