Primary Cutaneous CD30+ Large Cell B-Cell Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

White CD30 expression is described in extracutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, a primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL) equivalent is not well defined.

METHODS

Between June 1999 and July 2002 the authors encountered 10 patients with CD30+ PCBCLs of the large cell type.

RESULTS

The patients comprised seven women and three men; five patients were over 80 years of age, all except one presenting with solitary plaques. With the exception of one death from myocardial infarction and one recurrence, all patients are well at a mean follow-up of 23.4 months. Skin biopsies showed a background of T-cell-rich reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in 7 of 10 patients, with variable granulomatous inflammation in 5 cases. The neoplastic large cells were immunoblastic in appearance. In four patients the infiltrate was dominated by large cells. In the remaining patients the reactive infiltrate defined the dominant cell population. The neoplastic cells expressed CD20, CD30, CD43, and BCL-2. In two cases associated with methotrexate therapy, Epstein-Barr virus expression was observed amid the neoplastic cell populace.

CONCLUSIONS

CD30+ PCBCL is a distinctive form of B-cell lymphoma presenting in elderly patients and can be associated with a very good prognosis. In some patients the intensity of reactive inflammation obscures the diagnosis. In the authors' experience almost a third of the cases were associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection and methotrexate therapy, suggesting a distinctive association.

Serum levels of the homeostatic B cell chemokine, CXCL13, are elevated during HIV infection

HIV infection is associated with B cell dysfunction, which includes B cell hyperactivation, hypergammaglobulinemia, impaired production of antibodies against specific antigens, and a loss of B cell memory. Because lymph node architecture is progressively destroyed during HIV infection, it is possible that normal B cell trafficking is impaired as well, which could be a cause or a result of these abnormalities. Because the homeostatic chemokine, CXCL13 (BLC, BCA-1), is a major regulator of B cell trafficking, we assessed circulating levels of this molecule in HIV infection. Serum levels of CXCL13 were seen to be progressively elevated in HIV disease. Serum levels of CXCL13 correlated strongly with those of the inflammation-associated chemokine, inducible protein-10 (IP-10), in subjects who had advanced HIV disease, and more moderately with levels of soluble CD30 (sCD30), sCD27, and sCD23. CXCL13 levels also correlated moderately with viral load and showed a significant decline after use of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). Elevated levels of CXCL13 could cause impaired or altered trafficking of B cells during HIV infection and could contribute to the previously reported loss of CXCR5, the receptor for CXCL13, from the surface of circulating B cells in HIV infection.

JunB Induced by Constitutive CD30–Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 1/2 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Activates the CD30 Promoter in Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma and Reed-Sternberg Cells of Hodgkin Lymphoma

High expression of CD30 and JunB is characteristic of tumor cells in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Possible interactions of CD30 and JunB were examined in this study. We found that the CD30 promoter in tumor cells of both nucleophosmin (NPM)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive and NPM-ALK-negative ALCL and HL is regulated by a constitutively active CD30-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 MAPK was confirmed in nuclei of tumor cells in both ALCL and HL. CD30-ERK1/2 MAPK signals induce JunB expression, which maintains high activity of the CD30 promoter. JunB induction seems to be largely independent of nuclear factor kappaB in ALCL and HL. These results show a common mechanism of CD30 overexpression in ALCL and HL, although the outcome of CD30 signaling differs between NPM-ALK-positive ALCL and NPM-ALK-negative ALCL, cutaneous ALCL, and HL as we recently reported.

Immunoexpression of CD30 and CD30 ligand in deciduas from spontaneous abortions

In the present study, using immunohistochemistry, we studied the expression of CD30 and CD30-L in 35 deciduas obtained from women following elective abortion during normal physiological gestation and in 60 deciduas obtained from women after spontaneous abortion with or without signs of inflammation. The main difference was noticed in the first trimester of gestation in which was found a decrease in CD30/CD30-L-positive decidual glandular and stromal cells in a greater number of cases of spontaneous abortions with respect to cases of physiological pregnancies (70% vs 50%, p<0.05). In addition, deciduas from spontaneous abortions with inflammation and without inflammation reacted similarly. The reduced expression of CD30 and CD30-L and their cellular pattern detected in the deciduas from spontaneous abortions suggest that the CD30/CD30-L system is crucial for preventing abortions in the first trimester. Furthermore, the distinctive expression of CD30/CD30-L in deciduas from physiological pregnancies may indicate that the CD30/CD30-L system exerts its main role in the first trimester.

Functional humanization of an anti-CD30 Fab fragment for the immunotherapy of Hodgkin's lymphoma using an in vitro evolution approach

CD30, the so-called Reed-Sternberg antigen, constitutes a promising cell-specific target for the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Starting from the previously characterized cognate HRS3 mouse monoclonal antibody, the bacterially produced functional Fab fragment was humanized by grafting the CDRs from the mouse antibody framework on to human immunoglobulin consensus sequences. This procedure led to a 10-fold decreased antigen affinity, which surprisingly was found to be mainly due to the VH domain. To improve the antigen-binding activity, an in vitro evolution strategy was employed, wherein random mutations were introduced into the humanized VH domain by means of error-prone PCR, followed by a filter sandwich Escherichia coli colony screening assay for functional Fab fragments using a recombinant extracellular domain of the CD30 antigen. After three cycles of in vitro affinity maturation, the optimized Fab fragment huHRS3-VH-EP3/1 was identified, which carried four exchanged residues within or close to the VH CDRs and had an affinity that was almost identical with that of the murine HRS3 Fab fragment. The resulting humanized Fab fragment was fully functional with respect to CD30 binding both in ELISA with the recombinant antigen and in FACS experiments with CD30-positive L540CY cells. In the light of the previously successful clinical application of an alphaCD30 x alphaCD16 bispecific mouse quadroma antibody derived from HRS3, the humanized Fab fragment comprises an important step towards the construction of a fully recombinant therapeutic agent. The combination of random mutagenesis and colony filter screening assay that was successfully applied here should be generally useful as a method for the rapid functional optimization of humanized antibody fragments.

Increased expression and activation of CD30 induce apoptosis in human blood eosinophils

Eosinophils are one of the major effector cells in asthma, and controlling the number and survival of eosinophils might attenuate the severity of asthma. This result could be achieved by inducing eosinophil apoptosis. Apoptosis allows the removal of cells without inducing an inflammatory response. Our knowledge of the factors involved in regulating eosinophil apoptosis remains limited. CD30 molecule has been associated with T cell-negative selection and in TCR-mediated apoptosis. In this study we examined the expression and role of CD30 in apoptosis of human blood eosinophils. Percentage of apoptotic eosinophils was determined by annexin V-propidium iodide labeling, and CD30 expression was examined by flow cytometry. Spontaneous apoptosis was induced by serum deprivation, and survival was conferred by incubating cells with 10% FBS and IL-5. CD30 surface expression was up-regulated in eosinophils incubated for 24 h as compared with freshly isolated eosinophils, and both CD30 expression and eosinophil apoptosis increased in a time-dependent manner. We also measured CD30 mRNA expression by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and determined that CD30 transcripts increased in eosinophils undergoing apoptosis only under serum deprivation conditions. The agonistic CD30 Abs, Ber-H8 and HeFi-1, significantly enhanced eosinophil apoptosis. FBS and IL-5 failed to inhibit or suppress the CD30 agonistic-induced apoptosis. These data support the role of CD30 activation in eosinophil apoptosis. This research will help in furthering our understanding of eosinophil apoptosis and therefore might contribute to the development of better therapeutic modalities in the treatment and/or cure of allergic inflammation in bronchial asthma.

[Expression of CD30 in nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis]

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of CD30 in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.

METHOD

The specimens of thirty-one patients with allergic rhinitis and twenty-six control subjects were studied by immunohistochemical method to detect CD30 cell. A mean numbers of positive cells per high field (10 x 40) were counted. All data were analyzed with t-test.

RESULT

The number of CD30+ cells in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis was significantly more than that in the controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests a T-helper 2-dominated mucosal reaction in the allergic rhinitis compared to the nonallergic groups,and the expression level of CD30 can reflect the T-helper 2-dominated mucosal reaction.

Frequent beta-catenin overexpression without exon 3 mutation in cutaneous lymphomas

Beta-catenin is a ubiquitously cytoplasmic protein that has a critical role in embryonic development and mature tissue homeostasis through its effects on E-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion and Wnt-dependent signal transduction. Mutations that alter specific beta-catenin residues important for GSK-3beta phosphorylation, or increase the half-life of the protein, were identified in human cancer. However, the role of the Wnt pathway in B- and T-cell oncogenesis has not been extensively investigated. To assess the role of beta-catenin defects in primary cutaneous lymphomas, we examined the expression pattern and the genetic alteration of beta-catenin on 79 samples from 74 patients with primary cutaneous lymphomas from B- and T-cell origin. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed beta-catenin deregulation in five primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (21%) and in 21 primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (42%) without nuclear accumulation suggesting that activation and accumulation of beta-catenin may play an important role in the development of skin lymphomas. Mutation analysis of beta-catenin exon 3, which included the responsible element for Wnt signaling, was therefore done in 19 samples. However, genetic alterations of beta-catenin exon 3 were not detected in any of these cases suggesting that other regulatory mechanisms may be relevant in activating beta-catenin signaling in cutaneous lymphomas.

Extremely rapid and intense induction of apoptosis in human eosinophils by anti-CD30 antibody treatment in vitro

Apoptosis is an important cellular mechanism for controlling cell viability and proliferation. With respect to eosinophils, cytokines prolong their survival, whereas corticosteroids reduce their survival in vitro. CD30, a member of the TNFR family, is expressed on the surface of many cell types, including Hodgkin's lymphoma cells. CD30 is capable of inducing apoptosis after Ab treatment in some cell lines. To determine whether this surface structure is involved in apoptosis of human eosinophils, we examined its expression and the effect of anti-CD30 Ab treatment on the viability of eosinophils. Purified human eosinophils expressed low, but consistently detectable, levels of CD30. Immobilized, but not soluble, forms of anti-CD30 Abs (HRS-4 and Ber-H8) or recombinant mouse CD30 ligand exhibited an extremely rapid and intense survival-reducing effect on the eosinophils in the presence of exogenous IL-5; this effect was both concentration and time dependent. Furthermore, high concentrations of IL-5 could not reverse the reduced survival rates. After treatment with anti-CD30 Ab, gel electrophoresis of DNA extracted from the eosinophils demonstrated changes consistent with apoptosis. The immobilized F(ab')(2) of the anti-CD30 Ab failed to induce eosinophil apoptosis. The addition of anti-CD18 Ab also completely abrogated the induction of eosinophil apoptosis. Further examination using specific signal transduction inhibitors suggested the involvement of p38, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2, and specific tyrosine kinase, but not NF-kappaB, in the induction of CD30-mediated eosinophil apoptosis. These data demonstrate that CD30 can modify eosinophil survival by causing an extremely rapid and intense induction of apoptosis through a tightly regulated intracellular signaling pathway.

Anti-CD30-scFv-Fc-IL-2 antibody-cytokine fusion protein that induces resting NK cells to highly efficient cytolysis of Hodgkin's lymphoma derived tumour cells

The pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease (HD) is associated with the accumulation of functionally anergic T cells in the near vicinity of the malignant Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cell. To stimulate locally the anti-tumour immunity in Hodgkin's disease, we generated an anti-CD30-antibody-interleukin-2 fusion protein (HRS3-scFv-Fc-IL-2) that binds to CD30 constitutively expressed on H/RS cells. The fusion protein is composed of a CD30 binding domain (HRS3-scFv) that is linked via the human IgG hinge-CH2/CH3 domain to human IL-2. The HRS3-scFv-Fc-IL-2 fusion protein is expressed as a 140 kDa homodimer, has binding specificities to both the CD30 antigen and the IL-2 receptor and stimulates proliferation of preactivated T cells in vitro, demonstrating its IL-2 bioactivity. After binding to CD30+ Hodgkin lymphoma cells, HRS3-scFv-Fc-IL-2 moreover induces resting NK cells, but not T cells, to lyse the lymphoma cells with high efficiency. Recruitment of resting NK cells towards a cytolytic immune response against CD30+ lymphoma cells has the potential to build up an effective anti-tumour response despite of Hodgkin's disease associated T-cell anergy and makes the HRS3-scFv-Fc-IL-2 fusion protein suitable for the specific immunotherapy of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with anaplastic features and focal low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma component of the stomach

We describe an 83-year-old man diagnosed as having diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma with anaplastic features and CD30 expression of the stomach. Focally, the tumor showed typical low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. We are not aware of a previous report on the transformation of low-grade gastric lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type into an "anaplastic," large B-cell tumor.

Primary, multifocal extranodal lymphoma presenting with multiple cranial nerve palsies: an unusual presentation of an uncommon entity

Primary lymphoma of the bone is a relatively rare entity. There are very few reported cases in literature of synchronous, multifocal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) of the bone. Here, we report a patient with extranodal NHL of the clivus and scapula presenting with cranial nerve palsies and a scapular mass. He was treated with combination chemotherapy followed by involved field radiotherapy. At 15 months of follow-up, he is asymptomatic and in complete remission.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas expressing CD30 and CD15

Coexpression of CD30 and CD15 is typically associated with classic Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) can often display histologic features that simulate classic HL. However, reports of PTCLs coexpressing both CD30 and CD15 have been infrequently described. We report 11 cases of PTCL in which at least a subset of the neoplastic cells coexpressed CD30 and CD15. The patients included 4 women and 7 men and age ranged from 43 to 83 years (median, 62 years). Nine of 10 patients had advanced stage III or IV disease at presentation. Nodal involvement predominated in 8 of 11 patients, whereas 2 patients presented primarily with skin involvement. Two distinct groups were identified based on morphologic and immunophenotypic features. The first group of 5 cases had histologic features mimicking classic HL with CD30+, CD15+ Reed-Sternberg (RS)-like cells in an inflammatory background of varied extent and composition. The background lymphoid cells showed minimal cytologic atypia. The RS-like cells were negative for CD20 and CD79a in all cases, and CD45 expression was absent in 4 of 5 cases. The RS-like cells expressed CD25 and at least one T-cell-associated marker in all cases. The background T-cell population showed convincing subset predominance in 4 of 5 cases and loss of T-cell-associated antigens in 3 of 5 cases and coexpression of CD30 and CD15 in one case. The second group of 6 cases had morphologic features more in keeping with PTCL than classic HL. The proportion of neoplastic cells coexpressing CD30 and CD15 varied. Loss of T-cell antigens was noted in all cases and CD4 predominated in 4 of 5 cases. Three of the 6 cases expressed CD45. PCR analysis revealed clonal T-cell receptor gamma (TCR-gamma) chain gene rearrangements in 9 of 11 cases, but no immunoglobulin heavy (IgH) chain gene rearrangements. In situ hybridization studies for Epstein-Barr virus were negative in all cases. In some PTCL cases, the overlap with classic HL can be striking, and combined immunophenotypic and molecular studies are often necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells suppress allograft rejection mediated by memory CD8+ T cells via a CD30-dependent mechanism

CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells suppress naive T cell responses, prevent autoimmunity, and delay allograft rejection. It is not known, however, whether Treg cells suppress allograft rejection mediated by memory T cells, as the latter mount faster and stronger immune responses than their naive counterparts. Here we show that antigen-induced, but not naive, Treg cells suppress allograft rejection mediated by memory CD8(+) T cells. Suppression was allospecific, as Treg cells induced by third-party antigens did not delay allograft rejection. In vivo and in vitro analyses revealed that the apoptosis of allospecific memory CD8(+) T cells is significantly increased in the presence of antigen-induced Treg cells, while their proliferation remains unaffected. Importantly, neither suppression of allograft rejection nor enhanced apoptosis of memory CD8(+) T cells was observed when Treg cells lacked CD30 or when CD30 ligand-CD30 interaction was blocked with anti-CD30 ligand Ab. This study therefore provides direct evidence that pathogenic memory T cells are amenable to suppression in an antigen-specific manner and identifies CD30 as a molecule that is critical for the regulation of memory T cell responses.

Expression of CD30 and Ox40 on T lymphocyte subsets is controlled by distinct regulatory mechanisms

Members of the TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily are cell-surface proteins that can be found on most cell types including lymphocytes. Although some TNFR-related molecules are constitutively expressed, others, such as CD30 and Ox40, are induced upon activation of lymphocytes. CD30 and Ox40 are predominantly expressed on activated T helper (T(h))2 cells. Both receptors can activate c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and have been suggested to play costimulatory roles in lymphocyte activation. To gain further insight into events triggered by both TNFR-related molecules, a detailed analysis of their expression patterns has been performed. We found that CD30 and Ox40 were coexpressed on T(h)2 cells. However, in contrast to CD30, Ox40 was also expressed on T(h)1 cells. Although expression of both receptors is augmented by interleukin-4, only CD30 expression is dependent on signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-6-mediated signaling. Differences in the regulatory pathways controlling expression of CD30 and Ox40 suggest distinct, functional effects triggered by the two TNFR-related molecules during lymphocyte activation.

CD40 signaling through a newly identified tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) binding site

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) belong to a family of adapter proteins that are involved in tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily signaling. It has been shown that the recruitment of TRAFs to the CD40 cytoplasmic tail is essential for CD40-mediated B cell responses. However, it has also been shown that some early B cell responses, such as up-regulation of cell surface molecules and B cell proliferation are only marginally impaired by the disruption of previously defined TRAF binding sites (Ahonen, C., Manning, E., Erickson, L. D., O'Connor, B. P., Lind, E. F., Pullen, S. S., Kehry, M. R., and Noelle, R. J. (2002) Nat. Immunol. 3, 451-456; and Manning, E., Pullen, S. S., Souza, D. J., Kehry, M., and Noelle, R. J. (2002) Eur. J. Immunol. 32, 39-49). In this report, we identify a second TRAF2 binding site in the CD40 C terminus. The binding motif "SVQE" fits into the major TRAF2 binding consensus sequence, and its disruption resulted in the loss of remaining CD40 functions. Hence, like CD30, the CD40 cytoplasmic tail contains two distinct and functionally important TRAF2 binding sites.

ALK-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma: strong T and B anti-tumour responses may cause hypocellular aspects of lymph nodes mimicking inflammatory lesions

The anaplastic large cell lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma which occurs in children mostly. The ALK protein is highly immunogenic and elicits both humoral and cellular immune responses. A 15-yr-old child presented with fever and adenopathy and did not respond to antibiotics. Biopsy of the enlarged lymph node contained almost no lymphoid element except for a few CD8-positive T cells, plasma cells and isolated CD30-positive blasts. The patient's condition improved following lymphadenectomy but relapse occurred 3 months later with multiple nodes, high fever and an abdominal mass. This time an ALK-positive ALCL was diagnosed and the retrospective analysis of the initial biopsy revealed rare, isolated ALK+ cells. Molecular analysis showed T-cell clones and oligoclonal B cells in both biopsies and peripheral blood of the patient. The tumour cells harbour a t(2;5) translocation, revealing a null phenotype by immunohistochemistry and no evidence for T-cell clonality by Southern blotting. The patient's serum contained anti-ALK antibodies. Our findings suggest that the T-cell clones and anti-ALK antibodies in this patient constitute an anti-tumour response that caused the hypocellularity of the initial lymph node. Hypocellular and oedematous lymph nodes occurring in a child with evocative symptoms should be tested for the presence of ALK.

Identification and characterization of a nuclear interacting partner of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NIPA)

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma is a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphomas characterized by the expression of CD30. More than half of these lymphomas carry a chromosomal translocation t(2;5) leading to expression of the oncogenic tyrosine kinase nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK). NPM-ALK is capable of transforming fibroblasts and lymphocytes in vitro and of causing lymphomas in mice. Previously, we and others demonstrated phospholipase C-gamma and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase as crucial downstream signaling mediators of NPM-ALK-induced oncogenicity. In this study, we used an ALK fusion protein as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen identifying NIPA (nuclear interacting partner of ALK) as a novel downstream target of NPM-ALK. NIPA encodes a 60-kDa protein that is expressed in a broad range of human tissues and contains a classical nuclear translocation signal in its C terminus, which directs its nuclear localization. NIPA interacts with NPM-ALK and other ALK fusions in a tyrosine kinase-dependent manner and is phosphorylated in NPM-ALK-expressing cells on tyrosine and serine residues with serine 354 as a major phosphorylation site. Overexpression of NIPA in Ba/F3 cells was able to protect from apoptosis induced by IL-3 withdrawal. Mutations of the nuclear translocation signal or the Ser-354 phosphorylation site impaired the antiapoptotic function of NIPA. In NPM-ALK-transformed Ba/F3 cells, apoptosis triggered by wortmannin treatment was enhanced by overexpression of putative dominant-negative NIPA mutants. These results implicate an antiapoptotic role for NIPA in NPM-ALK-mediated signaling events.

Expression and a role of CD30 in regulation of T-cell activity

CD30 receptor has been known for almost 20 years, but its expression and activity are still the subject of many investigations. Its expression was found in different malignancies, and most of the studies regarding CD30 focus on its role in lymphomas. The progress that has already been made in this field is reflected in implementation of CD30 as a target for immunotoxin, which has been tested in phase I study in treating Hodgkin lymphoma. CD30 is present also on normal, activated T cells of all cytokine profiles. However, increased density of CD30 and CD30-mediated Th2 cytokine production provide evidence of its role in determining the activity of T cells toward synthesis of cytokines and involvement in reactions of Th2 characteristics. Pleiotropic signaling mediated by CD30 does not implicate this receptor just as a cytokine costimulator; it proves to be important in several different activities of T cells.

Proliferation of CD30+ T-helper 2 lymphoma cells can be inhibited by CD30 receptor cross-linking with recombinant CD30 ligand

PURPOSE

Cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) are characterized by the expression of CD30, spontaneous regression of skin lesions, and increased concentration of CD30 ligand (CD30L). We hypothesize that CD30-CD30L interactions explain the unusual clinical behavior of cutaneous ALCLs.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Eight lymphoma cell lines established from four different patients were analyzed for T-cell clonality using PCR and subsequently denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis. The expression levels of CD30 were assessed by flow cytometry. Secreted cytokines [IFN-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10] were determined in the supernatant after 3-day culture. Proliferation and apoptosis of cultured cells were measured by 5-bromo-2-desoxyuridine and propidium iodine incorporation.

RESULTS

The results showed different levels of CD30 expression and a predominant T-helper 2 profile. In a cell kinetic analysis we found that ALCL cell growth is effectively inhibited by CD30L but only in those cell lines expressing CD30 molecules in sufficient amounts on the cell surface. Cell cycle analysis revealed that growth regulation was because of apoptosis and growth arrest, and was dependent on cell culture conditions. Comparison of effects of ligation with CD30L and anti-CD30 agonistic antibody HeFi-1 revealed higher efficacy for CD30L in these ALCL lines.

CONCLUSIONS

CD30+ ALCL cells can be growth inhibited by receptor ligation. Observed pleiotropic effects of CD30 signaling are most likely dependent on cell cycle status and signal strength. The binding of CD30 by its ligand provides new opportunities for controlling cell growth and treatment of CD30+ ALCL.

Genetic alterations in primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (C-ALCL) represents a distinct clinical subtype of CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphomas. The etiology and underlying molecular pathogenesis of C-ALCL remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate genetic changes in C-ALCL. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis of 23 DNA samples from 15 C-ALCL cases identified chromosome imbalances (CI) in 10 samples from eight cases (43%). The mean number of CI per sample was 2.09 +/- 3.86, with gains (2.00 +/- 3.85) more common than losses (0.09 +/- 0.29). The most frequent CI were gains of 1/1p and 5 (50%) and 6, 7, 8/8p, and 19 (38%). Microarray-based CGH analysis of six DNA samples from five cases with CI revealed genomic imbalances (GI) in all of the cases studied. This included oncogene copy number gains of FGFR1 (8p11) in three cases, and NRAS (1p13.2), MYCN (2p24.1), RAF1 (3p25), CTSB (8p22), FES (15q26.1), and CBFA2 (21q22.3) in two cases. Real-time PCR analysis of nine DNA samples from eight cases with CI and GI detected amplifications of CTSB and RAF1 in seven cases (88%), REL (2p13p12) and JUNB (19p13.2) in six cases (75%), and MYCN and YES1 (18p11.3) in four cases (50%). Immunohistochemical staining of paraffin sections from six cases demonstrated expression of JUNB protein in five cases and BCL2 in three cases. These results reveal a consistent pattern of genetic alterations in C-ALCL and provide the molecular basis for further investigation of this disease.

Relation of CD30 molecules on T-cell subsets to the severity of autoimmune thyroid disease

The prognosis of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) varies. To clarify the immunologic differences among patients with various severities of AITD, we examined two types of molecules on peripheral T lymphocytes: CD195 (CCR5), which express dominantly on CD4(+) type 1 helper T (T(H)1) cells, and CD30, which is known as a marker of CD4(+) type 2 helper T (T(H)2) cells and a regulatory molecule of CD8(+) autoreactive cytotoxic T cells. We found presence of patients with high proportion (> 9%) of CD30 expression in CD4(+) cells in a group of patients with Graves' disease (GD) in remission compared to the patients with intractable GD and a decrease in the intensity of CD30 expression on CD8(+) cells from patients with severe Hashimoto's disease (HD) treated for hypothyroidism compared to patients with untreated and euthyroid HD. There was no difference in CD195 expression between these patients with GD or HD with different severities, but there was a decreased intensity of CD195(+) cells in thyrotoxic patients with GD. These results indicate that CD30 molecules on CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells may be related to the severities of GD and HD, respectively.

Comparative analysis of mononuclear cell surface markers in atopic processes--a preliminary study

Atopic disorders are driven by the Th2 cell subset. We have determined the expression of costimulatory molecules and cell surface markers on peripheral CD4+ T cells and antigen presenting cells, in different atopic diseases, and we have also tried to correlate the expression of these markers with the severity of the disease. Cells from patients with atopic and contact dermatitis, mild or severe asthma, and symptomatic and non-symptomatic atopic rhinitis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Our results showed that CD30, CD124, and CD152 expression on CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in atopic dermatitis than in contact dermatitis patients (p < 0.05). It was interesting to observe that the cell surface expression of CD80 in T and B cells from atopic dermatitis patients was not enhanced as opposed to the other atopic diseases we analyzed. Our results suggest that there are differences in the immune mechanisms involved in the different atopic diseases, and that expression of CD30 in CD4+ T cells might be a marker of disease activity in atopic dermatitis.

The biological basis of Hodgkin's lymphoma

In the past several years our understandings for Hodgkin's lymphoma have significantly progressed, and we can now recognize two fundamental bases of Hodgkin's lymphoma: germinal center B cells as a cellular origin of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells and constitutively strong NF-kappaB activation as a biological base for H-RS cells. We can also define Hodgkin's lymphoma as being composed of H-RS cells with self-growth-promoting potential as malignant cells by constitutively strong NF-kappaB activation and surrounding reactive cells. Identification of molecules involved in constitutive and strong NF-kappaB activation in H-RS cells is important to understand the pathophysiology as well as transformation and developmental process of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein (LMP)-1, defective IkappaBalpha, IkappaB kinase activation and ligand-independent signaling by overexpressed CD30 have been clarified in the past several years. Involvement of JunB in overexpression of CD30 has been recently reported. Today, over a century and a half after the first report by Thomas Hodgkin, we at last obtained several keys to solving the mystery of Hodgkin's lymphoma on a biological basis.

Regulation of lymphocyte clustering by CD30-mediated ICAM-1 up-regulation

CD30 is expressed transiently on activated B and T lymphocytes and constitutively on several B- and T cell lymphomas. CD30 functions include participation in negative selection of thymocytes, costimulation of activated T cells, isotype switching of B cells, and regulation of the effector activity of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Although CD30 is not a marker for T helper 2 (TH2) cells, it may participate in the polarization of TH1 and TH2 cells. The pleiotropic functions of CD30 are initiated by interaction of CD30-expressing cells with other immune competent cells expressing CD30-L and providing the signals for modulation of effector cell activity. Here, we report that CD30 signals generated by anti-CD30 on activated, normal murine T cells strongly up-regulate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1, CD54), and to a lesser extent, ICAM-2 (CD102). CD30 signals moreover delay the subsequent decline of ICAM expression. CD30 cross-linking did not alter the expression of CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1), the counter receptor for ICAM abundant on T cells. CD30-mediated ICAM-1 up-regulation is independent of cytokine secretion and appears to be transmitted directly through NF-kappaB activation. CD30-mediated up-regulation of ICAM-1 expression led to a significant increase in cluster formation of lymph node cells. Increased lymphocyte self-aggregation mediated by CD30 may set the stage for fraternal signaling to modulate lymphocyte function.