MDCK microcarrier cultures: Seeding density effects and amino acid utilization

Abstract

The growth of Madin Darby canine kidney cells on microcarriers was studied at different cell seeding densities. Maximum growth was attained when a cell-to-bead ratio of 7∶1 was used. Under these conditions an initial concentration of above 3×10⁵ cells/ml resulted in a yield of over 2×10⁶ cells/ml in 2 d. The amino acid utilization of cells from Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium was studied under the above conditions. Eight amino acids (arg, cys, gln, ile, leu, met, ser, and val) showed rapid and near complete depletion from the medium. Five amino acids (his, lys, phe, thr, and tyr) showed limited depletion. Two amino acids (ala and gly) were released into the medium by the cells.