Gene transfer in lymphoid cells: expression of the Thy-1.2 antigen by Thy-1.1 BW5147 lymphoma cells transfected with unfractionated cellular DNA.

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Abstract
The gene coding for the Thy-1.2 alloantigen was transferred into a Thy-1.1-bearing T-cell lymphoma. BALB/c thymocyte DNA, precipitated with calcium phosphate, was used to effect the transfer. The stable transformation of lymphoid cells by total cellular DNA is reported for the first time. Transient expression of the transfected gene could be detected by flow cytofluorometry, and 5% (range, 1.5%-11%) of the recipient cells had Thy-1.2 antigen detectable on their surface 48 h after transfer. Stable transformants were isolated by repeatedly selecting for cells expressing the Thy-1.2 antigen, by use of fluorescence-activated cell sorting or panning. No metabolic selection was required. The transferred gene, detected by Southern blotting, encoded a product that is indistinguishable from the normal antigen by immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.