A comparison of monoclonal antibody productivity in different hollow fiber bioreactors

Cell culture in hollow fiber bioreactors has been used as a method for large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies, viruses, cell-associated proteins and cancer antigens. We have examined an important variable in culturing cells in hollow fiber bioreactors: bioreactor composition. Eight different bioreactor designs which varied in nominal molecular weight cutoff, surface area, fiber material and ultra filtration rate were compared in large-scale hollow fiber cultures. A standard protocol utilizing the hybridoma 3C11 (ATCC HB 8511) or African green monkey kidney cells (Vero cells, ATCC CRL 1587) was designed so that the only variable examined was the hollow fiber bioreactor in use. The results suggest that surface area has little effect on antibody productivity, while fiber composition and ultrafiltration rate may play an important role. Vero cell growth was affected by both fiber composition and ultrafiltration rate.