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Close homolog of L1 (CHL1) and its truncated form mainly play crucial roles in mouse brain development and neural functions. Herein, we newly identified that truncated form of CHL1 is produced and released from lung tumor tissue in a mouse model expressing human EML4-ALK fusion gene. Both western blot and direct ELISA analysis revealed that mouse CHL1 level in serum (including serum extracellular vesicles) was significantly elevated in EML4-ALK transgenic mice. The correlation between the tumor size and the amount of CHL1 secretion could be examined in this study, and showed a significant positive correlation in a tumor size-dependent manner. Considering these results, the measurement of circulating CHL1 level may contribute to assess a tumor progression in human lung tumor patients.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes some designs for fusing myeloma cells to lymphocytes that are destined to secrete antibodies against a specific antigen. The selection of a particular cell population for electrofusion is achieved by membrane receptor–ligand recognition. Although the design is for hybridoma production, the concept introduced in the chapter is equally applicable to other areas where targeting of cells or tissues for chemical treatment is desired. Most experiments utilize the dielectrophoresis method to congregate cells before fusion-inducing electric pulses are applied. However, the formation of cell aggregates by dielectrophoresis depends on cell polarization and the physical characteristics of the cell membranes. Cell surface-specific selections is discussed has certain advantages over nonselective hybridoma preparation methods. The most obvious is the elimination of the antibody screening step for hybridomas. Another advantage is the potential of preparing monoclonal antibodies of high affinity.