Lymphoma-specific genetic aberrations in microvascular endothelial cells in B-cell lymphomas

BACKGROUND: The growth of most tumors depends on the formation of new blood vessels. In contrast to genetically unstable tumor cells, the endothelial cells of tumor vessels are considered to be normal diploid cells that do not acquire mutations. METHODS: Using a combined immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridization assay, we examined the endothelial cells in 27 B-cell lymphomas for cytogenetic alterations that are known to be present in the lymphoma cells. RESULTS: We found that 15 to 85 percent (median, 37 percent) of the microvascular endothelial cells in the B-cell lymphomas harbored lymphoma-specific chromosomal translocations. In addition, numerical chromosomal aberrations were shared by the lymphoma cells and the endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that microvascular endothelial cells in B-cell lymphomas are in part tumor-related and therefore reflect a novel aspect of tumor angiogenesis.