PRODUCTION OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A IN DIFFERENT REACTOR CONFIGURATIONS

A murine hybridoma line (Zac3), secreting an IgA monoclonal antibody, was cultivated in different systems: a BALB/c mouse, a T-flask, a stir red-tank bioreactor and a hollow fiber reactor. These systems were cha racterized in terms of cell metabolism and performances for IgA produc tion. Cultures in T-flask and batch bioreactor were found to be glutam ine-limited. Ammonia and lactate were produced in significant amounts. IgA productivity was found to be constant and growth associated. Fina l IgA concentration was similar in both systems. In fed-batch cultures , supplemented with glutamine and glucose, maximum viable cell concent ration was increased by 60% and final IgA concentration by 155%. The h ollow fiber reactor was able to produce very large amounts of IgA at v ery high concentrations, similar to the value found in ascites fluid. The productivity of Zac3 is similar to the values reported for IgG-pro ducing cell lines.