Characterization of a new human multiple myeloma cell line, UMJF-2, which suppresses antibody production by B-lymphocytes in vitro.

A new human plasma cell line, UMJF-2, has been derived from the bone marrow of a patient with multiple myeloma. Morphological studies disclosed large nucleoli, moderate numbers of mitochondria, and scant endoplasmic reticulum consistent with a plasmablastic morphology. The cells have immunologic characteristics of early plasma cells, including intense expression of cytoplasmic IgG-lambda and weaker, but discernible, expression of surface IgG-lambda. Cell surface antigens defined by the monoclonal antibodies OKT10 (CD38) and PCA-1, characteristic of mature plasma cells, and B1 (CD20), B4 (CD19), and I-2 (HLA-DR), characteristic of earlier stages of B-lymphocyte differentiation, are present on UMJF-2 cells. Cytogenetic studies reveal the presence of trisomy 12. UMJF-2 does not contain the Epstein-Barr virus by Southern blot analysis. Tissue culture media conditioned by these cells contains a soluble immunosuppressive factor, capable of inhibiting pokeweed mitogen induced IgM secretion by normal human B-lymphocytes. UMJF-2 provides a model for the study of the pathogenesis of polyclonal hypogammaglobulinemia in human multiple myeloma.