Identification of estrogen receptor beta expression in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and comparison of estrogen-responsive gene transcription in cells adapted to serum-free media

Most cultured cell lines require addition of serum to the medium to maintain their proliferative capacity. For studies examining the cellular effects of estrogens serum is charcoal-stripped to remove steroids. Nonetheless, addition of the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) inhibits the basal transcriptional activity of estrogen receptors alpha or beta (ERalpha or ERbeta) in transfected cells. We tested the hypothesis that elimination of serum from the culture medium will block 4-OHT's repression of basal activity. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells adapted to serum-free medium exhibited estrogen responsiveness that was identical with that of the cells grown in serum-containing media. 4-OHT-suppressed basal transcription of an estrogen response element (ERE)-reporter in ERalpha-transfected cells even in the absence of serum, indicating that the 4-OHT suppressive activity is not mediated by blocking ER interaction with serum estrogens. We speculate that 4-OHT-ER recruits co-repressors to suppress basal transcription. We discovered that CHO-K1 cells express ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA. However only ERbeta protein was expressed and use of ERbeta-selective 2,3-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)propionitrile (DPN) and ERalpha-selective 4-propyl-1,3,5-tris(4-hydroxy-phenyl)pyrazole) (PPT) revealed that only ERbeta was transcriptionally active. In conclusion, growing CHO-K1 in serum-free medium does not impact the estrogen responsiveness and this cell line expresses functional ERbeta.

Estimation of Chinese hamster ovary cell density in packed-bed bioreactor by lactate production rate

A method is described for estimating recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell density in a packed-bed bioreactor by lactate production rate. The lactate production rate, which depended on both the cell numbers and cell growth rate, was modeled by segregating the cell population into two parts: one growing at a maximum specific growth rate and another non-growing. The individual cell in each part had the same lactate production rate. The established rate equation of lactate production matched the experimental data reasonably well and could be used to estimate the cell growth in the batch culture with microcarriers. Furthermore, in the perfusion culture of rCHO cells in a packed-bed bioreactor, the final cell density, 1.3 x 10(10) cells l(-1), estimated by lactate production rate, was comparable to the direct sample counting of 1.2 x 10(10) cells l(-1), showing that lactate production rate method would be useful in tracing the cell growth in packed-bed bioreactors.

[Encapsulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) cDNA transfection cells and ANP circadian expression]

OBJECTIVE

A technique based on the release of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from encapsulated ANP cDNA transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells for potential therapeutic approach to hypertension or congestive heart failure (CHF) was investigated.

METHOD

ANP cDNA transfected CHO cells were encapsulated in polycaprolactone (PCL) tubes and the levels of ANP secreted from PCL tubes were detected. Circadian rhythm of ANP secreted by encapsulated transfected cells was also studied by regulation with melatonin.

RESULT

During culturing, the encapsulated cells remained viable and the mean level of ANP reached 246.1 pg/ml/24 h in 2 ml medium containing one PCL tube (20 mm in length and 3 mm in diameter), whereas the secretion by the control was negative. The secretion of ANP showed a circadian variation: higher at night, but lower at day. The acrophase of circadian rhythm was 4:18 and shifted to 7:56 after melatonin was given.

CONCLUSION

The above results demonstrated a potential use of the encapsulation technique of gene transfected cells implanted into human body for treatment of hypertension or CHF.

A simple method for enriching populations of transfected CHO cells for cells of higher specific productivity

To establish a simple and rapid method for the screening of stable recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines, we have developed a cell surface labeling technique using fluorescently tagged antibodies that bind to secreted target proteins at low temperature. Using fluorescence intensity as the sole criterion for selection of cells, we are able to enrich populations of highly productive cells using preparative flow cytometry sorting. Reiterative sorting based on selection of cells having the highest fluorescence intensity of cell surface labeled protein results in dramatic increases in specific cellular productivity. Using lymphotoxin-beta receptor IgG fusion protein as a model system, we have demonstrated a greater than 20-fold increase in specific productivity (0.49-11.5 pg cell(-1) day(-1)) (pcd) without the use of methotrexate (MTX)-mediated selection or amplification. In addition, the flow cytometry used to enrich for and clone high producer cell lines has reduced development time by more than 50% and the number of screening assays by more than 10-fold. When a transfected population of CHO cells expressing a humanized version of the murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) AQC2 directed against human alpha 1 beta 1 integrin was subjected to the same treatment, a 25-fold improvement in specific productivity (0.3-8.0 pcd) was observed. Furthermore, similar application of this technique to MTX-amplified clones resulted in up to 120-fold overall improvement in specific productivity (up to 42 pcd). Greater than 20 examples are also presented to demonstrate the robustness and performance of this technique.

The transmembrane domain of surfactant protein C precursor determines the morphology of the induced membrane compartment in CHO cells

Surfactant protein C (SP-C) is a small lipopeptide of which the main part consists of a typical valyl-rich transmembrane domain. The protein is expressed as a propeptide (proSP-C) which is processed and sorted via the regulated secretory pathway to the lamellar body, where mature SP-C is stored before secretion into the alveolar space. In this study we investigated the identity of the compartment to which proSP-C is sorted in cells that do not have a regulated secretory pathway, such as CHO cells. By electron microscopy we determined that proSP-C was localized in an uncommon membrane compartment with very regular morphology, which was not present in control cells. This membrane compartment is not influenced by the palmitoylation of proSP-C and is probably derived from the endoplasmic reticulum. However, proSP-C chimeras with artificial transmembrane domains induced a membrane compartment with a different morphology. Therefore we propose that the typical amino acid sequence of the transmembrane domain of proSP-C plays a role in membrane formation and morphology, which may be relevant under physiological conditions.

Channel formation by the binding component of Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin: glutamate 307 of C2II affects channel properties in vitro and pH-dependent C2I translocation in vivo

The binding component (C2II) of the binary Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin mediates transport of the actin ADP-ribosylating enzyme component (C2I) into the cytosol of target cells. C2II (80 kDa) is activated by trypsin cleavage, and proteolytically activated C2II (60 kDa) oligomerizes to heptamers in solution. Activated C2II forms channels in lipid bilayer membranes which are highly cation selective and voltage-gated. A role for this channel in C2I translocation across the cell membrane into the cytosol is discussed. Amino acid residues 303-331 of C2II contain a conserved pattern of alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues, which likely facilitates membrane insertion and channel formation by creating two antiparallel beta-strands. Some of the residues are in strategic positions within the putative C2II channel, in particular, glutamate 307 (E307) localized in its center and glycine 316 (G316) localized on the trans side of the membrane. Here, single-lysine substitutions of these amino acids and the double mutant E307K/G316K of C2II were analyzed in vivo and in artificial lipid bilayer experiments. The pH dependence of C2I transport across cellular membranes was altered, and a pH of <or=5.2 was needed for C2I translocation into target cells; otherwise, no change in C2II-promoted entry of C2I into Vero cells was observed. The channel properties of C2II were substantially changed by the mutations, as evidenced by reduced cation selectivity. Interestingly, the voltage dependence of wild-type C2II was completely lost for the E307K mutant, which means that E307 is responsible for voltage gating. Chloroquine blocked the E307K mutant channel and intoxication of Vero cells by mutant C2II and C2I, indicating that chloroquine binding does not involve E307. Overall, the voltage gating and cation selectivity of the C2II channel do not play an important role in translocation of C2I into the cytosol.

Effect of low culture temperature on specific productivity, transcription level, and heterogeneity of erythropoietin in Chinese hamster ovary cells

To determine the effect of low culture temperature on erythropoietin (EPO) production in recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cells, rCHO cells producing EPO (LGE10-9-27) were cultivated at 30, 33, and 37 degrees C. At a culture temperature lower than 37 degrees C cell growth was suppressed, but cell viability remained high for a longer culture period. When the culture temperature was lowered from 37 degrees C to 33 degrees C, more than a 2.5-fold increase in the maximum EPO concentration was achieved. This enhanced EPO production at 33 degrees C was not just because of the extended culture longevity with the decreased release of proteolytic enzymes from dead cells, but mainly because of enhanced q(EPO). The q(EPO) at 33 degrees C was 0.35 +/- 0.08 microg/10(6) cells/h, which was approximately 4-fold higher than that at 37 degrees C. Although the highest q(EPO) of 0.49 +/- 0.14 micro/10(6) cells/h was obtained at 30 degrees C, the maximum EPO concentration was lowest because the detrimental effect of lowering culture temperature on cell growth outweighed its beneficial effect on q(EPO). Like q(EPO), the relative EPO mRNA content increased by lowering culture temperature, indicating that the increased transcription level of EPO was responsible in part for the enhanced q(EPO) at low culture temperature. The quality of EPO produced at 33 degrees C in regard to isoform pattern, sialic acid content, and in vivo biological activity was comparable to or even better than that produced at 37 degrees C. Taken together, the results obtained demonstrate the potential of the application of low culture temperature to the commercial EPO production in rCHO cells.

[Construction of an anti-apoptosis CHO cell line for biopharmaceutical production]

Mammalian cells are prone to apoptosis when cultured in large scale for production of biopharmaceuticals. And this will reduce production duration and result in high cost of production. Apoptosis is triggered by various factors, and delicately regulated by a set of genes. Bcl-2, a component integrated in mitochondria membrane, is an important member of these genes. By maintaining the integrity of mitochondria membrane, Bcl-2 keeps cytochrome C from releasing into cytoplasm, and thus blocks the activation of caspases, and subsequent onset of apoptosis. Over-expression of Bcl-2 has proven to be useful in blocking apoptosis in various cell lines, including CHO, hybridoma, myeloma, lymphoma and insect cells. Ammonia, a metabolite of cultured cells, however, showed apparent pro-apoptosis activity. In living cells, ammonia can be utilized by glutamine synthetase (GS) to synthesize glutamine, and thus lower the concentration of ammonia in medium, and its negative effects. Glutamine is essential to living cells. If not added into medium, glutamine can only be synthesized by GS, which makes GS a qualified selection marker. This marker can be used for gene amplification by adding into medium increased concentration of MSX, an inhibitor of GS. In this study, we over-expressed Bcl-2 using GS amplification in a recombinant CHO cell line stably expressing human interferon-beta. The modified cell line, with higher expression of Bcl-2 and lower production of ammonia, exhibited good anti-apoptosis quality and higher interferon-beta production in continuous culture.

Human c-fos promoter mediates high-level, inducible expression in various mammalian cell lines

The promoter activity of the human c-fos and human cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early promoter was compared in transient and stable transfection experiments with six cell lines of mouse, human, and hamster origin which are all of commercial importance. The c-fos promoter was 1.8-5.6-fold stronger than the CMV promoter in BHK-A, BHK-B, CHO-DHFR(-), and mouse NIH-3T3 in stable transfectants and less effective in mouse myeloma or human 293 cells, suggesting a new transcriptional control element for high-level expression and protein production in mammalian cells. The induction profiles determined in the presence and absence of serum are dependent on the cell line used. Induction levels of up to 8-fold could be achieved in preselected cell pools.

Expression of cone photoreceptor cGMP-phosphodiesterase alpha' subunit in Chinese hamster ovary, 293 human embryonic kidney, and Y79 retinoblastoma cells

PURPOSE

A functional protein is required for structure/function analysis of cone photoreceptor cGMP-phosphodiesterase alpha' subunit (PDEalpha'). The purpose of this study was to express enzymatically active PDEalpha'.

METHODS

Three expression vectors were constructed for transient and stable expression of PDEalpha': pC57 (transient) was obtained by subcloning bovine PDEalpha' cDNA into the pCIS2 expression vector; pNC57 (stable) was constructed by inserting the neo gene controlled by the mouse phosphoglycerate kinase-1 gene promoter into the pC57 vector; and pFC57 (transient) was generated by fusing the sequence encoding the FLAG peptide to the 5' end of the coding region of PDEalpha' cDNA. The recombinant plasmid DNAs were introduced into HEK293, CHO, or Y79 retinoblastoma cells using the calcium phosphate-mediated transfection procedure or lipofectamin. Northern and western blot hybridizations were used for RNA and protein analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

Northern blots of both HEK293- and CHO-transfected cells showed strong expression of a 3 kb transcript corresponding to PDEalpha'. cGMP-PDE activity measured in homogenates of transiently and stably transfected cells ranged between 1.5 and 2.2 nmol cGMP hydrolyzed/min x mg total protein, a level of PDE activity slightly greater than that previously reported for the individual rod-photoreceptor PDE subunits transiently-expressed in HEK293 cells. Western blots of these cell homogenates showed a low level of expressed PDEalpha'. Transfection of Y79 retinoblastoma cells, that have been shown to express rod and cone PDEs endogenously, with the construct containing cone PDEa' cDNA fused to the FLAG peptide resulted in a protein with no enzymatic activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that both HEK293 and CHO cells are capable of expressing functionally active cone PDEalpha'. High level of mRNA transcription and relatively low protein synthesis efficiency indicates the presence of a post-transcriptional control mechanism regulating overall expression of PDEalpha' in HEK293 and CHO cells.

Antioxidant capability and efficacy of Mega-H silica hydride, an antioxidant dietary supplement, by in vitro cellular analysis using photosensitization and fluorescence detection

Treatment of Chinese hamster ovary and mouse hybridoma cells with Mega-H brand silica hydride, a marketed antioxidant, after photosensitization with singlet oxygen and hydroxyl/superoxide reactive oxygen species through the use of rose bengal diacetate and malachite green resulted in an effective method of reducing free radical activity by more than 96% against singlet oxygen species and more than 86% for hydroxyl and superoxide free radicals with the dosage recommended by the manufacturer. The analysis used a combinational spectrafluorometric technique to determine cell viability and cytotoxicity through the mechanism of intracellular esterase activity and plasma membrane integrity. Photosensitized controls not treated with silica hydride showed less than 1% viability under the same conditions. The reduction of the introduced free radicals and singlet oxygen species and the consequent high levels of cell viability may be the result of effective and efficient antioxidant and radical scavenging properties of silica hydride.

Application of factorial design to accelerate identification of CHO growth factor requirements

To accelerate recombinant CHO media and process development, we describe a simple approach to integrating multiple tasks associated with these processes including initial media design, serum-free adaptation, stability analysis and first generation scale-up. Factorial design techniques and normal probability chart representation of the results were first applied to identify potent parental CHO cell growth factors in a lean basal medium. These results were then applied to identify a suitable manufacturing medium from a panel of commercial and proprietary media formulations. When this approach was applied to recombinant CHO cell line, rapid adaptation of the cell line to an appropriate production medium occurred during culture expansion in the presence of the identified growth factor(s). This approach allows media component screening to be naturally integrated into the adaptation and scale-up processes since components that have little or no relative effect on cell proliferation are selected against as the "best" cultures are moved forward. The rapidity of the adaptation process allowed cell line stability studies to be initiated relatively early in the development process, thus providing preliminary stability information by the time the "outgrowing" culture could be scaled to 100-L reactors some 30 days after adaptation commenced. The application of full factorial design techniques allowed us to calculate the maximum number of interaction effects, the interpretation of which we believe can provide insights into growth factor biology.

Cell growth arrest by nucleotides, nucleosides and bases as a tool for improved production of recombinant proteins

Arresting cell growth and thus decreasing cell division potentially lessens the chance for genetic drift in the cell population; this would be of utmost importance for the consistent production of biopharmaceuticals during long periods. The drawback of the addition of well-known synchronizing agents, such as chemotherapeutics, is that they cause a disproportionate accumulation of cellular constituents, leading to cell death. The use of compounds that are naturally synthesized by the cell, as is the case of nucleotides, nucleosides, and bases (Nt/Ns/B), is shown in this work to be a promising tool. The addition of purines and pyrimidines was tested using a CHO cell line producing the secreted form of the human placental alkaline phosphatase enzyme (SEAP). From the chemical alternatives tested, AMP was the most promising compound for protein production improvement; it reduced cell growth and maintained the culture with high cell viability for long periods, while increasing SEAP specific productivity 3-fold. The use of CHO and BHK mammalian cells producing Factor VII and the use of a insect cell line (Sf9) showed that the effect of AMP addition seems to be independent of the r-protein and cell line. With the addition of AMP, accumulation of cells at the S phase was accompanied by an increase of the protein specific productivity. Addition of known synchronizing drugs (aphidicolin and doxorubicin) and application of environmental cell growth arrest strategies (depletion of nutrients and byproduct accumulation) showed also to effectively arrest CHO cell growth. A careful look onto cell cycle distribution in the different scenarios created, shows whether it is important to consider r-protein expression dependency upon cell cycle in process optimization and operation strategies.

Influence of carboxymethyl dextran and ferric citrate on the adhesion of CHO cells on microcarriers

Due to the inherent risks of animal-derived raw materials, the biopharmaceutical industry has an increasing demand for serum-free and protein-free media for industrial cell culture bioprocesses. The absence of serum often changes the characteristics of mammalian cells, especially growth, productivity, and adherence properties. This study is mainly focused on the influence of media additives on cell adherence characteristics. An array of different carboxymethyl dextrans and different ferric citrate concentrations was tested with a number of CHO clones, using standard cell culture Roux-flasks and Cytoline 1 macroporous microcarriers. A prototype mixing system with controlled shear force input was developed as a screening system for adherence characteristics. The results of this evaluation revealed a negatively correlated dose-dependent influence on adhesion for ferric citrate. It was also found that certain carboxymethyl dextrans are capable of increasing the adherence on Roux-flasks and microcarriers.

Optimization of an acoustic cell filter with a novel air-backflush system

Increasing worldwide demand for mammalian cell production capacity will likely be partially satisfied by a greater use of higher volumetric productivity perfusion processes. An important additional component of any perfusion system is the cell retention device that can be based on filtration, sedimentation, and/or acoustic technologies. A common concern with these systems is that pumping and transient exposure to suboptimal medium conditions may damage the cells or influence the product quality. A novel air-backflush mode of operating an acoustic cell separator was developed in which an injection of bioreactor air downstream of the separator periodically returned the captured cells to the reactor, allowing separation to resume within 20 s. This mode of operation eliminated the need to pump the cells and allows the selection of a residence time in the separator depending on the sensitivity of the cell line. The air-backflush mode of operating a 10L acoustic separator was systematically tested at 10(7) cells/mL to define reliable ranges of operation. Consistent separation performance was obtained for wide ranges of cooling airflow rates from 0 to 15 L/min and for backflush frequencies between 10 and 40 h(-1). The separator performance was optimized at a perfusion rate of 10 L/day to obtain a maximum separation efficiency of 92 +/- 0.3%. This was achieved by increasing the power setting to 8 W and using duty cycle stop and run times of 4.5 and 45 s, respectively. Acoustic cell separation with air backflush was successfully applied over a 110 day CHO cell perfusion culture at 10(7) cells/mL and 95% viability.

A general method for the covalent labeling of fusion proteins with small molecules in vivo

Characterizing the movement, interactions, and chemical microenvironment of a protein inside the living cell is crucial to a detailed understanding of its function. Most strategies aimed at realizing this objective are based on genetically fusing the protein of interest to a reporter protein that monitors changes in the environment of the coupled protein. Examples include fusions with fluorescent proteins, the yeast two-hybrid system, and split ubiquitin. However, these techniques have various limitations, and considerable effort is being devoted to specific labeling of proteins in vivo with small synthetic molecules capable of probing and modulating their function. These approaches are currently based on the noncovalent binding of a small molecule to a protein, the formation of stable complexes between biarsenical compounds and peptides containing cysteines, or the use of biotin acceptor domains. Here we describe a general method for the covalent labeling of fusion proteins in vivo that complements existing methods for noncovalent labeling of proteins and that may open up new ways of studying proteins in living cells.

Effect of doxycycline-regulated ERp57 expression on specific thrombopoietin productivity of recombinant CHO cells

In an attempt to increase the specific thrombopoietin (TPO) productivity (q(TPO)) of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cells (TPO-33), the effect of expression level of ERp57, an isoform of protein disulfide isomerase, on q(TPO) was investigated. To regulate ERp57 expression level, the Tet-Off system was first introduced in TPO-33 cells and stable Tet-Off cells (TPO-33-Tet-Off) were screened by the luciferase assay. The rCHO cells with a doxycycline-regulated ERp57 expression system (TPO-33-ERp57) were obtained by cotransfection of pTRE-ERp57 and pTK-Hyg expression vectors into TPO-33-Tet-Off cells and subsequent screening by Western blot analysis of ERp57 and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of secreted TPO. Western blot analysis showed that ERp57 expression level in TPO-33-ERp57 cells could be regulated tightly by the addition of different concentrations of doxycycline to a culture medium. A doxycycline concentration of 1 microg/mL, which did not influence cell growth and TPO production of TPO-33-Tet-Off cells, was high enough to suppress the ERp57 expression to a basal level. Compared with the basal level, a 1.7-fold increase in ERp57 expression level was obtained in the absence of doxycycline. This increased expression level of ERp57 resulted in a 2.1-fold increase in q(TPO) without growth inhibition, probably as a result of the chaperone-like activity of ERp57 in CHO cells. Taken together, the results obtained here demonstrate that q(TPO) of rCHO cells can be increased by elevating the expression level of ERp57.

[Establishment and identification of stable transfection of CHO and COS7 cells with TIF3cDNA]

OBJECTIVE

To establish and identify CHO and COS7 cell lines transfected with TIF3cDNA.

METHODS

CHO and COS7 cell lines transfected with TIF3cDNA were established with plasmid (pcDNA3.1/V5-His-TOPO) as the vector, using calcium phosphate inductive transfection techniques and G418 cell selection protocols. Expression of the transfected gene was analyzed and identified using western blotting analysis. The non-transfected group and vector-transfected group were designed to compare with the target gene-transfected group.

RESULTS

3 out of 7 CHO cell lines transfected with TIF3cDNA expressed stably high levels of TIF3 encoded protein. Similarly, 2 out of 4 COS7 cell lines had significant over-expression of TIF3 encoded protein. Conclusion Three CHO and two COS7 cell lines transfected with TIF3cDNA have been successfully established. The cell lines are of great value for the future exploration of Cd compounds related oncogenens and for the studies of the other biological functions of the compounds.

[Separation of adhering cell colonies with a direct digestion method]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a highly efficient method for the separation of adhering cell colonies.

METHODS

Cell suspension was diluted gradiently to four different densities and then seeded on a cell culture plate covered with parted fibrinous membranes. After colonies appeared, they were digested directly with 0.25% trypsin and picked out with a pipette tip.

RESULTS

At the density of 5-10.cm-2, colonies could be separated most efficiently in both continuous and normal diploid cell line colonies. The cell number could reach 10(6) after one month of culture for a continuous cell line colony and one and a half month of culture for a normal diploid cell line colony.

CONCLUSION

With the direct digestion method, single cell colonies can be effectively separated from the plate covered with parted fibrinous membranes, when the cell was initially seeded at the density of 5-10.cm2.

Impact of coexpression and coamplification of sICAM and antiapoptosis determinants bcl-2/bcl-x(L) on productivity, cell survival, and mitochondria number in CHO-DG44 grown in suspension and serum-free media

We have engineered dihydrofolate reductase-negative (dhfr-/-) Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) DG44 cells adapted for growth in serum-free suspension cultures for simultaneous expression of the common cold therapeutic, the soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM), and the antiapoptosis determinants bcl-2 or bcl-x(L). Detailed analyses of titer and antiapoptosis characteristics of these production cell lines included an independent (sICAM; bcl-2/bcl-x(L)) as well as a cocistronic (sICAM-(bcl-2/bcl-x(L))) expression set-up in which translation-initiation of the survival cistron is driven by an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of the encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). In transient transfections or stable mixed populations and in comparison to isogenic sICAM-only control vectors, both bcl-x(L)-encoding configurations achieved higher sICAM yields while bcl-2 over-expression resulted in decreased product levels. Overall, the death-protective impact of bcl-2 and bcl-x(L) in engineered CHO-DG44 was not significant under typical batch-mode operation, an observation that was confirmed by clonal analysis. bcl-2 and bcl-x(L) displayed their antiapoptosis potential only following dhfr-based amplification in sICAM-producing CHO-DG44 cell lines. In all cases, bcl-x(L) outperformed bcl-2 in its cell death-protective capacity. Amplification-dependent high-level expression of mitochondria-localized bcl-2 family members required for successful antiapoptosis engineering may be essential to compensate for increased mitochondria numbers found to be associated with production cell lines grown in serum-free medium.

Identification of CD9 extracellular domains important in regulation of CHO cell adhesion to fibronectin and fibronectin pericellular matrix assembly

CD9, a 24-kDa member of the tetraspanin family, influences cellular growth and development, activation, adhesion, and motility. Our investigation focuses on the hypothesis that the CD9 second extracellular loop (EC2) is important in modulating cell adhesive events. Using a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell expression system, we previously reported that CD9 expression inhibited cell adhesion to fibronectin and fibronectin matrix assembly. For the first time, a functional epitope on CD9 EC2 that regulates these processes is described. Binding of mAb7, an EC2-specific anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody, reversed the CD9 inhibitory activity on CHO cell adhesion and fibronectin matrix assembly. This reversal of cell phenotype also was observed in CHO cells expressing CD9 EC2 truncations. Furthermore, our data showed that the EC2 sequence (173)LETFTVKSCPDAIKEVFDNK(192) was largely responsible for the CD9-mediated CHO cell phenotype. Two peptides, (135)K-V(172) (peptide 5b) and (168)P-I(185) (peptide 6a), selectively blocked mAb7 binding to soluble CD9 and to CD9 on intact cells. These active peptides reversed the influence of CD9 expression on CHO cell adhesion to fibronectin. In addition, confocal microscopy revealed that CD9 colocalized with the integrin alpha(5)beta(1) and cytoskeletal F-actin in punctate clusters on the cell surface, particularly at the cell margins. Immunoprecipitation studies confirmed CD9 association with beta(1) integrin. The cellular distribution and colocalization of focal adhesion kinase and alpha-actinin with cytoskeletal actin was also influenced by CD9 expression. Thus, CD9 may exhibit its effect by modulating the composition of adhesive complexes important in facilitating cell adhesion and matrix assembly.

Manufacture and quality control of CAMPATH-1 antibodies for clinical trials

BACKGROUND

CAMPATH-1 Abs have been used for T-cell depletion in stem-cell transplantation since the early 1980s. During that time there has been substantial progress in manufacturing techniques and quality control procedures. This article summarizes the methods used to produce the Abs for clinical use and describes results of quality control tests on representative batches.

METHODS

Rat hybridoma and recombinant CHO cells were cultured in hollow-fiber fermentors. Antibodies were purified from the culture supernatant by fractionation with ammonium sulphate, or by column chromatography. Additional steps were added to assure the removal of DNA and viruses. A range of analytical methods was used to characterize the antibodies. Samples were stored frozen at -70 degrees C and re-analyzed many years later to assess the long-term stability.

RESULTS

Hollow-fiber fermentors provided a simple and reliable means for antibody production, with yields between 3-10 mg/h and a convenient concentration for further processing (0.6-2.0 mg/mL). All of the CAMPATH-1 Abs (rat IgM, rat IgG2b and human IgG1) could be purified by affinity chromatography on Protein A, but the low pH required for elution caused unacceptable aggregation of the IgM. CAMPATH-1H contained approx. 20% dimeric IgG, which could be removed by size exclusion chromatography. Antibodies were stable for at least 6 years at -70 degrees C, but there was unacceptable aggregation of CAMPATH-1M in one batch stored for 9 years.

DISCUSSION

Pilot-scale production of MAbs for clinical studies is feasible in a small academic center, but regulatory requirements now demand that great attention is paid to all aspects of manufacturing and quality assurance. Although the underlying principles of cell culture and protein chemistry remain the same, the level of documentation, validation and quality control has increased greatly over the last 20 years.

Gene transfer of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor-targeted matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor TIMP-1.ATF suppresses neointima formation more efficiently than tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1

Proteases of the plasminogen activator (PA) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) system play an important role in smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and neointima formation after vascular injury. Inhibition of either PAs or MMPs has previously been shown to result in decreased neointima formation in vivo. To inhibit both protease systems simultaneously, a novel hybrid protein, TIMP-1.ATF, was constructed consisting of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) domain, as MMP inhibitor, linked to the receptor-binding amino terminal fragment (ATF) of urokinase. By binding to the u-PA receptor this protein will not only anchor the TIMP-1 moiety directly to the cell surface, it will also prevent the local activation of plasminogen by blocking the binding of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) to its receptor. Adenoviral expression of TIMP-1.ATF was used to inhibit SMC migration and neointima formation in human saphenous vein segments in vitro. SMC migration was inhibited by 65% in Ad.TIMP-1.ATF-infected cells. Infection with adenoviral vectors encoding the individual domains, Ad.TIMP-1 and Ad.ATF, reduced migration by 32% and 52%, respectively. Neointima formation in saphenous vein organ cultures infected with Ad.TIMP-1.ATF was inhibited by 72% compared with 42% reduction after Ad.TIMP-1 infection and 34% after Ad.ATF infection. These data show that binding of TIMP-1.ATF hybrid protein to the u-PA receptor at the cell surface strongly enhances the inhibitory effect of TIMP-1 on neointima formation in human saphenous vein cultures.

Hydrogen peroxide inhibits cell cycle progression by inhibition of the spreading of mitotic CHO cells

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) induces a number of events, which are also induced by mitogens. Since the progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle is dependent on mitogen stimulation, we were interested to study the effect of H(2)O(2) on the cell cycle progression. This study demonstrates that H(2)O(2) inhibits DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner when given to cells in mitosis or at different points in the G1 phase. Interestingly, mitotic cells treated immediately after synchronization are significantly more sensitive to H(2)O(2) than cells treated in the G1, and this is due to the inhibition of the cell spreading after mitosis by H(2)O(2). H(2)O(2) reversibly inhibits focal adhesion activation and stress fiber formation of mitotic cells, but not those of G1 cells. The phosphorylation of MAPK is also reversibly inhibited in both mitotic and G1 cells. Taken together, H(2)O(2) is probably responsible for the inhibition of the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin A observed in cells in both phases. In conclusion, H(2)O(2) inhibits cell cycle progression by inhibition of the spreading of mitotic CHO cells. This may play a role in pathological processes in which H(2)O(2) is generated.

Changes in the overall extent of protein glycosylation by Chinese hamster ovary cells over the course of batch culture

Glycosylation of recombinant proteins can change during the culture of animal cells. Since lipid-linked oligosaccharides (LLOs) are the carbohydrate donors in N-linked glycosylation, their availability is postulated to influence the extent of glycosylation. To test this hypothesis, relative LLO and glycosylation levels in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were monitored over the course of batch culture for corresponding changes. Radiolabelling studies reveal that throughout the length of culture, intracellular LLO levels remained within a 2-fold range and overall CHO protein glycosylation varied by less than 30%. The implications of these results and hypotheses to explain the findings are discussed.

Biosynthetic FGF-2 is targeted to non-lipid raft microdomains following translocation to the extracellular surface of CHO cells

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) is a secretory protein that lacks a signal peptide. Consistently, FGF-2 has been shown to be secreted by an ER-Golgi-independent mechanism; however, the machinery mediating this process remains to be established at the molecular level. Here we introduce a novel experimental system based on flow cytometry that allows the quantitative assessment of non-classical FGF-2 secretion in living cells. Stable cell lines have been created by retroviral transduction that express various kinds of FGF-2-GFP fusion proteins in a doxicyclin-dependent manner. Following induction of protein expression, biosynthetic FGF-2-GFP is shown to translocate to the outer surface of the plasma membrane as determined by both fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and confocal microscopy. Both N- and C-terminal GFP tagging of FGF-2 is compatible with FGF-2 export, which is shown to occur in a controlled fashion rather than through unspecific release. The experimental system described has strong implications for the identification of both FGF-2 secretion inhibitors and molecular components involved in FGF-2 secretion. In the second part of this study we made use of the FGF-2 export system described to analyze the fate of biosynthetic FGF-2-GFP following export to the extracellular space. We find that secreted FGF-2 fusion proteins accumulate in large heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG)-containing protein clusters on the extracellular surface of the plasma membrane. These microdomains are shown to be distinct from caveolae-like lipid rafts known to play a role in FGF-2-mediated signal transduction. Since CHO cells lack FGF high-affinity receptors (FGFRs), it can be concluded that FGFRs mediate the targeting of FGF-2 to lipid rafts. Consistently, FGF-2-GFP-secreting CHO cells do not exhibit increased proliferation activity. Externalization and deposition of biosynthetic FGF-2 in HSPG-containing protein clusters are independent processes, as a soluble secreted intermediate was demonstrated. The balance between intracellular FGF-2 and HSPG-bound secreted FGF-2 is shown not to be controlled by the availability of cell surface HSPGs, indicating that the FGF-2 secretion machinery itself is rate-limiting.

The influence of chromatin structure on initial DNA damage and radiosensitivity in CHO-K1 and xrs1 cells at low doses of irradiation 1-10 Gy

Mitotic compaction of chromatin was generated by treatment of cells with nocodazole. Alternatively, chromatin structure was altered by incubating cells in 500 mM NaCl. The irradiation response in the dose range of 1-10 Gy was measured by colony assay and by a modified fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU) assay which measures the amount of undamaged DNA by EtBr fluorescence. Cell survival curves of irradiated CHO-K1 cells showed that treatment with nocodazole increases radiosensitivity as indicated by a decrease of the mean inactivation dose (D) from 4.446 to 4.376. Nocodazole treatment increased the initial radiation-induced DNA damage detected by the FADU assay from 7% to 13%. In repair-defective xrs1 cells, the same conditions increased the radiosensitivity from 1.209 to 0.7836 and the initial DNA damage from 43% to 57%. Alterations to chromatin structure by hypertonic medium increased radiosensitivity in CHO-K1 cells from of 4.446 to 3.092 and the initial DNA damage from 7% to 15%. In xrs1 cells these conditions caused radiosensitivity to decrease from 1.209 to 1.609 and the initial DNA damage to decrease from 43% to 36%. Disruption of chromatin structure by hypertonic treatment was found to be time-dependent. A threefold increase of exposure time to hypertonic medium from 40 to 120 min increased the initial DNA damage in CHO-K1 cells from 7% to 18% but decreased initial DNA damage in xrs1 cells from 43% to 21%. Perturbation of chromatin structure with hypertonic treatment has been shown to increase the radiosensitivity and the initial DNA damage in repair-competent CHO-K1 cells and decrease the radiosensitivity and DNA damage in repair-defective xrs1 cells. Hypertonic treatment thus abolishes differences in chromatin structure between cell lines and differences in initial DNA damage. Radiosensitivity and initial DNA damage are correlated ( r(2)=0.92; p=0.0026) and this correlation also holds when chromatin compaction is altered. The experiments demonstrate that initial DNA damage and chromatin structure are major determinants of radiosensitivity.

CD44 directs membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase to lamellipodia by associating with its hemopexin-like domain

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1- MMP) localizes at the front of migrating cells and degrades the extracellular matrix barrier during cancer invasion. However, it is poorly understood how the polarized distribution of MT1-MMP at the migration front is regulated. Here, we demonstrate that MT1-MMP forms a complex with CD44H via the hemopexin-like (PEX) domain. A mutant MT1-MMP lacking the PEX domain failed to bind CD44H and did not localize at the lamellipodia. The cytoplasmic tail of CD44H, which comprises interfaces that associate with the actin cytoskeleton, was important for its localization at lamellipodia. Overexpression of a CD44H mutant lacking the cytoplasmic tail also prevented MT1-MMP from localizing at the lamellipodia. Modulation of F-actin with cytochalasin D revealed that both CD44H and MT1-MMP co-localize closely with the actin cytoskeleton, dependent on the cytoplasmic tail of CD44H. Thus, CD44H appears to act as a linker that connects MT1-MMP to the actin cytoskeleton and to play a role in directing MT1-MMP to the migration front. The PEX domain of MT1-MMP was indispensable in promoting cell migration and CD44H shedding.

Calcium-alginate gel bead cross-linked with gelatin as microcarrier for anchorage-dependent cell culture

Valuable products obtainedfrom the cultivation of anchorage-dependent mammalian cells require large-scale processes to obtain commercially useful quantities. It is generally accepted that suspension culture is the ideal mode of operation. Because anchorage-dependent cells need surfaces to be able to attach and spread, the incorporation of microcarriers to suspension culture is indispensable. Since the dextran-based microcarrier wasfirst introduced, many different types of microcarriers have been developed and commercialized. In this study, alginate-based microcarriers were made in the following order: (i) calcium-alginate gel beads prepared by dropping a blend of sodium alginate and propylene glycol alginate (PGA) into calcium chloride solution, (ii) the PGA section of gel beads cross-linked with gelatin in alkaline solution (i.e., via the transacylation reaction between the ester group of PGA and amino group of gelatin), and (iii) gelatin membrane around the beads further cross-linked by glutaraldehyde. The glutaraldehyde-treated gelatintransacylated PGA/alginate microcarrier showed superior features in high stability under phosphate-containing solution, density close to that of culture medium, and transparency. Moreover, the Chinese hamster ovary CHO-KI and amphotropic retrovirus producer PA317 cells cultivated on the newly synthesized microcarriers exhibited similar growth kinetics of these two types of cell lines cultured on commercial polystyrene microcarriers. However, cell morphology was easily monitored on the transparent microcarriers made in this study.

Selected amino acids protect hybridoma and CHO cells from elevated carbon dioxide and osmolality

Elevated pCO(2) inhibits cell growth. This growth inhibition is accompanied by a decrease in intracellular pH (pHi), as well as a decrease in glycolysis. Elevated concentrations (mM) of some amino acids have been shown by others to protect cells exposed to two very different environmental stresses: nutrient starvation and hyperosmolality. The fact that many of the amino acids shown to have protective effects against other stresses are transported into the cell through a pHi-sensitive transporter led us to study the possibility of using these amino acids as protective agents under elevated pCO(2). Screening experiments using 5, 15, and 25 mM of each amino acid showed that not all amino acids that protect cells from hyperosmolality protect them from elevated pCO(2). Glycine betaine and glycine were chosen for further characterization in both hybridoma and CHO cells. Asparagine and threonine were also tested in hybridoma and CHO cells, respectively. All amino acids tested under 195 mm Hg pCO(2)/435 mOsm/kg (50% growth inhibition) restored the specific growth rate (mu) in hybridoma cells to that observed under control conditions (40 mm Hg/320 mOsm/kg). Addition of each amino acid resulted in an increase in the consumption rate and intracellular accumulation of that amino acid. In CHO cells, glycine betaine also restored mu to control values, while glycine and threonine partially restored mu. In hybridoma cells, the higher specific antibody productivity obtained at elevated pCO(2) was maintained with the lowest amino acid concentration (5 mM). Productivity decreased toward control values with increasing amino acid concentrations. Elevated pCO(2) decreased the specific tPA productivity in the CHO cell line studied. Only glycine betaine resulted in a 20% increase in productivity at 195 mm Hg/435 mOsm/kg. With the exception of glycine betaine in hybridoma cells, amino acids did not mitigate the associated pHi decrease of at least 0.2 pH units at 195 mm Hg/435 mOsm/kg. pHi in hybridoma cells under elevated pCO(2) in the presence of glycine betaine was about 0.1 pH units below that of control. Amino acids had no effect on the cell size response of hybridoma cells, while they partially offset the increase in CHO cell size at elevated pCO(2). Glycine betaine, asparagine, and glycine increased the specific glucose consumption rate observed at 195 mm Hg/435 mOsm/kg (50% of control) to values greater than 70% of control in hybridoma cells. In CHO cells, only glycine betaine increased q(glc) (by 20%) under elevated pCO(2). All amino acids tested improved the cell yield from glutamine at 195 mm Hg/435 mOsm/kg in both cell lines.

Characterization of Mycotypha metabolites found to be inhibitors of cell adhesion molecules

Three inhibitors of cell adhesion based on LFA-1/ICAM-1 were isolated from the cultured broth of the fungal strain Mycotypha sp. UMF-006. These compounds were identified by spectroscopy to be cytochalasin E (1), 5,6-dehydro-7-hydroxy derivative of cytochalasin E (2) and delta 6,12-isomer of 2 (3). All these components inhibited adhesion of HL-60 cells to CHO-ICAM-1 cells at IC50 values of 30 micrograms/ml for 1, 75 micrograms/ml for 2, and 90 micrograms/ml for 3.

Response of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cells to hyperosmotic pressure: effect of Bcl-2 overexpression

In an attempt to use the hyperosmotic pressure for improved foreign protein production in recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cells, the response of rCHO cells producing a humanized antibody (SH2-0.32-(Delta)bcl-2 cells) to hyperosmotic pressure was determined in regard to cell growth and death, and antibody production. Further, the feasibility of Bcl-2 overexpression in improving rCHO cell viability under hyperosmotic pressure was also determined by comparing control cells (SH2-0.32-(Delta)bcl-2) with Bcl-2 overexpressing cells (14C6-bcl-2). After 3 days of cultivation in the standard medium (294 mOsm x kg(-1)), the spent medium was exchanged with the fresh media with various osmolalities (294-640 mOsm x kg(-1)). The results obtained show that hyperosmotic pressure inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, though 14C6-bcl-2 cells were less susceptible to hyperosmotic pressure than SH2-0.32-(Delta)bcl-2 cells. At 522 mOsm x kg(-1), SH2-0.32-(Delta)bcl-2 cells underwent a gradual cell death mainly through apoptosis due to the cytotoxic effect of hyperosmotic pressure. In contrast, Bcl-2 overexpression in 14C6-bcl-2 cells could delay the apoptosis induced by 522 mOsm x kg(-1) by inhibiting caspase-3 activation. Bcl-2 overexpression could also improve the cellular membrane integrity of 14C6-bcl-2 cells. When subjected to hyperosmotic pressure, the specific antibody productivity of SH2-0.32-(Delta)bcl-2 cells and 14C6-bcl-2 cells was increased in a similar extent. As a result, the final antibody concentration achieved in 14C6-bcl-2 cells at 522 mOsm x kg(-1) was 2.5-fold higher than that at 294 mOsm x kg(-1). At 580 mOsm x kg(-1), acute hyperosmotic pressure induced the rapid loss of viability in both SH2-0.32-(Delta)bcl-2 and 14C6-bcl-2 cells through necrosis rather than through apoptosis. Taken together, Bcl-2 overexpression and optimized hyperosmotic pressure could improve the antibody production of rCHO cells.

Involvement of membrane signaling in the bystander effect in irradiated cells

We have shown previously that when confluent cultures of mammalian cells are exposed to very low fluences of alpha particles, fluences whereby only 1-3% of the cell nuclei are traversed by a particle, genetic effects, including specific gene mutations and sister chromatid exchanges, are induced in neighboring, nonirradiated ("bystander") cells (H. Nagasawa and J. B. Little, Cancer Res., 52: 6394-6396, 1992; H. Nagasawa and J. B. Little, Radiat. Res., 152: 552-557, 1999). The present experiments were designed to determine whether signaling pathways arising in the cell membrane may mediate this effect. Cells were irradiated in the presence of Filipin, an agent that disrupts lipid rafts, effectively inhibiting membrane signaling, and the induction of sister chromatid exchange and HPRT mutations by very low fluences of alpha particles (mean doses 0.17-0.5 cGy) was measured. Filipin completely suppressed the induction of both genetic effects in bystander cells. After exposure to 10 cGy, when most mutations occurred in directly irradiated cells, no suppressive effect of Filipin was observed. These results suggest that membrane signaling may play an important role in the bystander effect of radiation. On the other hand, the effects in directly irradiated cells do not appear to be mediated via the cell membrane.

Clustering-induced signaling of CEACAM1 in PC12 cells

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), an Ig-like transmembrane protein, functions in cell adhesion, angiogenesis and epithelial cell morphogenesis, and has been identified as a tumor suppressor. For all of these functions, CEACAM1 requires signaling capabilities. However, the mechanisms of CEACAM1-mediated signaling are only poorly understood. Here we characterized for the first time CEACAM1 expression and signaling in the neuroendocrine rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line. Stimulation of CEACAM1 by ligation on the cell surface with antibodies induced formation of large CEACAM1 clusters and a rapid and transient CEACAM1 tyrosine dephosphorylation. Functionally, this dephosphorylation correlated with a reduced association between CEACAM1 and the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2. Clustering also stimulated binding of CEACAM1 to the actin cytoskeleton, measured by a partial translocation of CEACAM1 into the insoluble fraction after detergent extraction. Both tyrosine dephosphorylation and interaction with the cytoskeleton were sensitive to neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. The first detected downstream activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1 and ERK2, but not of JNK or p38, describes a novel target of CEACAM1-mediated signaling and contributes to the understanding of how CEACAM1 regulates cellular function.

Agonist-induced aggregation of Chinese hamster ovary cells coexpressing the human receptors for fibrinogen (integrin alphaIIbbeta3) and the platelet-activating factor: dissociation between adhesion and aggregation

This work reports the establishment of a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line stably coexpressing the human alphaIIbbeta3 integrin and the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR). These cells aggregate in response to PAF in a Ca(++), alphaIIbbeta3, and soluble fibrinogen (Fg)-dependent manner that is prevented by PAF antagonists or alphaIIbbeta3 blockade. The aggregating response is accompanied by enhanced binding of fibrinogen and the activation-dependent IgM PAC1. This model has permitted us to identify, for the first time, intracellular signals distinctly associated with either alphaIIbbeta3-mediated adhesion or aggregation. Nonreceptor activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol ester produced cellular adhesion and spreading onto immobilized Fg, but it was not a sufficient signal to provoke cellular aggregation. Moreover, inhibition of PKC impeded the PAF stimulation of cellular adhesion, whereas the aggregation was not prevented. The PAF-induced cellular aggregation was distinctly associated with signaling events arising from the liganded Fg receptor and the agonist-induced stimulation of a calcium/calmodulin-dependent signaling pathway. Sustained tyrosine phosphorylation of both mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and an approximately 100-kd protein was associated with the PAF-induced aggregation, whereas phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was preferably associated with cellular adherence and spreading onto immobilized Fg.

Cell hybridization by electrofusion on filters

Electric field pulses induce permeabilization and associated fusogenicity in cell membranes. Electrofusion of cells is usually performed in two steps: the first is the creation of close intercellular contacts; the second is an application of electric pulses that induces membrane fusion. Very large cell contacts can be obtained by a filter aspiration method. A cell monolayer is created by controlled suction on biocompatible filter. No spontaneous fusion results. Just after filtration, electrofusion is obtained by field pulses applied parallel to the filter. Cell viability is not strongly affected and cells recover their spherical shape in the minute time range after filtration. The electrical parameters, the cell density, and the flow rate control fusion. Fusion is obtained with cells of different origins with very different adhesion properties. Hybrid cells are easily formed. This approach appears to be a very efficient method for cell hybridization with an easy-to-use protocol.

Functional distinction of human EAG1 and EAG2 potassium channels

Human ether à go-go potassium channel 2 (hEAG2) was cloned and its properties were compared with the previously characterized isoform hEAG1. In the Xenopus oocyte expression system the time course of activation was about four times slower and the voltage required for half-maximal subunit activation was about 10 mV greater for hEAG2 channels. However, its voltage dependence was smaller and, therefore, hEAG2 channels start to open at more negative voltages than hEAG1. Coexpression of both isoforms and kinetic analysis of the resulting currents indicated that they can form heteromeric channel complexes in which the slow activation phenotype of hEAG2 is dominant. Upon expression in mammalian cells, quinidine blocked hEAG1 channels (IC(50) 1.4 microM) more potently than hEAG2 channels (IC(50) 152 microM), thus providing a useful tool for the functional distinction between hEAG1 and hEAG2 potassium channels.

Chemometric evaluation of on-line high-pressure liquid chromatography in mammalian cell cultures: analysis of amino acids and glucose

An on-line high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) system capable of measuring amino acids and carbohydrates was used to study metabolism in mammalian cell culture systems. The HPLC method utilized anion-exchange chromatography followed by integrated pulsed amperometric detection. The method is capable of measuring 19 amino acids plus glucose with a complete method time of 65 min. In actual cell cultures, the method was shown to be useful for monitoring 17 amino acids plus glucose. The two amino acids that were not accurately monitored were arginine and lysine, possibly due to their elution near the void volume of the column. The HPLC system was used to study variability in metabolism across different cell culture processes, as well as the effect of glucose and glutamine limitation on a single cell culture process. Chemometric analysis was used to draw statistically meaningful conclusions from the highly correlated, multivariate data set that resulted from these experiments. Using chemometrics, variation between processes was linked to differences in uptake rates of seven amino acids. Similarly, lactate concentration, cell density, and aspartate uptake rate were linked to glucose and glutamine limitation. The effect of nutrient limitation on glutamate, alanine, and ammonium was also considered.

Fluorescent proteins in animal cells for process development: optimization of sodium butyrate treatment as an example

Fluorescent proteins expressed in mammalian cells can be quantified quickly and noninvasively with a standard fluorescence plate reader. We have previously exploited this quality in cell growth assessment (Hunt et al., 1999b). In this work, different CHO cell lines constitutively expressing fluorescent proteins were evaluated as model systems for process development and optimization. Our results demonstrate that the fluorescence of these cell lines quickly reveals conditions that might improve the overall productivity. Sodium butyrate, a well-known yet unpredictable enhancer of production, was chosen for this study. Due to the competing effects of sodium butyrate ("butyrate") on expression and cell number, the maximal overall productivity represents a compromise between enhancement of production and toxicity. Based on fluorescence only, it is possible to separate effects on cell number and specific production by combining microplate fluorescence measurements with data obtained by flow cytometry. This allows for rapid screening of different clones without counting cells or quantifying the recombinant protein, a highly attractive feature if the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was correlated to that of a protein of interest. For all clones tested, negative effects of butyrate on proliferation were similar, while net enhancement of expression was characteristic for each clone. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize treatment for each individual clone. This work demonstrates that, based on the fluorescence of GFP-expresssing cell lines, it is possible to examine noninvasively three critical, generic parameters of butyrate treatment: butyrate concentration, exposure time, and culture phase at the time of addition.

Cytogenetic effects of propyl gallate in CHO-K1 cells

We investigated whether propyl gallate (PG) can induce sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in CHO-K1 cells. In the absence of an exogeneous metabolizing system, treatments with 0.25-1.5mM PG in plugged flasks for 3h resulted in increases in SCEs, CAs, and endoreduplications (ERDs), which were followed by an increase in the percentage of cells showing cell-cycle delay. At the end of the treatment, a decrease in PG concentration and production of PG dimer and ellagic acid (EA) in the medium were detected, indicating that PG had autoxidized. EA, an oxide of PG, was not genotoxic even at 0.3mM, the maximum concentration soluble in the medium. Several oxygen radical scavengers (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione and o-phenanthroline (OP)) and an inhibitor of catalase activity (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT)), did not significantly influence PG genotoxicity. When PG autoxidation was suppressed by low pH (6.8) or a 5% CO(2) atmosphere, cell-cycle delay intensified and induction of SCEs and CAs occurred even at the lowest PG dose (0.1mM). When PG (0.5mM) was assayed in the presence of S9 (1.5-9%), gallic acid (GA), a metabolite of PG, was generated in direct proportion to the S9 concentration, while cell-cycle delay and genotoxic effects varied inversely with S9 concentration at the levels over 3%. GA also autoxidized and at >or=0.5mM it induced SCEs. Both catalase and AT suppressed the induction of SCEs by GA or inhibited cell proliferation, indicating that H(2)O(2) participated in the effects. In conclusion, PG in the presence or absence of S9 can induce SCEs, CAs, and ERDs, and the oxides, metabolites and oxygen-free radicals generated during the treatment are partly responsible for these effects.

Alteration of cadmium-induced mutational spectrum by catalase depletion in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells

Previously, we have demonstrated that cadmium acetate significantly induces hprt mutation frequency in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 and that 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3AT), a catalase inhibitor, potentiates the mutagenicity of cadmium [Chem. Res. Toxicol. 9 (1996) 1360-1367]. In this study, we investigate the role of intracellular peroxide in the molecular nature of mutations induced by cadmium. Using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and fluorescence spectrophotometry, we have shown that cadmium dose-dependently increased the amounts of intracellular peroxide and the levels were significantly enhanced by 3AT. Furthermore, we have characterized and compared the hprt mutation spectra in 6-thioguanine-resistant mutants derived from CHO-K1 cells exposed to 4 microM of cadmium acetate for 4h in the absence and presence of 3AT. The mutation frequency induced by cadmium and cadmium plus 3AT was 11- and 16-fold higher than that observed in untreated populations (2.2 x 10(-6)), respectively. A total of 40 and 51 independent hprt mutants were isolated from cadmium and cadmium plus 3AT treatments for mRNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genomic DNA-PCR and DNA sequencing analyses. 3AT co-administration significantly enhanced the frequency of deletions induced by cadmium. Cadmium induced more transversions than transitions. In contrast, 3AT co-administration increased the frequency of GC-->AT transitions and decreased the frequencies of TA-->AT and TA-->GC transversions. Together, the results suggest that intracellular catalase is important to prevent the formation of oxidative DNA damage as well as deletions and GC-->AT transitions upon cadmium exposure.

Effect of fetal calf serum on the cadmium clastogenicity

Inconsistent results among reports on cadmium genotoxicity revealed that certain confounding factors might significantly influence the outcomes of assessment. In Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-W8) cells, chromosome aberration induced by six different cadmium compounds was found positively associated with intracellular cadmium concentration. A parallel association was also observed among different CHO strains treated with same cadmium compound, the cadmium acetate. Both the cadmium-induced chromosome aberration and cadmium uptake were influenced by the presence of fetal calf serum (FCS). The presence of 10% FCS during the 2h treatment period greatly retarded the cellular cadmium uptake, and concurrently reduced the chromosome aberration induction. Other factors such as specific cadmium anion involved and the duration of cadmium treatment period in the investigation also influenced the assessment results of cadmium-induced chromosome aberration. In the protocol with a 2h pulse treatment, cadmium acetate, chloride and sulfate induced more chromosome aberration than cadmium nitrate, carbonate and oxide. When cadmium was present in the culture of the entire treatment period for 18 h, the results went the opposite way. Cadmium nitrate, carbonate and oxide induced significant chromosome aberration, while other three cadmium compounds gave negative results. Cadmium compounds did not induce significant SCE at the same dose level that yielded significant chromosome aberration induction, either in the protocol with the short pulse or long treatment period.

Generalized approach for accelerated maximum likelihood based image restoration applied to three-dimensional fluorescence microscopy

For deconvolution applications in three-dimensional microscopy we derived and implemented a generic, accelerated maximum likelihood image restoration algorithm. A conjugate gradient iteration scheme was used considering either Gaussian or Poisson noise models. Poisson models are better suited to low intensity fluorescent image data; typically, they show smaller restoration errors and smoother results. For the regularization, we modified the standard Tikhonov method. However, the generic design of the algorithm allows for more regularization approaches. The Hessian matrix of the restoration functional was used to determine the step size. We compared restoration error and convergence behaviour between the classical line-search and the Hessian matrix method. Under typical working conditions, the restoration error did not increase over that of the line-search and the speed of convergence did not significantly decrease allowing for a twofold increase in processing speed. To determine the regularization parameter, we modified the generalized cross-validation method. Tests that were done on both simulated and experimental fluorescence wide-field data show reliable results.

Effects of cloned gene dosage on the response of recombinant CHO cells to hyperosmotic pressure in regard to cell growth and antibody production

The effect of cloned gene dosage on growth and product formation under hyperosmotic conditions has been studied using recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell lines producing chimeric antibody. Batch cultures of four rCHO cell lines carrying different numbers of antibody gene copies were carried out using the hyperosmolar medium. Depending on cloned gene dosage, hyperosmotic pressure decreased specific growth rate (mu) and increased specific antibody productivity (q(Ab)) to a different degree. The cell line with lower cloned gene dosage displayed more significant enhancement in q(Ab) and less reduction in mu at hyperosmolalities. However, the cell line with higher cloned gene dosage still yielded higher maximum antibody concentration at hyperosmolality up to 469 mOsm/kg. Northern blot analysis showed a positive relationship between immunoglobulin mRNA level per cell and q(Ab), indicating that transcriptional regulation was involved in the response of rCHO cells to hyperosmotic pressure. Cell cycle analysis showed that hyperosmotic pressure induced G(1)-phase arrest, suggesting that the increase of cell population in G(1)-phase may contribute in part to enhanced q(Ab) at hyperosmolality. Taken together, although the cell line with lower cloned gene dosage displayed more significant enhancement in q(Ab) at hyperosmolality, the factor that determined the maximum antibody concentration in hyperosmotic rCHO cell cultures was almost exclusively the gene dosage.

[Radiation sensitivity for delayed reproductive death (DRD) following single or split-dose irradiation]

BACKGROUND

The growth kinetics of tumors after irradiation (Figure 1) is defined by cells surviving with delayed reproductive death (DRD). The prediction of radiation sensitivity of locally recurrent tumor growth is among other factors dependent on the knowledge of the impact of fractionated irradiation on these surviving cells with DRD. Short recovery effects can be estimated in vitro by comparing the difference of the medians of the distributions of clone sizes, the median clone sizes difference (MCD) after single and split exposure irradiation of the progenitor cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CHO-cells of a sub clone of the line T71 have a spontaneous cell loss rate of < 5%. The cells were irradiated a) by a single exposure 3 hours after synchronization and b) by a fractionated irradiation of half the exposure of a 200-kVp radiation exposure 3 hours and 6 hours after synchronization, respectively. Clone survival was determined (Figure 2). As function of dose and incubation time the distributions of clone sizes and the MCD were determined by tapping the clone cells in microscopic projections.

RESULTS

The radiation sensitivity El of the DRD can be defined as the proportional factor of the linear relationship between the MCD on one side and the dose K x the cell division factor m on the other side. EI is dependent on the age of the cells during irradiation (Figure 3) and the cell line (Table 1). The slope of the dually logarithmic growth curve of the cell population is: s = 1 - El.K. Experimentally El was found to be equal for single and split dose irradiation (Figures 4 and 5) and amounted to El = 0.065 with Sd = +/- 0.004.--Literature analysis for the mathematical estimation of El.K (Figure 6) was based on reports of measurements of the local tumor recurrence growth of carcinomas and sarcomas of rodents and pulmonary metastases of sarcomas in humans, respectively, after fractional irradiation. We obtained values of 0 < or = El.K < or = 0.77 (Table 2). Values for El are independent of the dose and lie considerably below data derived from in-vitro measurements of different cell cultures.

CONCLUSIONS

Since recurrence kinetics of tumors are determined by the radiation sensitivity El of the DRD, El can be used for estimating the kinetics of tumor recurrence. As lately described, MCD is linearly proportional to the micro-nucleus frequency [12]. Determinations of the micro-nucleus frequencies in tumor cell biopsies pre and post radiation onset offer the option for developing a fast predictive assay. Organ malformations of embryos after exposition to ionizing radiation can be mathematically deduced by DRD to the partial cell mortality.

Heparan sulfate and control of cell division: adhesion and proliferation of mutant CHO-745 cells lacking xylosyl transferase

We have examined the role of cell surface glycosaminoglycans in cell division: adhesion and proliferation of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. We used both wild-type (CHO-K1) cells and a mutant (CHO-745) which is deficient in the synthesis of proteoglycans due to lack of activity of xylosyl transferase. Using different amounts of wild-type and mutant cells, little adhesion was observed in the presence of laminin and type I collagen. However, when fibronectin or vitronectin was used as substrate, there was an enhancement in the adhesion of wild-type and mutant cells. Only CHO-K1 cells showed a time-dependent adhesion on type IV collagen. These results suggest that the two cell lines present different adhesive profiles. Several lines of experimental evidence suggest that heparan sulfate proteoglycans play a role in cell adhesion as positive modulators of cell proliferation and as key participants in the process of cell division. Proliferation and cell cycle assays clearly demonstrate that a decrease in the amount of glycosaminoglycans does not inhibit the proliferation of mutant CHO-745 cells when compared to the wild type CHO-K1, in agreement with the findings that both CHO-K1 and CHO-745 cells take 8 h to enter the S phase.

Rapid effects of triiodothyronine on immediate-early gene expression in Schwann cells

In the peripheral nervous system, triiodothyronine (T3) plays an important role in the development and regeneration of nerve fibers and in myelin formation. However, the target genes of T3 in peripheral nerves remain to be identified. We investigated whether T3 activated genes of transcription factors in Schwann cells. Expression of egr-1 (krox-24), egr-2 (krox-20), egr-3, c-jun, junB, c-fos, fosB, fra-1, fra-2, and CREB genes was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in Schwann cells isolated from neonatal rat sciatic nerves and in the cell lines MSC-80 (mouse Schwann cells), NIH-3T3 (mouse fibroblasts), and CHO (Chinese hamster ovary cells). Some of these transcription factors have been shown to be involved in Schwann cell differentiation. T3 triggered a rapid (15-30 min), transient (1-2-h) and strong (6- to 15-fold) stimulation of Egr-1, Egr-2, Egr-3, Jun B, c-Fos, and Fos B mRNA expression in Schwann cells. In contrast, expression of c-Jun, Fra-1, Fra-2, and CREB mRNA was not affected by T3. The stimulatory effects of T3 could be abolished by adding actinomycin D. T3 triggered the same pattern of gene stimulation in the mouse Schwann cell line MSC80, but not in the NIH-3T3 and CHO cell lines. Serum activated all the genes that responded to T3 and in addition fra-1 and fra-2, but not c-jun and CREB. Immunoblotting showed that the increase in Egr-1 and c-Fos mRNA levels was accompanied by an increase in the corresponding proteins. In addition, shifts of the protein bands indicated a posttranslational modification of the two proteins. These effects of T3 are likely to be mediated by the intracellular T3 receptor, as the D-isomer RT3 and T0, which do not bind to T3 receptors, proved ineffective. The present data suggested that T3 may regulate Schwann cell functions and differentiation by transiently activating the expression of specific transcription factors.

Nervous and nonnervous cell transduction by recombinant adenoviruses that inducibly express the human PrP

The study of the prion protein (PrP) physiological functions or its specific role in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) requires new tools, particularly those able to induce PrP overexpression in a large range of cells, in vivo as well as in vitro. Here we describe the construction of two recombinant adenoviruses encoding the human PrP either with a valine at position 129 (AdTRVal) or a methionine (AdTRMet). Both genes were put under the control of the tetracycline-responsive promoter, allowing tight regulation of PrP expression. AdTRVal and AdTRMet induced high expression of the human PrP in CHO-KI cells and in organotypic brain slices in culture. The proteins expressed from these viruses exhibited a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI) anchor, proper glycosylation and sensitivity to proteinase K digestion. AdTRVal and AdTRMet will allow future studies on the human PrP and on the role of the codon 129 polyphormism in human TSE.

Pseudoginsenoside-F11 attenuates morphine-induced signalling in Chinese hamster ovary-mu cells

Pseudoginsenoside-F11 (PF11), an ocotillol type saponin isolated from Panax quinquefolium L., has been shown to antagonize the behavioral actions of morphine. Biochemical experiments revealed that PF11 could inhibit diprenorphine (DIP) binding with an IC50 of approximately 6.1 microM and reduced the binding potency of morphine in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-mu cells. Furthermore, PF11 significantly attenuated morphine-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in a dose dependent manner, and strongly decreased the efficacy of morphine to inhibit intracellular cAMP production. In addition, PF11 pretreatment could also significantly inhibit naloxone induced cAMP overshoot in the morphine-pretreated cells. However, PF11 per se had no effect on either [35S]GTPgammaS binding or intracellular cAMP accumulation. These data suggested that PF11 antagonized the morphine stimulated opioid receptor signalling directly at the cellular level.