title: HCV-associated B cell clonalities in the liver do not carry the t(14;18) chromosomal translocation.
abstract: Infection with HCV can be associated with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification assays for Bcl-2/IgH rearrangement were performed on nucleic acids extracted from portal tract inflammatory infiltrates, isolated with laser capture microdissection (LCM), from liver biopsy sections of 16 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with and without extrahepatic B cell-related disorders. Results were compared with total DNA extracted from core liver biopsy specimens and from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We failed to demonstrate specific Bcl-2/IgH amplicons either in liver tissue or in PBMCs in all patients of the current series. Multiple PCR assays for variable diversity joining (VDJ) IgH gene rearrangements were also performed in the liver compartment. Selective amplification compatible with mono or oligoclonal B cell clonotypes was demonstrated in 80% (6/8) and 25% (2/8) of patients with and without clinical evidence of B-cell disorders. V(H)1 and V(H)3 were the most represented V(H) families. In situ expression of Bcl-2 protein was carried out by immunohistochemistry on liver biopsy sections. Bcl-2 protein was detected in 2 (12.5%) patients who did not associate extrahepatic disorders. In conclusion, current data support the concept that production of IgH gene rearrangements is not associated with Bcl-2/IgH chromosomal translocation in hepatic compartment. Liver overexpression of Bcl-2 protein may occur in at least a minor proportion of HCV-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy. dsansonno@dimo.uniba.it
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sansonno
authors.forename: Felicia Anna
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Tucci
authors.forename: Valli
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Re
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lauletta
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montrone
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Libra
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dammacco
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D002883:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18; D002999:Clone Cells; D005260:Female; D015322:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
chemical_list: D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2