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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor dysfunction and the loss of large motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain stem. A clear genetic link to point mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene has been shown in a small group of familial ALS patients. The exact etiology of ALS is still uncertain, but males have consistently been shown to be at a higher risk for the disease than females. Here we present male-specific effects of the mutant SOD1G93A transgene on proliferation, neurogenesis, and sensitivity to oxidative stress in rat neural progenitor cells (rNPCs). E14 pups were bred using SOD1G93A transgenic male rats and wild-type female rats. The spinal cord and cortex tissues were collected, genotyped by PCR using primers for the SOD1G93A transgene or the male- specific Sry gene, and cultured as neurospheres. The number of dividing cells was higher in male rNPCs compared to female rNPCs. However, SOD1G93A over-expression significantly reduced cell proliferation in male cells but not female cells. Similarly, male rNPCs produced more neurons compared to female rNPCs, but SOD1G93A over-expression significantly reduced the number of neurons produced in male cells. Finally we asked whether sex and SOD1G93A transgenes affected sensitivity to oxidative stress. There was no sex-based difference in cell viability after treatment with hydrogen peroxide or 3-morpholinosydnonimine, a free radical-generating agent. However, increased cytotoxicity by SOD1G93A over-expression occurred, especially in male rNPCs. These results provide essential information on how the mutant SOD1 gene and sexual dimorphism are involved in ALS disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Multi‐Attribute Methods (MAMs) are appealing due to their ability to provide data on multiple molecular attributes from a single assay. If fully realized, such tests could reduce the number of assays required to support a product control strategy while providing equivalent or greater product understanding relative to the conventional approach. In doing so, MAMs have the potential to decrease development and manufacturing costs by reducing the number of tests in a release panel. Methods: In this work, we report a MAM which is based on subunit mass analysis. Results: The MAM assay is shown to be suitable for use as a combined method for identity testing, glycan profiling, and protein ratio determination for co‐formulated monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs. This is achieved by taking advantage of the high mass accuracy and relative quantification capabilities of intact mass analysis using quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (Q‐TOF MS). Protein identification is achieved by comparing the measured masses of light chain (LC) and heavy chain (HC) mAbs against their theoretical values. Specificity is based on instrument mass accuracy. Glycan profiling and relative protein ratios are determined by the relative peak intensities of the protein HC glycoforms and LC glycoforms, respectively. Results for these relative quantifications agree well with those obtained by the conventional hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and reversed‐phase LC methods. Conclusions: The suitability of this MAM for use in a quality control setting is demonstrated through assessment specificity for mAb identity, and accuracy, precision, linearity and robustness for glycan profiling and ratio determination. Results from this study indicate that a MAM with subunit mass analysis has the potential to replace three conventional methods widely used for mAb release testing including identification assay, glycosylation profiling, and ratio determination for co‐formulated mAbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]