Comparison between MDCK and MDCK-SIAT1 cell lines as preferred host for cell culture-based influenza vaccine production.

Objectives: To evaluate MDCK and MDCK-SIAT1 cell lines for their ability to produce the yield of influenza virus in different Multiplicities of Infection.

Results: Yields obtained for influenza virus H1N1 grown in MDCK-SIAT1 cell was almost the same as MDCK; however, H3N2 virus grown in MDCK-SIAT1 had lower viral titers in comparison with MDCK cells. The optimized MOIs to infect the cells on plates and microcarrier were selected 0.01 and 0.1 for H1N1 and 0.001 and 0.01 for H3N2, respectively.

Conclusions: MDCK-SIAT1 cells may be considered as an alternative mean to manufacture cell-based flu vaccine, especially for the human strains (H1N1), due to its antigenic stability and high titer of influenza virus production.