Project description:Mature B-cell differentiation provides an important mechanism for the acquisition of adaptive immunity. Malignancies derived from mature B-cells constitute the majority of leukemias and lymphomas. These malignancies often maintain the characteristics of the normal B-cells that they are derived from, a feature that is frequently used in their diagnosis. The role of microRNAs in mature B-cells is largely unknown. Through concomitant microRNA and mRNA-profiling, we demonstrate a potential regulatory role for microRNAs at every stage of the mature B-cell differentiation process. Further, we have experimentally identified a direct role for the microRNA-regulation of key transcription factors in B-cell differentiation: LMO2 and PRDM1 (Blimp1). We also profiled microRNA of B-cell tumors derived from diffuse large B cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We found that in contrast to many other malignancies, common B-cell malignancies do not down-regulate microRNAs, but rather maintain the microRNA-expression patterns of their normal B-cell counterparts. Further, each tumor-type maintained the expression of the lineage-specific microRNAs and expression of these lineage-specific microRNAs could correctly predict the lineage of B-cell malignancies in over 90% of the cases. Thus, our data demonstrate that microRNAs may be important in maintaining the mature B-cell phenotype in normal and malignant B-cells. Burkitt lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Mutated), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Unmutated), Activated B cell-like Diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and Germinal Center-like Diffuse large B cell lymphoma Samples,
Project description:Mature B-cell differentiation provides an important mechanism for the acquisition of adaptive immunity. Malignancies derived from mature B-cells constitute the majority of leukemias and lymphomas. These malignancies often maintain the characteristics of the normal B-cells that they are derived from, a feature that is frequently used in their diagnosis. The role of microRNAs in mature B-cells is largely unknown. Through concomitant microRNA and mRNA-profiling, we demonstrate a potential regulatory role for microRNAs at every stage of the mature B-cell differentiation process. Further, we have experimentally identified a direct role for the microRNA-regulation of key transcription factors in B-cell differentiation: LMO2 and PRDM1 (Blimp1). We also profiled microRNA of B-cell tumors derived from diffuse large B cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We found that in contrast to many other malignancies, common B-cell malignancies do not down-regulate microRNAs, but rather maintain the microRNA-expression patterns of their normal B-cell counterparts. Further, each tumor-type maintained the expression of the lineage-specific microRNAs and expression of these lineage-specific microRNAs could correctly predict the lineage of B-cell malignancies in over 90% of the cases. Thus, our data demonstrate that microRNAs may be important in maintaining the mature B-cell phenotype in normal and malignant B-cells.
Project description:Plasmablastic lymphoma is a high grade B cell lymphoma with plasmablastic morphology and a terminally differentiated B cell immunophenotype, usually arising in the setting of immunodeficiency and often demonstrating Epstein Barr Virus positivity. The molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PBL are largely unknown. To better understand its pathogenesis, herein we have analyzed global gene expression of PBL and compared that to gene expression profiles of diffuse large B cell lymphoma. While overlaps in transcriptomes between these malignancies were identified, we have shown that the gene expression profile of plasmablastic lymphoma is distinct, demonstrating striking downregulation of B cell receptor signaling genes, BCL6, BCL11A SPI-B, targets of NFKB1, and upregulation of mitochondrial genes, PRMT5, MYC and MYC targets and IL21, implicating these alterations in the pathogenesis of this lymphoma. In addition we show the usefulness of SWAP-70 immunohistochemistry in the differentiation of immunoblastic diffuse large B cell lymphoma and plasmablastic lymphoma. Our findings provide justification for considering plasmablastic lymphoma as a specific lymphoma entity and provide insight into the unique transcriptional aberrations occurring in this high-grade lymphoma. Expression profiles of 15 plasmablastic lymphomas and 10 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas were obtained using Afymmetrix U133A2 microarrays.
Project description:Ocular adnexal lymphoma is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. DIA LC-MS of serum samples collected at diagnosis was performed on 38 ocular adnexal lymphomas (28 extranodal marginal zone lymphomas, and 10 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas), and 20 controls (10 idiopathic orbital inflammation, and 10 reactive lymphoid hyperplasia). Complete clinicopathologic features of these patients were collected.
Project description:microRNA dysregulation is a common feature of cancer cells, but the complex roles of microRNAs in cancer are not fully elucidated. Here we used functional genomics to identify oncogenic microRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer and to evaluate their impact on response to EGFR targeting therapy. Our data demonstrate that microRNAs with an AAGUGC-motif in their seed-sequence increase both cancer cell proliferation and sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors. Global transcriptomics, proteomics and target prediction resulted in the identification of several tumor suppressors involved in the G1/S transition as targets of AAGUGC-microRNAs. The clinical implications of our findings were evaluated by analysis of public domain data supporting the link between this microRNA seed-family, their tumor suppressor targets and cancer cell proliferation. In conclusion we propose that AAGUGC-microRNAs are an integral part of an oncogenic signaling network, and that these findings have potential therapeutic implications, especially in selecting patients for EGFR-targeting therapy.