Characterization of a carcinogen-induced murine B lymphocyte cell line of C3H/eB origin.

A carcinogen-induced lymphoid tumor, denoted 38C-13, obtained in a T cell-depleted mouse of C3H/eB strain, was adapted to continuous culture in vitro and characterized with respect to its cell surface components. The cells possess IgM class immunoglobulins on their surface but do not secrete it. This membrane IgM is composed of mu and L-chains that are similar in apparent molecular weight to those of an IgM myeloma protein. It is also homogeneous as revealed by isoelectric focusing. The cells possess Fc receptors but lack complement receptors as well as Thy-1 and Ia alloantigens. These characteristics indicate that 38C-13 cells are transformed counterparts of small B lymphocytes at an early stage of differentiation.