The effect of calf serum on human lymphoblastoid cell-derived interferon production

Substitution of low-cost calf serum for fetal bovine serum was evaluated in Namalva cell production of human alpha-lymphoblastoid interferon [HuIFN-alpha(Ly)] in 50-liter fermentors. Namalva cell growth and IFN yields were greatly reduced and protein precipitate weight increased from calf serum-supplemented cell cultures. The overall reduction in IFN production was greater than threefold, making the substitution impractical.