Genotypic analysis of DNA isolated from fine needle aspiration biopsies

DNA was isolated from 20 fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies from lymphomas, hyperplastic lymph nodes and nonlymphoid malignant tumors. Small aliquots (0.2 microgram to 2.0 micrograms) of DNA from each sample were digested to completion with restriction endonuclease Eco RI and/or Bam HI and electrophoresed in 0.8% agarose minigels. DNA was transferred to a nylon filter after brief treatment in HCl and subsequent denaturation and neutralization. Filters were hybridized to radiolabeled JH, C kappa, TCR beta or bcl-2 probes to determine if these genes were in germline or rearranged configurations in each of the samples. It was possible to demonstrate rearrangement of at least one immunoglobulin gene in each of the samples diagnosed as lymphoma, while all samples derived from hyperplastic lymph nodes and nonlymphoid malignant tumors exhibited a germline pattern for each probe tested. Thus, FNA biopsies can provide suitable and sufficient DNA for genotypic analysis using molecular probes that detect gene rearrangement.