Expression of NGF, BDNF and Netrin-1 in diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Netrin-1 in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods The patients with freshly-diagnosed DLBCL in our hospital from May 2018 to May 2020 were enrolled in this study. According to the international prognostic index (IPI), they were divided into low-risk group (≤2 points) and high-risk group (>2 points), with 25 patients in each group. The expression of Ki-67, NGF, BDNF and Netrin-1 were detected by immunohistochemical assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportions of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), regulatory B cells (Breg cells) and regulatory plasma cells (Preg cells). Results Compared with the low-risk group, the expression levels of Ki-67, NGF and Netrin-1 were significantly increased in the high-risk group (P < 0.05), but that of BDNF didn't differ. The proportion of Treg cells in peripheral blood was obviously increased (3.07±0.14 vs 3.72±0.18, P < 0.05), while those of Breg cells and Preg cells were not statistically changed (0.88±0.12 vs 1.06±0.10; 0.053±0.010 vs 0.054±0.009) in the high-risk group than the low-risk group. Correlation analysis results showed that NGF was positively correlated with Ki-67 proliferation index (r=0.720, P=0.008), but not with the proportions of Treg cells, Breg cells and Preg cells. Netrin-1 was positively correlated with Ki-67 proliferation index and proportion of Treg cells (r=0.804, P=0.002; r=0.608, P=0.036), but not with the proportions of Breg cells and Preg cells. There was no correlation of BDNF with Ki-67 proliferation index and above proportions. Conclusion The expression levels of NGF and Netrin-1 are significantly increased in DLBCL tissues and positively correlated with the proliferation of tumor cells and proportion of Treg cells.

Keywords

• diffuse large b cell lymphoma
• nerve growth factor
• brain-derived neurotrophic factor
• netrin-1