XCR1 expression and biased VH gene usage are distinct features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma initially manifesting in the bone marrow.

A total of 29 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma initially manifesting in the bone marrow (BM-DLBCL) were analyzed for V(H) gene sequence, and expression microarray of chemokines and chemokine receptors and immunohistochemical analysis were done. Seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analyses of 18 cases revealed that the V(H) gene usage in 6 cases was restricted to V(H)3-7, in 3 cases to V(H)4-34, and in 2 cases to V(H)4-39, which were all previously reported to be autoreactive. In total, 14 of 18 V(H) genes were those associated with autoimmune diseases, including V(H)3-21, V(H)3-23, and V(H)3-48. Furthermore, cDNA microarray analysis specific for chemokine and chemokine receptors revealed that chemokine receptor XCR1 expression was significantly elevated in the BM-DLBCL cases (P < .05), which was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis. Expression of the chemokine receptor XCR1 and frequent usage of autoreactive V(H) genes seem to be distinct characteristics of BM-DLBCL.