1
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Monovich AC, Gurumurthy A, Ryan RJH. The Diverse Roles of ETV6 Alterations in B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Other Hematopoietic Cancers. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1459:291-320. [PMID: 39017849 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62731-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Genetic alterations of the repressive ETS family transcription factor gene ETV6 are recurrent in several categories of hematopoietic malignancy, including subsets of B-cell and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (B-ALL and T-ALL), myeloid neoplasms, and mature B-cell lymphomas. ETV6 is essential for adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), contributes to specific functions of some mature immune cells, and plays a key role in thrombopoiesis as demonstrated by familial ETV6 mutations associated with thrombocytopenia and predisposition to hematopoietic cancers, particularly B-ALL. ETV6 appears to have a tumor suppressor role in several hematopoietic lineages, as demonstrated by recurrent somatic loss-of-function (LoF) and putative dominant-negative alterations in leukemias and lymphomas. ETV6 rearrangements contribute to recurrent fusion oncogenes such as the B-ALL-associated transcription factor (TF) fusions ETV6::RUNX1 and PAX5::ETV6, rare drivers such as ETV6::NCOA6, and a spectrum of tyrosine kinase gene fusions encoding hyperactive signaling proteins that self-associate via the ETV6 N-terminal pointed domain. Another subset of recurrent rearrangements involving the ETV6 gene locus appear to function primarily to drive overexpression of the partner gene. This review surveys what is known about the biochemical and genome regulatory properties of ETV6 as well as our current understanding of how alterations in these functions contribute to hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Monovich
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Aishwarya Gurumurthy
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Russell J H Ryan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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2
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Casado-García A, Isidro-Hernández M, Alemán-Arteaga S, Ruiz-Corzo B, Riesco S, Prieto-Matos P, Sánchez L, Sánchez-García I, Vicente-Dueñas C. Lessons from mouse models in the impact of risk factors on the genesis of childhood B-cell leukemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285743. [PMID: 37901253 PMCID: PMC10602728 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) stands as the primary contributor to childhood cancer-related mortality on a global scale. The development of the most conventional forms of this disease has been proposed to be conducted by two different steps influenced by different types of risk factors. The first step is led by a genetic insult that is presumably acquired before birth that transforms a healthy cell into a preleukemic one, which is maintained untransformed until the second step takes place. This necessary next step to leukemia development will be triggered by different risk factors to which children are exposed after birth. Murine models that recap the stepwise progression of B-ALL have been instrumental in identifying environmental and genetic factors that contribute to disease risk. Recent evidence from these models has demonstrated that specific environmental risk factors, such as common infections or gut microbiome dysbiosis, induce immune stress, driving the transformation of preleukemic cells, and harboring genetic alterations, into fully transformed leukemic cells. Such models serve as valuable tools for investigating the mechanisms underlying preleukemic events and can aid in the development of preventive approaches for leukemia in child. Here, we discuss the existing knowledge, learned from mouse models, of the impact of genetic and environmental risk factors on childhood B-ALL evolution and how B-ALL prevention could be reached by interfering with preleukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Casado-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta Isidro-Hernández
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Silvia Alemán-Arteaga
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Belén Ruiz-Corzo
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Susana Riesco
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pablo Prieto-Matos
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Lucía Sánchez
- School of Law, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Isidro Sánchez-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carolina Vicente-Dueñas
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
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3
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Cobaleda C, Vicente-Dueñas C, Ramírez-Orellana M, Sanchez-Garcia I. Revisiting the concept of childhood preleukemia. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:887-889. [PMID: 35871053 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Preleukemic has been used to describe children with a propensity to develop B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). However, leukemia-predisposing mutations can also be present in differentiated cells unable to transform. We postulate that preleukemia should only be used when such mutations arise in progenitors capable of evolving to B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Cobaleda
- Immune system development and function Unit, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC -Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Manuel Ramírez-Orellana
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Isidro Sanchez-Garcia
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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4
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Zhang M, Zhang H, Li Z, Bai L, Wang Q, Li J, Jiang M, Xue Q, Cheng N, Zhang W, Mao D, Chen Z, Huang J, Meng G, Chen Z, Chen SJ. Functional, structural, and molecular characterizations of the leukemogenic driver MEF2D-HNRNPUL1 fusion. Blood 2022; 140:1390-1407. [PMID: 35544603 PMCID: PMC9507012 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent MEF2D fusions with poor prognosis have been identified in B-cell precursor ALL (BCP-ALL). The molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic function of MEF2D fusions are poorly understood. Here, we show that MEF2D-HNRNPUL1 (MH) knock-in mice developed a progressive disease from impaired B-cell development at the pre-pro-B stage to pre-leukemia over 10 to 12 months. When cooperating with NRASG12D, MH drove an outbreak of BCP-ALL, with a more aggressive phenotype than the NRASG12D-induced leukemia. RNA-sequencing identified key networks involved in disease mechanisms. In chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing experiments, MH acquired increased chromatin-binding ability, mostly through MEF2D-responsive element (MRE) motifs in target genes, compared with wild-type MEF2D. Using X-ray crystallography, the MEF2D-MRE complex was characterized in atomic resolution, whereas disrupting the MH-DNA interaction alleviated the aberrant target gene expression and the B-cell differentiation arrest. The C-terminal moiety (HNRNPUL1 part) of MH was proven to contribute to the fusion protein's trans-regulatory activity, cofactor recruitment, and homodimerization. Furthermore, targeting MH-driven transactivation of the HDAC family by using the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat in combination with chemotherapy improved the overall survival of MH/NRASG12D BCP-ALL mice. Altogether, these results not only highlight MH as an important driver in leukemogenesis but also provoke targeted intervention against BCP-ALL with MEF2D fusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Bai
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfeng Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghao Jiang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Xue
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nuo Cheng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weina Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongdong Mao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiming Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinyan Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoyu Meng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhu Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sai-Juan Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
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5
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Childhood B-Cell Preleukemia Mouse Modeling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147562. [PMID: 35886910 PMCID: PMC9317949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia is the most usual childhood cancer, and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is its most common presentation. It has been proposed that pediatric leukemogenesis occurs through a “multi-step” or “multi-hit” mechanism that includes both in utero and postnatal steps. Many childhood leukemia-initiating events, such as chromosomal translocations, originate in utero, and studies so far suggest that these “first-hits” occur at a far higher frequency than the incidence of childhood leukemia itself. The reason why only a small percentage of the children born with such preleukemic “hits” will develop full-blown leukemia is still a mystery. In order to better understand childhood leukemia, mouse modeling is essential, but only if the multistage process of leukemia can be recapitulated in the model. Therefore, mouse models naturally reproducing the “multi-step” process of childhood B-ALL will be essential to identify environmental or other factors that are directly linked to increased risk of disease.
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6
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Maimaitiyiming Y, Ye L, Yang T, Yu W, Naranmandura H. Linear and Circular Long Non-Coding RNAs in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: From Pathogenesis to Classification and Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084442. [PMID: 35457264 PMCID: PMC9033105 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The coding regions account for only a small part of the human genome, and the remaining vast majority of the regions generate large amounts of non-coding RNAs. Although non-coding RNAs do not code for any protein, they are suggested to work as either tumor suppressers or oncogenes through modulating the expression of genes and functions of proteins at transcriptional, posttranscriptional and post-translational levels. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) originates from malignant transformed B/T-precursor-stage lymphoid progenitors in the bone marrow (BM). The pathogenesis of ALL is closely associated with aberrant genetic alterations that block lymphoid differentiation and drive abnormal cell proliferation as well as survival. While treatment of pediatric ALL represents a major success story in chemotherapy-based elimination of a malignancy, adult ALL remains a devastating disease with relatively poor prognosis. Thus, novel aspects in the pathogenesis and progression of ALL, especially in the adult population, need to be further explored. Accumulating evidence indicated that genetic changes alone are rarely sufficient for development of ALL. Recent advances in cytogenic and sequencing technologies revealed epigenetic alterations including that of non-coding RNAs as cooperating events in ALL etiology and progression. While the role of micro RNAs in ALL has been extensively reviewed, less attention, relatively, has been paid to other non-coding RNAs. Herein, we review the involvement of linear and circular long non-coding RNAs in the etiology, maintenance, and progression of ALL, highlighting the contribution of these non-coding RNAs in ALL classification and diagnosis, risk stratification as well as treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasen Maimaitiyiming
- The Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.M.); (L.Y.); (T.Y.)
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Linyan Ye
- The Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.M.); (L.Y.); (T.Y.)
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Tao Yang
- The Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.M.); (L.Y.); (T.Y.)
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wenjuan Yu
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Correspondence: (W.Y.); (H.N.)
| | - Hua Naranmandura
- The Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.M.); (L.Y.); (T.Y.)
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Correspondence: (W.Y.); (H.N.)
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7
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Neveu B, Richer C, Cassart P, Caron M, Jimenez-Cortes C, St-Onge P, Fuchs C, Garnier N, Gobeil S, Sinnett D. Identification of new ETV6 modulators through a high-throughput functional screening. iScience 2022; 25:103858. [PMID: 35198911 PMCID: PMC8851229 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
ETV6 transcriptional activity is critical for proper blood cell development in the bone marrow. Despite the accumulating body of evidence linking ETV6 malfunction to hematological malignancies, its regulatory network remains unclear. To uncover genes that modulate ETV6 repressive transcriptional activity, we performed a specifically designed, unbiased genome-wide shRNA screen in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Following an extensive validation process, we identified 13 shRNAs inducing overexpression of ETV6 transcriptional target genes. We showed that the silencing of AKIRIN1, COMMD9, DYRK4, JUNB, and SRP72 led to an abrogation of ETV6 repressive activity. We identified critical modulators of the ETV6 function which could participate in cellular transformation through the ETV6 transcriptional network. We develop a genome-wide shRNAs screen for ETV6 modulators The screen uncovered 13 novel putative ETV6 modulator genes The modulators demonstrated a broad impact on the ETV6 transcriptional network T-ALL cells results suggest modulators are conserved in other cellular contexts
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Neveu
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Chantal Richer
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Pauline Cassart
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Maxime Caron
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Camille Jimenez-Cortes
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Pascal St-Onge
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Claire Fuchs
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Nicolas Garnier
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Stéphane Gobeil
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Corresponding author
| | - Daniel Sinnett
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
- Corresponding author
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8
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Rodríguez-Hernández G, Casado-García A, Isidro-Hernández M, Picard D, Raboso-Gallego J, Alemán-Arteaga S, Orfao A, Blanco O, Riesco S, Prieto-Matos P, García Criado FJ, García Cenador MB, Hock H, Enver T, Sanchez-Garcia I, Vicente-Dueñas C. The Second Oncogenic Hit Determines the Cell Fate of ETV6-RUNX1 Positive Leukemia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:704591. [PMID: 34336858 PMCID: PMC8320889 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.704591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
ETV6-RUNX1 is almost exclusively associated with childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), but the consequences of ETV6-RUNX1 expression on cell lineage decisions during B-cell leukemogenesis are completely unknown. Clinically silent ETV6-RUNX1 preleukemic clones are frequently found in neonatal cord blood, but few carriers develop B-ALL as a result of secondary genetic alterations. The understanding of the mechanisms underlying the first transforming steps could greatly advance the development of non-toxic prophylactic interventions. Using genetic lineage tracing, we examined the capacity of ETV6-RUNX1 to instruct a malignant phenotype in the hematopoietic lineage by cell-specific Cre-mediated activation of ETV6-RUNX1 from the endogenous Etv6 gene locus. Here we show that, while ETV6-RUNX1 has the propensity to trigger both T- and B-lymphoid malignancies, it is the second hit that determines tumor cell identity. To instigate leukemia, both oncogenic hits must place early in the development of hematopoietic/precursor cells, not in already committed B-cells. Depending on the nature of the second hit, the resulting B-ALLs presented distinct entities that were clearly separable based on their gene expression profiles. Our findings give a novel mechanistic insight into the early steps of ETV6-RUNX1+ B-ALL development and might have major implications for the potential development of ETV6-RUNX1+ B-ALL prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Rodríguez-Hernández
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ana Casado-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta Isidro-Hernández
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Daniel Picard
- Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Javier Raboso-Gallego
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Silvia Alemán-Arteaga
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Servicio de Citometría, Departamento de Medicina, CIBERONC (CB16/12/00400), and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Oscar Blanco
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Susana Riesco
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pablo Prieto-Matos
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier García Criado
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - María Begoña García Cenador
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Hanno Hock
- Cancer Center and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tariq Enver
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Isidro Sanchez-Garcia
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carolina Vicente-Dueñas
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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9
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Aneuploidy in Cancer: Lessons from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:37-47. [PMID: 32952102 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aneuploidy, the gain or loss of chromosomes in a cell, is a hallmark of cancer. Although our understanding of the contribution of aneuploidy to cancer initiation and progression is incomplete, significant progress has been made in uncovering the cellular consequences of aneuploidy and how aneuploid cancer cells self-adapt to promote tumorigenesis. Aneuploidy is physiologically associated with significant cellular stress but, paradoxically, it favors tumor progression. Although more common in solid tumors, different forms of aneuploidy represent the initiating oncogenic lesion in patients with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), making B-ALL an excellent model for studying the role of aneuploidy in tumorigenesis. We review the molecular mechanisms underlying aneuploidy and discuss its contributions to B-ALL initiation and progression.
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10
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Abstract
Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is defined by recurrent chromosomal aberrations including hyperdiploidy and chromosomal translocations. Many of these aberrations originate in utero and the cells transform in early childhood through acquired secondary mutations. In this review, we will discuss the most common prenatal lesions that can lead to childhood ALL, with a special emphasis on the most common translocation in childhood ALL, t(12;21), which results in the ETV6-RUNX1 gene fusion. The ETV6-RUNX1 fusion arises prenatally and at a 500-fold higher frequency than the corresponding ALL. Even though the findings regarding the frequency of ETV6-RUNX1 were originally challenged, newer studies have confirmed the higher frequency. The prenatal origin has also been proven for other gene fusions, including KMT2A, the translocations t(1;19) and t(9;22) leading to TCF3-PBX1 and BCR-ABL1, respectively, as well as high hyperdiploidy. For most of these aberrations, there is evidence for more frequent occurrence than the corresponding leukemia incidences. We will briefly discuss what is known about the cells of origin, the mechanisms of leukemic transformation through lack of immunosurveillance, and why only a part of the carriers develops ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hein
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Ute Fischer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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11
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Raby L, Völkel P, Le Bourhis X, Angrand PO. Genetic Engineering of Zebrafish in Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2168. [PMID: 32759814 PMCID: PMC7464884 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an excellent model to study a wide diversity of human cancers. In this review, we provide an overview of the genetic and reverse genetic toolbox allowing the generation of zebrafish lines that develop tumors. The large spectrum of genetic tools enables the engineering of zebrafish lines harboring precise genetic alterations found in human patients, the generation of zebrafish carrying somatic or germline inheritable mutations or zebrafish showing conditional expression of the oncogenic mutations. Comparative transcriptomics demonstrate that many of the zebrafish tumors share molecular signatures similar to those found in human cancers. Thus, zebrafish cancer models provide a unique in vivo platform to investigate cancer initiation and progression at the molecular and cellular levels, to identify novel genes involved in tumorigenesis as well as to contemplate new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pierre-Olivier Angrand
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277–CANTHER–Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (L.R.); (P.V.); (X.L.B.)
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12
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Schwaller J. Learning from mouse models of MLL fusion gene-driven acute leukemia. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194550. [PMID: 32320749 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
5-10% of human acute leukemias carry chromosomal translocations involving the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene that result in the expression of chimeric protein fusing MLL to >80 different partners of which AF4, ENL and AF9 are the most prevalent. In contrast to many other leukemia-associated mutations, several MLL-fusions are powerful oncogenes that transform hematopoietic stem cells but also more committed progenitor cells. Here, I review different approaches that were used to express MLL fusions in the murine hematopoietic system which often, but not always, resulted in highly penetrant and transplantable leukemias that closely phenocopied the human disease. Due to its simple and reliable nature, reconstitution of irradiated mice with bone marrow cells retrovirally expressing the MLL-AF9 fusion became the most frequently in vivo model to study the biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I review some of the most influential studies that used this model to dissect critical protein interactions, the impact of epigenetic regulators, microRNAs and microenvironment-dependent signals for MLL fusion-driven leukemia. In addition, I highlight studies that used this model for shRNA- or genome editing-based screens for cellular vulnerabilities that allowed to identify novel therapeutic targets of which some entered clinical trials. Finally, I discuss some inherent characteristics of the widely used mouse model based on retroviral expression of the MLL-AF9 fusion that can limit general conclusions for the biology of AML. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The MLL family of proteins in normal development and disease edited by Thomas A Milne.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juerg Schwaller
- University Children's Hospital Beider Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Switzerland.
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13
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Campos-Sanchez E, Vicente-Dueñas C, Rodríguez-Hernández G, Capstick M, Kuster N, Dasenbrock C, Sánchez-García I, Cobaleda C. Novel ETV6-RUNX1 Mouse Model to Study the Role of ELF-MF in Childhood B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: a Pilot Study. Bioelectromagnetics 2019; 40:343-353. [PMID: 31157932 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as "possibly carcinogenic to humans," based on limited scientific evidence concerning childhood leukemia. This assessment emphasized the lack of appropriate animal models recapitulating the natural history of this disease. Childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the result of complex interactions between genetic susceptibility and exposure to exogenous agents. The most common chromosomal alteration is the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene, which confers a low risk of developing the malignancy by originating a preleukemic clone requiring secondary hits for full-blown disease to appear. To develop potential prophylactic interventions, we need to identify the environmental triggers of the second hit. Recently, we generated a B-ALL mouse model of the human ETV6-RUNX1+ preleukemic state. Here, we present the results from the ARIMMORA pilot study, obtained by exposing 34 Sca1-ETV6-RUNX1 mice (vs. 27 unexposed) to a 50 Hz magnetic field of 1.5 mT with both fundamental and harmonic content, with an on/off cycle of 10 min/5 min, for 20 h/day, from conception until 3 months of age. Mice were monitored until 2 years of age and peripheral blood was periodically analyzed by flow cytometry. One of the exposed mice developed B-ALL while none of the non-exposed did. Although the results are statistically non-significant due to the limited number of mice used in this pilot experiment, overall, the results show that the newly developed Sca1-ETV6-RUNX1 mouse can be successfully used for ELF-MF exposure studies about the etiology of childhood B-ALL. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:343-353. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Campos-Sanchez
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO), CSIC/UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Vicente-Dueñas
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Guillermo Rodríguez-Hernández
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Niels Kuster
- IT'IS Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETHZ, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Clemens Dasenbrock
- Fraunhofer ITEM, Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Hannover, Germany
| | - Isidro Sánchez-García
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - César Cobaleda
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO), CSIC/UAM, Madrid, Spain
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14
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Neveu B, Caron M, Lagacé K, Richer C, Sinnett D. Genome wide mapping of ETV6 binding sites in pre-B leukemic cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15526. [PMID: 30341373 PMCID: PMC6195514 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33947-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic alterations in the transcriptional repressor ETV6 are associated with hematological malignancies. Notably, the t(12;21) translocation leading to an ETV6-AML1 fusion gene is the most common genetic alteration found in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Moreover, most of these patients also lack ETV6 expression, suggesting a tumor suppressor function. To gain insights on ETV6 DNA-binding specificity and genome wide transcriptional regulation capacities, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments coupled to deep sequencing in a t(12;21)-positive pre-B leukemic cell line. This strategy led to the identification of ETV6-bound regions that were further associated to gene expression. ETV6 binding is mostly cell type-specific as only few regions are shared with other blood cell subtypes. Peaks localization and motif enrichment analyses revealed that this unique binding profile could be associated with the ETV6-AML1 fusion protein specific to the t(12;21) background. This study underscores the complexity of ETV6 binding and uncovers ETV6 transcriptional network in pre-B leukemia cells bearing the recurrent t(12;21) translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Neveu
- Sainte-Justine UHC Research Center, Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Qc, Canada
| | - Maxime Caron
- Sainte-Justine UHC Research Center, Montreal, Qc, Canada
| | - Karine Lagacé
- Sainte-Justine UHC Research Center, Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Qc, Canada
| | - Chantal Richer
- Sainte-Justine UHC Research Center, Montreal, Qc, Canada
| | - Daniel Sinnett
- Sainte-Justine UHC Research Center, Montreal, Qc, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Qc, Canada.
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Qc, Canada.
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15
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Baeten JT, de Jong JLO. Genetic Models of Leukemia in Zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:115. [PMID: 30294597 PMCID: PMC6158309 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish animal model is gaining increasing popularity as a tool for studying human disease. Over the past 15 years, many models of leukemia and other hematological malignancies have been developed in the zebrafish. These confer some significant advantages over similar models in other animals and systems, representing a powerful resource for investigation of the molecular basis of human leukemia. This review discusses the various zebrafish models of lymphoid and myeloid leukemia available, the major discoveries that have been made possible by them, and opportunities for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jill L. O. de Jong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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16
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Malouf C, Ottersbach K. Molecular processes involved in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:417-446. [PMID: 28819864 PMCID: PMC5765206 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2620-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
B cell leukaemia is one of the most frequent malignancies in the paediatric population, but also affects a significant proportion of adults in developed countries. The majority of infant and paediatric cases initiate the process of leukaemogenesis during foetal development (in utero) through the formation of a chromosomal translocation or the acquisition/deletion of genetic material (hyperdiploidy or hypodiploidy, respectively). This first genetic insult is the major determinant for the prognosis and therapeutic outcome of patients. B cell leukaemia in adults displays similar molecular features as its paediatric counterpart. However, since this disease is highly represented in the infant and paediatric population, this review will focus on this demographic group and summarise the biological, clinical and epidemiological knowledge on B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia of four well characterised subtypes: t(4;11) MLL-AF4, t(12;21) ETV6-RUNX1, t(1;19) E2A-PBX1 and t(9;22) BCR-ABL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Malouf
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Katrin Ottersbach
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
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17
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Modeling the process of childhood ETV6-RUNX1 B-cell leukemias. Oncotarget 2017; 8:102674-102680. [PMID: 29254279 PMCID: PMC5731989 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
ETV6-RUNX1 is associated with the most common subtype of childhood leukemia. Pre-leukaemic clones carrying ETV6-RUNX1 oncogenic lesions are frequently found in neonatal cord blood, but only few ETV6-RUNX1 carriers develop pB-ALL. The highly demanding and pending challenge is to reveal the multistep natural history of ETV6-RUNX1 pB-ALL, because it can offer non-toxic prophylactic interventions to preleukemic carriers. However, the lack of a genetically engineered ETV6-RUNX1 mouse model mimicking the human pB-ALL has hampered our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. This rule has now been broken in a study of the effect of the ETV6-RUNX1 oncogene in cancer development in a mouse model in which oncogene expression is restricted to the stem cell compartment. In this article, we review the different attempts to model this disease, including the recent representative success stories and we discuss its potential application to both identify etiologic factors of childhood ETV6-RUNX1 pB-ALL and prevent the conversion of a preleukemic clone in an irreversible transformed state.
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18
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Rodríguez-Hernández G, Hauer J, Martín-Lorenzo A, Schäfer D, Bartenhagen C, García-Ramírez I, Auer F, González-Herrero I, Ruiz-Roca L, Gombert M, Okpanyi V, Fischer U, Chen C, Dugas M, Bhatia S, Linka RM, Garcia-Suquia M, Rascón-Trincado MV, Garcia-Sanchez A, Blanco O, García-Cenador MB, García-Criado FJ, Cobaleda C, Alonso-López D, De Las Rivas J, Müschen M, Vicente-Dueñas C, Sánchez-García I, Borkhardt A. Infection Exposure Promotes ETV6-RUNX1 Precursor B-cell Leukemia via Impaired H3K4 Demethylases. Cancer Res 2017. [PMID: 28630052 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-0701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
ETV6-RUNX1 is associated with the most common subtype of childhood leukemia. As few ETV6-RUNX1 carriers develop precursor B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (pB-ALL), the underlying genetic basis for development of full-blown leukemia remains to be identified, but the appearance of leukemia cases in time-space clusters keeps infection as a potential causal factor. Here, we present in vivo genetic evidence mechanistically connecting preleukemic ETV6-RUNX1 expression in hematopoetic stem cells/precursor cells (HSC/PC) and postnatal infections for human-like pB-ALL. In our model, ETV6-RUNX1 conferred a low risk of developing pB-ALL after exposure to common pathogens, corroborating the low incidence observed in humans. Murine preleukemic ETV6-RUNX1 pro/preB cells showed high Rag1/2 expression, known for human ETV6-RUNX1 pB-ALL. Murine and human ETV6-RUNX1 pB-ALL revealed recurrent genomic alterations, with a relevant proportion affecting genes of the lysine demethylase (KDM) family. KDM5C loss of function resulted in increased levels of H3K4me3, which coprecipitated with RAG2 in a human cell line model, laying the molecular basis for recombination activity. We conclude that alterations of KDM family members represent a disease-driving mechanism and an explanation for RAG off-target cleavage observed in humans. Our results explain the genetic basis for clonal evolution of an ETV6-RUNX1 preleukemic clone to pB-ALL after infection exposure and offer the possibility of novel therapeutic approaches. Cancer Res; 77(16); 4365-77. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Rodríguez-Hernández
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Julia Hauer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alberto Martín-Lorenzo
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Daniel Schäfer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Bartenhagen
- Department of Computer Science, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Idoia García-Ramírez
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Franziska Auer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Inés González-Herrero
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Lucia Ruiz-Roca
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Michael Gombert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vera Okpanyi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ute Fischer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Cai Chen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Dugas
- Department of Computer Science, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Sanil Bhatia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - René Martin Linka
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marta Garcia-Suquia
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas y del Diagnóstico, Área de Obstetricia y Ginecología, HUS-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - María Victoria Rascón-Trincado
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas y del Diagnóstico, Área de Obstetricia y Ginecología, HUS-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Angel Garcia-Sanchez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas y del Diagnóstico, Área de Obstetricia y Ginecología, HUS-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,IBSAL, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Oscar Blanco
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Maria Begoña García-Cenador
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier García-Criado
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - César Cobaleda
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC/Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Alonso-López
- Bioinformatics Unit, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Javier De Las Rivas
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Bioinformatics Unit, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics Research Group, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Markus Müschen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Isidro Sánchez-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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19
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Kohnken R, Porcu P, Mishra A. Overview of the Use of Murine Models in Leukemia and Lymphoma Research. Front Oncol 2017; 7:22. [PMID: 28265553 PMCID: PMC5317199 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Murine models have been adopted as a significant and powerful tool in the study of cancer. The applications of murine models of cancer are numerous: mechanism discovery, oncogenesis, molecular genetics, microenvironment, metastasis, and therapeutic efficacy. Leukemias and lymphomas are a group of highly heterogeneous hematologic malignancies that affect people of all ages and ethnicities. Leukemia and lymphoma arise from hematopoietic and immune cells and usually spread widely throughout the body. The liquid nature of many of these malignancies, as well as the complex microenvironment from which they arise and their multifaceted genetic basis, has added to the difficulty in generating appropriate and translational models to study them. Murine models of leukemia and lymphoma have made substantial contributions to our understanding of the pathobiology of these disorders in humans. However, while there are many advantages to these models, limitations remain. In this review, we discuss the mouse as a model to study leukemia and lymphoma, and the importance of choosing the correct methodology. Specific examples of murine models of leukemias and lymphomas are provided, with particular attention to those that are highly translational to their human counterpart. Finally, future applications of murine models and potential for better models are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Kohnken
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University , Columbus, OH , USA
| | - Pierluigi Porcu
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Anjali Mishra
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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20
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Sundaresh A, Williams O. Mechanism of ETV6-RUNX1 Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 962:201-216. [PMID: 28299659 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-3233-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The t(12;21)(p13;q22) translocation is the most frequently occurring single genetic abnormality in pediatric leukemia. This translocation results in the fusion of the ETV6 and RUNX1 genes. Since its discovery in the 1990s, the function of the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene has attracted intense interest. In this chapter, we will summarize current knowledge on the clinical significance of ETV6-RUNX1, the experimental models used to unravel its function in leukemogenesis, the identification of co-operating mutations and the mechanisms responsible for their acquisition, the function of the encoded transcription factor and finally, the future therapeutic approaches available to mitigate the associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Sundaresh
- Cancer section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Owen Williams
- Cancer section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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21
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Neveu B, Spinella JF, Richer C, Lagacé K, Cassart P, Lajoie M, Jananji S, Drouin S, Healy J, Hickson GRX, Sinnett D. CLIC5: a novel ETV6 target gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica 2016; 101:1534-1543. [PMID: 27540136 PMCID: PMC5479611 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2016.149740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common rearrangement in childhood precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the t(12;21)(p13;q22) translocation resulting in the ETV6-AML1 fusion gene. A frequent concomitant event is the loss of the residual ETV6 allele suggesting a critical role for the ETV6 transcriptional repressor in the etiology of this cancer. However, the precise mechanism through which loss of functional ETV6 contributes to disease pathogenesis is still unclear. To investigate the impact of ETV6 loss on the transcriptional network and to identify new transcriptional targets of ETV6, we used whole transcriptome analysis of both pre-B leukemic cell lines and patients combined with chromatin immunoprecipitation. Using this integrative approach, we identified 4 novel direct ETV6 target genes: CLIC5, BIRC7, ANGPTL2 and WBP1L To further evaluate the role of chloride intracellular channel protein CLIC5 in leukemogenesis, we generated cell lines overexpressing CLIC5 and demonstrated an increased resistance to hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis. We further described the implications of CLIC5's ion channel activity in lysosomal-mediated cell death, possibly by modulating the function of the transferrin receptor with which it colocalizes intracellularly. For the first time, we showed that loss of ETV6 leads to significant overexpression of CLIC5, which in turn leads to decreased lysosome-mediated apoptosis. Our data suggest that heightened CLIC5 activity could promote a permissive environment for oxidative stress-induced DNA damage accumulation, and thereby contribute to leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Neveu
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jean-François Spinella
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada
- Molecular biology program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Karine Lagacé
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Simon Drouin
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jasmine Healy
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Gilles R X Hickson
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Daniel Sinnett
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
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22
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McCormick DL, Kavet R. Animal Models for the Study of Childhood Leukemia: Considerations for Model Identification and Optimization to Identify Potential Risk Factors. Int J Toxicol 2016; 23:149-61. [PMID: 15204718 DOI: 10.1080/10915810490471325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Leukemias are the most common pediatric malignancies diagnosed in western industrialized societies. In spite of the substantial incidence of childhood leukemia in the United States and other countries, neither epidemiology studies conducted in human populations nor hazard identification studies conducted using traditional animal models have identified environmental or other factors that are directly linked to increased risk of disease. Molecular biology data and mathematical modeling of incidence patterns suggest that pediatric leukemogenesis may occur through a multistage or “multihit” mechanism that involves both in utero and postnatal events. The authors propose that pediatric leukemias can be modeled experimentally using a “multihit” paradigm analogous to the “initiation-promotion” and “complete carcinogenesis” models developed for tumor induction in mouse skin and rat liver. In this model for childhood leukemia, an initial genetic alteration occurs during in utero or early postnatal development, but clinical disease develops only upon additional genetic or nongenetic events that occur during the postnatal period. Application of this multistage or “multihit” model to hazard assessment studies conducted in transgenic or knockout mice carrying relevant molecular lesions may provide a sensitive approach to the identification of environmental agents that are important risk factors for childhood leukemia.
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Bhatia S, Daschkey S, Lang F, Borkhardt A, Hauer J. Mouse models for pre-clinical drug testing in leukemia. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:1081-1091. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1229297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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24
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Bauer E, Schlederer M, Scheicher R, Horvath J, Aigner P, Schiefer AI, Kain R, Regele H, Hoermann G, Steiner G, Kenner L, Sexl V, Villunger A, Moriggl R, Stoiber D. Cooperation of ETV6/RUNX1 and BCL2 enhances immunoglobulin production and accelerates glomerulonephritis in transgenic mice. Oncotarget 2016; 7:12191-205. [PMID: 26919255 PMCID: PMC4914278 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The t(12;21) translocation generating the ETV6/RUNX1 fusion gene represents the most frequent chromosomal rearrangement in childhood leukemia. Presence of ETV6/RUNX1 alone is usually not sufficient for leukemia onset, and additional genetic alterations have to occur in ETV6/RUNX1-positive cells to cause transformation. We have previously generated an ETV6/RUNX1 transgenic mouse model where the expression of the fusion gene is restricted to CD19-positive B cells. Since BCL2 family members have been proposed to play a role in leukemogenesis, we investigated combined effects of ETV6/RUNX1 with exogenous expression of the antiapoptotic protein BCL2 by crossing ETV6/RUNX1 transgenic animals with Vav-BCL2 transgenic mice. Strikingly, co-expression of ETV6/RUNX1 and BCL2 resulted in significantly shorter disease latency in mice, indicating oncogene cooperativity. This was associated with faster development of follicular B cell lymphoma and exacerbated immune complex glomerulonephritis. ETV6/RUNX1-BCL2 double transgenic animals displayed increased B cell numbers and immunoglobulin titers compared to Vav-BCL2 transgenic mice. This led to pronounced deposition of immune complexes in glomeruli followed by accelerated development of immune complex glomerulonephritis. Thus, our study reveals a previously unrecognized synergism between ETV6/RUNX1 and BCL2 impacting on malignant disease and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Bauer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Schlederer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth Scheicher
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jaqueline Horvath
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Aigner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ana-Iris Schiefer
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Kain
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinz Regele
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Hoermann
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Günter Steiner
- Cluster Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Ludwig Boltzmann Society, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Unit of Pathology of Laboratory Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Villunger
- Division of Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dagmar Stoiber
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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25
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Auer F, Ingenhag D, Bhatia S, Enczmann J, Cobaleda C, Sanchez-Garcia I, Borkhardt A, Hauer J. GEMMs addressing Pax5 loss-of-function in childhood pB-ALL. Eur J Med Genet 2016; 59:166-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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26
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Hauer J, Borkhardt A, Sánchez-García I, Cobaleda C. Genetically engineered mouse models of human B-cell precursor leukemias. Cell Cycle 2015; 13:2836-46. [PMID: 25486471 PMCID: PMC4613455 DOI: 10.4161/15384101.2014.949137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemias (pB-ALLs) are the most frequent type of malignancies of the childhood, and also affect an important proportion of adult patients. In spite of their apparent homogeneity, pB-ALL comprises a group of diseases very different both clinically and pathologically, and with very diverse outcomes as a consequence of their biology, and underlying molecular alterations. Their understanding (as a prerequisite for their cure) will require a sustained multidisciplinary effort from professionals coming from many different fields. Among all the available tools for pB-ALL research, the use of animal models stands, as of today, as the most powerful approach, not only for the understanding of the origin and evolution of the disease, but also for the development of new therapies. In this review we go over the most relevant (historically, technically or biologically) genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of human pB-ALLs that have been generated over the last 20 years. Our final aim is to outline the most relevant guidelines that should be followed to generate an “ideal” animal model that could become a standard for the study of human pB-ALL leukemia, and which could be shared among research groups and drug development companies in order to unify criteria for studies like drug testing, analysis of the influence of environmental risk factors, or studying the role of both low-penetrance mutations and cancer susceptibility alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hauer
- a Department of Pediatric Oncology ; Hematology and Clinical Immunology ; Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf ; Medical Faculty ; Dusseldorf , Germany
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27
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Mouse models for core binding factor leukemia. Leukemia 2015; 29:1970-80. [PMID: 26165235 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RUNX1 and CBFB are among the most frequently mutated genes in human leukemias. Genetic alterations such as chromosomal translocations, copy number variations and point mutations have been widely reported to result in the malfunction of RUNX transcription factors. Leukemias arising from such alterations in RUNX family genes are collectively termed core binding factor (CBF) leukemias. Although adult CBF leukemias generally are considered a favorable risk group as compared with other forms of acute myeloid leukemia, the 5-year survival rate remains low. An improved understanding of the molecular mechanism for CBF leukemia is imperative to uncover novel treatment options. Over the years, retroviral transduction-transplantation assays and transgenic, knockin and knockout mouse models alone or in combination with mutagenesis have been used to study the roles of RUNX alterations in leukemogenesis. Although successful in inducing leukemia, the existing assays and models possess many inherent limitations. A CBF leukemia model which induces leukemia with complete penetrance and short latency would be ideal as a platform for drug discovery. Here, we summarize the currently available mouse models which have been utilized to study CBF leukemias, discuss the advantages and limitations of individual experimental systems, and propose suggestions for improvements of mouse models.
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28
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Hajingabo LJ, Daakour S, Martin M, Grausenburger R, Panzer-Grümayer R, Dequiedt F, Simonis N, Twizere JC. Predicting interactome network perturbations in human cancer: application to gene fusions in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Mol Biol Cell 2014; 25:3973-85. [PMID: 25273558 PMCID: PMC4244205 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e14-06-1038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic variations such as gene fusions are directly or indirectly associated with human diseases. A method is presented combining gene expression and interactome data analyses to identify specific targets in leukemia. The Myc network and the mRNA export machinery are perturbed in ETV6-RUNX1 and TCF3-PBX1 subtypes of leukemia. Genomic variations such as point mutations and gene fusions are directly or indirectly associated with human diseases. They are recognized as diagnostic, prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. However, predicting the functional effect of these genetic alterations beyond affected genes and their products is challenging because diseased phenotypes are likely dependent of complex molecular interaction networks. Using as models three different chromosomal translocations—ETV6-RUNX1 (TEL-AML1), BCR-ABL1, and TCF3-PBX1 (E2A-PBX1)—frequently found in precursor-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (preB-ALL), we develop an approach to extract perturbed molecular interactions from gene expression changes. We show that the MYC and JunD transcriptional circuits are specifically deregulated after ETV6-RUNX1 and TCF3-PBX1 gene fusions, respectively. We also identified the bulk mRNA NXF1-dependent machinery as a direct target for the TCF3-PBX1 fusion protein. Through a novel approach combining gene expression and interactome data analysis, we provide new insight into TCF3-PBX1 and ETV6-RUNX1 acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Juvenal Hajingabo
- Laboratoire de Bioinformatique des Génomes et des Réseaux, Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Sarah Daakour
- Laboratory of Protein Signaling and Interactions, GIGA-Research, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Maud Martin
- Laboratory of Protein Signaling and Interactions, GIGA-Research, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Reinhard Grausenburger
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Panzer-Grümayer
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Franck Dequiedt
- Laboratory of Protein Signaling and Interactions, GIGA-Research, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Simonis
- Laboratoire de Bioinformatique des Génomes et des Réseaux, Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Jean-Claude Twizere
- Laboratory of Protein Signaling and Interactions, GIGA-Research, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
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29
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ETV6/RUNX1 induces reactive oxygen species and drives the accumulation of DNA damage in B cells. Neoplasia 2014; 15:1292-300. [PMID: 24339741 DOI: 10.1593/neo.131310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The t(12;21)(p13;q22) chromosomal translocation is the most frequent translocation in childhood B cell precursor-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and results in the expression of an ETV6/RUNX1 fusion protein. The frequency of ETV6/RUNX1 fusions in newborns clearly exceeds the leukemia rate revealing that additional events occur in ETV6/RUNX1-positive cells for leukemic transformation. Hitherto, the mechanisms triggering these second hits remain largely elusive. Thus, we generated a novel ETV6/RUNX1 transgenic mouse model where the expression of the fusion protein is restricted to CD19(+) B cells. These animals harbor regular B cell development and lack gross abnormalities. We established stable pro-B cell lines carrying the ETV6/RUNX1 transgene that allowed us to investigate whether ETV6/RUNX1 itself favors the acquisition of second hits. Remarkably, these pro-B cell lines as well as primary bone marrow cells derived from ETV6/RUNX1 transgenic animals display elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as tested with ETV6/RUNX1 transgenic dihydroethidium staining. In line, intracellular phospho-histone H2AX flow cytometry and comet assay revealed increased DNA damage indicating that ETV6/RUNX1 expression enhances ROS. On the basis of our data, we propose the following model: the expression of ETV6/RUNX1 creates a preleukemic clone and leads to increased ROS levels. These elevated ROS favor the accumulation of secondary hits by increasing genetic instability and double-strand breaks, thus allowing preleukemic clones to develop into fully transformed leukemic cells.
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30
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Palmi C, Fazio G, Savino AM, Procter J, Howell L, Cazzaniga V, Vieri M, Longinotti G, Brunati I, Andrè V, Della Mina P, Villa A, Greaves M, Biondi A, D'Amico G, Ford A, Cazzaniga G. Cytoskeletal regulatory gene expression and migratory properties of B-cell progenitors are affected by the ETV6-RUNX1 rearrangement. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 12:1796-806. [PMID: 25061103 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0056-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Although the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion is a frequent initiating event in childhood leukemia, its role in leukemogenesis is only partly understood. The main impact of the fusion itself is to generate and sustain a clone of clinically silent preleukemic B-cell progenitors (BCP). Additional oncogenic hits, occurring even several years later, are required for overt disease. The understanding of the features and interactions of ETV6-RUNX1-positive cells during this "latency" period may explain how these silent cells can persist and whether they could be prone to additional genetic changes. In this study, two in vitro murine models were used to investigate whether ETV6-RUNX1 alters the cellular adhesion and migration properties of BCP. ETV6-RUNX1-expressing cells showed a significant defect in the chemotactic response to CXCL12, caused by a block in CXCR4 signaling, as demonstrated by inhibition of CXCL12-associated calcium flux and lack of ERK phosphorylation. Moreover, the induction of ETV6-RUNX1 caused changes in the expression of cell-surface adhesion molecules. The expression of genes regulating the cytoskeleton was also affected, resulting in a block of CDC42 signaling. The abnormalities described here could alter the interaction of ETV6-RUNX1 preleukemic BCP with the microenvironment and contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. IMPLICATIONS Alterations in the expression of cytoskeletal regulatory genes and migration properties of BCP represent early events in the evolution of the disease, from the preleukemic phase to the clinical onset, and suggest new strategies for effective eradication of leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Palmi
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Grazia Fazio
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Angela M Savino
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Julia Procter
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Howell
- Haemato-Oncology Research Unit, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Margherita Vieri
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giulia Longinotti
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Ilaria Brunati
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Valentina Andrè
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Pamela Della Mina
- Microscopy and Image Analysis Consortium, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Antonello Villa
- Microscopy and Image Analysis Consortium, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Mel Greaves
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
| | - Giovanna D'Amico
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Anthony Ford
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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31
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Jacoby E, Chien CD, Fry TJ. Murine models of acute leukemia: important tools in current pediatric leukemia research. Front Oncol 2014; 4:95. [PMID: 24847444 PMCID: PMC4019869 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia remains the most common diagnosis in pediatric oncology and, despite dramatic progress in upfront therapy, is also the most common cause of cancer-related death in children. Much of the initial improvement in outcomes for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was due to identification of cytotoxic agents that are active against leukemia followed by the recognition that combination of these cytotoxic agents and prolonged therapy are essential for cure. Recent data demonstrating lack of progress in patients for whom standard chemotherapy fails suggests that the ability to improve outcome for these children will not be dramatically impacted through more intensive or newer cytotoxic agents. Thus, much of the recent research focus has been in the area of improving our understanding of the genetics and the biology of leukemia. Although in vitro studies remain critical, given the complexity of a living system and the increasing recognition of the contribution of leukemia extrinsic factors such as the bone marrow microenvironment, in vivo models have provided important insights. The murine systems that are used can be broadly categorized into syngeneic models in which a murine leukemia can be studied in immunologically intact hosts and xenograft models where human leukemias are studied in highly immunocompromised murine hosts. Both of these systems have limitations such that neither can be used exclusively to study all aspects of leukemia biology and therapeutics for humans. This review will describe the various ALL model systems that have been developed as well as discuss the advantages and disadvantages inherent to these systems that make each particularly suitable for specific types of studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elad Jacoby
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA
| | - Christopher D Chien
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA
| | - Terry J Fry
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA
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32
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Initially disadvantaged, TEL-AML1 cells expand and initiate leukemia in response to irradiation and cooperating mutations. Leukemia 2013; 27:1570-3. [PMID: 23443342 PMCID: PMC3715751 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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33
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Tijchon E, Havinga J, van Leeuwen FN, Scheijen B. B-lineage transcription factors and cooperating gene lesions required for leukemia development. Leukemia 2012; 27:541-52. [PMID: 23047478 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2012.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into B lymphocytes requires the concerted action of specific transcription factors, such as RUNX1, IKZF1, E2A, EBF1 and PAX5. As key determinants of normal B-cell development, B-lineage transcription factors are frequently deregulated in hematological malignancies, such as B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), and affected by either chromosomal translocations, gene deletions or point mutations. However, genetic aberrations in this developmental pathway are generally insufficient to induce BCP-ALL, and often complemented by genetic defects in cytokine receptors and tyrosine kinases (IL-7Rα, CRLF2, JAK2 and c-ABL1), transcriptional cofactors (TBL1XR1, CBP and BTG1), as well as the regulatory pathways that mediate cell-cycle control (pRB and INK4A/B). Here we provide a detailed overview of the genetic pathways that interact with these B-lineage specification factors, and describe how mutations affecting these master regulators together with cooperating lesions drive leukemia development.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tijchon
- Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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34
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Mullighan CG. Molecular genetics of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Clin Invest 2012; 122:3407-15. [PMID: 23023711 DOI: 10.1172/jci61203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common childhood tumor and the leading cause of cancer-related death in children and young adults. The majority of B-ALL cases are aneuploid or harbor recurring structural chromosomal rearrangements that are important initiating events in leukemogenesis but are insufficient to explain the biology and heterogeneity of disease. Recent studies have used microarrays and sequencing to comprehensively identify all somatic genetic alterations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These studies have identified cryptic or submicroscopic genetic alterations that define new ALL subtypes, cooperate with known chromosomal rearrangements, and influence prognosis. This article reviews these advances, discusses results from ongoing second-generation sequencing studies of ALL, and highlights challenges and opportunities for future genetic profiling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles G Mullighan
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.
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35
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Sabir N, Iqbal Z, Aleem A, Awan T, Naeem T, Asad S, Tahir AH, Absar M, Hasanato RMW, Basit S, Chishti MA, Faiyaz Ul-Haque M, Khalid AM, Sabar MF, Rasool M, Karim S, Khan M, Samreen B, Akram AM, Siddiqi MH, Shahzadi S, Shahbaz S, Ali AS, Mahmood A, Akram M, Saeed T, Saleem A, Mohsin D, Shah IH, Khalid M, Asif M, Iqbal M, Akhtar T. Prognostically significant fusion oncogenes in Pakistani patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia and their association with disease biology and outcome. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2012; 13:3349-55. [PMID: 22994759 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.7.3349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Chromosomal abnormalities play an important role in genesis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and have prognostic implications. Five major risk stratifying fusion genes in ALL are BCR-ABL, MLL-AF4, ETV6-RUNX11, E2A-PBX1 and SIL-TAL1. This work aimed to detect common chromosomal translocations and associated fusion oncogenes in adult ALL patients and study their relationship with clinical features and treatment outcome. METHODS We studied fusion oncogenes in 104 adult ALL patients using RT-PCR and interphase-FISH at diagnosis and their association with clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. RESULTS Five most common fusion genes i.e. BCR-ABL (t 9; 22), TCF3-PBX1 (t 1; 19), ETV6-RUNX1 (t 12; 21), MLL-AF4 (t 4; 11) and SIL-TAL1 (Del 1p32) were found in 82/104 (79%) patients. TCF3-PBX1 fusion gene was associated with lymphadenopathy, SIL-TAL positive patients had frequent organomegaly and usually presented with a platelets count of less than 50 x10(9)/l. Survival of patients with fusion gene ETV6-RUNX1 was better when compared to patients harboring other genes. MLL-AF4 and BCR-ABL positivity characterized a subset of adult ALL patients with aggressive clinical behaviour and a poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study from Pakistan which investigated the frequency of 5 fusion oncogenes in adult ALL patients, and their association with clinical features, treatment response and outcome. Frequencies of some of the oncogenes were different from those reported elsewhere and they appear to be associated with distinct clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. This information will help in the prognostic stratification and risk adapted management of adult ALL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Sabir
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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Cytogenetic and molecular predictors of outcome in acute lymphocytic leukemia: recent developments. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2012; 7:133-43. [PMID: 22528731 PMCID: PMC3342501 DOI: 10.1007/s11899-012-0122-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
During the last decade a tremendous technologic progress based on genome-wide profiling of genetic aberrations, structural DNA alterations, and sequence variations has allowed a better understanding of the molecular basis of pediatric and adult B/T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), contributing to a better recognition of the biological heterogeneity of ALL and to a more precise definition of risk factors. Importantly, these advances identified novel potential targets for therapeutic intervention. This review will be focused on the cytogenetic/molecular advances in pediatric and adult ALL based on recently published articles.
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ETV6-RUNX1 promotes survival of early B lineage progenitor cells via a dysregulated erythropoietin receptor. Blood 2011; 118:4910-8. [PMID: 21900195 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-05-354266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ETV6-RUNX1 gene fusion is usually an early, prenatal event in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Transformation results in the generation of a persistent (> 14 years) preleukemic clone, which postnatally converts to ALL after the acquisition of necessary secondary genetic alterations. Many cancer cells show some expression of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) gene, although the "functionality" of any EPOR complexes and their relevant signaling pathways in nonerythroid cells has not been validated. EPOR mRNA is selectively and ectopically expressed in ETV6-RUNX1(+) ALL, but the presence of a functional EPOR on the cell surface and its role in leukemogenesis driven by ETV6-RUNX1 remains to be identified. Here, we show that ETV6-RUNX1 directly binds the EPOR promoter and that expression of ETV6-RUNX1 alone in normal pre-B cells is sufficient to activate EPOR transcription. We further reveal that murine and human ETV6-RUNX1(+) cells expressing EPOR mRNA have EPO ligand binding activity that correlates with an increased cell survival through activation of the JAK2-STAT5 pathway and up-regulation of antiapoptotic BCL-XL. These data support the contention that ETV6-RUNX1 directly activates ectopic expression of a functional EPOR and provides cell survival signals that may contribute critically to persistence of covert premalignant clones in children.
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Abstract
First established as a valuable vertebrate model system for studying development, zebrafish have emerged as an attractive animal system for modeling human cancers. Major technical advances have been essential for the generation of zebrafish cancer models relevant to human diseases. These models develop tumors in various organ sites that bear striking resemblance to human malignances, both histologically and genetically. Thus, the focus of cancer research in zebrafish has transcended the need to validate zebrafish as a viable model organism to study cancer biology. With the significant advantages of in vivo imaging, the power of forward genetics, well-established high efficiency for transgenesis, and ease of transplantation, further exploration of the zebrafish cancer models not only will generate unique insights into underlying mechanisms of cancer but will also provide platforms useful for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Liu
- Department of Surgery, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
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Zaliova M, Meyer C, Cario G, Vaskova M, Marschalek R, Stary J, Zuna J, Trka J. TEL/AML1-positive patients lacking TEL exon 5 resemble canonical TEL/AML1 cases. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 56:217-25. [PMID: 21157892 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.22686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The TEL/AML1 fusion gene which represents the most frequent genetic abnormality in childhood ALL, usually results from genomic breakpoints in TEL intron 5 and AML1 intron 1 or 2. At the protein level, the helix-loop-helix domain and exon 5-coded central region of TEL are typically fused to almost entire AML1 including DNA-binding domain. PROCEDURE We identified two ALL patients with genomic breakpoints within TEL intron 4 resulting in variant TEL/AML1 fusion lacking the TEL exon 5-coded central region. This region was supposed to play an important role in TEL/AML1 function, particularly in TEL/AML1-mediated transcriptional repression of AML1 targets. We aimed at investigating the impact of the loss of this region on disease behavior and TEL/AML1 function. We compared clinical and biological characteristics, treatment response, and outcome of the variant versus classical TEL/AML1 cases, analyzed genome wide gene expression profiles and performed reporter gene assay. RESULTS No distinct differences between variant and classical TEL/AML1 cases were observed including gene expression profiling and detailed immunophenotyping. By using reporter gene assay, we showed that the loss of the central region does not influence the TEL/AML1-mediated transcriptional repression. CONCLUSIONS The deletion of the central region did not affect the TEL/AML1-specific phenotype; we did not find any relevant differences in clinical and biological features when variant versus classical TEL/AML1-positive cases were compared. Thus, our data does not support hypothesis that the central region of TEL is indispensable for TEL/AML1 driven leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marketa Zaliova
- CLIP, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Collins-Underwood JR, Mullighan CG. Genetic Alterations Targeting Lymphoid Development in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Curr Top Dev Biol 2011; 94:171-96. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-380916-2.00006-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Abstract
Translocation (12;21), the most frequent chromosomal aberration in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, creates TEL/AML1 fusion gene. Resulting hybrid protein was shown to have a role in pre-leukemia establishment. To address its role for leukemic cell survival, we applied RNA interference to silence TEL/AML1 in leukemic cells. We designed and tested 11 different oligonucleotides targeting the TEL/AML1 fusion site. Using most efficient siRNAs, we achieved an average of 74-86% TEL/AML1 protein knockdown in REH and UOC-B6 leukemic cells, respectively. TEL/AML1 silencing neither decreased cell viability, nor induced apoptosis. On the contrary, it resulted in the modest but significant increase in the S phase fraction and in higher proliferation rate. Opposite effects on cell cycle distribution and proliferation were induced by AML1 silencing, thus, supporting our hypothesis that TEL/AML1 may block AML1-mediated promotion of G1/S progression through the cell cycle. In line with the lack of major effect on phenotype, we found no significant changes in clonogenic potential and global gene expression pattern upon TEL/AML1 depletion. Our data suggest that though TEL/AML1 is important for the (pre)leukemic clone development, it may be dispensable for leukemic cell survival and would not be a suitable target for gene-specific therapy.
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Zandi S, Bryder D, Sigvardsson M. Load and lock: the molecular mechanisms of B-lymphocyte commitment. Immunol Rev 2010; 238:47-62. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2010.00950.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Abstract
There is increasing evidence that miRNA and transcription factors interact in an instructive fashion in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. We explored the impact of TEL-AML1 (ETV6-RUNX1), the most common fusion protein in childhood leukemia, on miRNA expression and the leukemic phenotype. Using RNA interference, miRNA expression arrays, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we identified miRNA-494 and miRNA-320a to be up-regulated upon TEL-AML1 silencing independently of TEL expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis identified miRNA-494 as a direct miRNA target of the fusion protein TEL-AML1. Using bioinformatic analysis as well as functional luciferase experiments, we demonstrate that survivin is a target of the 2 miRNAs. miRNA-494 and miRNA-320a were introduced to the cells by transfection and survivin expression determined by Western blot analysis. These miRNAs blocked survivin expression and resulted in apoptosis in a similar manner as TEL-AML1 silencing by itself; this silencing was also shown to be Dicer-dependent. miRNAs-494 and -320a are expressed at lower levels in TEL-AML1+ leukemias compared with immunophenotype-matched nonTEL-AML1 acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtypes, and within TEL-AML1+ leukemias their expression is correlated to survivin levels. In summary our data suggest that TEL-AML1 might exert its antiapoptotic action at least in part by suppressing miRNA-494 and miRNA-320a, lowering their expression causing enhanced survivin expression.
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Schindler JW, Van Buren D, Foudi A, Krejci O, Qin J, Orkin SH, Hock H. TEL-AML1 corrupts hematopoietic stem cells to persist in the bone marrow and initiate leukemia. Cell Stem Cell 2009; 5:43-53. [PMID: 19570513 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2009.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2008] [Revised: 03/16/2009] [Accepted: 04/29/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The initial steps in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia remain incompletely understood. The TEL-AML1 gene fusion, the hallmark translocation in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and the first hit, occurs years before the clinical disease, most often in utero. We have generated mice in which TEL-AML1 expression is driven from the endogenous promoter and can be targeted to specific populations. TEL-AML1 renders mice prone to malignancy after chemical mutagenesis when expressed in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), but not in early lymphoid progenitors. We reveal that TEL-AML1 markedly increases the number of HSCs and predominantly maintains them in the quiescent (G(0)) stage of the cell cycle. TEL-AML1(+) HSCs retain self-renewal properties and contribute to hematopoiesis, but fail to out-compete normal HSCs. Our work shows that stem cells are susceptible to subversion by weak oncogenes that can subtly alter their molecular program to provide a latent reservoir for the accumulation of further mutations.
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Lau A, Belanger CL, Winn LM. In utero and acute exposure to benzene: Investigation of DNA double-strand breaks and DNA recombination in mice. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2009; 676:74-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2009.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2008] [Revised: 03/27/2009] [Accepted: 04/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Ford AM, Palmi C, Bueno C, Hong D, Cardus P, Knight D, Cazzaniga G, Enver T, Greaves M. The TEL-AML1 leukemia fusion gene dysregulates the TGF-beta pathway in early B lineage progenitor cells. J Clin Invest 2009; 119:826-36. [PMID: 19287094 DOI: 10.1172/jci36428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2008] [Accepted: 02/04/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosome translocation to generate the TEL-AML1 (also known as ETV6-RUNX1) chimeric fusion gene is a frequent and early or initiating event in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our starting hypothesis was that the TEL-AML1 protein generates and maintains preleukemic clones and that conversion to overt disease requires secondary genetic changes, possibly in the context of abnormal immune responses. Here, we show that a murine B cell progenitor cell line expressing inducible TEL-AML1 proliferates at a slower rate than parent cells but is more resistant to further inhibition of proliferation by TGF-beta. This facilitates the competitive expansion of TEL-AML1-expressing cells in the presence of TGF-beta. Further analysis indicated that TEL-AML1 binds to a principal TGF-beta signaling target, Smad3, and compromises its ability to activate target promoters. In mice expressing a TEL-AML1 transgene, early, pre-pro-B cells were increased in number and also showed reduced sensitivity to TGF-beta-mediated inhibition of proliferation. Moreover, expression of TEL-AML1 in human cord blood progenitor cells led to the expansion of a candidate preleukemic stem cell population that had an early B lineage phenotype (CD34+CD38-CD19+) and a marked growth advantage in the presence of TGF-beta. Collectively, these data suggest a plausible mechanism by which dysregulated immune responses to infection might promote the malignant evolution of TEL-AML1-expressing preleukemic clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony M Ford
- Section of Haemato-Oncology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
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Genome-wide profiling of genetic alterations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: recent insights and future directions. Leukemia 2009; 23:1209-18. [DOI: 10.1038/leu.2009.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Abstract
A key goal in cancer research is to identify the total complement of genetic and epigenetic alterations that contribute to tumorigenesis. We are currently witnessing the rapid evolution and convergence of multiple genome-wide platforms that are making this goal a reality. Leading this effort are studies of the molecular lesions that underlie pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The recent application of microarray-based analyses of DNA copy number abnormalities (CNAs) in pediatric ALL, complemented by transcriptional profiling, resequencing and epigenetic approaches, has identified a high frequency of common genetic alterations in both B-progenitor and T-lineage ALL. These approaches have identified abnormalities in key pathways, including lymphoid differentiation, cell cycle regulation, tumor suppression, and drug responsiveness. Moreover, the nature and frequency of CNAs differ markedly among ALL genetic subtypes. In this article, we review the key findings from the published data on genome-wide analyses of ALL and highlight some of the technical aspects of data generation and analysis that must be carefully controlled to obtain optimal results.
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