SUMO1 modification of histone H4 is involved in the pathogenesis of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

BACKGROUND: Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a distinct and rare subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) that can be differentially diagnosed from classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Because of its low prevalence rate and undefined pathogenic mechanisms, a specific treatment for NLPHL has yet to be determined. In NLPHL, which is a malignant B-cell lymphoma, antigen stimulation results in the formation of germinal centers by secondary lymphoid follicles, which promotes the differentiation of germinal center B cells (GCBs) into long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells. Any abnormality during the differentiation can lead to the occurrence and development of NLPHL. METHODS: The GDS4977 data set was selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository. Differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) were detected with GEO2R. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of biological processes (BP) and Reactome pathways was performed withg:Profile. Cytoscape software was employed to screen hub genes, while the core genes were determined using the STRING and Reactome databases. RESULTS: In total, 623 DEGs, 68 GO-BP pathways, 70 Reactome pathways, 19 hub genes, and 12 core genes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Histone expressions differ between NLPHL and GCBs, and HIST1H4B, HIST1H4C, HIST1H4E, HIST1H4L, HIST1H2AE, H2AFZ, HIST1H2BM, and H3F3A jointly form the core histones. During the development of NLPHL, histones are transported by NPM1. The pathogenesis of NLPHL involves SUMO-1 modification of histone H4.