The structure of the T cell gamma chain gene in lymphoproliferative disorders and lymphoma cell lines

Abstract

During the development of B and T cells, a number of genes undergo rearrangement. In this paper we have studied the structure of the T cell γ-chain gene in primary lymphomas and cell lines derived from patients with lymphoma. Samples derived from patients with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AIL), Lennert's lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease were also examined. TcRγ was rearranged in all T cell lymphomas and B cell lymphoma cell lines. Rearrangement of the γ-chain gene was also found in AIL. Lennert's lymphoma, and four of eight cases of Hodgkin's disease. These studies indicate that rearrangement of TcRγ is a useful clonal marker but does not aid in the identification of cell lineage.