ARH-77, an established human IgG-producing myeloma cell line. I. morphology, B-cell phenotypic marker profile, and expression of epstein-barr virus

Monolayer cultures of ARH-77 cells, a human myeloma cell line propagated in vitro, display a variety of morphologic entities ranging from small lymphocytes to classic plasma cells. The cells show intense pyronin and periodic acid-Schiff affinity but are negative for colloidal iron, sudan black, and naphtol AS-D chloroacetate esterase. The cells exhibit phenotypic markers pertaining to each stage of the B-cell lineage. They fail to display sheep erythrocyte and bovine erythrocyte-IgG antibody complex rosettes, common acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) antigens and T-cell antigens, but most cells display surface complement receptors, Ia-like antigens, and surface and intracytoplasmic Ig. Monoclonal antibodies were negative for T-antigens, myelomonocytic cell antigens, leukemia-associated antigens, and BA-1 and OKT-10 antigens. However, 100% of the cells were positive with OKT-9 and B3/25 antibodies that are specific for transferrin receptors. About 50% to 80% of the cells were positive for surface membrane immunoglobulin (kappa IgG) and about 10% to 50% for cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (kappa IgG). Virtually all cells were positive when tested for nuclear Epstein-Barr virus antigens.