High level synthesis of immunoglobulins in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

The expression of lambda L and microH chain cDNA was examined in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Each cDNA was linked to a different, amplifiable, selectable drug marker gene, and expression was monitored in the presence of increasing concentrations of the selective drugs. Cells were obtained that produced greater than 60 micrograms/10(6) cells/48 h of assembled antibody. This Chinese hamster ovary cell-synthesized IgM was polymeric, and exhibited specific hapten binding and C fixation. The expression strategy employed here may prove useful for the future production of genetically engineered antibodies and other multi-subunit proteins.