Infectious mononucleosis: immunoglobulin synthesis by cell lines

Immunoglobulin synthesis by 16 long-term suspension cultures of mononuclear cells derived from peripheral blood of nine patients with heterophile-positive infectious mononucleosis (IM) has been demonstrated by radioimmunoelectrophoretic techniques. All cell lines synthesized molecules with IgG (γ) heavy chain specificity. 14 cell lines produced molecules with IgM (μ) heavy chain specificity and 11 cell lines produced molecules with IgA (α) heavy chain specificity. No detectable synthesis of molecules with IgD (δ) heavy chain specificity was observed by these cell lines derived from peripheral blood of patients with IM. 13 cell lines produced molecules with type K (κ) light chain specificity and 6 cell lines produced molecules with type L (λ) light chain specificity. Of interest, 9 of 16 lines produced IgG (γ), IgA (α), and IgM (μ) heavy chain molecules and 5 of these cell lines produced molecules with type K (κ) and type L (λ) light chain specificity as well. Further characterization by combined polyacrylamide gel filtration, immunodiffusion, and radioautography indicated the presence of newly synthesized immunoglobulin molecules with both heavy and light polypeptide chains in close association as well as free light polypeptide chain synthesis. Investigation of the localization of immunoglobulin in single cells by immunofluorescent techniques revealed that 5-22% of cells in these lines were strongly reactive with a fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated rabbit antisera directed against the antigenic determinants of human IgG and cross-reactive with the determinants common to IgA and IgM. No heterophile antibody, heteroagglutinin, or hemolytic antibody could be demonstrated in these cell lines derived from peripheral blood of patients with heterophile-positive infectious mononucleosis

Blast-Like Transformation Induced in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes by Cellular Injury: A Comparison of Sonication and Phytohemagglutinin

Abstract The effects of sublethal sonication on short-term lymphocyte cultures were determined and compared to effects of phytohemagglutinin on similar cultures. Cells stimulated by sonication or PHA showed similar blastoid alteration, similar subtleties of trypan blue staining during the first three days of culture, and similar lysosomal patterns in the altered cells. However, cells from sonicated cultures did not display DNA or RNA synthesis rates above those seen in control cultures. In addition, trypan blue staining characteristics indicated a temporarily reversible injury in PHA stimulated cells, but not in sonicated cells. These studies support the concept that blast-like transformation of lymphocytes is related to cell damage and possibly to subsequent increase in size and activity of lysosomes.</jats:p

Studies on Human Lymphocytes in Vitro

Summary In a fine-structural study of the immunoglobulin-producing EB-2 and nonimmunoglobulin-producing AL-1 cell lines of Burkitt lymphoma a similar distribution of cell types was observed. Both cell lines contained a spectrum of blast-like cells ranging in type from cells which displayed a well developed Golgi apparatus, nonaggregated ribosomes and sparse endoplasmic reticulum to cells containing numerous aggregated ribosomes and an extensively developed, rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum forming large dilated cisternac. In both Burkitt cell lines, cell types were present which resembled, phyto-mitogen-transformed blast cells. There was no consistent association of cytoarchitectural features with the capacity to synthesize immunoglobulin.</jats:p

Studies on the A, B, O(H) Blood Groups on Human Cells in Culture

Abstract HeLa cells were used in the mixed agglutination reaction to determine optimal conditions for demonstrating blood group H activity by this method. The following parameters were studied in the mixed agglutination reaction: (1) derivation of cell line, (2) cell viability, (3) effects of antibody titer, (4) source and type of antibody. Studies with primary human amnion cells indicated that over a 30-day period of cultivation in vitro there were losses in specific ABO blood group activity. Addition of blood group precursors to establish human amnion cell lines FL-J and F-D indicated that blood group B antigen could be synthesized and maintained in vitro.</jats:p