Effects of a phorbol ester on activation and immortalization of leukaemic B cells by Epstein-Barr virus

Immortalization of chronic leukaemic B cells by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was investigated. Immortalization resistant and susceptible cell populations were defined by chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and prolymphocytic leukaemia (PLL) cells respectively. These cell types could be distinguished by the effects of a phorbol ester on [3H]-thymidine incorporation by EBV-infected cells. A synergistic effect was observed in the non-immortalizing CLL samples, whereas this response was inhibited in the immortalizing PLL. Under the conditions used in the study, TPA did not cooperate with EBV to immortalize CLL cells.