Reduce CHO Cell Aggregation

With Anti-clumping Agents from Lonza

Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are widely used in large-scale

culture. These cells have conventionally been grown as attached
cultures, but they will also grow in suspension, a property which
has allowed for relatively simple scale up in stirred tank and airlift
bioreactors. Unfortunately, some CHO-derived lines which have
been adapted to suspension growth can form large, tightly bound
aggregates in culture.
Why is clumping a problem?
For batch suspension cultures, cell aggregation hinders
accurate cell counting, monitoring and control of the cellular
environment

Transport of nutrients to, and products from, the cells may be

impaired

Cluster formation dramatically influences the growth

behavior of the cells

Cells within aggregates show a strongly reduced specific

proliferation rate
Shear forces exerted on large aggregates cause a
considerably higher specific death rate than those exerted on
single cells, reducing the specific growth rate up to 50%
Approaches to solving the problem of cell aggregation have
proven to be less than satisfactory, until now. Lonza introduces
Anti-clumping Agents A and B, two ready-to-use solutions designed to
minimize CHO cell clumping in suspension cultures. Both solutions
are made exclusively of non-animal origin components.
Anti-clumping Agent A is a buffered, concentrated solution of
Dextran sulfate, and recommended usage is at 100X dilution

Anti-clumping Agent B is a buffered, concentrated solution of

ferric citrate, and recommend use it at 100X or 200X dilution

Control image shows clusters of CHO

CRL-11397 cells grown in suspension
culture.

CHO CRL-11397 cells, grown with Anticlumping Agent A (Dextran sulfate),

do not aggregate in suspension
culture.

CHO CRL-11397 cells, grown with Anticlumping Agent B (Ferric citrate), do

not aggregate in suspension culture.

As a result of using Anti-clumping Agents from Lonza, clumping of cells cultured in

serum-free medium is minimized, leading to a significant increase in cell density and
productivity.
As noted in the below graph, the effect of both agents on CHO cells seeded in PowerCHO 3
Medium is obvious. Cell density is significantly increased by the addition of Anti-clumping
Agent B after just three days in culture, while, after seven days on culture, both Anticlumping Agents A and B exhibit increased productivity of 20 up to 35%.

35000
30000

Day 3 growth
Day 4 growth
Day 5 growth
Day 6 growth
Day 7 prod

2.0
1.8

Units/ml

Avg. RFU

Resolution of clumping problems in CHO cells leads to a significant increase in the cell density and
productivity

1.6
1.4

25000

1.2
20000
1.0
15000

0.8
0.6

10000

Contact Information
Europe
Customer Service:
Technical Service:
E-mail:

Online Ordering:

32 (0) 87 321 611

32 (0) 87 321 611
techsup.europe@lonza.com
or techsup.uk@lonza.com
www.lonza.com

European Offices
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
France
Germany
Italy
The Netherlands
Spain
Switzerland
United Kingdom

0800 201 538

32 (0) 87 321 611
45 43 56 74 07
0800 91 19 81
0800 182 52 87
39 0363 45710
0800 022 4525
34 902 531 366
0800 83 86 20
44 118 979 5234

0.4
5000
0

0.2

PowerCHO 3
(12-772Q)

FeCit 1/200
(BERDO48E)

FeCit 1/100
(BERDO48E)

Dextran Sulfate 1/100

(BERD047E)

Store at 15 30 C

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Unless otherwise noted, all trademarks herein are marks of
the Lonza Group or its affiliates.
Copyright 2007, Lonza Verviers, S.p.r.l. All rights reserved.
FL-BERDO47E 12/07

Ordering Information
Name
Anti-clumping Agent A (Dextran sulfate base)
Anti-clumping Agent B (Ferric citrate base)

Lonza Verviers, S.p.r.l.

B-4800 Verviers, Belgium

Cat. No.
BERD047E
BERD048E

Size
100 ml
100 ml

Price
50
40