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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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Published on: August 1, 2018
Serotonin receptor 3A expression in normal and neoplastic B cells
Andrea Rinaldi1, Anna Maria Chiaravalli, Michael Mian
1Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Lymphoma Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona, Switzerland.
Summary
Researchers identified the HTR3A gene as frequently altered in diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL). This gene, coding for 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A, is expressed by B cells and regulated during their differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Chromosome 11q21-qter is gene-rich and frequently altered in cancers, including B cell lymphoid neoplasms.
- Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a significant B cell malignancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genes deregulated in DLBCL by analyzing chromosome 11q21-qter.
- To characterize the expression of the identified gene, HTR3A, in normal and neoplastic B cells.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of publicly available DLBCL gene expression datasets.
- Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry to evaluate HTR3A expression.
Main Results:
- HTR3A (5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A) was the most frequently differentially expressed gene on chromosome 11q21-qter in DLBCL.
- HTR3A is expressed by B cells and its expression is regulated during mature B cell differentiation, notably upregulated in the germinal center phase.
- DLBCLs originating from germinal center B cells retain HTR3A expression, with variable levels among patients.
Conclusions:
- HTR3A is a frequently deregulated gene in DLBCL, associated with germinal center B cell origin.
- HTR3A expression patterns provide insights into B cell differentiation and DLBCL pathogenesis.
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