7th Conference - Abstract 7

c-fes Proto-Oncogene Expression in HIV and Non-HIV Lymphoid Tissues

N. W. ABBEY*, M. S. MCGRATH, and B. G. HERNDIER. Univ. of California, and San Francisco, San Francisco Gen. Hosp., CA

In AIDS associated macrophage (MØ) rich lymphomas, our group observed clonal HIV inserted upstream from the c-fes proto-oncogene. These same lymphomas showed strong immunohistochemical staining in the tumor associated MØ for the activated c-fes antibody. We used these findings to survey a variety of HIV and non-HIV associated lymphoid tissues with the hope of understanding the prevalence of upregulation of activated c-fes in lymphoid tumors. Using a standard three step immunohistochemical detection, we stained 17 samples from 16 patients with the following results.

* one patient HHV8+ w/KS and BCBL
The strongest activated c-fes staining was seen in MØ responding to inflammation and in MØ that were associated with MØ rich AIDS lymphomas. Little to no staining was seen in the other AIDS lymphomas or in the non-AIDS lymphomas. Two of the three MØ rich lymphomas have been shown to have clonal HIV inserted upstream from the c-fes proto-oncogene and the third, a BCBL, is being evaluated for insertional mutagenesis. The finding of potential upregulation of activated c-fes in HIV retroviral insertional mutagenesis has important pathologic implications.

Key Words: lymphoma, oncogene, retroviral insertion