Characterization of a CD34+ cell line established from a child with large cell cutaneous lymphoma

Abstract

Background. Lymphoma presenting with skin involvement has heterogeneous morphology and rarely is seen in children. To study the pathogenesis of this disease, lymphoma cells from a child with B‐cell large cell lymphoma of the skin were cultured in vitro. Methods. Lymphoma cells cultured on a feeder layer under hypoxic conditions grew in vitro after a latency period of 2 weeks. Since interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) induces final differentiation of activated B‐lymphocytes, the cell line was evaluated for the presence of IL‐6 receptors and biologic response to IL‐6. Results. An Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐negative cell line (UoC‐B2) was established which expressed CD34, CD45, HLA‐DR, CD19, CD20, sIgM, sIgD, and lambda light chain. Good general concordance was observed between the patient's lymphoma and the cell line by comparing the immunophenotype, genotype, and karyotype. The UoC‐B2 cells expressed surface IgM but did not secrete IgM into the culture media even in the presence of supplemental IL‐6. Conclusions. A B‐lymphoid cell line (UoC‐B2) was established from a child with primary cutaneous lymphoma. The cells expressed cell surface IgM and receptors for IL‐6 but supplemental IL‐6 had no effect on IgM production or cell proliferation.