J Korean Med Sci.  2003 Dec;18(6):804-808. 10.3346/jkms.2003.18.6.804.

Pax5 expression in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas and Acute Leukemias

• Zhang X
• Lin Z
• Kim I

• KMID: 1086735
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2003.18.6.804

Abstract

The Pax5 gene encodes the B-cell-specific activator protein which is a key regulator in development and differentiation of B-cell. We studied the expression of Pax5 in hematologic malignancies to evaluate the diagnostic utility as a B cell marker. Materials included 70 B cell lymphomas, 26 T cell lymphomas, 53 acute leukemias, and 6 multiple myelomas (MMs). Representative areas from the paraffinembedded tissues were selected for tissue microarray, and the expressions of Pax5 was immunohistochemically evaluated. Pax5 was strongly expressed in most of the B cell lymphomas; 44 of 47 diffuse large B cell lymphomas (93.6%), 15 of 16 marginal zone B cell lymphomas (93.8%), all 3 mantle cell lymphomas, 2 follicular lymphomas, and 2 Burkitt's lymphomas (100%). However, Pax5 was expressed in only one of 26 T cell lymphomas. Among leukemias, it was expressed in 10 of the 14 B acute lymphocytic leukemias (ALLs) (72.4%), but also in 3 of the 6 T ALLs (50%), 13 of the 26 acute myelogenous leukemias (AMLs) (50%) and in all 3 ALL arising in chronic myelogenous leukemias and 4 mixed B ALL and AML. In MMs, Pax5 was negative in all cases. We concluded that Pax5 is very useful B cell marker in classification of lymphomas, but not of acute leukemias.

MeSH Terms

B-Lymphocytes/pathology/physiology
DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics/*metabolism
Human
Leukemia/classification/*metabolism/pathology
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/classification/*metabolism/pathology
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Tonsil/cytology/metabolism/pathology
Transcription Factors/genetics/*metabolism
Tumor Markers, Biological/*metabolism