Analysis of T-cell receptor-gamma gene rearrangements using oligonucleotide microchip: a novel approach for the determination of T-cell clonality

J Mol Diagn. 2007 Apr;9(2):249-57. doi: 10.2353/jmoldx.2007.060087.

Abstract

T-cell clonality estimation is important for the differential diagnosis between malignant and nonmalignant T-cell proliferation. Routinely used methods include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of T-cell receptor-gamma (TCR-gamma) gene rearrangements followed by Genescan analysis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or heteroduplex analysis to visualize amplification products. Here, we present a new method for the analysis after PCR of TCR-gamma rearrangements using hybridization on oligonucleotide microchip. A microchip was designed to contain specific probes for all functional variable (V) and joining (J) gene segments involved in rearrangements of the TCR-gamma locus. Fluorescently labeled fragments of rearranged gamma-chain from patients and donors were obtained in a multiplex nested PCR and hybridized with a microchip. The results were detected using a portable microchip analyzer. Samples from 49 patients with T-cell lymphomas or leukemias and 47 donors were analyzed for T-cell clonality by microchip and single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, which served as a standard reference method. Comparison of two techniques showed full concordance of the results. The microchip-based approach also allowed the identification of V and J gene segments involved in the particular TCR-gamma rearrangement. The sensitivity of the method is sufficient to determine 10% of clonal cells in the sample.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Clone Cells / cytology
  • Clone Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte / genetics*
  • Genes, T-Cell Receptor gamma / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*