Poly-γ-glutamic acid enhances the quality of recombant erythropoietin produced by CHO cells.

The effect of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γPGA), which is produced by Bacillus sp., on the production of recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in suspension culture was evaluated. The growth, viability, and productivity of recombinant CHO cells were investigated in a chemically defined medium with 50 and 500 kD γPGAs at 0.075% or with Pluronic F68. Cell growth with the two γPGAs was lower than that with Pluronic F68 but significantly higher than that without any additive (control). The effect of additives on rEPO productivity was 50 kDa γPGA > 500 kDa γPGA > Pluronic F68 > control. Using EPO-dependent F-36E cells, we found that the effect of additives on rEPO quality was 500 kDa γPGA > 50 kDa γPGA > control > Pluronic F68. γPGA has an enhancement effect on the quality of rEPO produced by CHO cells.