Osmolarity Effects, Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Culture

Abstract

Abstract Medium osmolality is an important factor to consider during recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell culture. Several studies have shown that hyperosmolality improves the specific foreign protein productivity ( q ), although the effect of hyperosmolality on q in rCHO cell culture seems to differ between cell lines, clones, and gene dosages. However, hyperosmolality decreases the specific growth rate (μ). The depressed cell growth that occurs at elevated osmolality generates a dilemma in that although q is enhanced, a substantial increase in the maximum foreign protein concentration is not attainable. As a remedy to this problem, the addition of osmoprotective compounds, such as glycine betaine, or the regulation of anti‐apoptotic proteins, are offered as potential methods to alleviate the depressed growth and, thus, increase the foreign protein production during hyperosmotic culture.