High levels of hyaluronan production by a malignant lymphoma cell line with primary effusion lymphoma immunophenotype OHK

Abstract

We investigated whether hyaluronan (HA) was produced by a malignant lymphoma cell line with a primary effusion lymphoma immunophenotype, OHK. OHK secreted high levels of HA into the culture supernatant, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed mRNA for the HA synthases 2 and 3. HA binding protein-reactive HA was present in the plasma membrane and in the cytoplasm. The inoculation of OHK into severe combined immunodeficiency disease mice produced marked viscid ascites with concentrated HA and a vascular-rich mesenteric solid tumour. These results show that HA is produced and secreted by the malignant lymphoma cell line OHK.