Prediction of survival in diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma based on the expression of six genes.

Background: Several gene-expression signatures can be used to predict the prognosis in diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma, but the lack of practical tests for a genome-scale analysis has restricted the use of this method.

Methods: We studied 36 genes whose expression had been reported to predict survival in diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma. We measured the expression of each of these genes in independent samples of lymphoma from 66 patients by quantitative real-time polymerase-chain-reaction analyses and related the results to overall survival.

Optimization of quantitative real-time RT-PCR parameters for the study of lymphoid malignancies.

Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a powerful method for measurement of gene expression for diagnostic and prognostic studies of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). In order for this technique to gain wide applicability, it is critically important to establish a uniform method for normalization of RNA input. In this study, we have determined the best method to quantify the RNA/cDNA input per reaction and searched for the most useful endogenous control genes for normalization of the measurements, based on their abundance and lowest variability between different types of lymphoid cells.

Human disease characterization: real-time quantitative PCR analysis of gene expression.

Real-time quantitative PCR is the measurement of a fluorescent signal generated and measured during PCR as a consequence of amplicon synthesis. When used as reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), real-time quantitative PCR has proved to be useful in accurately measuring expression levels of specific gene transcripts. When applied to questions of minimal residual disease, the technique has evolved from generically detecting the presence of disease cells in individuals, such as the AML1-ETO fusion transcript, to the identification of a specific gene, such as BCL-6, which is prognostic for determining the therapeutic outcome of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Differential cytokine and chemokine gene expression by human NK cells following activation with IL-18 or IL-15 in combination with IL-12: implications for the innate immune response.

NK cells constitutively express monocyte-derived cytokine (monokine) receptors and secrete cytokines and chemokines following monokine stimulation, and are therefore a critical component of the innate immune response to infection. Here we compared the effects of three monokines (IL-18, IL-15, and IL-12) on human NK cell cytokine and chemokine production. IL-18, IL-15, or IL-12 alone did not stimulate significant cytokine or chemokine production in resting NK cells.

Effects of Sin- versions of histone H4 on yeast chromatin structure and function.

Previous studies have identified single amino acid changes within either histone H3 or H4 (Sin- versions) that allow transcription in the absence of the yeast SWI-SNF complex. The histone H4 mutants are competent for nucleosome assembly in vivo, and the residues that are altered appear to define a discrete domain on the surface of the histone octamer. We have analyzed the effects of the Sin- versions of histone H4 on transcription and chromatin structure in vivo.