Phenotypic and molecular analysis of six human cell lines derived from patients with plasma cell dyscrasia

Abstract
Cell lines RPMI 8226, JJN3, U266 B1, NCI‐H929 (all EBV) and ARH77 and HS‐Sultan (both EBV+) have been extensively characterized in this study. EBV lines expressed the phenotype (CD138, CD19+, CD20+) whereas EBV+ were (CD138+, CD19, CD20). CD56 expression was restricted to EBV cell lines, with the exception of U266 B1, whereas PCA‐1 was strongly expressed on five of the six cell lines. Only EBV+ cell lines bound peanut‐agglutinin (PNA). However, all cell lines bound the lectin Jacalin that binds the same receptor as PNA, irrespective of the receptors sialylation status. By RT‐PCR and direct sequencing of their IgH V/D/J domains, ARH77 was demonstrated to use the germline sequence VH4‐34/dm1/JH6b, whereas no arrangement was demonstrated for RPMI 8226, suggesting IgH gene deletion or mutation. HLA class I and II antigens were detected using HLA typing on all cell lines warranting their use as suitable targets for HLA‐restricted cytotoxic T cells. By sensitive RT‐PCR, mRNA for IL‐6, IL‐6R and TNFβ was found expressed in all cell lines. IL‐1 mRNA expression was predominantly associated with the EBV+ phenotype. Although mRNA for IL‐3 and GM‐CSF was never detected, transcripts for c‐kit ligand and, more commonly, its receptor were. Likewise GM‐CSF, M‐CSF and erythropoietin mRNA transcripts were detected in the majority of cell lines.