X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is an inherited immunodeficiency syndrome characterized by increased susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Rather than transient infectious mononucleosis after primary exposure to EBV, 40-50% of boys with XLP experience fatal uncontrolled lymphoproliferation and 20-30% develop EBV-associated lymphoma. As such, XLP represents a genetic model to study mechanisms involved in EBV-associated lymphoproliferation and tumorigenesis. XLP also has clinical relevance to EBV-associated lymphomas seen in patients with HIV infection or those immunosuppressed after bone marrow or solid organ transplantation. The goal of this project is to identify and characterize the gene for XLP. Through RFLP analysis, XLP has been linked to the locus Xq25 and to date, 3 unrelated patients have been reported sharing cytogenetic deletions at this locus. To determine the affected gene, a positional cloning strategy will be used involving the following approaches: (1) To screen arrayed YAC libraries with known and novel genetic markers at the XLP locus and to generate a linear contig of YACs spanning the XLP deletion, (2) To identify coding sequences contained within these YACs by generating a cosmid library from YAC DNA and then either identifying exons through the """"""""exon amplification"""""""" technique, or cDNA clones through the process of """"""""direct selection"""""""", (3) To characterize transcripts through evaluation of homology to other known genes, pattern of expression among tissues and conservation between species, and to confirm that identified transcripts are the involved gene by performing mutational analysis of patient samples, (4) To evaluate properties of the XLP gene product through examination of subcellular localization, effects on cell growth and proliferation, association with other proteins, and generation of possible animal models. Cloning the XLP gene will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms through which EBV induces lymphoma and through which the host recognizes and responds to EBV-infected cells. Characterizing properties of the XLP gene product may provide clues to therapeutic strategies for these and other human diseases associated with EBV.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Physician Scientist Award (K11)
Project #
1K11AI001331-01
Application #
2057623
Study Section
Allergy & Clinical Immunology-1 (AITC)
Project Start
1995-07-01
Project End
2000-06-30
Budget Start
1995-07-01
Budget End
1996-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02199
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Nichols, K E; Crispino, J D; Poncz, M et al. (2000) Familial dyserythropoietic anaemia and thrombocytopenia due to an inherited mutation in GATA1. Nat Genet 24:266-70
Nichols, K E; Levitz, S; Shannon, K E et al. (1999) Heterozygous germline ATM mutations do not contribute to radiation-associated malignancies after Hodgkin's disease. J Clin Oncol 17:1259
Nichols, K E; Harkin, D P; Levitz, S et al. (1998) Inactivating mutations in an SH2 domain-encoding gene in X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 95:13765-70