1
|
Pérez-Rubio P, Vendrell-Flotats M, Romero EL, Enemark-Rasmussen K, Cervera L, Gòdia F, Lavado-García J. Internalization of PEI-based complexes in transient transfection of HEK293 cells is triggered by coalescence of membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans like Glypican-4. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116893. [PMID: 38850653 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymer-cationic mediated gene delivery is a well-stablished strategy of transient gene expression (TGE) in mammalian cell cultures. Nonetheless, its industrial implementation is hindered by the phenomenon known as cell density effect (CDE) that limits the cell density at which cultures can be efficiently transfected. The rise in personalized medicine and multiple cell and gene therapy approaches based on TGE, make more relevant to understand how to circumvent the CDE. A rational study upon DNA/PEI complex formation, stability and delivery during transfection of HEK293 cell cultures has been conducted, providing insights on the mechanisms for polyplexes uptake at low cell density and disruption at high cell density. DNA/PEI polyplexes were physiochemically characterized by coupling X-ray spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Our results showed that the ionic strength of polyplexes significantly increased upon their addition to exhausted media. This was reverted by depleting extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the media. The increase in ionic strength led to polyplex aggregation and prevented efficient cell transfection which could be counterbalanced by implementing a simple media replacement (MR) step before transfection. Inhibiting and labeling specific cell-surface proteoglycans (PGs) species revealed different roles of PGs in polyplexes uptake. Importantly, the polyplexes uptake process seemed to be triggered by a coalescence phenomenon of HSPG like glypican-4 around polyplex entry points. Ultimately, this study provides new insights into PEI-based cell transfection methodologies, enabling to enhance transient transfection and mitigate the cell density effect (CDE).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pol Pérez-Rubio
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Meritxell Vendrell-Flotats
- Servei de Microscòpia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Elianet Lorenzo Romero
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | | | - Laura Cervera
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Serra Hunter Lecturer Professor.
| | - Francesc Gòdia
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Jesús Lavado-García
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby Kgs 2800, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pérez-Rubio P, Lavado-García J, Bosch-Molist L, Romero EL, Cervera L, Gòdia F. Extracellular vesicle depletion and UGCG overexpression mitigate the cell density effect in HEK293 cell culture transfection. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101190. [PMID: 38327808 PMCID: PMC10847930 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The hitherto unexplained reduction of cell-specific productivity in transient gene expression (TGE) at high cell density (HCD) is known as the cell density effect (CDE). It currently represents a major challenge in TGE-based bioprocess intensification. This phenomenon has been largely reported, but the molecular principles governing it are still unclear. The CDE is currently understood to be caused by the combination of an unknown inhibitory compound in the extracellular medium and an uncharacterized cellular change at HCD. This study investigates the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as extracellular inhibitors for transfection through the production of HIV-1 Gag virus-like particles (VLPs) via transient transfection in HEK293 cells. EV depletion from the extracellular medium restored transfection efficiency in conditions that suffer from the CDE, also enhancing VLP budding and improving production by 60%. Moreover, an alteration in endosomal formation was observed at HCD, sequestering polyplexes and preventing transfection. Overexpression of UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) enzyme removed intracellular polyplex sequestration, improving transfection efficiency. Combining EV depletion and UGCG overexpression improved transfection efficiency by ∼45% at 12 × 106 cells/mL. These results suggest that the interaction between polyplexes and extracellular and intracellular vesicles plays a crucial role in the CDE, providing insights for the development of strategies to mitigate its impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pol Pérez-Rubio
- Grup d’Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d’Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Lavado-García
- Grup d’Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d’Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Bosch-Molist
- Grup d’Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d’Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elianet Lorenzo Romero
- Grup d’Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d’Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Cervera
- Grup d’Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d’Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Gòdia
- Grup d’Enginyeria de Bioprocessos i Biocatàlisi Aplicada, Escola d’Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dekevic G, Tertel T, Tasto L, Schmidt D, Giebel B, Czermak P, Salzig D. A Bioreactor-Based Yellow Fever Virus-like Particle Production Process with Integrated Process Analytical Technology Based on Transient Transfection. Viruses 2023; 15:2013. [PMID: 37896790 PMCID: PMC10612092 DOI: 10.3390/v15102013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Yellow Fever (YF) is a severe disease that, while preventable through vaccination, lacks rapid intervention options for those already infected. There is an urgent need for passive immunization techniques using YF-virus-like particles (YF-VLPs). To address this, we successfully established a bioreactor-based production process for YF-VLPs, leveraging transient transfection and integrating Process Analytical Technology. A cornerstone of this approach was the optimization of plasmid DNA (pDNA) production to a yield of 11 mg/L using design of experiments. Glucose, NaCl, yeast extract, and a phosphate buffer showed significant influence on specific pDNA yield. The preliminary work for VLP-production in bioreactor showed adjustments to the HEK cell density, the polyplex formation duration, and medium exchanges effectively elevated transfection efficiencies. The additive Pluronic F-68 was neutral in its effects, and anti-clumping agents (ACA) adversely affected the transfection process. Finally, we established the stirred-tank bioreactor process with integrated dielectric spectroscopy, which gave real-time insight in relevant process steps, e.g., cell growth, polyplex uptake, and harvest time. We confirmed the presence and integrity of YF-VLP via Western blot, imaging flow cytometry measurement, and transmission electron microscopy. The YF-VLP production process can serve as a platform to produce VLPs as passive immunizing agents against other neglected tropical diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Dekevic
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (G.D.); (L.T.); (D.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Tobias Tertel
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 179, 45147 Essen, Germany; (T.T.); (B.G.)
| | - Lars Tasto
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (G.D.); (L.T.); (D.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Deborah Schmidt
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (G.D.); (L.T.); (D.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Bernd Giebel
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 179, 45147 Essen, Germany; (T.T.); (B.G.)
| | - Peter Czermak
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (G.D.); (L.T.); (D.S.); (P.C.)
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Denise Salzig
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (G.D.); (L.T.); (D.S.); (P.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lavado-García J, Pérez-Rubio P, Cervera L, Gòdia F. The cell density effect in animal cell-based bioprocessing: Questions, insights and perspectives. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 60:108017. [PMID: 35809763 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
One of the main challenges in the development of bioprocesses based on cell transient expression is the commonly reported reduction of cell specific productivity at increasing cell densities. This is generally known as the cell density effect (CDE). Many efforts have been devoted to understanding the cell metabolic implications to this phenomenon in an attempt to design operational strategies to overcome it. A comprehensive analysis of the main studies regarding the CDE is provided in this work to better define the elements comprising its cause and impact. Then, examples of methodologies and approaches employed to achieve successful transient expression at high cell densities (HCD) are thoroughly reviewed. A critical assessment of the limitations of the reported studies in the understanding of the CDE is presented, covering the leading hypothesis of the molecular implications. The overall analysis of previous work on CDE may offer useful insights for further research into manufacturing of biologics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Lavado-García
- Grup d'Enginyeria Cel·lular i Bioprocessos, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Pol Pérez-Rubio
- Grup d'Enginyeria Cel·lular i Bioprocessos, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Cervera
- Grup d'Enginyeria Cel·lular i Bioprocessos, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Gòdia
- Grup d'Enginyeria Cel·lular i Bioprocessos, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Improving Influenza HA-Vlps Production in Insect High Five Cells via Adaptive Laboratory Evolution. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040589. [PMID: 33036359 PMCID: PMC7711658 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of non-standard culture conditions has proven efficient to increase cell performance and recombinant protein production in different cell hosts. However, the establishment of high-producing cell populations through adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) has been poorly explored, in particular for insect cells. In this study, insect High Five cells were successfully adapted to grow at a neutral culture pH (7.0) through ALE for an improved production of influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-displaying virus-like particles (VLPs). A stepwise approach was used for the adaptation process, in which the culture pH gradually increased from standard 6.2 to 7.0 (ΔPh = 0.2–0.3), and cells were maintained at each pH value for 2–3 weeks until a constant growth rate and a cell viability over 95% were observed. These adapted cells enabled an increase in cell-specific HA productivity up to three-fold and volumetric HA titer of up to four-fold as compared to non-adapted cells. Of note, the adaptation process is the element driving increased specific HA productivity as a pH shift alone was inefficient at improving productivities. The production of HA-VLPs in adapted cells was successfully demonstrated at the bioreactor scale. The produced HA-VLPs show the typical size and morphology of influenza VLPs, thus confirming the null impact of the adaptation process and neutral culture pH on the quality of HA-VLPs produced. This work strengthens the potential of ALE as a bioprocess engineering strategy to improve the production of influenza HA-VLPs in insect High Five cells.
Collapse
|
6
|
Puente-Massaguer E, Lecina M, Gòdia F. Integrating nanoparticle quantification and statistical design of experiments for efficient HIV-1 virus-like particle production in High Five cells. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:1569-1582. [PMID: 31907573 PMCID: PMC7224031 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10319-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The nature of enveloped virus-like particles (VLPs) has triggered high interest in their application to different research fields, including vaccine development. The baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) has been used as an efficient platform for obtaining large amounts of these complex nanoparticles. To date, most of the studies dealing with VLP production by recombinant baculovirus infection utilize indirect detection or quantification techniques that hinder the appropriate characterization of the process and product. Here, we propose the application of cutting-edge quantification methodologies in combination with advanced statistical designs to exploit the full potential of the High Five/BEVS as a platform to produce HIV-1 Gag VLPs. The synergies between CCI, MOI, and TOH were studied using a response surface methodology approach on four different response functions: baculovirus infection, VLP production, VLP assembly, and VLP productivity. TOH and MOI proved to be the major influencing factors in contrast with previous reported data. Interestingly, a remarkable competition between Gag VLP production and non-assembled Gag was detected. Also, the use of nanoparticle tracking analysis and flow virometry revealed the existence of remarkable quantities of extracellular vesicles. The different responses of the study were combined to determine two global optimum conditions, one aiming to maximize the VLP titer (quantity) and the second aiming to find a compromise between VLP yield and the ratio of assembled VLPs (quality). This study provides a valuable approach to optimize VLP production and demonstrates that the High Five/BEVS can support mass production of Gag VLPs and potentially other complex nanoparticles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Puente-Massaguer
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Martí Lecina
- IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramón Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Gòdia
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lavado-García J, Jorge I, Cervera L, Vázquez J, Gòdia F. Multiplexed Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of HEK293 Provides Insights into Molecular Changes Associated with the Cell Density Effect, Transient Transfection, and Virus-Like Particle Production. J Proteome Res 2020; 19:1085-1099. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Lavado-García
- Grup d’Enginyeria Cellular i Bioprocés, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, Escola d’Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Jorge
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Proteomics, Centro Nacional Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), C/Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid 28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Laura Cervera
- Grup d’Enginyeria Cellular i Bioprocés, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, Escola d’Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Vázquez
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Proteomics, Centro Nacional Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), C/Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid 28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Francesc Gòdia
- Grup d’Enginyeria Cellular i Bioprocés, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, Escola d’Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Evaluation of screening platforms for virus-like particle production with the baculovirus expression vector system in insect cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1065. [PMID: 31974440 PMCID: PMC6978312 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57761-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant protein and virus-like particle (VLP) production based on the baculovirus expression vector system is fast, flexible, and offers high yields. Independent from the product, a multitude of parameters are screened during process development/optimisation. Early development acceleration is a key requirement for economic efficiency, and µ-scale bioreactor systems represent an attractive solution for high-throughput (HTP) experimentation. However, limited practical knowledge is available on the relevance and transferability of screening data to pilot scales and manufacturing. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate a HTP µ-bioreactor platform with respect to its aptitude as a screening platform mainly based on transferability of results to benchtop bioreactors representing the conventional production regime. Second question was to investigate to what extent the online sensors of the µ-bioreactor contribute to process understanding and development. We demonstrated that transferability of infection screening results from the HTP µ-bioreactor scale to the benchtop bioreactor was equal or better than that from shaker cultivation. However, both experimental setups turned out to be sub-optimal solutions that only allowed for a first and rough ranking with low relevance in the case of absolute numbers. Bioreactor yields were up to one order of magnitude higher than the results of screening experiments.
Collapse
|
9
|
Puente-Massaguer E, Lecina M, Gòdia F. Application of advanced quantification techniques in nanoparticle-based vaccine development with the Sf9 cell baculovirus expression system. Vaccine 2020; 38:1849-1859. [PMID: 31911032 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.11.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles generated by recombinant technologies are receiving increased interest in several applications, particularly the use of virus like particles (VLPs) for the generation of safer vaccines. The characterization and quantification of these nanoparticles with complex structures is very relevant for a better comprehension of the production systems and should circumvent the limitations of the most conventional quantification techniques often used. Here, we applied confocal microscopy, flow virometry and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) to assess the production process of Gag virus-like particles (VLPs) in the Sf9 cell/baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS). These novel techniques were implemented in an optimization workflow based on Design of Experiments (DoE) and desirability functions to determine the best production conditions. A higher level of sensitivity was observed for NTA and confocal microscopy but flow virometry proved to be more accurate. Interestingly, extracellular vesicles were detected as an important source of contamination of this system. The synergistic interplay of viable cell concentration at infection (CCI), multiplicity of infection (MOI) and time of harvest (TOH) was assessed on five objective responses: VLP assembly, baculovirus infection, VLP production, cell viability and VLP productivity. Two global optimal conditions were defined, one targeting the maximal yield of VLPs and the other providing a balance between production and assembled VLPs. In both cases, a low MOI proved to be the best condition to achieve the highest VLP production and productivity yields. Cryo-EM analysis of nanoparticles produced in these conditions showed the typical size and morphology of HIV-1 VLPs. This study presents an integrative approach based on the combination of DoE and direct nanoparticle quantification techniques to comprehensively optimize the production of VLPs and other viral-based biotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Puente-Massaguer
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martí Lecina
- IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramón Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Gòdia
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Nguyen Q, Tb Tran T, Chan LC, Nielsen LK, Reid S. In vitro production of baculoviruses: identifying host and virus genes associated with high productivity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:9239-9253. [PMID: 27613424 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7774-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Baculoviruses are recognized as viral workhorses of biotechnology, being used for production of vaccines, complex recombinant proteins, gene delivery vectors' and safe biological pesticides. Improving production yields and understanding the interactions of the virus and its host cell are important aspects of ensuring baculovirus-based processes are commercially competitive. This study aims at potential optimization of host cells used in in vitro virus production by systemically investigating changes in host gene expression in response to virus replication and transcription inside host cells. The study focuses on in vitro interactions of the Helicoverpa armigera virus with Helicoverpa zea insect cells. We used 22 genome-wide microarrays to simultaneously measure both virus and host genes in infected cells in multiple batch suspension cultures, representing high- and low-producing infection conditions. Among 661 differentially expressed genes, we identified a core set of 59 host genes consistently overexpressed post infection, with strong overrepresentation of genes involved in retrotransposition, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Applying a whole genome correlation network analysis to link gene expression to productivity, we revealed 18 key genes significantly associated to virus yield. In addition, this study is among the first to perform a genome-wide expression study for a major baculovirus group II strain, the H. armigera virus, extending current understanding of baculovirus-insect interactions, which mainly focuses on group I viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quan Nguyen
- Livestock Genomics, CSIRO (The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia.
| | - Trinh Tb Tran
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Leslie Cl Chan
- Patheon Biologics, 37 Kent street, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Lars K Nielsen
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Steven Reid
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Huynh HT, Tran TTB, Chan LCL, Nielsen LK, Reid S. Decline in Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus occlusion body yields with increasing infection cell density in vitro is strongly correlated with viral DNA levels. Arch Virol 2015; 160:2169-80. [PMID: 26092423 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-015-2478-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The phenomenon of the reduction in the cell-specific yield with increasing infection cell density (ICD), the cell density effect, is one of the main hurdles for improving virus yields in vitro. In the current study, the reduction in cell-specific yields (viral DNA [vDNA], polyhedrin mRNA and occlusion body [OB]) with increasing ICD for Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV)-infected HzAM1 (Helicoverpa zea) insect cells has been investigated. HzAM1 cells were propagated in Sf900™ III serum-free medium and synchronously infected with wild-type HearNPV at various ICDs of 0.5-5 × 10(6) cells/mL at an MOI of 5 PFU/cell. Infection was conducted either in the original medium or in fresh medium. As found previously for Sf9 and High Five cells, there were negative correlations between the three key virus infection indicators (vDNA, mRNA and OB) and the peak cell density (PCD). Generally, the yield decline with increasing PCD was most pronounced for OB, followed by mRNA, and was more moderate for vDNA. The decline was significantly reduced, but not totally arrested, when fresh medium was used. There were also strong correlations between OB and mRNA, mRNA and vDNA, and OB and vDNA levels. These results suggest that the reduction in baculovirus yield (OB) at high PCDs is associated with limitations during the upstream processes of replication and transcription together with limitations during protein translation. Furthermore, the peak protein productivity per unit of cell volume in the HzAM1/HearNPV system was shown to be higher than that of the Sf9/rAcMNPV system, but lower than that of the High Five/rAcMNPV system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hoai T Huynh
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia,
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|