Induction of homokaryocyte, heterokaryocyte and hybrid formation by lysolecithin

Lysolecithin has been utilized to induce homo- and heterokaryocyte formation in CV-1, F5-1 and WI-38 cells and hybrid formation in 1R and mKSBu100 cells cultured in vitro. A new fusion technique utilizing solutions of albumin or delipidized serum as vehicles for lysolecithin has been introduced. Optimal concentrations of lysolecithin for inducing cell fusion and reducing cell damage for various cell lines have been evaluated. Lysolecithin produced 15–25% homokaryocytes and about 5–7% heterokaryocytes. Two different mutant cell lines fused in the presence of lysolecithin produced hybrids which survived in selective medium.