Research Publications - College of Medicine and Health Science

Department of Pathology
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Left side, classic
binucleated Reed-
Sternberg cell in a case of
Hodgkin’s disease (arrow)
(H & E x 40), right side,
immunohistochemistry
with CD30 antibodies
highlights the Reed-
Sternberg cells (dark
brown color).
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The Pathology department undertook a project,
in collaboration with Tawam and Al Ain Hospitals,
to study the pattern of lymphomas in the UAE.
The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution
of the various pathologic types of
lymphoma in a native Arab population of the
UAE. More than 200 native patients with lymphoma
were studied. The cases were examined
morphologically and immunohistochemically
with an extensive panel of monoclonal antibodies,
and are classified according to the revised
European-American classification of lymphoid
neoplasms (REAL). The results were compared
with the distribution of lymphomas in other
Asian and Western countries.
In addition, a second project studied the differences
of the distribution pattern of NHL
between native UAE cases and a similar number
of cases diagnosed in expatriates living in the
UAE. No differences are found between the two
population groups suggesting that environmental
factors may play a role in the developing
of NHL in the UAE.
The results of some of this work have already
been published in peer-reviewed journals and
presented in International Pathology and Oncology
conferences.
The expression of EBV in Hodgkin lymphoma
among UAE nationals was studied in collaboration
with Dr. Suhail Al-Salam (PI), by immunohistochemistry
for the latent membrane protein- I
and in situ hybridization for EBV encoded RNA
(EBER). EBV was seen in 17 of 45 (38%) cases of HL
and was predominately seen in the MC subtype
followed by NS, LD and LR subtypes, respectively.
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Human Genetics (Dr. Bassam Ali)
1. Identification of the molecular defects
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and Arab populations. Recessive disorders are
highly prevalent in Arab populations including
UAE mainly due to high levels of consanguinity
and lack of prenatal and/or pre-conception
diagnosis. We have develped a molecular genetics
research laboratory to look at the molecular
defects (defective genes and mutations) causing
recessive disorders found in UAE population
with emphasis on mental retardation, metabolic
and dysmorphology disorders. We are collaborating
with major research groups at Harvard
Medical School (USA), University of California in
San Diego USA), King Faisal specialist Hospital
and Research Center (KSA) and Sultan Qaboos
University (Oman).
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disorders. We are interested in protein
trafficking and quality control within eukaryotic
cells. The protein quality control at the endoplasmic
reticulum level is responsible for the
development of several human genetic diseases
including cystic fibrosis and emphysema. We
recently elucidated the cellular mechanisms
underlying Robinow syndrome and Acromesomelic
Dysplasia type Maroteaux, recessive
disorders that has been found in several parts
of the Middle East including Oman and Saudi
Arabia. We are currently looking to establish the
mechanisms underlying Familial Hypercholesterolemia,
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia
and other ER-associate degradation diseases. In
addition, we are exploring ways of manipulation
the ER quality control for potential therapy of
such diseases.
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