PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M J Dyer

Publications and source records attributed to M J Dyer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Analysis of clonal rearrangements of the Ig heavy chain locus in acute leukemia.

Clonal rearrangements of the Ig heavy chain (IGH) locus occur in nearly all cases of B-cell precursor acute leukemia (BCP-ALL). Some of these rearrangements may be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using VH gene framework III (FRIII) and JH consensus primers. However, about 20% of BCP-ALLs fail to amplify with this technique. To determine the causes of these PCR failures and to investigate any possible association with specific subgroups of disease, we analyzed 72 acute leukemias of defined immunophenotype and cytogenetics, comparing FRIII with VH-family leader-specific PCR methods and Southern blotting. Of 37 BCP-ALL cases, 6 (16.2%) failed totally to amplify with FRIII and JH primers. None of these cases amplified with VH leader primers. Additionally, all cases retained germline VH6 genes and 5 of 11 rearranged alleles amplified with a consensus DH primer, indicating that these rearrangements represented biallelic DH-JH recombinations. Among the 6 FRIII and VH leader PCR-negative BCP-ALL cases, there was no common immunophenotype or consistent cytogenetic abnormality, although all showed structural chromosomal abnormalities and 3 of 5 successfully karyotyped had abnormalities of chromosome 12p. 13 cases with t(9;22)(q34;q11) Philadelphia chromosome-positive [Ph+]) and IGH rearrangements (9 BCP-ALL and 4 biphenotypic cases) were also analyzed. Of 23 rearranged IGH alleles, 19 (82%) were positive by FRIII PCR, and all 4 remaining alleles were amplified by VH leader primers. Use of the leader primers in these Ph+ cases also detected 3 additional clonal rearrangements that were not anticipated from Southern blotting; such unexpected bands were not observed in 21 other Ph- cases. The additional bands represented "new" and unrelated VH rearrangements rather than VH-VH replacement events. We conclude that biallelic DHJH rearrangements occur in a subgroup of BCP-ALL; in these cases, the activation of the full VHDHJH recombination mechanism had not occurred. Therefore, these cases of BCP-ALL were arrested at an early stage of B-cell differentiation. In contrast, all Ph+ BCP-ALLs and biphenotypic acute leukemias, which may represent the transformation of multipotent hemopoietic stem cells, had undergone VHDHJH recombination. Of 9 Ph+ BCP-ALL cases, 3 also showed ongoing VHDHJH rearrangement, reflecting the persistent expression of the VHDHJH recombinase. Finally, sequence analysis of 33 rearranged VHDHJH genes showed that only 3 including 2 Ph+ BCP-ALL maintained an intact open-reading frame. Loss of the open-reading frame occurred not only because of out-of-frame VHDH and DHJH joining, but also because of VH gene mutation and deletion. These data show that most BCP-ALLs may represent the neoplastic transformation of BCPs destined to die in the bone marrow.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Molecular cloning of complex chromosomal translocation t(8;14;12)(q24.1;q32.3;q24.1) in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line defines a new gene (BCL7A) with homology to caldesmon.

Chromosome 12q24.1 is a recurrent breakpoint in high-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). To identify the genes involved at 12q24.1, molecular cloning of a three-way translocation t(8;14;12)(q24.1;q32.3;q24.1) in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line (Wien 133) was performed; all four translocation breakpoints were cloned and sequenced. Analysis of clones encompassing the der(12)(12;14)(q24.1;q32.3) breakpoint showed a CpG island from chromosome 12q24.1 juxtaposed in a tail-to-tail configuration with a productively rearranged Ig VH4-DH-JH5 gene. A total of 4.5 kb of genomic DNA including the CpG island was sequenced and analyzed using gene-identification programs; all three programs identified a potential 92-bp exon within the centromeric boundary of the CpG island. Using this as a probe, an RNA transcript of 3.8 kb, expressed at low levels in a wide variety of normal tissues, was detected. Overlapping cDNA clones were isolated and sequenced. The longest open-reading frame predicted a serine-rich protein of 231 amino acids. This protein, termed BCL7A, exhibited no recognizable protein motifs but showed homology with the actin-binding protein, caldesmon. In Wien 133, the BCL7A breakpoint occurred within the first intron and resulted in a MYC-BCL7A fusion transcript, with exon I of BCL7A being replaced by MYC exon I. The normal, untranslocated allele of BCL7A was also expressed without mutation. One of the 11 other B-NHL cell lines examined with 12q24.1 cytogenetic abnormalities, a mediastinal B-NHL cell line (Karpas 1106), showed biallelic rearrangement within the first intron of BCL7A, which was adjacent to the breakpoint observed in Wien 133. Disruption of the amino-terminus of BCL7A defines a new mechanism in the pathogenesis of a subset of high-grade B-NHL.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Expression of either the TCL1 oncogene, or transcripts from its homologue MTCP1/c6.1B, in leukaemic and non-leukaemic T cells from ataxia telangiectasia patients.

Patients with the recessively inherited disorder ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) have a high level of specific chromosome translocations which can be easily observed in peripheral T cells and show a greatly increased predisposition to leukaemia/lymphoma, mainly of T cell origin. Some translocation cells proliferate into a large clone and may develop into T cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (T-PLL). By the time of diagnosis of T-PLL, the clone contains many more genetic changes in the form of additional translocations. T-PLL is also seen in non-A-T individuals where expression of either TCL1 (at 14q32) or the c6.1B/MTCP1 A1 transcript (at-Xq28) has been demonstrated in just a few instances. We show here, that expression of TCL1 occurs in leukaemic T cells from A-T patients with chromosome 14 rearrangements. Expression of TCL1 also occurs in the preleukaemic clone cells of A-T patients containing the primary translocation alone. Some expression of TCL1 could also be detected in randomly selected A-T patients without large cytogenetic clones and without any evidence of leukaemic change. We also show that expression of the B1 transcript from a second gene, MTCP1, occurred at a relatively high level only in two T-PLL tumours from A-T patients with t(X;14) translocations whereas the MTCP1/A1 transcript is much more widely expressed in both tumour and non tumour cells of A-T and non-A-T individuals.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗
PubMed1996

Humanized CD52 monoclonal antibody Campath-1H as first-line treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

The humanized CD52 monoclonal antibody Campath-1H was used as first-line therapy in nine patients with progressive chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Intravenous (n = 5) or subcutaneous (n = 4) injections (up to 30 mg/inj.) were given three times a week for a maximum of 18 weeks. Three patients achieved a complete remission (CR) and five patients a partial remission (PR) (response rate 89%). CLL cells were cleared from blood in all patients and from the bone marrow in seven patients. The response duration time was 8 + -24+ months. Adverse events were mild except for one patient who developed CMV pneumonitis. All patients developed lymphocytopenia (B and T cells) but other haematological toxicities were negligible. Campath-1H is a highly effective and well-tolerated agent in patients with previously untreated CLL and further studies are warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The B cell transcriptional coactivator BOB1/OBF1 gene fuses to the LAZ3/BCL6 gene by t(3;11)(q27;q23.1) chromosomal translocation in a B cell leukemia line (Karpas 231).

The LAZ3/BCL6 gene on chromosone 3q27 is recurrently disrupted in B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas by translocations involving immunoglobulin genes or other chromosone regions. We have cloned the breakpoint region and chromosone derivatives of the t(3;11)(q27;q23.1) translocation, present in a B cell leukemia cell line (Karpas 231), which define a novel 11q23.1 breakpoint site. As a consequence of the translocation, LAZ3 regulatory regions upstream of non-coding exon 2 are replaced by those of BOB1/OBF1, a recently described B cell-specific coactivator of octamer-binding transcription factors. A detailed structural study of the BOB1/OBF1 genomic DNA and of a nearly full-length cDNA revealed particular features in the 3' untranslated region, such as an Alu motif and a polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite. Two mutations leading to two potential amino acid changes in the C-terminal region, were also detected in one allele of a lymphoma B cell line, Raji. Due to its cell-specific expression and role as a coactivating transcription factor, chromosomal translocation and/or point mutation of BOB1/OBF1 may contribute to B cell tumorigenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Concurrent activation of MYC and BCL2 in B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines by translocation of both oncogenes to the same immunoglobulin heavy chain locus.

Concurrent activation of BCL2 and MYC usually occurs in B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) by translocation of both oncogenes to both immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) alleles: this abrogates immunoglobulin synthesis. We have studied three B-NHL cell lines (DoHH2, VAL and ROS 50) and show that concurrent activation of BCL2 and MYC may follow translocation of both oncogenes to the same IGH allele. Conventional cytogenetics of DoHH2 suggested the presence of a t(14;18)(q32;q21) translocation. However, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) studies using whole chromosome paints, alpha satellite probes and flow-sorted chromosomes as probes revealed an unexpected complexity of rearrangements involving chromosomes 8, 14 and 18, namely t(8;14;18)(q24;q32;q21). DNA blot and previous PCR analysis confirmed the juxtaposition of BCL2 major breakpoint region (mbr) with IGJH6, but also demonstrated a rearrangement within the first exon of MYC. The centromeric (5') MYC rearranged fragment comigrated with the BCL2-JH6 rearranged fragment in BamHI, EcoRI and Bg/II restriction digests. The der(8)t(8;14;18) therefore comprised 5' MYC (exon I)-Sgamma4-JH6-BCL2 mbr. Similar rearrangements were observed in both ROS 50 and VAL cell lines which contained two and three copies of the der(8)t(8;14;18) respectively. Quantitative flow cytometry for BCL2 and MYC expression showed abundant expression of both proteins in all three lines. These data indicate the der(14)t(14;18)(q32;q21) may itself be the target for any second translocation. The presence of the intact BCL2-JH fusion gene on the der(8)t(8;14;18) allowed concurrent activation of both BCL2 and MYC with no loss of immunoglobulin expression.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Heterogeneity of breakpoints at the transcriptional co-activator gene, BOB-1, in lymphoproliferative disease.

Chromosome 11q23 is frequently a site of chromosomal translocation in both acute leukemias and chronic lymphoproliferative disorders. In the former, an 8 kb region within the MLL gene is consistently involved, whereas in the latter breakpoints appear to be heterogeneous. In a B cell acute leukemia cell line with t(14;18)(q32.3;q21.3) we have previously demonstrated a reciprocal translocation between the LAZ3/BCL6 gene at 3q27 and the B cell specific transcriptional coactivator gene BOB-1 at 11q23.1, implicating BOB-1 as a potential proto-oncogene. To confirm the chromosomal localization of BOB-1 we have mapped it by FISH to 11q23.1. It lay immediately telomeric of the ATM gene. We have also investigated the frequency of BOB-1 rearrangements in a panel of 32 cell lines and 71 patient samples. In one case of T cell prolymphocytic leukemia-a disease where 11q23 abnormalities are observed-a chromosomal rearrangement was identified 3.3-0.9 kb centromeric of the 3' end of the gene. Thus, there is a heterogeneity of breakpoints associated with BOB-1 while the frequency of the gene's involvement in lymphoproliferative diseases is low.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

IgD class switching: identification of a novel recombination site in neoplastic and normal B cells.

IgD on normal B lymphocytes usually is co-expressed with IgM. A minority of normal plasma cells and rare B cell malignancies express exclusively IgD (IgM-IgD+). The low frequency has been explained by the lack of a recognizable switch region within the C mu-C delta intron. We analyzed four cases of IgM-IgD+ hairy cell leukemia (HCL) by Southern (DNA) blot analysis and identified two cases with a recombinatorial event within the C mu-C delta intron and deletion of C mu. DNA sequence analysis of junctional regions showed that S mu or the immediate upstream region was used as a donor site and that the C mu-C delta intronic sigma delta region was used as acceptor site. Using polymerase chain reaction, we subsequently analyzed whether similar S mu-sigma delta recombinations occur in normal tonsils containing IgM-IgD+ plasma cells. Multiple products with a size range of 200-800 base pairs were detected in all four individuals, suggesting clustering of acceptor sites within sigma delta. Sequence analysis of three cloned products showed S mu-sigma delta recombinations similar those observed in HCL. The sigma delta region contains a relatively high content of pentameric repeats with an extremely G-rich area and appears to function as a vestigial switch recombination site in normal and neoplastic IgM-IgD+ B cells.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1995

Molecular cytogenetics of chronic myeloid leukemia with atypical t(6;9) (p23;q34) translocation.

We report the molecular cytogenetic analysis of a case of Philadelphia (Ph)-negative, BCR-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) which appeared by conventional cytogenetics to have a t(6;9)(p23;q34) as the sole cytogenetic abnormality. Neither conventional nor pulse-field Southern blots detected any rearrangement of the DEK or CAN genes which are often fused in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(6;9)(p23;q34). However, rearrangements of both BCR and ABL genes were detected. The breakpoint in BCR was located in the major translocation cluster region between exons b1 and b3. ABL rearrangements were detected with an ABL exon 1B probe and with a probe located 5' of the entire ABL gene. Comigration between the rearranged fragments obtained with M-bcr-5' and ABL exon 1B probes was observed, implying that the entire ABL gene was fused to the 5' part of the BCR gene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses using BCR and ABL probes showed that in 20% of metaphases BCR and ABL signals were present on one chromosome 6 at 6p23, whilst in 80% of metaphases BCR and ABL signals were identified on both copies of chromosome 6. Furthermore, FISH analysis with a whole-chromosome 22 paint demonstrated that chromosome 22 material was present on both copies of chromosome 6. These data indicate a complex Philadelphia translocation involving chromosome band 6p23 and duplication of the whole aberrant chromosome. The nature of the gene locus on 6p23, involved in this rearrangement, remains unknown. A similar translocation has been previously reported in a case of CML, which also lacked DEK and CAN gene rearrangements implying that abnormalities of 6p23 involving genes other than DEK may be a recurrent abnormality in CML.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1995

Fusion of the LAZ3/BCL6 and BOB1/OBF1 genes by t(3; 11) (q27; q23) chromosomal translocation.

The LAZ3/BCL6 gene on chromosome 3q27 is recurrently disrupted in B-cell non Hodgkin's lymphomas by translocations involving immunoglobulin genes or other chromosome regions. We have studied the t(3; 11) (q27; q23) translocation, present in a B-cell leukemia cell line (Karpas 231). As a consequence of this translocation, a LAZ3 chimeric transcript was created by fusion, 5' to the LAZ3 exon 2, with a transcribed sequence identical to BOB1/OBF1, a B cell-specific coactivator of octamer-binding transcription factors, recently described. Nucleotidic sequence of a nearly full-length cDNA of the BOB1/OBF1 gene revealed particular features in the 3' untranslated region of the gene, including pyrimidine-rich sequence repeats, an Alu motif, and a polymorphic [CCTT] tetranucleotide microsatellite. Two A to G transition mutations were also detected in the coding region of one allele of a lymphoma B-cell line, Raji, leading to 2 amino-acid changes in the C-terminal region. Due to its cell-specificity and role as a coactivating transcription factor, chromosomal translocation and/or perhaps point mutation of BOB1/OBF1 may contribute to B cell tumorigenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cell line (Karpas 1106) with complex translocation involving 18q21.3 but lacking BCL2 rearrangement and expression.

A B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) cell line (Karpas 1106) with an unusual three-way translocation involving 18q21.3 has been derived from a patient with mediastinal lymphoblastic B-NHL. Although conventional cytogenetics showed a derivative 18q-identical to that seen in cases with t(14;18)(q32.3;q21.3), no translocations of either chromosome 14 could be detected. Instead fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis using a chromosome-18 paint showed that the segment 18q21.3-18qter had become sandwiched on a derivative chromosome X between segments Xqter-c-Xq28 and 13q12-qter, with the centrometric site of 18q21.3 subband juxtaposed to the X sequences. Pulsed-field DNA blots failed to detect rearrangement of the BCL2 gene. Conventional DNA blots using a variety of restriction digests and both 5' and 3' BCL2 and FVT 1 probes also failed to detect rearrangement in Karpas 1106. A rearranged fragment seen only in HindIII digests with 5' BLC2 probes may represent a local microalteration, which is either a mutation or small deletion involving the HindIII site as seen in other cases of B-NHL. Neither BCL2 RNA nor BCL2 protein expression were detected. These and other data suggest that genes at 18q21.3, other than BCL2 and FVT1, may be targets for translocation in certain subgroups of B-NHL.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes: analysis of BCL-1 rearrangements and expression of the cyclin D1 gene.

The translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32) occurs in about 15% of patients with splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) or the closely related disorder lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL). To characterize the nature and frequency of rearrangements of the BCL-1 locus in SLVL/LPL and to document the effect of these genetic alterations on the expression of the cyclin D1 gene, we analyzed 22 cases of SLVL/LPL with defined cytogenetic abnormalities by both conventional electrophoresis (CE) and pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and by Northern blotting. Four SLVL/LPL cases showed rearrangement of the BCL-1 locus. In two cases with t(11;14)(q13;q32), different breakpoints were identified; one mapped adjacent to the major translocation cluster (MTC) and the other within a 28-kb region telomeric of it. In a third case of SLVL with no cytogenetic abnormality of 11q13, a novel breakpoint approximately 100 kb centromeric of MTC was detected by PFGE. The fourth case, which had a normal karyotype, demonstrated rearrangement with a BCL-1 probe immediately telomeric of MTC. This case may have had a small deletion of 0.5 kb from within the BCL-1 locus. No rearrangement of the BCL-1 locus or within the cyclin D1 gene was detected by CE or PFGE in any of the remaining 18 SLVL/LPL samples. Northern blot analysis showed expression of a normal-sized cyclin D1 transcript in the two SLVL/LPL cases with t(11;14)(q13;q32). In cases that lacked a cytogenetically demonstrable t(11;14) translocation, no cyclin D1 transcript was detected. Analysis of the BCL-1 locus was also performed in three other cases of B-cell disorders with t(11;14)(q13;q32) detected cytogenetically. Two cases were analyzed by Southern blot and showed rearrangement of the BCL-1 locus. Expression of high-level normal-sized and/or truncated cyclin D1 transcript was also detected in these cases. These data show the importance of PFGE in the detection of rearrangements in the BCL-1 locus and show further the complexity of rearrangements in this locus.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11↗
PubMed1994

BCL2 translocations in leukemias of mature B cells.

Although translocations of the BCL2 gene are frequent in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL) the incidence, nature, and prognostic significance of similar translocations in the phenotypically related chronic leukemias of mature B cells are unknown. Therefore, we examined 170 cases of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), 7 cases of B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL), 25 cases of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and 22 cases of splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) with defined cytogenetic abnormalities by DNA blot using both 5' and 3' BCL2 probes to search for rearrangement of the BCL2 locus. Translocation t(14;18) (q32.3;q21.3) was detected cytogenetically in 3 cases of B-CLL. All had breakpoints in the 3' region of BCL2, mapping between the major breakpoint region (MBR) and the minor cluster region (mcr), the breakpoint clusters commonly detected in B-NHL. In 2 of the 3 cases, the breakpoint within BCL2 was mapped to a 1.0-kb EcoRI-HindIII fragment indicating a clustering of breakpoints. Two cases of B-CLL had cytogenetically detectable t(2;18)(p11;q21.3) or t(18;22)(q21.3;q11). Both had rearranged the 5' region of the BCL2 gene to the corresponding lg light-chain gene. Molecular cloning of the t(18;22)(q21.3;q11) showed that the translocation disrupted the BCL2 promoter region and the first untranslated BCL2 exon. Nevertheless, high levels of BCL2 protein were seen in this case. Only 2 other cases in whom cytogenetic analysis was not successful showed rearrangement of the 5' region of BCL2, an overall incidence of 2.3%. No cases of B-PLL, HCL, or SLVL showed either 5' or 3' BCL2 rearrangement. These data confirm the cytogenetic observations that translocations involving the BCL2 locus in all forms of leukemia of mature B cells are rare, and limited to a minor subset of B-CLL. BCL2 translocations in B-CLL involve hot spots of recombination of both the 5' and 3' regions of the BCL2 gene, which are distinct from those commonly seen in B-NHL, suggesting distinct pathogenic mechanisms.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Interstitial insertion of retinoic acid receptor-alpha gene in acute promyelocytic leukemia with normal chromosomes 15 and 17.

The translocation t(15;17)(q22;q21) is seen exclusively in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and in the promyelocytic blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This translocation juxta-poses the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) gene on chromosome 15 and the retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RARA) gene on chromosome 17, resulting in the formation of a chimeric mRNA transcript. We describe a patient with the microgranular variant form of APL, with no detectable cytogenetic abnormality of either chromosomes 15 or 17, who nevertheless had juxtaposition of PML and RARA genes and expressed a chimeric transcript. Conventional cytogenetics showed the karyotype 46,XY,d-er(3)t(3;8)(p25;q12). Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with paints for chromosomes 8, 15, and 17 confirmed the presence of structurally intact chromosomes 15 and 17 and trisomy for chromosome 8q. Nevertheless, FISH using cosmid probes for PML and RARA showed their juxtaposition on one chromosome 15 homolog. Both genes were also present on their normal homologs; in addition, part of the RARA gene was still present on the remaining chromosome 17. DNA analysis by Southern blotting, performed with a variety of probes including PML, RARA and retinoic acid receptor-beta (RARB), showed a rearrangement in PML. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed the existence of hybrid transcripts of 276, 455 bp and 623 bp, from PML-RARA on the der(15) chromosome, consistent with alternate exon splicing of the long form of the transcript occurring in 50% to 60% of patients with APL. Our results show that APL patients with cytogenetically normal chromosomes 15 and 17 may, nevertheless, have involvement of both PML and RARA genes defining a subgroup of APL, t(15;17)-negative/PML-RARA-positive which is analogous to Philadelphia chromosome-negative/BCR-ABL-positive CML. In this case, the presence of chimeric transcripts suggests that treatment with all-trans RA may be warranted in APL, even in the absence of detectable cytogenetic change, showing the usefulness of RT-PCR or FISH to aid diagnosis.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Acute myelomonocytic leukemia with t(10;11)(p13;q23): heterogeneity of breakpoints at 11q23 and association with recombinase activation.

The human trithorax homolog gene (MLL) is directly involved in over 90% of cases of acute leukemia with abnormalities of 11q23. However, involvement of other genes at 11q23 both centromeric and telomeric of MLL has been identified in different subtypes of leukemia and lymphoma. We describe a case of acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMML; FAB type M4) with t(10;11)(p13;q23) in which the breakpoint at 11q23 was centromeric to the MLL gene and distinct from the breakpoint seen in promyelocytic leukemias with t(11;17)(q23;q22), thus providing further evidence of heterogeneity of breakpoints in 11q23 in acute leukemia. Rearrangements of immunoglobulin (IG) and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes were also observed, with no immunophenotypic evidence for commitment to the lymphoid lineages, indicating that inappropriate activation of the recombinases may be a feature of this particular variant translocation.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Persistent polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis.

We document a case of persistent lymphocytosis in which the characteristic binucleated circulating lymphocytes were shown immunologically to be polyclonal B-cells. Cytogenetic and molecular studies failed to show a clonal population. A review of the literature on this rare condition, persistent polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, highlights an association with the female sex, HLA-DR7 antigen, smoking and raised levels of IgM, all of which were present in our patient.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1994

Aberrant rearrangements within the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus in hairy cell leukemia.

The cell surface expression of multiple immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) isotypes, preferentially observed in hairy cell leukemia (HCL), is incompatible with the deletion model of IGH class switching, and alternative models involving RNA-splicing have been proposed. To help discriminate between these possibilities we have examined the configuration of the IGH locus by DNA blot in 38 cases of HCL. Deletion of at least one allele of C mu/C delta was seen in 14 cases (37%). Of 12 cases in which IgG and/or IgA were expressed, three exhibited biallelic deletion of C mu/C delta compatible with deletional class-switching whereas the remaining 9 cases retained both alleles of C mu/C delta. These data indicate that both DNA deletion and RNA-splicing mechanisms of class-switching may operate in HCL. In a further 17 cases, other unexpected abnormalities of the IGH locus mapping to the JH-C mu intron in one of two patterns were observed. First, discordance between JH and C mu in BamHI DNA digests was found in 12 cases. Similar patterns were observed in only 4/91 cases of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and 0/15 of B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia. To preclude chromosomal translocations involving the JH-C mu intron, rearrangements of BCL1, BCL2, BCL3, and MYC were sought in 23 cases but none of the cases showed oncogene rearrangement to the intron. Second, abnormal-sized C mu fragments arising as a consequence of abnormalities of the JH-C mu intron were detected in HindIII, BgIII, and/or Xbal digests in 10/23 cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alleles↗