Heterogeneity in both cytokine production and responsiveness of a panel of monoclonal human Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-cell lines.

To optimize growth and Ig production of in vitro-cultured Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B cells, a panel of six monoclonal EBV B-cell lines was analyzed for autocrine growth factor production and responsiveness to various cytokines. Three cell lines produced Il-I and four produced Il-6, although differences concerning the amount of lymphokines produced were observed. Interestingly a considerable tumor necrosis factor beta (lymphotoxin) activity was found in supernatants of all cell lines. One IgM-producing cell line that did not secrete either Il-1 or Il-6 was exceptional in its ability to respond to the addition of rIl-6 with a 5- to 10-times elevated IgM production. In contrast, cell lines in the panel capable of Il-6 production showed only a minimal elevation of Ig production on addition of exogenous Il-6. Ig production was slightly less in some cell lines when Il-6 was neutralized. Antibodies against lymphotoxin or Il-6 did not influence growth rate of the cell lines significantly, implying that neither Il-6 nor lymphotoxin had an autostimulatory effect on the analyzed cell lines. This study demonstrates a heterogeneity regarding the amount and type of lymphokines produced by long-term monoclonal EBV cell lines, which may account for the diverse responses exhibited by these cells towards exogenously added lymphokines.