Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus, 2n = 22 chromosomes)
control mechanism
Suspension bioreactor culture and DHFR-deficient (CHO-DXB11 / CHO-DG44) or glutamine-synthetase gene amplification
pioneer
Theodore T. Puck (derived original CHO line in 1957 from a hamster provided by George Yerganian)
Core Principles & Analysis
Theodore T. Puck derived the original Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line in 1957 from a female hamster bred by George Yerganian, whose colony descended from 20 hamsters shipped from Beijing by Dr. Hu Zhengxiang in 1948.
Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)-deficient strains such as CHO-DXB11 and radiation-derived CHO-DG44 (1983) allow methotrexate-driven co-amplification of transfected therapeutic genes to achieve multi-gram-per-liter protein yields.
Starting with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase, FDA-approved in 1987) and recombinant erythropoietin, CHO suspension cultures produce the majority of commercial monoclonal antibodies and human glycoprotein biologics.