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Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in AIDS-related body-cavity-based lymphomas
E Cesarman1, Y Chang, P S Moore
1Department of Pathology, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, NY 10021, USA.
Background:
DNA fragments that appeared to belong to an unidentified human herpesvirus were recently found in more than 90 percent of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). These fragments were also found in 6 of 39 tissue samples without Kaposi's sarcoma, including 3 malignant lymphomas, from patients with AIDS, but not in samples from patients without AIDS.
Methods:
We examined the DNA of 193 lymphomas from 42 patients with AIDS and 151 patients who did not have AIDS. We searched the DNA for sequences of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) by Southern blot hybridization, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or both. The PCR products in the positive samples were sequences and compared with the KSHV sequences in Kaposi's sarcoma tissues from patients with AIDS.
Results:
KSHV sequences were identified in eight lymphomas in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. All eight, and only these eight, were body-cavity-based lymphomas--that is, they were characterized by pleural, pericardial, or peritoneal lymphomatous effusions. All eight lymphomas also contained the Epstein-Barr viral genome. KSHV sequences were not found in the other 185 lymphomas. KSHV sequences were 40 to 80 times more abundant in the body-cavity-based lymphomas than in the Kaposi's sarcoma lesions. A high degree of conservation of KSHV sequences in Kaposi's sarcoma and in the eight lymphomas suggests the presence of the same agent in both lesions.
Conclusions:
The recently discovered KSHV DNA sequences occur in an unusual subgroup of AIDS-related B-cell lymphomas, but not in any other lymphoid neoplasm studied thus far. Our finding strongly suggests that a novel herpesvirus has a pathogenic role in AIDS-related body-cavity-based lymphomas.
Insights
A novel herpesvirus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is strongly implicated in AIDS-related body-cavity lymphomas. This virus was found in a specific subgroup of these lymphomas, suggesting a pathogenic role.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) DNA fragments were detected in over 90% of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related Kaposi's sarcoma lesions.
- These fragments were also found in a subset of non-Kaposi's sarcoma tissues from AIDS patients, including lymphomas, but not in individuals without AIDS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in lymphomas, particularly in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Main Methods:
- DNA from 193 lymphomas of 42 AIDS patients and 151 non-AIDS patients was analyzed for KSHV sequences using Southern blot hybridization and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- KSHV sequences from positive samples were sequenced and compared to those from Kaposi's sarcoma tissues.
Main Results:
- KSHV sequences were identified in eight human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients' lymphomas, all of which were body-cavity-based lymphomas with lymphomatous effusions.
- These eight lymphomas also contained the Epstein-Barr virus genome. KSHV was not detected in the remaining 185 lymphomas.
- KSHV sequences were significantly more abundant in these body-cavity lymphomas compared to Kaposi's sarcoma lesions, with high sequence conservation.
Conclusions:
- The study identified Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) DNA in a distinct subgroup of AIDS-related B-cell lymphomas, termed body-cavity-based lymphomas.
- The findings strongly suggest that this novel herpesvirus plays a pathogenic role in the development of AIDS-related body-cavity-based lymphomas.
- KSHV was not found in other lymphoid neoplasms examined, highlighting its specific association with this lymphoma subtype.