A monoclonal antibody with reactivity restricted to normal and neoplastic plasma cells

A monoclonal antibody that defines a new and distinct plasma cell antigen, termed PC-1, was developed against human plasmacytoma cells. This antigen is strongly expressed on normal plasma cells isolated from bone marrow and on abnormal plasma cells isolated from myelomas, plasma cell leukemias, and plasmacytomas. The antigen is not detected on normal T or B lymphocytes, granulocytes, or monocytes, and with the exception of plasma cells, is absent on malignancies of B, T, or myeloid origin. Utilizing pokeweed mitogen to induce human B lymphocyte differentiation in vitro, PC-1 is expressed when B cell determinants are lost and the plasmacytoid morphology, intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin-staining, and surface PCA-1- and T10-staining characteristic of plasma cells appear. This antigen is useful for the study of the terminal stages of normal B cell differentiation to plasma cells, and may offer insight into the heterogeneity of the plasma cell dyscrasias.     

Isolation and functional analysis of human B cell populations. I. Characterization of the B1+B2+ and B1+B2- subsets

Distinct populations of human B lymphocytes can be identified by their expression and/or co-expression of the B cell-restricted antigens B1 and B2. Dual fluorochrome staining and flow cytometric cell sorting permitted the isolation of the B1+B2+ and B1+B2- cells to homogeneity. In contrast, very few B1-B2+ cells were obtainable from normal lymphoid organs. Virtually all B1+B2+ cells expressed IgM and IgD, but lacked IgG and the plasma cell antigens PCA-1 and PC-1, whereas the B1+B2- cells more frequently expressed IgG, PCA-1 and PC-1. Both populations were noncycling and were composed of similar percentages of small and large cells. The B1+B2+ cells proliferate to anti-mu or to anti-mu + PHA-LCM, but not to PHA-LCM alone. They require both T cells and PWM to produce Ig. In contrast, B1+B2-cells do not significantly proliferate to anti-mu, PHA-LCM, or anti-mu and PHA-LCM. They produce Ig in response to T cells alone without PWM. These phenotypic and functional observations provide preliminary evidence that these populations are distinct and that the B1+B2+ cell may be a "resting" B cell, whereas the B1+B2- cell appears to be more "differentiated." The present studies further suggest that they will also be helpful in characterizing B cells in some human disease states. We believe that the identification and isolation of these and similar subsets of B cells defined by differing cell surface phenotype should aid our understanding both of normal B cell differentiation and of B cell disease states.     

Studies of in vitro activation and differentiation of human B lymphocytes. I. Phenotypic and functional characterization of the B cell population responding to anti-Ig antibody

Investigation of the activation of splenic B cells by anti-immunoglobulin (Ig) antibody has enabled us to characterize the anti-Ig-responsive B cell and to analyze the phenotypic changes which accompany proliferation and differentiation. The anti-Ig antibody-responsive B cell population was characterized by the expression of high levels of the B2 antigen and represented approximately 40% of splenic B cells. Brisk mitogenesis which peaked at 3 to 4 days was induced by anti-Ig antibody. The proliferative phase was characterized phenotypically by a dramatic decline in B2 antigen expression, with most cells showing no detectable B2 by 4 days post-activation. The other hallmark of this phase was de novo expression of a group of "activation antigens." These included the B cell-restricted antigens B-LAST 1, BB1, and B5, and the T cell-associated interleukin 2 receptor and T12 antigens. Concomitantly, B1, B4, and Ia expression increased, the increase being roughly proportional to the increase in cell size. After day 4, the mitogenic response progressively diminished, while Ig synthesis increased. During this differentiation phase, cell surface antigens again displayed a distinct sequence of changes. The five activation antigens and the B1, B4, and Ia antigens began to decrease. However, two markers, T10 and PCA-1, which are found on plasmacytomas, appeared and their level of expression steadily increased. These changes and the appearance of morphologically identifiable plasma cells required the presence of T cells in this system. T cell supernatants alone induced Ig secretion but did not induce expression of PCA-1 or the appearance of cells with plasma cell morphology. The culture system developed in this study has allowed us to analyze the antigenic changes following activation by anti-Ig antibody. This sequence of changes has not only permitted the identification of antigens which, by their appearance at distinct stages may have an important role in proliferation and differentiation of B cells, but also provides us with the means of studying the function of each antigen.     

Tp44 molecules involved in antigen-independent T cell activation are expressed on human plasma cells

We have analyzed cells of the B lineage for expression of the Tp44 antigen, a 44,000 homodimer detected by monoclonal antibody 9.3 on approximately 80% of mature human T lymphocytes. Previous evidence has suggested that Tp44 may function as a receptor for accessory signals in T cell activation. High level Tp44 expression was observed on plasmacytomas grown in cell culture and on plasma cells from bone marrow biopsies of multiple myeloma patients. This antigen is not present on resting B cells from either peripheral blood or lymphoid organs, or on any other B cell tumor. The growth kinetics and Ig production in plasmacytomas are not affected by the binding of antibody 9.3. Moreover, the Tp44 molecule is co-expressed with PCA-1, an antigen characteristic of plasma cells, on peripheral blood B cells stimulated in vitro to differentiate toward plasma cells. Tp44 may represent a later stage of B cell differentiation than PCA-1 because unlike the PCA-1 antigen, this molecule could not be detected on any EBV-transformed cell line or Burkitt's lymphoma lines. The m.w. of the Tp44 molecule expressed on plasma cells and on T cells is identical, as determined by immunoprecipitation of radioiodinated cell surface proteins with monoclonal antibody 9.3. This antigen might be useful in studying the mechanism of growth and differentiation of human B cells, the heterogeneity within plasma cell populations, and B cell interactions with other components of the immune system.     

Antigens on human monocytes identified by monoclonal antibodies

Two antigens (Mo1 and Mo2) present on human peripheral blood monocytes have been defined by lytic IgM monoclonal antibodies. Both antigens are present on greater than 70% of adherent mononuclear cells (predominantly monocytes). Mo1 is expressed by monocytes, granulocytes, and Null cells, but is absent from T and B lymphocytes. Mo2, on the other hand, appears specific for peripheral blood monocytes. Neither antigen is present on Ia-positive B cell lines or on tumor cells from patients with B cell lymphoproliferative malignancies, further excluding the possibility that Mo1 and Mo2 are Ia antigens. Mo1 and Mo2 are, however, present on a significant number of blast cells from patients with monocytic leukemia (both myelomonocytic and pure monocytic variants), but relatively infrequently expressed by cells from patients with acute granulocytic leukemia. These results indicate that Mo1 and Mo2 are unique antigens that may represent distinct stages of late monocyte-granulocyte differentiation.     

Three distinct antigen systems on human B cell subpopulations as defined by monoclonal antibodies

Three novel antigen systems (L22, L23, and L24) expressed on human B cell subpopulations were identified by using TB1-2C3, TB1-2B3, and TB1-3C1 monoclonal antibodies, respectively. L22 was expressed on a minor subpopulation of B cells in human lymphoid tissues and in the peripheral blood. These B cells associated with L22 were resting small B cells mainly located in the mantle zone of lymphoid follicles, most of which also expressed IgM and IgD on their cell membrane. This antigen was absent from all cultured hemopoietic cell lines including B cell-derived cell lines as well as from all human B cell malignancies, except for B cell-type chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hairy cell leukemia. L23 and L24, on the other hand, existed on approximately two-third of B cells in blood and lymphoid tissues. These L23 and L24 antigens were expressed largely on small lymphocytes located in the mantle zone of lymphoid follicles and to a lesser extent on large blastic cells within lymphoid germinal centers. L23 and L24, like L22, seem to disappear from B cells during their differentiation into antibody-secreting cells, because they were not expressed on normal and neo-plastic plasma cells. This is additionally confirmed by the observation that L23 and L24 were expressed little or not at all on pokeweed mitogen-activated and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells, and were absent from some of B cell malignancies that have been thought to correspond to the later stages of B cell development. Although L23, but not L22 and L24, was faintly expressed on mature granulocytes and monocytes, none of L22, L23, or L24 existed on human thymus and T cells. Immunoprecipitation studies showed that L23 and L24 were different molecular species consisting of a single glycoprotein with m.w. of 205,000 and 145,000, respectively. L22 antigen is presently under study.     

Establishment of five human myeloma cell lines

Summary Five human myeloma cell lines, KMM-1, KMS-5, KMS-11, KMS-12- PE, and KMS-12-BM, have been established at Kawasaki Medical School since 1980. As the KMS-12-PE and KMS-12-BM lines were obtained from the same patient, these five cell lines have been derived from four patients with multiple myeloma. The five myeloma cell lines are stably growing at present in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. They can also grow in a defined culture medium without serum. That these cell lines were, human myeloma cells was confirmed by the following findings. Ultranstructually, all five cell lines showed features characteristic of plasma cells. KMM-1 and KMS-11 cells secreted lambda and kappa chains into the culture medium, respectively, but the other cell lines produced no immunoglobulins. KMM-1 expressed cytoplasmic lambda antigen, KMS-5 showed cytoplasmic delta, and KMS-11 expressed surface kappa, whereas KMS-12-PE and KMS-12-BM cells showed no surface or cytoplasmic immunoglobulins. Regarding reaction with a monoclonal plasma cell antibody (PCA-1), four of the five lines were positive, the exception being KMS-5. Another monoclonal antibody (CD38), which also recognizes plasma cells, reponded to KMM-1, KMS-12-PE, and KSM-12-BM. KMS-5 cells expressed acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigens (CALLA). These data suggest that such lines as KMM-1, KMS-11, KMS-12-PE, and KMS-12-BM represent later stages of B-cell differentiation, and that KMS-5 represents a relatively early stage of B-cell differentiation. All the cell lines lacked Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen, showed abnormal karyotypes of human origin, and differed from each other in the isozyme patterns examined. Only KMS-5 was tumorigenic when transplanted subcutaneously into nude mice.     

Human lymphocyte differentiation antigens HB-10 and HB-11. I. Ontogeny of antigen expression

T, B, and NK cells appear to represent separate lymphocyte lineages, but indirect evidence suggests that they may be related via a common lymphoid precursor cell. We have produced two monoclonal antibodies, HB-10 (IgM) and HB-11 (IgG1), by fusing spleen cells from mice immunized with the human B cell line SB, and have shown that both antibodies react with lymphocyte-specific cell surface antigens present on T, B, and NK cells, but not on other types of blood cells. The antibodies were reactive with most cell lines and malignancies of B cell origin and with some of T and NK cell lineage. Although the populations of cells expressing these two antigens were virtually identical, the HB-10 and HB-11 antibodies identified separate protease-sensitive determinants on the cell surface. The HB-11 antigenic determinant was also sensitive to neuraminidase and periodate treatments, but the HB-10 determinant was not. Antigen expression by lymphocytes from fetal, newborn, and adult tissues was examined. Within the B cell lineage, these antigens were expressed by most pre-B cells in bone marrow (88% +/- 5) and almost all B cells, but were not expressed by mature plasma cells. Virtually all of the granular lymphocytes in blood marked by the Leu-7 and Leu-11 (anti-Fc receptor) antibodies were HB-10+ and 11+. Among T lineage cells, the HB-10 and 11 antigens were expressed by a subset of relatively mature T3+ thymocytes and by greater than 90% of the T cells in newborn blood. In adults, however, only 65% of blood T cells and 24 to 30% of splenic or tonsillar T cells expressed the HB-10 and HB-11 antigens. The postnatal emergence of T cells which, like plasma cells, do not express these antigens suggests that post-thymic T lymphocyte maturation occurs and may be an activation-dependent process.     

A new B cell differentiation antigen (BDA) on normal and leukemic human B lymphocytes that is distinct from known DR (Ia-like) antigens.

A newly defined human B cell differentiation antigen, designated as BDA, has been defined and partially characterized. BDA is expressed on normal human B cells and lymphocytic leukemia cells at all stages of known differentiation (pre-B cells to plasma cells). It is distinct from DR (Ia-like) determinants and other known B cell surface constituents.     

Construction of human-mouse T cell hybrids that express human T cell-associated surface antigens and allow the chromosomal localization of these antigens

We have constructed somatic cell hybrids between the murine T cell line BW5147 and cells from patients suffering from T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The obtained hybrid clones were analyzed for expression of human T cell antigens and presence of human chromosomes. T cell hybrids derived from fusion between the BW5147 cell line and bone marrow cells from a patient with pre-T acute lymphoblastic leukemia (TdT+/HLA-DR+/Tp41+/T11+/T1-/T6-/T4-/T8-/T3-) appeared to express the human T cell antigen Tp41, which can be recognized by the monoclonal antibodies 3A1 and WT1. Although this panel of hybrid cells contained all human chromosomes, no other T cell antigens were expressed. Fusion of the BW5147 cell line with peripheral blood cells from a patient with a more mature T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (TdT+/HLA-DR+/Tp41+/T11+/T1+/T6-/T4+/T8+/T3-) resulted in a panel of hybrid clones that expressed not only the Tp41 antigen, but also the human T cell antigens T1 and T4; two hybrids even expressed the T3 antigen. This panel of hybrids also contained the whole human genome. The two panels of human-mouse T cell hybrids allowed us to assign the genes coding for the human T cell antigens Tp41, T1, and T4 to human chromosomes 17, 11, and 12, respectively. Furthermore, these data support our previous suggestion that the expression of human lymphoid differentiation antigens in human-mouse lymphoid hybrids is influenced by the differentiation stage of the fusion partners.     

A Monoclonal Antibody Defining Human B Cell Differentiation Antigen (HLB-1 Antigen)

A new monoclonal antibody specific for human B cell differentiation antigen (HLB-1) is produced by a hybridoma established by fusion of splenocytes of mice immunized with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed peripheral B cell line, RPMI-8057. This monoclonal, antibody designated anti-HLB-1 monoclonal antibody (anti-HLB-1), reacted with surface immunoglobulin (sIg)-positive B cells of normal peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues and sIg-positive leukemic cells. The cells of T cell leukemia, non-T non-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and nonlymphoid leukemia were HLB-1 negative. These data were further confirmed by studying a panel of cultured human hematopoietic cell lines. Anti-HLB-1 reacted with B cell lines derived from pre-B, Burkitt's lymphoma, B cell type ALL and EBV-transformed peripheral B cells. Anti-HLB-1 was reactive with only one of three human myeloma cell lines, and with none of the T cell, myeloid and non-T non-B ALL cell lines. This newly defined HLB-1 antigen is different from other conventional human B cell markers such as sIg, Ia antigens, and receptors for the Fc portion of Ig and complement C3.     

Differentiation antigens on normal and Abelson virus transformed lymphocytes.

Rabbit antisera to Abelson leukemia virus (A-MuLV)-induced murine lymphomas have been analyzed by absorption with a variety of murine lymphoma lines. Antibody binding to a panel of cell lines and normal lymphocytes was visualized by using hapten-sandwich indirect membrane immunofluorescence. Novel membrane antigens thereby detected are shared between lymphosarcomas, B lymphomas, normal B lymphocytes, and normal membrane immunoglobulin negative (sIg-) bone marrow cells, but are not found on T cells, thymic lymphomas, plasmacytoid lymphomas, or myelomas. The existence of such shared differentiation antigens suggests that sIg- A-MuLV-induced lymphosarcomas may be transformed B cell precursors. Since differences in the expression of these antigens on individual plasma-cytoid lymphoma lines were found, this category of lymphomas may include cells at a variety of differentiation states.     

Streptococcal serotype carbohydrate represents a novel class of type 2 antigen which is T-independent

Our studies reported here, fully characterize two unique type 2 antigens trinitrophenol (TNP)-M1 serotype carbohydrates (TNP-M1 g and TNP-M1 c) derived from streptococci, which fail to induce antibody responses in xid or neonatal mouse splenic cultures. These antigens generate brisk responses in normal spleen and Peyer's patch cell cultures of xid mice, all of which suggest that responses are elicited in the Lyb-3+, 5+ B subpopulation. The antibody responses to TNP-M1 g (and TNP-M1 c) are not dependent upon T cells. Furthermore, TNP-M1 carbohydrates induce anti-TNP plaque-forming (PFC) responses in cultures of small, resting splenic B cell populations without an added T cell requirement. Thus two categories of type 2 antigens are distinguished, one which requires T cells or derived factors, e.g., TNP-Ficoll, and a second TNP-carbohydrate antigen TNP-M1 that does not. Studies of the mitogenic and polyclonal B cell activation properties of M1 carbohydrates indicated that B cell proliferation is induced in both xid (Lyb-3-, 5-) and normal (Lyb-3-, 5- and Lyb-3+, 5+) splenic B cell subpopulations, but that differentiation to IgM synthesis fails to occur in the Lyb-3-, 5- B cell subpopulation. Thus M1 carbohydrates are unique probes that allow the selective induction of proliferation and differentiation of mature B cells that are presumably Lyb-3+, 5+. Because the M1 serotype carbohydrates induce polyclonal IgM synthesis and antigen-specific responses in only the mature B cell population in the absence of T cells, whereas TNP-Ficoll and other type 2 antigens require T cells or their derived factors, the Lyb-3+, 5+ B cell subpopulation may consist of a T cell-dependent and a T cell-independent compartment for responses to different carbohydrate type 2 antigens.     

Human cell membrane components dominant in T cell lineage: identification and characterization of human TL-like antigens.

Cell membrane components that contain beta 2-microglobulin were purified from cells of a human T cell-type leukemia cell line, HPB-ALL. They contained membrane components that have the same molecular size and the same subunit structure as HLA(A,B,C) antigens but are separable from the typical beta 2-microglobulin-containing cell membrane components, i.e., the HLA (A,B,C) antigens, by xenoantibody reagents. A sensitive radioimmunoassay was constructed for detection of the T cell membrane components. The assay revealed that the cell membrane components are expressed exclusively on cells of T cell-type leukemia cell lines among the human lymphoid cell lines tested, predominantly in thymus, among the human organs and tissues tested. They were not present on cells of human B cell-type cell lines or on cells of nonlymphoid organs and tissues. No alloantibodies directed to the T cell membrane components, the putative human homologues of mouse TL antigens, were found in any of the human tissue typing sera tested.     

Simultaneous occurrence of myelomonocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma: involvement of common leukemic progenitors and their developmental abnormality of "lineage infidelity".

We investigated the origin of leukemic progenitors in a case of the simultaneous occurrence of myelomonocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma (IgG-kappa). At presentation, myeloperoxidase and nonspecific esterase-positive myelomonocytic cells had proliferated up to 12.2 x 10(9)/liter in the peripheral blood. Bone marrow cell differentials revealed the coexistence of myelomonocytic cells (30%) and atypical plasmacytoid cells (26%). Myelomonocytic cells in peripheral blood expressed both myeloid antigens (CD11b, CD13, CD14, CD15, CD33) and T/B-lymphoid antigens (CD2, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD10, PCA-1). Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) could be divided into PCA-1 strongly positive and PCA-1 weakly positive populations, which were considered to represent myeloma cells and myelomonocytic cells, respectively; the former were CD2-positive (CD2+), CD14-, and CD15-, whereas the latter were CD2+, CD14+, and CD15+. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that, in addition to plasmacytoid cells, a minority of myelomonocytic cells showed a positive reaction for IgG staining, and production of IgG was observed in the culture supernatant of CD14+ myelomonocytic cells in peripheral blood. Southern blot analysis revealed the presence of two identical rearrangement bands of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene in both BMMC containing myeloma cells and myelomonocytic cells and CD14+ myelomonocytic cells in peripheral blood. In a long-term methylcellulose assay, peripheral blood mononuclear cells produced large compact colonies consisting of macrophages and IgG+ plasmacytoid cells (M phi/P colonies), while BMMC produced a different type of colonies consisting of CD14+ myelomonoblasts, macrophages, and IgG+ plasma cells (Mb/M phi/P colonies) in addition to M phi/P colonies. Recloning experiments showed that primary Mb/M phi/P colonies gave rise to both secondary M phi/P and Mb/M phi/P colonies. These observations strongly suggest that common leukemic progenitors provide both myeloma and myelomonocytic leukemia cells, and the mechanism of "lineage infidelity" is probably involved in the development of their "bilineal" differentiation.     

Identification of a human protein homologous to the mouse Lyb-2 B cell differentiation antigen and sequence of the corresponding cDNA

We have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones encoding the human homolog of the mouse Lyb-2 B cell differentiation Ag. Previous data suggest that Lyb-2 might represent a growth factor or lymphokine receptor. Human Lyb-2 mRNA is expressed in normal human tonsils and bone marrow cells, in the pre-B cell line REH, in three Burkitt lymphoma cell lines, and in some EBV-transformed B cell lines, but not in antibody-secreting myeloma cell lines, T cell lines, or a promyelocytic leukemia cell line. These data indicate that expression of human Lyb-2 is restricted to B lineage cells and turned off in antibody-secreting plasma cells. A polyclonal mouse antiserum was raised against human Lyb-2 and immunoprecipitates a Mr 42,000 protein from REH, Raji, and Daudi cells and from mouse L(tk) cells transfected with the human Lyb-2 cDNA in an expression vector. The human Lyb-2 protein is related to both the asialoglycoprotein receptor and CD23, the B cell-specific FcR for IgE. These data demonstrate that human B cells express a previously undescribed cell surface protein that is homologous to mouse Lyb-2 and has a similar pattern of expression during B cell development.     

Development and distribution of a human B cell subpopulation identified by the HB-4 monoclonal antibody

Monoclonal antibodies have been successfully used to identify B cell differentiation antigens, few of which mark discrete B cell subpopulations. We have produced a monoclonal antibody, HB-4, against a cell surface antigen on the human B cell line, BJAB, which has an unusual distribution on normal lymphoid cells. HB-4, an IgM antibody, was found to react with an antigen that is expressed by a subpopulation of B cells, approximately 50% of natural killer cells, and not by other types of cells in bone marrow, blood, and lymphoid tissues. In two-color immunofluorescence assays, the HB-4-reactive antigen was found on less than 5% of immature IgM+ B cells in fetal liver and bone marrow and on 25% of B cells in fetal spleen. The HB-4 antibody reacted with 40% of IgM+ cells in newborn blood and 60% of B cells in adult blood. In contrast, only 2 to 26% of IgM+ B cells in the peripheral lymphoid tissues of adults were HB-4+. HB-4+ B cells could be induced to proliferate by cross-linkage of their surface immunoglobulins but not by T cell-derived growth factors. The subpopulation of activated B cells that is responsive to T cell-derived differentiation factors was HB-4-, as were plasma cells. The HB-4 antibody was reactive with some but not all B cell malignancies and cell lines, and not with malignancies or cell lines of other lineages. The HB-4 antigen may therefore serve as a useful nonimmunoglobulin marker for the identification of a subpopulation of mature resting B cells that are present in the highest frequency in the circulation.     

Human T cell differentiation antigens and correlation of their expression with various markers of T cell maturation.

Two sets of differentiation antigens are demonstrated on human T cells by using 11 heterologous anti-human antisera raised against various normal and malignant T cells. The two antigenic determinants from the first set of differentiation antigens are expressed only on thymus cells and on T lymphoblasts, whereas the two antigenic determinants from the second set are expressed on blood T cells, Sezary cells, T.CLL cells, and thymus cells. Four T cell phenotypes are thus defined; two phenotypes are expressed only by T lymphoblasts, whereas the other two phenotypes are expressed both by normal and malignant T cells. Moreover, a clear-cut relationship exists between the four T cell antigenic phenotypes and two other markers of T cell differentiation: terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase and peanut agglutinin. Two phenotypes are linked with the presence of TdT, one phenotype is linked with the affinity for PNA, and the fourth phenotype is correlated with the absence of both markers.     

Establishment and characterization of an undifferentiated human T leukemia cell line which requires granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulatory factor for growth

A human leukemia cell line (TALL-101) was established from the bone marrow of a patient with an undifferentiated acute T cell leukemia using the conditioned medium (CM) of the human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV) II-transformed human cell line J-LB1. Immunofluorescence analysis on the original leukemic cells indicated the presence of T cell markers (Leu-1, Tdt, and T11); however, the established TALL-101 cell line expressed only antigens commonly present on progenitor cells, thymocytes, and myelomonocytic cells, but not on mature T cells. A high percentage of TALL-101 cells displayed the Tac antigen which was down-regulated upon incubation in the presence of recombinant human (rH) interleukin 2 (IL 2). Interferon (IFN)-gamma induced the appearance of class II histocompatibility leukocyte antigens (HLA) and of a T cell marker (3A1), and enhanced the expression of transferrin receptors on these cells. Further evidence for a T cell lineage of the TALL-101 cell line was provided by both chromosomic and genotypic analysis showing a translocation in chromosome 14 typical of T cell leukemias, and a rearrangement of the T-beta receptor locus. The growth-promoting activity in the J-LB1-CM was identified as granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulatory factor (GM-CSF), a growth factor which stimulates proliferation of normal myelomonocytic cells and other progenitor cells, but not known to have an effect on T cells. Dose response curves of [3H]thymidine incorporation and growth indicated that TALL-101 cells were sensitive to very low concentrations of rHGM-CSF, 5 ng/ml inducing maximal proliferation in chemically defined medium. The TALL-101 cell line is strictly GM-CSF-dependent for growth: upon depletion of GM-CSF from the culture medium, the cells stop proliferating immediately and die within 1 to 2 wk. The overall data, showing that GM-CSF is able to support the growth of a highly undifferentiated T cell leukemia, strongly suggests that this factor might have similar growth promoting effects on other immature T cell leukemias, and possibly, on normal T cell progenitors.     

Epstein-Barr virus superinduces a new human B cell differentiation antigen (B-LAST 1) expressed on transformed lymphoblasts

We have developed a monoclonal antibody that detects the first human B-cell-specific differentiation antigen expressed on transformed B lymphoblasts. The antigen is termed B-LAST 1 and is found on B cells transformed in vitro with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and pokeweed mitogen; in vivo with EBV and antigen; and on neoplastic B cells from chronic lymphocytic leukemia and poorly differentiated lymphoma. The antigen has a molecular weight of 45,000 and was not found on cells of T, null or myeloid lineage, whether obtained from peripheral blood, lymph nodes, neoplasms or cell lines. The antigen is expressed at a much higher level on EBV-infected cells than on any other cell type studied, but does not appear to be virally encoded. The significance of this antigen in the process of viral and nonviral transformation and its possible role as a target for T-cell-mediated immunity against virus-infected cells is discussed.