The Pattern of Immunoglobulin Variable Genes Indicates That Most Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders Derive from B-Cells That Have Failed the Germinal Center Reaction.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 702-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Capello ◽  
Michaela Cerri ◽  
Eva Berra ◽  
Davide Rossi ◽  
Enrica Morra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Germinal Center ◽  
Mutation Frequency ◽  
Somatic Hypermutation ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Lymphoproliferative Disorders ◽  
Antigen Binding ◽  
Germinal Center Reaction

Abstract Monoclonal posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) comprise polymorphic PTLD (P-PTLD), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt/Burkitt-like lymphoma (BL/BLL). Recent studies have elucidated the germinal center-origin (GC) of PTLD, yet a detailed analysis of IgVH and IgVL chain genes is lacking. We investigated 54 PTLD, including 16 P-PTLD, 35 DLBCL and 3 BL/BLL for usage, mutation frequency and mutation pattern of clonal IgVH and IgVL rearrangements. A functional IgVH rearrangement was identified in 47/54 (87.0%) cases. Four cases yeilded only an out of frame IgVH rearrangement or a rearrangement rendered nonfunctional by crippling mutations. Three cases showed hybrid Ig VDJ rearrangements: two cases with a V-V fusion rearrangement and one case with a J-J fusion rearrangement, suggesting a failed attempt of heavy chain receptor revision in GC reaction. Despite extensive investigation by multiple PCR strategies, a functional IgVL rearrangement was found in only 25/54 (46.3%) cases. Eleven out of 25 (44.0%) cases harbored IgV kappa rearrangements and 12/25 (48.0%) cases harbored functional IgV lambda rearrangements. Two cases showed the presence of both IgV kappa and IgV lambda functional rearrangements. Among PTLD carrying solely nonfunctional IgVL rearrangements, 7/54 (13.0%) cases showed a crippled rearrangement and 11/54 (20.4%) cases harbored only an out of frame and/or inactivated IgV kappa gene. Inactivation occurred by rearrangement involving the kappa-deleting element (KDE). In 11/54 (20.4%) cases, no IgVL rearrangement was identified. Overall, only 23/54 (42.6%) PTLD displayed both a functional IgVH and a functional IgVL rearrangement. Analysis of somatic hypermutation showed the presence of somatically hypermutated IgVH and/or IgVL genes in 45/54 PTLD (83.3%). Conversely, IgV rearrangements of 9/54 (16.6%) PTLD were in germline configuration, suggesting a derivation from B-cells that have not experienced the GC-reaction. Among mutated cases, the average mutation frequency was 8.83% (median 8.43%, range 2.10%–24.1%) for IgVH genes and 7.37% (median 6.71%, range 2.30%–26.0%) for IgVL genes. Thirty-two cases (71.1%) showed highly mutated (mutation frequency >6%) IgVH and/or IgVL genes, a condition that, in normal B-cell, results in lower affinity for antigen and apoptosis. Analysis of the distribution of replacement and silent mutations in functional IgVH and/or IgVL sequences showed tendency to conserve FR sequences and maintain antigen binding in 20/34 (58.8%) cases. Selection for high affinity antigen binding occurred in 14/34 (41.2%) cases. Our data suggest that most PTLD arise from B-cells that have experienced the GC-reaction and frequently display impaired B-cell receptors (BCR). Since a functional receptor is required for normal B-cell survival during GC transit, PTLD development may implicate rescue from apoptosis and expansion of B-cells that have failed the GC-reaction. Notably, virtually all PTLD with nonfunctional IgVH and/or IgVL rearrangements carried EBV infection, which may promote cell survival.

Analysis of IgVH, BCL-6, PIM, RHO/TTF and PAX5 Mutational Status in Splenic and Nodal Marginal Zone B Cell Lymphoma Suggests a Particular B Cell Origin.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 162-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Traverse-Glehen ◽  
Aurelie Verney ◽  
Lucille Baseggio ◽  
Pascale Felman ◽  
Evelyne Callet-Bauchu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Germinal Center ◽  
Somatic Mutations ◽  
Marginal Zone ◽  
Somatic Hypermutation ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Marginal Zone B Cells ◽  
Mutational Status ◽  
Frequent Absence

Abstract Background and Objectives Splenic and nodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma (SMZL and NMZL) have been recently identified as distinct clinicopathological entities in the WHO classification. These lymphomas entities may have a common origin in the marginal B-cell compartment of the lymphoid organs. However the precise cell of origin of marginal zone B cells, its status in the B cell differentiation pathway and the mechanisms involved in lymphomagenesis remain unclear. The most widely held view is that marginal zone B cells are mostly memory B cells. But the origin of these cells, especially the transit through germinal center pathway, remains contradictory. Somatically mutated variable-region of immunoglobulin genes and bcl-6 gene represent at this time faithful markers for exposure to the germinal center. In addition, aberrant somatic hypermutations have been suggested to contribute to the development of B-cell lymphomas, occurring in the 5′ sequence of several proto-oncogenes. Interestingly those mutation do not occur in normal germinal center B cells. Design and Methods: IgVH, BCL-6, PIM1, Rho/TTF and PAX 5 genes, highly mutated in DLBCL and other indolent lymphoma such as B-CLL, were analysed for the presence of somatic mutations from 50 marginal zone lymphoma tissue and blood samples (21 NMZL and 29 SMZL including 10 cases with numerous villous lymphoma cells in peripheral blood). According to the morphological and immunophenotypical analysis, the fraction of malignant cells in the specimen was 70% or more in all cases. Mutational analysis was restricted to the regions previously shown to contain more than 95% of mutations in DLBCL. PCR products were directly sequenced on both sides and perfomed in duplicate in two independent reactions. Results: Out of 18 NMZL cases analysed for IgVH mutational status (3 cases not analysed for IgVH) 15 cases were mutated and 21 out of 28 in SMZL cases. Mutation of BCL-6 was detected in only 1 NMZL patients (1/21) and 1 SMZL patients (1/29). For RhoH/TTF, PIM1, PAX5 the mutation average was also low with only 1 case mutated per group and per gene, with a different case mutated in each for each gene. Conclusion In summary, we demonstrate the low frequency of aberrant somatic mutations in SMZL and NMZL, suggesting that this process is probably not a major contributor to lymphomageneis. However the frequent absence of mutation in BCL6 suggest a particular differentiation pathway, as suggested before in normal marginal zone B cells, possibly without transit through the germinal center. Interestingly the relatively high frequency of VH mutated cases compared with the frequent absence of mutation of BCL6, considered as a specific germinal center tag, could suggest somatic hypermutation outside the germinal center. In addition the absence of hypermutation could be linked with the absence of recurrent translocation in SMZL and NMZL, the translocation process haveing been associated with somatic hypermutation dysfunction.

scholarly journals A novel human B cell subpopulation representing the initial germinal center population to express AID

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 109 (6) ◽  
pp. 2545-2552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant R. Kolar ◽  
Darshna Mehta ◽  
Rosana Pelayo ◽  
J. Donald Capra
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Germinal Center ◽  
Somatic Hypermutation ◽  
Cytidine Deaminase ◽  
Cell Subpopulation ◽  
Human Tonsil ◽  
Germinal Center Reaction ◽  
Cell Subpopulations ◽  
Human B Cell

Abstract We have identified a novel mature human B-cell subpopulation in the human tonsil that has characteristics of both naive B cells and germinal center B cells including the expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), which is essential for the process of immunoglobulin somatic hypermutation and class-switch recombination. These cells are clearly somatically hypermutated, albeit modestly. Their phenotype (IgD+CD38−CD23−FSChiCD71+) is unique and suggests they may be intermediate between both naive and germinal center cells. Morphologically they are also distinct from other B-cell subpopulations. The evidence presented suggests these cells may be the founder cells of the germinal center reaction (a pro-GC cell) and may be the normal counterpart of the mantle cell lymphoma cell.

Inactivating SOCS1 mutations are caused by aberrant somatic hypermutation and restricted to a subset of B-cell lymphoma entities

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (20) ◽  
pp. 4503-4506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Mottok ◽  
Christoph Renné ◽  
Marc Seifert ◽  
Elsie Oppermann ◽  
Wolf Bechstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Somatic Hypermutation ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Rare Mutations ◽  
Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Mantle Cell ◽  
Follicular Lymphomas ◽  
Large B Cell

Abstract STATs are constitutively activated in several malignancies. In primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), inactivating mutations in SOCS1, an inhibitor of JAK/STAT signaling, contribute to deregulated STAT activity. Based on indications that the SOCS1 mutations are caused by the B cell–specific somatic hypermutation (SHM) process, we analyzed B-cell non-HL and normal B cells for mutations in SOCS1. One-fourth of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphomas carried SOCS1 mutations, which were preferentially targeted to SHM hotspot motifs and frequently obviously inactivating. Rare mutations were observed in Burkitt lymphoma, plasmacytoma, and mantle cell lymphoma but not in tumors of a non–B-cell origin. Mutations in single-sorted germinal center B cells were infrequent relative to other genes mutated as byproducts of normal SHM, indicating that SOCS1 inactivation in primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, HL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma is frequently the result of aberrant SHM.

scholarly journals Regulation of the germinal center gene program by interferon (IFN) regulatory factor 8/IFN consensus sequence-binding protein

2005 ◽  
Vol 203 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Hoon Lee ◽  
Mark Melchers ◽  
Hongsheng Wang ◽  
Ted A. Torrey ◽  
Rebecca Slota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Germinal Center ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Consensus Sequence ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Regulatory Factor

Interferon (IFN) consensus sequence-binding protein/IFN regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) is a transcription factor that regulates the differentiation and function of macrophages, granulocytes, and dendritic cells through activation or repression of target genes. Although IRF8 is also expressed in lymphocytes, its roles in B cell and T cell maturation or function are ill defined, and few transcriptional targets are known. Gene expression profiling of human tonsillar B cells and mouse B cell lymphomas showed that IRF8 transcripts were expressed at highest levels in centroblasts, either from secondary lymphoid tissue or transformed cells. In addition, staining for IRF8 was most intense in tonsillar germinal center (GC) dark-zone centroblasts. To discover B cell genes regulated by IRF8, we transfected purified primary tonsillar B cells with enhanced green fluorescent protein–tagged IRF8, generated small interfering RNA knockdowns of IRF8 expression in a mouse B cell lymphoma cell line, and examined the effects of a null mutation of IRF8 on B cells. Each approach identified activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AICDA) and BCL6 as targets of transcriptional activation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated in vivo occupancy of 5′ sequences of both genes by IRF8 protein. These results suggest previously unappreciated roles for IRF8 in the transcriptional regulation of B cell GC reactions that include direct regulation of AICDA and BCL6.

Association between the proliferative rate of neoplastic B cells, their maturation stage, and underlying cytogenetic abnormalities in B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders: analysis of a series of 432 patients

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (10) ◽  
pp. 5130-5141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Quijano ◽  
Antonio López ◽  
Ana Rasillo ◽  
Susana Barrena ◽  
Maria Luz Sánchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Lymphoproliferative Disorders ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Maturation Stage ◽  
Cytogenetic Abnormalities ◽  
M Phase ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Limited knowledge exists about the impact of specific genetic abnormalities on the proliferation of neoplastic B cells from chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPDs). Here we analyze the impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on the proliferation of neoplastic B cells in 432 B-CLPD patients, grouped according to diagnosis and site of sampling, versus their normal counterparts. Overall, proliferation of neoplastic B cells highly varied among the different B-CLPD subtypes, the greatest numbers of proliferating cells being identified in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma (BL). Compared with normal B cells, neoplastic B-CLPD cells showed significantly increased S + G2/M-phase values in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), BL, and some DLBCL cases. Conversely, decreased proliferation was observed in follicular lymphoma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenström macroglobulinemia (LPL/WM), and some DLBCL patients; hairy cell leukemia, splenic marginal zone, and MALT-lymphoma patients showed S + G2/M phase values similar to normal mature B lymphocytes from LN. Interestingly, in B-CLL and MCL significantly higher percentages of S + G2/M cells were detected in BM versus PB and in LN versus BM and PB samples, respectively. In turn, presence of 14q32.3 gene rearrangements and DNA aneuploidy, was associated with a higher percentage of S + G2/M-phase cells among LPL/WM and B-CLL cases, respectively.

scholarly journals Cbl and Cbl-b control the germinal center reaction by facilitating naive B cell antigen processing

2020 ◽  
Vol 217 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Li ◽  
Liying Gong ◽  
Alexandre P. Meli ◽  
Danielle Karo-Atar ◽  
Weili Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Germinal Center ◽  
Antigen Processing ◽  
Cell Interaction ◽  
Affinity Maturation ◽  
Antigen Uptake ◽  
Cell Antigen ◽  
Germinal Center Reaction ◽  
Follicular Helper

Antigen uptake and presentation by naive and germinal center (GC) B cells are different, with the former expressing even low-affinity BCRs efficiently capture and present sufficient antigen to T cells, whereas the latter do so more efficiently after acquiring high-affinity BCRs. We show here that antigen uptake and processing by naive but not GC B cells depend on Cbl and Cbl-b (Cbls), which consequently control naive B and cognate T follicular helper (Tfh) cell interaction and initiation of the GC reaction. Cbls mediate CD79A and CD79B ubiquitination, which is required for BCR-mediated antigen endocytosis and postendocytic sorting to lysosomes, respectively. Blockade of CD79A or CD79B ubiquitination or Cbls ligase activity is sufficient to impede BCR-mediated antigen processing and GC development. Thus, Cbls act at the entry checkpoint of the GC reaction by promoting naive B cell antigen presentation. This regulation may facilitate recruitment of naive B cells with a low-affinity BCR into GCs to initiate the process of affinity maturation.

Aberrant Somatic Hypermutation in Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 2268-2268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Rossi ◽  
Michaela Cerri ◽  
Daniela Capello ◽  
Clara Deambrogi ◽  
Eva Berra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Base Pair ◽  
Mutation Frequency ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Somatic Hypermutation ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Single Base ◽  
Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Single Base Pair ◽  
Large B Cell

Abstract Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMLBCL) is recognised as a subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) arising in the mediastinum. With respect to DLBCL, PMLBCL displays specific clinical, molecular and morphological features suggesting that PMLBCL may represent a distinct clinico-pathologic entity. Aberrant somatic hypermutation (SHM) of PIM-1, PAX-5, RhoH/TTF and c-MYC has been advocated as a molecular feature distinctive of DLBCL. To investigate wether the same mechanism is associated with PMLBCL, we performed mutational analysis of PIM-1, PAX-5, RhoH/TTF and c-MYC in a panel of 19 PMLBCL. For comparison, 19 DLBCL were also analysed. For each gene, a region previously shown to contain >90% of mutations was analysed by PCR amplification and DNA direct sequencing. Overall, the prevalence of mutated cases was similar among DLBCL and PMLBCL. Mutations targeting at least one of the 4 genes were found in 14/19 (73.6%) PMLBCL and 13/19 (68.4%) DLBCL, while mutations in more than one gene were found in 7/19 (36.8%) PMLBCL and 9/19 (47.3%) DLBCL. Among the four genes, the prevalence of mutation and the mutation frequency was superimposable between PMLBCL and DLBCL. In fact, PAX-5 was mutated in 9/19 (47.3%) PMLBCL with a mean mutation frequency of 0.20 x 10−2/bp and in 7/19 (36.8%) DLBCL with a mean mutation frequency of 0.18 x 10−2/bp; RhoH/TTF was mutated in 6/19 (31.5%) PMLBCL with a mean mutation frequency of 0.08 x 10−2/bp and in 8/19 (42.1%) DLBCL with a mean mutation frequency of 0.27 x 10−2/bp; PIM-1 was mutated in 3/19 (15.7%) PMLBCL with a mean mutation frequency of 0.09 x 10−2/bp and in 7/19 (36.8%) DLBCL with a mean mutation frequency of 0.11 x 10−2/bp; c-MYC was mutated in 6/19 (31.5%) PMLBCL with a mean mutation frequency of 0.23 x 10−2/bp and in 5/19 (26.3%) DLBCL with a mean mutation frequency of 0.11 x 10−2. The mutation pattern was also similar between PMLBCL and DLBCL and was consistent with the SHM process. A total of 74 mutational events were detected in PMLBCL. The majority of mutations were represented by single base-pair substitution (n=66), whereas only 8 deletions of a short DNA stretch were observed. Of the 66 single base-pair substitutions, 41 were transitions and 25 were transversions, with a transition/transversion ratio of 1.64 and a G+C/A+T ratio of 3.6. Eleven out of 66 (16.6%) single base-pair substitutions felt within RGYW/WRCY motifs. Among DLBCL a total of 87 mutational events were detected. Mutations were preferentially represented by single base-pair substitutions (n=81), whereas only 4 deletions and 2 insertions of a short DNA stretch were observed. Of the 81 single base-pair substitutions, 42 were transitions and 39 were transversions, with a transition/transversion ratio of 1.07 and a G+C/A+T ratio of 1.89. Twenty six out of 81 (32.1%) single base-pair substitutions felt within RGYW/WRCY motifs. The implication of our results are twofold. First, aberrant SHM is involved in the pathogenesis of PMLBCL. Second, our results indicate that aberrant SHM targets both PMLBCL and DLBCL with similar prevalence, distribution and mutation pattern. Since aberrant SHM has been advocated as a molecular marker of DLBCL, our results corroborate the notion that PMLBCL represent a subtype of DLBCL rather than a distinct clinico-pathologic entity.

Aberrant Somatic Hypermutation Targets an Extensive Set of Genes in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1528-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Pasqualucci ◽  
Roberta Guglielmino ◽  
Sami N. Malek ◽  
Urban Novak ◽  
Mara Compagno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Somatic Hypermutation ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Chromosomal Translocations ◽  
Total N ◽  
Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Large B Cell

Abstract Genomic instability is a driving force in tumor development that can be achieved by a variety of mechanisms, such as defective chromosome segregation or inactivation of the DNA mismatch repair pathway. Although B-cell lymphomas are associated with chromosomal translocations deregulating oncogene expression, a mechanism for genome-wide instability during lymphomagenesis has long not been described. We have reported that the somatic hypermutation process (SHM), which normally targets the immunoglobulin variable region (IgV) and BCL6 genes in germinal center (GC) B-cells, functions aberrantly in >50% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Pasqualucci et al., Nature412:341, 2001). As a consequence, multiple somatic mutations are introduced into the 5′ region of genes that do not represent physiologic SHM targets, including known proto-oncogenes such as PIM1, PAX5, RhoH/TTF and cMYC. To further define the extent of this phenomenon, termed aberrant somatic hypermutation (ASHM), and to identify additional hypermutated loci of possible pathogenetic significance in DLBCL, we screened 113 genes for the presence of mutations affecting their 5′ sequences (≥1.3 Kb from the transcription start site, the target region for SHM) in 10 DLBCL cell lines. Fifteen genes (13.3%) were found to harbor a significant number of mutations (p<0.05), with 70% of the cell lines being mutated in 7 or more genes; among these, six B-cell specific loci -BCL7A, CIITA, IRF4, LRMP, NCOA3 and SIAT1- carried 9–53 mutational events distributed in 20 to 70% of the cases, corresponding to an overall mutation frequency of 0.032–0.15% (frequency in the mutated cases: 0.07–0.25%). The same genes were found hypermutated in a panel of 20 primary DLBCL biopsies, which displayed an overall mutation load of 7 to 45 distinct events/gene (total N=125). Mutations were of somatic origin, independent of chromosomal translocations to the Ig loci and were restricted to the first 1.5–2 Kb from the promoter. In addition, analogous to previously identified SHM and ASHM targets, the mutations exhibited characteristic features, including a bias for transitions over transversions, preferential hotspot (RGYW/WRCY motifs) targeting, and higher frequencies at G:C pairs. However, in contrast to physiologic SHM targets such as IgV and BCL6, none of the 4 newly identified hypermutated genes that have been analyzed so far (BCL7A, CIITA, SIAT1, LRMP) displayed significant levels of mutations in purified normal GC B-cells as well as in other B-cell malignancies. This finding indicates that these genes represent aberrant hypermutation targets resulting from a tumor-associated malfunction, possibly a loss of target specificity of the physiologic SHM process. Considering previous results and the present survey, 17 (13%) out of 130 genes investigated have been found involved in ASHM, suggesting that this aberrant activity may involve an extensive set of target genes in DLBCL. Since the mutations affect both regulatory and coding sequences of the targeted genes, aberrant SHM may represent a major contributor to the pathogenesis of this disease and may explain in part its phenotypic and clinical heterogeneity.

EBV Transformation of Tonsil Germinal Centre B Cells Carrying Functionally Inactivated IgV Gene.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 3248-3248
Author(s):  
Sridhar Chaganti ◽  
Noelia Begue Pastor ◽  
Mark T. Drayson ◽  
Andy I. Bell ◽  
Alan B. Rickinson
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Somatic Hypermutation ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Affinity Maturation ◽  
Germinal Centre ◽  
Chain Gene ◽  
Lymphoid Tissues ◽  
Memory B Cell

Abstract Somatic hypermutation of immunoglobulin (Ig) gene sequences in the germinal centres of lymphoid tissues is necessary for affinity maturation of B cell responses to antigen challenge. This process generates a few clones with improved affinity that are selected into B cell memory and many clones with other non favourable Ig mutations, including some cells with functionally inactivated Ig gene that normally die by apoptosis. It is postulated that infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a B lymphotropic agent linked to several types of B cell lymphoma, can rescue germinal centre cells with unfavourable mutations. This creates a pool of infected cells at greater risk of developing into lymphomas. In the present work, CD38+ germinal centre B cells were separated from tonsil by negative selection for IgD and CD39. Peripheral blood naïve and memory B cell subpopulations were FACS sorted as IgD+, CD27− and IgD−, CD27+ fractions respectively. These cells were infected with EBV (B95.8 strain) in vitro and seeded at limiting dilutions onto fibroblast feeders. EBV transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from such cultures were analysed for surface Ig phenotype. Naïve B cell transformants were consistently IgM+, IgD+. Memory B cell transformants were IgM+ in some cases but more frequently IgG+ or IgA+. Germinal centre transformants showed the same spectrum of surface Ig phenotypes as memory cell transformants but in addition we identified six germinal centre derived LCLs which were consistently surface Ig negative. Sequencing from these lines confirmed that in at least three cases EBV had rescued cells with functionally inactivated Ig heavy chain gene.

Pathologic Co-Expression and Physical Interaction of c-MYC and BCL6 in B-Cell Lymphomas.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masumichi Saito ◽  
Ryan T. Phan ◽  
Herbert C. Morse ◽  
Laura Pasqualucci ◽  
Riccardo Dalla-Favera
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Somatic Hypermutation ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Transgenic Animals ◽  
Primary Lymphoma ◽  
Physical Interaction

Abstract Deregulated expression of the proto-oncogenes BCL6 and c-MYC caused by chromosomal translocation or somatic hypermutation is common in non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma derived from germinal center (GC) B cells, including diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma (BL). Normal GC B cells express BCL6, whereas, surprisingly, they do not express c-MYC, suggesting that the expression of this oncogene in BL and DLBCL (20% of cases) is ectopic (Klein, U. et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A100, 2639–2644, 2003). Here we report that c-MYC is absent in proliferating GC B cells because it is transcriptionally suppressed by BCL6, as demonstrated by the presence of specific BCL6 binding sites in the c-MYC promoter region and by chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showing that BCL6 is bound to these sites in vivo. Thus, c-MYC escapes BCL6-mediated suppression in lymphoma leading to the co-expression of the two transcription factors, an event never observed in immunohistochemical and gene expression profile analysis of normal GC B cells. Surprisingly, co-immunoprecipitation experiments and in vitro binding experiments indicate that, when co-expressed, BCL6 and c-MYC are physically bound in a novel complex detectable in DLBCL and BL cell lines as well as in primary lymphoma cases. The formation of the BCL6/c-MYC complex has several significant functional consequences on the function of both c-MYC and BCL6: 1) a two fold, BCL6-binding dependent increase in c-MYC half-life, an event that has been shown to contribute to its oncogenic activation; 2) a synergistic increase in the ability of both BCL6 and c-MYC to suppress MIZ1-activated transcription of the p21CIP cell cycle arrest gene; 3) MYC-dependent inhibition of BCL6 acetylation by p300, an event that physiologically inactivates BCL6 via c-MYC-mediated recruitment of HDAC. Notably, the pathologic co-expression of c-MYC and BCL6 was shown to have pathologic consequences in vivo, since double transgenic BCL6/c-MYC mice display accelerated lymphoma development and the appearance of a novel GC-derived tumor phenotype not recognizable in single transgenic animals and containing the pathologic c-MYC/BCL6 complex. Thus, the pathologic co-expression and illegitimate physical interaction of BCL6 and c-MYC leads to an increase in the constitutive activity of both oncogenes. These results identify a novel mechanism of oncogenic function for BCL6 and c-MYC and a novel tumor-specific protein complex of potential therapeutic interest.

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