Tatsuo Sezaki

Human bone marrow stroma‐dependent cell line MOLP‐5 derived from a patient in leukaemic phase of multiple myeloma

The novel multiple myeloma (MM) cell line MOLP‐5 and its homologous sister cell line B407, a lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL), were established from the peripheral blood of a 71‐year‐old Japanese patient with Bence‐Jones κ‐type multiple myeloma (stage IIIB with hyperammonaemia and hypercalcaemia). The growth of MOLP‐5 cells is constitutively dependent on bone marrow stroma (BST) cells; none of the cytokines tested nor the culture supernatant of the bone marrow stroma cells could support the growth of MOLP‐5. Wright–Giemsa‐stained MOLP‐5 cells showed typical plasma cell morphology with abundant cytoplasm and one to three nuclei. The immunoprofile of MOLP‐5 corresponds to that seen typically in primary MM cells: positive for cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (Ig) κ light chain, CD28, CD29, CD38, CD40, CD44, CD49d, CD54, CD56, CD58, CD71, CD138 and PCA‐1; the cells were negative for surface Ig and various other B‐cell, T‐cell and myelomonocyte‐associated immunomarkers. Interleukin 6 (IL‐6) receptor mRNA was found in the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. IL‐6 and IL‐10 could induce cellular proliferation in short‐term induction experiments. IL‐6 or IL‐10 production was not detected by specific enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). MOLP‐5 cells expressed parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) at the mRNA level. Cytogenetic analysis showed the typical t(11; 14) chromosome abnormality. The novel MOLP‐5 cell line together with the B407 B‐LCL sister line will be useful model systems in the investigation of the biology of MM.

Non-African Burkitt's lymphoma in a young woman.

Non‐African Burkitts lymphoma is presented in a 29‐year‐old, unmarried woman, who developed tumors in both breasts and ovaries, ascites and pleural effusion. Assessment of B cells in the tumor cells, derived from ascites, pleural effusion and tumor tissue is 90%, surface IgM being consisted of 86%, in an average. Histologically, the tumor tissue demonstrates prominent, so‐called starry‐sky effect, and cytologically, tumor cells are poorly‐differentiated lymphocytoid ceUs in their features.

MACROGLOBULINEMIA WALDENSTRUM COMPLICATED BY AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA, MENINGEAL SIGN AND FEMORAL LYSIS

A necropsied case of macroglobulinemia Waldenström with unusual complications was presented; the patient was found to have autoimmune hemolytic anemia, first. During the course of its treatment, he developed monoclonal immunoglobulin M in serum together with lytic osseous lesion in both femurs, and died of meningeal involvement by tumor cells. Clinically, he had hepatosplenomegaly and generalized lymphadenopathy. The macroglobulin was kappa type of light chain, ultracentrifugation showed a sharp spike of 21S in 18.6%, and myelogram revealed increased lymphocytoid series of 29.6%. It was proved that autoantibody causing autoimmue hemolytic anemia was composed of IgG and macroglobulin itself had no activity as an anti‐red cell antibody. An emphasis was made that autoimmune hemolytic anemia followed by macroglobulinemia is based on the state of immunodeficiency of this patient.