ESTABLISHMENT OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS-ASSOCIATED LYMPHOMA CELL-LINE SUBL WITH T(23)(P11Q27) FROM A LIVER-TRANSPLANT PATIENT

A new lymphoma cell line, designated SUBL, was established from a Japa nese patient with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoma, which developed during FK 506 therapy after liver transplantation. This cell line has undergone 80 passages over a period of 22 months. The cultur ed cells were positive for CD19, CD20, CD21, CD22, CD23, and HLA-DR, a nd negative for CD10 and surface immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulin gene analysis revealed rearrangements of J(H) and J(K) T-cell antigens or T -cell receptor gene rearrangements were not observed on the cell line. The SUBL cells were positive for Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen ( EBNA). The EBV genome was detected in the original tissue and the cell line by the in situ hybridization method. These data indicate that th is cell line represents the B-cell lineage at a pre-B-cell stage. SUBL cells showed successful heterotransplantation to mice with severe com bined immunodeficiency (SCID). Chromosomal analysis revealed the karyo type 46, XY, t(2;3)(p11;q27). Molecular studies showed that c-myc, N-m yc, and bcl-2 were not rearranged. This cell line will provide a usefu l in vitro system to study the relationship between chromosomal abnorm alities and the activation of cellular oncogenes.