Single-cell PCR analysis of the t(14;18)-MBR translocation by seminested PCR analysis of isolated OCI LY8 tumor cells (lane O: 1 through 3), HRS cells from a lymph node involved by HD (lanes HD: 1 through 10), small lymphocytes from the same lymph node (lanes L: 1 and 2), and t(14;18)-negative HSB-2 tumor cells (lanes H: 1 and 2). The amplified DNA was separated on 2% agarose/NuSieve gel electrophoresis and visualized by staining with ethidium bromide. Ø, molecular weight markers; BL (blank), PCR amplification without DNA template to rule out contamination; P, total DNA extracted from the same lymph node involved by HD. Only OCI LY8 tumor cells show rearranged bcl-2/JH bands within the expected range of size (110 to 360 bp; lanes O: 1 through 3). All single HD cells are negative for this translocation, whereas total DNA extracted from the same patient (P) is positive.
