Recombinant cell clones having increased stability and methods of making and using the same
RE046897 ยท 2018-06-19
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
C12N2500/50
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C12N5/0043
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
International classification
C12N5/00
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
Abstract
Disclosed are a stable recombinant cell clones which are stable in serum- and protein-free medium for at least 40 generations, a biomass obtained by multiplying the stable cell clone under serum- and protein-free culturing conditions, and a method of preparing recombinant proteins by means of the biomass. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of recovering stable recombinant cell clones.
Claims
.[.1. A method for obtaining a stable recombinant mammalian cell clone that produces a recombinant product and is stable under production conditions in serum- and protein-free medium for at least 40 generations, the method comprising: providing a recombinant original mammalian cell clone, wherein the recombinant original mammalian cell clone has a selection marker, cultivating the recombinant original cell clone on serum-containing medium, adapting the cells to serum- and protein-free medium with neither selection pressure for the selection marker nor selection for a polypeptide factor that replaces serum components, testing the cell culture after adaptation for stable product-producers with neither selection pressure for the selection marker nor selection for a polypeptide factor that replaces serum components, and cloning a stable product-producer-cell clone in serum- and protein-free conditions with neither selection pressure for the selection marker nor selection for a polypeptide factor that replaces serum components..].
.[.2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stable product-producer cell clone obtained is present in isolated form after the step of cloning..].
.[.3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recombinant cell clone comprises a nucleic acid encoding a recombinant polypeptide or protein..].
.[.4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recombinant product is Factor VIII..].
.[.5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recombinant product is Factor IX..].
.[.6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recombinant product is Factor VII..].
.[.7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recombinant product is von Willebrand factor (vWF)..].
.[.8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the original mammalian cell clone is a CHO cell clone..].
.Iadd.9. A stable product-producer-cell clone that produces a recombinant product obtained by the method comprising: providing a recombinant original mammalian cell clone, wherein the recombinant original mammalian cell clone has a selection marker and an amplification marker, cultivating the recombinant original cell clone on serum-containing medium to create a cell culture, adapting the cell culture to serum- and protein-free medium with neither selection pressure for the selection marker nor selection pressure for the amplification marker, testing the cell culture after adaptation for stable product-producers with neither selection pressure for the selection marker nor selection pressure for the amplification marker, and isolating a stable product-producer-cell clone in serum- and protein-free conditions with neither selection pressure for the selection marker nor selection pressure for the amplification marker..Iaddend.
.Iadd.10. The stable product-producer-cell clone according to claim 9, wherein the recombinant product is Factor VIII..Iaddend.
.Iadd.11. The stable product-producer-cell clone according to claim 9, wherein the recombinant product is Factor IX..Iaddend.
.Iadd.12. The stable product-producer-cell clone according to claim 9, wherein the recombinant product is Factor VII..Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. The stable product-producer-cell clone according to claim 9, wherein the recombinant product is von Willebrand factor (vWF)..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The stable product-producer-cell clone according to claim 9, wherein the stable recombinant mammalian cell clone is a CHO cell clone..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. A cell culture comprising a stable product-producer-cell clone that produces a recombinant product, wherein the cell clone is obtained by the method comprising: providing a recombinant original mammalian cell clone, wherein the recombinant original mammalian cell clone has a selection marker and an amplification marker, cultivating the recombinant original cell clone on serum-containing medium to create a cell culture, adapting the cell culture to serum- and protein-free medium with neither selection pressure for the selection marker nor selection pressure for the amplification marker, testing the cell culture after adaptation for stable product-producers with neither selection pressure for the selection marker nor selection pressure for the amplification marker, isolating a stable product-producer-cell clone in serum- and protein-free conditions with neither selection pressure for the selection marker nor selection pressure for the amplification marker, and culturing the stable product-producer-cell clone in a cell culture free of serum- or protein-containing additives of human or animal origin..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The cell culture according to claim 15, wherein the recombinant product is Factor VIII..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The cell culture according to claim 15, wherein the recombinant product is Factor IX..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. The cell culture according to claim 15, wherein the recombinant product is Factor VII..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The cell culture according to claim 15, wherein the recombinant product is von Willebrand factor (vWF)..Iaddend.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4) a) F VIII-activity (mUnits/ml) and perfusion rate (1-5 day) over a period of 42 days.
(5) b) Volumetric productivity (units factor VIII/1/day) in the perfusion bioreactor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(6) It is the object of the present invention to provide an efficient method of preparing recombinant proteins under serum- and protein-free cultivation and production conditions.
(7) It is a further object to provide a stable recombinant cell clone.
(8) It is another object of the present invention to achieve an increase in productivity of a recombinant cell clone by using a protein- and serum-free medium.
(9) According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing a recombinant cell clone obtainable from a cell culture that is obtained after culturing a recombinant original cell clone on serum-containing medium and re-adapting the cells to serum- and protein free medium. The cells are continued to be cultured in serum- and protein-free medium under production equivalent conditions for at least 40 generations.
(10) Preferably, culturing of the cells is effected without selection for the selection labeling and/or amplification gene, e.g. in the absence of MTX in case of CHO-dhfr.sup. cells.
(11) By original cell clone within the scope of this invention a recombinant cell clone transfectant is understood which, upon transfection of host cells with a recombinant nucleotide sequence, expresses recombinant product in a stable manner under laboratory conditions. To optimize growth, the original clone is first grown in serum-containing medium. To increase the productivity, the original clone optionally is first grown in the presence of a selecting agent and selection for the selection marker and/or amplification marker. For the large-scale production, the original cell clone is first grown under serum-containing culturing conditions up to a high cell density, and shortly before the production phase it is re-adapted to serum- and/or protein-free medium. In this case, culturing is preferably effected without selection pressure.
(12) In another preferred embodiment the recombinant original cell clone may be cultivated in serum- and protein-free medium already from the beginning, rendering re-adaptation unnecessary. Optionally, a selecting agent may also be used in this case, and selection may be for the selection and/or amplification marker. A respective method is, e.g., described in EP 0 711 835.
(13) It has been found that under these conditions, a large part of more than 95% of the cells become nonproduct producers in such a cell culture which has been re-adapted to serum- and protein free medium. By means of immune fluorescence with product-specific antibodies it could be shown that in dependence on the generation time of the cells in serum- and protein-free medium, the number of the non-producers rises in a culture and overgrows the product-producers, whereby the production capacity of the culture decreases.
(14) The cell culture obtained after re-adaptation to serum- and protein free medium is assayed for those cell clones of the cell population which are producers of the stable product under serum- and protein-free conditions, optionally in the absence of a selection pressure. This may be effected, e.g., by means of immunofluorescence with labeled antibodies specifically directed against the recombinant polypeptide or protein. Those cells which have been identified as product producers are isolated from the cell culture and again multiplied under serum- and protein-free, optionally under production-equivalent, conditions. Isolation of the cells may be effected by isolating the cells and assaying for product-producers. Optimally, the cell culture containing the stable cells is again assayed for stable recombinant clones, and the latter are isolated from the cell culture and cloned. Subsequently, the stable recombinant cell clones obtained under serum- and protein-free conditions are further multiplied under serum- and protein-free conditions.
(15) The recombinant cell clone according to the invention is characterized in that it is stable in serum-free and protein-free medium for at least 40, preferably at least 50, in particular more than 60 generations and expresses recombinant product.
(16) According to a particular aspect of the invention, the stable recombinant cell clone is present in isolated form. Departing from the stable cell clone, a cell culture is obtained under serum- and protein-free conditions by multiplying the stable cells.
(17) The stable recombinant cell clone of the invention preferably is derived from a recombinant mammalian cell. The recombinant mammalian cells may be all cells that contain sequences which encode a recombinant polypeptide or protein. Included are all continuously growing cells which grow adherently and non-adherently. Particularly preferred are recombinant CHO cells or BHK cells. Recombinant polypeptides or proteins may be blood factors, growth factors or other biomedically relevant products.
(18) According to the present invention, stable recombinant cell clones are preferred which contain the encoding sequence for a recombinant blood factor, such as factor II, factor V, factor VII, factor VIII, factor IX, factor X, factor XI, protein S, protein C, an activated form of any one of these factors, or VWF, and which are capable of stable expression of this factor over several generations. Particularly preferred are recombinant CHO cells, which express VWF or a polypeptide having VWF activity, factor VIII or a polypeptide having factor VIII activity, VWF and factor VIII, factor IX or factor II.
(19) The cell clone of the invention selected under serum and protein-free conditions is particularly characterized in that it is stable in serum and protein-free medium for at least 40, preferably for at least 50 generations, particularly preferred for more than 60 generations.
(20) To provide a master cell bank, 30 generations are required. To carry out an average batch culture on a 1,000 liter scale, at least approximately 40 generations are required. Thus it has become possible for the first time to prepare with one individual clone a master cell bank (MCB), a working cell bank (WCB) including approximately 8 to 10 generations and thus, a production-scale cell culture (production biomass) with up to 20 to 25 generations under these conditions, since so far cell clones have become unstable after having grown on serum- or protein-free medium for some generations, or have exhibited a reduced viability, whereby a) no uniform cell culture with product producers, and b) no stable product productivity has been possible over an extended period of time.
(21) The cell clone according to the invention thus is stable and productive for at least 40 generations under production conditions in serum and protein-free medium. Previously described methods merely exhibited a product productivity for a generation number of less than 10 generations under protein-free conditions (Reiter et al., (1992) supra).
(22) The criterion for stability is held to be a minimum number of at least 40 generations, preferably more than 50 generations, particularly preferred more than 60 generations in the production process, during which a stable expression of the proteins takes place and the cells do not exhibit any tumorigenic properties.
(23) Surprisingly it has been found that the cell clone according to the invention exhibits an increased product productivity under serum and protein-free conditions even in comparison to the original cell clone which had been cultured in serum containing medium.
(24) In addition, it has surprisingly been found that the productivity of the cultivated cells may be increased by adding additional amino acids and/or purified, ultrafiltrated soybean peptone to the serum- and protein-free medium. In this case, the increase in productivity is not caused by the enhanced cell growth rate; rather, the culture conditions directly influence the productivity of the cells expressing a recombinant protein.
(25) A particular aspect is the use of a protein- and serum-free medium to which a mixture of amino acids selected from the group of L-asparagine, L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-proline, L-tryptophan and L-glutamine has been added.
(26) The amino acids may be added to the medium individually or in combination.
(27) Particularly preferred is the combined addition of all the amino acids listed in this group, i.e. L-asparagine, L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-proline, L-tryptophan and L-glutamine.
(28) The increase in productivity by the addition of the amino acid mixture, which may be thus achieved, was particularly surprising because the synthetic minimum media as described in the prior art, e.g. DMEM/HAM's F12, already contain low concentrations of amino acids.
(29) According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a cell culture containing at least 90%, preferably more than 95%, particularly preferred more than 98%, stable recombinant cells which are stable under serum- and protein-free conditions for at least 40 generations, in particular for at least 50 generations, and express recombinant product.
(30) Within the scope of the present invention, by cell culture a master cell bank (MCB), a working cell bank (WCB) or a production biomass in a large-technical production bioreactor is understood.
(31) According to the invention, the cell culture is particularly obtained by culturing a stable recombinant cell clone of the above-defined kind under serum and protein-free conditions.
(32) The cell culture of the invention is obtainable by multiplying the isolated stable cell clone from the individual clone, the seed cells up to the MCB, the WCB or a biomass on a production scale in the bioreactor under serum and protein-free conditions, preferably without selection pressure on the selection and/or marker gene. In particular, it has been shown that the recombinant cells in a cell culture which are obtained departing from the stable recombinant clone of the invention are stable under serum- and protein-free conditions for at least 40 generations.
(33) The cell culture provided according to the present invention, which has been prepared from a serum and protein-independent stable cell clone, exhibits at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, particularly preferred at least 98%, stable recombinant cells under protein-free culturing and production conditions. By stable recombinant cells, in particular recombinant mammalian cells are understood which are derived from the stable cell clone. Preferred are recombinant CHO cells, preferably CHO-dhfr.sup. cells, CHO-Kl cells and BHK cells that express a blood factor, preferably recombinant vWF, factor VII, factor VIII and vWF, factor IX or factor II.
(34) The cell culture according to the invention may contain the stable recombinant cells in the form of a suspension culture. The cells may also be immobilized on a carrier, in particular on a microcarrier, porous microcarriers being particularly preferred. Porous carriers, such as e.g. Cytoline or Cytopore have proved to be particularly suitable.
(35) According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for the large-technical production of a recombinant product under serum and protein-free conditions, by using the stable cell clone according to the invention. The method comprises the steps of providing an isolated, stable recombinant cell clone of the above-defined kind for producing a cell culture. Multiplication of the isolated stable cell clone is effected from the stable individual cell clone up to the cell culture under serum and protein-free conditions. In particular, also sub-culturing of the stable cell clones is effected under protein-free conditions, in particular without the addition of a protease, such as, e.g., trypsin. Thus it is ensured that at no time during the production of a cell culture used in the production of a recombinant product, a contamination occurs which possibly could be caused by the addition of serum or protein-containing additives of human or animal origin to the cell culture. Thus, for the first time a method is described which allows for working under serum- and protein- free conditions, starting from the original clone, via the preparation of a working cell bank as far as to the production biomass and the subsequent production of recombinant protein.
(36) The preparation of the recombinant products with the cell culture of the invention which contains more than 90%, preferably more than 95%, particularly preferred more than 98%, of stable product producer cells, may be effected as a suspension culture or with cells immobilized on carriers. The process may be effected as a batch-wise or a continuous method or by means of perfusion technique with serum and protein free medium.
(37) Moreover, the culturing process may be effected by means of the chemostat method as extensively described in prior art (Werner et al., J. Biotechnol., 22:51-68 (1992)). For example, a stirred bioreactor or an airlift reactor may be used.
(38) The expressed recombinant proteins are then recovered from the cell culture supernatant, purified by means of methods known from the prior art, and further processed.
(39) Any known synthetic medium can be used as the serum and protein-free medium. Conventional synthetic minimum media may contain inorganic salts, amino acids, vitamins and a carbohydrate source and water. It may, e.g., be DMEM/HAM's F-12 medium. The content of soybean or yeast extract may range between 0.1 and 100 g/l, particularly preferred between 1 and 5 g/l. As a particularly preferred embodiment, soybean extract, e.g. soybean peptone, may be used. The molecular weight of the soybean peptone can be less than 50 kD, preferably less than 10 kD.
(40) The addition of ultrafiltrated soybean peptone having an average molecular weight of 350 Dalton has proven particularly advantageous for the productivity of the recombinant cell lines. It is a soybean isolate having a total nitrogen content of about 9.5% and a free amino acid content of about 13%.
(41) Particularly preferred is the use of a purified, ultrafiltrated soybean peptone having a molecular weight of 1000 Dalton, preferably 500 Dalton, particularly preferably 350 Dalton.
(42) Ultrafiltration may be effected by means of methods extensively described in prior art, e.g., using membrane filters with a defined cut-off.
(43) The ultrafiltration soybean peptone may be purified by means of gel chromatography, for example using Sephadex chromatography, e.g., Sephadex G25 or Sephadex G10 or equivalent materials; ion exchange chromatography, or size exclusion chromatography or reversed phase chromatography. These are methods well known to a skilled artisan from prior art.
(44) Particularly preferably a medium having the following composition is used: synthetic minimum medium (1 to 25 g/l) soybean peptone (0.5 to 50 g/l), L-glutamine (0.05 to 1 g/l), NaHCO.sub.3 (0.1 to 10 g/l), ascorbic acid (0.0005 to 0.05 g/l), ethanol amine (0.0005 to 0.05), Na selenite (1 to 15 g/l). Optionally, a non-ionic surface-active agent, such as, e.g., polypropylene glycol (PLURONIC F-61, PLURONIC F-68, SYNPERONIC F-68, PLURONIC F-71, or PLURONIC F-108) may be added to the medium as a defoaming agent. This agent is generally applied to protect the cells from the negative effects of aeration, since without the addition of a surface-active agent, the rising and bursting air bubbles may damage those cells which are at the surface of these air bubbles (sparging). (See, e.g., Murhammer and Goochee, Biotechnol. Prog., 6:142148 (1990)).
(45) The amount of non-ionic surface-active agent may range between 0.05 and 10 g/l, particularly preferred is as low an amount as possible, between 0.1 and 5 g/l. Furthermore, the medium may also contain cyclodextrine or a derivative thereof. The addition of non-ionic surface-active agent or of cyclodextrine is, however, not essential to the invention. Preferably, the serum and protein-free medium contains a protease inhibitor, such as, e.g., serine protease inhibitors, which are suitable for tissue culture and which are of synthetic or vegetable origin.
(46) In another preferred embodiment the following amino acid mixture is additionally added to the above-mentioned medium: L-asparagine (0.001 to 1 g/I; preferably 0.01 to 0.05 g/l; particularly preferably 0.015 to 0.03 g/l), L-cysteine (0.001 to 1 g/I; preferably 0.005 to 0.05 g/l; particularly preferably 0.01 to 0.03 g/l), L-cystine (0.001 to 1 g/l; preferably 0.01 to 0.05 g/l; particularly preferably 0.015 to 0.03 g/l). L-proline (0.001 to 1.5 g/l; preferably 0.01 to 0.07 g/l; particularly preferably 0.02 to 0.05 g/l), L-tryptophan (0.001 to 1 g/l; preferably 0.01 to 0.05 g/l; particularly preferably 0.015 to 0.03 g/l) and L-glutamine (0.05 to 10 g/l; preferably 0.1 to 1 g/l). The above-mentioned amino acids may be added to the medium individually or in combination. Particularly preferred is the combined addition of the amino acid mixture containing all of the above-mentioned amino acids.
(47) In a particular embodiment a serum- and protein-free medium is used additionally containing a combination of the above-mentioned amino acid mixtures and purified, ultrafiltrated soybean peptone.
(48) Surprisingly, it has proven possible to heat the medium to 70 to 95 C., preferably 85 to 95 C., for about 5 to 20 minutes, preferably 15 minutes, without causing negative effects, e.g., in order to inactivate viruses or other pathogens.
(49) The parameters for culturing the cells, such as O.sub.2 concentration, perfusion rate or medium exchange, pH, temperature and culturing technique will depend on the individual cell types used and may be determined by the skilled artisan in a simple manner. For instance, culturing of CHO cells may be effected in a stirring tank and under perfusion with protein-free medium at a perfusion rate of from 2 to 10 volume exchanges/day, at a pH of between 7.0 and 7.8, preferably at 7.4, and an 02 concentration of between 40% up to 60%, preferably at 50%, and at a temperature of between 34 and 38, preferably of 37.
(50) Moreover, the cells may also be cultured by means of the chemostat method, using a pH of between 6.9 and 7.8, preferably 7.1, an O.sub.2 concentration of between 10% and 60%, preferably 20%, and a dilution rate D of 0.25 to 1.0, preferably 0.5.
(51) According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of recovering a stable recombinant cell clone, comprising the steps of multiplying a recombinant original clone up to the cell culture in serum-containing medium, preferably without selection pressure, culturing the cells under serum and protein-free, preferably under production equivalent, conditions, assaying the cell culture under serum and protein free conditions for product producers, cloning the stable recombinant cell clones under serum- and protein-free conditions, wherein cloning may be effected by generally known techniques, such as diluting out and growing the individual cell clones, multiplying the isolated cell clones under serum and protein-free conditions, and optionally assaying the cell culture for product producers.
(52) Only those recombinant cell clones are considered stable which express recombinant protein in a stable manner in protein-free medium for at least 10, preferably at least 20, and in particular at least 50 generations.
(53) According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of recovering a stable recombinant cell clone, comprising the steps of multiplying a non-recombinant starting cell or cell line under serum and protein-free conditions, and cloning a stable non-recombinant cell-clone under serum- and protein-free conditions, transfecting the stable cell clone with a recombinant nucleic acid and isolating stable recombinant cell clones, Culturing the stable cell clone transfectants in serum- and protein-free medium, optionally under production-equivalent conditions, assaying the stable recombinant cells for production and product stability.
(54) A particularly preferred aspect of the present invention provides the preparation of a stable cell clone comprising the steps of multiplying a recombinant original clone up to the cell culture in serum- and protein-free medium, preferably without selection pressure; culturing the cells under serum-and protein-free, preferably under production-equivalent conditions, assaying the cell culture under serum- and protein-free conditions for product producers, cloning the stable recombinant cell clones under serum- and protein-free conditions, wherein cloning may be effected by generally known techniques, such as diluting out and growing the individual cell clones, multiplying the isolated cell clones under serum- and protein-free conditions, and optionally assaying the cell culture for product producers.
(55) Only those recombinant cell clones are considered stable which express recombinant protein in a stable manner in protein-free medium for at least 10, preferably at least 20, and in particular at least 50 generations.
(56) Also preferred is the use of a serum- and protein-free medium to increase the productivity of a cell clone expressing a recombinant protein to which additionally a defined amino acid mixture and/or purified, ultrafiltrated soybean peptone have been added.
(57) The invention will be described in more detail by way of the following examples, as well as drawings to which, however, it shall not be restricted.
EXAMPLES
Example 1: Stability of rvWF-CHO Cells after Re-Adaptation from Serum-Containing to Serum- and Protein-Free Medium
(58) CHO-dhfr.sup. cells were co-transfected with plasmids phAct-rvWF and pSV-dhfr, and vWF-expressing clones, as described in Fischer et al., FEBS Letters, 351:345-348 (1994)) were sub-cloned. From those sub-clones which expressed rvWF in a stable manner, a working cell bank (WCB) was set up under serum-containing conditions, yet in the absence of MTX, and the cells were immobilized on a porous microcarrier (Cytopore) under serum-containing conditions. When a cell density of 210.sup.7 cells/ml carrier matrix had been reached, readaptation of the cells to serum- and protein-free medium was effected. The cells were continued to be cultured for several generations under serum- and protein-free conditions. By means of immunofluorescence with labeled anti-vWF antibodies, the cells were assayed in serum- and protein-free medium at different points of time. The evaluation of the stability of the cells of the working cell bank was effected prior to medium readaptation, after 10 and after 60 generations in serum- and protein-free medium. Whereas the working cell bank still had 100% rvWF producers (
Example 2: Cloning of Stable Recombinant CHO Clones
(59) From the cell culture containing rvWF-CHO cells according to Example 1, (the stable cell clone designated r-vWF-CHO F7 was deposited on Jan. 22, 1998, at the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC), Salisbury, Wilshire, SP4 0JG, UK, according to the Budapest Treaty, and received the deposit number 98012206) which had been cultured for 60 generations in serum- and protein-free medium (
Example 3: Cell-Specific Productivity of the Recombinant Cell Clones
(60) From defined stages during the culturing of recombinant cells, a defined number of cells was taken and incubated with fresh medium for 24 h. The rvWF:Risto-CoF activity was determined in the cell culture supernatants. Table 1 shows that the cell specific productivity in the inventive stable recombinant cell clones was still stable even after 60 generations in serum-and protein-free medium and was even higher in comparison to the original clone that had been cultured in serum-containing medium.
(61) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Cell specific Cell specific Cell specific productivity productivity productivity of the working after 10 after 60 cells mU generations mU generations mU rvWF/10.sup.6 rvWF/10.sup.6 rvWF/10.sup.6 Cell Clone cells/day cells/day cells/day rvWF-CHO 55 30 <10 #808.68 Original cell clone r-vWF-CHO 62 65 60 F7 Stable clone
Example 4: Composition of a Synthetic Serum- and Protein-Free Medium
(62) TABLE-US-00002 Preferred amount (according to the knowledge at the Component g/l time of application) in g/l Synthetic minimum medium 1-100 11.00-12.00 (DMEM/HAM's 12) Soybean peptone .sub.0.5-50 2.5 L-Glutamine .sub.0.5-1 0.36 NaHCO.sub.3 .sub.0.1-10 2.00 Ascorbic acid 0.0005-0.05 0.0035 Ethanol amine 0.0005-0.05 0.0015 Na-selenite 1-15 g/l 8.6 g/l optional: Synperonic F 68 .sub.0.01-10 0.25
Example 5: Culturing of rFVIII-CHO Cells in Protein- and Serum-Free Minimum Medium
(63) A cell culture containing rFVIII-CHO cells was cultured in a 10 l stirring tank and with perfusion. A medium according to Example 4 was used. The cells were immobilized on a porous microcarrier (Cytopore, Pharmacia) and cultured for at least 6 weeks. The perfusion rate was 4 volume exchanges/day, the pH was at 6.9-7.2, the O.sub.2 concentration was approximately 20-50%, 15 the temperature was 37 C.
(64)
(65) a) F VIII-activity (mUnits/ml) and perfusion rate (1-5/day) over a period of 42 days.
(66) b) Volumetric productivity (units factor VIII/1/day) in the perfusion bioreactor.
(67) TABLE-US-00003 Days of Cell-specific productivity Immunofluorescence culturing mU/10.sup.6 cells/day) (% FVIII-positive cells) 15 702 not indicated 21 1125 not indicated 28 951 >95% 35 691 >95% 42 970 not indicated
(68) Table 2 shows the stability and specific productivity of the rFVIII-expressing cells. For these results, samples were taken after 15, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days, centrifuged at 300 g and re-suspended in fresh serum- and protein-free medium. After further 24 h, the factor VIII concentration in the cell culture supematants and the cell number were determined. Based on these data, the specific FVIII productivity was calculated.
(69) A stable average productivity of 888 mUnits/10.sup.6 cells/day was attained. This stable productivity was also confirmed by immunofluorescence with labeled anti-FVIII antibodies after 15, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days in serum- and protein-free medium.
Example 6: Comparison of the Productivity of Recombinant FVIII-CHO Cells in Protein-and Serum-Free Medium Containing Additional Medium Components
(70) A cell culture containing rFVIII-CHO cells was cultured using a batch method. A medium according to example 4 was used to which the following amino acids were added:
(71) TABLE-US-00004 Preferred amount (according to the knowledge at the time Amino acid mg/l of application) in mg/l L-asparagine 1-100 20 L-cysteineHClH.sub.2O 1-100 15 L-cystine 1-100 20 L-proline 1-150 35 L-typtophan 1-100 20 L-glutamine 50-1000 240
(72) The cells were cultured at 37 C., pH 6.9-7.2. The cells were cultivated over a period of 24-72 hours in a batch process.
(73) The productivity of the recombinant FVIII-CHO cells was measured in the following media compositions:
(74) Mix 1 consisting of serum- and protein-free medium without soybean peptone and additionally containing a mixture of amino acids as listed in the above table
(75) Mix 2 consisting of serum- and protein-free medium containing soybean peptone
(76) Mix 3 consisting of serum- and protein-free medium containing soybean peptone and a mixture of amino acids as listed in the above table
(77) Mix 4 consisting of serum- and protein-free medium containing, in addition, a mixture of amino acids as listed in the above table and 2.5 g/l of purified, ultrafiltrated soybean peptone. The ultrafiltrated soybean peptone was purified by means of chromatography using a Sephadex column.
Example 7: Culturing of Recombinant FVIII-CHO Cells in Protein- and Serum-Free Medium Using Chemostat Culture
(78) A cell culture containing rFVIII-CHO cells was cultured in a 10 l stirred bioreactor tank. A medium according to example 4 not containing soybean peptone but containing an amino acid mixture according to example 6 was used.
(79) The cells were cultivated at 37 C., pH 6.9-7.2; the oxygen concentration was in the range of 20-50% air saturation. In order to determine the titer of factor VIII and the cell concentration in culture supernatant, samples were taken every 24 hours. The total cell concentration was constant from day 2 to day 14. From day 6, ultrafiltrated soybean peptone was added to the medium. The factor VIII productivity is measured by means of a CHROGENIX COA FVIII:c/4 system. The lack of soybean peptone in the continuous culture lead to a marked decrease in factor VIII productivity after a few days, whereas the addition of the soybean peptone resulted in an almost 10-fold increase in productivity. Because said addition did not increase the cell number, this clearly indicates that ultrafiltrated soybean peptone causes a marked increase in productivity, which, however, is independent of cell growth.