Expression of human hepatic genes in somatic cell hybrids

Four diploid human cell types (lymphocytes, fibroblasts, amniotic fluid cells, and hepatocytes) were fused to mouse hepatoma cells, HH. HH synthesized and secreted several liver-specific gene products including albumin, transferrin, and alpha-fetoprotein. The resulting interspecific hybrids were compared to determine whether or not the pattern of human hepatic gene expression was similar when these various cells were fused with the mouse hepatoma line. The expression of six human hepatic genes was examined, including albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and haptoglobin. Albumin was most frequently expressed while alpha-fetoprotein was not detected in any of the hybrids studied. The patterns of expression of human serum proteins differed between the hybrid series. Hybrids derived from human fibroblasts produced primarily albumin, while those derived from lymphoblastoid cells and amniocytes had a higher frequency of clones secreting alpha-1-antitrypsin. The findings reported here suggest that the frequency of hybrid clones expressing human hepatic gene products and the array of proteins produced are influenced by the histogenetic state of the human parental cell type.