Effect of Butyrate on Cell Growth and Expression of EPO in Recombinant CHO Cells

Recombinant CHO cells were cultured in CHO-S-SFM II. The effects of sodium butyrate on cell growth, glucose metabolism and EPO expression were investigated. Cell growth decreased with the addition of sodium butyrate in the serum-free medium and was entirely inhibited at 2 mmol/L sodium butyrate. The specific rate of glucose utilization was also reduced by 30% in the presence of sodium butyrate. In addition, EPO expression was not facilitated by the addition of sodium butyrate, but its addition may be helpful to maintain the stability of EPO productivity.