Establishment of a macrophage hybrid population by the fusion of mouse peritoneal macrophages with thymoma cells BW5147.

A continuous macrophage hybrid population, designated MBW-1, was produced by the fusion of peritoneal macrophages from a normal AKR mouse with thymoma cells BW5147. The hybrid cells are resistant to HA selection medium. In their nearly triploid chromosome complement they carry metacentric chromosomes typical of BW5147 cells and express the typical macrophage-like characteristics (morphology of macrophages, adherence properties, phagocytosis, expression of macrophage-specific antigen and receptor for the C3b component of complement). However, they do not express Fc receptors and the receptor for SBA lectin. An interesting property is the high resistance to the toxic action of silica particles. Thanks to the unique properties, which were not observed in other, hitherto described macrophage-like cell lines, the MBW-1 cell population provides a useful material for study of macrophage functions.