Increased antibody productivity in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells through induction of chromosomal instability by cell fusion

Background Chromosomal instability, which often occurs as a random event in an uncontrollable manner, is a key characteristic of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. This often complicates the process of establishing stable, high antibody-producing CHO cell lines. We previously found that the abnormal increase of chromosome number is linked to increased antibody production in adherent CHO DG44 cells. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between chromosomal variety and antibody production in CHO K1-derived IgG1-producing cells by inducing cell fusion to artificially generate chromosomal variation within CHO DG44 cells.