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Roshanmehr F, Abdoli S, Bazi Z, Jari M, Shahbazi M. Enhancing the productivity and proliferation of CHO-K1 cells by oncoprotein YAP (Yes-associated protein). Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:285. [PMID: 38573360 PMCID: PMC10994876 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13122-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
CHO cells are extensively employed in biological drug industry to manufacture therapeutic proteins. Nevertheless, production of biopharmaceuticals faces obstacles such as limited growth and inadequate productivity. Employing host cell engineering techniques for CHO cells serves as a valuable approach to address the constraints encountered in biologics manufacturing. Despite advancements, most techniques focus on specific genes to address individual cellular challenges. The significance of YAP, transcriptional co-activator, cannot be overstated due to its involvement in regulating organ size and tumor formation. YAP's influence extends to various cellular processes and is regulated by kinase cascade in the Hippo pathway, which phosphorylates serine residues in specific LATS recognition motifs. Activation of YAP has been observed to impact both the size and quantity of cells. This research investigates the effects of YAP5SA on proliferation, apoptosis, and productivity in CHO-K1 cells. YAP5SA, with mutations in all five LATS-target sites, is selected for its heightened activity and resistance to repression through the Hippo-LATS1/2 kinase signaling pathway. Plasmid harboring YAP5SA was transfected into EPO-CHO and the influence of YAP5SA overexpression was investigated. According to our findings, transfection of EPO-CHO cells with YAP5SA exhibited a substantial enhancement in CHO cell productivity, resulting in a 3-fold increase in total protein and EPO, as well as a 1.5-fold increase in specific productivity. Additionally, it significantly contributes in augmenting viability, size, and proliferation. Overall, the findings of this study exemplify the potential of utilizing YAP5SA to impact particular cellular mechanisms, thereby presenting an avenue for customizing cells to fulfill production demands. KEY POINTS: • YAP5SA in CHO cells boosts growth, reduces apoptosis, and significantly improves productivity. • YAP5SA regulates genes involved in proliferation, survival, and mTOR activation. • YAP5SA increases productivity by improving cell cycle, c-MYC expression, and mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Roshanmehr
- Medical Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Shahriyar Abdoli
- Medical Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Zahra Bazi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Maryam Jari
- Medical Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Majid Shahbazi
- Medical Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
- Arya Tina Gene (ATG), Biopharmaceutical Company, Gorgan, Iran.
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Jerabek T, Weiß L, Fahrion H, Zeh N, Raab N, Lindner B, Fischer S, Otte K. In pursuit of a minimal CHO genome: Establishment of large-scale genome deletions. N Biotechnol 2024; 79:100-110. [PMID: 38154614 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2023.12.007] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the most commonly used mammalian cell line for the production of complex therapeutic glycoproteins. As CHO cells have evolved as part of a multicellular organism, they harbor many cellular functions irrelevant for their application as production hosts in industrial bioprocesses. Consequently, CHO cells have been the target for numerous genetic engineering efforts in the past, but a tailored host cell chassis holistically optimized for its specific task in a bioreactor is still missing. While the concept of genome reduction has already been successfully applied to bacterial production cells, attempts to create higher eukaryotic production hosts exhibiting reduced genomes have not been reported yet. Here, we present the establishment and application of a large-scale genome deletion strategy for targeted excision of large genomic regions in CHO cells. We demonstrate the feasibility of genome reduction in CHO cells using optimized CRISPR/Cas9 based experimental protocols targeting large non-essential genomic regions with high efficiency. Achieved genome deletions of non-essential genetic regions did not introduce negative effects on bioprocess relevant parameters, although we conducted the largest reported genomic excision of 864 kilobase pairs in CHO cells so far. The concept presented serves as a directive to accelerate the development of a significantly genome-reduced CHO host cell chassis paving the way for a next generation of CHO cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Jerabek
- University of Applied Sciences Biberach, Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Biberach, Germany.
| | - Linus Weiß
- University of Applied Sciences Biberach, Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Biberach, Germany
| | - Hannah Fahrion
- University of Applied Sciences Biberach, Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Biberach, Germany
| | - Nikolas Zeh
- University of Applied Sciences Biberach, Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Biberach, Germany; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Bioprocess Development Biologicals, Cell Line Development, Biberach, Germany
| | - Nadja Raab
- University of Applied Sciences Biberach, Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Biberach, Germany
| | - Benjamin Lindner
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Bioprocess Development Biologicals, Cell Line Development, Biberach, Germany
| | - Simon Fischer
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Bioprocess Development Biologicals, Cell Line Development, Biberach, Germany
| | - Kerstin Otte
- University of Applied Sciences Biberach, Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Biberach, Germany
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Geng SL, Zhao XJ, Zhang X, Zhang JH, Mi CL, Wang TY. Recombinant therapeutic proteins degradation and overcoming strategies in CHO cells. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:182. [PMID: 38285115 PMCID: PMC10824870 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13008-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian cell lines are frequently used as the preferred host cells for producing recombinant therapeutic proteins (RTPs) having post-translational modified modification similar to those observed in proteins produced by human cells. Nowadays, most RTPs approved for marketing are produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Recombinant therapeutic antibodies are among the most important and promising RTPs for biomedical applications. One of the issues that occurs during development of RTPs is their degradation, which caused by a variety of factors and reducing quality of RTPs. RTP degradation is especially concerning as they could result in reduced biological functions (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity) and generate potentially immunogenic species. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying RTP degradation and strategies for avoiding degradation have regained an interest from academia and industry. In this review, we outline recent progress in this field, with a focus on factors that cause degradation during RTP production and the development of strategies for overcoming RTP degradation. KEY POINTS: • The recombinant therapeutic protein degradation in CHO cell systems is reviewed. • Enzymatic factors and non-enzymatic methods influence recombinant therapeutic protein degradation. • Reducing the degradation can improve the quality of recombinant therapeutic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Lei Geng
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
| | - Xiao-Jie Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
| | - Ji-Hong Zhang
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
| | - Chun-Liu Mi
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
| | - Tian-Yun Wang
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China.
- Henan Engineering Research Center for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China.
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Zhang C, Chang F, Miao H, Fu Y, Tong X, Feng Y, Zheng W, Ma X. Construction and application of a multifunctional CHO cell platform utilizing Cre/ lox and Dre/ rox site-specific recombination systems. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1320841. [PMID: 38173869 PMCID: PMC10761530 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1320841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
During the development of traditional Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines, target genes randomly integrate into the genome upon entering the nucleus, resulting in unpredictable productivity of cell clones. The characterization and screening of high-yielding cell lines is a time-consuming and expensive process. Site-specific integration is recognized as an effective approach for overcoming random integration and improving production stability. We have designed a multifunctional expression cassette, called CDbox, which can be manipulated by the site-specific recombination systems Cre/lox and Dre/rox. The CDbox expression cassette was inserted at the Hipp11(H11) locus hotspot in the CHO-K1 genome using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and a compliant CHO-CDbox cell platform was screened and obtained. The CHO-CDbox cell platform was transformed into a pool of EGFP-expressing cells using Cre/lox recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) in only 2 weeks, and this expression remained stable for at least 75 generations without the need for drug stress. Subsequently, we used the Dre/rox system to directly eliminate the EGFP gene. In addition, two practical applications of the CHO-CDbox cell platform were presented. The first was the quick construction of the Pembrolizumab antibody stable expression strain, while the second was a protocol for the integration of surface-displayed and secreted antibodies on CHO cells. The previous research on site-specific integration of CHO cells has always focused on the single functionality of insertion of target genes. This newly developed CHO cell platform is expected to offer expanded applicability for protein production and gene function studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunhui Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xikui Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyun Zheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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