Total peroxiredoxin expression is associated with survival in patients with follicular lymphoma

Redox state-regulating enzymes may have roles in chemoresistance and also in lymphomagenesis, but there have been only a limited number of studies on this topic in lymphomas. Our aim was to assess expression of the redox state-regulating enzymes peroxiredoxins (Prxs) I–VI and thioredoxin (Trx) and the oxidative stress marker nitrotyrosine in follicular lymphomas (FLs). We immunohistochemically assessed Prxs I–VI, Trx and nitrotyrosine in a cohort of 76 histologically confirmed, untreated FLs. We also studied the localisation of Prxs I, II, III, V and VI by means of immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). Immunohistochemistry results were correlated with disease-specific survival (DSS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and clinical prognostic factors. When all Prx expression intensities were grouped as a single variable, we discovered that high total Prx intensity correlated with favourable DSS (p = 0.024) and OS (p = 0.035) but not with PFS. No deaths due to lymphoma were recorded amongst patients with high total Prx expression during the median follow-up period of 7.6 years. IEM results were in line with earlier ones demonstrating wide subcellular localisation of Prx isoenzymes. In conclusion, our results demonstrate an association between high total Prx expression and prolonged survival and suggest that Prxs may have a protective role in FL that cannot be compensated by other antioxidant mechanisms.