The choice of mammalian cell host and possibilities for glycosylation engineering

Non-human mammalian cells such as CHO have been used predominantly for the production of biopharmaceuticals including monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). Although the glycosylation profile of these products is 'human-like' there is still the possibility of immunogenic epitopes such as α-Gal and Neu5Gc. Human cell lines have now been designed for high productivity of recombinant proteins and ensuring authentic glycosylation patterns. The control of glycosylation on such proteins is important for the efficacy of recombinant biopharmaceuticals as well as the immunogenic properties of viral vaccines such as influenza. We are now starting to understand some of the relationships between the structure of glycans and the function bestowed on the associated protein. This has promoted cell culture technologies for the targeted control of glycosylation to produce pre-determined glycan profiles of secreted products.