Antigens present on human myeloid leukemia cell lines

Two human acute myelogenous leukemia cell lines have recently been established: KG-1 and HL-60. Both lines retain the morphology and cytochemistry of myeloid cells, are not infected with EB virus, and respond to colony-stimulating activity (CSA) with increased colony formation in soft-gel culture. The K 562 cell line is composed of undifferentiated blast cells which are rich in glycophorin and may be induced to produce human fetal and embryonic hemoglobin. We used a variety of antisera to characterize the antigen composition of the leukemic colony-forming cells (CFC) and the general population of leukemic cells. Cells were incubated with antisera and complement, washed, plated in agar, and the colonies counted after 12 days' incubation. Culture data were correlated with the results obtained using direct and indirect immunofluorescence and dye exclusion microcytotoxicity.The majority of KG-1 cells, including CFC, expressed the ‘Ia-like’ antigen. The HL-60 and K562 cells did not express the Ia antigen, although indirect evidence using cytogenetic and isoenzyme studies suggests that the HL-60 gene locus for the antigen was probably intact.We found that the leukemia CFC had the HLA-A and -B antigens as did the general leukemia cell population. The leukemia CFC did not express a T-lymphocyte antigen, certain erythrocyte antigens, nor antigens associated with acute lymphocytic leukemia. HL-60 cells underwent morphological and functional maturation in the presence of DMSO, but no change in surface antigenic composition was noted. All antigens expressed on the leukemia CFC were also present on the general cell population.