Human retinoblastoma cells express αB-crystallin in vivo and in vitro

αB-crystallin is a major lens protein that is a member of the heat-shock family of proteins. Using immunohisto-chemical and northern blot techniques, we now demonstrate its presence in freshly-fixed retinoblastoma tissue. The protein is also abundantly expressed in cultured human retinoblastoma cells (Y-79 NEI, WERI Rb-1) as well as two subcultured Y-79 lines (ATCC and GM01232C). High expression of αB-crystallin may be involved in tumor growth and/or be a marker for general oncogenic "stress" in the tumor tissue.