Chitosan based microcarriers for cellular growth and biologics production

Abstract

Microcarrier technology has emerged as one of the promising platforms for large scale production of anchorage dependent cells. Cells grown on these carriers have been utilized for applications ranging from tissue engineering to vaccine production. Porous chitosan microcarriers (CMC), having diameter in the range of 250 – 300 µm and having suitability for cell adhesion and proliferation, were prepared and evaluated in this study. CMC were cross-linked by ionic gelation method, using sodium tripolyphosphate, and freeze dried to obtain porous structures. Further, CMC were coated with an extracellular matrix (ECM) component, collagen, and its derivative, gelatin. Subsequently, the ability of coated and uncoated CMC to support the growth of CHO cells secreting human immunoglobulin G (IgG) was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively by fluorescently labeling live cells and determining metabolically active cells respectively. IgG secretion from these cells was determined as a measure of cell functionality. After culturing cell laden CMC for 11 days, uncoated carriers were found to be more favorable for both, cell growth and productivity. The IgG productivity was 97.85, 74.26 and 84.12 ng/ mL for uncoated, collagen and gelatin coated CMC. CMC, based on its intrinsic properties and without the necessity of surface modifications, acted as a promising support matrix for culturing functionally active adherent cells, in suspension culture.

Keywords

• Chitosan
• Microcarriers
• Collagen
• Gelatin
• IgG production