Immunoglobulin and T cell receptor gene rearrangements in lymphoproliferative disorders

Exp Cell Biol. 1989;57(4):177-84. doi: 10.1159/000163523.

Abstract

Thirty-one samples representing Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AILD), and benign follicular hyperplasia in HIV infections were examined for rearrangements of the immunoglobulin (Ig) and T cell receptor (TcR) beta-chain gene loci. In 11 of 12 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (classified as Burkitt lymphoma (2), centrocytic lymphoma (1), centrocytic-centroblastic lymphoma (5), centroblastic lymphoma (3], only rearranged Ig genes could be detected. The exceptional case was an unclassified high-grade lymphoma, which represented a rearrangement of the TcR beta-chain. We also examined DNA from lymphoid neoplasms in which the lineage of the malignant cell was still controversial. Rearrangement of the TcR could exclusively be demonstrated in all 3 cases of AILD. One Ig gene rearrangement and 4 TcR beta-chain rearrangements were found in 13 samples of Hodgkin's lymphomas (11 lymph nodes, 1 pleura effusion and 1 bone biopsy with proven infiltration). Examination of 3 cases of benign follicular hyperplasia in HIV infection represented one Ig rearrangement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Neoplasm / analysis*
  • Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains / genetics*
  • Lymphoma / genetics*
  • Lymphoma / immunology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / genetics*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / immunology

Substances

  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains