Strong lymphoid nuclear expression of SOX11 transcription factor defines lymphoblastic neoplasms, mantle cell lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma

Abstract

BackgroundWe surveyed lymphomas to determine the range of expression of the mantle cell lymphoma-associated SOX11 transcription factor and its relation to cyclin D1. Design and MethodsOn hundred and seventy-two specimens were immunostained for the SOX11 N and C termini. Cyclin D1 was detected by immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; in situ hybridization for t(11;14) was applied when needed. ResultsNuclear SOX11 was strongly expressed in most B and T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphomas and half of childhood Burkitt's lymphomas, but only weakly expressed in some hairy cell leukemias. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma, marginal zone, follicular and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas were negative for SOX11, as were all cases of intermediate Burkitt's lymphomas/diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, myeloma, Hodgkin's lymphomas and mature T-cell and NK/T-cell lymphomas. ConclusionsIn addition to mantle cell lymphoma, SOX11 is strongly expressed only in lymphoblastic malignancies and Burkitt's lymphomas. Its expression is independent of cyclin D1 (except for weak expression in hairy cell leukemias) and unlikely to be due to translocations in lymphoid neoplasia.Key words: lymphoid, SOX11 transcription factors, lymphoblastic neoplasms, mantle cell lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma. 's lymphoma. Haematologica 2009; 94:1563-1568. doi:10.3324/haematol.2009 This is an open-access paper. Citation: Dictor M, Ek S, Sundberg M, Warenholt J, György C, Sernbo S, Gustavsson E, AbuAlsoud W, Wadström T, and Borrebaeck T. Strong lymphoid nuclear expression of SOX11 transcription factor defines lymphoblastic neoplasms, mantle cell lymphoma and BurkittStrong lymphoid nuclear expression of SOX11 transcription factor defines lymphoblastic neoplasms, mantle cell lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma

Indolent mantle cell leukemia: a clinicopathological variant characterized by isolated lymphocytosis, interstitial bone marrow involvement, kappa light chain restriction, and good prognosis

“…24 Consistent with other reports that stated that 78-93% of cases are positive, we found that the great majority (91%) of nodal MCL cases express SOX11; however, in our cohort of indolent leukemic MCL cases only one of five showed low-level positivity. 9,11,21,25 This was statistically different from typical nodal MCL. Interestingly, gene expression analysis identified a set of genes that may be useful in identifying indolent MCL cases.…”

“…A feature noted by the investigators was somatic hypermutation of the IGVH genes, reported in chronic lymphocytic leukemia to portend a favorable prognosis. 21 We did not have sufficient samples to perform this analysis.…”

Incidence of preclinical manifestations of mantle cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma in situ in reactive lymphoid tissues

“…16,17 Among non-Hodgkin lymphomas, only lymphoblastic lymphomas and Burkitt lymphomas can also express SOX11. 18 Of interest, in a recent report, lack of SOX11 has been identified by gene expression profiling in a subgroup of mantle cell lymphoma cases that showed indolent behaviour with long-term survival even without treatment, common leukemic presentation and splenomegaly, as well as a predominance of mutated immunoglobulin heavy chain genes and low levels of secondary genetic aberrations. 19 In a recent report on 16 mantle cell lymphoma 'in situ', the authors found SOX11 expression in less than half of the cases and speculated that this might be an indicator of the commonly indolent, nonprogressive behaviour of these lesions.…”

Mantle cell lymphoma

“…6,7 The present article will focus on the diagnosis and bio-pathology of MCL in the light of the criteria of the WHO Classification 7 and recent reports in the literature including those of Quintinilla-Martinez et al, Mozos et al and Dictor et al in this issue of the journal. [8][9][10] It will not include the still ongoing debate on the multiple options proposed for the treatment of MCL patients, which often have limited efficacy (comprehensively reviewed by Ghielmini et al).…”