Cell and virus propagation on cylindrical cellulose based microcarriers

Microgranular DEAE-cellulose anion exchanger with exchange capacities ranging between 0-2.7 meq/gr dry materials were tested for their suitability to be used as microcarriers for culturing several anchorage-dependent-cells. It was found that cells from established cell lines (BHK, MDCK), grew as confluent monolayer on DEAE-cellulose microcarriers with exchange capacity ranging between 1.00-2.0 meq/gr dry materials. Primary cells (chick embryo fibroblast) grow as a cell-microcarriers aggregate on DEAE-cellulose microcarriers with an exchange capacity ranging between 1.59-2.0 meq/gr dry materials. Cells from human diploid cell strains grew poorly on these microcarriers. Cell yields obtained using the DEAE-cellulose microcarriers were similar to those obtained on commercially available DEAE-dextran microcarrier culturing systems. Several viruses were propagated on cells grown in DEAE-cellulose microcarrier culturing systems. Virus yields per cell were similar to those obtained in conventional monolayer cultures.