title: EBNA-negative polyclonal B cells derived from a long-term culture of unclassified acute lymphoblastic leukemia: IL-2-like activity of culture's supernatant.
abstract: A long-term culture of bone marrow lymphoblasts in a case of unclassified acute lymphoblastic leukemia is described. Cells lacking any lymphocytic marker in the early phase of the culture were gradually substituted by B cells showing a pattern of polyclonality. The culture supernatant contained high levels of immunoglobulins also showing interleukin 2 activity. Search for antigens related to the Epstein-Barr virus was negative. A clonal expansion of B cells versus spontaneous differentiation of unclassified leukemic cells is discussed; the long-term culture technique as a tool for a better evaluation of leukemic cells is suggested and discussed.
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2