The International Standard for Recombinant DNA-derived Erythropoietin: collaborative study of four recombinant DNA-derived erythropoietins and two highly purified human urinary erythropoietins
Authors: Storring P. L. , Gaines Das R. E. 
Published: December 2008

The International Standard (IS) for Recombinant DNA-Derived (rDNA) Erythropoietin (EPO) (in ampoules coded 87/684) and three other rDNA EPO preparations in ampoules coded 87/690, 87/696 and 88/574 respectively, were compared with two preparations of highly purified human urinary (HU) EPO and the 2nd International Reference Preparation of Human Urinary Erythropoietin for Bioassay (2nd IRP) by 26 laboratories in 11 countries using a wide range of in-vivo and in-vitro bioassays and immunoassays. These EPO preparations were also compared by electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing.

Estimates of EPO content in terms of the 2nd IRP by all in-vivo bioassay methods gave combined unweighted geometric means (with 95% fiducial limits) of: 86 (75–99) IU/ampoule for the IS, 81 (70–94) IU/ampoule for 87/690, 58 (48–71) IU/ampoule for 87/696 and 120 (100–143) IU/ampoule for 88/574. Mean estimates of EPO content in terms of the 2nd IRP by in-vitro bioassays (except receptor assays) were larger than, and those by immunoassays were similar to, the mean estimates by in-vivo bioassays.

The use of purified rDNA or HU EPO as standards in place of the 2nd IRP reduced the inter-laboratory variability of estimates of purified EPO preparations by in-vivo and in-vitro bioassays and by immunoassays, and reduced the variability of overall mean estimates for each of these preparations between the three types of method. The inter-laboratory variability of immunoassay estimates of human serum EPO was similar whether the 2nd IRP or one of the purified EPOs was used as standard.

Significant differences in in-vivo and in-vitro biological, immunological and physicochemical properties were found between these four rDNA EPO preparations and between them and the HU EPO in the two purified preparations and in the 2nd IRP. There were also differences between the immunoreactivities of the two serum EPO samples included in the study, and between them and the immunoreactivities of the purified EPOs. The differences between rDNA EPOs appeared to be related to differences between the cells used for their biosynthesis, but may also be the result of differences in purification methods and of inter-batch variations.

Significant differences in assay specificity were observed within each of the three general types of method. The specificity of the in-vivo bioassays was influenced by the route of hormone administration. The specificities of the mouse spleen cell in-vitro bioassays differed from that of the mouse spleen receptor-binding assay. The specificity of one-site immunoassays differed with the type of EPO used as antigen or tracer, with most notable differences between assays using antisera to rDNA and HU EPO. Two-site immunoassays gave significantly lower estimates for serum EPO than one-site immunoassays.

On the basis of these results, the World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Biological Standardization established the preparation in ampoules coded 87/684 as the International Standard for Recombinant DNA-Derived Erythropoietin with an activity of 86 IU Erythropoietin, rDNA-Derived, per ampoule. It also recommended that the WHO keep under consideration the establishment of separate standards for naturally occurring EPO and for rDNA EPO produced in different cell lines.

Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 134, 459–484