title: Generation of cell hybrids via a fusogenic cell line.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hybrids obtained by fusion between tumour cells (TC) and dendritic cells (DC) have been proposed as anti-tumour vaccines because of their potential to combine the expression of tumour-associated antigens with efficient antigen presentation. The classical methods used for fusion, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and electrofusion, are cytotoxic and generate cell debris that can be taken up by DC rendering the identification of true hybrids difficult.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have established a stable cell line expressing a viral fusogenic membrane glycoprotein (FMG) that is not itself susceptible to fusion. This cell line has been used to generate hybrids and to evaluate the relevance of tools used for hybrid detection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This FMG-expressing cell line promotes fusion between autologous or allogeneic TC and DC in any combination, generating 'tri-parental hybrids'. At least 20% of TC are found to be integrated into hybrids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is speculated that this tri-parental hybrid approach offers new possibilities to further modulate the anti-tumour effect of the DC/TC hybrids since it allows the expression of relevant immunostimulatory molecules by appropriate engineering of the fusogenic cell line.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental and Cellular Cancerology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, IRIBHM-IBMM, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium.
authors.forename: Siew Chiat
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Blangenois
authors.forename: Jean-Denis
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Franssen
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Servais
authors.forename: Vy
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.forename: Myrto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trakatelli
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bruyns
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vile
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Velu
authors.forename: Annick
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brandenburger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002459:Cell Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D006224:Cricetinae; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D006822:Hybrid Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins