Isolation of an antigenically "null" cell line from pig peripheral blood mononuclear cells

A new pig cell line (A4) isolated from a primary culture of pig peripheral blood mononuclear cells was characterized. A4 was demonstrated to be morphologically, antigenically and functionally distinct from the more commonly isolated pig lymphoblastoid B cell lines (e.g. P-SC). When the A4 cell line and clones derived from it were tested against a panel of monoclonal antibodies, which define specific subpopulations of pig mononuclear cells, little or no reactivity was observed. The A4 cell line, unlike the P-SC cell line, was unable to induce a mixed lymphocyte reaction. The amount of immunoglobulin secreted by A4 cells as detected by an ELISA was reduced compared to that produced by P-SC cells. The P-SC cell lines produced an IL-1-like factor, whereas no IL-1-like activity was found in the A4 supernatant. The A4 cell line appeared to be a null cell in respect to the P-SC cell line properties; only the slight amount of immunoglobulin produced suggested that the A4 cell line is of the B cell lineage. An association of viral particles with cells of the A4 morphology and null antigenic characteristics was observed and may provide an explanation for the reduced B cell properties of A4 cells.