Preliminary evaluation of microcarrier culture for growth and monoclonal antibody production of CHO-K1 cells

Background The large-scale production of biopharmaceuticals commonly relies on the use of suspension cell cultures, since they provide higher yields than adherent cultures. However, most mammalian cells grow in adherent mode and therefore need to go through a process of adaptation to suspended growth, which is not always simple or feasible. In this context, microcarrier cultures have introduced new possibilities, allowing the practical culture of anchorage-dependent cells, in suspension systems, achieving high yields. In these systems, cells grow as monolayers on the surface of small spheres – the microcarriers, which are usually kept in suspension in the culture medium by gentle rocking. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, compare and optimize the use of microcarrier culture for the growth and monoclonal antibody (mAb) production of CHO-K1 cells.