title: Somatic cell hybrids of canine peritoneal macrophages and SV40-transformed human cells: derivation, characterization, and infection with Ehrlichia canis.
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 has been serially passaged 60 times and has a population doubling time of approximately 24 hours. 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% to 7% of WRH-2 cells to Ehrlichia 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 hybird cells, however, resulted in a rapid diminution in the percentage of phagocytic cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002460:Cell Line; D002469:Cell Separation; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D004285:Dogs; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000254:growth & development*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006822:Hybrid Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D007621:Karyotyping; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D012287:Rickettsiaceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000254:growth & development*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens