DP-1 is a G1 cell cycle-related protein that forms heterodimers with E2F, a family of transcriptional factors regulating the expression of genes important for G1 to S progression. Although the exact role of DP-1 is not well understood, it has been shown to stabilize DNA binding of E2F proteins. By immunohistochemistry, the authors examined the expression of DP-1 in lymphoid tissues, including 8 cases of reactive follicular hyperplasia and 69 cases of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The expression of the cell cycle-related proteins E2F-1 and Ki-67 was also assessed. Scoring was based on the proportion of labeled nuclei (1-10%, 11-25%, 26-50%, and > 50%). In reactive follicular hyperplasia, staining for DP-1, E2F-1, and Ki-67 was largely confined to the germinal centers. All 25 cases of follicular lymphoma, regardless of grade, had a high proportion (> 50%) of DP-1-positive cells but a lower proportion of cells marking for E2F-1 and Ki-67 (P < 0.001). The diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (n = 24) had high DP-1 and Ki-67 scores but low E2F-1 scores (P < 0.001). Small lymphocytic (n = 10), marginal zone (n = 3), and mantle cell lymphomas (n = 5) contained relatively low proportions of cells labeled for all three markers. Precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (n = 2) displayed high proportions of cells positive for DP-1, Ki-67, and E2F-1 (> 50% in both cases). Except in follicular center cell lesions, DP-1 expression generally correlated with that of Ki-67. However, the expression of DP-1 was discordant with that of E2F-1 in benign and malignant follicular center cells, suggesting that DP-1 may have functions other than facilitating E2F-1-dependent gene regulation and cell cycle progression in these neoplasms.

Cyclin D1 and E2F-1 proteins are essential for the regulation of the G1/S transition through the cell cycle. Cyclin D1, a product of the bcl-1 gene, phosphorylates the retinoblastoma protein, releasing E2F-1, which in turn activates genes involved in DNA synthesis. Expression patterns of E2F-1 protein in thyroid proliferations have not been reported. This study used monoclonal antibodies for cyclin D1 and E2F-1 proteins to immunostain sections of normal thyroid, hyperplastic (cellular) nodules, follicular adenomas, follicular carcinomas, and papillary carcinomas. The proliferation rate was examined using an antibody specific for the Ki-67 antigen. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods and chromosome 11-specific probes were also employed to determine chromosome copy number and to assess for evidence of amplification at the 11q13 locus in papillary and follicular carcinomas with cyclin D1 overexpression. Concurrent overexpression of Ki-67, cyclin D1, and E2F-1 was found in the majority of benign and malignant thyroid lesions, compared with normal thyroid tissue. Cyclin D1 up-regulation was not due to extra copies of chromosome 11, or bcl-1 gene amplification. Malignant tumours showed the highest expression for all three markers, particularly papillary carcinomas. E2F-1 was detected at the same or slightly lower levels than cyclin D1. It was only found when cyclin D1 was overexpressed. Because cyclin D1 normally activates E2F-1, up-regulation of cyclin D1 may lead to E2F-1 overexpression in benign and malignant thyroid lesions.

The role of cell cycle protein expression in gestational trophoblastic disease is poorly understood. In this study we investigated the immunostaining patterns of G(1) restriction point and G(1)-S regulatory proteins E2F-1, Cdk2, cyclin E, p27(kip1), and the proliferation marker Ki-67 on routinely processed sections of 29 hydatidiform moles (10 partial moles and 19 complete moles, including 9 persistent moles), 7 choriocarcinomas, and 7 normal placentas. Ki-67 trophoblast staining decreased with increasing gestational age of the placenta, and showed maximal expression in gestational trophoblastic disease. Cyclin-dependent kinase activity, as reflected by Cdk2 expression patterns, also decreased with placental maturation. E2F-1 was uniquely expressed by trophoblasts of moles and choriocarcinoma. Cyclin E was maximally expressed by complete moles and choriocarcinomas, and showed an inverse relationship with the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip1). Abnormal trophoblastic proliferations may be mediated through interactions of Cdk-2, E2F-1, cyclin E, and p27(kip1). Overexpression of cyclin E was associated with more aggressive forms of gestational trophoblastic disease. However, we did not find distinguishing features between complete moles that spontaneously resolved after evacuation and persistent moles that required chemotherapy. The different expression patterns of cyclin E and E2F-1 in partial and complete moles may be useful in distinguishing these two entities. Furthermore, loss of p27(kip1) in malignant trophoblast may represent a necessary step in the development of choriocarcinoma.