Detection of CCND1 amplification using laser capture microdissection coupled with real-time polymerase chain reaction in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Several methods have been used to detect CCND1 amplification or overexpression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but problems remain, associated with heterogeneity of tumor tissue and quantification of gene copies. Laser capture microdissection coupled with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a reliable method for the molecular analysis of gene profiles in specific tissues. All 35 specimens of ESCC studied were paraffin-embedded, cut into tissue slides, and stained by hematoxylin-eosin. The pure ESCC cell and normal squamous epithelia populations were separated by LCM and then genomic DNA was extracted from the dissected cells. CCND1 amplification was detected with real-time FQ-PCR and with PCR. Amplification was calculated by the formula X = 2(-DeltaDeltaCt) and R = (CCND1/ACTB) CANCER/(CCND1/ACTB) NORMAL. Twenty (57%) of primary ESCC cancer cell groups had a detectable CCND1 amplification (range, 2.06-fold to 25.9-fold) with real-time FQ-PCR, but only 2 of 15 primary ESCC cancer cell groups had detectable CCND1 amplification by PCR. CCND1 amplification was not correlated with age, sex, size of tumor, histological grade, and lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, LCM coupled with real-time fluorescence quantitative-PCR technique is more precise than PCR for the identifying amplified oncogenes; The role of CCND1 amplification in ESCC development and progression needs more extensive study.     

Evidence for two T-helper populations with distinct specificity in the humoral response to influenza A viruses.

Virus specificity of T-helper cells for the humoral antibody response to influenza A viruses was studied with a hapten-carrier secondary adoptive transfer system, using whole virus, or viral components inserted into liposomes as carrier with B cells primed to DNP human gamma globulin. Evidence was obtained for two distinct T-helper cell populations from mice primed by influenza infection: a T-helper cell cross-reactive for all type A influenza viruses and a second T-helper population specific for the variant haemagglutinin. In vivo the virus cross-reactive T helpers recognized whole virus, but did not recognize isolated surface glycoproteins or internal virus proteins.     

Definition of a region of loss of heterozygosity at chromosome 11q23.3-25 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using laser capture microdissection technique.

To date, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies on HNSCC have had limited success in identifying a confined region of loss on chromosome 11q partially due to the heterogeneous nature of tumor tissue examined. Additionally, little is known about the role of the 11q allelic deletion in HNSCC tumorigenesis and current reports are conflicting. The aim of this study was to better define LOH at distal 11q by using combination of a pure cell population procured by laser capture microdissection (LCM) and subsequent sensitive PCR amplification of polymorphic microsatellites. This study analyzed HNSCC for LOH using a panel of 5 microsatellite markers spanning 11q23-25. Thirty-four paired DNA samples from tumor and autologous normal tissue were harvested by LCM technique to ensure a pure cell population for PCR amplification. Approximately 2000 to 3000 cells were procured from each sample. Twenty-one of 34 cases (62%, P < 0.001) showed LOH on at least one of the loci examined. The highest frequency of LOH was found at the 11q23.3-25 segment, with 44% at marker D11S968 and 35% at marker D11S1316. A distinct novel region of frequent LOH at 11q23.3-25, defined by D11S1316 and D11S968, was identified. No allelic loss was found in any normal squamous tissue samples. To study LOH in HNSCC, combination of pure cell population procurement by LCM and sensitive PCR provides a more accurate approach than the conventional method using a bulk of heterogeneous tissue. A novel region of LOH at 11q23.3-25 was defined. LOH in this region may harbor putative tumor suppressor gene(s) critical for HNSCC. Furthermore, these allelic losses were not found in any non-neoplastic squamous tissue samples, clarifying prior discrepant data.     

A microdissection technique for archival DNA analysis of specific cell populations in lesions < 1 mm in size.

We have developed a microdissection technique that allows for procurement and analysis of specific, minute cell populations from routine, 5-mu, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded histological tissue sections. Lesions < 1 mm in size can be specifically examined. Cells of interest are procured under direct microscopic visualization followed by a single-step DNA extraction and subsequent polymerase chain reaction. Amplification of DNA from selected cell populations was demonstrated by detecting a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) gene in an atypical renal lesion and a renal cell carcinoma in a kidney of a VHL patient. Moreover, previously unrecognized LOH on the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p25-26) was detected in microdissected colorectal carcinoma cells in a non-VHL patient with sporadic colon carcinoma. This technique should prove useful in DNA studies of small lesions and cell populations. Furthermore, microscopic premalignant, in situ, and invasive lesions can be selectively examined.     

Composite lymphoma. A clinicopathologic analysis of nine patients with Hodgkin's disease and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Nine patients had composite lymphoma in which Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) involved the same anatomic site. Two of these patients had relapses of their tumors. In one, the initial biopsy specimen contained follicular and diffuse large cell NHL with unclassifiable HD, but the relapse showed diffuse large cell NHL with nodular sclerosis HD. In the other patient, both biopsy specimens showed follicular mixed NHL; the HD component in the initial biopsy specimen was nodular sclerosis, whereas, at relapse, it had the appearance of interfollicular HD. In the remaining seven patients, the HD component was subclassified as nodular sclerosis (three specimens) or mixed cellularity (three specimens), or it was unclassifiable (one specimen). The NHL component was categorized as diffuse large cell (two specimens), diffuse large cell immunoblastic (two specimens), follicular and diffuse large cell (one specimen), diffuse mixed small and large cell (one specimen), and lymphocytic lymphoma of intermediate differentiation (modified Rappaport classification) (one specimen). Paraffin section immunoperoxidase studies were done on the NHL component in eight patients (nine specimens) and on the HD component in six patients (seven specimens). In each of these, the NHL component was leukocyte common antigen (LCA) positive and Leu-M1 negative. In addition, the neoplastic cells were L26 positive and UCHL-1 negative, indicating a B-cell phenotype. In five of seven immunophenotyped cases, Reed-Sternberg (RS) and Hodgkin's (H) cells from the HD areas were Leu-M1 positive and LCA negative, reflecting an immunophenotype that is typical of non-lymphocyte-predominant HD. In two specimens, the malignant cells were negative for Leu-M1 and LCA (with positive internal controls). Composite lymphomas composed of HD and NHL are unusual, and cases of coexistent HD of the non-lymphocyte-predominant subtype and NHL are even less common. The results of the current study and a review of the literature indicate that this phenomenon usually involves a B-cell NHL that coexists with HD, perhaps further suggesting a close relationship between the malignant cells of HD (RS and H cells) and B lymphocytes.     

Analysis of TH1 and TH2 cytokine production in low grade B cell gastric MALT-type lymphomas stimulated in vitro with Helicobacter pylori.

Previous studies have suggested that the dependence of low grade B cell gastric lymphoma on infection of the gastric mucosa with Helicobacter pylori results from help provided by H pylori specific tumour infiltrating T cells. ELISPOT analysis was used to characterise functional subpopulations of tumour infiltrating T cells. The production of the TH1 cytokine interferon gamma and TH2 cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-10 were measured in tumour cell suspensions from two cases of low grade B cell gastric lymphoma, one case of thyroid gland lymphoma, and one case of salivary gland lymphoma. Cells were assayed on day 0 and following 24 hours incubation either in culture medium or with a range of strains of H pylori. There was a dominant TH1-type (pro-inflammatory) response consistent with the TH1 response observed in H pylori gastritis.     

Immunohistologic characterization of two malignant lymphomas of germinal center type (centroblastic/centrocytic and centrocytic) with monoclonal antibodies. Follicular and diffuse lymphomas of small-cleaved-cell type are related but distinct entities

The relationship between follicular lymphomas and diffuse lymphomas of small-cleaved-cell type was investigated with the use of a panel of antibodies against B-cell differentiation antigens. Follicular lymphomas, regardless of histologic subtype, were immunologically homogeneous: Ig+ B1+ B2+ CALLA+ Ia+. Two cases were Ig-negative, and 4 were CALLA-negative. Diffuse small-cleaved-cell (centrocytic) lymphomas were more heterogeneous. The majority were Ig+ B1+ B2+ Ia+ T1+ CALLA-. A minority were B2-negative, T1-negative, or CALLA-positive. An increased frequency of Ig heavy chain class switching and loss of T1 antigen suggest that follicular lymphomas are at a later stage of differentiation than most centrocytic lymphomas. The differences in immunologic phenotype provide further justification for a classification that distinguishes between follicular and diffuse lymphomas of small-cleaved-cell types. The expression of Ig, Ia, B1, and B2 on neoplastic follicular center cells correlates with expression of these antigens on normal B cells. In addition, anti-B2 appears to stain a nonlymphoid dendritic cell present in normal germinal centers and in both follicular and diffuse germinal center cell lymphomas in this study. In follicular lymphomas, the dendritic pattern was similar to that of normal follicles, while in centrocytic lymphomas a more irregular dendritic pattern was seen. Dendritic staining was seen in both nodal and extranodal lymphomas, suggesting that these nonlymphoid cells either migrate with neoplastic B cells or are present in a variety of normal tissues.     

A simultaneous three-color T cell subsets analysis with single laser flow cytometers using T cell gating protocol. Comparison with conventional two-color immunophenotyping method.

We describe a method for simultaneous analysis of CD3, CD4, and CD8 positive cells from whole blood utilizing single laser flow cytometers. All three T cell values are attained from a single test tube. CD4 and CD8 positive cells are identified only if they are CD3 positive. Thus the values obtained by this method for T helper/inducer and T cytotoxic/suppressor cells can be reported directly as a percentage of T lymphocytes. Analysis for CD4 and CD8 positive cells is accomplished, by first gating on CD3 positive T lymphocytes, hence the approach is referred to as a T gating method. As the third dye, conjugated to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), we utilized peridinin chlorophyll protein (PerCP), a new red fluorochrome. The proposed method may prove to be practical for monitoring disease progression in AIDS, where longitudinal T helper/inducer and T cytotoxic/suppressor cell enumeration must be performed unambiguously by a simple, reproducible, and fast method.     

Biclonal post-transplant B-cell lymphoma: report of a case with two distinct cell populations, XX,t(14;18) and XY,t(11;14)

Lymphoproliferative disorders are more likely to occur in transplant patients compared to the general population. Typically in these patients, lymphomas occur within 6-10 months following transplant and are Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive. We report a biclonal apparently EBV negative lymphoma occurring in a patient ten years after renal transplant, with karyotypes XX,t(14;18) and XY,t(11;14). Though the biclonal populations also had different sex chromosome compositions, complete evaluation showed that both clones most likely evolved from the patient's native lymphocytes.     

Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with germinal center B-cell-like differentiation immunophenotypic profile are associated with high apoptotic index, high expression of the proapoptotic proteins bax, bak and bid and low expression of the antiapoptotic protein bcl-xl.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relations between differentiation immunophenotypes and the status of apoptosis and proliferation in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Therefore, the bcl6/CD10/MUM1/CD138 differentiation immunophenotypic profiles were studied in relation to (a) the apoptotic index, (b) the apoptosis-associated bcl2 family proteins bcl2, bcl-xl, bax, bak, bad and bid, (c) the proliferation index (Ki67) and (d) the cell cycle proteins cyclin A, cyclin B1, cyclin D3, cyclin E, p53, Rb, p16 and p27 in 79 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Two major differentiation immunophenotypic profiles were distinguished: the germinal center B-cell-like profile; 31 cases (bcl6+/CD10+/-/MUM1-/CD138-: 29 cases and bcl6-/CD10+/MUM1-/CD138-: two cases) and the nongerminal center B-cell-like profile (bcl6+/-/CD10-/MUM1+/CD138-); 48 cases. The expression of bax, bak and bid and the apoptotic index were significantly higher in the germinal center B-cell-like profile than in the nongerminal center B-cell-like profile (P=0.045, 0.018, 0.003 and 0.034, respectively). In contrast, the expression of bcl-xl was significantly lower in the germinal center B-cell-like profile than in the nongerminal center B-cell-like profile (P=0.026). The expression of bcl6 and CD10 showed significant positive correlation with the expression of bax (r=0.659, P<0.001 and r=0.240, P=0.033, respectively), bak (r=0.391, P<0.001 and r=0.233, P=0.039, respectively) and bid (r=0.652, P<0.001 and r=0.238, P=0.035, respectively) and significant negative correlation with the expression of bcl-xl (r=-0.536, P<0.001 and r=-0.250, P=0.029, respectively). The expression of MUM1 showed significant negative correlation with the expression of bax (r=-0.276, P=0.014) and bid (r=-0.266, P=0.018) and significant positive correlation with the expression of bcl-xl (r=0.238, P=0.037). The above findings indicate that diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with germinal center B-cell-like immunophenotypic profile are associated with increased apoptosis status, high expression of the proapoptotic proteins bax, bak and bid and low expression of the antiapoptotic protein bcl-xl.