MOLP-8 Cells

The MOLP-8 cell line is a human multiple myeloma cell line that carries the chromosomal translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32) and expresses the delta/lambda type immunoglobulin. It was established from the peripheral blood of a Japanese male patient diagnosed with stage IIIA multiple myeloma, specifically the Bence-Jones delta/lambda type. MOLP-8 cells grow independently of exogenous growth factors and exhibit a typical plasma cell morphology with heterogeneous sizes and one to three nuclei. This cell line is valuable for studying multiple myeloma biology, including mechanisms related to immunoglobulin production, cell signaling pathways, and drug responses in myeloma treatment.

The immunophenotype of MOLP-8 cells includes markers such as CD38, CD138, CD54, and CD56, which are typically associated with plasma cells, along with cytoplasmic delta and lambda light chains. Interestingly, although the cells are initially negative for CD28, a marker related to advanced myeloma, CD28 expression can be induced when MOLP-8 cells are co-cultured with bone marrow stromal cells. This system has been instrumental in understanding the role of cell adhesion molecules like CD29 (integrin β1) and CD106 (VCAM-1) in cellular interactions between myeloma and bone marrow stromal cells. Inhibition of adhesion was achieved by targeting these molecules, indicating the importance of the VLA-4/VCAM-1 interaction in the tumor microenvironment.

MOLP-8 cells provide an excellent in vitro model for exploring the molecular mechanisms of multiple myeloma progression and therapeutic targets. The cell line has been used to study the modulation of antigens involved in tumor expansion and the effects of potential treatments. Its ability to model advanced myeloma stages, including CD28 expression and interaction with stromal components, makes it particularly useful in researching disease metastasis and resistance to conventional therapies.