CARTRIDGES

SMALL Cartridge
4300-C2025 0.1µm pore size for the highest exchange rates. Activated fiber for attachment of matrix proteins, cytokines and antibodies. Ideal fiber for endothelial cell and hepatocyte culture.
MEDIUM Cartridges
4300-C2008 Low MWCO (5kd@50%) hydrophilic fiber for trapping smaller molecules. Suggested for recombinant proteins between 25kd and 100kd. Appropriate for suspension cell lines including CHO, HeLa and 293. Can support up to 10 9 cells and produce 100µg/mL of recombinant protein in 15mL ECS.

4300-C2011 High MWCO (20kd@50%) hydrophilic fiber for trapping larger molecules, hybridoma culture and lymphocyte culture. 20kd MWCO allows TGF beta and TNF alpha to diffuse away while retaining antibodies. Can support up to 10 9 cells and produce 5-50mg of monoclonal antibody every two days. Also used for medium scale adenovirus production at levels of 1- 5 x 10 12 pfu (plaque forming units).

LARGE Cartridges
4300-C2003 Low MWCO (5kd@50%) hydrophilic fiber for trapping smaller molecules. Suggested for recombinant proteins between 25kd - 100kd.

4300-C2018 High MWCO (20kd@50%) hydrophilic fiber for trapping larger molecules, hybridoma and lymphocyte cultures. 20kd MWCO allows TGF beta and TNF alpha to diffuse away while retaining antibodies. Can support up to 10 11 cells and produce 75-150mg of monoclonal antibody every two days. Appropriate for adherent suspension cell lines including CHO, HeLa and 293 cells. Can support up to 10 11 cells and produce 100µg/mL of recombinant protein in 70mL ECS.

X-LARGE Cartridges
4300-C4005 The C4005 cartridge is intended for use in larger hollow fiber cell culture systems from other manufacturers and does not include a flow path stand or oxygenator tubing. Side ports have 3" of tubing capped with luer fittings, end ports are 3/8" hose barbs. High gross filtration rate and polysulfone fiber are superior to cellulose acetate for recombinant protein production.

4300-C4020 The C4020 cartridge is intended for use in larger hollow fiber cell culture systems from other manufacturers and does not include a flow path stand or oxygenator tubing. Side ports have 3" of tubing capped with luer fittings, end ports are 3/8" hose barbs with tubing and standard luer connectors on the ends. High gross filtration rate and polysulfone fiber are superior to cellulose acetate for recombinant protein and monoclonal antibody production.

Cartridge/Flowpath Specifications

Stock No.
Size
Surface Area
Fiber Type
Packing Density
ECS Vol
MWCO 50%
Max. Cell#
C2025
Small
75cm2
activated PS
30%
2.5mL
0.1µm
108
C2008
Medium
3000cm2
low flux PS
50%
15mL
5kd
109
C2011
Medium
3000cm2
high flux PS
50%
15mL
20kd
109
C2003
Large
1.2m2
low flux PS
50%
70mL
5kd
5 x 1010
C2018
Large
1.2m2
high flux PS
50%
70mL
20kd
5 x 1010
C4005
X-Large
2.5m2
low flux PS
50%
150mL
5kd
1011
C3008
Medium
2000cm2
Cellulosic
38%
12mL
10kd
1011
C4020
X-Large
2.5m2
high flux PS
50%
150mL
20kd
1011
C5011
Medium
2100cm2
high flux PS
50%
15mL
20kd
2 x 1010
Oxy0.6
80mls
6000cm2
Hydrophobic
Polyethylene
N/A
40mL
100kd
N/A

FiberCell Systems Cartridges (except X-Large) are supplied assembled with the flow path ready to use. They are pre-sterilized and double bagged with instructions provided.

Cartridge selection guide

A cartridge should be selected based on the intended application. FiberCell Systems offers three types of fibers: polysulfone, cellulosic, and PS+ fibers.  We also offer three different molecular weight cut-offs  (MWCO):  5kd, 20kd, and .1 micron.

The hydrophilic polysulfone fiber is specifically selected for good cell culture performance. Both the 5kd MWCO and 20kd MWCO fibers have ten times the gross filtration rate of the equivalent cellulosic fiber for rapid nutrient and waste exchange. This is seen as better cell growth and higher fidelity of protein production not seen in cellulosic fibers.  Any cell type that will attach to plastic or grow in suspension culture should grow well in the polysulfone cartridge.

One unique feature of the FiberCell Systems hollow fiber bioreactor is that the fibers are cast with little “waves”, resulting in an even distribution of the fiber bundle within the cartridge shell. The FiberCell Systems hollow fiber bioreactors are the first bioreactors that are optimized for both adherent and suspension cells. The cellulosic fibers are generally not intended for use in cell culture, as their low gross filtration rate is not optimal for cell growth. They have specific applications for in vitro toxicology.

As a general rule the cartridge used will depend upon the size of the secreted product you wish to collect and the amount you wish to collect.  FiberCell Systems cartridges are powerful cell culture tools and their small size can be misleading. The medium sized C2011 with a surface area of 3,000 cm2 and a volume of only 20 mls has been shown to out-produce a 10 liter bag type bioreactor by a significant degree.  The larger cartridges should only be used when 500 mgs or more of a recombinant protein is desired.

At FiberCell Systems, we define our molecular weight cut offs at the 50% retention mark as a convention. We also speak of the “useful retention” meaning the size of protein that will be retained by 90% or more. This depends upon the size, shape, post-translational modifications and stokes radius of the protein, not just the molecular weight.  For the 5Kd MWCO fiber we define the useful retention as 20kd. It should be used for proteins in the range of 20kd on up to about 140 kd. For larger proteins, the 20 kd MWCO fiber should be used. Since the gross filtration rate is so high there is no penalty (such as the requirement to feed the ECS) with using the 5kd MWCO fiber though there may be a slight improvement in productivity when using the 20kd fiber.  Please see the recombinant protein section for more information.

For monoclonal antibody production the 20kd MWCO fiber should be used to allow TGF beta to diffuse out while retaining the antibody within the small volume of the ECS. The scale-up option here is the C5011 which is optimized for hybridoma culture. Please see the monoclonal antibody section for more information.

The PS+  fiber has a unique chemistry that allows protein matrices, antibodies and cytokines to be bound to the surface of the fiber. This cartridge should be used for primary cell types where you wish to control the surface matrix that the cells interact with and also for the growth of endothelial cells on the inside of the fiber. The fiber must be coated with some matrix so this matrix should be taken into account when selecting this fiber.

Many other cell types have been cultured in the FiberCell Systems hollow fiber bioreactor system.  FiberCell Systems can provide the benefits of a combined 20 years plus experience with working with these systems and would be happy to discuss your application.