Characterization of a novel glucose-responsive insulin-secreting cell line, BRIN-BD11, produced by electrofusion.

A novel insulin-secreting cell line (BRIN-BD11) was established after electrofusion of RINm5F cells with New England Deaconess Hospital rat pancreatic islet cells. Wells of cell fusion mixture with insulin output 5-10 times greater than parent RINm5F cells were subcultured with eventual establishment of clones, including BRIN-BD11. Morphological studies established that these cells grow as monolayers with epithelioid characteristics, maintaining stability in tissue culture for > 50 passages.

Characteristics of BRIN-BG5 and BRIN-BG7, two novel glucose-responsive insulin-secreting cell lines produced by electrofusion.

Two hybrid insulin-secreting cell lines (BRIN-BG5 and BRIN-BG7) were established by the novel approach of electrofusing RINm5F cells with New England Deaconess Hospital rat pancreatic islet cells. Cells were selected from the fusion mixture on the basis of insulin output. Wells showing five to ten times greater insulin output than parental RINm5F cells were selected, subcultured and cloned.