Presence of activation-related m-RNA for EBV and CMV in the bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Sequence analysis of Epstein-Barr virus RPMS1 gene in malignant hematopathy of Northern China

The RPMS1 gene is the only member of the BamHI-A rightward transcripts (BARTs) family for which a full-length complementary DNA has been identified, and RPMS1 transcript has been confirmed in many Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive malignancies. However, the effects of sequence variations of RPMS1 in hematological malignancies and their biological significance are unclear. To explore the association between RPMS1 gene variations and hematological malignancy, the RPMS1 gene of 391 EBV-positive samples from patients with EBV-positive leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes and lymphoma in northern China were sequenced. On the basis of phylogenetic tree and mutation characteristics of RPMS1, all the sequences were divided into five major types: RPMS1-A, RPMS1-B, RPMS1-C, RPMS1-E, and RPMS1-F. RPMS1-A type, similar to the prototype B95-8, was identified in 71.87% (281/391) of samples and was the major type in all subpopulations. The frequency of RPMS1-F type was significantly higher in all malignant hematopathy groups than in healthy donors. The Hodgkin lymphoma group contained more RPMS1-F than other malignant hematopathy groups, and acute myeloid leukemia contained more RPMS1-C type than other malignant hematopathy groups. Therefore, RPMS1-A is the main type of RPMS1 gene in northern China, and RPMS1-F may be associated with hematologic malignancies.

Promoter methylation of P15(INK4B) gene is possibly associated with parvovirus B19 infection in adult acute leukemias

In this study, we examined the P15(INK4B) gene promoter methylation in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia and its possible relationship with parvovirus B19 and Epstein-Barr virus infections. P15(INK4B) methylation frequency was significantly higher in acute leukemia patients than in that of non-malignant patients (P < 0.05). When the patients with myelodysplastic syndrome were included, no significant difference was found between these groups regarding the methylation status. The possible correlation between P15(INK4B) promoter methylation and parvovirus B19 infection was observed in adult acute leukemia patients (P < 0.05). However, no similar relationship in EBV-infected patients was observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the possible association between P15(INK4B) promoter methylation and parvovirus B19 infection in acute leukemia.

Morphology of the bone marrow after stem cell transplantation

In many haematological conditions the only curative option is stem cell (SCT) or bone marrow (BM) transplantation. Little information exists about BM morphology following non-ablative engraftment. During the pretransplantation period and depending on the kind of pretreatment, there may be hypoplasia, residual disease and varying degrees of fibrosis. In the post-transplantation period, after 1-3 weeks of transfusion-dependent pancytopenia, the first signs of successful engraftment are indicated by the recurrence of neutrophils, monocytes and erythrocytes in the peripheral blood. In the BM there is slow regeneration of erythropoiesis, followed by the other lineages of haematopoiesis and increase in reticulin fibres or even a resolution of fibrosis. Diagnostic problems arise when neoplastic lympho- or haematopoiesis are maintained following transplantation. Moreover, there may be a significant graft versus tumour response reaction or an already relapsing disease needing aggressive treatment. On the other hand, a conspicuous dyshaematopoiesis should not be mistaken as representing a myelodysplastic syndrome. The presence of granulomas being treatment-related or a manifestation of intercurrent granulomatous disease has to be considered. More advanced knowledge of the histological features of regenerating BM will certainly aid the recognition of relapsing disease and is needed for the adequate reporting of post-transplant alterations associated with a successful or failing engraftment.

Bone marrow stroma in childhood myelodysplastic syndrome: composition, ability to sustain hematopoiesis in vitro, and altered gene expression

We studied bone marrow stromal cell cultures from patients with childhood myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS, refractory anemia with excess of blasts, RAEB) and from matched normal donors. Stromal cell monolayers were characterized as myofibroblasts by the expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin, collagen IV, laminin and fibronectin. When normal cord blood cells were plated onto myelodysplastic stromas, a pathologic cell differentiation was observed, indicating altered myelosupportive properties. cDNA array analysis showed that patient stromas expressed increased levels of thrombospondin-1, collagen-I alpha2-chain, osteoblast-specific factor-2 and osteonectin, indicating the presence of increased osteoblast content, as confirmed by enhanced alkaline phosphatase synthesis. Alterations in the myelodysplastic stroma environment might contribute to abnormal hematopoiesis in this pathology.

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in rapidly growing fibroadenomas of the breast in immunosuppressed hosts

Fibroadenomas are the most common benign tumors of the female breast and are associated with a slight increase in the risk of subsequent breast cancer. Multiple fibroadenomas have been described in patients after renal transplantation and are thought to be secondary to drug-related growth stimulation. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been detected in many neoplasms, including breast cancer. We set out to investigate whether EBV plays a role in the development of rapidly growing fibroadenomas in immunocompromised patients. We studied 19 fibroadenomas and one invasive ductal carcinoma that developed after organ transplantation or treatment for lupus erythematosus. As a control group we included 11 fibroadenomas from non-immunocompromised patients. DNA was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER-2) DNA sequence. EBV latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) transcripts were amplified using reverse transcription (RT) PCR. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for LMP-1 protein was performed. A total of 9 out of 20 tumors (45%) were concordantly positive by PCR and IHC. IHC stained exclusively the epithelial cells. All the fibroadenomas in non-immunocompromised patients were negative for LMP-1 (Fisher's exact test P =.0006). These data suggest that EBV is associated with fibroadenomas in this immunosuppressed population and that the infection is specifically localized to epithelial cells. This is the first study suggesting a role for EBV in the pathogenesis of fibroadenomas.