Analysis of the IGHV region in Burkitt's lymphomas supports a germinal center origin and a role for superantigens in lymphomagenesis

Leuk Res. 2014 Apr;38(4):509-15. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2014.01.001. Epub 2014 Jan 13.

Abstract

The analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (IGHV) region may disclose the influence of antigens in Burkitt's lymphomas (BL). IGHV sequences from 38 patients and 35 cell lines were analyzed. IGHV3 subset genes were the most used and IGHV4-34 gene was overrepresented. IGHV genes were mutated in 98.6% of the cases, 36% acquired potential glycosylation sites, and in 52% somatic-hypermutation-process was ongoing. Binding motifs for superantigens like Staphylococcal protein A and carbohydrate I/i were preserved in 89% of the cases. IGHV analysis of BL cells supports a germinal center origin and points toward a role for superantigens in lymphomagenesis.

Keywords: BL; Glycosylation; IGHV; Intraclonal diversity; SHM; Superantigens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / genetics*
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic* / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic* / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA Mutational Analysis*
  • Female
  • Germinal Center / metabolism
  • Germinal Center / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Superantigens / physiology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Superantigens