Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 6
MicroRNAs for Enhancement of CHO Cell
Proliferation and Stability: Insights from
Neuroblastoma Studies
Raymond L. Stallings
Abstract
The large-scale production of protein demands cell lines that have high
proliferative potential and minimal tendencies to undergo apoptosis or senescence.
Efforts in biotechnology have emphasized improving the genetic characteristics of
CHO cells to enhance protein production. Many of the features of cell lines that
are desirable for biotechnology enterprises, however, are the subject of anti-cancer
research. Anti-cancer therapy attempts to decrease cell proliferation rates and in-
crease the potential for cell differentiation and apoptosis to occur. Thus, it is possible
for biotechnology oriented research to gain considerable insight from therapeutic
targets identified in cancer related studies. Mature microRNAs (miRNA) are 19-22
nt RNA sequences that negatively regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional
level which are emerging as potential therapeutic targets for neoplasia. MiRNAs are
significantly involved with cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, senescence,
cell migration and invasion in the context of both normal developmental processes
and in malignant diseases. They can both promote or retard all of these cellular phe-
notypes, dependent on cellular context. The purpose of this chapter is to review the
phenotypic effects of miRNAs in cancer, using the childhood tumor neuroblastoma
as a model, with a view towards understanding how manipulation of miRNAs in
CHO cells might improve the phenotypic features of the lines for biotechnology
purposes.
Keywords
CHO
·
Neuroblastoma
·
MicroRNA
·
Apoptosis
·
Senescence
·
Ccell
proliferation
·
DNA methylation
·
Differentiation
R. L. Stallings
Cancer Genetics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
e-mail: rstallings@rcsi.ie
National Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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