Accordingly, gene transfer-mediated re-expression of iOPN, but not of its secreted isoform, into ABC-DLBCL cell lines established from OPN-/-Faslpr/lpr mice, prevented CpG-mediated activation of STAT3, suggesting that the intracellular form of OPN may represent a brake to TLR9 signaling pathway activation. This evidence concerns the gene STAT3 and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.