Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are an important tool in modern biotechnology and medicine. These specialized cells are widely used in scientific research and play a significant role in the manufacturing of various drugs. Their unique properties make them highly adaptable for producing complex biological molecules.
What Are Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells?
Chinese Hamster Ovary cells are immortalized cell lines originally derived from the epithelial cells of a Chinese hamster’s ovary. These adaptable cells are cultivated in laboratories worldwide and are known for their rapid growth in suspension cultures, which allows for large-scale cultivation. They are also easily adaptable to varying environmental conditions, including changes in oxygen levels, temperature, and pH.
CHO cells are characterized by a low chromosome number, which makes them easier to manipulate for genetic studies. These cells can be genetically modified, allowing scientists to introduce specific genes to produce desired proteins. Their ability to grow in serum-free and chemically defined media, combined with their genetic manipulability, contributes to their widespread use.
The Role of CHO Cells in Biopharmaceutical Production
CHO cells are essential for manufacturing complex biological drugs, often referred to as biologics, which include monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic proteins like insulin and growth hormones, and various enzymes. They are the most commonly used mammalian hosts for the industrial production of recombinant protein therapeutics, accounting for over 70% of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Their ability to grow in suspension cultures is particularly beneficial for large-scale industrial production, allowing for easier scalability within bioreactors.
A key reason for their use is their capacity for proper protein folding and glycosylation, which involves adding sugar molecules to proteins. This process is important because human-like glycosylation patterns are often necessary for the therapeutic function, stability, and activity of these complex proteins.
Unlike bacterial systems, CHO cells possess the sophisticated cellular machinery to perform these complex post-translational modifications, making the proteins suitable for human applications. CHO cells also offer high production yields, ensuring efficient and cost-effective manufacturing.
Beyond Therapeutics: Other Scientific Contributions of CHO Cells
Beyond their primary role in producing biopharmaceuticals, CHO cells contribute to other significant scientific areas. They are utilized in vaccine development, particularly for recombinant subunit vaccines. These cells are genetically engineered to express specific antigens, which are then purified and used as active components in vaccine formulations to stimulate immune responses.
CHO cells also serve as a valuable model system for basic cell biology research. Their well-characterized nature and sequenced genome make them useful for studies in genetics, toxicity screening, nutrition, and gene expression. Their genetic manipulability extends to advancing gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9. Researchers use CRISPR-Cas9 to modify specific genes in CHO cells, which can lead to improved protein production, enhanced growth characteristics, and targeted glycosylation profiles. This genetic engineering capability makes them a versatile tool for understanding cellular processes and optimizing cell lines for various research and industrial applications.
The Enduring Significance of CHO Cells
Chinese Hamster Ovary cells have significantly impacted modern medicine and biotechnology. Their characteristics have enabled the development and production of many drugs, including monoclonal antibodies and various therapeutic proteins. This has established them as a key cell line in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Their continued relevance is evident in ongoing research aimed at enhancing their productivity and adaptability through advancements in cell line engineering and bioprocessing. As scientific understanding expands and new challenges emerge, CHO cells remain an adaptable and reliable platform, continuing to facilitate the creation of new therapies and advancing fundamental biological knowledge.