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The NFATc1 transcription factor is widely expressed in white cells and translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in a subset of human lymphomas
Author(s) -
Marafiot Teresa,
Pozzobon Michela,
Hansmann MartinLeo,
Ventura Roland,
Pileri Stefano A.,
Roberton Helen,
Gesk Stefan,
Gaulard Philippe,
Barth Thomas F. E.,
Du Ming Q.,
Leoncini Lorenzo,
Möller Peter,
Natkunam Yasodha,
Siebert Reiner,
Mason David Y.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2004.05313.x
Subject(s) - nfat , biology , transcription factor , cytoplasm , lymphoma , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer research , signal transduction , nucleus , immunology , gene , genetics
Summary Stimulation of lymphoid cells via their surface receptors triggers signalling pathways that terminate in the nucleus, where they induce alterations in gene transcription. Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors, involved in a major Ca 2+ ‐dependent signalling pathway, normally reside in the cytoplasm but re‐locate to the nucleus when activation of the pathway (e.g. following ligation of antigen receptors) leads to their dephosphorylation. This study found that one member of the NFAT family (NFATc1/NFAT2) can be detected in routine biopsy samples, where it is seen in essentially all lymphoid cells, but is absent from the great majority of non‐haematopoietic cells. An immunohistological evaluation of NFATc1 in almost 300 lymphomas showed that most neoplastic lymphoid cells also express NFATc1 as a cytoplasmic constituent, although it is absent in classical Hodgkin's disease and plasma cell proliferations. Of particular interest was the finding that NFATc1 was relocated to the nucleus in a minority of lymphoid neoplasms (usually diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas or Burkitt lymphoma), presumably reflecting activation of the NFAT pathway. It would be of interest to correlate this feature with patterns of gene expression and also with prognosis, since it may identify a subset of human lymphoma that is distinct in its molecular and clinical features.