Production of monoclonal antibody against thyroid stimulating hormone using hollow fiber bioreactor

Abstract

A study for the production of monoclonal antibody against thyroid stimulating hormone was carried out using hollow fiber bioreactor which was assembled using inexpensive hollow fiber dialysers. For the purpose of producing high yield of monoclonal antibody, the hollow fiber bioreactor was operated by alternating the direction of media flow before feeding to the cell culture cartridge in order to reduce the effects of pressure gradient. A total cell viability of 108 cells were inoculated to the extracapillary space of the cell culture cartridge. After inoculation, a 5-day batch with one direction of media flow was operated. Then, followed by the 24-hour circulating flow alternated clockwise and anticlockwise of the media throughout the culture period. In case that the viability of the cell was less than 10%, the frequency of reversing direction must be changed from every 24 hours to every 12 hours instead. In order to increase the yield of monoclonal antibody from harvest, the extracapillary port of cell culture cartridge must be positioned at angle of 90 degree from the vertical position. Additionally, when the culture was at the steady state, the amount of fetal bovine serum could be reduced gradually to 0% without any effects on monoclonal antibody production and cell metabolism. During the culture period, the medium circulation rate, the replacement of medium reservoir, and the harvest of product were based on metabolite products. Under the above conditions, the hollow fiber bioreactor could generate 750 mg of monoclonal antibody in 67 days