Lymphoma-specific genetic aberrations in microvascular endothelial cells in B-cell lymphomas.
BACKGROUND
The growth of most tumors depends on the formation of new blood vessels. In contrast to genetically unstable tumor cells, the endothelial cells of tumor vessels are considered to be normal diploid cells that do not acquire mutations.


METHODS
Using a combined immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridization assay, we examined the endothelial cells in 27 B-cell lymphomas for cytogenetic alterations that are known to be present in the lymphoma cells.


RESULTS
We found that 15 to 85 percent (median, 37 percent) of the microvascular endothelial cells in the B-cell lymphomas harbored lymphoma-specific chromosomal translocations. In addition, numerical chromosomal aberrations were shared by the lymphoma cells and the endothelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that microvascular endothelial cells in B-cell lymphomas are in part tumor-related and therefore reflect a novel aspect of tumor angiogenesis.
Streubel
Berthold
B
Institutes of Pathology, Center of Excellence in Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Lymphoma Program, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna General Hospital, Vienna.
Chott
Andreas
A
Huber
Daniela
D
Exner
Markus
M
Jäger
Ulrich
U
Wagner
Oswald
O
Schwarzinger
Ilse
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D042783:Endothelial Cells; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences / Q000235:genetics; D014178:Translocation, Genetic