International Journal of Cell Cloning, Vol 2, 161-172, Copyright © 1984 by AlphaMed Press
The establishment of a human myeloma cell line elaborating lambda-light chain protein
Y Niho, T Shibuya, K Yamasaki and N Kimura
A human myeloma cell line (KMM-56) producing lambda-light chain protein was
established in vitro by cultivation of the cells in the pleural effusion
obtained from a patient with IgD-lambda-myeloma. The cells proliferate in
suspension and do not aggregate or attach to the culture dish. Surface
marker analysis revealed that the cells were negative for E-rosette, and
surface immunoglobulin. Immunoelectrophoresis, immunodiffusion, and
immunofluorescence with various antibodies demonstrated no heavy chains,
while lambda-light chains were detected in the cytoplasm of the cells.
Using the immunodiffusion technique, only lambda-light chains were detected
in the frozen and thawed cell extract, the concentrated supernatant of the
cell culture, and the urine of the patient. Electron microscopic
examination revealed the plasmablastoid appearance of the cells. This cell
line may be useful for future studies of human immunoglobulin genes and for
the material of human-human hybridoma, which could produce monoclonal human
immunoglobulin.
