Characterization of a 70Z/3 pre-B cell derived macrophage clone. Differential expression of Hox family genes

An adherent cell line was established from the much studied pre-B cell line 70Z/3. The adherent cell line had the morphological features of a macrophage and stained positive for non-specific esterase. In addition, this line expressed high levels of RNA for the macrophage specific enzyme, lysozyme. Although the 70Z/3 macrophage variant has lost the ability to respond to lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma by expressing RNA transcripts for immunoglobulin light chain, it exhibited a new response characterized by increased levels of I-A RNA transcripts. Both the pre-B and macrophage variants also expressed RNA transcripts which hybridize to a Hox 2.3 probe. In contrast, transcripts which hybridize to Hox 1.1, 2.1, and 6.1 probes are expressed in the pre-B line but could not be detected in the macrophage.