Phenotypic and molecular analysis of ph1‐chromosome‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines

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Abstract
We have established 2 Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines, designated PALL‐1 and PALL‐2, from distinct adult Ph1‐positive ALL patients. PALL‐1 was established in nude mice, and PALL‐2 was established in culture. Both retained the Ph1 chromosome and expressed the ALL type bcr/abl chimeric mRNA containing the junction of the first exon of BCR gene (eI) and second exon of c‐abl gene (a2). PALL‐1 and PALL‐2 expressed CD34 surface antigen which is characteristic of early hematopoietic progenitor cells. PALL‐2 expressed antigens for both pre‐B and early myeloid cells and had rearrangements of both the heavy chain of immunoglobulin gene and the β chain of T‐cell‐receptor gene. Both PALL‐1 and PALL‐2 expressed detectable levels of p53 gene RNA. Polymerase‐chain‐reaction‐single‐strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) analysis of the p53 gene showed a normal pattern of mobility in both cell lines. Taken together, the 2 cell lines had features of Ph1‐positive ALL (i) hematopoietic progenitor cells with pre‐B‐cell phenotype and, (ii) activation of el‐a2 type bcr/abl oncogene without alterations of p53 gene. These unique lines should provide a valuable tool for studying the pathogenesis of Ph1‐positive ALL.
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