Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019829 (Hodgkin's disease)
 30,247 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We have investigated the immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein in 96 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma using a panel of five antibodies. Positive neoplastic cells were found in 30 (31.2%) cases, which could be divided into two groups according to their patterns of reactivity with the different antibodies; i.e. those positive with both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, and those which were stained only by monoclonal antibodies PAb1801 and/or PAb240. Positivity was nuclear in all but six cases in which cytoplasmic staining was found. In view of the hypothesis recently raised that p53 protein induces apoptosis we have compared our results with parallel staining for bcl-2 protein since bcl-2 is believed to be important, at least in lymphomas, in suppression of apoptosis. Staining for bcl-2 protein was performed on 83 cases and it was shown that p53-positive cases accounted for 10 out of 17 (59%) of the bcl-2-negative lymphomas but only for 15 out of the 66 (23%) bcl-2-positive cases, suggesting a possible relationship between the expression of these two proteins. Thus, our data show that p53 protein is abnormally expressed in a substantial proportion of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and bears a significant inverse relationship to bcl-2 protein expression. However the molecular basis of this expression remains to be elucidated.
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PMID:Immunohistochemical detection of p53 and bcl-2 proteins in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 843 40

Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL) show increased incidence both in immunocompromised high-risk groups and in the general population. They are extranodal diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with a morphology similar to systemic lymphomas, but differ in their biological and molecular behaviour. The majority are large B-cell variants of high-grade malignancy; low-grade subtypes and T-cell lymphomas are rare; up to 50% remain unclassified according to the New Working Formulation and updated Kiel classification. Monoclonality of immunoglobulin receptor gene rearrangement can be diagnostically useful. The pathogenesis of PCNSL is obscure. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome/proteins expression in two-thirds of HIV-related PCNSL but only in 15% of those in immunocompetent patients suggest different EBV latency stages in both types; human herpesvirus type 6 does not appear to play a pathogenic role. Comparison of expression patterns of integrin chains and adhesion molecules are very similar for PCNSL and nodal lymphomas suggesting that they are not selective mediators of lymphoma cell homing to the brain. In HIV-negative PCNSL they appear not to be influenced by EBV. Studies of protooncogenes (bcl-1 and bcl-2 genes) revealed no rearrangement in PCNSL, suggesting that they are not involved in the pathogenesis of PCNSL that probably do not differ cytogenetically from nodal B-cell lymphomas. Since most of the currently known molecular parameters are probably not the primary pathogenic events, the molecular genetics and pathogenesis of PCNSL are still to be elucidated.
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PMID:Primary central nervous system lymphomas--new pathological developments. 852 72

The most common translocation in human lymphoma, t(14;18)(q32;q21), recombines the bcl-2 gene with the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy-chain locus leading to the production of high levels of chimeric RNAs and the resulting 26 kDa bcl-2 protein. The oncogenic role of the bcl-2 gene has been shown by the suppression of a variety of programmed cell deaths (apoptosis). Bcl-2 is able to interact with other members of the bcl-2 family through at least one of its conserved dimerization domains. Although overproduction of the wild-type protein appears sufficient for conferring a selective growth or a survival advantage to hematopoietic cells, the mode of activation of the proto-oncogene remains to be elucidated. In a first step, we examined and quantitated the expression of the bcl-2 gene in primary biopsies of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) as well as in cell lines derived from NHLs. The results show that bcl-2 expression is found in a variety of hematopoietic lineages, but is most strongly associated with the B cell lineage. Within the B cell lineage, the expression levels vary depending on the differentiation as well as on the t(14;18) rearranged status. The quantitative measurements show high steady-state mRNA levels in early and in t(14;18) arranged B cells, whereas bcl-2 expression decreases with further B cell maturation and differentiation. In a second step we analyzed the bcl-2 mRNA for secondary genetic alterations, which may alter regulatory regions rendering it more tumorigenic. For this purpose, we chose a combined RT-PCR/SSCP method in order to screen out mutations of alleles which are not expressed. Different migration patterns of SSCP products were found only in two cell lines and subsequent sequencing revealed that the functional domains are not affected. Our data suggest that the dimerization properties of this protein are preserved in tumor cells and that modifications of the bcl-2 gene by the somatic hypermutation mechanism are not involved and do not influence the pathobiology of NHL.
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PMID:Preservation of functional and regulatory domains of expressed bcl-2 genes in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 855 21

The bcl-2 gene is rearranged in most cases of follicular lymphoma and the breakpoint clusters into two specific regions: mbr and mcr. Rearrangements to immunoglobulin heavy chain genes (IgH) result in a deregulation of the gene and increased transcription of mRNA for the bcl-2 protein. In chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) expression of bcl-2 protein is increased but rearrangement of the gene can be found only in a minority of cases: commonly a variant translocation with a breakpoint region located 5' of the bcl-2 gene (vcr) with preferential rearrangement to immunoglobulin light chain genes. We have analysed breakpoints in mbr and vcr in malignant cells from 96 patients with B-CLL, 45 with hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) and 41 with high- and low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). Vcr rearrangements were observed in nine patients (12%) with B-CLL. Four patients had co-migration of rearranged bcl-2 bands to kappa genes and two patients to IgH. Cytogenetic abnormalities involving 18q21, the site of the bcl-2 gene, was found in two cases only. In several cases with bcl-2 gene rearrangement chromosomal aberrations not including 18q21 were observed. In six patients (two B-CLL, one follicular lymphoma, one immunocytoma and two high-grade lymphomas), breakpoints in both vcr and mbr were found. In HCL a rearrangement in the vcr region was found in one case. Bcl-2 protein immunostaining of B-CLL showed intense bcl-2 expression in all cases and no correlation was found between gene rearrangement and protein expression. Our study confirms that breakpoints in the bcl-2 gene commonly cluster to the vcr region in B-CLL, but in most cases over-expression of bcl-2 protein has to be explained by other mechanisms than bcl-2 gene rearrangement. We also report that simultaneous breakpoints in mbr and vcr is a recurrent phenomenon in B-CLL and in other high- and low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
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PMID:Bcl-2 rearrangements with breakpoints in both vcr and mbr in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. 861 30

Bcl-x is a member of the bcl-2 family of proteins which are characterized by their ability to modulate apoptosis. Alternative splicing results in two distinct bcl-x mRNAs encoding a long isoform, bcl-xL, which acts as a bcl-2 agonist; and a short isoform, bcl-xS, which inhibits bcl-2 effects. The aim of the study was to determine whether bcl-x is expressed in lymphoma tissues and to characterize the respective production of bcl-xs and bcl-xL. We investigated the expression of bcl-x mRNA in a series of 50 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and Hodgkin's disease (HD) cases using a RT-PCR method in order to amplify both transcripts simultaneously, and to estimate their relative abundance. The rearrangements of the bcl-2 gene were analysed by RT-PCR expression of the hybrid bcl-2-lgH mRNA. In addition, 20 PCR-positive NHL cases and three HD cases were analysed by immunohistochemistry using bcl-x polyclonal antisera. RT-PCR showed bcl-x expression in 43/45 NHLs and 5/5 HD cases. The bcl-xL transcript was predominant in all positive cases and was associated with variable amounts of bcl-xS. There was no significant correlation between the profile of bcl-xL/bcl-xS expression and the histological and immunological subtyping. Bcl-x immunodetection was positive in the neoplastic cell component in all analysed cases, but the degree of staining was highly variable between cases. Expression of the hybrid bcl-2-IgH gene was detected by RT-PCR in five cases of follicular NHL and in one case of HD, but this group of tumours did not display a particular profile of bcl-xL/bcl-xS expression. We conclude that bcl-x is commonly expressed by malignant cells in various types of malignant lymphomas, with a predominance of the bcl-xL transcript. Since the corresponding bcl-xL isoform can block the cell death machinery and potentialize bcl-2 effects, it may be involved in some pathways of lymphomagenesis.
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PMID:Predominant expression of the long isoform of Bcl-x (Bcl-xL) in human lymphomas. 861 83

Among non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMLCL) has been considered a separate entity that has specific clinical and histological aspects and a poor prognosis. In this study, we reexamined the clinicopathologic features and the response to current treatment of 141 PMLCL and compare them with 916 nonmediastinal large B-cell lymphomas (NMLCL) recorded in the same period and treated with similar combined chemotherapy. The clinical features of PMLCL at diagnosis were largely homogeneous and distinct from NMLCL, with a predilection for young women (59% with a mean age of 37 years versus 42% with a mean age of 54 years), bulky tumor (77% versus 7%, p < 10(4)), high serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level 76% versus 51%, p < 10(4)), and frequent intrathoracic extension to adjacent organs such as pleura, pericardium, and lung. By contrast, extrathoracic or hematologic dissemination was uncommon (2% of bone marrow involvement versus 17%). All patients had diffuse large B-cell nonimmunoblastic, nonanaplastic lymphomas. Histological analysis of the 141 PMLCL evaluated two common patterns: the presence of large cells with clear cytoplasm (found in 38% of cases) and the presence of fibrosis (marked in 25% of cases). The presence of clear cells or intense fibrosis did not constitute prognostic indicators. Immunologic and molecular analysis assessed the profile of bcl-2 expression and the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in PMLCL: 30% expressed a high level of bcl-2 protein; EBER RNAs were detected by in situ hybridization in only two of the 41 cases tested. Monotypic light chain restriction could be demonstrated in seven of the 41 PMLCL tested on fixed-section. Treated with polychemotherapy regimens without radiotherapy, 79% of PMLCL patients achieved a complete remission compared with 68% in the NMLCL patient group (p = 0.01). Overall, 3-year survival rates were estimated at 66 and 61%, respectively (p = 0.05), and disease-free survival rates were not significantly different (61 versus 64%). Stratified analysis on the International Prognostic Index (based on age, tumor stage, serum LDH level, and performance status) showed no difference in the overall and disease-free survivals between the two lymphoma groups. In conclusion, PMLCL can be combined with other diffuse large B-cell lymphomas on morphologic grounds; it is not associated with EBV. It responds favorably to treatment and should be managed like other high-grade lymphomas of equivalent histology. However, the uncommon clinical presentation makes it a distinct entity.
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PMID:Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma. A clinicopathologic study of 141 cases compared with 916 nonmediastinal large B-cell lymphomas, a GELA ("Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte") study. 866 37

PCR product sizing on ethidium bromide-stained gels, coupled with Southern transfer and hybridization with nonisotopic probes, is an effective way of detecting t(14;18)(q32;q21). We evaluated an alternative ELISA-based test for detecting amplified t(14;18) products. Digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled dUTP is incorporated in a standard PCR method for amplification of bcl-2 major breakpoint region (mbr) rearrangements. The product is hybridized to a specific biotinylated DNA probe internal to the mbr primer, placed in streptavidin-coated wells of a microtiter plate, and detected with a alkaline phosphatase-conjugated anti-DIG antibody and enzyme substrate (pNpp). The colorimetric product is quantitated by an automated optical density (O.D.) reader. We evaluated 13 mbr-positive follicular lymphomas (FL), five mbr-negative B-cell neoplasms (BCN), 16 reactive lymphoid hyperplasias (RLH), 14 cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD), and normal peripheral blood samples from 20 healthy volunteers. All samples were evaluated in duplicate on separate plates. Positive [t(14;18)-containing cell line] and negative [cell line without t(14;18); master mix only] controls, and a standard curve were included with each run. Numerical O.D. readings from the specific hybridization assays revealed differences between FL and the other categories. All FL had an O.D. reading at > 2.0. The vast majority of RLH, HD, BCN, and normal peripheral blood samples showed O.D. readings well below 2.0. Specifically, 13/16 RLH and all HD, BCN, and normal peripheral blood samples had an O.D. of < or = 0.6 in all runs. The three outliers, which were all < 2.0, may represent the low level detection of t(14;18)-containing cells in RLH similar to previous reports. Moreover, all but four RLH had O.D. readings above the background negative controls, suggesting that rare t(14;18)-containing cells may have been present in these samples, as well. Dilution studies estimate that this assay is capable of detecting 1 t(14;18)-containing cell in approximately 10(5) cells, a greater level of sensitivity than can be obtained with gel visualization alone. We conclude that this semi-automated, potentially quantifiable ELISA-based system is a useful, objective and reproducible alternative hybridization procedure for verifying PCR product specificity in this setting.
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PMID:Semi-automated ELISA-based detection system for verifying the authenticity of amplified t(14;18)-containing products. 872 98

An inconsistent association exists between EBV-LMP-1 and bcl-2 protein expression in Reed-Sternberg cells seen in Hodgkin's disease. In fact, many studies have concluded that there is no correlation between EBV-LMP and bcl-2 expression in Hodgkin's disease. We undertook an analysis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders to explore the relationship between EBV-LMP and bcl-2 in Reed-Sternberg-like cells found in this condition, given the strong association between this disorder and EBV. Reed-Sternberg-like cells were found histologically in 11 of 28 cases of renal, heart and heart-lung post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. Formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies to EBV-LMP-1 and bcl-2 proteins. Reed-Sternberg-like cells in all 11 cases co-expressed EBV-LMP and bcl-2. A similar relationship was noted with large, mononuclear cells and occasional small lymphoid cells. The staining pattern seen with both antibodies was of similar intensity and both displayed cytoplasmic Golgi accentuation. In the setting of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. Reed-Sternberg-like cells exhibit strong co-expression of EBV-LMP-1 and bcl-2 proteins, supporting a positive correlation between them. This is in contrast to the findings in Hodgkin's disease. The reason for this discrepancy may be due to the iatrogenic immunosuppression and resultant severe EBV infection, together with other cellular events.
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PMID:EBV latent membrane protein (LMP-1) and bcl-2 protein expression in Reed-Sternberg-like cells in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. 872 46

We determined Fas antigen (CD95) expressions on neoplastic cells from various lymphoid malignancies including adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL/L) by a flow cytometoric method. ATL/L cells generally expressed Fas antigen, while few Fas-positive cells were detected in the other lymphoid malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphomas, acute lymphoblastic leukemias, and chronic lymphocytic leukemias. The function of Fas antigen was considered normal, since anti-Fas monoclonal antibody induced apoptosis of ATL/L cells. However, clinical subtypes of ATL/L did not associate with the degrees of Fas antigen expression. When recent observations by others were also considered, the apoptosis of ATL/L cells seemed to be under a complex control mechanism which includes a Fas/Fas-ligand system, HTLV-I Tax protein, bcl-2 protein and interleukin-2 (IL-2)/IL-2 receptor system. In addition, the regulation of apoptosis by Fas/Fas-ligand system and bcl-2 protein might be different between T-and B-lineage lymphoid malignancies.
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PMID:[Fas antigen (CD95) expressions and apoptosis of neoplastic cells from various lymphoid malignancies including adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma]. 874

Recent developments in the past decade such as the advent of recombinant DNA technology, discovery of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements and recognition of the association of specific cytogenetic abnormalities with certain lymphoma subtypes have led to a better understanding of lymphoproliferative disorders. As the vast majority (80%) of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are of the B-cell subtype, this is the focus of the article. By definition, tumours are clonal proliferations of a single, abnormal cell. Hence, B-lymphoid malignancy represents a monoclonal proliferation of B-lymphocytes. Immunophenotyping may be used to establish clonality for B-cell proliferations but may fail in some cases where surface antigens are not expressed or if the malignant clone is obscured by reactive lymphoid cells. Molecular methods are far more sensitive and do not require gene expression for detection, hence they are increasingly used for clonality assessment. Either Southern blot analysis or polymerase chain reaction can be used for this purpose. These techniques can also be used to detect specific cytogenetic abnormalities associated with certain lymphomas such as the bcl-2 gene rearrangement and follicular lymphoma. This is useful in the subtyping of lymphomas in cases where morphologic diagnosis is uncertain. Thus, with growing awareness and availability of molecular DNA analysis, these techniques are increasingly employed for the diagnosis of lymphomas as well as for the detection of minimal residual disease.
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PMID:Molecular genetics of B-cell lymphomas: a review. 877 44


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