High-level expression of recombinant proteins ..

An application study is available from INTEGRA Biosciences (www.integra-biosciences.com) that describes the advantages of a novel disposable flask bioreactor for cultivation of high levels of recombinant proteins in CHO cells.

Optimised for protein expression from adherent cells the CELLine adhere disposable flask bioreactor incorporates a woven polyethylene terephthalate matrix in the cell compartment to provide an ideal surface for attachment of anchorage dependent cells such as CHO, HEK and BHK. Through use of membrane technology the two-compartment bioreactor CELLine adhere enables high cell densities and corresponding product concentrations to be grown in both batch and semi-continuous culture modes.

The study shows that adherent CHO cells were successfully cultivated for several weeks in the CELLine adhere reaching a density of 1.6 x 107 cells / ml. This represents a 10-fold increase when compared to non-compartmentalised culture systems such as T-Flasks. As a result of this high cell density a 9-fold improvement in the productivity of the expressed recombinant protein was achieved. Additional benefits noted by the researchers in using the CELLine adhere included decreased volumes of supernatant, lower consumption of serum and lower use of consumables resulting in significant savings in the time, labour and material costs of protein production and downstream processing.

The study demonstrates that the CELLine adhere is an ideal tool for rapid and cost effective small scale manufacturing of recombinant proteins in anchorage dependent cells.