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Mouse antibody response to group A streptococcal carbohydrate.

In an attempt to more fully understand the generation of antibody diversity to carbohydrate (CHO) Ag, we produced and characterized a panel of hybridoma cell lines specific for group A streptococcal CHO from mice injected with the intact bacteria (minus the hyaluronic acid capsule and cell wall protein Ag). We have analyzed the use of H and L chain V region genes in the early (day 7) and late response (hyperimmune) and have sequenced the dominant VH gene used in several of our hybridomas. Our data allowed us to assess the extent to which the recombination of various V, D, and J gene segments and somatic mutation contribute to antibody diversification in this system. In this report we confirm that a minimum of two VH and four VK gene segments are used to encode this response. We extend this analysis to show that multiple D and J gene segments are used and that a significant amount of junctional variability is tolerated in CDR 3. Our results indicate that the level of somatic mutation in the hyperimmune response is generally low in comparison with the response to haptens and protein Ag. These data also suggest that there is a positive selection for mutation in CDR 1 during the hyperimmune response to group A streptococcal CHO.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Novel activating mutations in the neu proto-oncogene involved in induction of mammary tumors.

Amplification of the Neu/c-erbB-2 receptor tyrosine kinase has been implicated as an important event in the genesis of human breast cancer. Indeed, transgenic mice bearing either an activated form of neu or the wild-type proto-oncogene under the transcriptional control of the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter-enhancer frequently develop mammary carcinomas (L. Bouchard, L. Lamarre, P. J. Tremblay, and P. Jolicoeur, Cell 57:931-936, 1989; C. T. Guy, M. A. Webster, M. Schaller, T. J. Parson, R. D. Cardiff, and W. J. Muller, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10578-10582, 1992; W. J. Muller, E. Sinn, R. Wallace, P. K. Pattengale, and P. Leder, Cell 54:105-115, 1988). Induction of mammary tumors in transgenic mice expressing the wild-type Neu receptor is associated with activation of the receptor's intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity (Guy et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10578-10582, 1992). Here, we demonstrate that activation of Neu in these transgenic mice occurs through somatic mutations located within the transgene itself. Sequence analyses of these mutations revealed that they contain in-frame deletions of 7 to 12 amino acids in the extracellular region proximal to the transmembrane domain. Introduction of these mutations into a wild-type neu cDNA results in an increased transforming ability of the altered Neu tyrosine kinase. These observations suggest that oncogenic activation of Neu in mammary tumorigenesis frequently occurs by somatic mutation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tumor suppressor genes: new pathways in gynecological cancer.

The Retinoblastoma (Rb-1) and p53 genes appear to play an important role in controlling cell division, and mutations in Rb-1 and p53 have been reported widely in non-gynecological cancers. Unlike other cancer-related genes, which become activated during carcinogenesis, it is the loss of wild type p53 and Retinoblastoma protein (RB) function that is thought to contribute to cancer development. These genes therefore, have been called tumor suppressor genes since normal function appears to be necessary for negative control of cell growth. Several viral oncoproteins have been shown to interact with RB and p53. It seems likely that the formation of these complexes inactivates the cellular protein resulting in an overall effect similar to somatic mutation of the Rb-1 or p53 genes. The HPV16 transforming proteins E7 and E6 complex with protein products of Rb-1 and p53, respectively. In HPV positive anal and cervical tumors the normal function of RB and p53 may be inhibited by these viral proteins and so mutation within the RB-1 and p53 gene coding sequences would not appear to be a necessary step in the genesis of these tumors. However, in HPV negative tumors from the same tissues, loss of wild type Rb-1 and p53 activity may only be achieved by somatic mutation of these genes.

Journal Article↗

A solution to the genetic and environmental puzzles of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Studies of the segregation of heterozygous immunoglobulin allotypes in families with several cases of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) show that germline heavy-chain V (variable region) genes are not major genetic determinants for IDDM, but data for IDDM and Graves' disease together suggest involvement of kappa light-chain V genes. Absence of IDDM at birth, the semi-random age of onset, and the 50% discordance of identical twins suggest that somatic mutation of germline V genes is involved in the development of the pathogenetic anti-beta-cell clones. The effect of histocompatibility and other alloantigens on the prevalence of IDDM is readily accounted for by the effect of the "holes" they induce, by natural tolerance, in the immune response repertoire; these alterations apparently affect the chance of emergence of anti-beta-cell clones by the somatic mutations and network of interclonal deletions that constantly change the fringes of the repertoire. Histocompatibility antigens can also influence repertoire development by changing the specificity of conjoint presentation of foreign antigens by macrophages. Antigenic stimulation by particular environmental microorganisms is probably essential to the repertoire development necessary for the occurrence of IDDM. Additionally, beta-cell damage by local infection may play a part by facilitating autoantigen presentation to the immune system.

Antigens, Viral↗

Local antigen-driven oligoclonal expansion of B cells in the liver portal areas of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The antigen-driven clonal proliferation of B cells within target tissue has been reported in some autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the clonal characteristics of B cells in the liver portal area of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). METHODS: The liver portal area was microdissected from liver biopsy sections from two PBC patients. Genomic DNA was extracted and rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (VH) genes were amplified and sequence analyzed. RESULTS: Sixteen VH sequences from portal area 1A of patient 1 had three different rearrangements. Nineteen VH sequences from portal area 1B of this patient had three different rearrangements. In three sequences from the portal area 1B, a stepwise accumulation of somatic mutations was observed. Between the sequences from the two portal areas, no common VH sequence was observed. In patient 2, 15 VH sequences from portal area 2A had three different rearrangements. Fourteen VH sequences from portal area 2B had two different rearrangements. One rearrangement was present both in the portal area 2A and portal area 2B. CONCLUSION: The oligoclonal B cell proliferation and stepwise accumulation of somatic mutations suggested that an antigen-driven B cell response had occurred in the portal area of PBC.

Aged↗

Expression of an anti-DNA-associated VH gene in immunized and autoimmune mice.

The J558 family BW-16 VH gene is closely associated with the autoimmune response to DNA of lupus-prone mice. We have followed the expression of VHBW-16-encoded heavy chains in cDNA libraries prepared from unmanipulated normal (C3H, AKR) and autoimmune (New Zealand Black/New Zealand White F1) mice, and from mice immunized with a highly immunogenic peptide/DNA complex. The prevalence, clonal heterogeneity, and structural properties (somatic mutation, complementarity-determining region 3 composition) of these H chains were investigated, and the DNA affinity of VHBW-16-encoded hybridoma mAb was measured in solution. We find that H chains encoded by VHBW-16 are very rare in Igs of normal mice, but increase significantly in peptide/DNA-immunized mice, and dramatically in diseased mice. The experimentally induced VHBW-16-encoded H chains are clonally restricted, somatically mutated, partly switched from IgM to IgG, and give rise to anti-DNA Abs with low affinity. In contrast, the VHBW-16-encoded H chains from diseased New Zealand Black/New Zealand White mice are clonally heterogeneous, exclusively of the IgG isotype, and produce high affinity anti-DNA autoantibodies. We conclude that the experimentally induced and spontaneous immune responses to DNA are qualitatively similar, but quantitatively different, and may truly reflect the principles of self immunologic tolerance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunoglobulin VH gene expression among extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of the ocular adnexa.

PURPOSE: Most lymphomas of the ocular adnexa are primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the B-cell type, with the most common lymphoma subtype being the extranodal marginal-zone B-cell lymphoma (EMZL). Analysis of somatic mutations in the variable (V) region of the Ig heavy (H)-chain gene segment suggests that EMZL development in other locations is dependent on antigen stimulation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the presence of somatic hypermutations in clonally rearranged Ig H-chain V genes of this lymphoma entity in the ocular adnexa and to estimate whether the mutation pattern is compatible with antigen selection. METHODS: Twenty-six cases of EMZL of the ocular adnexa were diagnosed on the basis of morphology, histology, and immunohistology. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on DNA extracted from paraffin sections. The isolated PCR products were sequenced and compared with published VH germline segments to determine the number of somatic mutations in the complementarity-determining region (CDR) 2 and framework (FW) region 3. RESULTS: The number of somatic mutations in the cases of EMZL varied between 0 and 24: Five cases involved 0 to 3 somatic mutations, and the remaining 21 cases involved 4 to 24 mutations. Based on the ratio of replacement (R) to silent (S) mutations in the CDR2 or FW3 regions, antigen selection seems to have occurred in 60% of ocular adnexal EMZL. The VH3 family was the most commonly expressed germline VH family (54%), followed by VH4 (23%), with biased usage of the latter. Some germline VH1 genes used included DP-8, DP-10, DP-53, DP-63 (VH4.21), and DP-49, which are frequently used by autoantibodies (e.g., rheumatoid factors) and natural autoantibodies. CONCLUSIONS: EMZLs of the ocular adnexa have an Ig H-chain mutation pattern that supports the concept that they represent a clonal expansion of post-germinal-center memory B-cells in most instances. In two thirds of cases, antigen selection may have occurred, and autoantibodies may have a role in their development.

Adolescent↗

Incidence of potential glycosylation sites in immunoglobulin variable regions distinguishes between subsets of Burkitt's lymphoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Recently, a high incidence of novel N-glycosylation sites introduced by somatic mutation was observed in the immunoglobulin variable region genes of follicular lymphoma. As these are positively selected and are uncommon in normal B cells, they may have a role in tumour growth and behaviour. Sites are not characteristic of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or myeloma, but are detectable in approximately 50% of diffuse large cell lymphomas. Another feature of the variable region genes of certain lymphomas is ongoing somatic mutation. To determine whether glycosylation is associated with this phenomenon, we analysed variable region gene sequences of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Novel sites were common in endemic BL (82%) and in 4/5 patients with Iranian BL. However, sporadic BL had a lower incidence (43%). Patients with MALT lymphoma had a low frequency (9%) of novel sites, comparable to normal B cells. These findings distinguish glycosylation sites from ongoing mutation and may reflect different environmental influences on these tumours.

Binding Sites↗

The molecular signature of mantle cell lymphoma reveals multiple signals favoring cell survival.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a prototypical neoplastic disease in which a common cytogenetic alteration, t11;14, leading to cyclin D1 overexpression, is associated with other changes that need to be considered in an explanation of the clinical, morphological, and molecular variability of this disease. Using a cDNA microarray (Oncochip-CNIO) containing clones for 6386 cancer-related genes, we have analyzed the expression profiles of a series of 38 cases. After normalization with the expression profiling of sorted mantle zone lymphocytes, we have related the findings to conventional clinical and molecular variables, including immunoglobulin variable heavy chain somatic mutation, blastoid cytology, increased proliferation, and long-term survival. MCL signature (446 genes) includes genes involved in apoptosis, cell cycle, signal transduction, and cell structure. Especially striking was the presence of multiple concurrent alterations in the tumor necrosis factor and nuclear factor kappaB pathway, and the overexpression of IL10R and SPARC genes. We also identified a molecular signature for the presence of immunoglobulin variable heavy chain somatic mutation, which includes a number of genes potentially relevant in cancer (CDC14A, ras, and others). Signatures for proliferation and blastoid cytology were also found. An integrated analysis of these data yields a gene-expression based survival predictor (26 genes grouped into two clusters), which distinguishes half of the patients with a survival probability of 52% at 5 years. The predictive model has been confirmed by cross-validation. In conclusion, MCL seems to combine a disease-specific signature and different sets of genes of which the expression is associated with key clinical, molecular, and immunophenotypical events.

Adult↗

A view of the relation between carcinogenesis and mutagenesis.

The somatic mutation theory of cancer causation gained the status of dogma following the demonstration in the 1970s that the majority of carcinogens were mutagens. However, more than a decade of "validation" and experimentation has failed to explain a notable group of noncongruent mutagens and carcinogens. Other evidence, including cases of nonparallel metabolic activation pathways for mutagenesis and carcinogenesis and patterns of organ-specific effects, does not support the somatic mutation theory. Therefore, the mutagenic reactions of carcinogens might be coincidental rather than causal; alternate mechanisms of carcinogenesis should be considered.

Animals↗

Definition of the human immunoglobulin variable lambda (IGLV) gene subgroups.

Comparison of 60 human immunoglobulin variable lambda (IGLV) sequences allowed us to define seven subgroups designated V lambda I to V lambda VII. We demonstrate that all lambda proteins sequenced so far fall into the subgroups I, II, III and VI, and that the lambda regions previously assigned to subgroups IV and V belong, in fact, to subgroups III and II, respectively. Four sequences not belonging to any of the subgroups I, II, III and VI define the new subgroups IV, V and VII. Interestingly, these subgroups show a higher homology to rabbit or mouse V lambda genes than to the other human V lambda subgroups. By comparison of the proteins either with the sequences deduced from the germ-line genes or with the consensus sequences, the rate of amino acid changes due to somatic mutations or allelic variations was evaluated in several lambda proteins. Framework and complementarity-determining regions of the human IGLV genes and proteins were delineated. Alignment of the lambda sequences shows that functional V-J rearrangement occurs, with or without deletion of nucleotides encoding one or two amino acids at the 3' end of the V gene. Diversity of the third complementarity-determining region is due to somatic mutations and to flexible V-J junction, but there is no evidence of N-diversity in the human lambda locus.

Alleles↗

Evidence that p53 and bcl-2 are regulators of a common cell death pathway important for in vivo lymphomagenesis.

Multistep lymphomagenesis involves the deregulation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes resulting in altered rates of proliferation as well as apoptotic cell death in tumor cells. The contribution of bcl-2 and p53 to the regulation of cell death during lymphomagenesis is assessed using bcl-2-1g, p53 'knock-out' (p53 KO), and p53 KO/bcl-2 hybrid mice. PCR-SSCP and DNA sequence analysis demonstrated that p53 somatic mutations are uncommon in lymphomas arising in bcl-2-Ig transgenic mice. Reduction in tumor latency was not observed in p53 KO/bcl-2 hybrid mice compared to p53 KO mice. Furthermore, overexpressed bcl-2 suppressed wild-type p53 associated apoptosis following gamma-radiation. These findings indicate that bcl-2 and p53 serve a suppressor and effector function, respectively, of a common cell death pathway. These findings also suggest that p53 somatic mutations provide no selective advantage during in vivo multistep lymphomagenesis in the context of bcl-2 gene deregulation.

Animals↗

OGG1 Cys326 variant, allelic imbalance of chromosome band 3p25.3 and TP53 mutations in ovarian cancer.

A Ser326Cys amino acid variant encoded by OGG1 that removes the highly mutagenic 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine adducts resulting from the oxidative damage produced by reactive oxygen species, has been suggested to reduce activity of the enzyme and result in an increase in G:C --> T:A transversions. Carriers homozygous for the Cys326 variant have been associated with increased risk in some cancers. In this study, we tested the association of this polymorphism with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) (n=91 cases) in comparison with women unaffected by the disease (n=57). Although the genotype encoding the homozygous Cys326 variant was found more often in cases (11%) than controls (9%), this was not statistically significant (p=0.297). As OGG1 at chromosome band 3p25.3 overlaps a region exhibiting allelic imbalance (AI) in EOC, we also examined the frequency of AI of the OGG1 locus and its association with somatic mutations in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene, which is frequently mutated in EOC. The frequency of AI and TP53 mutations in EOC was 32 and 37%, respectively. Although the proportion of EOC cases harboring the genotype homozygous for Cys326 was greater in TP53 mutation-positive cases (5 of 34, 15%) than mutation-negative cases (5 of 57, 9%), the distribution of genotypes was not significantly different (p=0.289). Four of the six heterozygous Ser326/Cys326 samples exhibiting AI, displayed loss of the Ser326 variant. About 16% of samples exhibited both AI of the OGG1 locus and a TP53 mutation. Proportionately more EOC samples harbored a mutation in the group of samples exhibiting AI (15 of 29, 52%) in comparison to the group of samples with no AI (19 of 62, 31%) (p=0.036). Although the OGG1 Cys326 variant appears to play a minor role in conferring increased risk of ovarian cancer, the observed AI of the OGG1 locus in association with TP53 somatic mutations warrants further investigation in this disease.

Allelic Imbalance↗

Clonal emergence in uremic parathyroid hyperplasia is not related to MEN1 gene abnormality.

It is difficult to differentiate between parathyroid neoplasia and hyperplasia. In an attempt to elucidate the clonality of uremic parathyroid hyperplasia and the molecular genetic abnormalities accounting for clonal emergence, we analyzed 20 cases of uremic parathyroid hyperplasia. Clonalities were determined using the X-chromosome-linked human androgen receptor (HUMARA) gene and the phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) gene, and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) gene abnormality was analyzed by studying loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in 11q13 and somatic mutations in the MEN1 gene. As a positive control, a case of MEN1 with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome was analyzed simultaneously. Our analysis revealed that a majority (75%) of the uremic parathyroid hyperplasia tissues, including an autograft with recurrent hyperparathyroidism, was of monoclonal origin. Clonality did not correlate with serum carboxyl-terminal parathyroid hormone (C-PTH) level, calcium level, hemodialytic duration, gland weight or pathological features. Neither LOH in 11q13 nor somatic mutation in the MEN1 gene was detected. For the MEN1 case, a germline mutation (W198X) was detected in exon 3. We concluded that a majority of the uremic parathyroid hyperplasia cases was in fact monoclonal neoplasia. MEN1 gene abnormality played a minor role, if any, in the clonal emergence in uremic parathyroid hyperplasia.

Clone Cells↗

An evaluation of some theories of the mechanism of aging.

Two theories of aging are considered in this review. Although there exists substantial experimental evidence in support of the somatic mutation and error catastrophe hypotheses, several experiments have been published which are extremely difficult to reconcile with these models, at least in their simplest forms. These include the observation that biochemical and morphological degenerative changes observed in fibroblasts aged in vitro do not resemble alterations observed in cells obtained from aged donors, and the fact that tissues transplanted serially through different hosts do not decline in vigor in the manner predicted by the somatic mutation theory. Although biochemical and mutational alterations appear to accumulate in fibroblasts aged in vitro (in support of the error catastrophe model), there are substantial problems with the interpretation of such experiments, and some observations (such as the lack of increase in translational error in hemoglboin synthesis as a function of age) seem to argue directly against the error catastrophe theory. Some alternative theoretical and experimental possibilities are discussed, including the concept of programmed aging as the cause of senescence.

Age Factors↗

Clonal analysis of precancerous lesion of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It remains to be established whether precancerous lesion (dysplastic nodule) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a neoplastic or hyperplastic lesion. Clonal analysis of this lesion was conducted to elucidate this important issue on histogenesis. METHODS: The method for clonal analysis was based on restriction fragment length polymorphism of the X chromosome-linked phosphoglycerokinase gene and on random inactivation of the gene by methylation. Clonal somatic mutations were also analyzed by DNA fingerprinting with two multilocus probes (33.6 and 33.15), and loss of heterozygosity was studied using five single-locus probes (MS1[1p33-p35], MS31[7p22-pter], MS43a[12q24.3-qter], MS8[5q35-qter], and g3[7q36-qter]). RESULTS: Clonal analysis by the phosphoglycerokinase gene-based method showed that all of the five dysplastic nodules and seven HCCs were monoclonal in origin. DNA fingerprinting showed clonal somatic mutations in six of 10 dysplastic nodules and in six of nine HCCs. Loss of heterozygosity was found in one dysplastic nodule (7p22-pter) and two HCCs (1p33-p35 and 12q24.3-qter). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm monoclonality of HCC and show that hepatic precancerous lesion (dysplastic nodule) is not a hyperplastic but a neoplastic lesion, consisting of monoclonal cells with genetic alterations.

Aged↗

Mutagenicity of natural anthraquinones from Rubia tinctorum in the Drosophila wing spot test.

Mutagenicity of anthraquinone aglycones from Rubia tinctorum L. (Rubiaceae) was examined using the somatic mutation and recombination test in Drosophila melanogaster. Larvae heterozygous for recessive wing trichome mutations, multiple wing hairs (mwh), and flare (flr3) were exposed to test compounds and wings of emerged mwh/flr3 females were inspected for the presence of phenotypically mutant mosaic spots. No significant increase in the frequency of mutant spots was observed after the treatment of Drosophila larvae with pure alizarin, xanthopurpurin, and lucidin, or with the crude mixture of anthraquinone aglycones. In contrast, the naphthohydroquinone mollugin induced mainly single spots that can originate either from somatic mutation or from mitotic recombination. Twin spots, consisting of both the mwh and flr3 subclones and originating exclusively from mitotic recombination, were also enhanced, but the increase was only marginally significant. We suggest that mollugin exhibits both the mutagenic and recombinagenic activities.

Animals↗

Genetic and epigenetic analysis of CHEK2 in sporadic breast, colon, and ovarian cancers.

PURPOSE: Germ-line variants in CHEK2 have been associated with increased breast, thyroid, prostate, kidney, and colorectal cancer risk; however, the prevalence of somatic inactivation of CHEK2 in common cancer types is less clear. The aim of this study was to determine if somatic mutation and/or epigenetic modification play a role in development of sporadic breast, colon, or ovarian cancers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We undertook combined genetic and epigenetic analysis of CHEK2 in sporadic primary breast, ovarian, and colon tumors [all exhibiting chromosome 22q loss of heterozygosity (LOH)] and cancer cell lines. Expression of Chk2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 119 ovarian tumors. RESULTS: Two novel germ-line variants were identified; however, none of the primary tumors harbored somatic mutations. Two CpG clusters previously implicated in CHEK2 silencing were investigated for evidence of hypermethylation. No methylation was detected at the distal CpG island. The proximal CpG cluster was methylated in all tumor and normal DNA, suggesting that this might not represent a true CpG island and is not relevant in the control of CHEK2 expression. Twenty-three percent of ovarian tumors were negative for Chk2 protein by immunohistochemistry, but there was no significant correlation between LOH across the CHEK2 locus and intensity of Chk2 staining (P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: LOH across the CHEK2 locus is common in sporadic breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancers, but point mutation or epigenetic inactivation of the retained allele is uncommon. Loss of Chk2 protein in ovarian cancer was not associated with allelic status, suggesting that inactivation does not occur as a consequence of haploinsufficiency.

Alleles↗

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