Hybridization between T and B lymphoma cell lines.

The AKR thymoma line BW 5147 has been successfully hybridized with the IgM-bearing (BALB/c x NZB)F1 B lymphoma line WEHI 231. In the hybrids formed, T-cell characteristics were dominant, i.e. there was no expression of IgM but continued expression of Thy-1.1 in eight out of eight lines. Moreover, in two out of eight lines, the Thy-1.2 allele was also expressed. We conclude that, in its ability to hybridize, BW 5147 is not restricted to cells of similar ontogenetic origin (i.e. T cells) and that fusion with the thymoma can lead to suppression of B-cell gene expression and derepression of genes for T-cell markers.