Expression of Grb2 distinguishes classical Hodgkin lymphomas from primary mediastinal B-cell lymphomas and other diffuse large B-cell lymphomas

Hum Pathol. 2009 Dec;40(12):1731-7. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2009.05.009. Epub 2009 Aug 27.

Abstract

Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 is an adaptor molecule that mediates B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathways, but the expression of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 in lymphoma tissues has not been reported. We sought to characterize growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 protein expression in reactive tonsillar tissues and lymphoma tissues obtained from diagnostic biopsies of classical Hodgkin lymphoma, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, and 20 low-grade B-cell lymphomas. Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 expression was assessed in tissues by immunohistochemistry and in lymphoma cell lines by immunoblotting. In reactive lymphoid tissues, growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 was expressed in the cytoplasm of B-cells and histiocytes but not T-cells. Strong, cytoplasmic growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 expression was seen in the neoplastic cells of follicular lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, splenic marginal zone lymphoma, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. In contrast, only 10% of the classical Hodgkin lymphomas showed growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 expression in the neoplastic cells. Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 protein expression was detected by Western blotting in all lymphoma cell lines tested with higher levels in primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma compared with classical Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines. These findings support a role for growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 in the diagnostically challenging workup of classical Hodgkin lymphoma versus primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma and warrant further studies to evaluate the biologic significance of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 in the pathogenesis of classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein / biosynthesis*
  • Hodgkin Disease / diagnosis*
  • Hodgkin Disease / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / metabolism
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Tissue Array Analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • GRB2 protein, human