Abnormal expression of hyaluronan synthases in patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulimenia

Little is known about the biology or spread of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM), a lymphoplasmo-proliferative disorder. Hyaluronan synthases (HASs), plasma membrane proteins, synthesize the extracellular matrix molecule hyaluronan (HA), which plays a role in malignant cell migration and the spread of many cancers. Three isoenzymes of HAS - HAS1, HAS2, and HAS3 - are detected in humans. Aberrant expression of the HASs is coupled with different abnormalities. We have analyzed the expression pattern of HASs in WM patients. HAS3 was expressed in all patients and healthy donors tested, whereas the expression of HAS1 and HAS2 varied among the WM patients. Additionally, in WM patients, we have detected novel variants of HAS1, one of which was also detected in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. We speculate that HAS1 variants synthesize the intracellular HA ligand for RHAMM (a receptor for HA). RHAMM contributes to genetic instability in MM; therefore, we speculate that it may also contribute to genetic instability in WM. Furthermore, we suggest that overexpression of HAS1 and its variants in combination with HAS3 may form an HA matrix around WM cells, thus preventing their elimination by the immune system, and it promotes their migration and may facilitate the spread of disease. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.