Variation in the forssman antigen on cells in culture

• Published in: Experimental cell research Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 310 - 324
• Main Authors: Franks, D., Daniel, Mary R., Gurner, B.W., Coombs, R.R.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.1964
• Subjects: Antigens; Antigens, Heterophile; Cricetinae; Culture Media; Dogs; Female; Forssman Antigen; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Immune Sera; Kidney; Mice; Microscopy; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; Old Medline; Ovary; Rabbits; Skin; Thyroid Gland; Tissue Culture Techniques; OVARY; MICROSCOPY, PHASE CONTRAST; GUINEA PIGS; EXPERIMENTAL LAB STUDY; IMMUNE SERUMS; ANTIGENS; TISSUE CULTURE; ANTIGENS, HETEROGENETIC; THYROID GLAND; RABBITS; CULTURE MEDIA; HAMSTERS; DOGS; MICE; SKIN; KIDNEY
• ISSN: 0014-4827; 1090-2422
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-4827(64)90211-3

Continuous lines of mouse cells growing in Forssman-negative media were found to be Forssman negative, whereas lines of dog and Chinese hamster cells were Forssman positive. One mouse cell line (NCTC929) which was grown in medium containing Forssman material, was Forssman positive, but after growth in medium containing no Forssman substance, the cells became Forssman negative. Similarly HeLa and rabbit RO/B cells, normally Forssman negative, became Forssman positive in medium containing horse serum but after two subcultures in medium not containing horse serum, reverted to Forssman negative. Four cell lines were started from mouse tissue and were grown in Forssman negative medium. The cell cultures developed into mixed populations of cells some of which were Forssman positive, while others were Forssman negative. The proportions of Forssman positive and negative cells fluctuated, and one cell line finally became completely Forssman negative.