PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT SOLUBLE HUMAN TNF RECEPTOR USING THE BACULOVIRUS-INSECT CELL EXPRESSION SYSTEM

Truncated fragments of the TNF receptor α (75 kDa) and β (55 kDa) lacking the transmembrane and intracellular regions were expressed in recombinant baculovirus-infected insect cells (Sf9) and secreted into the culture medium during 3-5 days post-infection. The purified soluble receptors displayed post-translational modification (i.e. glycosylation) and ligand-binding characteristics similar to the native receptors and neutralized TNF activities in a cellular cytotoxicity assay. Some results of the preliminary study will be presented including metabolic activities, high cell density culture and production in the presence of the glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin.