Curing human hybridomas infected with Mycoplasma hyorhinis

Tiamuline and minocycline were evaluated for the treatment of an IgM producing human-human hybridoma cell line infected with Mycoplasma hyorhinis. Tiamuline was used at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml culture medium and minocycline at a concentration of 5 micrograms/ml culture medium. Both antibiotics were found to eliminate mycoplasma infection over a treatment period of 3 weeks, and the hybridoma cell line remained mycoplasma-free for 6 months after treatment. Tiamuline had no effect on either cell growth or IgM secretion. Whereas treatment with minocycline alternated the cell proliferation and completely inhibited IgM secretion. This effect on cell function was found to be reversible since both cell growth and IgM secretion returned to normal 1 week after the minocycline had been removed. Tiamuline as well as minocycline may be recommended for the treatment of human hybridomas infected with mycoplasma.