Establishment and characterization of an Epstein Barr virus (EBV) negative lymphoblastoid B cell line (BJA B) from an exceptional, EBV genome negative African Burkitt's lymphoma

An Epstein Barr virus (EBV) negative lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL), BJA B, was established from an African Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) which contained no detectable EBV DNA and did not express the EBV specified antigen EBNA. BJA B cells grow in typically large, flat clumps. All carry surface bound immunoglobulins, a B lymphocyte marker, and do not form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. After infection of BJA B cells by EBV the infected cells may produce either EBV determined nuclear antigen (EBNA) or both EBNA and early antigen (EA), depending on the strain of EBV. The homogeneity of the BJA B cell population with respect to immunological and isoenzyme markers and size suggests a clonal origin of the line. BJA B is the first EBV negative LCL established from an African Burkitt's lymphoma and demonstrates that an EBV independent continuous B cell line can be established 'in vitro' from other than leukemia or myeloma cells.