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