Transcriptome and proteome analysis of antibody-producing mouse myeloma NS0 cells cultivated at different cell densities in perfusion culture.

A combined gene and protein expression profiling was performed to gain a deeper insight into the intracellular response of the antibody-producing GS-NS0 cell line in continuous perfusion culture. Growth rate, production rate, metabolic activity and viability declined with increasing cell density, dilution rate and time. Transcriptome and proteome analyses of cells at three different densities revealed 53 genes and 47 proteins as having significantly altered expression levels at HCD (high cell density). The results showed an increased up-regulation of genes/proteins involved in cellular energy production with increasing cell density. Furthermore, the intensified process triggered a cellular response to external stress stimuli, revealed by an overexpression of the genes/proteins implicated in cell-cycle arrest [e.g. Rb1 (retinoblastoma 1 gene) and Cdkn1b (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B gene)] and in the induction of pro-apoptotic genes/proteins [e.g. Tnfrsf (tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily gene), Nfkappa bia (gene coding for nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor), HSP60 (heat-shock protein of molecular mass 60 kDa) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K]. Interestingly, we observed a down-regulation of the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 4 involved in the unfolded-protein-response process and protein disulfide-isomerase family members responsible for protein folding and assembly. Additionally, subunits of proteasome complex were highly expressed at HCD. Microarray, real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR and Western-blot analyses demonstrated a consistent trend of decrease in IgG heavy-chain level with increasing cell density. HSP60, which inhibits apoptosis by complexing with pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax and Bak, was repressed at HCD. Overall, the data suggested that the balance among several factors involved in energy metabolism might be essential for fine-tuning the cell choice between survival and apoptosis, leaning towards the side of apoptosis at HCD. The results provide significant information for cell-engineering strategies and solutions to problems that prevail in HCD culture.