Programmed cell death an overview of apoptosis in cell culture
B. T. Tey1, R. P. Singh2 and M. Al Rubeai3
Centre for Bioprocess Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston,
Birmingham, B 15 2TT, UK.
1Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty ofEngineering,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
2Lonza Biologic Plc, 228, Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4DY, UK
Received 28 February 2001 /Accepted 15 March 2001
Abstract.
The importance of programmed cell death or apoptosis during the cultivation of animal cell lines is becoming increasingly apparent. Because apoptosis contributes to a diverse variety of adverse and undesirable processes, understanding its regulatory control might provide insight into the mechanism of these conditions and suggest novel strategies to improve cell viability and productivity. In this review we describe the morphological and biochemical characteristics of the two distinct forms of cell death (apoptosis and necrosis) and the common techniques used to identify them. The mechanisms involved in apoptosis and its regulation at the molecular level aswell as the involvement and role of factors that appear to participate in the apoptotic process are also described. We also discuss progress on the development of novel solutions to improve culture productivity through the apoptotic route with illustrations of practical applications from the authors' own research.
Keywords: Apoptosis, programmed cell death, cell culture, biotechnology, bioreactor, survival gene
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