Characterization of a Unique Cell Line (Laz 221) from Human Acute Lymphocytic (“Null” Cell) Leukemia

A unique human cell line designated LAZ 221 has been established from the peripheral blood of a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia of the 'null' cell type. The cell line does not possess the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen and has a karyotype of 45,XX,-9,-12+t(9q12q). Both the established cell line and the patient's uncultured blast cells share the same phenotypic markers. They both lack T-cell markers. They fail to form sheep erythrocyte rosettes and do not react with T-cell-specific antisera (TH ₁ ^-, HTL ^-), nor do they possess B-cell markers. They do not form rosettes with erythrocytes sensitized with complement, and they are surface immunoglobulin negative. However, they do possess an HLA-D-related glycoprotein complex of 23,000 to 30,000 daltons, an la-like antigen. Thus, LAZ 221 shares the phenotype of the patient's uncultured blasts and is a cell line representative of about 75% of all human acute lymphocytic leukemias. In this respect it differs from previously described human hematopoietic cell lines.