Mammalian production cells are cell lines derived from mammalian organisms, such as humans, mice, or hamsters, that are widely used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and scientific research. These cells are employed to produce recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and other biopharmaceuticals, as well as to study gene expression, protein function, and other cellular processes.
Mammalian production cells are preferred for certain applications because they possess the ability to perform complex post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation, disulfide bond formation, and protein folding, which are critical for the proper function of many therapeutic proteins. They can also secrete the desired protein into the culture medium, which simplifies purification and downstream processing.
Some commonly used mammalian production cell lines include:
- Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells: CHO cells are the most widely used mammalian cell line for the production of recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies, due to their high protein expression levels, adaptability to various culture conditions, and ability to perform proper post-translational modifications.
- HEK293 cells: Derived from human embryonic kidney cells, HEK293 cells are often used for the production of recombinant proteins, gene therapy vectors, and viral vaccines.
- NS0 and Sp2/0 cells: These mouse myeloma cell lines are commonly used for the production of monoclonal antibodies.
- Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells: BHK cells are used for the production of certain recombinant proteins and viral vaccines.
- Vero cells: Derived from the kidney of an African green monkey, Vero cells are used for the production of viral vaccines and the study of virus-host interactions.
The choice of a mammalian production cell line depends on the specific requirements of the target protein or application, such as the desired level of protein expression, post-translational modifications, and regulatory compliance.
