Combined effects of polyethylene glycol and pluronic F-68 on the growth and shear protection of hybridoma cells in serum-free medium

The protective effect of Pluronic F-68 and Polyethylene glycol (PEG, molecular weight 20000) on hybridoma cells exposed in short term (4 hours) to air sparging was evaluated in bubble columns. The results showed that the protecting ability of the additives was positively proportional to their concentrations. Hybridoma cells could be fully protected by Pluronic F-68 only at higher concentration (2 g/L), while PEG 20000 could not fully protect cells at the concentration range of 1-3 g/L. When both Pluronic F-68 (0.2 g/L) and PEG 20000 (2 g/L) were supplemented to the medium, it was found that Pluronic F-68 and PEG had synergetic effect in shear protection and cells could be fully protected. The effects of these additives on hybridoma cell growth were examined in static T-flask cultures. It Tvas found that Pluronic F-68 was highly toxic to cells, while PEG 20000 showed promoting effect on cell growth. When both PEG and Pluronic F-68 were supplemented to the medium, the results showed that PEG could reduce the detrimental effect of Plutonic F-68, and cells could grow normally.