Gene Expression In CHO Cells Research Articles

PEI-Mediated Transient Gene Expression in CHO Cells.

We describe a method for polyethyleneimine (PEI)-mediated transient transfection of suspension-adapted Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-DG44) cells for protein expression applicable at scales from 2mL to 2L. The method involves transfection at a high cell density (5×106 cells/mL) by direct addition of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and PEI to the culture and subsequent incubation at 31°C with agitation by orbital shaking. This method requires 0.3mg/L of coding pDNA, 2.7mg/L of nonspecific (filler) DNA, and 15mg/L of PEI. The production phase is performed at 31°C in the presence of 0.25% N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA). If desired, the method can be modified to avoid use of DMA by increasing the amount of coding DNA. We also provide information on culture vessel options, recommended working volumes, and recommended shaking speeds for transfections at scales from 2mL to 2L.

Rapid, high-yield production of full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike ectodomain by transient gene expression in CHO cells

Recombinant forms of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses have proven difficult to produce with good yields in mammalian cells. Given the panoply of potential COVID-19 diagnostic tools and therapeutic candidates that require purified spike protein and its importance for ongoing SARS-CoV-2 research, we have explored new approaches for spike production and purification. Three transient gene expression methods based on PEI-mediated transfection of CHO or HEK293 cells in suspension culture in chemically-defined media were compared for rapid production of full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike ectodomain. A high-cell-density protocol using DXB11-derived CHOBRI/55E1 cells gave substantially better yields than the other methods. Different forms of the spike ectodomain were expressed, including the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 sequence and a mutated form (to favor expression of the full-length spike ectodomain stabilized in pre-fusion conformation), with and without fusion to putative trimerization domains. An efficient two-step affinity purification method was also developed. Ultimately, we have been able to produce highly homogenous preparations of full-length spike, both monomeric and trimeric, with yields of 100−150 mg/L in the harvested medium. The speed and productivity of this method support further development of CHO-based approaches for recombinant spike protein manufacturing.

Altered gene expression in CHO cells following polyamine starvation.

To investigate the impact of polyamine deprivation on the transcriptome of CHO cells RESULTS: Polyamines play a central but poorly-understood role in cell proliferation. Most studies to date have utilised chemical inhibitors to probe polyamine function. Here we exploit the fact that CHO cells grown in serum-free medium have an absolute requirement for putrescine supplementation due to their deficiency in activity of the enzyme arginase. A gene expression microarray (Affymetrix) analysis of CHO-K1 cells starved of polyamines for 3days showed that cessation of growth, associated with increased G1/S transition and inhibition ofM/G1 transitionwas accompanied by increased mRNA levels of mitotic complex checkpoint genes (Mad2l1, Tkk, Bub1b) and in the transition of G1- to S-phase (such as Skp2 and Tfdp1). mRNAs associated with DNA homologous recombination and repair (including Fanconi's anaemia-related genes) and with RNA splicing were consistently increased. Alterations in mRNA levels for genes related to protein processing in the ER, to ER stress, and to p53-related and apoptosis pathways were also observed. mRNAs showing highest levels of fold-change included several which code for membrane-localised proteins and receptors (Thbs1, Tfrc1, Ackr3, Extl1). Growth-arrest induced by polyamine deprivation was associated with significant alterations in levels of mRNAs associated with cell cycle progression, DNA repair, RNA splicing, ER trafficking and membrane signalling as well as p53 and apoptosis-related pathways.

PEI-Mediated Transient Gene Expression in CHO Cells.

We describe a method for polyethyleneimine (PEI) mediated transient transfection of suspension-adapted Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-DG44) cells for protein expression applicable at scales from 2mL to 2L. The method involves transfection at a high cell density (5×106 cells/mL) by direct addition of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and PEI to the culture and subsequent incubation at 31°C with agitation by orbital shaking. This method requires 0.3mg/L of coding pDNA, 2.7mg/L of nonspecific (filler) DNA and 15mg/L of PEI. The production phase is performed at 31°C in the presence of 0.25% N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA). We also provide information on culture vessel options, recommended working volumes, and recommended shaking speeds for transfections at scales from 2mL to 2L.

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional targeting for enhanced transient gene expression in CHO cells.

To develop a simple approach to increase titers of transient gene expression in CHO cells without relying on host cell line engineering as recent reports suggest that for PEI-mediated transfections, under optimized conditions, DNA delivery into cells and nuclei is not the limiting factor. N, N-Dimethyl acetamide (DMA) was utilized to enhance transcription. To target post-transcriptional events, we evaluated the co-expression of various genes involved in the unfolded protein response, namely XBP1S, ATF4, CHOP and HSPA5. XBP1S overexpression led to a 15-85% increase in titer for multiple therapeutic proteins. Mechanistic studies confirmed that addition of 0.125% DMA increased transgene mRNA levels as expected. However, overexpression of XBP1S had no effect on transgene mRNA levels, indicating that it influenced post-transcriptional events. Since DMA and XBP1S targeted different pathways, the combination of the two approaches led to an additive improvement in protein titer (150-250% titer increase). Transcriptional and post-transcriptional pathways of transient gene expression can be targeted to increase titers without resorting to host cell line engineering in a simple, short, 7day production process.

NF-κB, CRE and YY1 elements are key functional regulators of CMV promoter-driven transient gene expression in CHO cells.

Transient gene expression (TGE) in CHO cells is utilized to produce material for use in early stage drug development. These systems typically utilize the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter to drive recombinant gene transcription. In this study, we have mechanistically dissected CMV-mediated TGE in CHO cells in order to identify the key regulators of this process. An in silico analysis of the promoter composition of transcription factor regulatory elements (TFREs) and the CHO cell repertoire of transcription factors identified eight TFREs as likely effectors of CMV activity. We determined the regulatory function of these elements by preventing their cognate transcription factors from binding at the CMV promoter. This was achieved by both scrambling promoter binding site sequences and using decoy molecules to sequester intracellular transcription factors. We determined that the vast majority of CMV activity is mediated by just two discrete TFREs, showing that simultaneous inhibition of NF-κB and CRE-mediated transactivation reduced CMV-driven transient secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) production by over 75%. Further, we identified a mechanism by which CMV-mediated TGE is negatively regulated in CHO cells, showing that inhibition of YY1-mediated transrepression increased SEAP production 1.5-fold. This work enables optimization and control of CMV-mediated TGE in CHO cells, in order to improve transient protein production yields.

Toward stable gene expression in CHO cells

Maintaining high gene expression level during long-term culture is critical when producing therapeutic recombinant proteins using mammalian cells. Transcriptional silencing of promoters, most likely due to epigenetic events such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, is one of the major mechanisms causing production instability. Previous studies demonstrated that the core CpG island element (IE) from the hamster adenine phosphoribosyltransferase gene is effective to prevent DNA methylation. We generated one set of modified human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) promoters by insertion of one or two copies of IE in either forward or reverse orientations into different locations of the hCMV promoter. The modified hCMV with one copy of IE inserted between the hCMV enhancer and core promoter in reverse orientation (MR1) was most effective at enhancing expression stability in CHO cells without comprising expression level when compared with the wild type hCMV. We also found that insertion of IE into a chimeric murine CMV (mCMV) enhancer and human elongation factor-1α core (hEF) promoter in reverse orientation did not enhance expression stability, indicating that the effect of IE on expression stability is possibly promoter specific.

Enhancement of Exogenous Gene Expression by the Artificial Transcription Factor in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells

Using the amino acids 1-147 of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4 as the DNA-binding domain and four tandem repeats of the 12-aa peptide (DALDDFDLDMLG) of the herpesvirus VP16 as the activation domain, an artificial transcription factor, GVP4 was constructed via the linkage of the nuclear localization signal sequence of SV40. And then, GVP4 was cloned into expression vector pcDNA3.1/Hygro(+). Various amounts of targeting sites of artificial transcription factor were linked to the upstream of promoter CMV in exogenous gene expression vector pcDNA3.1(+) that separately harbored EGFP cDNA and t-PA cDNA. The CHO cells were co-transfected with GVP4 expression vector and EGFP or t-PA expression vector. The effect of GVP4 on exogenous gene expression was evaluated by measuring the fluorescence intensity of EGFP in CHO cells and the concentration of t-PA in the supernatant. GVP4 showed positive effect on enhancement of exogenous gene expression in CHO cells integrated with targeting sites of artificial transcription factor. And, CHO cells integrated with 10 targeting sites of GVP4 was more favorable to foreign gene expression, which resulted in 2-3-fold increase in both EGFP and t-PA expressions. These results indicated that artificial transcription factor is potent in the enhancement of exogenous gene expression in mammalian cells.

Transient gene expression in CHO cells monitored with automated flow cytometry

Transient gene expression is frequently used in industry to rapidly generate usable quantities of a protein from cultured cells. In gene therapy applications it is used to express a therapeutic protein in vivo. A quantitative assessment of the expression kinetics is important because it enables optimization and control of culture conditions for higher productivity. Previous experimental studies show a characteristic peak in average protein expression per cell after transfection followed by an exponential decrease of the expressed protein. Here, we show that the exponential decrease in single cell expression of enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (eGfp) occurs in discrete steps. We attribute this to the absence of plasmid replication and to symmetric partitioning of plasmid and eGfp between dividing cells. This is reflected in the total eGfp in the bioreactor, which increased at a constant rate throughout the experiment. Additionally, the data provide a detailed time course of cell physiology during recovery from electroporation. The time course of cell physiology precisely indicates when the culture shifts growth phases. Furthermore, the data indicate two unique stationary phases. One type of stationary phase occurs when proliferation ceases while cells decrease their cell size, maintain granularity, and mean eGfp content decreases. The second type occurs when proliferation ceases while cells increase their cell size, increase granularity, and surprisingly maintain eGfp content. The collected data demonstrate the utility of automated flow cytometry for unique bioreactor monitoring and control capabilities in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration's Process Analytical Technology initiative.

Effects of elevated ammonium on glycosylation gene expression in CHO cells

The negative effects of ammonium on recombinant protein productivity and glycosylation have been well documented, but the interaction of ammonium on glycosylation genes has not been completely elucidated. In this study, the effects of elevated ammonium on 12 glycosylation related genes in Chinese hamster ovary cells were evaluated by quantitative real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Numerous cytosol and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localized genes associated with early glycosylation steps were insensitive to the ammonium condition. The initial expression of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-galactose transporter was higher for the ammonium-treated culture, while the initial expressions of cytosine monophosphate (CMP)-sialic acid transporter, β(1,4)-galactosyltransferase, and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase were higher for the control culture. α(2,3)-sialyltransferase was observed to have lower expression level under the elevated ammonium condition compared to the control culture. This study indicates that galactosylation and sialylation inhibition is mainly due to decreased gene expression of galactosyltransferase, sialyltransferase, and CMP-sialic acid transporter and not due to sialidase. These unbalanced initial glycosylation and branching steps can explain the higher molecular heterogeneity under ammonium stress. Moreover, this study indicates that elevated ammonium has limited effects on the glycosylation genes associated with the ER and cytosol compared to the genes associated with the Golgi.

Involvement of the retinoblastoma protein in brown and white adipocyte cell differentiation: Functional and physical association with the adipogenic transcription factor C/EBPα

We investigated the expression of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) in adipocytes and its possible interaction with the adipogenic transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) in controlling the acquisition of the terminally differentiated adipocyte phenotype. The pRB was expressed (as measured by immunoblotting and/or immunofluorescence) in mice brown and white adipose tissue and in cultured adipocytes that showed lipid accumulation and expressed specific differentiation markers such as aP2 (measured using a specific cDNA probe) and in the case of brown adipocytes UCP-1 (measured using specific antibodies), but was undetectable in proliferative undifferentiated preadipocytes. Transient transfection experiments revealed a functional interaction between pRB and C/EBPalpha affecting transcription from the ucp-1 gene promoter. Thus, in immortalized brown adipocytes, co-transfection of both a C/EBPalpha and a pRB expression vectors maximally enhanced the expression of reporter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase driven by the ucp-1 promoter. Interestingly, C/EBPalpha inhibited reporter gene expression in CHO cells in an effect that was also potentiated in the presence of pRB. A positive effect of pRB on transcription from the ucp-1 promoter could be detected in C/EBPalpha-/-fibroblasts only after forced to overexpress C/EBPalpha, suggesting that the effect of pRB is dependent on its interaction with C/EBPalpha. We also found evidence that pRB and C/EBPalpha can directly bind to each other in vitro. Our results show that the expression of pRB is restricted to differentiated adipocytes, and provide evidence of a physical and functional interaction between pRB and C/EBPalpha that affects the transcriptional activity of the later on a brown adipocyte-specific gene.

Inhibition of plasmid reporter gene expression in CHO cells by DNA adducts of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine.

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) are two members of a family of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HAs) found in cooked meats that form DNA adducts after activation to N-acetoxy derivatives. The ability of IQ- and PhIP-DNA adducts to inhibit gene expression was investigated using a human growth hormone (hGH) reporter gene in a pUC12-based mammalian expression vector under the control of either the herpes simplex virus-1 thymidine kinase promoter or the human immunodeficiency virus-1 long terminal repeat. The plasmids were treated in vitro with 0, 5, 10, or 40 microM N-hydroxy-IQ or N-hydroxy-PhIP in the presence of a 10-fold molar excess of acetic anhydride to generate the N-acetoxy derivatives in situ. The adduct levels in the plasmids were quantitated by the 32P-postlabeling method. The adducted (and control) plasmids were each transfected into repair-deficient or -proficient Chinese hamster ovary cells, and expression of hGH was measured by immunoassay of growth hormone secreted into the cell medium. The results showed that IQ- and PhIP-DNA adducts inhibited gene expression in both plasmids and that the degree of inhibition of hGH production was proportional to the levels of IQ- and PhIP-DNA adducts. The degree of inhibition, however, was independent of the promoter, despite the differences in the strengths of the two promoters to drive hGH production. Repair capacity influenced the extent of inhibition of gene expression by HA adducts since, in general, fewer adducts were needed to inhibit reporter gene expression in repair-deficient cells than in repair-proficient cells. In both cell lines, DNA adducts of PhIP appeared to be more potent in inhibiting hGH expression than adducts of IQ. Whether alteration of gene expression by HA adducts plays a role in the carcinogenicity of these compounds deserves further study.

Chromosomal rearrangements and gene expression in CHO cells: mapping of alleles for eight enzyme loci on CHO chromosomes Z3, Z4, Z5, and Z7.

Analysis of CHO electrophoretic mobility shift mutants for six enzyme loci ( LDHA , GAA, IDH2 , ME1, PGM3, and MPI) that have been previously mapped to Chinese hamsters chromosomes 3 and 4 indicated that each of these loci, with the exception of IDH2 , are functionally dizygous in CHO. Segregation analysis of CHO X mouse somatic cell hybrids allowed regional gene mapping assignments for a total of eight Chinese hamster chromosome 3- or 4-derived marker loci (the above six, plus APRT and PKM2) to CHO chromosomes Z3 , Z4 , Z5 , and Z7 . For seven of these enzyme loci (all but IDH2 ), two alleles are expressed in CHO cells, each segregating with a different Z-group chromosome. These gene mapping assignments confirm genetically that CHO chromosomes Z3 , Z4 , Z5 , and Z7 are, in fact, derived from Chinese hamster chromosomes 3 and 4, and provide insight into the effects of chromosomal rearrangements on gene expression and hemizygosity in CHO cells.