Resveratrol addition to CHO cell culture media: The effect on cell growth, monoclonal antibody synthesis and its chemical modification

The effect of the addition of resveratrol to cell culture media during the production of monoclonal antibodies was investigated. Treatments of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing immunoglobulin G (IgG) with 25 and 50 μM resveratrol showed that resveratrol was capable of slowing cell growth whilst almost doubling cell specific productivity to 4.7 ± 0.6 pg IgG/cell⋅day, resulting in up to a 1.37‐fold increase of the final IgG titre. A resveratrol concentration of 50 μM slowed the progression through the cell cycle temporarily by trapping cells in the S‐phase. Cation exchange chromatography showed no significant difference in the composition of acidic or basic IgG species and size exclusion chromatography indicated no change in fragmentation or aggregation of the recombinant IgG in the treatment groups. Resveratrol could be used as a chemical additive to CHO media where it would enhance IgG productivity and provide a degree of protection against hydroxyl and superoxide free radicals, expanding the range of options for process improvement available to monoclonal antibody manufacturers.