Fusion of Two Immunoglobulin-producing Myeloma Cells

Abstract

EACH immunoglobulin chain is the integrated expression of one of several V and C genes, coding respectively for their variable and constant sections¹. The restricted expression of these genes leads to molecules of a single class and type with identical combining sites at both halves of the antibody molecule^2–4. This symmetry is essential for the formation of the antigen-antibody lattice. Its importance is emphasized by allelic exclusion, whereby each cell expresses only one of two possible alleles⁴. To understand this problem further we have studied the expression of these genes in hybrid cells obtained by fusion of two cell lines producing different immunoglobulins. Successful fusion of this type has not yet been demonstrated but fusion between immunoglobulin-producing cells and non-immunoglobulin-producing cells has been reported. Thus myeloma cells have been fused to fibroblasts^5–7 and also to a non-immunoglobulin-producing lymphoma line⁸. Substantial immunoglobulin production in the hybrids was observed only in the latter case. Here, we demonstrate that fusion between two immunoglobulin-secreting cell lines produces hybrid cells which secrete immunoglobulin of both parental types.