Membrane properties and surface morphology of cell lines derived from patients with lymphoma, leukemia and infectious mononucleosis
Ben-Bassat, H.; Polliack, A.; Inbar, M.; Goldblum, N.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences 14(12): 1221-1230
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2180 PMID: 285046 Document Number: 131777
The membrane properties of different cultured lymphoid cell lines were studied with concanavalin A (con A) cap-forming ability and agglutinability, fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPHT) and scanning electron microscopy [SEM] used as probes. Enzyme content and ultrastructural features were characterized by cytochemistry and transmission electron microscopy [TEM]. Cell lines derived from patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM), Hodgkin's lymphoma (LB-129), African (Bu-4, Raji) and non-African (DG-75) Burkitt's lymphomas and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Molt-4) were compared. Cells derived from patients with Burkitt's lymphoma were spherical in shape, had a relatively uniform morphology, showed abundant lipid droplets, and exhibited a low con A cap-forming ability. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-genome-negative DG-75 cells were similar to Bu-4 and Raji cells in many respects but had a high cap-forming ability. Cells from IM and LB-129 lines had a less stereotyped morphology and differed from the Burkitt cells in their growth characteristics, response to con A and ultrastructure. Cells were either rounded or elongated with a hand-mirror shape and lacked the multiple cytoplasmic lipid droplets so typical of Burkitt cells. Under SEM, most cells from the above lines had varying numbers of microvilli, while IM and LB-129 also displayed marginal ruffles, some blebs and rare uropods. All the cell lines were readily identified as B [bone marrow-derived] lymphocyte in type by immunologic methods, but DG-75 lacked EBV-determined nuclear antigen and EBV receptors. The Molt-4 cells derived from a patient with lymphoblastic leukemia were different in all respects. They were identified as T [thymus-derived] lymphocytes and displayed relatively smooth surfaces with few microvilli when embedded in the lipid region of the surface membrane of intact cells. The degree of fluidity in the surface membrane was qualitatively monitored by fluorescence polarization analysis using the DPHT probe. Cells derived from malignant diseases have a more fluid lipid layer in their surface membrane than cells derived from nonmalignant disorders.