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Normal and neoplastic human plasma cells express bcl-2 antigen
M S Hamilton1, H F Barker, J Ball
1Department of Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Leukemia
|September 1, 1991
Summary
The B-cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2 (bcl-2) oncoprotein is expressed in normal plasma cells and in most myeloma and lymphoma cells. This expression is not dependent on the 14;18 translocation common in follicular lymphoma.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- The B-cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2 (bcl-2) proto-oncogene is linked to the 14;18 translocation in follicular lymphoma.
- bcl-2 has been cloned, sequenced, and a specific monoclonal antibody has been developed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of the bcl-2 oncoprotein in normal and malignant plasma cells.
- To determine if bcl-2 expression in plasma cells is associated with the 14;18 translocation.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistological staining of bcl-2 in follicular lymphoma and normal lymphocytes.
- Immunofluorescence microscopy (conventional and confocal) to detect bcl-2 oncoprotein in plasma cells.
- Analysis of normal plasma cells, myeloma patient plasma cells, and myeloma/lymphoma cell lines.
Main Results:
- bcl-2 expression was detected in plasma cells from all normal donors, with variable intensity and proportion.
- Positive bcl-2 oncoprotein staining was observed in plasma cells from 80% of myeloma patients and plasma cell leukaemia.
- bcl-2 was expressed in 6/11 plasma cell lines and one lymphoma cell line, independent of the 14;18 translocation.
Conclusions:
- bcl-2 expression is a characteristic feature of normal plasma cells.
- The presence of the bcl-2 oncoprotein in plasma cells is not contingent upon the 14;18 translocation.