| abstract |
Compositions and methods that increase the lifespan of cell cultures and allow increased production of recombinant proteins such as proteins, preferably antibodies, peptides, enzymes, growth factors, interleukins, interferons, hormones and vaccines are disclosed. Cells transfected with genes or vectors that inhibit apoptosis such as triple mutant Bcl-2 can survive longer in culture, extending the state of protein biosynthesis and expansion of yield. Such transformed cells exhibit a maximum cell density equal to or greater than the maximum density achieved by the parental cell line. Transformed cells can also be pre-adapted for growth in serum-free medium, which greatly reduces the time required to produce the protein in serum-free medium. In certain methods, the pre-adapted cells can be used to produce proteins after being transformed under serum-free conditions. The method preferably comprises eukaryotic cells, more preferably mammalian cells. |