Effect of Different Cell Culture Medium Surfactants on Cell Growth and Viability

Abstract

Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293F) were cultivated in a proprietary medium, a serum-free fortified DMEM/F12 medium optimised for this cell line and its recombinant products. Seven different medium surfactants were tested for effects on cell growth, viability and productivity. In medium without surfactant, cell growth was considerably decreased, and cell lysis occured. Positive results were obtained for Pluronic F68 (as expected), Pluronic F127, PEG 8,000 and PEG 20,000. Tween 80 and Cremophor EL caused rapid cell death at the concentrations tested. Presented data originates from a small scale screening study. These results will later be extended into bioreactor cultivation, to test the applicability in stirred and sparged environment.