[Isoenzyme pattern of acid phosphatase in epstein-barr-virus-DNA positive permanent growing lymphoid cell lines...

The expression of acid phosphatases is cytochemically one of the most important features in permanent growing B-cell-lines. In few cell lines acid phosphatase is resistant against tartrate. Tartrate resistant isoenzyme 5 with components a and b can be demonstrated in monocytes, lymphocytes, chronic lymphatic leucemic cells and especially in hairy cells as well as in cell lines derived from a healthy donor. Fractionation of acid phosphatase by gelelectrophoresis in separated lymphocytes demonstrates especially isoenzyme 3, in separated macrophages isoenzyme 4. Isoenzyme 4 could not be detected in several cell lines. It is therefore concluded that these cell lines are probably derived from lymphocytic precursors. Cell lines with isoenzyme 4 may be the result of a facultative hybridisation between lymphocytes and monocytes. Profiles of acid phosphatases in virus-negative cell lines (Ramos, BJAB) were not significantly altered by conversion with EBV.