Top-down proteomic analysis of monoclonal antibodies by capillary zone electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

Abstract

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is considered an alternative to advanced chromatographic methods for the analysis of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as those are well applicable for the high-resolution separation of intact proteins, proteoforms or even protein complexes. Thus, CZE with mass spectrometry (MS) detection, has the potential to grow into a powerful analytical platform for the extensive investigation of mAbs. The top-down proteomic approach, where the application of CZE-MS might be exceptionally beneficial, provides the determination of both the accurate molecular mass and several microheterogeneities. Although there is a relatively small number of publications about the CZE-MS of mAbs, the pharmaceutical industry has an unambiguous interest on this field and thorough, intensive research has been initiated. In this review, we surveyed the developments of top-down CZE‐MS applied for mAbs. The merits and limitations of the published capillary coatings and running electrolytes used for CZE-MS were discussed. The different aspects of CZE-MS hyphenation, furthermore, the applications of such mAb studies were surveyed, as well.