Isolation of stable and unstable ("suppressed") Beta2-microglobulin-deficient clones from a lymphoid cell line.

After selection with anti-Beta2m and C against a human lymphoid line, about 10% of surviving clones manifested decreased cytotoxic sensitivity to anti-Beta2m("suppression") which gradually reverted to normal after 35 to 55 cell doublings. Antiserum alone induced suppression. Exposure of suppressed clones to DMSO substantially reversed suppression. One clone, surviving selection, had a stable decrease in anti-Beta2m sensitivity; it possibly represents a Beta2m mutation.