Abstract
Recently, we have described physiological expression patterns of NKL homeobox genes in early hematopoiesis and in subsequent lymphopoiesis. We identified nine genes which constitute the so-called NKL-code. Aberrant overexpression of code-members or ectopically activated non-code NKL homeobox genes are described in T-cell leukemia and in T- and B-cell lymphoma, highlighting their oncogenic role in lymphoid malignancies. Here, we introduce the NKL-code in normal hematopoiesis and focus on deregulated NKL homeobox genes in B-cell lymphoma, including HLX, MSX1 and NKX2-2 in Hodgkin lymphoma; HLX, NKX2-1 and NKX6-3 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; and NKX2-3 in splenic marginal zone lymphoma. Thus, the roles of various members of the NKL homeobox gene subclass are considered in normal and pathological hematopoiesis in detail.
Highlights
Hematopoiesis and B-Cell DevelopmentThe process of hematopoiesis is responsible for the production of all types of blood cells
We have described physiological expression patterns of NKL homeobox genes in early hematopoiesis and in subsequent lymphopoiesis
Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSCs) generate common myeloid and lymphoid progenitors (CMP and CLP) which, respectively, represent the starting points for the myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages. The latter produces all types of lymphocytes comprising B-cells, T-cells, natural killer (NK)-cells and innate lymphoid cells
Summary
The process of hematopoiesis is responsible for the production of all types of blood cells. Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSCs) generate common myeloid and lymphoid progenitors (CMP and CLP) which, respectively, represent the starting points for the myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages The latter produces all types of lymphocytes comprising B-cells, T-cells, natural killer (NK)-cells and innate lymphoid cells. For the final differentiation steps to memory B-cells (memo B-cell) and plasma cells via the stage of germinal center (GC) B-cells, naïve B-cells migrate from the bone marrow into lymph nodes, the spleen and other lymphoid tissues [1–3] (Figure 1). In these compartments, additional molecular alterations occur, like somatic hypermutation and class switching of the IGH genes.
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