Human B cell line deficient in the expression of B cell-specific glycoproteins (GP 27,35).

A human B lymphoid cell line, P3HR-1, expresses only low levels of the 27 000 and 35 000 mol.wt. B cell-specific glycoproteins (GP 27,35). Indirect antibody-binding and quantitative absorption tests with a xenoantiserum against the antigens showed that P3HR-1 cells have on their surface about 1% of the amount found on other human B lymphoblastoid cell lines. The deficit of the glycoproteins on the surface of P3HR-1 cells could be accounted for by a reduced rate of synthesis in these cells. A simple relationship between the reduced expression of GP 27,35 on P3HR-1 cells and their inability to bind Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or express complement receptors was excluded because other B lymphoid cells which expressed neither virus-binding sites nor complement receptor had normal amounts of GP 27,35 on their surface. However, antibodies against GP 27,35 could block the absorption of EBV by EBV receptor-positive B cells.