Expression of the B cell-associated transcription factors PAX5, OCT-2, and BOB.1 in acute myeloid leukemia: associations with B-cell antigen expression and myelomonocytic maturation.

The aberrant expression of the B-cell transcription factor PAX5 has been described in a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21)(q22;q22) in association with B-cell antigen expression. However, the expression of other B cell-associated transcription factors, particularly OCT-2 and its B cell-specific coactivator BOB.1, has not been described in AML. In this study, expression of PAX5, OCT-2 and BOB.1 was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of bone marrow samples from 83 cases of AML. The expression patterns were correlated with t(8;21)(q22;q22), B cell-associated antigen expression, and AML subtype. We confirmed the expression of PAX5 in AML with t(8;21)(q22;q22), but also demonstrated its expression in cases that express B-cell antigens but lack this translocation. Although OCT-2 and BOB.1 were not associated with PAX5 expression, we report expression of OCT-2 in AML with myelomonocytic/monocytic maturation and BOB.1 in normal hematopoietic elements.