SOMATIC-CELL HYBRIDS OF CANINE PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES AND SV40-TRANSFORMED HUMAN-CELLS - DERIVATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND INFECTION WITH EHRLICHIA-CANIS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (2) , 234-240
Abstract
Somatic cell hybrids were obtained by fusion of canine peritoneal macrophages and SV40-transformed human skin fibroblasts. A cell line (WRH-2) was established from a single isolated hybrid clone. The WRH-2 cell line was serially passaged 60 times and has a population doubling time of approximately 24 h. Karyotypic analysis showed the modal number of chromosomes to be 80, with a selective segregation of canine chromosomes. Expression of incorporated canine DNA was substantiated by cellular enzyme activities and antigen expression. The susceptibility of 5-7% of WRH-2 cells to E. canis infection was associated with phagocytic properties of these cells. Magnetic separation of phagocytic cells after ingestion of carbonyl iron resulted in a significant enhancement of the phagocytic population with a concomitant increase in the percentage of cells susceptible to ehrlichial infection. Serial passage of the selected subpopulation of hybrid cells resulted in a rapid diminution in the percentage of phagocytic cells.