Adventitious viruses in insect cell lines used for recombinant protein expression

Protein Expr Purif. 2018 Apr:144:25-32. doi: 10.1016/j.pep.2017.11.002. Epub 2017 Nov 10.

Abstract

Insect cells are widely used for recombinant protein expression, typically as hosts for recombinant baculovirus vectors, but also for plasmid-mediated transient transfection or stable genetic transformation. Insect cells are used to express proteins for research, as well as to manufacture biologicals for human and veterinary medicine. Recently, several insect cell lines used for recombinant protein expression were found to be persistently infected with adventitious viruses. This has raised questions about how these infections might affect research performed using those cell lines. Furthermore, these findings raised serious concerns about the safety of biologicals produced using those cell lines. In response, new insect cell lines lacking adventitious viruses have been isolated for use as improved research tools and safer biological manufacturing platforms. Here, we review the scientific and patent literature on adventitious viruses found in insect cell lines, affected cell lines, and new virus-free cell lines.

Keywords: Adventitious viruses; Baculovirus insect cell system; Insect cell lines; Sf-rhabdovirus; Spodoptera frugiperda cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cloning, Molecular / methods*
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Vectors*
  • Insecta / virology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics*
  • Viruses / genetics*

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins