Multi‐Omics Reveals Impact of Cysteine Feed Concentration and Resulting Redox Imbalance on Cellular Energy Metabolism and Specific Productivity in CHO Cell Bioprocessing

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are currently the primary host cell lines used in biotherapeutic manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other biopharmaceuticals. Cellular energy metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are known to greatly impact cell growth, viability, and specific productivity of a biotherapeutic; but the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The authors previously employed multi‐omics profiling to investigate the impact of a reduction in cysteine (Cys) feed concentration in a fed‐batch process and found that disruption of the redox balance led to a substantial decline in cell viability and titer. Here, the multi‐omics findings are expanded, and the impact redox imbalance has on ER stress, mitochondrial homeostasis, and lipid metabolism is explored. The reduced Cys feed activates the amino acid response (AAR), increases mitochondrial stress, and initiates gluconeogenesis. Multi‐omics analysis reveals that together, ER stress and AAR signaling shift the cellular energy metabolism to rely primarily on anaplerotic reactions, consuming amino acids and producing lactate, to maintain energy generation. Furthermore, the pathways are demonstrated in which this shift in metabolism leads to a substantial decline in specific productivity and altered mAb glycosylation. Through this work, meaningful bioprocess markers and targets for genetic engineering are identified.     

Proteomic differences in recombinant CHO cells producing two similar antibody fragments

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the most commonly used mammalian hosts for the production of biopharmaceuticals. To overcome unfavorable features of CHO cells, a lot of effort is put into cell engineering to improve phenotype. “Omics” studies investigating elevated growth rate and specific productivities as well as extracellular stimulus have already revealed many interesting engineering targets. However, it remains largely unknown how physicochemical properties of the recombinant product itself influence the host cell. In this study, we used quantitative label‐free LC‐MS proteomic analyses to investigate product‐specific proteome differences in CHO cells producing two similar antibody fragments. We established recombinant CHO cells producing the two antibodies, 3D6 and 2F5, both as single‐chain Fv‐Fc homodimeric antibody fragments (scFv‐Fc). We applied three different vector strategies for transgene delivery (i.e., plasmid, bacterial artificial chromosome, recombinase‐mediated cassette exchange), selected two best performing clones from transgene variants and transgene delivery methods and investigated three consecutively passaged cell samples by label‐free proteomic analysis. LC‐MS‐MS profiles were compared in several sample combinations to gain insights into different aspects of proteomic changes caused by overexpression of two different heterologous proteins. This study suggests that not only the levels of specific product secretion but the product itself has a large impact on the proteome of the cell. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1902–1912. © 2016 The Authors. Biotechnology and Bioengineering Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

BiP Inducer X: An ER Stress Inhibitor for Enhancing Recombinant Antibody Production in CHO Cell Culture

Prolonged endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress reduces protein synthesis and induces apoptosis in mammalian cells. When dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a specific monoclonal antibody productivity (q_mAb)‐enhancing reagent, is added to recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell cultures (GSR cell line), it induces ER stress and apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. To determine an effective ER stress inhibitor, three ER stress inhibitors (BiP inducer X [BIX], tauroursodeoxycholic acid, and carbazole) are examined and BIX shows the best production performance. Coaddition of BIX (50 μm ) with DMSO extends the culture longevity and enhances q_mAb. As a result, the maximum mAb concentration is significantly increased with improved galactosylation. Coaddition of BIX significantly increases the expression level of binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) followed by increased expression of chaperones (calnexin and GRP94) and galactosyltransferase. Furthermore, the expression levels of CHOP, a well‐known ER stress marker, and cleaved caspase‐3 are significantly reduced, suggesting that BIX addition reduces ER stress‐induced cell death by relieving ER stress. The beneficial effect of BIX on mAb production is also demonstrated with another q_mAb‐enhancing reagent (sodium butyrate) and a different rCHO cell line (CS13‐1.00). Taken together, BIX is an effective ER stress inhibitor that can be used to increase mAb production in rCHO cells.     

Assessment of cell engineering strategies for improved therapeutic protein production in CHO cells

Recombinant glycoprotein therapeutics have proven to be invaluable pharmaceuticals for the treatment of various diseases. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are widely used in industry for the production of these proteins. Several strategies for engineering CHO cells for improved protein production have been tried with considerable results. The focus has mainly been to increase the specific productivity and to extend the culture longevity by preventing programmed cell death. These CHO cell engineering strategies, particularly those developed in Korea, are reviewed here.     

A CHO cell line engineered to express XBP1 and ERO1‐Lα has increased levels of transient protein expression

Transient gene expression (TGE) systems currently provide rapid and scalable (up to 100 L) methods for generating multigram quantities of recombinant heterologous proteins. Product titers of up to 1 g/L have been demonstrated in HEK293 cells 1 but reported yields from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are lower at ～300 mg/L. 2 We report on the establishment of an engineered CHOS cell line, which has been developed for TGE. This cell line has been engineered to express both X‐box binding protein (XBP‐1S) and endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase (ERO1‐Lα) and has been named CHOS‐XE. CHOS‐XE cells produced increased antibody (MAb) yields (5.3– 6.2 fold) in comparison to CHOS cells. Product quality was unchanged as assessed by size, charge, propensity to aggregate, major glycosylation species, and thermal stability. To further develop and test this TGE system, five commercial media were assessed, and one was shown to offer the greatest increase in antibody yields. With the addition of a commercial feed, MAb titers reached 875 mg/L. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:697–706, 2013     

A Predictive Mathematical Model of Cell Cycle,Metabolism, and Apoptosis of Monoclonal Antibody‐Producing GS–NS0 Cells

The monoclonal antibody (mAb) industry is witnessing unprecedented growth, with an increasing range of new molecules and biosimilars as well as disease targets approved than ever before. Competition necessitates pharmaceutical companies to reduce development/production costs and time‐to‐market. To this aim, mathematical modeling can aid traditional experiment‐only‐based process development by reducing the design space, integrating scales, and assisting in identifying optimal operating conditions in less time and with lower expense. Mathematical models have been employed by other industries for control and optimization purposes and are important decisional tools for testing scenarios, process configurations, operating conditions, etc. Herein, a predictive, experimentally validated mathematical model that captures cellular metabolism and growth with cell cycle, cell death (apoptosis), and mAb production in GS–NS0 cells is presented. The model utilizes cellular, metabolic, and gene expression data, highlighting how multiple data sources can be integrated in one tool with the aim of optimizing mammalian cell bioprocessing.     

CHO细胞表达糖蛋白的研究进展*

中国仓鼠卵巢细胞(Chinese hamster ovary cells,CHO)表达系统因具有较高密度培养、高表达和相对完整的蛋白质糖基化修饰系统等特点,成为生产糖蛋白广泛应用的宿主表达细胞之一。目前已产生不同的CHO细胞系和各种功能细胞株以满足对糖蛋白的大量生产和其他实验需求。近年来,随着基因工程、蛋白质工程、细胞工程和发酵调控等技术的发展应用,由CHO细胞生产糖蛋白的产量和糖基化修饰程度取得了突破。然而,随着生物制品市场对于糖蛋白的需求增加,如何获得大量、均质的糖蛋白也成为急需解决的问题。综述了不同工程CHO表达系统的研究、应用、糖基化修饰系统,以及影响外源糖蛋白在CHO系统表达和糖基化修饰的理化因素,结合文献总结并预测了未来CHO细胞表达系统研究的四个具有重大意义的研究方向,以期在未来可以改善由CHO细胞表达糖蛋白的产量和质量。     

Transient and stable CHO expression,purification and characterization of novel hetero‐dimeric bispecific IgG antibodies

IgG bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) represent one of the preferred formats for bispecific antibody therapeutics due to their native‐like IgG properties and their monovalent binding to each target. Most reported studies utilized transient expression in HEK293 cells to produce BsAbs. However, the expression of biotherapeutic molecules using stable CHO cell lines is commonly used for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Unfortunately, limited information is available in the scientific literature on the expression of BsAbs in CHO cell lines. In this study we describe an alternative approach to express the multiple components of IgG BsAbs using a single plasmid vector (quad vector). This single plasmid vector contains both heavy chain genes and both light chain genes required for the expression and assembly of the IgG BsAb, along with a selectable marker. We expressed, purified, and characterized four different IgG BsAbs or “hetero‐mAbs” using transient CHO expression and stable CHO minipools. Transient CHO titers ranged from 90 to 160 mg/L. Stable CHO titers ranged from 0.4 to 2.3 g/L. Following a simple Protein A purification step, the percentage of correctly paired BsAbs ranged from 74% to 98% as determined by mass spectrometry. We also found that information generated from transient CHO expression was similar to information generated using stable CHO minipools. In conclusion, the quad vector approach represents a simple, but effective, alternative approach for the generation of IgG BsAbs in both transient CHO and stable CHO expression systems. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:469–477, 2017     

Rapid Desensitization of Serotonin 5-HT2C Receptor-Stimulated Intracellular Calcium Mobilization in CHO Cells Transfected with Cloned Human 5-HT2C Receptors

Abstract: Serotonin 5-HT_2C receptor-mediated intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization was investigated in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with 5-HT_2C receptors. Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester was used to investigate the regulation of 5-HT_2C receptor function. CHO cells, transfected with a cDNA clone for the 5-HT_2C receptor, expressed 287 fmol/mg of the receptor protein as determined by mianserin-sensitive [³H]mesulergine binding (K_D = 0.49 nM). The addition of 5-HT mobilized intracellular Ca²⁺ in a dose-dependent fashion, ranging from a basal level of 99 ± 1.8 up to 379 ± 18 nM, with an EC₅₀ value for 5-HT of 0.029 µM. Exposure to 5-HT, 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine dihydrochloride (a 5-HT_2C agonist), and 1-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (a 5-HT_2C and 5-HT_2A agonist) resulted in increased intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. Mianserin, mesulergine, ritanserin, and ketanserin each blocked 5-HT-mediated intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization more effectively than spiperone. The receptor was rapidly desensitized by preexposure to 5-HT in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Mezerein and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, protein kinase C activators, weakly inhibited the intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization induced by 10 µM 5-HT. Furthermore, the protein kinase C inhibitor H-7 partially prevented the protein kinase C activator-induced inhibition of the 5-HT-mediated increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. The desensitization induced by pretreatment with 5-HT was blocked by W-7, added in conjunction with 5-HT, and partially inhibited by W-5, a nonselective inhibitor of protein kinases and weak analogue of W-7. Therefore, the 5-HT_2C receptor may be connected with protein kinase C and calcium/calmodulin turnover. These results suggest that 5-HT_2C receptor activation mobilizes Ca²⁺ in CHO cells and that the acute desensitization of the receptor may be due to calmodulin kinase-mediated feedback.     

通过共表达转铁蛋白和细胞周期蛋白D1改造CHO细胞株

目的:对现有的CHO-DG44细胞株进行改造,得到在无血清培养基中更具生长优势的CHO宿主细胞株。方法:分别克隆转铁蛋白和细胞周期蛋白D1基因,构建共表达2种基因的pIRES质粒,转染CHO-DG44细胞株,筛选G418抗性克隆。结果与结论:得到3株G418阳性克隆株,其中转铁蛋白和细胞周期蛋白D1表达水平最高的S6与CHO-DG44相比,在无血清培养基中生长更快、密度更高。     

血管内皮细胞生长因子受体Flt—1胞外区基因的克隆及其在中国仓？…

朋原代培养的人脐静脉血管内皮细胞（ＨＵＶＥＣ）提取细胞总ＲＮＡ,采用逆转录ＰＣＲ（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）方法得到ＶＥＧＦ受体Ｆｌｔ－１胞外区前３个ＩｇＧ样区域ｃＤＮＡ片段（Ｆｌｔ－１ｎ３）。将获得的受体基因克隆到真核表达载体ｐｃＤ－ＮＡ３．１中,得到重组质粒ｐｃＤＮＡ３．１／Ｆｌｔ－１ｎ３,通过南体转染方法将其转入中国仓鼠卵巢细胞（ＣＨＯ）,用Ｇ４１８筛选得到稳定表达目的蛋白的细胞砍隆。经固相结合实验筛选     

Segmented linear modeling of CHO fed‐batch culture and its application to large scale production

We describe a systematic approach to model CHO metabolism during biopharmaceutical production across a wide range of cell culture conditions. To this end, we applied the metabolic steady state concept. We analyzed and modeled the production rates of metabolites as a function of the specific growth rate. First, the total number of metabolic steady state phases and the location of the breakpoints were determined by recursive partitioning. For this, the smoothed derivative of the metabolic rates with respect to the growth rate were used followed by hierarchical clustering of the obtained partition. We then applied a piecewise regression to the metabolic rates with the previously determined number of phases. This allowed identifying the growth rates at which the cells underwent a metabolic shift. The resulting model with piecewise linear relationships between metabolic rates and the growth rate did well describe cellular metabolism in the fed‐batch cultures. Using the model structure and parameter values from a small‐scale cell culture (2 L) training dataset, it was possible to predict metabolic rates of new fed‐batch cultures just using the experimental specific growth rates. Such prediction was successful both at the laboratory scale with 2 L bioreactors but also at the production scale of 2000 L. This type of modeling provides a flexible framework to set a solid foundation for metabolic flux analysis and mechanistic type of modeling. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 785–797. © 2016 The Authors. Biotechnology and Bioengineering Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Transport of Gabapentin, a γ-Amino Acid Drug, by System L α-Amino Acid Transporters: A Comparative Study in Astrocytes, Synaptosomes, and CHO Cells

Abstract: The system L transporter is generally considered to be one of the major Na⁺-independent carriers for large neutral α-amino acids in mammalian cells. However, we found that cultured astrocytes from rat brain cortex accumulate gabapentin, a γ-amino acid, predominantly by this α-amino acid transport system. Uptake of gabapentin by system L transporter was also examined in synaptosomes and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The inhibition pattern displayed by various amino acids on gabapentin uptake in astrocytes and synaptosomes corresponds closely to that observed for the system L transport activity in CHO cells. Gabapentin and leucine have K _m values that equal their K _i values for inhibition of each other, suggesting that leucine and gabapentin compete for the same system L transporter. By contrast, gabapentin exhibited no effect on uptake of GABA, glutamate, and arginine, indicating that these latter three types of brain transporters do not serve for uptake of gabapentin. A comparison of computer modeling analysis of gabapentin and l -leucine structures shows that although the former is a γ-amino acid, it can assume a conformation that can resemble the L-form of a large neutral α-amino acid such as l -leucine. The steady-state kinetic study in astrocytes and CHO cells indicates that the intracellular concentrations of gabapentin are about two to four times higher than that of leucine. The uptake levels of these two substrates are inversely related to their relative exodus rates. The concentrating ability by system L observed in astrocytes is consistent with the substantially high accumulation gradient of gabapentin in the brain tissue as determined by microdialysis.