Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Ex vivo Expansion of Tumor-reactive T Cells by Means of Bryostatin 1/Ionomycin and the Common Gamma Chain Cytokines Formulation
Published on: January 15, 2011
Establishment and characterization of a feline large granular lymphoma cell line expressing interleukin 2 receptor
R Goitsuka1, K Ohno, Y Matsumoto
1Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
A new feline large granular lymphocyte (LGL) cell line, FGL, was established from lymphoma. This cell line exhibits natural killer activity and expresses IL-2 receptor alpha-chain.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Oncology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lymphoma is a common cancer in cats.
- Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) cells are a type of lymphocyte with cytotoxic functions.
- Establishing cell lines is crucial for studying cancer biology and developing therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and characterize a novel feline large granular lymphocyte (LGL) cell line from a cat with alimentary lymphoma.
- To investigate the biological and immunological properties of the established cell line.
Main Methods:
- Cell culture and establishment of a feline cell line from lymphoma tissue.
- Morphological analysis to identify LGL characteristics.
- Molecular assays to detect feline leukemia virus (FeLV) proviral DNA and reverse transcriptase activity.
- Flow cytometry to assess cell surface marker expression (IL-2 receptor alpha-chain).
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays using K562 target cells.
Main Results:
- A stable feline LGL cell line, designated FGL, was successfully established.
- FGL cells displayed characteristic large azurophilic granules in their cytoplasm.
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) proviral DNA and reverse transcriptase activity were detected in FGL cells.
- FGL cells expressed the interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor alpha-chain on their surface.
- The FGL cell line demonstrated natural killer (NK) activity against the K562 human leukemia cell line.
Conclusions:
- The FGL cell line represents a valuable in vitro model for studying feline LGL lymphoma.
- The presence of FeLV suggests a potential role in lymphomagenesis.
- The observed NK activity and IL-2 receptor expression highlight potential therapeutic targets and avenues for further research in feline lymphoma.
Abstract:
A feline large granular lymphocyte (LGL) cell line was established from a cat with an alimentary-form lymphoma. This cell line, designated as FGL, had many large azurophilic granules in the cytoplasm, which were typical to LGL cells. Proviral genome of feline leukemia virus was detected in the chromosomal DNA of FGL cells, and reverse transcriptase activity was also demonstrated in the culture supernatant. Furthermore, we found expression of interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor alpha-chain on the cell surface of FGL and its natural killer activity against human erythroblastic leukemia cell line, K562.
