Effect of hypoosmotic stress on hybridoma cell growth and antibody production

To investigate the response of hybridoma cells to hypoosmotic stress, S3H5/gamma2bA2 and DB9G8 hybridomas were cultivated in the hypoosmolar medium [Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% serum] resulting from sodium chloride subtraction. Both hybridomas showed similar responses to hypoosmotic stress in regard to cell growth and antibody production. The cell growth and antibody production at 276 mOsm/kg were comparable to those at 329 mOsm/kg (standard DMEM). Both cells grew well at 219 mOsm/kg, though their growth and antibody production were slightly decreased. When the osmolality was further decreased to 168 mOsm/kg, the cell growth did not occur. When subjected to hyperosmotic stress, both cells displayed significantly enhanced specific antibody productivity (q(Ab)). However, the cells subjected to hypoosmotic stress did not display enhanced q(Ab). Taken together, both hyperosmotic and hypoosmotic stresses depressed the growth of S3H5/gamma2bA2 and DB9G8 hybridomas. However, their response to hypoosmotic stress in regard to q(Ab) was different from that to hyperosmotic stress.