T-cell receptor gene rearrangement in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: correlation with methylation and expression.
Two of 19 B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were found to have clonally rearranged T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain genes with a germline TCR-gamma gene configuration. The inappropriate rearrangements had a similar structure to the TCR-beta rearrangements described in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. All cases analysed displayed a consistent germline transcription of TCR-beta and alpha chain genes which was independent of rearrangement. Consistent with this, all cases showed some degree of hypomethylation of the TCR-beta chain locus similar though distinguishable from the pattern seen in mature T cells, but quite different from that seen in normal mature B cells. Taken together, these data suggest that most NHL's arise from an immature B-lymphocyte precursor at a stage of differentiation where lineage commitment is incomplete.
Leber
B F
BF
Department of Haematology, Royal Free Hospital, School of Medicine, Hampstead, London, U.K.
Amlot
P
P
Hoffbrand
A V
AV
Norton
J D
JD
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; D005796:Genes; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008745:Methylation; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell