Intrauterine growth retardation associated with precocious puberty and sertoli cell hyperplasia.

The original description of patients with Russell-Silver syndrome included precocious puberty, the mechanism of which was unclear. We describe a child with a Russell-Silver syndrome-like phenotype who presented with precocious puberty that was associated with hyperplasia of the Sertoli cells. The patient was found to have an immature cryptorchid testicle; hyperplastic Sertoli cells were also aneuploid carrying trisomy 8. This chromosomal abnormality was present in Sertoli cells only and could not be detected in peripheral lymphocytes, tunica vaginalis, or other, normal, testicular tissue. Sertoli cells in culture showed excess aromatization providing an explanation for the rapid advancement of the patient's bone age. We conclude that in a patient with a Russell-Silver syndrome-like phenotype, Sertoli cell hyperplasia was associated with somatic trisomy 8, increased aromatization, and gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty.

Un caso de leucemia aguda linfocítica (ALL), tipo B con un inusual rearreglo cromosómico / A case of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), B with an unusual type chromosomal rearrangement

Presentamos los hallazgos cromosómicos de una mujer de cuatro años de edad con trombocitopenia. El cariotipo demostró un 1(7) q(10) como una posible deleción en 11q23 y un cuestionable rearreglo en 9p. Los estudios por FISH de ambas interfase del núcleo y metafase de la célula, usando la fase de reposo MLL y caracterización de la prueba instrumental en el gen MLL, el cual fue encriptado por análisis citogenético convencional. Específicamente, el patrón FISH fue consistente con una inserción de la región 5' del gen MLL dentro de un cromosoma 4 hacia la banda q21, mas estrechamente una variante 1(4;11) (q 21;g23). Este caso ejemplifica la importancia del FISH y su consiguiente caracterización de casos precursores B-cell all, sin algún significado pronóstico de anormalidad cromosómica.

We present the chromosome findings in a 4-year-old female with thrombocytopenia. The karyotype showed an i(7)(q10) as well as a possible deletion on 11q23 and a questionable rearrangement on 9p. FISH studies on both interphase nuclei and metaphase cells using the MLL break apart rearrangement probe were instrumental in the characterization of an MLL gene rearrangement , which was cryptic by conventional cytogenetic analysis. Specifically, the FISH pattern was consistent with an insertion of the 5' region of the MLL gene into one chromosome 4 at band q21, most likely a variant t(4;11)(q21;q23). This case exemplifies the importance of FISH in the further characterization of precursor B-cell ALL cases without any apparent prognostically significant chromosome abnormalities.

Cryptic ins(4;11)(q21;q23q23) detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization: a variant of t(4;11)(q21;q23) in an infant with a precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia report of a second case.

We report the chromosomal findings in a 4-year-old female with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The diagnostic karyotype showed an isochromosome 7q, i(7)(q10), as well as questionable rearrangements on 9p and 11q. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies on both interphase and metaphase cells using the MLL "break-apart" and the centromeric chromosome 4 probes were instrumental in the characterization of an MLL gene rearrangement, which was cryptic by conventional cytogenetic analysis. Specifically, the FISH pattern was consistent with an insertion of the 5' region of the MLL gene into chromosome 4 at band q21, most likely a variant t(4;11)(q21;q23). This is the second case of FISH detection of an ins(4;11) in ALL. Our case exemplifies the importance of FISH in the further characterization of precursor B-cell ALL cases without any apparent prognostically significant chromosomal abnormalities.

Pure trisomy 10p resulting from an extra ring chromosome: characterization by methods of advanced molecular cytogenetics.

With the use of advanced molecular cytogenetic techniques, we have identified an extra ring chromosome consisting of the entire short arm of chromosome 10 (10p) in a 9-month-old girl with multiple congenital anomalies. This case represents another cytogenetic mechanism leading to the formation of pure complete trisomy 10p, which has not been reported previously. Pure trisomy 10p is rare. This case will further delineate those features associated with trisomy 10p.

The der(17)t(X;17)(p11;q25) of human alveolar soft part sarcoma fuses the TFE3 transcription factor gene to ASPL, a novel gene at 17q25.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is an unusual tumor with highly characteristic histopathology and ultrastructure, controversial histogenesis, and enigmatic clinical behavior. Recent cytogenetic studies have identified a recurrent der(17) due to a non-reciprocal t(X;17)(p11.2;q25) in this sarcoma. To define the interval containing the Xp11.2 break, we first performed FISH on ASPS cases using YAC probes for OATL1 (Xp11.23) and OATL2 (Xp11.21), and cosmid probes from the intervening genomic region. This localized the breakpoint to a 160 kb interval. The prime candidate within this previously fully sequenced region was TFE3, a transcription factor gene known to be fused to translocation partners on 1 and X in some papillary renal cell carcinomas. Southern blotting using a TFE3 genomic probe identified non-germline bands in several ASPS cases, consistent with rearrangement and possible fusion of TFE3 with a gene on 17q25. Amplification of the 5' portion of cDNAs containing the 3' portion of TFE3 in two different ASPS cases identified a novel sequence, designated ASPL, fused in-frame to TFE3 exon 4 (type 1 fusion) or exon 3 (type 2 fusion). Reverse transcriptase PCR using a forward primer from ASPL and a TFE3 exon 4 reverse primer detected an ASPL-TFE3 fusion transcript in all ASPS cases (12/12: 9 type 1, 3 type 2), establishing the utility of this assay in the diagnosis of ASPS. Using appropriate primers, the reciprocal fusion transcript, TFE3-ASPL, was detected in only one of 12 cases, consistent with the non-reciprocal nature of the translocation in most cases, and supporting ASPL-TFE3 as its oncogenically significant fusion product. ASPL maps to chromosome 17, is ubiquitously expressed, and matches numerous ESTs (Unigene cluster Hs.84128) but no named genes. The ASPL cDNA open reading frame encodes a predicted protein of 476 amino acids that contains within its carboxy-terminal portion of a UBX-like domain that shows significant similarity to predicted proteins of unknown function in several model organisms. The ASPL-TFE3 fusion replaces the N-terminal portion of TFE3 by the fused ASPL sequences, while retaining the TFE3 DNA-binding domain, implicating transcriptional deregulation in the pathogenesis of this tumor, consistent with the biology of several other translocation-associated sarcomas. Oncogene (2001) 20, 48 - 57.

Malignant giant cell tumor of synovium (malignant pigmented villonodular synovitis).

CONTEXT: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a well-recognized entity that has the potential for extensive local destruction, even though it rarely metastasizes. Rare reports of malignant forms are recorded in the literature. We observed 2 patients in whom examples of PVNS followed an aggressive course with multiple recurrences, metastasis, or degeneration to an appearance resembling malignant fibrous histiocytoma. OBJECTIVE: We studied the occurrence and persistence of aneuploidy for chromosomes 5 and 7 in 2 patients with clinically aggressive PVNS. DESIGN: Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed for the detection of chromosomes 5 and 7 in the primary lesions, recurrences, and metastases in 2 examples of PVNS. RESULTS: Fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated small but significant numbers of cells with trisomies for chromosomes 7 and/or 5 in both the primary and recurrent lesions of both patients. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of consistent chromosomal trisomies (5 and 7) in both patients' examples of PVNS suggests a neoplastic nature for this lesion. The persistence of these trisomies in the primary lesions, recurrences, and metastases supports a molecular link between the primaries, recurrences, and metastases despite changes in morphologic features. The presence of persistent trisomies in the recurrent and metastatic lesions supports the concept of malignant PVNS.

Evidence by spectral karyotyping that 8q11.2 is nonrandomly involved in lipoblastoma.

We report two cases of lipoblastoma with chromosome 8-related aberrations, ie, a 92,XXYY,t(7;8Xp22;q11.2)x2 [8]/46,XY[16] in Case 1 and a 46,XY,-8,-13,add(16) (q22),+mar, +r [cp13]/46,XY[7] in Case 2. Using spectral karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques, the karyotype of Case 2 was redesignated as 46,XY, r(8), del(13)(q12), der(16)ins(16;8)(q22; q24q11.2)[cp13]/46,XY[7]. This report delineates a new chromosome rearrangement, ie, der(16)ins(16;8)(q22; q24q11.2) in lipoblastoma, and also confirms the t(7; 8)(p22;q11.2), reported only once previously, as a recurrent translocation involved in such a tumor. These findings provide valuable information for clinical molecular cytogenetic diagnosis of lipoblastoma. Furthermore, this report highlights the value of cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analysis in differential diagnosis of childhood adipose tissue tumors and adds to the number of lipoblastomas reported with chromosomal abnormalities at 8q11.2.

Persistent transgene expression and normal differentiation of immortalized human keratinocytes in vivo.

Cells transduced ex vivo with transgenes encoded on retroviruses have constant and prolonged expression in vitro; however, in vivo expression is quickly lost. Much attention has been directed at methods to circumvent this problem. We have shown that loss of transgene expression does not occur when transduced immortalized 3T3 cells are transplanted to the in vivo setting of athymic mice. Ease of acquisition and potential for clinical application led us to assess the potential of using immortalized human keratinocytes for expression of transgenes in vivo. Human keratinocytes were immortalized with a HPV16-E6/E7 retrovirus, transduced with a lacZ retrovirus, cloned by limiting dilution, seeded onto a physiologic dermal substrate, and transplanted to athymic mice. Six weeks after transplantation, the immortalized transgene expressing keratinocytes had formed an epidermis that was indistinguishable from one formed by nonimmortalized keratinocytes; furthermore, there was no loss of expression of the lacZ gene. These observations show that methods to extend cell survival are an alternative approach to achieving stable and prolonged expression of transgenes in vivo and that HPV16-E6/ E7 immortalized keratinocytes generate an epidermis with normal morphology.

Identification of a ring chromosome in a myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma with chromosome microdissection and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

We investigated the origin of a ring chromosome in a myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) by microdissection and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses. Cytogenetically, only two ring chromosomes were observed; the smaller ring was seen more frequently. The latter was microdissected, and the material used for FISH. Hybridization of the microdissected labeled DNA to normal metaphase cells revealed that the signal localized only to 20q. Three signals were seen in the tumor cells using either the microdissected 20q probe or chromosome 20 centromeric probe, indicating the involvement of both the long arm and the centromere in the ring chromosome. The short arm of chromosome 20 did not appear to be involved in the formation of the ring chromosome.

Translocation (12;14) in lipoma: a case report and review of the literature.

We report a case of an intramuscular lipoma with the following karyotype: 46,XY,t(12;14) (q14-15;q24). To our knowledge, this is the third report of a t(12;14) as a sole abnormality in a lipoma.

The Philadelphia chromosome as a secondary change in leukemia: three case reports and an overview of the literature.

Three cases of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia with a Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) as a secondary abnormality are reported. The Ph was late-appearing in one patient and appeared as an additional anomaly in the other two patients. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies of the first patient identified the presence of a minor BCR/ABL rearrangement. The findings of these cases support the conclusion that the Ph plays a role not only in leukemogenesis, but also in disease progression. An overview of the literature dealing with similar cases is also presented.