Establishment and characterization of a new human lymphoma-derived cell line--HBL-2.

A new human B-cell lymphoma-derived cell line, designated HBL-2, was established from peripheral blood of a 17-year-old male during terminal leukemic phase. HBL-2 cells were single cell suspensions when cultured in RPMI 1640 with 10% fetal calf serum promoting a doubling time of about 20 hours. Cell marker studies revealed Ia and surface immunoglobulin positive, cytoplasmic immunoglobulin and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen negative. Chromosome analysis showed a male aneuploid karyotype with 14q+ and other abnormal markers. Under electron microscopy, the cells exhibited clear nucleoli, fine chromatin, and were in a primary differentiated state. The establishment of HBL-2 cell line provides a powerful tool in studying the oncogenesis of B-cell malignancy.