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Bcl-2 protein in centrocytic lymphoma; a paraffin section study
S H Swerdlow1, G L Utz, M E Williams
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH.
Leukemia
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Centrocytic lymphomas (CC) express bcl-2 protein without bcl-2 gene rearrangement, similar to mantle zone cells. This finding complicates identifying the cell of origin for CC lymphomas.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Bcl-2 protein inhibits apoptosis and is typically absent in follicular center cells.
- Bcl-2 gene translocations cause aberrant expression in small cleaved follicular center cell (SCFCC) lymphomas.
- The expression of normal bcl-2 in centrocytic lymphomas (CC) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bcl-2 protein expression in centrocytic lymphomas (CC).
- To determine if bcl-2 gene rearrangements are present in CC lymphomas.
- To compare bcl-2 expression patterns in CC lymphomas with mantle zone cells.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded tissues using an anti-bcl-2 antibody.
- Genotypic analysis for bcl-1/PRAD1 (cyclin D1) and bcl-2 rearrangements.
- Analysis of 22 centrocytic lymphoma cases and identification of residual follicular centers.
Main Results:
- All 22 centrocytic lymphoma cases showed bcl-2 protein expression in most neoplastic cells.
- No bcl-2 gene rearrangements were detected in any of the 14 cases with genotypic studies.
- Ten out of 14 cases had bcl-1/PRAD1 (cyclin D1) rearrangements.
- Four cases displayed negative staining residual follicular centers, suggesting a mantle zone growth pattern.
Conclusions:
- Centrocytic lymphomas express bcl-2 protein despite the absence of bcl-2 gene rearrangement.
- This expression pattern is shared with mantle zone B-cells.
- The findings do not definitively identify the cell of origin for centrocytic lymphomas.