title: CD44 variant isoforms in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a new independent prognostic factor.
abstract: Isoforms of the transmembrane glycoprotein CD44, generated by alternative RNA splicing, have been correlated to tumor dissemination. For evaluation of the potential role of CD44 variant isoforms in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), the presence of CD44 isoforms was analyzed in a large panel of reactive and neoplastic lymphoid tissues by immunohistochemical staining, as well as detection of CD44 variant RNAs by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Whereas the CD44 standard or hematopoietic isoform (CD44s), devoid of the variant regions, was expressed in all leukocyte subpopulations, the variant isoforms (CD44v) showed a highly restricted pattern of expression, mainly observed in epithelial layers of lymphoid tissues and subpopulations of leukocytes after stimulation. In addition to a strong expression of CD44s, variant isoforms containing CD44-6v in combination with other variant exons were observed predominantly in aggressive lymphoma and were associated with a shorter overall survival of patients (n = 138; P < .0001). Moreover, multivariate analysis indicated CD44-6v as a new independent prognostic parameter in high grade NHL in comparison with the risk groups defined by the International NHL Lymphoma Prognostic Factors Project (N Engl J Med 329:987, 1993).
authors.affiliation: Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stauder
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eisterer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thaler
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Günthert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001483:Base Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D017931:DNA Primers; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing