B cells of chronic lymphatic leukemia express V genes in unmutated form

Leuk Res. 1991;15(6):487-96. doi: 10.1016/0145-2126(91)90060-7.

Abstract

In order to investigate whether the leukemic B cells in B-CLL express immunoglobulin genes in mutated or unmutated form, independent cDNA clones of one patient with B-CLL expressing heavy and light chain V region genes were sequenced. The sequences of both the VH and V kappa clones were identical. The V genes could be assigned to known germline V genes. No somatic mutations were found. At the V kappa-J kappa border there is an insertion of N-sequences which are only rarely found in immunoglobulin light chain genes. Our study confirms other published data on V gene expression in B-CLL in that the surface immunoglobulins in these tumors are unmutated.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Differentiation / analysis
  • Antigens, Surface / analysis
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Southern
  • CD5 Antigens
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin M / genetics
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • Antigens, Surface
  • CD5 Antigens
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains
  • Immunoglobulin M