Long-term multiplication of the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line in a serum-free medium

Summary A new synthetic medium (referred to as GC₃) that supports the growth of the Chinese hamster ovary cell line has been developed. It is composed of a 1∶1 mixture of Ham's F12 and modified Eagle's minimum essential (MEM.S) mediums supplemented with transferrin (10 μg/ml), insulin (80 mU/ml), and selenium (1×10⁻⁷ M). Other more simple supplementations of our basal medium MEM.S/F12 (transferrin+insulin, transferrin+selenium, ferrous iron+selenium) also give good cell growth responses. Fibronectin or serum pretreatment is not needed for cellular attachment and spreading. Our culture system is characterized by a continuous serum-free cultivation (more than 200 doublings), a clonal growth, a high density proliferation, and a rapid growth rate near that of cells in serum-supplemented medium.     

Pre-structured motifs in the natively unstructured preS1 surface antigen of hepatitis B virus

The preS1 surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is known to play an important role in the initial attachment of HBV to hepatocytes. We have characterized structural features of the full-length preS1 using heteronuclear NMR methods and discovered that this 119-residue protein is inherently unstructured without a unique tertiary structure under a nondenaturing condition. Yet, combination of various NMR parameters shows that the preS1 contains "pre-structured" domains broadly covering its functional domains. The most prominent domain is formed by residues 27-45 and overlaps with the putative hepatocyte-binding domain (HBD) encompassing residues 21-47, within which two well-defined pre-structured motifs, formed by Pro(32)-Ala(36) and Pro(41)-Phe(45) are found. Additional, somewhat less prominent, pre-structured motifs are also formed by residues 11-18, 22-25, 37-40, and 46-50. Overall results suggest that the preS1 is a natively unstructured protein (NUP) whose N-terminal 50 residues, populated with multiple pre-structured motifs, contribute critically to hepatocyte binding.     

An anti-viral peptide derived from the preS1 surface protein of hepatitis B virus

The preS1 surface protein of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a key factor involved in initial viral entry into hepatocytes. It has been long postulated that an anti-HBV effect should be achievable using peptide fragments of the preS1. Recent reports demonstrated that several preS1-derived lipo-peptides in genotype D HBV exhibit nano to picomolar inhibitory activity against HBV infection. In this study, an acylated analog of a preS1 fragment, a 21-residue lipo-peptide (named 7524 BVS7) with a sequence of palmitoyl-GMGTNLSVPNPLGFFPDHQLDC-NH2, from genotype C HBV was produced base upon a previous structural study and was shown potently inhibits HBV infection with an IC(50) of approximately 20 nM.     

Development of a serum-free culture medium for the large scale production of recombinant protein from a Chinese hamster ovary cell line

A serum-free medium, WCM5, has been developed for the large scale propagation of CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cells which express recombinant protein using dihydrofolate reductase as a selectable marker. WCM5 was prepared by supplementing Iscoves medium without lecithin, albumin or transferrin with a number of components which were shown to benefit growth. WCM5 medium contained 5 mg l^–1 human recombinant insulin (Nucellin) but was otherwise protein-free. CHO 3D11^* cells which had been engineered to express a humanised antibody, CAMPATH^*-1H, were routinely grown using serum-containing medium. From a seeding density of 10⁵ cells ml^–1, cells grown in static culture with serum reached a maximal cell density of 6.5×10⁵ cells ml^–1 after 6 days in culture and produced a maximal antibody concentration of 69 mg l^–1 after 11 days in culture. CHO 3D11^* cells grown with serum were washed in serum-free medium then cultured in WCM5 medium. Following a period of adaptation the cell growth and product yield was superior to that achieved with serum-containing medium. CHO cells producing CAMPATH-1H grown in an 8000 l stirred bioreactor seeded with 2×10⁵ cells ml^–1 reached a maximal viable cell density of 2.16×10⁶ cells ml^–1 after 108 h in culture and a maximal antibody concentration of 131.1 mg l^–1 after 122 h in culture.Abbreviations CHO Chinese hamster ovary - dhfr dihydrofolate reductase - dhfr dihydrofolate reductase deficient - MTX methotrexate - H hypoxanthine - T thymidine - T/V trypsin versene - F12 Hams F12 medium - NEAA non essential amino acids     

Characterization of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line resistant to uncouplers

The chemiosmotic theory of oxidative phosphorylation and the action of uncouplers was examined by characterizing a clone, UH5, of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO TK-) cells resistant to 5-chloro-3-tert-butyl-2'-chloro-4'-nitrosalicylanilide (S-13), a potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. About 9-times and 4-times more S-13 was required to effect growth and respiration respectively of UH5 cells compared to the parental CHO TK- cells. UH5 cells were cross-resistant to the uncouplers SF-6847 (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzylidenemalononitrile), carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone and 2,4-dinitrophenol but not to oligomycin, venturicidin or Tevenel. Size, chromosome number and DNA content indicated that the UH5 cell line was probably pseudotetraploid compared to the parental pseudodiploid CHO TK- cells. Hybrid and cybrid cells formed from crosses of UH5 cells and cytoplasts, respectively, with an uncoupler-sensitive cell line were sensitive to S-13 indicating that resistance is probably nuclear-determined. UH5 cell mitochondria had increased cytochrome oxidase and decreased H+-ATPase activities. A fivefold resistance of oxidative phosphorylation to uncouplers was found at the mitochondrial level with respiration driven by either succinate or ascorbate/N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine. In contrast, no difference in sensitivity was found to valinomycin between mitochondria from UH5 and CHO TK- cells. The oligomycin-sensitive H+-ATPase activity of UH5 and CHO TK- cell mitochondria was equally stimulated by the uncoupler S-13. Uncoupler-resistant mitochondria would not be expected on the basis of the chemiosmotic theory, and the relation of the results to other modes of coupling is considered.     

Chromosome-mediated gene transfer with the Chinese hamster ovary cell line

Using an improved method of chromosome-mediated gene transfer, we have investigated transfer of the codominantly expressed methotrexate-resistant dihydrofolate reductase (MtxRIIIdhfr) gene into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell recipients. The frequency of dhfr gene transfer with CHO cells varied considerably from clone to clone, ranging from 4 X 10(-7) to 5 X 10(-5). Using appropriate cell recipients we were able to test for linkage of several genetic markers available in the CHO cell line. For example, the mutation resulting in the auxotrophic glyB-CHO cell line has been reported by others to be linked to the dhfr gene. However, we could not demonstrate cotransfer of these two markers when glyB- recipient cells were treated with MtxRIII chromosomes and transformant clones were selected for either methotrexate-resistance (MtxR) or glycine prototrophy. We conclude that these two genes are not closely linked in the hamster genome. However, the genes for thymidine kinase (tk) and galactokinase (gk), which are known to be linked in mammalian genomes, were found to cotransfer into CHO recipients with a frequency of about 50%.     

Diversity in host clone performance within a Chinese hamster ovary cell line

Much effort has been expended to improve the capabilities of individual Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) host cell lines to synthesize recombinant therapeutic proteins (rPs). However, given the increasing variety in rP molecular types and formats it may be advantageous to employ a toolbox of CHO host cell lines in biomanufacturing. Such a toolbox would contain a panel of hosts with specific capabilities to synthesize certain molecular types at high volumetric concentrations and with the correct product quality (PQ). In this work, we examine a panel of clonally derived host cell lines isolated from CHOK1SV for the ability to manufacture two model proteins, an IgG4 monoclonal antibody (Mab) and an Fc‐fusion protein (etanercept). We show that these host cell lines vary in their relative ability to synthesize these proteins in transient and stable pool production format. Furthermore, we examined the PQ attributes of the stable pool‐produced Mab and etanercept (by N‐glycan ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and liquid chromatography ‐ tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS), respectively), and uncovered substantial variation between the host cell lines in Mab N‐glycan micro‐heterogeneity and etanercept N and O‐linked macro‐heterogeneity. To further investigate the capabilities of these hosts to act as cell factories, we examined the glycosylation pathway gene expression profiles as well as the levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria in the untransfected hosts. We uncovered a moderate correlation between ER mass and the volumetric product concentration in transient and stable pool Mab production. This work demonstrates the utility of leveraging diversity within the CHOK1SV pool to identify new host cell lines with different performance characteristics. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:1187–1200, 2015     

Structural and functional characterization of a monoclonal antibody specific for the preS1 region of hepatitis B virus.

The monoclonal antibody 5a19, raised against the ay serotype of hepatitis B virus, binds to the segment of the preS1 region comprising residues 37-43, which is implicated in attachment of the virus to hepatocytes. The dissociation constant, derived from kinetic studies using surface plasmon resonance techniques, is in the low nanomolar range. The nucleotide sequence of the variable domains has been determined and the corresponding germ-line genes have been identified. The three-dimensional structure of the Fab fragment has been determined by X-ray crystallography to 2.6 A resolution.     

Genetic analysis of mitomycin-C-sensitive mutants of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line

5 mutants of a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line, which exhibit similar levels of sensitivity to killing by mitomycin C, have been analysed genetically to determine whether they represent one or more genetic complementation groups. Hybrids were constructed by fusing cells carrying either the neo or the Ecogpt marker and selecting in medium containing G418 and mycophenolic acid. Selectable markers were introduced into the cells by DNA transfection using pSV5-neo or pSV5-gpt, which represents a quick and convenient method for generating resistant derivatives. Hybrids generated by crosses between any one mutant and the parental cell line exhibited near wild-type resistance to mitomycin C, indicating that the mutants are phenotypically recessive. Self-cross hybrids for all 5 mutants had D37 values for killing by mitomycin C of between 20 and 30 ng/ml. The values obtained for crosses between different mutants were 60-105 ng/ml, with the exception of 1 pairing which gave a value of 33 ng/ml. These results indicate that that the mutants represent at least 4 different genetic complementation groups, suggesting that cellular resistance to mitomycin C is mediated via a number of different mechanisms.     

Immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B virus surface antigen fused with preS1 epitopes expressed in rice seeds

To test the possibility of producing a novel hepatitis B vaccine in plants, the modified hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) gene SS1 was expressed in rice under the control of the seed-specific Glub-4 promoter. The SS1 gene encodes a fusion protein consisting of amino acids 21-47 of the hepatocyte receptor-binding presurface 1 region (preS1) fused to the truncated C-terminus of the major HBV surface (S) protein. The production of antibodies against the preS1 region acts to protect humans against HBV infection by preventing HBV from binding to hepatocytes. The presence of SS1 in the genome of transgenic rice was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis, and RNA dot blot analysis indicated that the fused SS1 gene was specifically expressed in rice seeds, with the highest expression level being about 31.5 ng/g dry weight grain. Western blot analysis revealed that the recombinant SS1 protein could be specifically recognized by both an anti-S protein antibody and an anti-preS1 antibody. The recombinant SS1 protein was also observed to form virus-like particles with a diameter of about 22 nm and a density of 1.25 g cm(-3). Furthermore, immunological responses against both the S and preS1 epitopes were induced in BALB/c mice immunized with the recombinant SS1 protein, indicating that this rice-derived SS1 protein could be a promising candidate as an alternative HBV vaccine for preventing hepatitis B.     

Development of apoptosis-resistant dihydrofolate reductase-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cell line

Apoptosis-resistant dihydrofolate reductase-deficient CHO cell line (dhfr(-) CHO-bcl2) was developed by introduction of the bcl-2 gene into the dhfr(-) CHO cell line (DUKX-B11, ATCC CRL-9096) and subsequent selection of clones stably overexpressing Bcl-2 in the absence of selection pressure. When the dhfr(-) CHO-bcl2 cell line was used as a host cell line for development of a recombinant CHO (rCHO) cell line expressing a humanized antibody, it displayed stable expression of the bcl-2 gene during rCHO cell line development and no detrimental effect of Bcl-2 overexpression on specific antibody productivity. Taken together, the results obtained demonstrate that the use of an apoptosis-resistant dhfr(-) CHO cell line as the host cell line saves the effort of establishing an apoptosis-resistant rCHO cell line and expedites the development process of apoptosis-resistant rCHO cells producing therapeutic proteins.     

Polypeptides of hepatitis B virus surface antigen produced by a hepatoma cell line.

The PLC/PRF/5 cell line derived from a human hepatoma produces hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 22-nm particles of the same buoyant density as those found in the serum of infected patients. The HBsAg particles from this cell line were labeled with [35S]methionine and purified, and the polypeptides were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with those of serum-derived particles. The two major polypeptides of serum-derived HBsAg particles (p20 and p23) were found in the same relative amounts in the particles from the cell line. The three smallest of the five minor components observed in HBsAg particles from serum were present in particles from the cell line. These polypeptides (p31, p36, and p43), as well as p20 and p23, were precipitated with anti-HBs-containing serum. The two largest polypeptides of serum particles (p49 and p66) were not detected in particles from these cells. When the PLC/PRF/5 HBsAg particles were radiolabeled with tritiated sugars, p23, and not p20, was found to contain radioactivity, indicating that the pattern of polypeptide glycosylation is similar to that of serum HBsAg. None of the other possible gene products of hepatitis B virus was detected in the PLC/PRF/5-derived HBsAg particles, in the cells, or in the cell supernatants.     

The genomic sequence of the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cell line

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-derived cell lines are the preferred host cells for the production of therapeutic proteins. Here we present a draft genomic sequence of the CHO-K1 ancestral cell line. The assembly comprises 2.45 Gb of genomic sequence, with 24,383 predicted genes. We associate most of the assembled scaffolds with 21 chromosomes isolated by microfluidics to identify chromosomal locations of genes. Furthermore, we investigate genes involved in glycosylation, which affect therapeutic protein quality, and viral susceptibility genes, which are relevant to cell engineering and regulatory concerns. Homologs of most human glycosylation-associated genes are present in the CHO-K1 genome, although 141 of these homologs are not expressed under exponential growth conditions. Many important viral entry genes are also present in the genome but not expressed, which may explain the unusual viral resistance property of CHO cell lines. We discuss how the availability of this genome sequence may facilitate genome-scale science for the optimization of biopharmaceutical protein production.     

Behavior of a short preS1 epitope on the surface of hepatitis B core particles

The major immunodominant region of hepatitis B core particles is widely recognized as the most prospective target for the insertion of foreign epitopes, ensuring their maximal antigenicity and immunogenicity. This region was mapped around amino acid residues 79-81, which were shown by electron cryo-microscopy to be located on the tips of the spikes protruding from the surface of hepatitis B core shells. Here we tried to expose a model sequence, the short immunodominant hepatitis B preS1 epitope 31-DPAFR-35, onto the tip of the spike, with simultaneous deletion of varying stretches from the major immunodominant region of the HBc molecule. Accessibility to the monoclonal anti-preS1 antibody MA18/7 and specific immunogenicity of the preS1 epitope depended on the location and length of the deletion. While chimeras with deletions within the stretch 79-88 presented the preS1 epitope on their surface and demonstrated remarkable preS1 immunogenicity, the corresponding chimeras without any deletion or with a more prolonged deletion (79-93) were unable to provide such presentation and possessed a lower specific preS1 immunogenicity. Deletion of the stretch 79-81 was sufficient to avoid the intrinsic HBc immunogenicity of the core particles, although chimeras with deleted major immunodominant region retained their property to be recognized by human polyclonal or hyperimmune anti-HBc antibodies.     

Cell cycle phase dependent productivity of a recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cell line

A Chinese Hamster Ovary cell line, CHO1-15₅₀₀, producing recombinant human tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA) via the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) amplification system, was studied in batch culture. In this system both DHFR and tPA are under the control of the strong constitutive viral SV40 early promoter. Employing the cumulative viable cell-hour approach, the specific productivity of tPA had maxima in the lag (0.065 pg cell⁻¹ h⁻¹) and early decline (0.040 pg cell⁻¹ h⁻¹) population growth phases. The viable population was assigned into four subpopulations (G1, S, G2/M phase, and Apoptotic cells) using flow cytometric analysis. As expected, intracellular DHFR was maximally expressed during the S cell cycle phase. The production of tPA, however, was found to be a direct linear function of the G1 phase, with a subpopulation specific productivity of 0.080 pg c-h⁻¹. Productivity maxima in the lag and early decline corroborate the flow cytometric data, indicative that this recombinant tPA production occurs primarily in the G1 cell cycle phase, not the S phase. This suggests that endogenous regulatory mechanisms are important controlling influences on the production of recombinant tPA in this ovarian cell line. Productivity from recombinant cell lines cannot be inferred from either the plasmid construct or the host cell alone. Elucidation of the relationship between expression of recombinant protein and the cell cycle phases of the host cell is a major component of the characterization of the animal cell production system. This information facilitates rational process design, including operating mode, modelling and control, and medium formulation.