THE EFFECTS OF ONCOGENE TRANSFECTION ON GROWTH AND ANTIBODY-PRODUCTION OF HUMAN-MOUSE HETEROHYBRIDOMAS

Human-mouse heterohybridomas producing human monoclonal antibodies sho w slower growth rates and lower peak cell densities than murine hybrid omas. In order to improve the growth properties we transfected a heter ohybridoma cell line with expression plasmids containing the oncogenes v-src, c-Ha-ras and SV40largeT. The plasmids were transferred by elec troporation. Growth promoting activities of the plasmids were proven i n NIH3T3 cells whereby a doubling of the maximum cell densities of thi s cell type was observed. The oncogene products were analyzed by means of northern blotting and immunofluorescence. After transfection of c- src and c-ras, a heterohybridoma cell line was derived which showed im proved growth characteristics compared to the original cell line. Alth ough specific antibody production was lower, antibody concentrations w hich accumulated in batch culture were higher due to increased maximum cell densities.