Chaetocin antileukemia activity against chronic myelogenous leukemia cells is potentiated by bone marrow stromal factors and overcomes innate imatinib resistance.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is maintained by a minor population of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) that exhibit innate resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting BCR-ABL. Innate resistance can be induced by secreted bone marrow stromal cytokines and growth factors (BMSFs) that protect CML-LSCs from TKIs, resulting in minimal residual disease. Developing strategies to eradicate innate TKI resistance in LSCs is critical for preventing disease relapse. Cancer cells balance reactive oxygen species (ROS) at higher than normal levels, promoting their proliferation and survival, but also making them susceptible to damage by ROS-generating agents. Bcr-Abl increases cellular ROS levels, which can be reduced with TKI inhibitors, whereas, BMSFs increase ROS levels. We hypothesized that BMSF-mediated increases in ROS would trigger ROS damage in TKI-treated CML-LSCs when exposed to chaetocin, a mycotoxin that imposes oxidative stress by inhibiting thioredoxin reductase-1. Here, we showed that chaetocin suppressed viability and colony formation, and induced apoptosis of the murine hematopoietic cell line TonB210 with and without Bcr-Abl expression, and these effects were potentiated by BMSFs. In contrast, imatinib activities in Bcr-Abl-positive TonB210 cells were inhibited by BMSFs. Further, BMSFs did not inhibit imatinib activities when TonB210 cells expressing Bcr-Abl were cotreated with chaetocin. Chaetocin showed similar activities against LSC-enriched CML cell populations isolated from a murine transplant model of CML blast crisis that were phenotypically negative for lineage markers and positive for Sca-1 and c-Kit (CML-LSK). BMSFs and chaetocin increased ROS in CML-LSK cells and addition of BMSFs and chaetocin resulted in higher levels compared with chaetocin or BMSF treatment alone. Pretreatment of CML-LSKs with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine blocked chaetocin cytotoxicity, even in the presence of BMSFs, demonstrating the importance ROS for chaetocin activities. Chaetocin effects on self-renewal of CML-LSKs were assessed by transplanting CML-LSKs into secondary recipients following ex vivo exposure to chaetocin, in the presence or absence of BMSFs. Disease latency in mice transplanted with CML-LSKs following chaetocin treatment more than doubled compared with untreated CML-LSKs or BMSFs-treated CML-LSKs. Mice transplanted with CML-LSKs following chaetocin treatment in the presence of BMSFs had significantly extended survival time compared with mice transplanted with CML-LSKs treated with chaetocin alone. Our findings indicate that chaetocin activity against CML-LSKs is significantly enhanced in the presence of BMSFs and suggest that chaetocin may be effective as a codrug to complement TKIs in CML treatment by disrupting the innate resistance of CML-LSKs through an ROS dependent mechanism.

Yeast two-hybrid screening of cyclic peptide libraries using a combination of random and PI-deconvolution pooling strategies.

We developed a high throughput yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay for screening pools of combinatorial cyclic peptide preys against pools of bait proteins. The assay used the PI (pooling with imaginary tags) deconvolution pooling strategy to generate pools of baits and a random pooling strategy to generate pools of cyclic peptide preys. Haploid yeast, expressing pools of baits or preys, were arrayed and mated to each other to generate diploid arrays, where the yeast express both baits and preys. Diploid arrays were scored for activation of the Y2H reporter genes. We used this Y2H pooling strategy, referred to as 'PI-pool-on-random pool', to screen a cyclic peptide library for interactions against Bcr-Abl domains. Seven Bcr-Abl domain baits and LexA control were pooled using the PI deconvolution pooling strategy. The cyclic peptide library was randomly arrayed into pools of ~1000 members. Cyclic peptides were isolated for six of seven Bcr-Abl domain baits. The PI-pool-on-random pooling Y2H assay using high stringency Y2H reporter genes produced no false positives, while missing 20% of real interactions. The high specificity of the PI-pool-on-random pooling Y2H assay eliminates the need to validate interactions. Pooling of baits and preys allows large prey libraries to be screened against multiple baits and takes advantage of PI-deconvolution to determine protein interactions with high sensitivity and specificity. The scalability of this assay allows the peptide preys to be isolated in a high throughput manner against a large number of baits and provides an avenue for generating affinity agents against entire proteomes in the future.

Reexpression of epigenetically silenced AML tumor suppressor genes by SUV39H1 inhibition.

Reexpression of hypermethylated tumor suppressor genes using DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase inhibitors occurs by a mechanism whereby promoter demethylation is the dominant event. In support of this model, we found in acute myeloid leukemia cells with hypermethylated p15INK4B and E-cadherin promoters that the DNMT inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, induced p15INK4B and E-cadherin expression, and decreased levels of DNA methylation, histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation and SUV39H1 associated with p15INK4B and E-cadherin promoters. On the basis of these observations, we examined whether promoter demethylation was dominant to H3K9 demethylation in p15INK4B and E-cadherin reexpression. We observed that SUV39H1 short hairpin RNA and chaetocin, a SUV39H1 inhibitor, induced p15INK4B and E-cadherin expression and H3K9 demethylation without promoter demethylation. Reexpression of hypermethylated p15INK4B and E-cadherin required histone H3K9 demethylation that was achieved directly by inhibiting SUV39H1 expression or activity, or indirectly by decreasing the amount of SUV39H1 associated with the p15INK4B and E-cadherin promoters using 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. The results from this study highlight the potential of H3K9 methyltransferases as therapeutic targets for reactivating expression of hypermethylated genes.

Bcr-Abl induces autocrine IGF-1 signaling.

Bcr-Abl oncogene is responsible for the initial phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), which is effectively treated by the Bcr-Abl inhibitor imatinib. Over time patients become resistant to treatment and progress to blast crisis, an event that is driven by additional genetic and epigenetic aberrations. Recently, we showed that Riz1 expression decreases in blast crisis and that re-expression of Riz1 inhibits IGF-1 expression. IGF-1 signaling is required in many stages of hematopoiesis and inappropriate activation of autocrine IGF-1 signaling may facilitate transformation to blast crisis. We observed that in 8 out of 11 matched CML patient biopsies the IGF-1 expression is elevated in blast crisis. We examined mechanisms used by CML blast crisis cell lines to activate IGF-1 expression. We found that Bcr-Abl activates autocrine IGF-1 signaling using Hck and Stat5b. Inhibition of these signaling components using small molecule drugs or shRNA decreases proliferation and enhances apoptosis. Together, our study suggests that aberrant IGF-1 signaling is an important event in blast crisis transformation and it provides a mechanism to explain the activity of IGF-1R and Hck inhibitors in blocking CML blast crisis phenotypes.

RIZ1 repression is associated with insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling activation in chronic myeloid leukemia cell lines.

RIZ1 is a histone methyltransferase whose expression and activity are reduced in many cancers. In chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), blastic transformation is associated with loss of heterozygosity in the region where RIZ1 is located and with decreased RIZ1 expression. Forced RIZ1 expression in model CML blast crisis (BC) cell lines decreases proliferation, increases apoptosis and enhances differentiation. We characterized molecular mechanisms that may contribute to potential CML tumor suppressor properties of RIZ1. Several RIZ1-regulated genes involved in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling were identified using cDNA microarrays. RIZ1 was shown to associate with promoter regions of IGF-1 and to increase histone H3 lysine 9 methylation using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. IGF-1-blocking antibody was used to demonstrate the importance of autocrine IGF-1 signaling in CML-BC cell line viability. Forced RIZ1 expression in CML-BC cell lines decreases IGF-1 receptor activation and activation of downstream signaling components extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and AKT. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of inhibiting IGF-1 pathway in the acute phase of CML.

Establishment of a cytokine-producing anaplastic large-cell lymphoma cell line containing the t(2;5) translocation: potential role of cytokines in clinical manifestations.

A permanent cell line, HSC-M1, was established from a child with advanced CD30 (Ki-1)+ anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). Clinical features included irritability, fever, weight loss, tender lymphadenopathy, pneumonitis, neutrophilia, and bone marrow erythrophagocytosis. While HSC-M1 cells exhibited an immunophenotype characteristic of ALCL of T-cell lineage, the cell line also demonstrated features of monocyte-macrophage lineage. Cytogenetic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the HSC-M1 cell line and involved bone marrow demonstrated the characteristic non-random chromosomal translocation t(2:5)(p23:q35). Reverse transcriptase PCR for mRNA expression of cytokines and cytokine receptors showed that HSC-M1 cells expressed the message for multiple cytokines and their receptors. Measurement of cytokine levels in serum samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays showed increased concentrations of several cytokines. The increased levels of some cytokines correlated with disease activity and clinical symptoms. Although spontaneous production by HSC-M1 cells of some of these cytokines was demonstrated, the production of others was only detectable after stimulation with exogenous CD30 ligand. With few exceptions, there was good correlation between serum cytokine levels and cytokines produced by HSC-M1 cells. These findings indicate that cytokine production is a feature of ALCL cells and that some of the clinical manifestations in ALCL may result from cytokines produced by either the malignant or accessory cells.

MSH2-deficient murine lymphomas harbor insertion/deletion mutations in the transforming growth factor beta receptor type 2 gene and display low not high frequency microsatellite instability.

High-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI), defined as more than 20% unstable loci, is an inconsistent finding in hematologic malignancies; consequently, the significance of deficient DNA mismatch repair (MMR) to their pathogenesis has been questioned. To further investigate the relationship between MMR deficiency and genomic instability in hematologic malignancies, this study evaluated MSH2-/- murine lymphomas for insertion/deletion (ID) mutations within the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor type II (TbetaR-II) gene and MSI at 10 neutral microsatellites. The lymphomas displayed ID mutations within short mononucleotide runs of TbetaR-II at a high frequency, whereas nonmalignant tissue from corresponding animals lacked mutations. Loss of TbetaR-II transcripts and protein was seen in 6 of 7 murine lymphomas harboring acquired TbetaR-II mutations. In the analysis of paired nonmalignant and tumor DNA samples, low-frequency but not high-frequency MSI was found. Low-frequency MSI occurred in 8 of 20 lymphomas and 12 displayed microsatellite stability. MSI was even less frequent in nonmalignant tissue as only 3 of 20 samples displayed low-frequency MSI and 17 displayed stability. Evaluation of 20 single cell clones from the MSH2-/- lymphoma cell lines R25 and L15 identified high-frequency MSI in 4 and 2 clones, respectively. The remaining clones showed low-frequency MSI or stability. These findings suggest that acquired TbetaR-II mutations represent important inactivating events in tumor pathogenesis following MSH2 deficiency. Furthermore, for some hematolymphoid malignancies, the evaluation of cancer-associated genes for ID mutations may represent a more sensitive marker of MMR deficiency than evaluation of neutral microsatellites for high-frequency MSI. (Blood. 2000;95:1767-1772)

Ph-negative non-Hodgkin's lymphoma occurring in chronic phase of Ph-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia is defined as a genetically different neoplasm from extramedullary localized blast crisis: report of two cases and review of the literature.

This report describes two cases of Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph(-)) non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) recognized in patients with chronic phase Ph-positive (Ph(+)) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Lymph node biopsy of patient 1 was initially diagnosed as diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL, T cell rich variant), but at relapse showed immunoblastic features with a marked decrease of admixed lymphocyte components. Patient 2 presented with thickened parietal pleura which revealed a CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma showing null cell phenotype and genotype with abundant admixed neutrophils and lymphocytes. At the time of lymphoma diagnosis, the patients had CML for 33 and 10 months, respectively. DNA obtained from bone marrow cells at the time of lymphoma diagnosis showed BCR/ABL gene rearrangements by both Southern blot analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), but lacked both immunoglobulin and T cell receptor gene rearrangements. BCR gene rearrangement and BCR/ABL fusion gene were also identified in lymph node and pleural biopsies by Southern blot and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. However, both biopsy specimens also contained reactive lymphocytes and neutrophils, and no fusion signals between BCR and ABL genes were identified in the hyperdiploid lymphoma cells of either case by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). These data suggest the lymphoma cells in both cases were not genetically associated with BCR/ABL. Therefore, these cases were not diagnosed as an extramedullary localized blast crisis in CML, but as Ph(-) NHLs. This represents the first definitive demonstration of peripheral B cell lymphoma occurring by a separate genetic pathway, lacking BCR/ABL, in patients with Ph(+) CML. A review of the literature identified two different subtypes of malignant lymphomas arising in patients with an antecedent or concurrent diagnosis of CML. The most common are T cell lymphomas displaying an immature thymic phenotype, while peripheral B cell lymphomas are more rare. Our study shows, however, that 'Ph(+) NHL' occurring in CML or acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) may represent an unrelated neoplasm, even if standard cytogenetic analysis reveals a Ph(+) chromosome, and that FISH is required to confirm whether a localized lymphoid neoplasm is either a true extramedullary localized blast crisis or genetically distinct neoplasm. Leukemia(2000) 14, 169-182.

Cortical blindness as a manifestation of hypomagnesemia secondary to cisplatin therapy: case report and review of literature.

Cisplatin is widely used in the treatment of solid tumors and is known to have a number of side effects including hypomagnesemia. We present a case report of a patient with a Stage IIA carcinoma of the cervix who initially was treated with radiotherapy and cisplatin and subsequently presented with sudden onset of blindness. The diagnosis was uncertain but the possibility of functional blindness was considered. Serum magnesium was low. Correction of this electrolyte abnormality resolved this profound visual symptom. This case emphasizes the importance of serially observing cisplatin-treated patients for the possible development of the clinical syndrome of magnesium deficiency.

Clonality of cutaneous B-cell infiltrates determined by microdissection and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.

Diagnosis of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL) is supported by the demonstration of a monoclonal B-cell population. Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene-rearrangement analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a reliable technique to detect B-cell monoclonality in paraffin-embedded tissue, but the presence of numerous reactive B lymphocytes in PCBCL may complicate the interpretation of clonality test results. To test this hypothesis, IgH gene-rearrangement analysis by PCR was performed on paraffin-embedded whole tissue sections of 19 cutaneous B-cell infiltrates diagnosed either as consistent with PCBCL (10 specimens) or unclassified lymphoid infiltrates (ULI) (9 specimens). In specimens that did not show monoclonal bands by IgH gene-rearrangement on DNA extracted from whole tissue sections, clonality assays were repeated on microdissected B-cell subpopulations suspicious for neoplastic cells. In the analysis of whole tissue sections, 4 (40%) of 10 specimens consistent with PCBCL showed one or two monoclonal bands, whereas 9 of 9 ULI specimens showed either a ladder or a smear. Clonality analysis of microdissected B-cell subpopulations showed 3 additional PCBCL specimens (total, 7 of 10) and 1 ULI specimen (total, 1 of 9) with unequivocal and reproducible monoclonal bands. Addition of microdissection increases the sensitivity of PCR-based B-cell clonality assay in PCBCL compared with analysis performed on the whole section (70% versus 40% monoclonal cases) and allows the recognition of a dominant clone in ULI specimens, possibly representing early PCBCL.

Herpes virus type 8-negative primary effusion lymphoma associated with PAX-5 gene rearrangement and hepatitis C virus: a case report and review of the literature.

At present, there is no case report of HHV8- primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) with t(9;14)(p13;q32) involving both PAX-5 and immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement, which is a rare translocation in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, in an HIV- patient. We examined an HIV-seronegative 63-year-old Japanese man with hepatitis C virus-associated liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma manifesting peritoneal lymphomatous effusion without tumor mass at any body site. The lymphoma cells were examined twice by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, three-color flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and molecular analyses. The nuclear morphology of lymphoma cells was similar to that of large noncleaved cells, although the lymphoma cell size was a little smaller that of the usual large-cell lymphoma. Immunophenotyping of lymphoma cells in the ascitic fluid revealed a mature peripheral B-cell phenotype (CD5- CD10- CD19+ CD20+ CD22+ Ig G+ lambda+). Cytogenetics showed a clonal population: 45,X,-Y, der(2) t(2;6)(q31;p21.3), t(4;8)(q21;q11.2), der(6) t(2;6)(q31;p21.3) add(6)(q15), t(9;14)(p13;q32.3) [10]/47, idem, +der(6) t(2;6), +16[10]. Southern blot analysis revealed rearranged fragments with a probe for immunoglobulin heavy chain, some of which were a size similar to those with a PAX-5 gene probe. Polymorphism, not rearrangement, of the c-MYC gene, was also found. HHV8 and the Epstein-Barr virus were not detected by polymerase chain reaction. This case is the first report of an HHV8- PEL with t(9;14) involving a PAX-5 gene rearrangement in an HIV-seronegative patient. This primary effusion lymphoma manifested spontaneous regression without any therapy. These findings suggest that there may be an additional subcategory of primary effusion lymphoma that is not associated with HHV8 nor c-MYC(R) but is pathogenetically associated with the PAX-5 gene or hepatitis C virus.

Cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders: expression of bcl-2 and proteins of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily.

The spectrum of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders is characterized by the histology of a high-grade lymphoma but frequent clinical regression of skin lesions in lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and occasional regression in CD30+ large cell lymphomas (LCLs). A recent study shows that apoptosis may be a significant mechanism of regression of LyP (Arch Dermatol 133:828-833, 1997). Therefore, we studied expression of proteins that induce apoptosis, including CD27, CD40, CD95, and nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-R), as well as anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 in skin lesions from 25 patients within the spectrum of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoma. Our results show consistent expression of CD95 (APO-1/Fas), but rare or absent expression of CD27, CD40, and NGF-R on tumor cells from both regressing LyP lesions and nonregressing CD30+ lymphomas. Bcl-2 was expressed at low levels in LyP and at high levels in pleomorphic CD30+ lymphomas. These results indicate that, in addition to CD30, CD95 expression is preferentially expressed at high levels in all cutaneous CD30+ lymphomas and suggest that CD95 may play a role in the regression of CD30+ skin lesions. Expression of bcl-2 appears to protect tumor cells from apoptosis in CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders.

A recurrent nonrandom translocation (3;7)(q27;p12) associated with BCL-6 gene rearrangement in B-cell diffuse large cell lymphoma.

Two cases of B-cell diffuse large cell lymphoma associated with the t(3;7)(q27;p12) and BCL-6 rearrangement are described. Cytogenetic studies revealed [case 1] 47,XY,t(3;7)(q27;p12),+12 and [case 2] 45,X,-Y,t(3;7)(q27;p12),del(6)(q21q25),+16,-21. The translocation of each case had a non-random chromosomal change involving a 3q27 locus associated with BCL-6 gene rearrangement identified by Southern blot analysis. Both cases involved multiple lymph nodes and extranodal regions, such as stomach and peritoneal cavity in case 1, extranodal retroperitoneal space, subcutis, probable liver, and colon in case 2. Chemotherapy provided only short survival after onset: 17 and 16 months, respectively. Altered expression of adhesion molecules CD44, CD54 (case 1) and CD11a and CD18 (case 2) may help to explain the poor outcome of these patients.

Translocation (3;16)(q27;p11) in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with the BCL-6 gene rearrangement.

A patient with B-cell lineage diffuse large-cell lymphoma carrying the t(3;16)(q27;p11) and BCL-6 rearrangement is described. Cytogenetic studies showed 46,XY,t(3;16)(q27;p11.2)[.11]/46,idem,add(18)(q21)[7]/46,XY[2]. The chromosomal translocation involving the 3q27 locus was associated with the BCL-6 gene rearrangement identified by Southern blot analysis. This case involved systemic lymph nodes, as large as 3 cm in diameter, bilaterally in neck, axilla, and inguinal regions. The patient obtained complete remission with chemotherapy.

Chromosomal abnormalities in nodal and extranodal CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphomas: infrequent detection of the t(2;5) in extranodal lymphomas.

To determine the significance of the t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation in nodal and extranodal anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), we performed cytogenetic, molecular genetic, and immunohistochemical analyses of tumor tissues from 11 patients with CD30+ ALCL. Three of five patients with nodal ALCL had additional infiltration of the skin. Six patients had extranodal ALCL, two had primary intestinal ALCL, three had a primary cutaneous ALCL, and one had osseous ALCL. Cytogenetic investigation detected the t(2;5) in all patients with nodal ALCL but not extranodal ALCL. Tumor cells in t(2;5)+ lesions also stained immunohistochemically for p80NPM/ALK, whereas no staining for p80NPM/ALK was detected in extranodal ALCL. Two extranodal lesions had NPM/ALK fusion transcripts detected by nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of these two lymphomas showed in one case a significant number (4%) of cells with a split hybridization signal, indicative of disruption of the NPM gene. Additional recurrent breakpoints observed in extranodal ALCL were 1p36, 6p25, and 8q24. Loss of genetic material occurred at 6q in one extranodal ALCL. Our results suggest that the t(2;5) more frequently plays a pathogenetic role in primary nodal than in extranodal ALCL and that this translocation may not be the primary event in some CD30+ ALCL.

A lymphohistiocytic variant of anaplastic large cell lymphoma with demonstration of the t(2;5)(p23;q35) chromosome translocation.

Cytogenetic investigations were performed in a case of a nodal malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Histopathological analysis from an involved lymph node as well as from a skin biopsy revealed a lymphohistiocytic variant of CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). A t(2;5)(p23;q35) chromosome translocation could be observed in all metaphases analysed. This finding was confirmed both by RT-PCR analysis of the NPM/ALK fusion protein and by positive staining with the p80(NPM/ALK) antibody. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a t(2;5) documented by classic cytogenetics in the lymphohistiocytic variant of ALCL.

Three-color flow cytometry in the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma based on the comparative cell morphology of lymphoma cells and reactive lymphocytes.

This study examines the identification of unusual cell populations highly associated with lymphoma cells (UCP-L) in diagnostic biopsy specimens using three-color flow cytometry (3-FCM). Patterns of surface antigen expression were used to compare the morphology of distinct lymphoid cell populations present in biopsy specimens and determine the presence or absence of UCP-L. UCP-L were identified by their larger size as compared to admixed reactive lymphocytes, and the method is based on the concept that neoplastic lymphoma cells are larger than reactive lymphocytes. The comparison of relative cell sizes was determined by overlaying forward scatter histograms by multicolor gating using PAINT-A-GATE software. In order for separate gates to be set on UCP-L and reactive cell populations, UCP-L had to fulfill one or more immunophenotypic criteria. These included: (1) belonging to a subset of B cell antigen-positive cells showing restricted expression of kappa or lambda light chains; (2) belonging to a subset of CD4-positive cells having dim or absent expression of CD45RA; (3) showing alterations in antigen expression (loss, dimmer or brighter); or (4) expressing an immunophenotype that is present on only rare cell populations or is absent from reactive lymph nodes. The immunophenotypic profiles of the respective cell populations were demonstrated by cubic representations to assess more easily the co-expression of three antigens. The common morphology of UCP-L as defined by forward and side scatter grams was consistent with a 'lymphoid appearance' except in several cases of HTLV-I-positive T cell lymphoma and gammadelta T cell lymphoma. The immunophenotypic profiles of UCP-L were confirmed to correspond to the presumptive lymphoma cell population by use of a live gating procedure on the large cells, which eliminated interference by reactive cells or necrotic tissue fragments. Using this method, we identified UCP-L in 208 of 293 (71%) consecutive cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, while no UCP-L were seen in 72 cases of non-specific hyperplasia of lymph nodes. Twenty-seven cases could not properly be examined about the existence of UCP-L because of massive necrosis, extensive fibrosis or strong non-specific staining reactions of unknown cause. When those cases were eliminated from the analysis, 80% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were found to contain UCP-L. In B cell lymphoma, the incidence of UCP-L in nodal lymphomas (80%) was much higher than in extranodal lymphomas (47%). Only one of 21 cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma was found to have UCP-L. The 3-FCM procedure was validated by the combined use of immunohistochemistry, morphologic examination, cytogenetic and antigen receptor gene rearrangement analysis by Southern blot hybridization. Our findings indicate that detection of UCP-L by 3-FCM is a reliable method to distinguish non-Hodgkin lymphomas from reactive hyperplasias in the majority of cases, even when the reactive cell population predominates over the malignant cell population.

Cloning, expression, and chromosomal localization to 11p12-13 of a human LIM/HOMEOBOX gene, hLim-1.

We have identified a putative transcription factor, designated hLim-1, from human fetal brain using degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cDNA library screening. The deduced open reading frame, derived from sequencing a 3.0-kb hLim-1 cDNA, encodes a protein of 384 amino acids with two cysteine-rich LIM domains and one homeobox (HOX) DNA-binding domain. The nucleotide sequence of hLim-1 cDNA is 87% identical to mouse Lim-1 and the predicted amino acid sequence is greater than 97% conserved. Expression patterns of hLim-1 were evaluated by Northern analysis and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR coupled with Southern blotting. HLim-1 expression was observed in human brain, thymus, and tonsillar tissue. Expression of hLim-1 was also observed in 58% of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cell lines and in four of five primary samples from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in myeloid blast transformation. The gene encoding hLim-1 was mapped using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to human chromosome 11p12-13. The expression pattern and structural characteristics of the hLim-1 gene suggest that it encodes a transcriptional regulatory protein involved in the control of differentiation and development of neural and lymphoid cells. Its expression in CML in blast crisis suggests that it may be involved with progression in this disease; a prospective study is required to confirm this.

Loss of functional cell surface transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) type 1 receptor correlates with insensitivity to TGF-beta in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common form of adult leukemia in Western countries, and there is significant variability in survival within CLL clinical stages. Earlier studies showed that CLL cells produce and are usually growth inhibited by transforming growth factor beta type 1 (TGF-beta1), suggesting a mechanism for the clinically indolent course of most CLL. Here we studied the mechanism by which CLL cells from about one-third of the patients are insensitive to TGF-beta1. Of the 13 patients studied, CLL cells isolated from the peripheral blood of 8 patients were sensitive to growth inhibition by TGF-beta1, as determined by incorporation of tritiated thymidine, whereas those from 5 patients were completely resistant to TGF-beta1. As judged by binding of radiolabeled TGF-beta1 followed by cross-linking and immunoprecipitation with anti-receptor antisera, CLL cells sensitive to TGF-beta1 exhibited normal cell surface expression of both types 1 and 2 TGF-beta receptors. In contrast, all CLL cells resistant to TGF-beta1 exhibited no detectable surface type I receptors able to bind TGF-beta1, but normal expression of type II receptors. Both TGF-beta1-sensitive and TGF-beta1-resistant CLL cells contained normal amounts of both type 1 and type 2 receptor mRNAs. Specific loss of type 1 receptor expression represents a new mechanism by which cells acquire resistance to TGF-beta1-mediated growth inhibition in the development and progression of human lymphoproliferative malignancies.

Defects of the mismatch repair gene MSH2 are implicated in the development of murine and human lymphoblastic lymphomas and are associated with the aberrant expression of rhombotin-2 (Lmo-2) and Tal-1 (SCL).

Mutations in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene hMSH2 underlie a novel pathway of tumorigenesis for some cancers of epithelial origin. Mice deficient in MSH2 are susceptible to lymphomas but defects in this gene have not been identified in human lymphoid tumors. To determine if the lymphomas these mice develop are related to a particular subtype of human lymphoma we evaluated 20 clinically ill homozygous MSH2-/- mice ranging in age from 2 to 13 months. The murine tumors comprised a single histopathologic entity representing the malignant counterpart of precursor thymic T cells and closely resembled human precursor T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL). Evaluation of the expression of three T-cell malignancy associated genes showed that Rhombotin-2 (RBTN-2 also known as Lmo-2), TAL-1 (also known as SCL), and HOX-11 were expressed in 100%, 40%, and 0% of the murine tumors, respectively. The MSH2-/- murine model of precursor T-cell LBL was substantiated by the finding of a nearly identical expression profile of RBTN-2, TAL-1, and HOX-11 in 10 well-characterized cases of human LBL. Direct evidence for MSH2 abnormalities in human LBL was established by sequence analysis of exon 13 of hMSH2, which revealed coding region mutations in 2 of 10 cases. Our findings implicate defects in the MMR system with the aberrant expression of T-cell specific proto-oncogenes and define a new pathway of human lymphomagenesis.