Regulation of malignant B-cell proliferation by direct binding of anti-HLA class-II antibodies.

A panel of five monoclonal antibodies (Mab) and a polyclonal antiserum directed against HLA class II were studied for their effect on growth of mature neoplastic B cells of prolymphocytic origin (B-PLL cells). The polyclonal antiserum and three out of five monoclonal antibodies were able to synergize with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) to induce proliferation of B-PLL cells of one patient. Cross-blocking experiments showed that the proliferation-inducing Mab recognized closely related epitopes on HLA class-II molecules. The other two monoclonal antibodies recognized different epitopes on HLA class-II molecules and had no effect on proliferation of B-PLL cells. Proliferation induced by the combination of PMA and anti-HLA class-II Mab was inhibited by anti-CD18 (LFA-1) antibodies and was extremely dependent on cell density. This study indicates that certain HLA class II determinants on neoplastic B cells can transduce growth-promoting signals.