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Immunoglobulin delta expression in Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines
1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
|July 19, 1989
Summary
Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines often express delta mRNA and cytoplasmic delta chains, but typically not on the cell surface. This suggests delta chains appear in the cytoplasm before surface expression in these B-cell malignancies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is a B-cell malignancy.
- Previous studies suggested BL rarely expresses IgD (delta gene products).
- Surface expression analysis was the primary method in prior investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate delta gene rearrangement and expression in BL cell lines.
- To determine the presence of delta transcripts and protein in the cytoplasm and on the surface.
- To re-evaluate the expression profile of IgD in BL.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 18 Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines.
- Detection of delta gene rearrangement using BamHI restriction fragments.
- Hybridization studies with delta probes to detect mRNA transcripts.
- Immunochemical analysis for cytoplasmic and surface delta and mu chains, and light chains.
Main Results:
- No delta gene locus rearrangement was found in the analyzed fragment.
- Thirteen of 18 cell lines showed detectable delta mRNA transcripts.
- Ten cell lines had cytoplasmic delta chains, but only two showed strong surface expression.
- Most cell lines expressed cytoplasmic mu and light chains, with surface IgM present in most.
Conclusions:
- BL cell lines can express delta mRNA and cytoplasmic delta chains, contradicting previous surface-only observations.
- Cytoplasmic detection of delta chains precedes surface expression.
- Findings suggest BL may not originate from germinal center B cells, which typically lack IgD.