Assessment of Recovery Medium for Production of hCTLA4Ig after Cryopreservation in Transgenic Rice Cells

A reproducible method for cryopreservation of transgenic rice cells (Oryza sativa L. cv. Dongjin) producing recombinant human cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4-immunoglobulin (hCTLA4Ig) has been established. Here, we assessed recovery media and investigated recombinant protein homogeneity after long-term preservation. For recovery of cryopreserved transgenic rice cells, AA medium was suitable in terms of both morphology and production of hCTLA4Ig. There were no differences in cell growth, sugar consumption, and hCTLA4Ig production between non-cryopreserved and cryopreserved cells for up to 1 month. hCTLA4Ig produced from cryopreserved cells was identical that of hCTLA4Ig from non-cryopreserved cells, as determined by analysis of its molecular weight and isoforms. For long-term preservation, cell viability was stably maintained at 61% for 26 months. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the possibility for reproducible cryocell-banking of transgenic rice cells without changes in the characteristics of cells and target proteins.