Rearrangement of variable region T cell receptor gamma genes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. V gamma gene usage differs in mature and immature T cells.
Using probes recognizing variable regions (V gamma) and joining regions (J gamma) of the T cell receptor (TCR) gamma gene, we have analyzed the usage of V gamma genes in 24 patients with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 36 patients with B-precursor ALL. In CD3- T-ALL derived from immature T cells, V gamma genes more proximal to J gamma were frequently rearranged; V gamma 8, V gamma 9, V gamma 10, and V gamma 11 were used in 19 of 24 rearrangements. In contrast, CD3+ T-ALL derived from a more mature stage of T cell ontogeny, showed a high frequency of rearrangements involving V gamma genes distal to J gamma; V gamma 2, V gamma 3, V gamma 4, and V gamma 5 were used in 17 of 25 rearrangements. In B-precursor ALL, no notable bias of V gamma gene usage was observed. This probably reflects the possibility that TCR genes may not rearrange according to a T cell hierarchy when under control of a B cell gene program. Furthermore, deletions of those V gamma genes located 3' to rearranged V gamma genes were observed in all patients analyzed. This supports the theory that loop deletion is a major mechanism for TCR-gamma gene rearrangement.
Hara
J
J
Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80206.
Benedict
S H
SH
Yumura
K
K
Ha-Kawa
K
K
Gelfand
E W
EW
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017252:CD3 Complex; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell