Supplements for culture

In monoclonal antibody purification, biological risks are primarily related to the host animal cells, but also to animal supplements for culture medium such as fetal bovine serum or pure proteins (e.g., bovine albumin, insulin, and transferrin). A special risk associated with production of antibodies with rodent cell lines is their high load of C-type particles. These particles are considered as incomplete retroviruses. The danger regarding infecting humans is not clear. Thus, the efficient separation of these particles must be guaranteed. These particles are quantified either by immunological techniques or electron microscopy. 

Although fetal bovine serum (FBS) is a common supplement for culture medium used to achieve high cell proliferation, the use of FBS and other animal products increases the potential risk of transmitting animal diseases. Currently, alternative media for human MSC culture has generated a great deal of enthusiasm, and a variety of serum-free media have been reported (Muller et al., 2006, Lindroos... 

---