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Cuéllar Mendoza ME, Chávez Sánchez FR, Dorantes Acosta EM, Niembro Zúñiga AM, Pelayo R, Zapata Tarrés M. Not only a therapeutic target; mTOR in Hodgkin lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1304605. [PMID: 38444670 PMCID: PMC10912149 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1304605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase, which is downregulated or upregulated and is implicated in different types of cancer including hematologic neoplasms, skin prostate, and head and neck cancer. Aim The aim of this study was to explore the current knowledge of mTOR signaling in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Hodgkin lymphoma. Methods A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, searching PubMed, Discovery Service for National Autonomous University of Mexico, Registro Nacional de Instituciones y Empresas Científicas y Tecnológicas (RENIECYT), and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) from 1994 to 2023. A total of 269 papers were identified for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but based on specific criteria, 15 were included; for Hodgkin lymphoma, 110 papers were identified, but 5 were included after manual searching. Results A total of 20 papers were evaluated, where mTOR activity is increased in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia by different molecular mechanisms. Conclusions mTOR activity is increased in patients with both hematologic neoplasms and NOTCH; interleukin 4, 7, and 9, and nuclear proteins have been studied for their role in the activation of mTOR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Enrique Cuéllar Mendoza
- Department of Biochemistry, Medicine Faculty, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
- Research Coordination, IMSS Foundation, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Rosana Pelayo
- Education and Research Unit, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico
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Verma D, Kapoor S, Kumari S, Sharma D, Singh J, Benjamin M, Bakhshi S, Seth R, Nayak B, Sharma A, Pramanik R, Palanichamy JK, Sivasubbu S, Scaria V, Arora M, Kumar R, Chopra A. Decoding the genetic symphony: Profiling protein-coding and long noncoding RNA expression in T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia for clinical insights. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae011. [PMID: 38328782 PMCID: PMC10847906 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a heterogeneous malignancy characterized by the abnormal proliferation of immature T-cell precursors. Despite advances in immunophenotypic classification, understanding the molecular landscape and its impact on patient prognosis remains challenging. In this study, we conducted comprehensive RNA sequencing in a cohort of 35 patients with T-ALL to unravel the intricate transcriptomic profile. Subsequently, we validated the prognostic relevance of 23 targets, encompassing (i) protein-coding genes-BAALC, HHEX, MEF2C, FAT1, LYL1, LMO2, LYN, and TAL1; (ii) epigenetic modifiers-DOT1L, EP300, EML4, RAG1, EZH2, and KDM6A; and (iii) long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)-XIST, PCAT18, PCAT14, LINC00202, LINC00461, LINC00648, ST20, MEF2C-AS1, and MALAT1 in an independent cohort of 99 patients with T-ALL. Principal component analysis revealed distinct clusters aligning with immunophenotypic subtypes, providing insights into the molecular heterogeneity of T-ALL. The identified signature genes exhibited associations with clinicopathologic features. Survival analysis uncovered several independent predictors of patient outcomes. Higher expression of MEF2C, BAALC, HHEX, and LYL1 genes emerged as robust indicators of poor overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and relapse-free survival (RFS). Higher LMO2 expression was correlated with adverse EFS and RFS outcomes. Intriguingly, increased expression of lncRNA ST20 coupled with RAG1 demonstrated a favorable prognostic impact on OS, EFS, and RFS. Conclusively, several hitherto unreported associations of gene expression patterns with clinicopathologic features and prognosis were identified, which may help understand T-ALL's molecular pathogenesis and provide prognostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Verma
- Laboratory Oncology, Dr BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Shruti Kapoor
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi-110025, India
| | - Sarita Kumari
- Laboratory Oncology, Dr BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Disha Sharma
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi-110025, India
| | - Jay Singh
- Laboratory Oncology, Dr BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Mercilena Benjamin
- Laboratory Oncology, Dr BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Sameer Bakhshi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Rachna Seth
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Baibaswata Nayak
- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Atul Sharma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Raja Pramanik
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | | | - Sridhar Sivasubbu
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi-110025, India
| | - Vinod Scaria
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi-110025, India
| | - Mohit Arora
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Rajive Kumar
- Laboratory Oncology, Dr BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Anita Chopra
- Laboratory Oncology, Dr BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
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3
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Li H, Zhang D, Fu Q, Wang S, Zhang X, Lin Z, Wang Z, Song J, Su Z, Xue V, Liu S, Chen Y, Zhou L, Zhao N, Lu D. WDR54 exerts oncogenic roles in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Sci 2023. [PMID: 37302808 PMCID: PMC10394158 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15872] [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: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
WDR54 has been recently identified as a novel oncogene in colorectal and bladder cancers. However, the expression and function of WDR54 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) were not reported. In this study, we investigated the expression of WDR54 in T-ALL, as well as its function in T-ALL pathogenesis using cell lines and T-ALL xenograft. Bioinformatics analysis indicated high mRNA expression of WDR54 in T-ALL. We further confirmed that the expression of WDR54 was significantly elevated in T-ALL. Depletion of WDR54 dramatically inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at S phase in T-ALL cells in vitro. Moreover, knockdown of WDR54 impeded the process of leukemogenesis in a Jurkat xenograft model in vivo. Mechanistically, the expression of PDPK1, phospho-AKT (p-AKT), total AKT, phospho-ERK (p-ERK), Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were downregulated, while cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 were upregulated in T-ALL cells with WDR54 knockdown. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis indicated that WDR54 might regulate the expression of some oncogenic genes involved in multiple signaling pathways. Taken together, these findings suggest that WDR54 may be involved in the pathogenesis of T-ALL and serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Danlan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiuxia Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shang Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhixian Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhongyuan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaxing Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zijie Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - VivianWeiwen Xue
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Na Zhao
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Desheng Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
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IL-7: Comprehensive review. Cytokine 2022; 160:156049. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.156049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Rindiarti A, Okamoto Y, Nakagawa S, Hirose J, Kodama Y, Nishikawa T, Kawano Y. Changes in intracellular activation-related gene expression and induction of Akt contribute to acquired resistance toward nelarabine in CCRF-CEM cell line. Leuk Lymphoma 2022; 63:404-415. [PMID: 35080473 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1992617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major problem in treatment with nelarabine, and its resolution requires elucidation of the underlying mechanisms. We established two nelarabine-resistant subclones of the human T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia cell line CCRF-CEM. The resistant subclones showed changes in the expression of several genes related to nelarabine intracellular activation and inhibition of apoptosis. Activation of the Akt protein upon nelarabine treatment was observed in both subclones. The combination treatment with nelarabine and PI3K/Akt inhibitors was shown to inhibit cell growth. Cross-resistance was observed with ara-C and not with vincristine, daunorubicin, or etoposide treatment. Thus, changes in the expression of cellular activation-related genes, inhibition of apoptosis, and induction of Akt may be involved in the development of nelarabine resistance in the CCRF-CEM cell model. The use of different classes of chemotherapeutic agents and combination therapy with PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitors may be used to overcome resistance to nelarabine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almitra Rindiarti
- Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima City, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Okamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima City, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Nakagawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima City, Japan
| | - Junko Hirose
- Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima City, Japan
| | - Yuichi Kodama
- Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima City, Japan
| | - Takuro Nishikawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima City, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Kawano
- Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima City, Japan
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Bednarz-Misa I, Bromke MA, Krzystek-Korpacka M. Interleukin (IL)-7 Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1290:9-49. [PMID: 33559853 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-55617-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-7 plays an important immunoregulatory role in different types of cells. Therefore, it attracts researcher's attention, but despite the fact, many aspects of its modulatory action, as well as other functionalities, are still poorly understood. The review summarizes current knowledge on the interleukin-7 and its signaling cascade in context of cancer development. Moreover, it provides a cancer-type focused description of the involvement of IL-7 in solid tumors, as well as hematological malignancies.The interleukin has been discovered as a growth factor crucial for the early lymphocyte development and supporting the growth of malignant cells in certain leukemias and lymphomas. Therefore, its targeting has been explored as a treatment modality in hematological malignancies, while the unique ability to expand lymphocyte populations selectively and without hyperinflammation has been used in experimental immunotherapies in patients with lymphopenia. Ever since the early research demonstrated a reduced growth of solid tumors in the presence of IL-7, the interleukin application in boosting up the anticancer immunity has been investigated. However, a growing body of evidence indicative of IL-7 upregulation in carcinomas, facilitating tumor growth and metastasis and aiding drug-resistance, is accumulating. It therefore becomes increasingly apparent that the response to the IL-7 stimulus strongly depends on cell type, their developmental stage, and microenvironmental context. The interleukin exerts its regulatory action mainly through phosphorylation events in JAK/STAT and PI3K/Akt pathways, while the significance of MAPK pathway seems to be limited to solid tumors. Given the unwavering interest in IL-7 application in immunotherapy, a better understanding of interleukin role, source in tumor microenvironment, and signaling pathways, as well as the identification of cells that are likely to respond should be a research priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Bednarz-Misa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Mariusz A Bromke
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
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IL-9 and Th9 Cells in Tumor Immunity. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1240:35-46. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-38315-2_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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8
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Lowinus T, Heidel FH, Bose T, Nimmagadda SC, Schnöder T, Cammann C, Schmitz I, Seifert U, Fischer T, Schraven B, Bommhardt U. Memantine potentiates cytarabine-induced cell death of acute leukemia correlating with inhibition of K v1.3 potassium channels, AKT and ERK1/2 signaling. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:5. [PMID: 30651113 PMCID: PMC6335768 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-018-0317-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment of acute leukemia is challenging and long-lasting remissions are difficult to induce. Innovative therapy approaches aim to complement standard chemotherapy to improve drug efficacy and decrease toxicity. Promising new therapeutic targets in cancer therapy include voltage-gated Kv1.3 potassium channels, but their role in acute leukemia is unclear. We reported that Kv1.3 channels of lymphocytes are blocked by memantine, which is known as an antagonist of neuronal N-methyl-D-aspartate type glutamate receptors and clinically applied in therapy of advanced Alzheimer disease. Here we evaluated whether pharmacological targeting of Kv1.3 channels by memantine promotes cell death of acute leukemia cells induced by chemotherapeutic cytarabine. Methods We analyzed acute lymphoid (Jurkat, CEM) and myeloid (HL-60, Molm-13, OCI-AML-3) leukemia cell lines and patients’ acute leukemic blasts after treatment with either drug alone or the combination of cytarabine and memantine. Patch-clamp analysis was performed to evaluate inhibition of Kv1.3 channels and membrane depolarization by memantine. Cell death was determined with propidium iodide, Annexin V and SYTOX staining and cytochrome C release assay. Molecular effects of memantine co-treatment on activation of Caspases, AKT, ERK1/2, and JNK signaling were analysed by Western blot. Kv1.3 channel expression in Jurkat cells was downregulated by shRNA. Results Our study demonstrates that memantine inhibits Kv1.3 channels of acute leukemia cells and in combination with cytarabine potentiates cell death of acute lymphoid and myeloid leukemia cell lines as well as primary leukemic blasts from acute leukemia patients. At molecular level, memantine co-application fosters concurrent inhibition of AKT, S6 and ERK1/2 and reinforces nuclear down-regulation of MYC, a common target of AKT and ERK1/2 signaling. In addition, it augments mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in enhanced cytochrome C release and activation of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 leading to amplified apoptosis. Conclusions Our study underlines inhibition of Kv1.3 channels as a therapeutic strategy in acute leukemia and proposes co-treatment with memantine, a licensed and safe drug, as a potential approach to promote cytarabine-based cell death of various subtypes of acute leukemia. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-018-0317-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Lowinus
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I3), Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.,Present address: Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Florian H Heidel
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, GC-I3, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz-Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany.,Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Tanima Bose
- Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,Present address: Institute for Clinical Neuroimmunology, Ludwigs-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Subbaiah Chary Nimmagadda
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, GC-I3, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tina Schnöder
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, GC-I3, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz-Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany.,Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Clemens Cammann
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ingo Schmitz
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I3), Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.,Systems-Oriented Immunology and Inflammation Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Seifert
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I3), Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.,Friedrich Loeffler Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas Fischer
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, GC-I3, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Burkhart Schraven
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I3), Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Immune Control, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ursula Bommhardt
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I3), Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Jia Y, Qi Y, Wang Y, Ma X, Xu Y, Wang J, Zhang X, Gao M, Cong B, Han S. Overexpression of CD59 inhibits apoptosis of T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia via AKT/Notch1 signaling pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:9. [PMID: 30636930 PMCID: PMC6325688 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-018-0714-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) was a hematological malignancy characterized by the accumulation of immature T cells in bone marrow and peripheral blood. In this study, we tried to explore the physiological role of CD59 in T-ALL. METHODS In this study, we collected the bone marrow samples from 17 T-ALL patients and 38 healthy participants to find differences in CD59 expression patterns. Then, CD59 was over-expressed in T-ALL cell line Jurkat, and its biological functions were detected. In addition, in order to understand the active site of CD59, the Trp40 was mutated. Further, we constructed a mouse model by transplanting Jurkat cells into the nude mice to verify the function of CD59 in vitro. At last, mechanism studies were performed by western blot. RESULTS We found that the proportion of T lymphocytes expressing CD59 in bone marrow of T-ALL patients was significantly higher than that of healthy individuals. Then, we found that the overexpression of CD59 in Jurkat cells was beneficial to the cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting IL-2 secretion. In this process, Trp40 of CD59 was a key functional site. Further, the high expression of CD59 inhibited apoptosis of bone marrow and peripheral blood cells, and promoted IL-2 secretion in mouse model. At last, mechanism studies showed that the activation of AKT, STAT5 and Notch1 signaling pathways in Jurkat cells, may be involved in the regulation of apoptosis by CD59; and mutation in the Trp40 affect the interaction of CD59 with these signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, CD59 inhibited apoptosis of T-ALL by regulating AKT/Notch1 signaling pathway, providing a new perspective for the treatment of T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfei Jia
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 115 Jie Fang Road, Jinan, Shandong 250013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Qi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunshan Wang
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 115 Jie Fang Road, Jinan, Shandong 250013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 115 Jie Fang Road, Jinan, Shandong 250013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yihui Xu
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 115 Jie Fang Road, Jinan, Shandong 250013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Wang
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 115 Jie Fang Road, Jinan, Shandong 250013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqian Zhang
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 115 Jie Fang Road, Jinan, Shandong 250013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Meihua Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong People’s Republic of China
| | - Beibei Cong
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 115 Jie Fang Road, Jinan, Shandong 250013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuyi Han
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 115 Jie Fang Road, Jinan, Shandong 250013 People’s Republic of China
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Synergistic Cytotoxic Effect of L-Asparaginase Combined with Decitabine as a Demethylating Agent in Pediatric T-ALL, with Specific Epigenetic Signature. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:1985750. [PMID: 28003999 PMCID: PMC5150123 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1985750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
T-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) remains a subgroup of pediatric ALL, with a lower response to standard chemotherapy. Some recent studies established the fundamental role of epigenetic aberrations such as DNA hypermethylation, to influence patients' outcome and response to chemotherapy. Moreover, L-asparaginase is an important chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of ALL and resistance to this drug has been linked to ASNS expression, which can be silenced through methylation. Therefore, we tested whether the sensitivity of T-ALL cell lines towards L-asparaginase is correlated to the epigenetic status of ASNS gene and whether the sensitivity can be modified by concurrent demethylating treatment. Hence we treated different T-ALL cell lines with L-asparaginase and correlated different responses to the treatment with ASNS expression. Then we demonstrated that the ASNS expression was dependent on the methylation status of the promoter. Finally we showed that, despite the demethylating effect on the ASNS gene expression, the combined treatment with the demethylating agent Decitabine could synergistically improve the L-asparaginase sensitivity in those T-ALL cell lines characterized by hypermethylation of the ASNS gene. In conclusion, this preclinical study identified an unexpected synergistic activity of L-asparaginase and Decitabine in the subgroup of T-ALL with low ASNS expression due to hypermethylation of the ASNS promoter, while it did not restore sensitivity in the resistant cell lines characterized by higher ASNS expression.
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11
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Lonetti A, Cappellini A, Bertaina A, Locatelli F, Pession A, Buontempo F, Evangelisti C, Evangelisti C, Orsini E, Zambonin L, Neri LM, Martelli AM, Chiarini F. Improving nelarabine efficacy in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by targeting aberrant PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. J Hematol Oncol 2016; 9:114. [PMID: 27776559 PMCID: PMC5075755 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-016-0344-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although in recent years, the introduction of novel chemotherapy protocols has improved the outcome of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients, refractory and/or relapsing disease remains a foremost concern. In this context, a major contribution was provided by the introduction of the nucleoside analog nelarabine, approved for salvage treatment of T-ALL patients with refractory/relapsed disease. However, nelarabine could induce a life-threatening, dose-dependent neurotoxicity. To improve nelarabine efficacy, we have analyzed its molecular targets, testing selective inhibitors of such targets in combination with nelarabine. Methods The effectiveness of nelarabine as single agent or in combination with PI3K, Bcl2, and MEK inhibitors was evaluated on human T-ALL cell lines and primary T-ALL refractory/relapsed lymphoblasts. The efficacy of signal modulators in terms of cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis, and changes in gene and protein expression was assessed by flow cytometry, western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR in T-ALL settings. Results Treatment with nelarabine as a single agent identified two groups of T-ALL cell lines, one sensitive and one resistant to the drug. Whereas sensitive T-ALL cells showed a significant increase of apoptosis and a strong down-modulation of PI3K signaling, resistant T-ALL cells showed a hyperactivation of AKT and MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathways, not caused by differences in the expression of nelarabine transporters or metabolic activators. We then studied the combination of nelarabine with the PI3K inhibitors (both pan and dual γ/δ inhibitors), with the Bcl2 specific inhibitor ABT199, and with the MEK inhibitor trametinib on both T-ALL cell lines and patient samples at relapse, which displayed constitutive activation of PI3K signaling and resistance to nelarabine alone. The combination with the pan PI3K inhibitor ZSTK-474 was the most effective in inhibiting the growth of T-ALL cells and was synergistic in decreasing cell survival and inducing apoptosis in nelarabine-resistant T-ALL cells. The drug combination caused AKT dephosphorylation and a downregulation of Bcl2, while nelarabine alone induced an increase in p-AKT and Bcl2 signaling in the resistant T-ALL cells and relapsed patient samples. Conclusions These findings indicate that nelarabine in combination with PI3K inhibitors may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of T-ALL relapsed patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13045-016-0344-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Lonetti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cappellini
- Department of Human Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino, Cassino, Italy
| | - Alice Bertaina
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Department of Pediatrics, "Lalla Seràgnoli" Hematology-Oncology Unit, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Buontempo
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cecilia Evangelisti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ester Orsini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Zambonin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Maria Neri
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alberto Maria Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Francesca Chiarini
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy.
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12
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Asati V, Mahapatra DK, Bharti SK. PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathways inhibitors as anticancer agents: Structural and pharmacological perspectives. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 109:314-41. [PMID: 26807863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 394] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The protein kinases regulate cellular functions such as transcription, translation, proliferation, growth and survival by the process of phosphorylation. Over activation of signaling pathways play a major role in oncogenesis. The PI3K signaling pathway is dysregulated almost in all cancers due to the amplification, genetic mutation of PI3K gene and the components of the PI3K pathway themselves. Stimulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathways enhances growth, survival, and metabolism of cancer cells. Recently, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathways have been identified as promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. The kinase inhibitors with enhanced specificity and improved pharmacokinetics have been considered for design and development of anticancer agents. This review focuses primarily on the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways as therapeutic targets of anticancer drugs, their specific and dual inhibitors, structure activity relationships (SARs) and inhibitors under clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Asati
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur 495009, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Debarshi Kar Mahapatra
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur 495009, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar Bharti
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur 495009, Chhattisgarh, India.
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13
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Durinck K, Goossens S, Peirs S, Wallaert A, Van Loocke W, Matthijssens F, Pieters T, Milani G, Lammens T, Rondou P, Van Roy N, De Moerloose B, Benoit Y, Haigh J, Speleman F, Poppe B, Van Vlierberghe P. Novel biological insights in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Exp Hematol 2015; 43:625-39. [PMID: 26123366 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2015.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive type of blood cancer that accounts for about 15% of pediatric and 25% of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases. It is considered as a paradigm for the multistep nature of cancer initiation and progression. Genetic and epigenetic reprogramming events, which transform T-cell precursors into malignant T-ALL lymphoblasts, have been extensively characterized over the past decade. Despite our comprehensive understanding of the genomic landscape of human T-ALL, leukemia patients are still treated by high-dose multiagent chemotherapy, potentially followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Even with such aggressive treatment regimens, which are often associated with considerable acute and long-term side effects, about 15% of pediatric and 40% of adult T-ALL patients still relapse, owing to acquired therapy resistance, and present with very dismal survival perspectives. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms by which residual T-ALL tumor cells survive chemotherapy and act as a reservoir for leukemic progression and hematologic relapse remain poorly understood. Nevertheless, it is expected that enhanced molecular understanding of T-ALL disease biology will ultimately facilitate a targeted therapy driven approach that can reduce chemotherapy-associated toxicities and improve survival of refractory T-ALL patients through personalized salvage therapy. In this review, we summarize recent biological insights into the molecular pathogenesis of T-ALL and speculate how the genetic landscape of T-ALL could trigger the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of human T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Durinck
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department for Pediatrics, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Department for Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Unit for Molecular Oncology, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium; Mammalian Functional Genetics Laboratory, Division of Blood Cancers, Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sofie Peirs
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department for Pediatrics, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelynn Wallaert
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department for Pediatrics, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Loocke
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department for Pediatrics, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Tim Pieters
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department for Pediatrics, Ghent, Belgium; Department for Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Unit for Molecular Oncology, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gloria Milani
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department for Pediatrics, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Lammens
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Rondou
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department for Pediatrics, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nadine Van Roy
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department for Pediatrics, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yves Benoit
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jody Haigh
- Mammalian Functional Genetics Laboratory, Division of Blood Cancers, Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Frank Speleman
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department for Pediatrics, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruce Poppe
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department for Pediatrics, Ghent, Belgium
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14
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Chiarini F, Evangelisti C, McCubrey JA, Martelli AM. Current treatment strategies for inhibiting mTOR in cancer. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2014; 36:124-35. [PMID: 25497227 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2014.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a Ser/Thr kinase that regulates a wide range of functions, including cell growth, proliferation, survival, autophagy, metabolism, and cytoskeletal organization. mTOR activity is dysregulated in several human disorders, including cancer. The crucial role of mTOR in cancer cell biology has stimulated interest in mTOR inhibitors, placing mTOR on the radar of the pharmaceutical industry. Several mTOR inhibitors have already undergone clinical trials for treating tumors, without great success, although mTOR inhibitors are approved for the treatment of some types of cancer, including advanced renal cell carcinoma. However, the role of mTOR inhibitors in cancer treatment continues to evolve as new compounds are continuously being disclosed. Here we review the three classes of mTOR inhibitors currently available for treating cancer patients. Moreover, we highlight efforts to identify markers of resistance and sensitivity to mTOR inhibition that could prove useful in the emerging field of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Chiarini
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy; Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy; Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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15
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Fragoso R, Barata JT. PTEN and leukemia stem cells. Adv Biol Regul 2014; 56:22-29. [PMID: 24961634 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2014.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are considered responsible for leukemia initiation, relapse and resistance to chemotherapy. These cells have self-renewal capacity and originate the other cells in the leukemia pool. Therefore, in order to completely eradicate leukemia cells and consequently cure the disease, therapies should in principle necessarily target LSCs. However, the fact that LSCs share functional and phenotypic properties with normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) poses a significant challenge: how to target LSCs without damaging normal HSCs and compromising hematopoiesis? The discovery that PTEN regulates LSCs and HSCs through different mechanisms, demonstrated that it is possible to identify pathways that differentially impact leukemia and normal stem cell function and opened new therapeutic perspectives for the selective elimination of LSCs. In this review, we briefly discuss the mechanisms that regulate PTEN function in LSCs and HSCs and their potential for the development of LSC-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Fragoso
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João T Barata
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
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16
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Martelli AM, Lonetti A, Buontempo F, Ricci F, Tazzari PL, Evangelisti C, Bressanin D, Cappellini A, Orsini E, Chiarini F. Targeting signaling pathways in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia initiating cells. Adv Biol Regul 2014; 56:6-21. [PMID: 24819383 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia initiating cells (LICs) represent a reservoir that is believed to drive relapse and resistance to chemotherapy in blood malignant disorders. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive neoplastic disorder of immature hematopoietic precursors committed to the T-cell lineage. T-ALL comprises about 15% of pediatric and 25% of adult ALL cases and is prone to early relapse. Although the prognosis of T-ALL has improved especially in children due to the use of new intensified treatment protocols, the outcome of relapsed T-ALL cases is still poor. Putative LICs have been identified also in T-ALL. LICs are mostly quiescent and for this reason highly resistant to chemotherapy. Therefore, they evade treatment and give rise to disease relapse. At present great interest surrounds the development of targeted therapies against signaling networks aberrantly activated in LICs and important for their survival and drug-resistance. Both the Notch1 pathway and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) network are involved in T-ALL LIC survival and drug-resistance and could be targeted by small molecules. Thus, Notch1 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors are currently being developed for clinical use either as single agents or in combination with conventional chemotherapy for T-ALL patient treatment. In this review, we summarize the existing knowledge of the relevance of Notch1 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in T-ALL LICs and we examine the rationale for targeting these key signal transduction networks by means of selective pharmacological inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Annalisa Lonetti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Buontempo
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Ricci
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Center, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Tazzari
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Center, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy; Musculoskeletal Cell Biology Laboratory, IOR, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniela Bressanin
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cappellini
- Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino, 03043 Cassino, Italy
| | - Ester Orsini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiarini
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy; Musculoskeletal Cell Biology Laboratory, IOR, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
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17
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Dorritie KA, Redner RL, Johnson DE. STAT transcription factors in normal and cancer stem cells. Adv Biol Regul 2014; 56:30-44. [PMID: 24931719 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins (STATs) play vital roles in the regulation of cellular proliferation and survival in normal hematopoietic cells, including hematopoietic stem cells. However, aberrant activation of STATs is commonly observed in a number of hematologic malignancies, and recent studies indicate that targeting of STATs may have therapeutic benefit in these diseases. Additional studies have provided greater understanding of the cells responsible for leukemia initiation, referred to as leukemia stem cells. Emerging evidence indicates that STATs are important in maintaining leukemia stem cells and represent a promising target for eradication of this dangerous cell population. Here we summarize what is known about normal hematopoietic stem cells and the origin of leukemic stem cells. We further describe the roles of STAT proteins in these cell populations, as well as current progress toward the development of novel agents and strategies for targeting the STAT proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A Dorritie
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Robert L Redner
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniel E Johnson
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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18
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Spartà AM, Bressanin D, Chiarini F, Lonetti A, Cappellini A, Evangelisti C, Evangelisti C, Melchionda F, Pession A, Bertaina A, Locatelli F, McCubrey JA, Martelli AM. Therapeutic targeting of Polo-like kinase-1 and Aurora kinases in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cell Cycle 2014; 13:2237-47. [PMID: 24874015 PMCID: PMC4111679 DOI: 10.4161/cc.29267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Polo-like kinases (PLKs) and Aurora kinases (AKs) act as key cell cycle regulators in healthy human cells. In cancer, these protein kinases are often overexpressed and dysregulated, thus contributing to uncontrolled cell proliferation and growth. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a heterogeneous malignancy arising in the thymus from T-cell progenitors. Primary chemoresistant and relapsed T-ALL patients have yet a poor outcome, therefore novel therapies, targeting signaling pathways important for leukemic cell proliferation, are required. Here, we demonstrate the potential therapeutic effects of BI6727, MK-5108, and GSK1070916, three selective inhibitors of PLK1, AK-A, and AK-B/C, respectively, in a panel of T-ALL cell lines and primary cells from T-ALL patients. The drugs were both cytostatic and cytotoxic to T-ALL cells by inducing G2/M-phase arrest and apoptosis. The drugs retained part of their pro-apoptotic activity in the presence of MS-5 bone marrow stromal cells. Moreover, we document for the first time that BI6727 perturbed both the PI3K/Akt/mTORC2 and the MEK/ERK/mTORC1 signaling pathways, and that a combination of BI6727 with specific inhibitors of the aforementioned pathways (MK-2206, CCI-779) displayed significantly synergistic cytotoxic effects. Taken together, our findings indicate that PLK1 and AK inhibitors display the potential for being employed in innovative therapeutic strategies for improving T-ALL patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Maria Spartà
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences; University of Bologna; Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniela Bressanin
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences; University of Bologna; Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiarini
- Institute of Molecular Genetics; National Research Council; Bologna, Italy
- Muscoloskeletal Cell Biology Laboratory; IOR; Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Lonetti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences; University of Bologna; Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cappellini
- Department of Human, Social, and Health Sciences; University of Cassino; Cassino, Italy
| | - Cecilia Evangelisti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences; University of Bologna; Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- Institute of Molecular Genetics; National Research Council; Bologna, Italy
- Muscoloskeletal Cell Biology Laboratory; IOR; Bologna, Italy
| | - Fraia Melchionda
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit ‘Lalla Seragnoli’; S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital; University of Bologna; Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit ‘Lalla Seragnoli’; S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital; University of Bologna; Bologna, Italy
| | - Alice Bertaina
- Oncoematologia Pediatrica; IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesú; Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Oncoematologia Pediatrica; IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesú; Rome, Italy
| | - James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Brody School of Medicine; East Carolina University; Greenville, NC USA
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences; University of Bologna; Bologna, Italy
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19
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McCubrey JA, Davis NM, Abrams SL, Montalto G, Cervello M, Basecke J, Libra M, Nicoletti F, Cocco L, Martelli AM, Steelman LS. Diverse roles of GSK-3: tumor promoter-tumor suppressor, target in cancer therapy. Adv Biol Regul 2013; 54:176-96. [PMID: 24169510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2013.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
| | - Nicole M Davis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Stephen L Abrams
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Giuseppe Montalto
- Biomedical Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy", Palermo, Italy
| | - Melchiorre Cervello
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy", Palermo, Italy
| | - Jorg Basecke
- Department of Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Sanct-Josef-Hospital Cloppenburg, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Cloppenburg, Germany
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Lucio Cocco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council-IOR, Bologna, Italy
| | - Linda S Steelman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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20
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Yang YR, Follo MY, Cocco L, Suh PG. The physiological roles of primary phospholipase C. Adv Biol Regul 2013; 53:232-241. [PMID: 24041464 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2013.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The roles of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) have been extensively investigated in diverse cell lines and pathological conditions. Among the PLC isozmes, primary PLCs, PLC-β and PLC-γ, are directly activated by receptor activation, unlike other secondary PLCs (PLC-ɛ, PLC-δ1, and PLC-η1). PLC-β isozymes are activated by G protein couple receptor and PLC-γ isozymes are activated by receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). Primary PLCs are differentially expressed in different tissues, suggesting their specific roles in diverse tissues and regulate a variety of physiological and pathophysiological functions. Thus, dysregulation of phospholipases contributes to a number of human diseases and primary PLCs have been identified as therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment of diseases. Here we review the roles of primary PLCs in physiology and their impact in pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Ryoul Yang
- School of Nano-Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea
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21
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Chappell WH, Abrams SL, Franklin RA, LaHair MM, Montalto G, Cervello M, Martelli AM, Nicoletti F, Candido S, Libra M, Polesel J, Talamini R, Milella M, Tafuri A, Steelman LS, McCubrey JA. Ectopic NGAL expression can alter sensitivity of breast cancer cells to EGFR, Bcl-2, CaM-K inhibitors and the plant natural product berberine. Cell Cycle 2012; 11:4447-61. [PMID: 23159854 PMCID: PMC3552927 DOI: 10.4161/cc.22786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL, a.k.a Lnc2) is a member of the lipocalin family and has diverse roles. NGAL can stabilize matrix metalloproteinase-9 from autodegradation. NGAL is considered as a siderocalin that is important in the transport of iron. NGAL expression has also been associated with certain neoplasias and is implicated in the metastasis of breast cancer. In a previous study, we examined whether ectopic NGAL expression would alter the sensitivity of breast epithelial, breast and colorectal cancer cells to the effects of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. While abundant NGAL expression was detected in all the cells infected with a retrovirus encoding NGAL, this expression did not alter the sensitivity of these cells to doxorubicin as compared with empty vector-transduced cells. We were also interested in determining the effects of ectopic NGAL expression on the sensitivity to small-molecule inhibitors targeting key signaling molecules. Ectopic NGAL expression increased the sensitivity of MCF-7 breast cancer cells to EGFR, Bcl-2 and calmodulin kinase inhibitors as well as the natural plant product berberine. Furthermore, when suboptimal concentrations of certain inhibitors were combined with doxorubicin, a reduction in the doxorubicin IC 50 was frequently observed. An exception was observed when doxorubicin was combined with rapamycin, as doxorubicin suppressed the sensitivity of the NGAL-transduced MCF-7 cells to rapamycin when compared with the empty vector controls. In contrast, changes in the sensitivities of the NGAL-transduced HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line and the breast epithelial MCF-10A cell line were not detected compared with empty vector-transduced cells. Doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7/Dox (R) cells were examined in these experiments as a control drug-resistant line; it displayed increased sensitivity to EGFR and Bcl-2 inhibitors compared with empty vector transduced MCF-7 cells. These results indicate that NGAL expression can alter the sensitivity of certain cancer cells to small-molecule inhibitors, suggesting that patients whose tumors exhibit elevated NGAL expression or have become drug-resistant may display altered responses to certain small-molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H. Chappell
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology; Brody School of Medicine; East Carolina University; Greenville, NC USA
| | - Stephen L. Abrams
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology; Brody School of Medicine; East Carolina University; Greenville, NC USA
| | - Richard A. Franklin
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology; Brody School of Medicine; East Carolina University; Greenville, NC USA
| | - Michelle M. LaHair
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology; Brody School of Medicine; East Carolina University; Greenville, NC USA
| | - Giuseppe Montalto
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties; University of Palermo; Palermo, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare “Alberto Monroy”; Palermo, Italy
| | - Melchiorre Cervello
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare “Alberto Monroy”; Palermo, Italy
| | - Alberto M. Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences; Università di Bologna; Bologna, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Genetics; National Research Council-Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute; Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Saverio Candido
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences; University of Catania; Catania, Italy
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences; University of Catania; Catania, Italy
| | - Jerry Polesel
- Unit of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Centro di Riferimento Oncologico; IRCCS; Aviano, Italy
| | - Renato Talamini
- Unit of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Centro di Riferimento Oncologico; IRCCS; Aviano, Italy
| | | | - Agostino Tafuri
- Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology; University of Rome, Sapienza; Rome, Italy
| | - Linda S. Steelman
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology; Brody School of Medicine; East Carolina University; Greenville, NC USA
| | - James A. McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology; Brody School of Medicine; East Carolina University; Greenville, NC USA
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22
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McCubrey JA, Steelman LS, Chappell WH, Abrams SL, Montalto G, Cervello M, Nicoletti F, Fagone P, Malaponte G, Mazzarino MC, Candido S, Libra M, Bäsecke J, Mijatovic S, Maksimovic-Ivanic D, Milella M, Tafuri A, Cocco L, Evangelisti C, Chiarini F, Martelli AM. Mutations and deregulation of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR cascades which alter therapy response. Oncotarget 2012; 3:954-87. [PMID: 23006971 PMCID: PMC3660063 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR cascades are often activated by genetic alterations in upstream signaling molecules such as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). Certain components of these pathways, RAS, NF1, BRAF, MEK1, DUSP5, PP2A, PIK3CA, PIK3R1, PIK3R4, PIK3R5, IRS4, AKT, NFKB1, MTOR, PTEN, TSC1, and TSC2 may also be activated/inactivated by mutations or epigenetic silencing. Upstream mutations in one signaling pathway or even in downstream components of the same pathway can alter the sensitivity of the cells to certain small molecule inhibitors. These pathways have profound effects on proliferative, apoptotic and differentiation pathways. Dysregulation of components of these cascades can contribute to: resistance to other pathway inhibitors, chemotherapeutic drug resistance, premature aging as well as other diseases. This review will first describe these pathways and discuss how genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations can result in resistance to various inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
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