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Deregulated Gene Expression Profiles and Regulatory Networks in Adult and Pediatric RUNX1/RUNX1T1-Positive AML Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061795. [PMID: 36980682 PMCID: PMC10046396 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous and complex disease concerning molecular aberrations and prognosis. RUNX1/RUNX1T1 is a fusion oncogene that results from the chromosomal translocation t(8;21) and plays a crucial role in AML. However, its impact on the transcriptomic profile of different age groups of AML patients is not completely understood. Here, we investigated the deregulated gene expression (DEG) profiles in adult and pediatric RUNX1/RUNX1T1-positive AML patients, and compared their functions and regulatory networks. We retrospectively analyzed gene expression data from two independent Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE37642 and GSE75461) and computed their differentially expressed genes and upstream regulators, using limma, GEO2Enrichr, and X2K. For validation purposes, we used the TCGA-LAML (adult) and TARGET-AML (pediatric) patient cohorts. We also analyzed the protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, as well as those composed of transcription factors (TF), intermediate proteins, and kinases foreseen to regulate the top deregulated genes in each group. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enrichment analyses were further performed for the DEGs in each dataset. We found that the top upregulated genes in (both adult and pediatric) RUNX1/RUNX1T1-positive AML patients are enriched in extracellular matrix organization, the cell projection membrane, filopodium membrane, and supramolecular fiber. Our data corroborate that RUNX1/RUNX1T1 reprograms a large transcriptional network to establish and maintain leukemia via intricate PPI interactions and kinase-driven phosphorylation events.
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Zorn KE, Cunningham AM, Meyer AE, Carlson KS, Rao S. Pediatric Myeloid Sarcoma, More than Just a Chloroma: A Review of Clinical Presentations, Significance, and Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1443. [PMID: 36900239 PMCID: PMC10000481 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid sarcomas (MS), commonly referred to as chloromas, are extramedullary tumors of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with varying incidence and influence on outcomes. Pediatric MS has both a higher incidence and unique clinical presentation, cytogenetic profile, and set of risk factors compared to adult patients. Optimal treatment remains undefined, yet allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and epigenetic reprogramming in children are potential therapies. Importantly, the biology of MS development is poorly understood; however, cell-cell interactions, epigenetic dysregulation, cytokine signaling, and angiogenesis all appear to play key roles. This review describes pediatric-specific MS literature and the current state of knowledge about the biological determinants that drive MS development. While the significance of MS remains controversial, the pediatric experience provides an opportunity to investigate mechanisms of disease development to improve patient outcomes. This brings the hope of better understanding MS as a distinct disease entity deserving directed therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin E. Zorn
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology/Transplantation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | | | | | - Karen Sue Carlson
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Sridhar Rao
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology/Transplantation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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Jiang X, Jiang L, Cheng J, Chen F, Ni J, Yin C, Wang Q, Wang Z, Fang D, Yi Z, Yu G, Zhong Q, Carter BZ, Meng F. Inhibition of EZH2 by chidamide exerts antileukemia activity and increases chemosensitivity through Smo/Gli-1 pathway in acute myeloid leukemia. J Transl Med 2021; 19:117. [PMID: 33743723 PMCID: PMC7981995 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02789-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epigenetic dysregulation plays important roles in leukemogenesis and the progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) reciprocally regulate the acetylation and deacetylation of nuclear histones. Aberrant activation of HDACs results in uncontrolled proliferation and blockade of differentiation, and HDAC inhibition has been investigated as epigenetic therapeutic strategy against AML. Methods Cell growth was assessed with CCK-8 assay, and apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry in AML cell lines and CD45 + and CD34 + CD38- cells from patient samples after staining with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI). EZH2 was silenced with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) or overexpressed by lentiviral transfection. Changes in signaling pathways were detected by western blotting. The effect of chidamide or EZH2-specific shRNA (shEZH2) in combination with adriamycin was studied in vivo in leukemia-bearing nude mouse models. Results In this study, we investigated the antileukemia effects of HDAC inhibitor chidamide and its combinatorial activity with cytotoxic agent adriamycin in AML cells. We demonstrated that chidamide suppressed the levels of EZH2, H3K27me3 and DNMT3A, exerted potential antileukemia activity and increased the sensitivity to adriamycin through disruption of Smo/Gli-1 pathway and downstream signaling target p-AKT in AML cells and stem/progenitor cells. In addition to decreasing the levels of H3K27me3 and DNMT3A, inhibition of EZH2 either pharmacologically by chidamide or genetically by shEZH2 suppressed the activity of Smo/Gli-1 pathway and increased the antileukemia activity of adriamycin against AML in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Inhibition of EZH2 by chidamide has antileukemia activity and increases the chemosensitivity to adriamycin through Smo/Gli-1 pathway in AML cells (Fig. 5). These findings support the rational combination of HDAC inhibitors and chemotherapy for the treatment of AML. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-02789-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejie Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
| | - Ling Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaying Cheng
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinle Ni
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Changxin Yin
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhixiang Wang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Dan Fang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhengshan Yi
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Guopan Yu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingxiu Zhong
- Department of Hematology, Kanghua Hospital, Dongguan, 523080, Guangdong, China
| | - Bing Z Carter
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fanyi Meng
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China. .,Department of Hematology, Kanghua Hospital, Dongguan, 523080, Guangdong, China.
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Chu MQ, Zhang TJ, Xu ZJ, Gu Y, Ma JC, Zhang W, Wen XM, Lin J, Qian J, Zhou JD. EZH2 dysregulation: Potential biomarkers predicting prognosis and guiding treatment choice in acute myeloid leukaemia. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 24:1640-1649. [PMID: 31794134 PMCID: PMC6991666 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating studies have proved EZH2 dysregulation mediated by mutation and expression in diverse human cancers including AML. However, the expression pattern of EZH2 remains controversial in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). EZH1/2 expression and mutation were analysed in 200 patients with AML. EZH2 expression was significantly decreased in AML patients compared with normal controls but not for EZH1 expression. EZH2 mutation was identified three of the 200 AML patients (1.5%, 3/200), whereas none of the patients harboured EZH1 mutation (0%, 0/200). EZH2 expression and mutation were significantly associated with -7/del(7) karyotypes. Moreover, lower EZH2 expression was associated with older age, higher white blood cells, NPM1 mutation, CEBPA wild-type and WT1 wild-type. Patients with EZH2 mutation showed shorter overall survival (OS) and leukaemia-free survival (LFS) than patients without EHZ2 mutation after receiving autologous or allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, EZH2 expression has no effect on OS and LFS of AML patients. Notably, in EZH2 low group, patients undergone HSCT had significantly better OS and LFS compared with patients only received chemotherapy, whereas no significant difference was found in OS and LFS between chemotherapy and HSCT patients in EZH2 high group. Collectively, EZH2 dysregulation caused by mutation and under-expression identifies specific subtypes of AML EZH2 dysregulation may be acted as potential biomarkers predicting prognosis and guiding the treatment choice between transplantation and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Qiang Chu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ting-Juan Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,Zhenjiang Clinical Research Center of Hematology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,The Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Hematologic Malignancies of Zhenjiang City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zi-Jun Xu
- Zhenjiang Clinical Research Center of Hematology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,The Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Hematologic Malignancies of Zhenjiang City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,Laboratory Center, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Gu
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,Zhenjiang Clinical Research Center of Hematology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,The Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Hematologic Malignancies of Zhenjiang City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ji-Chun Ma
- Zhenjiang Clinical Research Center of Hematology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,The Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Hematologic Malignancies of Zhenjiang City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,Laboratory Center, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,Zhenjiang Clinical Research Center of Hematology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,The Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Hematologic Malignancies of Zhenjiang City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiang-Mei Wen
- Zhenjiang Clinical Research Center of Hematology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,The Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Hematologic Malignancies of Zhenjiang City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,Laboratory Center, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiang Lin
- Zhenjiang Clinical Research Center of Hematology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,The Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Hematologic Malignancies of Zhenjiang City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,Laboratory Center, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Qian
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,Zhenjiang Clinical Research Center of Hematology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,The Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Hematologic Malignancies of Zhenjiang City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing-Dong Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,Zhenjiang Clinical Research Center of Hematology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,The Key Lab of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Hematologic Malignancies of Zhenjiang City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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Functional Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) Are Expressed by a Majority of Primary Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Inducibility of the TLR Signaling Pathway Is Associated with a More Favorable Phenotype. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11070973. [PMID: 31336716 PMCID: PMC6678780 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous disease with regard to biological characteristics and receptor expression. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are upstream to the transcription factor NFκB and part of the innate immune system. They are differentially expressed on AML blasts, and during normal hematopoiesis they initiate myeloid differentiation. In this study, we investigated the response upon TLR stimulation in an AML cohort (n = 83) by measuring the increase of NFκB-mediated cytokine secretion. We observed that TLR4 is readily induced in most patients, while TLR1/2 response was more restricted. General response to TLR stimulation correlated with presence of nucleophosmin gene mutations, increased mRNA expression of proteins, which are part of the TLR signaling pathway and reduced expression of transcription-related proteins. Furthermore, signaling via TLR1/2 appeared to be linked with prolonged patient survival. In conclusion, response upon TLR stimulation, and especially TLR1/2 induction, seems to be part of a more favorable phenotype, which also is characterized by higher basal cytokine secretion and a more mature blast population.
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Christofides A, Karantanos T, Bardhan K, Boussiotis VA. Epigenetic regulation of cancer biology and anti-tumor immunity by EZH2. Oncotarget 2018; 7:85624-85640. [PMID: 27793053 PMCID: PMC5356764 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb group proteins regulate chromatin structure and have an important regulatory role on gene expression in various cell types. Two polycomb group complexes (Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and 2 (PRC2)) have been identified in mammalian cells. Both PRC1 and PRC2 compact chromatin, and also catalyze histone modifications. PRC1 mediates monoubiquitination of histone H2A, whereas PRC2 catalyzes methylation of histone H3 on lysine 27. These alterations of histones can lead to altered gene expression patterns by regulating chromatin structure. Numerous studies have highlighted the role of the PRC2 catalytic component enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in neoplastic development and progression, and EZH2 mutations have been identified in various malignancies. Through modulating the expression of critical genes, EZH2 is actively involved in fundamental cellular processes such as cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In addition to cancer cells, EZH2 also has a decisive role in the differentiation and function of T effector and T regulatory cells. In this review we summarize the recent progress regarding the role of EZH2 in human malignancies, highlight the molecular mechanisms by which EZH2 aberrations promote the pathogenesis of cancer, and discuss the anti-tumor effects of EZH2 targeting via activating direct anti-cancer mechanisms and anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthos Christofides
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theodoros Karantanos
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,General Internal Medicine Section, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kankana Bardhan
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vassiliki A Boussiotis
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Vadillo E, Dorantes-Acosta E, Pelayo R, Schnoor M. T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL): New insights into the cellular origins and infiltration mechanisms common and unique among hematologic malignancies. Blood Rev 2017; 32:36-51. [PMID: 28830639 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2017.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) accounts for 15% and 25% of total childhood and adult ALL cases, respectively. During T-ALL, patients are at risk of organ infiltration by leukemic T-cells. Infiltration is a major consequence of disease relapse and correlates with poor prognosis. Transendothelial migration of leukemic cells is required to exit the blood stream into target organs. While mechanisms of normal T-cell transmigration are well known, the mechanisms of leukemic T-cell extravasation remain elusive; but involvement of chemokines, integrins and Notch signaling play critical roles. Here, we summarize current knowledge about molecular mechanisms of leukemic T-cell infiltration with special emphasis on the newly identified subtype early T-cell-progenitor (ETP)-ALL. Furthermore, we compare the extravasation potential of T-ALL cells with that of other hematologic malignancies such as B-ALL and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Vadillo
- Department for Molecular Biomedicine, Centre for Investigation and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav-IPN), 07360 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Elisa Dorantes-Acosta
- Leukemia Clinic, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, 06720 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosana Pelayo
- Oncology Research Unit, National Medical Center, Mexican Institute for Social Security, 06720 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Michael Schnoor
- Department for Molecular Biomedicine, Centre for Investigation and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav-IPN), 07360 Mexico City, Mexico.
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