EFFECT OF BCL-2 EXPRESSION ON HYBRIDOMA CELL-GROWTH IN SERUM-SUPPLEMENTED, PROTEIN-FREE AND DILUTED MEDIA

Two transfected hybridoma cell lines TB/C3-bcl2 (overexpressing the Bc l-2 protein) and TB/C3-pEF (control cell line), were compared in batch suspension cultures using a medium supplemented either with horse ser um or with a protein-free, iron-rich supplement. The membrane intact i ndex (percentage of cells with intact membranes determined by trypan b lue staining) of the TB/C3-bc12 cell line decreased much slower than t hat of the control cell line during the dying phase of the cultures. N o significant difference in antibody, lactate and ammonia production a s well as glucose and glutamine consumption was noted in the exponenti al phase of the experiments. Both cell lines were also compared in bat ch experiments using media diluted with saline to further investigate the effect of Bcl-2 under sub-optimal conditions. The Bcl-2 overexpres sing cell line again exhibited a higher membrane intact index at incre asing dilution steps.