Amplified RPS6KB1 and CDC2 genes are potential biomarkers for aggressive HIV+/EBV+ diffuse large B-cell lymphomas

RPS6KB1 encodes p70S6K/p85S6K, which plays a role in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal transduction pathway. CDC2 gene encodes cdc2, which is critical for G2/M cell cycle progression. We had previously shown that amplified RPS6KB1 and CDC2 are commonly detected in the EBV+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in HIV patients. In current study, we further evaluated the amplified RPS6KB1 and CDC2 genes in 12 HIV-related aggressive B-cell lymphomas and 10 non-HIV-related DLBCL using real time quantitative PCR. The cases were divided into 4 groups: 1) HIV-/EBV-; 2) HIV-/EBV+; 3) HIV+/EBV-; and 4) HIV+/EBV+. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to assess the ability of each gene to distinguish non-HIV+/EBV+ cases from HIV+/EBV+ cases. The AUC was estimated to be 0.76 for RPS6KB1 and 0.74 for CDC2 by using the Mann-Whitney statistic. Amplified RPS6KB1 and CDC2 genes were more frequently detected in common variants of DLBCL associated with HIV infection. Taken together, amplified RPS6KB1 and CDC2 are potential biomarkers for the aggressive DLBCL, particularly in HIV+/EBV+ patients. This study also suggests that the HIV+/EBV+ aggressive DLBCL could be potentially treated by targeting RPS6KB1 and CDC2 genes.     

EB病毒LMP2A特异性CTL的体外诱导及分析

用EBV LMP2A重组痘苗病毒 (rVV LMP2A )转染人树突状细胞 (DC ) ,转染后的DC分别在第 1、 7、 14天刺激相同MHC背景的T细胞 ,在IL 2作用下诱导LMP2A特异性CTL。用LDH释放法检测CTL杀伤活性 ;流式细胞术 (FACS )检测CTL诱导分化过程中CD3+ 、CD4 + 、CD8+ 、CD5 6 + 等细胞的分群变化 ;RT PCR检测细胞分化过程中FasLmRNA表达 ;生物活性法检测功能性细胞因子IFN γ的分泌。结果显示本法诱导的CTL对靶细胞有特异性杀伤活性 ,第 2次和第 3次DC刺激后杀伤活性有所上升 ;在CTL诱导分化的第 7、 14、 2 1天细胞分群以CD4 + 、CD8+ 细胞为主 ;RT PCR证实所诱导的细胞内有FasLmRNA的表达 ;随细胞培养天数的增加IFN γ分泌增加 ,在第 14天达到较高水平。研究表明重组痘苗病毒载体rVV LMP2A转染的DC刺激T细胞可诱导出EBV LMP2A特异性CTL。     

Expression of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with virtually all cases of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and has been classified as a group I carcinogen. In addition to its potential role in the pathogenesis of NPC, EBV also provides a possible target for immunotherapy of NPC, since a limited number of viral genes are expressed in the neoplastic cells. The EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) is considered a promising target since it provides epitopes recognized by EBV-specific T-cells. Using immunohistochemistry, the present study shows that LMP2A is expressed at the protein level in the neoplastic cells of 16 of 35 (45.7%) NPC biopsies. This finding provides further evidence suggesting that NPC tumour cells may be susceptible to lysis by cytotoxic T-cells directed against LMP2A and should encourage efforts to develop immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of NPC.     

EBV-LMP2A重组腺病毒体外转染树突状细胞激发特异性CTL的研究

目的：用EBV潜伏膜蛋白2A(EBV-LMP2A)重组腺病毒转染树突状细胞(DC)激发特异性细胞毒性T细胞(CTL)，分析CTL的特性。方法：用AdS-LaMP2A重组腺病毒转染EBV健康携带者及鼻咽癌患者的DC，与自体来源的外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)混合培养，激发LMP2A特异性CIL。用LDH释放法检测CIL杀伤活性；流式细胞术(FACS)检测培养细胞群体中CD3^ 、CD4^ 、CD8^ 、CD56^ 细胞的组成；生物活性法检测细胞培养上清中IFN-γ含量；RT-PCR分析CTL的FasL mRNA表达。结果：EBV健康携带者及鼻咽癌患者的PBMC，经AdS-LMP2A转染的自体DC两次刺激后，都能诱导出显著的EBV-LMP2A特异的CIL。EBV健康携带者CTL的杀伤活性，随DC刺激次数的增加而逐渐增强，诱导的CTL细胞群体以CD^4 和CD8^ 细胞组成为主，且CD4^ 细胞比例高于CD8^ 细胞，另含少量CD56^ 细胞；在不同时段所诱导的CTL上清中，均含一定量的IFN-γ并随刺激次数和诱导时间的延长呈上升趋势；RT-PCR研究表明，所诱导的CTL有FasL mRNA的表达。结论：以腺病毒载体介导EBV-LMP2A基因转染的成熟DC，在体外能激发较强的LMP2A特异的功能性CTL，可用于EBV相关NPC的免疫治疗。     

Expression of CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and its relation to prognosis

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) have been ascribed both pro- and anti-tumor properties, but the majority of clinical cancer studies have shown that the presence of a high number of TAM is related to poor prognosis, suggesting that TAM predominantly exert pro-tumoral activity. The prognostic role of TAM in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), however, is so far unknown. Therefore, TAM were immunohistochemically stained with a CD68 antibody in a retrospective, population-based study including 176 DLBCL patients treated with curative intent. With the exception that patients >60 years of age had a larger number of CD68+ cells (1143 vs 1018 cells/mm²; P  = 0.05), no significant differences were found between the number of CD68+ cells and other clinical factors. Similarly, germinal center B-cell (GCB)/non-GCB immunophenotype or low/high Ki-67 percentage were not associated with CD68 expression. Finally, no significant correlation was found between the number of CD68+ cells and progression-free survival ( P  = 0.34) or overall survival ( P  = 0.94). These data indicate that the pro-tumor effect of TAM has limited clinical relevance in DLBCL patients, which could imply that therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing their anti-tumor activity are of continuous clinical interest.     

Epstein-Barr virus genetic variation in Vietnamese patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: full-length analysis of LMP1

Genetic variation in tumor virus genes and its impact on function might contribute to the understanding of geographic differences in risks for virus-associated tumors. This is particularly true for the genes known to contribute to the biology of the tumor. It is has been proposed that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) gene variation has a role in the high risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in South-East Asia. NPC is among the five most common cancers in Vietnam. EBV-NPC cells always express EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and also frequently latent membrane protein 1 and 2 (LMP1 & LMP2). To investigate EBV gene variation in Vietnamese NPC patients we analyzed the full length of LMP1 gene including its promoter region, and the N-termini of both EBNA1 and LMP2A genes from five NPC biopsies. We detected two EBV variants V1 and V2 based on the LMP1 nucleotide sequence pattern compared with the prototype B95-8 and some available sequences including Chinese variants. The V1 variant shows strong similarity to a variant dominant in Southern China (China 1), while the V2 variant is similar to a Thai variant SEA 2 and partly identity with GD1 in the C-terminus. The promoter region and transmembrane domain of the SEA 2-like samples contained some specific differences compared with previously published variants. In contrast, analysis of EBNA1 N- and LMP2A N-termini only revealed minor changes. Our findings reinforces that the polymorphisms of whole LMP1 sequence should be considered in future EBV molecular epidemiology studies in different geographic populations.     

Sequential development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a patient with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma

Lymphoma of different histologic type can occur in the same patient. Here, we describe a 64-year-old male patient with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) who subsequently developed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). At the time of initial diagnosis, histologic examination of a left inguinal lymph node of the patient and a monoclonal pattern of TCRβ gene rearrangement showed typical features of AITL, and there was no evidence of a monoclonal B-cell population. Twenty-six months later, he had generalized lymphadenopathy and organs involvement by DLBCL. A monoclonal IgH gene rearrangement proved de novo development of secondary B-cell lymphoma and excluded relapse of a primary composite lymphoma. The in situ hybridization analysis showed Epstein-Barr-encoded RNA (EBER) sporadic positivity in sample collected from AITL but extensive positivity in the immunoblasts collected from DLBCL. Our observation supports the hypothesis that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is etiologically related to AITL in this case. Clonal expansion of EBV-associated DLBCL is a secondary event in AITL via EBV infection or reactivation.     

S-phase kinase protein 2 is an attractive therapeutic target in a subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

S-phase kinase protein 2 (SKP2), an F-box protein, targets cell-cycle regulators including cycle-dependent kinase inhibitor p27KiP1 via ubiquitin-mediated degradation. SKP2 is frequently overexpressed in a variety of cancer cells and has been implicated in oncogenesis; however, its role in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the role of SKP2 and its ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in a large series (301) of DLBCL patient samples and a panel of DLBCL cell lines. Using immunohistochemistry, SKP2 was detected in 41.6% of DLBCL tumours and was inversely associated with p27Kip1 protein level. The DLBCL subset with high SKP2 and low p27Kip1 showed a strong correlation with the proliferating index marker Ki-67 (p < 0.0001) and also with the germinal centre phenotype (p = 0.0147). Treatment of DLBCL cell lines with bortezomib or expression of SKP2-specific siRNA causes down-regulation of SKP2 and accumulation of p27Kip1, leading to suppression of growth by inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, treatment of DLBCL cells with bortezomib causes apoptosis via involving the mitochondrial pathway and activation of caspases. Finally, treatment of DLBCL cells with bortezomib down-regulated the expression of XIAP, cIAP1, and survivin. Altogether, these results suggest that SKP2 and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention in DLBCL.     

EBV+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma arising within atrial myxoma. An example of a distinct primary cardiac EBV+ DLBCL of immunocompetent patients

Cardiac myxoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma are uncommon tumors, yet four composite tumors have been reported since 2009. We are reporting on the fifth case providing detailed immunohistochemical and FISH analyses. The lymphoma was present as superficially located nests of large cells with patchy necrosis in the background of a typical atrial myxoma. It displayed features of DLBCL with non-germinal center phenotype, expressed EBER, LMP1, EBNA2 and shared the following features with the previously reported cases: B-cell lineage, high-grade cytology, high proliferation rate, EBV infection in latency type 3 with one tested case and an excellent outcome. The lymphomas arising within myxoma may follow a pathogenic pathway driven by EBV, whose transformation potential is unleashed in the cytokine-rich milieu of a myxoma, presumably accentuating age-related decline of adaptive immunity known as immune senescence. DLBCL arising within atrial myxoma grouped together with EBV+ DLBCL associated with valve prosthesis and with an atrial thrombus differs in the immunocompetent patients from primary cardiac DLBCL, not otherwise specified, in clinical presentation, pathological features and a course of the disease. Distinction between these groups may have important therapeutic consequences.     

Carboxy-terminal sequence variation of LMP1 gene in Epstein-Barr-virus-associated mononucleosis and tumors from Serbian patients

Seven strains of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) are defined based on C‐terminal sequence variations of the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1). Some strains, especially those with a 30‐bp deletion, are thought to be related to tumorigenic activity and geographical localization. The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of different LMP1 strains and to investigate sequence variation in the C‐terminal region of LMP1 in Serbian isolates. This study included 53 EBV‐DNA‐positive plasma and tissue block samples from patients with mononucleosis syndrome, renal transplantation, and tumors, mostly nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The sequence of the 506‐bp fragment of LMP1 C terminus was used for phylogenetic analyses and identification of LMP1 strains, deletions, and mutations. The majority of isolates were non‐deleted (66%), and the rest had 30‐bp, rare 69‐bp, or yet unknown 27‐bp deletions, which were not related to malignant or non‐malignant isolate origin. However, the majority of 69‐bp deletion isolates were derived from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Less than five 33‐bp repeats were found in the majority of non‐deleted isolates (68.6%), whereas most 69‐bp deletion isolates (75%) had five or six repeats. Serbian isolates were assigned to four LMP1 strains: B95‐8 (32.1%), China 1 (24.5%), North Carolina (NC; 18.9%), and Mediterranean (Med; 24.5%). In NC isolates, three new mutations unique for this strain were identified. EBV EBNA2 genotypes 1 and 2 were both found, with dominance of genotype 1 (90.7%). This study demonstrated noticeable geographical‐associated characteristics in the LMP1 C terminus of investigated isolates. J. Med. Virol. 84:632–642, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Upregulation of LMP1 Expression by Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in an EBV Carrying NPC Cell Line

OBJECTIVES: In about 60% of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) carrying nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) LMP1 expressing cells can be detected. The frequency of LMP1 positive cells and the expression level varies from cell to cell in the different tumors. Cell lines derived from EBV positive NPCs loose the virus during in vitro culture. The in vitro infected NPC cell line TWO3-EBV used in our study carries the neomycin-resistance gene containing EBV and expresses low level of LMP1. With this cell line it was thus possible to study the regulation of LMP1 expression by modification of chromatin acetylation state. STUDY DESIGN: The TWO-EBV cell line was treated with n -butyrate (NB) or trichostatin A (TSA). RESULTS: Shown by immunoblotting, the LMP1 level was elevated in the treated samples. Already 2 h after TSA exposure LMP1 expression was higher and it increased up to 24 h. Immunofluorescence staining showed that nearly all cells were LMP1 positive. Neither EBNA2 nor BZLF1 were induced. Tested first 2 h after the treatment, acetylated histone H3 and H4 were already detectable, and their level increased up to 8 h. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) verified that the LMP1-promoter (LMP1p) (ED-L1) was acetylated after TSA treatment. CONCLUSION: EBV carrying epithelial cells do not express EBNA-2. We showed that LMP1 expression was upregulated by histone deacetylase inhibitors in an in vitro infected, EBV carrier NPC cell line.     

Clinical relevance of CD10, BCL-6 and multiple myeloma-1 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas in Malaysia

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and it is recognized to constitute a heterogenous group of neoplasms. It can be divided into germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and non-GCB subgroups. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of immunophenotype subgrouping of DLBCL in a cohort of multi-ethnic Asian patients. A total of 84 reconfirmed de novo DLBCL were immunostained for the expression of CD10, BCL-2, BCL-6 and multiple myeloma-1. Thirty-three (39.3%) had the GCB phenotype, and the remainder (60.7%), the non-GCB phenotype. The results concur with most reports using a similar method of stratification. Forty-five patients had complete demographic and phenotype studies and 42 patients did not have rituximab treatment and had sufficient data for survival rate analysis. Similar to other studies, patients with combined low and low–intermediate International Prognostic Index score had better overall survival ( P  = 0.006). But patients with GCB phenotype did not have better prognosis, and BCL-2 expression was not associated with better prognosis. The expression of BCL-6 was associated with lower overall survival rate ( P  = 0.038). No apparent difference in overall and disease-free survival was noted between patients with GCB and non-GCB disease. BCL-6 expression by tumor cells appears to be associated with poorer prognosis.     

The ID proteins contribute to the growth of rodent fibroblasts during LMP1-mediated transformation

LMP1 induces the expression of two members of the family of Id proteins, Id1 and Id3, and affects cell cycle regulation by decreasing the expression of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor, p27, and increasing levels and phosphorylation of cdk2 and Rb. In the present study, the contribution of the Id proteins to LMP1-mediated transformation was determined. Although LMP1 effectively inhibited p27 expression, the Id proteins alone did not affect expression of p27, cdk2, and Rb. Neither Id1 nor Id3 was sufficient to transform Rat-1 cells and inhibition of Id1 expression did not affect LMP1-induced morphologic transformation of Rat-1 cells or reduction of p27. However, reduced Id expression resulted in smaller foci and impaired the growth rate of Rat-1 cells. These data indicate that overexpression of the Id proteins is not sufficient for the effects of LMP1 on the cell cycle but that inhibition of Id expression does affect the growth of LMP1-transformed and parental Rat1 cells.     

S1PR4-dependent CCL2 production promotes macrophage recruitment in a murine psoriasis model

The sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) fulfills distinct functions in immune cell biology via binding to five G protein-coupled receptors. The immune cell-specific sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 4 (S1pr4) was connected to the generation of IL-17-producing T cells through regulation of cytokine production in innate immune cells. Therefore, we explored whether S1pr4 affected imiquimod-induced murine psoriasis via regulation of IL-17 production. We did not observe altered IL-17 production, although psoriasis severity was reduced in S1pr4-deficient mice. Instead, ablation of S1pr4 attenuated the production of CCL2, IL-6, and CXCL1 and subsequently reduced the number of infiltrating monocytes and granulocytes. A connection between S1pr4, CCL2, and Mϕ infiltration was also observed in Zymosan-A induced peritonitis. Boyden chamber migration assays functionally linked reduced CCL2 production in murine skin and attenuated monocyte migration when S1pr4 was lacking. Mechanistically, S1pr4 signaling synergized with TLR signaling in resident Mϕs to produce CCL2, likely via the NF-κB pathway. We propose that S1pr4 activation enhances TLR response of resident Mϕs to increase CCL2 production, which attracts further Mϕs. Thus, S1pr4 may be a target to reduce perpetuating inflammatory responses.     

弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤中CD27的表达及临床意义

目的探讨弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤(diffuse large B cell lymphoma, DLBCL)中CD27的表达及其临床意义。方法采用免疫组化EnVision法检测143例DLBCL组织中CD27蛋白的表达;应用FISH技术检测DLBCL组织中MYC、BCL-2、BCL-6基因重排情况。结果 143例DLBCL中,CD27蛋白阳性者46例,阳性率为32.2%。CD27阳性组中BCL-2重排阳性率(17.4%)明显高于CD27阴性组(4.1%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。CD27阳性组病死率(30.4%)明显高于CD27阴性组(15.5%),差异有统计学意义(χ²=4.326,P=0.038)。CD27阳性者与阴性者的Kaplan-Meier生存曲线差异有显著性(χ²=4.485,P=0.034),阳性组生存期较短。结论 CD27高表达与DLBCL预后密切相关,可作为临床预后评价的指标之一。     

Knockdown of the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor S1PR1reduces pain behaviors induced by local inflammation of the rat sensory ganglion

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a key immune mediator regulating migration of immune cells to sites of inflammation. S1P actions are mediated by a family of five G protein-coupled receptors. Sensory neurons express many of these receptors, and in vitro S1P has excitatory effects on small-diameter sensory neurons, many mediated by the S1P receptor 1 (S1PR1). This study investigated the role of S1P in regulating the sensitivity of DRG neurons. We found that in vivo perfusion of the normal L5 DRG with S1P increased mechanical sensitivity. Microelectrode recordings in isolated whole ganglia showed that large- and medium-diameter cells, as well as small-diameter cells, increased firing in the presence of S1P. To further determine the role of S1PRs, we examined the effects of in vivo S1PR1 knockdown in the L4 and L5 sensory ganglia. Small interfering RNA directed against S1PR1 did not affect baseline mechanical sensitivity in normal animals, in which S1P levels are expected to be low. However, when the L5 ganglion was locally inflamed, a procedure that leads to rapid and sustained mechanical hypersensitivity, S1PR1 siRNA injected animals showed significantly less hypersensitivity than animals injected with scrambled siRNA. Reduced expression of S1PR1, but not S1PR2 or S1PR3, was confirmed with qPCR methods. The results indicate that the S1PR1 receptors in sensory ganglia cells may play an important role in regulating behavioral sensitivity during inflammation.