Tumorigenesis mediated by an antigen receptor.

The heavy chain variable region of the immunoglobulin receptors on cells of the B lymphoma NYC are almost identical to that of other independent B-cell tumors of B/W mice. NYC IgM binds a viral antigen produced by the tumor cells; and despite extensive screening, immunoglobulin-negative variants were never found in the NYC cells, suggesting that NYC loses the capacity to grow in culture when it does not synthesize surface immunoglobulin. These findings indicate that the interaction of endogenous antigen with surface IgM continuously stimulates growth and, thus, that the tumorigenesis of B lymphomas in B/W mice is mediated by antigen receptors.