Single-cell analysis of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells: molecular heterogeneity of gene expression and p53 mutations.
We have used a single-cell based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification technique to examine the gene expression pattern in single Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg (H&RS) cells from seven patients with Hodgkin's disease. Single cells were isolated from lymph nodes obtained at diagnosis (5 of 7 patients) or in first or second relapse (2 of 7 patients). Gene expression was examined by hybridization to a panel of 22 cDNA probes. Forty-nine H&RS cells (and 23 CD3+ or CD20+ lymphocytes as controls) from four patients with nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease (HD) and one patient each with lymphocyte predominant and mixed-cellularity HD were successfully analyzed by PCR. This analysis provides evidence that single H&RS cells can coexpress genes characteristic of several hematopoietic lineages (monocytes and lymphocytes). Genes characteristic of activated lymphoid cells are expressed in most H&RS cells. Heterogeneity of expression for certain genes between different cases was found and may eventually define molecular subgroups of HD. These findings indicate that H&RS cells of HD resemble activated hematopoietic cells. Phenotypically similar cells from different cases exhibit characteristic molecular differences. In one patient, 5 of 7 single RS cells showed identical p53 cDNA mutations at codon 246 on specific reverse transcriptase [RT]-PCR and sequencing of exons 5 through 8. The novel experimental approach may provide a valuable tool for understanding the molecular events in newly diagnosed Hodgkin's disease and progression of the disease.
Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Ontario Cancer Institute, Canada.
L H
LH
Trümper
G
G
Brady
A
A
Bagg
D
D
Gray
S L
SL
Loke
H
H
Griesser
R
R
Wagman
R
R
Braziel
R D
RD
Gascoyne
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Vicini
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D016158:Genes, p53; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D016539:Reed-Sternberg Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D012333:RNA, Messenger