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Gene Rearrangements
From the Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| Abstract |
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gene rearrangements (TCR
GR) using capillary electrophoresis in the ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. We also compare the performance with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). In a single multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) we amplified TCR
GR with primers for all known groups of variable region genes, and joining region genes described in lymphoid neoplasms. Ten reactive samples, followed by five cell lines and 25 tumor samples with 41 individual TCR
GR (due to many biallelic rearrangements) previously identified by DGGE, were analyzed to validate the technique. The capillary electrophoresis protocol has 92% concordance for both TCR clonal status (23 of 25) and 95% concordance in the number of individual TCR
GR (38 of 41) identified by DGGE. The reproducible sensitivity for detecting TCR
GR diluted in reactive lymphoid DNA is 2% in clinical applications. Discrimination of predominant rearrangements requires a minimum ratio of two times the height of the normal distribution of polyclonal peaks. Capillary electrophoresis can provide results within 60 minutes for each specimen after PCR is complete. Capillary electrophoresis provides a faster result than sequence-based separation methods and gives an archival electronic record. Fluorescent labeling allows the identification of both the variable and joining gene segments used in a TCR
GR. The effectiveness of capillary electrophoresis is similar to DGGE.
TCR Detection Methods
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gene rearrangements (TCR
GR). These have included agarose gel electrophoresis, 1
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,2
denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE),3, 4, 5, 6
single-stranded conformation polymorphism electrophoresis (SSCP), 7, 8
heteroduplex analysis in mutation detection enhancing gels,9, 10
temperature gradient gel electrophoresis,11, 12
fluorescent analysis in polyacrylamide gels,13, 14, 15, 16, 17
and most recently via capillary electrophoresis (CE).18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
These methods can be divided into two broad groups: those which separate rearrangements based on length only and those which maximize separation of TCR
GR based on the effect of specific sequence conformations of the DNA during electrophoresis. We describe a capillary electrophoresis protocol which can identify both variable and joining gene segments in TCR
GR amplified by PCR, and compare the results with DGGE.
T-Cell Receptor Gene
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has resulted in the development of multiple PCR methods to amplify all TCR
GRs.
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| Experience with DGGE |
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GR using Gene Scan software on the gel-based method of the ABI 373 and similarly reported by Simon.14
However, use of the ABI 373 gel-based instrument provided no time savings compared to DGGE. | Goal of the Capillary Electrophoresis Assay |
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GR compared to DGGE. Our goal was to develop a fluorescent-labeled assay on the capillary electrophoresis system with faster throughput, and that eliminated the need to pour the complex DGGE gels, which take hours to assemble and a full day (6.5 hours) for electrophoresis and analysis. | Materials and Methods |
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GR Samples Studied
GR were used to establish the polyclonal pattern in normal samples. Five cell lines (with biallelic TCR
previously identified by Southern blot analysis), and 25 selected patient samples with monoclonal TCR
gene rearrangements identified by DGGE were used to validate the capillary electrophoresis protocol (Table 1)
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GR PCR
GR is 190 nucleotides (nt) with a normal distribution of TCR
GR occurring between 165 and 215 nt. Each variable primer is located about 140 nt from the junction and each joining primer is located about 50 nt from the junction, which produces a tight normal distribution of product sizes. Two primers were used for the group 1 (V
28) variable genes (Table 2)
2,48 and in one for V
3, which varies in sequence from V
2 at the target site of the primers for Group 1. The addition of a V
3 specific primer to the multiplex reaction resulting in successful amplification of sequence proven V
3 TCR
GR in CEM and case 1.38 (Table 3)
9), group 3 (V
10), and group 4 (V
11) variable regions (Table 2)
1/J
2, J
P, J
P1/J
P2 using sequences previously described by our group.5, 13
All eight primers were combined in one tube in a multiplex PCR reaction containing labeled joining primers (Table 2)
GR are used as controls (Table 1)
P, Beaubier et al20
have reported that the cell line SUP-B15 contains the J
P segment in the TCR
GR, however, this cell line was not available in our institution, therefore a T-cell lymphoma was used to confirm the amplification of the J
PGR.
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Analysis on the ABI Prism System
The quality and quantity of amplified PCR product obtained was estimated from a 2% 3:1 agarose gel (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) to determine the dilution factor for the product before analysis by capillary electrophoresis on a ABI Prism 310 Genetic analyzer (Perkin Elmer Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Performance optimized polymer-4 (POP-4) was used as a separation matrix in the capillary. One to 2 µl from a 100 µl PCR reaction was electrokinetically injected at 15,000 volts for 3 to 5 seconds. Electrophoresis run conditions were 15,000 volts at 60°C for 24 minutes. The internal size standard GS350 labeled with Rox gives reference peaks at 75, 100, 139, 150, 160, 200, 300, and 350 nt. The three dyes used for joining region primer labeling were Fam (J
P-blue), Joe (J
P1/J
P2-green), and Ned (J
1/J
2-black). The first injection run of a fluorescent-labeled Rox size standard was used only to optimize the equipment before collection of data in subsequent runs. Each specimen takes approximately 30 minutes for all steps on the CE. The data were stored electronically and the products were analyzed automatically using Gene Scan software (Perkin Elmer Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). The intra-run precision SD for our ABI Prism 310 Genetic analyzer is <0.15 bases from size ranges of 103 to 316 bases. A positive TCR
GR was identified when a rearranged clone produced a peak height (h2) that was greater than two times the height of the highest polyclonal background (h1) using the formula: ratio of peak to background (RPB) = h2/h1 (Figure 2)
. Polyclonal populations give a normal distribution spanning 190 nucleotides with a range from 165 to 215 (Figure 3A)
. The presence of three colored lines in the electropherogram help ensure that all J
primers are amplifying TCR
GR. The dyes used for optional variable region labeling were Ned (V
28 and V
3-black), Joe (V
9-green), Rox (V
10-red), and Fam (V
11-blue). To analyze the V
-labeled products, two injections of the PCR product were performed as described by Vega and colleagues.23
One injection had the Rox size standard added and one injection was performed without the Rox size standard. While the injection with Rox allows size determination of the peaks, the injection without Rox allows accurate evaluation of peaks without interference by the 200 nt standard.
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| Results |
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GR in the cell lines were identified by both methods. There was 100% correlation between CE and DGGE for the number and identification of known joining segments used in the TCR
GR of the five cell lines (Table 1)
P, which is not present in the cell lines tested. For J
P, tumor samples with J
P rearrangements were included in the validation set. Rearrangements with J
P1/J
P2 region genes are illustrated in Figures 3B and 3C
GR with J
P. Figure 3D
1/J
2 TCR
GR. Figure 3E
gene segment identification.
Sensitivity
Twenty-three of 25 (92%) of the cases in the validation set were found to have clonal TCR
GR by capillary electrophoresis compared to the gold standard of DGGE. In two cases, the rearrangement seen in DGGE was not identified with CE due to the greater quantitative sensitivity (0.1%) of DGGE in our lab. A cell line or tumor may have two (biallelic) TCR
GR in up to 75% of cases.31
Our DGGE analysis has previously shown that 64% (16/25) of cases had biallelic TCR
GR. Thirty-eight of 41 individual TCR
GR were identified by CE for a sensitivity of 95% in TCR
GR identification. Two gene rearrangements did not produce a peak high enough to meet our criteria for CE. In another case, two gene rearrangements were identified as one in CE since these were the same length.
The quantitative detection sensitivity for capillary electrophoresis may reach 0.5% under carefully controlled conditions in our research laboratory (Figure 3D)
, however 2% is obtained in repeated clinical assays during daily use. This reproducible level of sensitivity is sufficient for routine clinical screening of rearrangements as neoplastic cell populations below 2% are somewhat difficult to identify by morphology. The use of the patients tumor-specific-labeled variable segment primer and the labeled joining primer allows identification of follow-up tumor involvement to 0.5%.
The quantitative detection sensitivity of 0.1% for DGGE is the result of the greater ability of DGGE to widely separate sequences which vary by single nucleotides. Patient-specific primers targeted at the junctional sequence of the tumor would be needed for minimal residual disease detection at the 1 x 105 to 106 level.
| Discussion |
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11) to 260 nt (V
18). We choose not to adopt the variable region primers from the DGGE protocol for this length-based CE protocol because the distribution of PCR products would be scattered at four different regions in the electropherogram resulting in difficulties in interpretation. Secondly, the 260 nt products for Group 1 is near the threshold of effective amplification from paraffin-embedded tissues. A higher degree of success is obtained when amplifying targets that are less than 200 nt in most assays on paraffin-embedded tissues. Therefore, we designed the primers to produce approximately 190 nt products.
Basis of Method
In capillary electrophoresis of fluorescent-labeled products, high resolution is achieved in separating TCR
GR that differ in length by single nucleotides. Oda et al18
first evaluated the use of fluorescent detection of TCR
GR with a limited number of T
primers using a Beckman capillary electrophoresis instrument. They described similar findings for identifying polyclonal and clonal populations with a YO-PRO-1 dye intercalated in double-stranded DNA.18
For our comparative study with DGGE, we chose to label the 5' end of the joining region primers with individual fluorescent dyes similar to previous descriptions.15, 20, 21, 24, 32
Fluorescent labels have also been described on the 5' end of the variable region primer13, 19, 22, 23, 25
. By doing so, the CE protocol allows the identification of both gene segments used in a TCR
GR. In the polyacrylamide gel-based protocols, fluorescent-labeled products were detected with a laser scanning system.15, 16
Gene Scan software was used to analyze the peak size and intensity in relative fluorescent units.
Incomplete primer sets were reported in many TCR
protocols using fluorescent gels or CE.15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 32
Beaubier20
acknowledged that a comprehensive set of primers is needed to detect all TCR
GR identified by Southern blot analysis, and is supported by the recent multi-institutional study covering multiple TCR
GR methods by Arber et al.33
Our CE protocol includes a comprehensive set of primers and was validated with cell lines with known TCR
GR in a manner similar to our DGGE protocol.
A second PCR tube can also be set up with the variable region primers labeled with fluorochromes and non-labeled joining region primers as described in our optional set of primers (Table 2)
. Since our assay is performed in duplicate in the clinical lab, as with most gene rearrangement assays, there is no added cost to have one tube labeled with joining primers and one with variable primers. The identification of both the variable region and joining region genes in a two-tube reaction is useful for research applications or for better identification of the clone in follow-up biopsies. However, for ease of interpretation, laboratories may find that a single color of fluorochrome (eg, Fam) on each of the joining region primers, or on each of the variable region primers, would perform satisfactorily.
Defining Criteria for a Clonal Population by Ratio
We recommend that a minimum 2.0 ratio (RPB) between the peak height of the single or biallelic peak and the highest normal distribution of the background polyclonal T-cells is defined as a clonal result (Figure 2)
as previously suggested.32
The second criteria is the peak(s) must be reproducible in duplicate analyses at the same nucleotide size to avoid false positive results.17
When only a normal distribution is identified or the peak ratio of a single peak is less than 2.0, a polyclonal result is reported. The pattern of the polyclonal background, number of peaks, and location in the polyclonal background are also considered in the interpretation of the results. A bell-shape curve should be present for the polyclonal background, otherwise the problem of amplifying few T cells makes interpretation difficult. A bell-shaped curve also suggests an adequate amount of T-cell DNA was in the reaction.
Whereas single or biallelic peaks represent a monoclonal population, multiple peaks represent either an oligoclonal expansion or few T cells in the specimen (Figure 3E)
. In our clinical experience since establishing the assay, difficulties in interpretation can occur when multiple small peaks are present in the 2.0 to 3.0 range. When multiple peaks fail to meet the criteria for monoclonality, they may be referred to as oligoclonal peaks, and the result for the case is reported as indeterminate. Other criteria for oligoclonal results include cases where the peak(s) exceeds 2.0, but the nucleotide size of the peak varies between duplicate tubes, or four or more reproducible peaks are seen with ratios above 2.0. Oligoclonal expansions or small clonal peaks can be seen in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the elderly, and in biopsies of eczema and psoriasis.17, 34
Correlation of CE data with the number of T cells in 3-mm biopsies of paraffin-embedded skin or intestine is paramount to correct interpretation for ratios around the RPB criteria of 2.0. When samples have few T cells, the electropherogram will frequently shows multiple peaks of an oligoclonal pattern.
Optimal Primer Design
We believe that it is imperative to use primers to all of the variable and joining region genes that result in rearrangements in T-cell lymphomas. There are two main groups of published protocols: one type amplifies the most common TCR
GR using a primer for the Group 1 variable region gene segments and a primer for the common rearranged joining region genes J
1/J
2. This can be expected to detect about 75 to 80% of TCR
GR, which is a low degree of qualitative sensitivity. However, there are other rearrangements that occur with the uncommon variable and joining region genes.31
Protocols with comprehensive sets of TCR
primers have demonstrated successful amplification of the highest percentage of TCR
GR.1, 5, 6, 21, 23, 24, 25, 35, 36
Qualitative sensitivity in detecting all TCR
GR is necessary to assist in accurate morphological diagnosis. Quantitative sensitivity is appropriate for detecting recurrent disease.
Effectiveness of Capillary Electrophoresis:
The advantages of this capillary electrophoresis protocol are several. The PCR set-up time is essentially the same as other TCR
GR protocols, affected only by the number of tubes used, however, the analysis time is much shorter. Previously, we used an agarose screening gel to detect the size of the amplicons before running DGGE since the length of amplified products cannot be determined in DGGE. The polyacrylamide gel for DGGE took one to two hours to make and 6.5 hours to assemble, electrophorese, and stain. After the CE system is set up (30 minutes), each specimen can be analyzed in 30 minutes in an automated format overnight. This allows for a shorter turnaround time for specimens by eliminating the lengthy DGGE procedure. The CE protocol, with shorter PCR products (190 nt), will theoretically amplify more samples from paraffin-embedded tissues than protocols with 260 nt or longer products.
We sequenced several TCR
GRs to establish that the new primer set for the variable genes would amplify previously detected V
3 GR. In Table 3
, the gene segments of variable and joining regions are identified, as well as the nucleotide inserts or deletions to verify V
3 amplification in the CE protocol. We have shown that all known variable and joining segments of TCR
GR can be amplified in the CE protocol.
We have shown that capillary electrophoresis has a high concordance with DGGE, as has been previously shown.23, 24 The two cases which were not diagnosed as positive by capillary electrophoresis had low peak heights (RPB less than 2.0), thus they did not reach the criteria for a positive result (data not shown). These cases were atypical hyperplasias that were suspicious for peripheral T-cell lymphoma, however, no further lymphadenopathy developed. Thus, the small clones identified by DGGE may have had no clinical significance.
There are two limitations to a CE protocol for TCR
GR because it separates DNA by length and not by sequence. Fluorescent analysis may not separate the rare biallelic TCR
GR which are the same length and use the same joining or variable gene. This has no clinical significance because detection of one peak diagnoses the case as clonal. Monitoring for low level disease is more difficult because one cannot ensure clonal identity of a small peak when products are only separated by length. In DGGE or single stranded conformation polymorphism, co-migrating bands most often reflect identical sequence composition. To help overcome this latter limitation of CE, we have described the use of both labeled variable and joining gene primers in separate PCR reactions.
| Conclusions |
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GR protocol. We have described a fluorescent-labeled protocol where primers amplify all TCR
GR in one tube. Secondly, we have shown multiple fluorescent labels allow identification of both groups of joining and the variable gene segments in the rearrangements. This is useful in comparing follow-up specimens for recurrent disease. Third, the protocol amplifies 190 nt products, which is usable in DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissues. The sensitivity of detecting TCR
GR by fluorescent analysis is nearly equivalent to DGGE. As long as a laboratory is aware of the minor limitations of capillary electrophoresis, the method can be an effective tool in the diagnosis of TCR
GR.
| Acknowledgments |
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| Footnotes |
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Supported in part by American Cancer Society CDA-9542 (T. C. G.)
Accepted for publication April 11, 2002.
| References |
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