Wilms' Tumor Gene Expression by Normal and Malignant Human B Lymphocytes

Very little is known about Wilms' tumor gene (WT1) expression in B cells and its importance for growth regulation and differentiation. We have investigated WT1 expression in fresh B lymphocytes and in a panel of B-cell lines of normal and malignant origin, including both Epstein-Barr vims (EBV)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Leukemia & lymphoma 2000-08, Vol.38 (5-6), p.611-619
Main Authors: Spinsanti, P., De Grazia, U., Faggioni, A., Frati, L., Calogero, A., Ragona, G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
B lymphocytes
B-Lymphocytes - pathology
B-Lymphocytes - physiology
B-Lymphocytes - virology
BLs
Cell Line
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - genetics
Cell Transformation, Viral - genetics
EBV
Epstein-Barr virus
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Genes, Wilms Tumor
Herpesvirus 4, Human - isolation & purification
Humans
LCL
Wilms' tumor
WT1
WT1 gene
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Summary:Very little is known about Wilms' tumor gene (WT1) expression in B cells and its importance for growth regulation and differentiation. We have investigated WT1 expression in fresh B lymphocytes and in a panel of B-cell lines of normal and malignant origin, including both Epstein-Barr vims (EBV) genome negative and EBV carrying cell lines. WT1 is constitu-tively activated in all lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) derived from EBV immortalization of lymphocytes from normal donors in vitro. These cell lines are distinguished for the presence of activated B-cell markers and an unrestricted expression of viral latent genes. In contrast, WT1 expression is abrogated in normal B lymphocytes and in all Burkitt tumor derived cell lines, irrespective of the EBV genome carrying status and their phenotype pattern. A single step RT-PCR for simultaneous detection of the four spliced transcript isoforms has been applied to confirm their expression. Analysis of variant relative proportions suggested the maintenance of a balanced expression of the isoforms in LCL, as reported in non tumorous tissues. These data, together with the evidence that the replication in vitro of lymphoblastoid cells is not affected by WT1 activation following viral immortalization, support the hypothesis that gene inactivation, in addition to disrupted alternate splicing, may play a role in growth control derangements.
ISSN:1042-8194
1029-2403
DOI:10.3109/10428190009059281