Abstract
In hybridoma cell culture, $NH_4{^+}$ is the most important toxic byproduct so far identified. It has been postulated that $NH_4{^+}$, which is similar to $K^+$ in size, is taken up non-specifically by the cells through a potassium transport system, and that the addition of $K^+$ to the culture medium may have a detoxifying effect of $NH_4{^+}$. Thus, in this article the effects of high $K^+$ concentrations in the range of 10 mM to 60mM on hybridoma cell growth and metabolism were investigated. No significant differences in growth were found for $K^+$ concentrations up to 40 mM, but cell death in the death phase was slightly delayed in the cultures with $K^+$ addition. At 60mM, growth was initially poor but the cells could be adapted after approximately 13 passages. With similar growth levels for high $K^+$ concentrations having been Identified in batch cultivations using basal medium, we are currently investigating how such high levels of $K^+$ will affect cell growth in fortified batch cultures where the accumulation of $NH_4{^+}$ is more problematical.