Characterization of two novel cell lines, DERL-2 (CD56(+)/CD3(+)/TCR gammadelta(+)) and DERL-7 (CD56(+)/CD3(-)/TCR gamma delta(-)), derived from a single patient with CD56(+) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Two novel IL2-dependent cell lines, DERL-2 and DERL-7, were established fro m a patient with hepatosplenic gamma delta T cell lymphoma. This patient pr esented, at diagnosis, two discrete populations of CD56(+) cells, one TCR g amma delta (+), the second lacking T cell-restricted antigens. The cell lin es derived displayed features corresponding to the two cellular components of the disease: DERL-2 was CD56(+)/CD3(+)/TcR gamma delta (+) while DERL-7 Was CD56(+)/CD3(-)/TcR gamma delta (-). Along with CD56, the two cell lines shared the expression of CD7, CD2, CD158b and CD117. Karyotype analysis sh owed that both cell lines were near-diploid, with iso-7q and loss of one ch romosome 10. In addition, DERL-2 showed 5q(+) in all metaphases analyzed, w hile DERL-7 revealed loss of one chromosome 4. Genotypically, both cell lin es shared the same STR pattern at nine loci and demonstrated an identical r earranged pattern of the T cell receptor genes beta, gamma and delta, with respect to the original tumor cells. These data indicated that both cell li nes and the original neoplastic populations were T cell-derived and arose f rom a common ancestor. Among a large panel of cytokines tested, only SCF wa s able to substitute IL2 in supporting cell proliferation. Moreover, SCF an d IL2 acted synergistically, dramatically enhancing cell growth. These cell lines may represent a model to further analyze the overlap area between T and NK cell malignancies, and may provide new information about the synergi stic action of IL2 and SCF on normal and neoplastic T/NK cells.