Engineered CHO Cell Lines for Enhanced Recombinant Protein Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing recombinant protein therapeutic products in CHO cell cultures face limitations in efficiency, with challenges in extending cell culture longevity, accelerating growth rates, and maximizing viable cell density, despite advancements in cell line engineering and process optimization.

Innovation Solution

Genetically engineered cells with targeted modulation of specific genes in catabolic, anabolic, secretion, protein folding, growth factor, cytotoxicity, anti-apoptosis, and gene expression pathways to enhance protein production, including up- or down-regulation of genes such as Hk1, Akt, XIAP, and others, combined with metabolic analysis and media supplementation to optimize energy production and protein folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cell line engineering focuses on extending longevity and accelerating growth rate, then protein production efficiency improves, but energy production and nutrient metabolism become insufficient to support sustained high-level protein production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein production efficiencyVSAvoidenergy production
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the metabolic pathways into distinct catabolic and anabolic components, independently engineering each to optimize both energy production and protein synthesis. By separating these functions into distinct genetic modules, the cell can simultaneously enhance energy generation capacity and protein production without compromising either aspect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modulating the expression levels of key metabolic genes (HK1, PFK1, PKM, IDH3G for catabolism; and various anabolic genes for protein synthesis). By adjusting these genetic parameters, the cell achieves optimized energy production that supports sustained high-level protein production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If catabolic pathway genes are upregulated to enhance energy production, then growth rate increases, but protein folding and secretion may be compromised without coordinated anabolic enhancement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrowth rateVSAvoidprotein folding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the engineering of catabolic and anabolic pathways into a unified cell line modification strategy. By combining upregulation of catabolic genes (HK1, PFK1, PKM, IDH3G) with coordinated upregulation of anabolic genes involved in protein folding and secretion, the system achieves both enhanced growth rate and maintained protein quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs copying by introducing multiple copies of key metabolic genes into the cell genome. This gene amplification strategy ensures sufficient enzyme protein production to support both enhanced energy metabolism and coordinated anabolic processes, preventing bottlenecks in either pathway.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If multiple genes are introduced to enhance protein expression, then titer increases, but cell culture longevity and viability may be reduced due to metabolic burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein titerVSAvoidcell culture longevity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by carefully controlling the expression levels of introduced genes through promoter selection and regulatory element optimization. By tuning these parameters, the cell achieves high protein titer while minimizing metabolic burden that would otherwise reduce cell culture longevity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10577613B1Engineered cell lines for increased protein production
Publication Date: 2020.03.03 CELLTHEON CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to engineered cells that include genetic alterations leading to up- or down-regulation of certain genes in the cells for improved production of a recombinant protein. Also provided are methods of preparing and using such cells.