A Novel L3-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Line (BALM-27) Carrying Cytoplasmic Immunoglobulin δ Chain but Lacking Expression of Cell Surface Immunoglobulin Chains

Abstract

A human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell line, BALM-27, was established from the peripheral blood specimen of a patient with B-cell ALL L3 type (ALL-L3) at diagnosis. As with the original leukemia cells, the established line was negative for all cell surface immunoglobulin (Ig) chains, but carrying only cytoplasmic Ig δ heavy chain. Southern blot analysis of the various Ig chain genes demonstrated homozygous deletion of the J κ gene, germ line configuration of the J   and rearrangement of IgJH genes. Cytogenetic analysis of both primary leukemic bone marrow and BALM-27 cells showed the der(8;15)(q10;ql0) chromosomal alteration, in addition to the t(8;22)(q24;q11) abnormality which is highly associated with ALL-L3 and Burkitt's lymphoma. The established cell line BALM-27 represents a rich resource of abundant, accessible, and manipulable cell material for analyzing the unique expression of Ig chain and for investigating the pathogenesis of B-cell malignancy. The scientific significance of BALM-27 lies in (1) the rarity of this type of leukemia cell lines, and (2) its unique chromosomal aberrations.

• Smig Negative All-L3 Cell Line
• t(8;22)(q24;Q11)
• Balm-27
• Lymphoid Neoplasm