VH AND TCRG gene rearrangements
- Description
- These PCR assays are routinely used for the identification of clonal B and/or T-cell populations. The VH assay amplifies the DNA between primers that target the conserved framework and joining regions which lie on either side of an area within the V-J region where programmed genetic rearrangements occur during maturation of all B lymphocytes. The genes which undergo rearrangement are the immunoglobulin heavy chain and light chain genes, with each B-cell having a V-J rearrangement that is unique in length and sequence. Consequently amplification of this region will result in one or two amplicons in a clonal population and a Gaussian distribution of amplicons in normal and polyclonal populations of cells. The TCRG gene locus includes 14 V genes, 5 J segments and 2 C genes. The TCRG assay, using the same concept as the VH assay, detects the majority of TCR gamma gene rearrangements. As above, clonality is indicated if one or two amplicons result from the assay. These tests can be used to identify clonal populations of B or T-cells, to determine lineage of lymphomas and leukaemias and to evaluate and assess disease recurrence or residual disease. The following is an extract from the BIOMED-2 Concerted Action Reports, Leukemia 2007; 21; 201-206. “In this era of increased attention for quality improvement in medicine, we believe that the introduction of the BIOMED-2 clonality assays lead to a more reliable diagnosis and thus to a better care for patients who are suspected to have a malignant lymphoma.â€
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Tissue Sciences : King's College Hospital
- Laboratory
- Histology/ Histopathology
- Sample type and volume required
- Paraffin processed blocks or sections of tissue. 5 µg of extracted genomic DNA. 5mm cube of frozen tissue. Because of the possibility of lineage infidelity, VH and TCR analysis will both be performed in all cases. Entire case referrals are also welcome for which representative paraffin blocks will be suitable.
- Turnaround time
- 2 Weeks
- Contacts
Histopathology Laboratory at Blackfriars Hub
Phone: 020 4614 7519/ 7522
Friars Bridge Court,
41-43 Blackfriars Road,
London, SE1 8NZHistology Laboratory at Princess Royal University Hospital
Phone: 01689 864314
Princess Royal University Hospital
Farnborough Common
Orpington
Kent
BR6 8NDCellular Pathology/Histopathology at King’s College Hospital
Phone: 020 3299 3045
kch-tr.histopathologyoffice@nhs.net
King’s College Hospital
Bessemer Wing – 2nd Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RSCellular Pathology at St Thomas’ Hospital
Phone – Histology: 0207 188 7188 extension 54611
Phone – Cytology: 0207 188 2915
Phone – Oral Pathology: 0207 188 4367
Histopathology & Cytopathology Laboratories
Cellular Pathology
St Thomas’ Hospital
North Wing – 2nd Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EHCellular Pathology at Guy’s Hospital
Head and Neck/Oral Pathology Laboratory
4th Floor, Tower Wing
Guy’s Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT