Description
Shear Protectant Strategies in Perfusion: Understanding Poloxamer 188 Retention
Poloxamer 188 (P188) is a critical raw material used to mitigate hydrodynamic stress in scalable bioprocessing. Prior work indicates that P188-mediated shear protection arises through two primary mechanisms: reduction of hydrodynamic forces via bubble interactions and enhanced shear tolerance through direct cell interactions. However, because P188 adsorbs to the plasma membrane, the strength of this interaction may influence effective poloxamer concentrations in perfusion culture systems. Perfusion is an increasingly adopted cell culture strategy in which spent medium is continuously exchanged via tangential flow filtration. Under these conditions, membrane-associated P188 may accumulate within the bioreactor, potentially altering its effective concentration and protective function. Using a fluorophore-labeled P188, we present pre-publication results characterizing P188 retention relevant for N or N-1 stage perfusion cultures. These findings provide insight into poloxamer accumulation dynamics and inform strategies for its use in intensified bioprocesses. We also discuss complementary analytical approaches to support robust poloxamer management in bioproduction systems.
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