Stability of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) in aqueous solution: analytical methods, kinetics, products, and solution formulation implications.

The thermal stability of IL-1 beta in aqueous solution as a function of temperature (5-60 degrees C), pH (2-9), buffer (acetate, citrate, tris, and phosphate), and cyroprotectants (sugars, HSA) was investigated in this study. The analytical methodologies included RP-HPLC, SEC, ELISA, IEF-PAGE, SDS-PAGE, and bioassay. The degradation and inactivation of IL-1 beta at or above 39 degrees C were attributed to autoxidation of the two cysteine residues in the denatured protein, followed by hydrophobic/covalent aggregation and precipitation. At or below 30 degrees C, IEF- and SDS-PAGE results suggest a possible deamidation reaction. The difference in mechanism of degradation precludes the prediction of formulation shelf life from accelerated temperature data. Nonetheless, the good stability observed at 5 degrees C suggests that a solution formulation may be feasible for IL-1 beta.