INDUCTION OF DIFFERENTIATION OF B-CELL LEUKEMIA-CELL LINES JVM-2 AND EHEB BY BRYOSTATIN-1

The effects of bryostatin 1 (Bryo 1), a protein kinase C (PKC) activat or, on proliferation, differentiation and macromolecular synthesis wer e investigated in the two cell lines EHEB and JVM-2, established from patients with chronic B-cell leukemia. Treatment with Bryo 1 inhibited the proliferation, DNA and RNA synthesis in a time- and dose-dependen t fashion. The cells differentiated along the B-cell pathway to plasma cytoid cells as judged by morphological examination and increased thei r production and secretion of immunoglobulins. c-myc mRNA expression w as induced in both cell lines. The phorbol ester TPA, a pharmacologica l PKC activator, had similar differentiation-inducing effects. The bio modulators failed to induce significant alterations in the cell surfac e marker profile. Except for their surface markers, all parameters stu died were more strongly altered in JVM-2 than in EHEB cells. JVM-2 was established from a patient with B-prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL), wher eas EHEB originated from a case of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL ). These data support the notion that PLL cells appear to be activated B-cells, in contrast to the rather quiescent CLL cells. Since Bryo 1 lacks tumor-promoting activity, this naturally occurring compound, ext racted from marine animals, has a potential role in the therapy of B-c ell neoplasms as a differentiating agent.