The effect of bioreactor configuration on production of HIV and cell-virus interaction

In an attempt to establish a bioreactor system for generation of HIV that is practicable, efficient, biologically contained, and capable of scale up, the production of two strains of this virus was examined in suspension culture and the 'Porosphere' fixed bed system. HIV 1 and HIV 2 were grown successfully in both these types of reactor. The porosphere reactor theoretically appears to offer a better environment for HIV production, but evidence for significantly improved yields from this system, compared to suspension, was equivocal. However, this configuration facilitated media changes during culture. The data clearly showed that the culture system and cell environment significantly affected cell-virus interrelationships. Switches between lytic--and persistent--type infections, and changes in the virus population were observed.