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HEK cells vs CHO cells in recombinant antibody production What’s the better choice?
The demand for therapeutic proteins is constantly growing and gives further reason for continuing the development of high-quality protein production technologies. Mammalian cell lines are the preferred choice to create recombinant proteins, in particular Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and human embryonic kidney (HEK or HEK293) cells.
H
also known to be a reliable base for the translation
CHO cells: the workhorse of the biopharma industry
and processing of proteins and can therefore be
CHO cells are the workhorse of the biopharma
used for many experiments. As Dr Desmond
industry — over 70% of biopharmaceuticals, and
Schofield, Director of Business Development at
almost all antibodies, are produced within this cell
evitria, explained:
line. A review by Dumont et al found that only five
suitable for various transfection methods. They are
owever, with the higher demand
also comes a higher confusion of which cell line to pick for one’s own studies. HEK cells are known to
“HEK cells are a well-established and
be very popular due to their easy handling and use
commonly used host for transient expression in
for protein production, while CHO cells are the
R&D labs. They are easy to transiently transfect
CHO cells are robust hosts that grow well
most used mammalian production cell line within
using a variety of different and low-cost methods,
in suspension culture, can easily be adapted
the biopharmaceutical industry. Due to the many
and produce fully human glycosylation patterns.
to serum-free media, and can produce and
possibilities as well as advantages and disadvantages,
Their transfectability is the main reason for their
secrete recombinant antibodies in the multi-
it can be quite troubling to decide which cells would
widespread use and popularity.”
gram scale. As they are hamster-derived cells,
FDA-approved biotherapeutics are produced within HEK, and 50 with CHO (as of 2016).
However, HEK cells are rarely used beyond
they are less susceptible to contamination
research settings, due to several limitations. One of
by human viruses, but still perform human-
the biggest obstacles a researcher could face when
compatible glycosylation. They do lack α[2-6]
HEK: common host for transient expression in R&D labs
using HEK cells is that they are difficult to grow in
sialyltransferase α[1-3/4] fucosyltransferases, and
large-scale, serum-free cultures. They form clumps
they produce glycans that are not expressed in
HEK cells are popular protein expression hosts
that hinder nutrient transfer and growth, and cause
humans, namely α-gal and NGNA. However, the
among researchers due to their fast transfectability
heterogeneity in the culture process. Furthermore,
glycosylation modifications from these changes
and protein production. Adding to that, HEK cells
these clumps reduce the efficiency of downstream
are rarely required for the function of a given
are easy to reproduce and to maintain and are
processing and purification.
product, and the additional glycans only occur
serve specific research the best. This article is designed to help scientists make the right choice.
30 | LAB+LIFE SCIENTIST - Apr/May 2022
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