The influence of cellular seeding density in the microencapsulation of hybridoma cells.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different seeding densities on the function of hybridoma cells (clone 1B5, IgG 2alpha) producing an anti-angiogenic monoclonal antibody (mAb), microencapsulated using a high-voltage electrostatic field. Viable cells were microencapsulated in alginate/poly-L-lysine/alginate (APA) capsules and maintained in tissue culture. Cellular growth rates, production and release of mAb from the capsules were assessed. This study shows that hybridoma cells survive, proliferate and remain functionally competent for over one month in vitro after microencapsulation in APA capsules generated in an electrostatic field. However, the cell seeding density had to be at least 10(7) cells/ml for the microencapsulated cells to be viable and to produce and release mAb through the capsule membrane. The maximum monoclonal antibody concentration in this culture was 29.1 microg/ml by day 17, with a tendency to increase, but capsule breakage impeded the follow-up of this determination.