A human lymphoma cell line with multiple immunoglobulin rearrangements

In Vitro Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Cell Line Models as Tools to Investigate Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategies

Despite the high incidence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), its management constitutes an ongoing challenge. The most common DLBCL variants include activated B-cell (ABC) and germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) subtypes including DLBCL with MYC and BCL2/BCL6 rearrangements which vary among each other with sensitivity to standard rituximab (RTX)-based chemoimmunotherapy regimens and lead to distinct clinical outcomes. However, as first line therapies lead to resistance/relapse (r/r) in about half of treated patients, there is an unmet clinical need to identify novel therapeutic strategies tailored for these patients. In particular, immunotherapy constitutes an attractive option largely explored in preclinical and clinical studies. Patient-derived cell lines that model primary tumor are indispensable tools that facilitate preclinical research. The current review provides an overview of available DLBCL cell line models and their utility in designing novel immunotherapeutic strategies.

Malignant hematopoietic cell lines: in vitro models for double-hit B-cell lymphomas

Mature B-cell lymphomas with concurrent rearrangements of MYC and BCL2 (more rarely BCL6), "double-hit lymphomas" (DHLs), form a heterogeneous group. Recent studies have shown that DHLs often present with an aggressive clinical course and a poor prognosis with standard therapy. This distinct clinical entity would benefit from more detailed pathobiological characterization to develop improved treatment options. Lymphoma cell lines are important and informative research tools. Several cell lines have been established from B-cell lymphoma patients harboring MYC rearrangements combined with either (double-hit) or both (triple-hit) BCL2 or BCL6 translocations. All rearrangements have been detected by cytogenetics and validated by FISH. These cell lines provide preclinical models for basic and translational research which speed development of effective treatment strategies.

Bcl-2 is a better therapeutic target than c-Myc, but attacking both could be a more effective treatment strategy for B-cell lymphoma with concurrent Bcl-2 and c-Myc overexpression

OBJECTIVE

The prognosis for diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with concomitant overexpression of c-Myc and Bcl-2 remains dismal; there is an urgent need to clarify the significance of these two oncogenes as therapeutic targets for a more effective treatment strategy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established two novel cell lines, KPUM-MS3 and KPUM-UH1, from two chemoresistant patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with concomitant overexpression of c-Myc and Bcl-2, and investigated the significance of c-Myc and Bcl-2 as therapeutic targets.

RESULTS

KPUM-MS3 possesses t(14;18)(q32;q21) chromosomal translocation and KPUM-UH1 bcl-2 gene amplification, both of which account for Bcl-2 overexpression. Chromosomal translocation t(8;14)(q24;q34) was found to coexist only in KPUM-UH1, overexpression of pvt-1 messenger RNA was detected only in KPUM-MS3, and reduced expression of miR-143 and miR-145 was identified in both. Working together, these abnormalities can contribute to c-Myc overexpression. Using ABT-263, an inhibitor for Bcl-2, and 10058-F4, an inhibitor for c-Myc, we found that both cell lines were more highly sensitive to cell death as a result of Bcl-2 inhibition than of c-Myc inhibition. When combined with genotoxic agents, ABT-263 exerted additive and/or synergistic cell-killing effects, while 10058-F4 showed, at most, a modest combinatory effect. Importantly, the combination of ABT-263 and 10058-F4 had a synergistic cell-killing effect on both cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that Bcl-2 is a better therapeutic target than c-Myc, but attacking both Bcl-2 and c-Myc would be an even more effective treatment strategy for diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with concurrent Bcl-2 and c-Myc overexpression.

MASL1, a candidate oncogene found in amplification at 8p23.1, is translocated in immunoblastic B-cell lymphoma cell line OCI-LY8

Genetic amplification at chromosome 8p23.1 has been reported in some solid tumors. Translocation of 8p23.1 has also been reported in hematological malignancies and head and neck squamous cell cancer. In an attempt to clarify whether this translocation is implicated in lymphomagenesis, we performed FISH analysis of the immunoblastic B-cell lymphoma cell line OCI-LY8, which has chromosome translocation at 8p23.1, with various BAC clones. We found split signals on BAC, RP11-18L2 where the MASL1 gene is located. This translocation was found to produce a chimeric transcript of MASL1 exon 1 with a cryptic exon from the genome region at 14q21. Our study indicates that MASL1 is not only a target gene for genomic amplification but also for chromosomal translocation. Since tumorigenic activity of the MASL1 has not been proven, its in vitro transforming activity was studied and in vivo nude mice assay were performed. Although no in vitro transforming activity was detected by focus formation, the in vivo tumorigenesis assay with nude mice showed that both MASL1 and chimeric MASL1 possess tumorigenic activity. This suggests that MASL1 is an important oncogene not only for solid tumors but also for hematologic malignancies.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines

Spectral karyotyping (SKY) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) have greatly enhanced the resolution of cytogenetic analysis, enabling the identification of novel regions of rearrangement and amplification in tumor cells. Here we report the analysis of 10 malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cell lines derived at the Ontario Cancer Institute (OCI), Toronto, designated as OCI-Ly1, OCI-Ly2, OCI-Ly3, OCI-LY4, OCI-Ly7, OCI-Ly8, OCI-Ly12, OCI-Ly13.2, OCI-Ly17, and OCI-Ly18, by G-banding, SKY, and CGH, and we present their comprehensive cytogenetic profiles. In contrast to the 52 breakpoints identified by G-banding, SKY identified 87 breakpoints, which clustered at 1q21, 7p15, 8p11, 13q21, 13q32, 14q32, 17q11, and 18q21. G-banding identified 10 translocations, including the previously described recurring translocations, t(8;14)(q24;q32) and t(14;18)(q32;q21). In contrast, SKY identified 60 translocations, including five that were recurring, t(8;14)(q24;q32), t(14;18)(q32;q21), t(4;7)(p12;q22), t(11;18)(q22;q21), and t(3;18)(q21;p11). SKY also identified the source of all the marker chromosomes. In addition, 10 chromosomes that were classified as normal by G-banding were found by SKY to be rearranged. CGH identified seven sites of high-level DNA amplification, 1q31-32, 2p12-16, 8q24, 11q23-25, 13q21-22, 13q32-34, and 18q21-23; of these, 1q31-32, 11q23-25, 13q21-22, and 13q32-34 have previously not been described as amplified in NHL. This comprehensive cytogenetic characterization of 10 NHL cell lines identified novel sites of rearrangement and amplification; it also enhances their value in experimental studies aimed at gene discovery and gene function.

Accumulation of sestamibi in lymphoma cell lines in vitro

Although some authors have suggested that sestamibi imaging is useful in evaluation of patients with lymphoma, others have obtained equivocal results. This discrepancy has been further investigated in vitro using two patient-derived non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cell lines, OCI-Ly3 and OCI-Ly18. Sestamibi (0.2 MBq/ml) was added to a suspension of OCI-Ly3 or OCI-Ly18 cells and aliquots were removed over 1 h and centrifuged to determine cell-associated radioactivity. Further experiments studied the effect of addition of a P-glycoprotein (Pgp) modulator or alteration in plasma and/or mitochondrial membrane potentials. Accumulation of sestamibi reached plateau values within 30 min, but these values were 6-fold higher in OCI-Ly3 than in OCI-Ly18. Inhibition of Pgp function with GG918 or PSC833 did not affect OCI-Ly3 cells but increased accumulation in OCI-Ly18 cells 3-fold, indicating a moderate level of Pgp. However, both cell lines responded similarly to membrane potential alterations: hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane with nigericin had little effect on accumulation: in contrast, depolarization of the plasma membrane with an isotonic high potassium buffer reduced accumulation of sestamibi to 52% of control and additional depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane with valinomycin further reduced accumulation to 12% of control levels. These studies suggest that there can be wide differences in accumulation between cell lines, in part due to Pgp-mediated efflux, but that both of these cell lines have highly polarized mitochondria with little further capacity for hyperpolarization.

Nontargeted stable integration of recombinant adeno-associated virus into human leukemia and lymphoma cell lines as evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization

A number of studies on human epithelial cells of varying origin have demonstrated integration of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors into a variety of chromosomes compared with the site-specific integration on chromosome 19 predominantly observed for wild-type (wt) AAV. We have constructed a recombinant AAV (rAAV) vector and tested the integration into hematopoietic cells, using the human acute myeloid leukemia cell line AML5 and the human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cell line OCI-LY18 as targets. The integration sites were visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Positive signals were observed for chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 8, 14, 15, 19, and Y. The majority of cells demonstrated integration into one specific site. A minority showed simultaneous integration into more than one chromosome. The frequency of observed integrations was not uniformly distributed among chromosomes; for instance, in AML5 chromosome 2 seemed to be favored. Colony-derived AML5 clones bore unique integration patterns indicating successful transduction of clonogenic progenitor cells with high proliferative potential. The integration was stable and observed for more than 12 months after transduction. FISH has been shown to be a powerful tool for detailed analyses of rAAV integration patterns and can be used to evaluate targets and transduction conditions.

p53 mutations, c-myc and bcl-2 rearrangements in human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cell lines

Fourteen Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cell lines were generated and assessed for the presence of structural p53, c-myc and bcl-2 gene changes. Single or multiple changes were observed in 11 of the lines. Alterations of the p53 gene were most frequent and documented for 10 lines by immunoprecipitation using the antibodies PAb 240 and PAb 1801, sequencing studies and Southern blot analysis. A detailed study was performed in one of the cell lines (OCI-Ly 4) for which material of the original tumor sample was available. Two point mutations identified by sequencing cDNA derived from the cell line were also present in the original tumor specimen. In contrast, DNA prepared from fibroblasts of the same patient did not show the mutations. Six of the 14 lines demonstrated c-myc rearrangements, while bcl-2 changes were observed in 4. The presence of c-myc was associated with shorter survival of this group of patients with aggressive disease. None of the other changes present as single or composite alterations were correlated with clinical outcome measures.

c-KIT expression enhances the leukemogenic potential of 32D cells

The growth of human leukemic cells in culture and in vivo is dependent upon the presence of hematopoietic growth factors. Most populations of human leukemic acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) cells express c-Kit on their surface and respond to Kit ligand (KL) in culture. To determine if this interaction was of potential significance in vivo we used a mouse model system. 32D cells, a murine IL-3-dependent myeloid cell line, were rendered KL responsive by transfection of the murine c-Kit. After injection of 32D or 32D-Kit cells into syngeneic hosts, animals bearing 32D-Kit cells, but not 32D cells, became moribund and were killed. These animals had circulating leukemic blast cells, infiltration of bone marrow, spleen, brain, liver, lung, and kidney. Cells recovered from some of the animals continued to be dependent upon IL-3 or KL for growth while in other cases the cells were factor independent. This model illustrates that the constitutive expression of c-Kit enhances the leukemic potential of 32D cells. The model will be useful for studying the progression of leukemia in vivo and testing whether interruption of the interaction of Kit and KL can affect the growth of leukemic cells.

B-cell lymphomagenesis in SIV-immunosuppressed cynomolgus monkeys

B-cell lymphomas developed frequently (approx. 40%) in SIVsm (SMM3) immunosuppressed monkeys and were mostly extranodal, aggressive and all associated with an EBV-related simian herpes virus operationally designated herpes virus Macaca fascicularis (HVMF-I). Lymphoma tissues from 21 monkeys were studied by PCR and DNA PAGE for mono/oligoclonality of the VDJ-rearranged IgH genes. Most lymphomas (n = 15) showed a monoclonal and approximately 1/3 (n = 6) an oligoclonal VDJ rearrangement pattern. The time after infection to tumor presentation was significantly shorter for oligoclonal than for monoclonal lymphomas, suggesting that oligoclonal selection frequently precedes the outgrowth of a single malignant clone. Comparison of the VDJ rearrangements in an established lymphoma cell line and the original, oligoclonal lymphoma tissue indicated in vitro selection of one HVMF-infected clone. Longitudinal studies of sequential lymph-node biopsies showed that the malignant lymphoma clone in 3 out of 8 lymphomas could be identified as a predominant clone in lymph nodes 2-12 months after SIV infection and 6-10 months before clinical presentation of the lymphomas. VDJ-rearranged DNA corresponding to that of the lymphomas was also detected in most sera at the time of lymphoma manifestation but not in corresponding PBL preparations. Clearly, the SIVsm AIDS model in cynomolgus monkeys represents a powerful tool for biological and clinical studies of herpes-virus-associated lymphomagenesis in immunosuppressed states.

Growth of human lymphoma cells in SCID mice

Two EBV-negative human lymphoma cell lines raised in this laboratory and peripheral blood cells of a patient with large cell lymphoma in leukemic phase were injected intravenously or intraperitoneally into C.B.17 SCID mice. One line (OCI-LY18) was derived from the pleural fluid of a patient with a large cell, immunoblastic malignant lymphoma. Cells of this line are of B cell origin and characterized by multiple rearrangements of the JH locus. The second line (OCI-LY17) was grown from the peripheral blood of a patient with a large cell lymphoma of T-cell phenotype which has characteristic rearrangement of the T-cell receptor beta chain. The cells directly obtained from a patient with large cell non-cleaved malignant lymphoma were of B-cell origin. Animals carrying OCI-LY18 developed large tumor masses within 6-8 weeks of inoculation. The tumors were detected in the intestine, mesentery, retroperitoneum, lymph nodes, spleen, lung and kidney. The masses resembled the primary tumor with respect to histological appearance and immunological phenotype. It was possible to generate secondary cell lines from the tumors found in the inoculated SCID mice. Injection of one of these secondary cell lines into SCID mice resulted in the rapid development of lymphoma and as few as 10 cells were sufficient to establish the disease in the inoculated animals. In contrast cells of OCI-LY17 produced small tumor aggregates that did not appear to progress over time and did not cause death of the animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)