Interactions between human lymphoblastoid cells and human fibroblast feeder layers in vitro

Lymphoblastoid (LB) cells interact in vitro with human fibroblasts. Cell complexes can be dissociated by trypsin treatment. Binding on fibroblasts is higher for Epstein-Barr virus-producer LB cells than for nonproducers, and depends on the origin of the fibroblastic cells. Stromal fibroblasts isolated from a metastatic lymph node tumor exhibited a highly increased potency of binding LB cells in comparison with fibroblasts isolated from normal breast epidermis or the primary breast tumor from the same patient. After a 10-hour interaction period, LB cells undergo abnormal divisions giving rise to the formation of 'mini cells'.