Bcl-xL overexpression delays the onset of autophagy and apoptosis in hyperosmotic recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cell cultures

Hyperosmolality in recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell cultures induces autophagy and apoptosis. To investigate the effect of Bcl-x(L) overexpression on autophagy and apoptosis in hyperosmotic rCHO cell cultures, an erythropoietin (EPO)-producing rCHO cell line with regulated Bcl-x(L) overexpression was subjected to hyperosmolality resulting from NaCl addition in a batch culture and nutrient supplementation in a fed-batch culture. In the batch culture, Bcl-x(L) overexpression suppressed apoptosis, as evidenced by a decreased amount of cleaved caspase-7 and PARP. Concurrently, Bcl-x(L) overexpression also delayed autophagy, as indicated by reduced LC3 conversion, from LC3-I to LC3-II. As a result, the cell viability and EPO production were improved by Bcl-x(L) overexpression. In the fed-batch culture, the simultaneous application of Bcl-x(L) overexpression and nutrient feeding increased the culture longevity and maximum EPO concentration. Taken together, Bcl-x(L) overexpression delayed autophagy and apoptosis in hyperosmotic rCHO cell cultures, resulting in increased EPO production. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.