Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol.54, No.2, 142-152, 1997
Effect of Elevated Oxygen and Glutamine Levels on Foreign Protein-Production at High Cell Densities Using the Insect Cell-Baculovirus Expression System
Per cell protein expression in virally-infected insect cells declines significantly at high cell density resulting in a decrease in volumetric productivity. Specific protein expression levels in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf-21) cells could be increased at high cell densities by increasing the oxygen supply and by supplementing the medium with glutamine post-infection. beta-Galactosidase yield was increased from 411 to 855 IU/mL by increasing the glutamine concentration in the medium by 46% and increasing the gas phase oxygen concentration from 21 to 80%. Similarly, the yield of a secreted alkaline phosphatase was increased from 14.2 to 26.2 IU/mL using the same conditions. Part of the increase in production with Sf-21 cultures was due to increased release to the extracellular compartment at the higher oxygen concentrations. Increasing the gas phase oxygen concentration to 95% in conjunction with a 100% increase in glutamine and glucose concentrations did not improve the yield any further. Peak production under elevated oxygen and nutrient conditions occurred at 72 h about 24-48 h earlier than under normal conditions. In a Trichoplusia ni cell line (BTI-TN-5B1-4), the maximum secreted alkaline phosphatase activity was increased from 10 to 27.2 IU/mt by similarly manipulating the oxygen supply.
Keywords:NUCLEAR-POLYHEDROSIS-VIRUS;EPOXIDE HYDROLASE;PLAQUE ASSAY;CULTURES;OPTIMIZATION;BIOREACTOR;VECTOR;GROWTH