An IgM-producing B lymphoblastoid cell line established from lymphomas induced by a non-defective reticuloendotheliosis virus

Chick syncytial virus (CSV), a strain of avian reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) causes lymphoid tumours in chickens after a prolonged incubation period. A number of CSV-induced tumours were examined for cell surface antigen and were found to be of the B cell type and to produce immunoglobulin. Attempts were made to grow in vitro cell lines from CSV-induced tumours and a lymphoblastoid cell line was established from a liver tumour of a chicken that was inoculated with CSV via the yolk sac in embryo. The donor chicken was viraemic at the time the tumour was removed. The cell line is designated RECC-RP 13, it produces non-defective REV, is a B cell type and it produces IgM. It is free from infection with endogenous and exogenous avian leukosis virus (ALV) and has an increased number of chromosomes. Sequences specific to REV were detected in at least four sites in cellular DNA from RECC-RP13. Sequences specific to ALV DNA, beyond that normally found in 15I₅x7₁ cells, were not found in DNA from this cell line.