Waldenström's macroglobulinemia pathophysiology
Pathogenesis
Waldenström Macroglobulinemia is uncontrolled clonal proliferation of terminally differentiated B lymphocytes, which are normally involved in humoral immunity.[1] In Waldenström Macroglobulinemia, peripheral B lymphocyte are stimulated to undergo somatic hypermutation of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene in the germinal center, without class switching.
Genetics
- Development of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia is the result of multiple gene mutations.[2]
- Genes involved in pathogenesis of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia are:
- MYD88 L265P in chromosome 3p22.2
- CXCR4
- MYD88: has a role in toll-like receptor and interleukin-1 receptor signaling causing activation of transcription factors of the NF-kB family. Thus, activating point mutation of MYD88 augments growth and survival of both normal and neoplastic B cells by preventing apoptosis. MYD88 also has role in BTK signaling which also helps in B cell growth and survival. Point mutation of MYD88 leads to leucine (L) to proline (P) substitution in codon 265 (L265P) of MYD88 and produces constantly overactive protein causing proliferation of malignant cells that should normally undergo apoptosis.[2][3]
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance patients found to have MYD88 L265P mutation are associated with a significantly higher risk of progression to Waldenström Macroglobulinemia or to other lymphoproliferative disorders.[4]
- Patients with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia with co-existing mutation of MYD88 & CXCR4 are more likely to have hyperviscosity syndrome and bone marrow involvement.[2]
- Waldenström Macroglobulinemia is associated with following chromosome abnormalities:[2]
- Deletions of 6q23 and 13q14, and
- Gains of 3q13-q28, 6p and 18q
Epigenetics
- Three most common causes are DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs such as miRNAs.[4]
- Upregulation of miRNAs 155, 184, 206, 363, 494, and 542-3p occurs in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia; among which miRNA-155 has a crucial role in tumor cell growth and proliferation in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia.
- Gene transcription through histone acetylation occurs following increased expression of miRNA-206 and reduced expression of miRNA-9.
Associated Conditions
Several studies showed an increased incidence of second cancers in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia.[5]
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- Myelodysplastic syndrome/Acute myeloid leukemia
- Brain tumor
- Renal MALT lymphoma [6]
Pathology
Gross pathology
Microscopic pathology
Immunohistochemistry
Malignant cells in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia:[2]
- Express Pan B-cell antigens (CD19, CD20, CD22, CD79A)
- Some express CD5
- Variable expression of CD11c, CD43, CD25.
- Most express IgM surface immunoglobulin, while fewer express IgG or IgA and lack IgD.
References:
- ↑ Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Wikipedia (2015)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldenström%27s_macroglobulinemia#Pathophysiology Accessed on November 6, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Waldenström macroglobulinemia. UpToDate (2015)http://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-pathogenesis-clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis-of-waldenstrom-macroglobulinemia?source=see_link Accessed on November 9, 2015
- ↑ Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Genetics Home Reference (2015)http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/waldenstrom-macroglobulinemia Accessed on November 9, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Waldenström macroglobulinemia. International Waldenström Macroglobulinemia foundation (2015)http://www.iwmf.com/sites/default/files/docs/WM_Review_Ghobrial_Jan2014.pdf Accessed on November 12, 2015
- ↑ Morra E, Varettoni M, Tedeschi A, Arcaini L, Ricci F, Pascutto C, Rattotti S, Vismara E, Paris L, Cazzola M (2013). "Associated cancers in Waldenström macroglobulinemia: clues for common genetic predisposition". Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 13 (6): 700–3. doi:10.1016/j.clml.2013.05.008. PMID 24070824.
- ↑ Chi PJ, Pei SN, Huang TL, Huang SC, Ng HY, Lee CT (2014). "Renal MALT lymphoma associated with Waldenström macroglobulinemia". J. Formos. Med. Assoc. 113 (4): 255–7. doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2011.02.007. PMID 24685302.