Establishment and characterization of adult T-cell leukemia virus-containing B-cell lines derived from peripheral blood of adult T-cell leukemia patients.

B-cell lines which showed predominantly surface IgA kappa immunoglobulins were established from each of seven adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) patients. ATL virus proviral DNA was found in five of the lines. Though the chromosomal analysis of the B-cell lines yielded normal results, fresh leukemic T-cells showed chromosome abnormalities.