Production of immunoglobulin A in different reactor configurations.

A murine hybridoma line (Zac3), secreting an IgA monoclonal antibody, was cultivated in different systems: a BALB/c mouse, a T-flask, a stirred-tank bioreactor and a hollow fiber reactor. These systems were characterized in terms of cell metabolism and performances for IgA production. Cultures in T-flask and batch bioreactor were found to be glutamine-limited. Ammonia and lactate were produced in significant amounts. IgA productivity was found to be constant and growth associated. Final IgA concentration was similar in both systems. In fed-batch cultures, supplemented with glutamine and glucose, maximum viable cell concentration was increased by 60% and final IgA concentration by 155%. The hollow fiber reactor was able to produce very large amounts of IgA at very high concentrations, similar to the value found in ascites fluid. The productivity ofZac3 is similar to the values reported for IgG-producing cell lines.