Primary cutaneous follicle center cell lymphomas and large B cell lymphomas of the leg descend from germinal center cells. A single cell polymerase chain reaction analysis.

Abstract

Primary cutaneous B cell lymphomas are defined as non-Hodgkin lymphomas that occur in the skin without extracutaneous involvement for 6 mo after diagnosis. They are characterized by a less aggressive course and better prognosis than their nodal counterparts. According to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer classification, the major subentities of primary cutaneous B cell lymphoma are follicle center cell lymphomas, immunocytomas, and large B cell lymphomas of the leg, which differ considerably regarding their clinical behavior, the former two being indolent, the latter being of intermediate malignancy. In this study, we applied a single cell polymerase chain reaction approach to analyze immunoglobulin V(H)/V(L) genes in 532 individual B lymphocytes from histologic sections of four follicle center cell lymphomas localized on the head and trunk, and four large B cell lymphomas on the leg. We found: (i) in six of eight patients a clonal heavy chain, and in seven of eight patients a clonal light chain rearrangement, all being potentially productive; (ii) no bias in VH gene usage, in four of seven light chain rearrangements the V kappa germline gene IGVK3-20*1 was used; (iii) no biallelic rearrangements; (iv) all V(H)/V(L) genes are extensively mutated (mutation rate 5.4-16.3%); (v) intraclonal diversity in six of eight cases (three of each group); and (vi) low replacement vs silent mutation ratios in framework regions indicating preservation of antigen-receptor structure, as in normal B cells selected for antibody expression. Our data indicate a germinal center cell origin of primary cutaneous follicle center cell lymphomas and large B cell lymphomas independent of those belonging to one of these subentities.

• Authors: S Gellrich, S Rutz, S Golembowski, C Jacobs, M von Zimmermann, P Lorenz, H Audring, M Muche, W Sterry, S Jahn
• Journal: The Journal of investigative dermatology (J Invest Dermatol) Vol. 117 Issue 6 Pg. 1512-20 (Dec 2001) ISSN: 0022-202X [Print] United States
• PMID: 11886516 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
• Immunoglobulin Light Chains
• RNA, Messenger

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Amino Acid Sequence
• B-Lymphocytes (immunology, pathology)
• Biopsy
• Clone Cells
• DNA Mutational Analysis
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (immunology)
• Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte (genetics)
• Germinal Center (immunology, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains (genetics)
• Immunoglobulin Light Chains (genetics)
• Leg
• Lymphoma, B-Cell (immunology, pathology)
• Lymphoma, Follicular (immunology, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Skin Neoplasms (immunology, pathology)