Authors (total 1517) bold: presenting authors Abraham Kaipparettu ...

Anke Ehlers, Michael Hummel, Harald Stein
Epigenetic Transdifferentiation in Hodgkin Lymphoma
A special feature of the B-cell derived Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells in classic
Hodgkin lymphoma is the constant lack of expression of most B-cell characteristic
markers. Several mechanisms leading to this markedly different phenotype (e.g.
mutations or lack of transcription factors etc.) have been discussed, but so far the
fundamental switch in the transcriptional program remains a mystery. In recent years it
has become apparent that transcriptional silencing can also be associated with
epigenetic changes. To study the role of epigenetic DNA and/or histone alterations in
Hodgkin lymphoma, we treated Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines with the
demethylating agent 5’Aza-deoxy-cytidine and the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor
Trichostatin A. Subsequently we analysed the gene expression pattern of treated and
untreated cell lines with gene expression oligonucleotide microarrays. The identification
of distinct DNA methylation, histone acetylation and gene expression signatures provides
novel insights into the molecular basis of tumor formation and understanding of the
pathogenesis of Hodgkin lymphoma, which will be useful for tumor classification, as well
as prediction of response to therapy and prognosis.
contact:
Dr. Anke Ehlers
Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin
Pathologie
anke.ehlers@charite.de
Hindenburgdamm 30
12200 Berlin (Germany)