Bridge-Induced Translocation between NUP145 and TOP2 Yeast Genes Models the Genetic Fusion between the Human Orthologs Associated With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Case Report: Multiple Chromosomal Translocations Including Novel CIITA-CREBBP Fusion and Mutations in a Follicular Lymphoma

The pathogenesis of follicular lymphoma is a multi-step process, in which chromosomal translocation between immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) and anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2), namely IgH-BCL2, is an earliest step, followed by other genetic/genomic alterations including but not limited to mutation of CREB binding protein (CREBBP). MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) is a transcription regulator responsible for expression of MHC class II molecules including HLA-DR in human. We report herein a novel fusion gene involving CIITA and CREBBP in a patient with a low-grade follicular lymphoma (FL) but with high Ki-67 proliferation index. In addition, our patient also harbors CREBBP mutation. Together, we postulate that total loss of CREBBP function may contribute, in part, to the lymphoma genesis. Furthermore, this patient has addition rare (TBL1XR1-TP63) and common (IgH-BCL2) chromosomal translocations and multiple mutations including BCL2, BRAF, MUTYH, and STAT6.

Diverse human VH antibody fragments with bio-therapeutic properties from the Crescendo Mouse

We describe the 'Crescendo Mouse', a human V_H transgenic platform combining an engineered heavy chain locus with diverse human heavy chain V, D and J genes, a modified mouse Cγ1 gene and complete 3' regulatory region, in a triple knock-out (TKO) mouse background devoid of endogenous immunoglobulin expression. The addition of the engineered heavy chain locus to the TKO mouse restored B cell development, giving rise to functional B cells that responded to immunization with a diverse response that comprised entirely 'heavy chain only' antibodies. Heavy chain variable (V_H) domain libraries were rapidly mined using phage display technology, yielding diverse high-affinity human V_H that had undergone somatic hypermutation, lacked aggregation and showed enhanced expression in E. coli. The Crescendo Mouse produces human V_H fragments, or Humabody® V_H, with excellent bio-therapeutic potential, as exemplified here by the generation of antagonistic Humabody® V_H specific for human IL17A and IL17RA.