PTEN Loss and Cyclin A2 Upregulation Define a PI3K/AKT Pathway Activation in Helicobacter pylori-induced MALT and DLBCL Gastric Lymphoma With Features of MALT

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2021 Jan;29(1):56-61. doi: 10.1097/PAI.0000000000000839.

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection is strongly associated with primary gastric diseases, such as extranodal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with histologic evidence of MALT origin, and gastric carcinoma. The cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) protein behaves as a bacterial oncoprotein, promoting tumorigenesis via dysregulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway (PI3K/AKT). We investigated the molecular mechanisms of PI3K/AKT pathway dysregulation in H. pylori-induced MALT and DLBCL gastric lymphoma. Immunohistochemical assays for CagA, phospho(p)-S473-AKT, PTEN, SHIP, and cyclin A2 proteins were performed on samples from 23 patients with H. pylori-positive MALT lymphoma and 16 patients with H. pylori-positive gastric DLBCL. We showed that CagA localization is correlated with the activation of the AKT pathway in both MALT and DLBCL lymphoma cells. Interestingly, we found a close association between the loss of PTEN, the overexpression of cyclin A2, and the phosphorylation of AKT in gastric MALT and DLBCL tumor cells.

MeSH terms

  • Cyclin A2 / biosynthesis*
  • Cyclin A2 / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Helicobacter Infections / genetics
  • Helicobacter Infections / metabolism*
  • Helicobacter Infections / pathology
  • Helicobacter pylori / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / genetics
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / metabolism*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / genetics
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / metabolism*
  • Male
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / deficiency*
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation*

Substances

  • CCNA2 protein, human
  • Cyclin A2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • PTEN protein, human