In vitro Epstein‐Barr virus‐immortalized lymphoma cell line carrying t(9;14)(p13;q32) chromosome abnormality, derived from splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes

We herein describe splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) carrying t(9;14)(p13;q32). The t(9;14)(p13;q32) is a rare reciprocal chromosome translocation found in a subset of B‐cell malignancies, mainly in low‐grade non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas. In t(9;14)(p13;q32), PAX‐5 gene on 9p13 is involved with the immunoglobulin heavy‐chain gene on 14q32. It has been thought that the deregulated expression of PAX‐5 as a result of t(9;14)(p13;q32) may contribute to abnormal cell proliferation. Although continuous cell lines are invaluable tools for studying lymphomagenesis in the t(9;14)(p13;q32)‐bearing lymphomas, establishment of such cell lines is extremely difficult since they are usually mature B‐cell malignancies. In an attempt to transform the SLVL cells into a proliferating cell line, we examined the responses of the cells to infection by Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV). SLVL cells were found to be susceptible to immortalization by EBV, resulting in a permanent cell line. The cell line, designated SL‐15, possessed the t(9;14)(p13;q32). Genotype analysis and immunophenotype profiles confirmed that the cell line arose from the primary lymphoma cells. The cells had characteristic cytoplasmic villi. SL‐15 cells has been growing over 2 years equivalent to 350–400 population doubling levels without proliferative crisis that is often observed in EBV‐positive lymphoblastoid cell lines. Furthermore, SL‐15 cells, when inoculated into nude mice, formed t(9;14)(p13;q32)‐bearing tumors with cytoplasmic villi. The validated SLVL‐derived cell line provide a useful model system to study molecular biology of t(9;14)(p13;q32)‐bearing B‐cell malignancies as well as lymphomagenesis of SLVL in vitro and in vivo . © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.