Adenovirus Vector Production in 293 Fed-Batch Cultyres

Abstract

Adenovirus vector production kinetics using 293 cells were investigated in serum-free fedbatch cultures. The monitoring of infection progress and vector production was facilitated by the use of a recombinant adenovirus expressing greenfluorescence protein (GFP). The metabolic activities at different stages of the culture were monitored with online measurements of oxygen uptake rate (OUR), which allowed for the controlling of glucose and glutamine levels in a fed-batch mode. The metabolism of 293 cells shifted from a high lactate producing state to a low lactate producing state gradually. As a result the maximum viable cell density reached was higher than that achieved in a batch culture. Comparing cell metabolism before and after the metabolic shift, the specific consumption rates of glucose and all amino acids in cells in low lactate producing state were significantly reduced. The extension of such strategy enabled us to perform adenovirus infection at a high cell density without medium replacement. It is envisaged that the above studies will aid the development of production process that delivers the required level of viral vectors for gene therapy.