Epstein-Barr virus DNA in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin''s disease is frequently associated with CR2 (EBV receptor) expression

We studied 44 cases of Hodgkin's disease for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA, its localization and the expression of the EBV receptor on the tumour cells. EBV DNA was found in 52% (16/31) of the Hodgkin's lymphomas using the polymerase chain reaction. With a very sensitive non-radioactive DNA in situ hybridization technique in combination with immunohistochemistry for CD 30 or CD 15 antigens, EBV DNA was localized to Reed-Sternberg cells and its mononuclear variants. The relationship between the presence of EBV DNA and the expression of the EBV-receptor CR2 (CD 21) on Reed-Sternberg cells was studied using the same techniques and two different monoclonal anti-CD 21 antibodies. CR2 could be detected on a substantial number of the Reed-Sternberg cells in EBV DNA positive Hodgkin's lymphomas (9/12; 75%), whereas in EBV negative cases positivity with anti-CD 21 was rare (1/13; 8%). The results indicate that CR2 expression on Reed-Sternberg cells and the presence of EBV DNA sequences are frequently associated in Hodgkin's lymphomas.     

EBV latent membrane protein (LMP-1) and bcl-2 protein expression in Reed-Sternberg-like cells in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders

An inconsistent association exists between EBV-LMP-1 and bcl-2 protein expression in Reed-Sternberg cells seen in Hodgkin's disease. In fact, many studies have concluded that there is no correlation between EBV-LMP and bcl-2 expression in Hodgkin's disease. We undertook an analysis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders to explore the relationship between EBV-LMP and bcl-2 in Reed-Sternberg-like cells found in this condition, given the strong association between this disorder and EBV. Reed-Sternberg-like cells were found histologically in 11 of 28 cases of renal, heart and heart-lung post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies to EBV-LMP-1 and bcl-2 proteins. Reed-Sternberg-like cells in all 11 cases co-expressed EBV-LMP and bcl-2. A similar relationship was noted with large, mononuclear cells and occasional small lymphoid cells. The staining pattern seen with both antibodies was of similar intensity and both displayed cytoplasmic Golgi accentuation. In the setting of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, Reed-Sternberg-like cells exhibit strong co-expression of EBV-LMP-1 and bcl-2 proteins, supporting a positive correlation between them. This is in contrast to the findings in Hodgkin's disease. The reason for this discrepancy may be due to the iatrogenic immunosuppression and resultant severe EBV infection, together with other cellular events.     

鼻咽癌高发区何杰金病EB病毒DNA及潜伏感染膜蛋白检测的意义

为检测鼻咽癌高发区何杰金病中爱泼斯坦-巴尔病毒（EBV）DNA及其表达产物──潜伏感染膜蛋白的存在及探讨其意义，采用热启动聚合酶链反应（PCR）及LSAB免疫组化法结合微波处理技术，检测了选自鼻咽癌高发区的40例何杰金病、20例淋巴结良性病变存档标本中的EBVDNA和潜伏感染膜蛋白（LMP1）。结果显示：65％的何杰金病中EBVDNA阳性，淋巴结良性病变中的阳性率也达50．0％（10例／20例），两者差异无显著性（P＜0．05）。LMP1只在何杰金病肿瘤细胞中表达，其检出率为52．5％（21例／40例）。20岁以下何杰金病中EBVDNA和LMP1的检出率分别为84．6％（11例／13例）和76．9％（10例／13例），皆明显高于20岁以上年龄组（分别为14例／25例，56．0％和10例／25例，40．0％）P＜0．05。本结果表明：鼻咽癌高发区半数以上何杰金病肿瘤细胞中有EBV潜伏感染，并可能在肿瘤的发生发展中起着一定的作用。提示青少年何杰金病和EBV潜伏感染并表达LMP1的关系更为密切。     

The expression of the CD3 antigen in Hodgkin''s disease

Tissue from 86 cases of Hodgkin's disease, fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin, was immunostained for the T-cell marker CD3. Of these cases, 20 were selected on the basis of previous reactivity of Reed-Sternberg cells for T-cell associated antigens in frozen sections whilst the remaining 66 were retrieved from the routine pathology files. Five of the 20 selected cases and 22 of the retrieved cases showed predominantly cytoplasmic positivity in a subpopulation of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. CD3 positive cells were present in all subtypes of Hodgkin's disease including three of nine lymphocyte predominance cases. It therefore appears that some Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells can express the major T-cell antigen CD3. Although these findings are open to other interpretations, they are consistent with the hypothesis that at least some cases of Hodgkin's disease arise from activated T-cells.     

EB病毒转化淋巴母细胞LMP-1,LMP-2A及LMP-2B的表达

目的了解EB病毒转化淋巴母细胞LMP-1,LMP-2A,LMP-2B基因的表达改变。方法采用实时定量PCR方法分别检测并比较同一献血员来源的正常人淋巴细胞与EBV转化淋巴母细胞前后LMP基因(LMP-1、LMP-2A、LMP-2B)的表达改变。采用Western bolt检测LMP-1蛋白表达。结果 LMP-1、LMP-2A、LMP-2B基因在转化淋巴母细胞比在正常人淋巴细胞的表达分别上调863倍、1 763倍、90 078倍。Western bolt检测LMP-1蛋白在转化淋巴母细胞中的表达比正常人淋巴细胞明显增强。结论在EBV转化淋巴母细胞过程中LMP-1、LMP-2A和LMP-2B表达均上调。     

Clinical drug-resistant nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's lymphoma is associated with decreased bcl-2 expression in the surrounding lymphocytes and with increased bcl-2 expression in the Reed-Sternberg cells

Identification of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma who are primary refractory to chemotherapy will have great impact on treatment planning. Several studies have indicated that up-regulation of the bcl-2 proto-oncogene expression in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. For this reason we investigated the relationship between expression of bcl-2, the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and MIB-1 with clinical drug-resistance in Hodgkin's lymphoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seven patients with nodular sclerosis Hodgkin's lymphoma under 40 years of age, who failed to achieve complete remission upon primary chemotherapy and 10 matched patients who did achieve complete response were selected from the Eindhoven Cancer Registry. Tissue sections from both groups of patients were stained for bcl-2, Bax and MIB-1. In the non-responding patients Reed-Sternberg cells expressed bcl-2 more frequently using a cut-off point of <25% to indicate negative cells (P = 0.04), whereas no differences were observed in the expression of Bax and MIB-1. In non-responding patients the lymphocytes surrounding Reed-Sternberg cells expressed bcl-2 less frequently (P = 0.002), using a cut-off point of < 25%, whereas no difference was observed in the expression of Bax and MIB-1. CONCLUSION: A high percentage of Reed-Sternberg cells expressing bcl-2 protein and a low expression of bcl-2 proteifi in the surrounding lymphocytes is associated with treatment-failure, and subsequent poor survival in young patients with nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's lymphoma. These results need further validation in larger studies.     

mic2/CD99在经典型霍奇金淋巴瘤H/RS细胞中的表达及与Eber-1/LMP-1相关性的研究

目的： 检测mic2基因与CD99蛋白和Eber-1基因与潜伏膜蛋白-1（LMP1）在经典型霍奇金淋巴瘤（cHL）H/RS细胞中的表达，探讨mic2/CD99表达与Eber-1/LMP-1的相关性。 方法： 采用分子原位杂交和免疫组化技术并结合组织芯片技术检测59例石蜡包埋淋巴瘤组织标本［43例cHL,16例非霍奇金淋巴瘤（NHL）］mic2/CD99和Eber-1/LMP-1的表达，比较分析mic2/CD99在两组中的表达及与Eber-1/LMP-1的关系。 结果： cHL组CD99蛋白表达阳性率为2.3％，mic2基因表达为55.8％，LMP1表达为58.1％，Eber-1表达为53.5％；NHL组CD99蛋白与mic2基因表达高于cHL组（P<0.05）；LMP1和Eber-1的表达低于cHL组（P<0.05）；mic2基因的表达高于CD99蛋白的表达（P<0.05）；Eber-1与LMP1的表达无统计学意义（P>0.05）。CD99蛋白与LMP1的表达呈负相关（P<0.05），各项指标的表达与性别无关。CD99蛋白与LMP1的表达与年龄呈负相关（P<0.05），mic2与Eber-1的表达与年龄无关（P>0.05）。 结论： CD99蛋白在cHL H/RS细胞中低表达，并与LMP1的表达呈负相关。     

Epstein-barr virus (EBV) in healthy carriers: Distribution of genotypes and 30 bp deletion in latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) oncogene

There are two types of Epstein Barr virus (EBV): EBV-1 and EBV-2, distinguished by genomic polymorphism in the genes encoding the nuclear antigens (EBNA-2, -3A, -3B, -3C). Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) is an EBV protein with known oncogenic properties. Different variants had been described; among them, a 30 base pair (bp) deletion (del-LMP-1) had been reported in benign and malignant pathologies, but there is little information about its frequency in healthy populations. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of the EBV genotypes and the 30 bp deletion frequency, in EBV healthy carriers from Argentina. Analysis of EBNA-3C and LMP-1 genes were done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by Southern blot hybridization on DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from blood bank donors. EBV-1 was present in 75.9% of samples, EBV-2 in 14.6%, and co-infections with both types in 6.5%. The deleted LMP-1 variant was found in 7.4% of analyzed samples, corresponding 3.2% to deleted variant alone and 4.2% to co-infections with non-deleted form. The non-deleted variant was found in 64.6% whereas in the remaining 28%, no PCR product was detected. These results showed that EBV-1 was the more prevalent type in healthy carriers of Argentina, similar to reports from others countries. A predominance of the non-deleted LMP-1 variant was observed. The presence of co-infections with both types and variants demonstrated that healthy individuals may also harbor multiple EBV infections.     

The expression of the B-cell marker mb-1 (CD79a) in Hodgkin's disease

Recent evidence indicates that membrane-bound immunoglobulin on B lymphocytes is associated with a molecule which comprises the products of the mb-1 and B29 genes. This molecule is a highly specific marker for B-cells, presumably because of its central functional role in antigen triggering, and has recently been clustered as CD79a at the 5th Leucocyte Workshop. Recently there has been controversy surrounding reports of B-cell antigen expression by Reed–Sternberg and related cells, and we have therefore studied 108 cases of Hodgkin's disease immunohistochemically using a novel antibody which detects mb-1 protein in paraffin sections. The results were compared with those achieved using antibody L26 to detect CD20. The mb-1 protein was present in the neoplastic cells in all 14 cases of lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's disease studied, and CD20 immunoreactivity was also found in seven of the eight cases of this subtype studied. Of the non-lymphocyte predominance cases, 20% (19/94) expressed mb-1 and 30% (20/67) CD20 in the Reed–Sternberg cells, but the cells positive for either of these two markers usually constituted only a very small proportion of the neoplastic population. However, in occasional cases (one of 94 for mb-1 and five of 67 for CD20), more than 50% of the neoplastic cells expressed one or both B-cell antigens. These results confirm the B-cell origin of the neoplastic cells in lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's disease, but they also indicate that, contrary to our previous study, mb-1 expression may occasionally be found in what appears, on histological grounds, to be other types of Hodgkin's disease.     

Cooperative interactions among p53, bcl-2 and Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Interactions among p53, bcl-2 and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells were evaluated by gene cotransfections. The data showed that bcl-2 expression was not only able to prevent the growth suppression induced by wild-type p53 but was also paradoxically able to inhibit the growth enhancement induced by mutant p53. Latent membrane protein 1 was shown to be capable of overcoming the growth inhibition induced by wild-type p53 and the synergistic cooperation with bcl-2 to enhance cellular growth. Latent membrane protein 1 could also cooperate with mutant p53 to provide a growth advantage for NPC cells. Most NPC revealed detectable overexpression of p53, and the majority of those were a wild type possibly responding to EBV infection. The coexpression of bcl-2 and LMP1 was thought to inhibit the growth suppression induced by wild-type p53 in NPC. But there was no associated expression between LMP1 and bcl-2 because we demonstrated that transfected LMP1 failed to induce bcl-2 expression in NPC cells in contrast to the findings in B cells. It is theorized that the cooperative expression of bcl-2 and LMP1 exists in the majority of NPC, while a minority of NPC have cooperative expression of LMP1 and mutant p53. Each cooperative interaction could play an important role in the development and progression of NPC.     

Costimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) on Reed-Sternberg cells are associated with the proliferation of background T cells in Hodgkin's disease

To elucidate the relationship between Reed-Sternberg (R-S) cells and background T cells, the expression of CD80 and CD86 of R-S cells in Hodgkin's disease (HD), and the ligand CD28 expression and the MIB-1 index of background T cells were immunohistochemically investigated. CD80 and CD86 were found to be expressed on R-S cells in almost all cases of HD. CD28 was expressed with strong intensity on many background T cells around R-S cells. The MIB-1 index of background T cells was 30.3% (range, 15.5–38.9%) and was much higher than 10.9% (range, 9.8–11.7%) in B cell lymphomas. These results suggest that the interaction between CD80 and CD86 on R-S cells, and CD28 on background T cells may induce T cell proliferation and be associated with tumor mass of HD.     

bcl-2 proto-oncogene and Epstein–Barr virus latent membrane protein-1 expression in AIDS-related lymphoma

The expression of bcl-2 protein and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) was investigated in 18 cases of lymphoma occurring in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). EBV small RNAs were detectable in tumour cells in all cases by in situ hybridization with EBER oligonucleotides. LMP-1 expression was detected in 61% of the cases, and 55% were positive for bcl-2. Dual expression of LMP-1 and bcl-2 was found in 8/18 (44%) cases, while five cases (28%) expressed either LMP-1 or bcl-2 and five expressed neither. Thus, there was an inconsistent relationship between the presence of EBV and the expression of bcl-2. One LMP-1 negative case was found to express bcl-2 in reactive lymphocytes but not in lymphoma cells. No clinical features were found to correlate statistically with LMP-1 or bcl-2 expression in the tumour cells. However, CD4 counts at diagnosis were significantly lower in bcl-2 positive cases ( P < 0.05). The respective roles of EBV LMP-1 and the expression of bcl-2 in lymphogenesis in AIDS patients remains complex and is not yet fully understood.     

Bcl-2和nm23的表达与乳腺癌生物学行为的关系

目的研究乳腺癌中bcl-2与nm23基因表达的生物学意义及它们之间的相互关系对乳腺癌生物学行为的影响.方法应用免疫组织化学S-P方法对65例乳腺癌石蜡包埋组织进行检测,分析bcl-2与nm23基因表达与乳腺癌病理参数的关系.结果 bcl-2和nm23阳性表达率分别为57.4%、63.1%.bcl-2基因阳性表达与组织学类型、患者年龄、有无淋巴结转移以及肿瘤大小无关(P>0.05);与乳腺癌组织学分级呈正相关(P<0.05),nm23阳性表达与肿瘤大小、组织学类型和患者年龄无关(P>0.05);与乳腺肿瘤的组织学分级和淋巴结转移呈负相关(P<0.05);bcl-2与nm23的表达有相关性(P<0.05).结论 bcl-2阳性表达和nm23阴性的乳腺癌患者细胞恶性程度高,bcl-2与nm23基因共同参与了乳腺癌的发生和发展.     

EB病毒LMP1表达对鼻咽癌细胞增殖及细胞周期分布的影响

目的:观察EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1(LMP1)表达对鼻咽癌细胞系增殖和细胞周期分布的作用。方法:用免疫组化(LSAB)法检测LMP1蛋白的表达;用MTT法测定鼻咽癌细胞系的增殖能力;用流式细胞术检测细胞周期的分布。结果:表达LMP1的鼻咽癌细胞系L-CNE1的OD值明显高于LMP1阴性的鼻咽癌细胞系V-CNE1和CNE1(P＜0.001)。L-CNE1细胞系的G₁期细胞百分率明显减少和S期细胞百分率明显增加,与V-CNE1和CNE1细胞系比较均有非常显著性差异(P＜0.001)。而V-CNE1与CNE1细胞系之间各期细胞百分率则无明显差异(P＞0.05)。结论:EBV-LMP1表达可使鼻咽癌细胞系细胞周期分布改变和增殖能力增强。     

Ubiquitination of MDM2 modulated by Epstein-Barr virus encoded latent membrane protein 1

Epstein-Barr virus encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), an oncogenic protein, plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The MDM2 gene is a cellular pro-oncogene that is abnormally up-regulated in human tumors. MDM2 is overexpressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which is associated with the presence of EBV and cervical lymph node metastasis. Because MDM2 is capable of self-ubiquitination, and the ubiquitin proteasome pathway-dependent degradation is an important mechanism for regulating MDM2 levels in cells. Here we show that LMP1 augment MDM2 protein expression in dose-dependent level, and also lead to a drastic accumulation of ubiquitinated MDM2 species, this effect is associated with the stability of MDM2 modulated by LMP1. This is the first time to explain LMP1-regulated MDM2 through a post-ubiquitination mechanism.     

Deletion of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 gene in united states and Brazilian Hodgkin's disease and reactive lymphoid tissue: High frequency of a 30-bp deletion

A 30-basepair (bp) deletion in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) gene has been reported in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and EBV-associated malignant lymphomas. Prior studies have found the deletion in about 10% to 28% of cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD), particularly in cases with aggressive histology. We studied the prevalence of 30-bp LMP1 gene deletion in EBV-positive HD in the United States (US) (12 cases) and Brazil (26 cases) with comparison to reactive lymphoid tissues (21 cases) and HD without EBV-positive Reed-Sternberg cells (15 cases). We studied the status of the LMP1 gene by Southern blot hybridization of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products obtained after amplification with primers spanning the site of the deletion. We also performed EBV typing, EBER1 in situ hybridization, and LMP1 protein immunohistochemistry. EBV was detected in (46%) cases of HD from the US and (96%) cases of Brazilian HD. The 30-bp LMP1 gene deletion was observed in (33%) cases of EBV-positive HD from US, and (46%) cases of Brazilian EBV-positive HD, including 3 cases of type B EBV, as compared with (57%) reactive lymphoid tissues and (60%) cases of EBV-negative HD. US and Brazilian HD showed a higher prevalence of the 30-bp LMP1 gene deletion, compared with studies of others. The unexpected finding of high incidence of 30-bp deletion in LMP1 gene in reactive lymphoid tissue and HD without EBV-positive Reed-Sternberg cells suggests that this deletion may not be relevant to HD pathogenesis in most cases.     

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Hodgkin's disease in children: incidence of EBV latent membrane protein in malignant cells.

Previous studies have detected EBV DNA by Southern blotting or in situ hybridization in biopsy material from up to 30 per cent of adult cases of Hodgkin's disease. Here we have used monoclonal antibodies specific for the EBV latent membrane protein LMP1 to examine archival material from children with Hodgkin's disease. Material from 74 cases (54 males and 20 females) was examined and 37 (30 males and 7 females) were classified as LMP1-positive in the malignant cells. LMP1 positivity was present in 4/13 (31 per cent) of lymphocyte predominant, 14/36 (39 per cent) of nodular sclerosis, 17/20 (85 per cent) of mixed cellularity, 1/2 (50 per cent) of lymphocyte depletion, and 1/3 (33 per cent) of unclassified subtypes. The positive cases by clinical stage were I 9/22 (41 per cent), II 9/20 (45 per cent), III 11/24 (46 per cent), and IV 8/8 (100 per cent). LMP1 positivity was present in 2/5 (40 per cent) children aged less than 5 years, 12/27 (44 per cent) aged 5-10 years, and 23/42 (48 per cent) aged between 10 and 15 years. The association between EBV and Hodgkin's disease in children thus appeared to be more frequent in patients with mixed cellularity and advanced disease, but examples of EBV-positive tumours were found in all histological subtypes, stages, and ages. Stepwise discriminant function analysis showed that clinical stage IV and mixed cellularity histology are independently associated with LMP1 positivity. These observations indicate that Hodgkin's disease in children is at least as strongly linked to EBV as is the disease in adults.