Molecular Cytogenetic Characterization Identified the Murine B-Cell Lymphoma Cell Line A-20 as a Model for Sporadic Burkitt's Lymphoma.

Here, we report the first molecular cytogenetic characterization of the BALB/cAnN mouse derived B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-cell NHL) cell lines A-20. Even though previously used as a model for testing of, for example, dexametason, up to present, no data in the genetic properties of A-20 were available. The present study closed this gap and provides evidence that A-20 is a model for B-cell NHL subgroup sporadic Burkitt's lymphoma. C-myc oncogene is involved in a translocation and copy number alterations as gain of murine 14q material could be observed. Interestingly, the cell line showed the karyotype 39,X,-X or -Y,t(2;15)(qE5;qD2),del(6)(qB3qC3),del(9)(qA3qA4),dup(14)(qE1qE4) in ~95% of the cells, being exceptionally stable for cell lines being established 38 years ago. Still, ~5% of the cells showed polyploidization followed by chromothripsis. It remains to be determined if this can be observed also in other cell lines, just has not been reported yet, and/or if it is a unique feature of A-20. Overall, finally here, the necessary genetic data to identify A-20 as a model for human sporadic Burkitt's lymphoma are provided.