1
|
Eide CA, Kurtz SE, Kaempf A, Long N, Joshi SK, Nechiporuk T, Huang A, Dibb CA, Taylor A, Bottomly D, McWeeney SK, Minnier J, Lachowiez CA, Saultz JN, Swords RT, Agarwal A, Chang BH, Druker BJ, Tyner JW. Clinical Correlates of Venetoclax-Based Combination Sensitivities to Augment Acute Myeloid Leukemia Therapy. Blood Cancer Discov 2023; 4:452-467. [PMID: 37698624 PMCID: PMC10618724 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-23-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax combined with the hypomethylating agent azacytidine shows significant clinical benefit in a subset of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, resistance limits response and durability. We prospectively profiled the ex vivo activity of 25 venetoclax-inclusive combinations on primary AML patient samples to identify those with improved potency and synergy compared with venetoclax + azacytidine (Ven + azacytidine). Combination sensitivities correlated with tumor cell state to discern three patterns: primitive selectivity resembling Ven + azacytidine, monocytic selectivity, and broad efficacy independent of cell state. Incorporation of immunophenotype, mutation, and cytogenetic features further stratified combination sensitivity for distinct patient subtypes. We dissect the biology underlying the broad, cell state-independent efficacy for the combination of venetoclax plus the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib. Together, these findings support opportunities for expanding the impact of venetoclax-based drug combinations in AML by leveraging clinical and molecular biomarkers associated with ex vivo responses. SIGNIFICANCE By mapping drug sensitivity data to clinical features and tumor cell state, we identify novel venetoclax combinations targeting patient subtypes who lack sensitivity to Ven + azacytidine. This provides a framework for a taxonomy of AML informed by readily available sets of clinical and genetic features obtained as part of standard care. See related commentary by Becker, p. 437 . This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 419.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Eide
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Stephen E. Kurtz
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Division of Oncological Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Andy Kaempf
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Nicola Long
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Sunil Kumar Joshi
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Tamilla Nechiporuk
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Ariane Huang
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Charles A. Dibb
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Akosha Taylor
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Daniel Bottomly
- Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Shannon K. McWeeney
- Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jessica Minnier
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Curtis A. Lachowiez
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jennifer N. Saultz
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Ronan T. Swords
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Anupriya Agarwal
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Bill H. Chang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Brian J. Druker
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Division of Oncological Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jeffrey W. Tyner
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xiang D, Gu M, Liu J, Dong W, Yang Z, Wang K, Fu J, Wang H. m6A RNA methylation-mediated upregulation of HLF promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression by regulating the FZD4/β-catenin signaling pathway. Cancer Lett 2023; 560:216144. [PMID: 36958694 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic leukemia factor (HLF) is aberrantly expressed in human malignancies. However, its role in regulating intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains unclear. This study aimed to define the role of HLF in ICC progression. Here, we showed that HLF expression is upregulated in ICC and predicts the poor prognosis in patients. Mechanistically, HLF activation in ICC is mediated by METTL3-dependent m6A methylation of the HLF mRNA. As per the results from the loss- or gain-of-function experiments, HLF promoted the self-renewal, tumorigenicity, proliferation and metastasis of ICC cells. RNA-seq and CUT&Tag analyses showed that frizzled-4 (FZD4) and forkhead box Q1 (FOXQ1) are target genes of HLF. Moreover, FOXQ1 transcriptionally activates METTL3 expression, forming a positive feedback loop, which subsequently activates WNT/β-catenin signaling and downstream tumor stemness. Furthermore, HLF expression was positively correlated with METTL3, IGF2BP3, FZD4 and FOXQ1 expression in ICC tissues in a large ICC cohort. The combined IHC panels exhibited a better prognostic value for patients with ICC than any of these components alone. In conclusions, these findings demonstrated that the METTL3/HLF/FOXQ1 regulatory circuit drove FZD4-mediated WNT/β-catenin activation in ICC progression, suggesting that targeting this axis could be novel therapeutic strategy for ICC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daimin Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute(2), Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory on Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hepato-biliary Tumor Biology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China; National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingye Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute(2), Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory on Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hepato-biliary Tumor Biology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Junyu Liu
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory on Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hepato-biliary Tumor Biology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Department of Pathology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Zhishi Yang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Kui Wang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Jing Fu
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory on Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hepato-biliary Tumor Biology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China; National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hongyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute(2), Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory on Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hepato-biliary Tumor Biology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China; National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Molecular Mechanisms of Cereblon-Interacting Small Molecules in Multiple Myeloma Therapy. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11111185. [PMID: 34834536 PMCID: PMC8623651 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide analogues (or immunomodulatory imide drugs, IMiDs) are cornerstones in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). These drugs bind Cereblon (CRBN), a receptor for the Cullin-ring 4 ubiquitin-ligase (CRL4) complex, to modify its substrate specificity. IMiDs mediate CRBN-dependent engagement and proteasomal degradation of ‘neosubstrates’, Ikaros (IKZF1) and Aiolos (IKZF3), conveying concurrent antimyeloma activity and T-cell costimulation. There is now a greater understanding of physiological CRBN functions, including endogenous substrates and chaperone activity. CRISPR Cas9-based genome-wide screening has further elucidated the complex cellular machinery implicated in IMiD sensitivity, including IKZF1/3-independent mechanisms. New-generation IMiD derivatives with more potent anti-cancer properties—the CELMoDs (Cereblon E3 ligase modulators)—are now being evaluated. Rational drug design also allows ‘hijacking’ of CRL4CRBN utilising proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) to convey entirely distinct substrate repertoires. As all these chemotypes—thalidomide, IMiDs, CELMoDs and PROTACs—engage CRBN and modify its functions, we describe them here in aggregate as ‘CRBN-interacting small molecules’ (CISMs). In this review, we provide a contemporary summary of the biological consequences of CRBN modulation by CISMs. Detailed molecular insight into CRBN–CISM interactions now provides an opportunity to more effectively target previously elusive cancer dependencies, representing a new and powerful tool for the implementation of precision medicine.
Collapse
|
4
|
Michmerhuizen NL, Klco JM, Mullighan CG. Mechanistic insights and potential therapeutic approaches for NUP98-rearranged hematologic malignancies. Blood 2020; 136:2275-2289. [PMID: 32766874 PMCID: PMC7702474 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020007093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoporin 98 (NUP98) fusion oncoproteins are observed in a spectrum of hematologic malignancies, particularly pediatric leukemias with poor patient outcomes. Although wild-type full-length NUP98 is a member of the nuclear pore complex, the chromosomal translocations leading to NUP98 gene fusions involve the intrinsically disordered and N-terminal region of NUP98 with over 30 partner genes. Fusion partners include several genes bearing homeodomains or having known roles in transcriptional or epigenetic regulation. Based on data in both experimental models and patient samples, NUP98 fusion oncoprotein-driven leukemogenesis is mediated by changes in chromatin structure and gene expression. Multiple cofactors associate with NUP98 fusion oncoproteins to mediate transcriptional changes possibly via phase separation, in a manner likely dependent on the fusion partner. NUP98 gene fusions co-occur with a set of additional mutations, including FLT3-internal tandem duplication and other events contributing to increased proliferation. To improve the currently dire outcomes for patients with NUP98-rearranged malignancies, therapeutic strategies have been considered that target transcriptional and epigenetic machinery, cooperating alterations, and signaling or cell-cycle pathways. With the development of more faithful experimental systems and continued study, we anticipate great strides in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerabilities at play in NUP98-rearranged models. Taken together, these studies should lead to improved clinical outcomes for NUP98-rearranged leukemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffery M Klco
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lamba JK, Cao X, Raimondi S, Downing J, Ribeiro R, Gruber TA, Rubnitz J, Pounds S. DNA Methylation Clusters and Their Relation to Cytogenetic Features in Pediatric AML. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12103024. [PMID: 33080932 PMCID: PMC7603219 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is characterized by recurrent genetic and cytogenetic lesions that are utilized for risk stratification and for making treatment decisions. In recent years, methylation dysregulation has been extensively studied and associated with risk groups and prognosis in adult AML, however, such studies in pediatric AML are limited. Moreover, the mutations in epigenetic genes such as DNMT3A, IDH1 or IDH2 are almost absent or rare in pediatric patients as compared to their abundance in adult AML. In the current study, we evaluated methylation patterns that occur with or independent of the well-defined cytogenetic features in pediatric AML patients enrolled on multi-site AML02 clinical trial (NCT00136084). Our results demonstrate that unlike adult AML, cytosine DNA methylation does not result in significant unique clusters in pediatric AML, however, DNA methylation signatures correlated significantly with the most common and recurrent cytogenetic features. Paired evaluation of DNA methylation and expression identified genes and pathways of biological relevance that hold promise for novel therapeutic strategies. Our results further demonstrate that epigenetic signatures occur complimentary to the well-established chromosomal/mutational landscape, implying that dysregulation of oncogenes or tumor suppressors might be leveraging both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms to impact biological pathways critical for leukemogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jatinder K. Lamba
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Xueyuan Cao
- Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| | - Susana Raimondi
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (S.R.); (J.D.)
| | - James Downing
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (S.R.); (J.D.)
| | - Raul Ribeiro
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (R.R.); (J.R.)
| | - Tanja A. Gruber
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Jeffrey Rubnitz
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (R.R.); (J.R.)
| | - Stanley Pounds
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang X, Hao R, Wang F, Wang F. ZFAS1 Promotes Cisplatin Resistance via Suppressing miR-421 Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:7251-7262. [PMID: 32884341 PMCID: PMC7434533 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s248869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), with high incidence and mortality, represents one of the main reasons for head and neck malignant tumors. We want to investigate the effect of ZFAS1 on DDP resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Methods The proliferation and migration of cells was detected by CCK-8 and Transwell assay. The apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Western blot. The interaction of ZFAS1, miR-421, and MEIS2 was verified by luciferase reporter assay. The role of ZFAS1 in DDP resistance in vivo was tested by the nude mice model. The expression of ZFAS1 in exosomes from cisplatin-resistant patients was also determined. Results ZFAS1 overexpression improved OSCC cell growth and inhibited OSCC cell susceptibility to DDP. In addition, the silencing of ZFAS1 promoted DDP-induced apoptosis. ZFAS1 directly bound to miR-421, which was verified by luciferase reporter assay. Inhibition of miR-421 reversed the effect of si-ZFAS1, which promoted the cell viability and decreased the sensitivity of DDP in DDP-resistant cells. The in vivo experiment showed the role of ZFAS1 in increasing the DDP resistance in OSCC tumor. Importantly, this study also showed upregulated ZFAS1 in serum exosomes derived from cisplatin-resistant patients. Conclusion ZFAS1 promotes chemoresistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma to cisplatin and might become a latent therapeutic target for treating OSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Repubic of China
| | - Rui Hao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Repubic of China
| | - Fengjuan Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Repubic of China
| | - Fan Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Repubic of China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Meng H, Liu J, Qiu J, Nie S, Jiang Y, Wan Y, Cheng W. Identification of Key Genes in Association with Progression and Prognosis in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma. DNA Cell Biol 2020; 39:848-863. [PMID: 32202912 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2019.5202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer remains a primary cause of female death in developing countries, but its prognosis can be greatly improved if patients are diagnosed earlier. In the present study, we screened the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) from dataset GSE7803, Gene Expression Omnibus, and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. An integrated bioinformatics analysis was performed based on these DEGs for their enrichment in functions and pathways, interaction network, prognostic signature, and candidate molecular drugs. As a result, 164 (114 upregulated and 47 downregulated) DEGs of CESC were identified for further investigation. We then conducted the gene ontology term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway analyses to reveal the underlying functions and pathways of these DEGs. In the protein-protein interaction network, hub module and hub genes were identified. Five genes of significant prognostic value-DSG2, ITM2A, CENPM, RIBC2, and MEIS2-were identified by prognostic signature analysis and used to construct a risk linear model. Further validation and investigation suggested DSG2 might be a key gene in CESC prognosis. We then identified two candidate small molecules (trichostatin A and tanespimycin) against CESC. Further validation and exploration of these hub genes are warranted for future prospect in clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huangyang Meng
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinhui Liu
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiangnan Qiu
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sipei Nie
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yicong Wan
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjun Cheng
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cardin S, Bilodeau M, Roussy M, Aubert L, Milan T, Jouan L, Rouette A, Laramée L, Gendron P, Duchaine J, Decaluwe H, Spinella JF, Mourad S, Couture F, Sinnett D, Haddad É, Landry JR, Ma J, Humphries RK, Roux PP, Hébert J, Gruber TA, Wilhelm BT, Cellot S. Human models of NUP98-KDM5A megakaryocytic leukemia in mice contribute to uncovering new biomarkers and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Blood Adv 2019; 3:3307-3321. [PMID: 31698461 PMCID: PMC6855103 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019030981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) represents ∼10% of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia cases and typically affects young children (<3 years of age). It remains plagued with extremely poor treatment outcomes (<40% cure rates), mostly due to primary chemotherapy refractory disease and/or early relapse. Recurrent and mutually exclusive chimeric fusion oncogenes have been detected in 60% to 70% of cases and include nucleoporin 98 (NUP98) gene rearrangements, most commonly NUP98-KDM5A. Human models of NUP98-KDM5A-driven AMKL capable of faithfully recapitulating the disease have been lacking, and patient samples are rare, further limiting biomarkers and drug discovery. To overcome these impediments, we overexpressed NUP98-KDM5A in human cord blood hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells using a lentiviral-based approach to create physiopathologically relevant disease models. The NUP98-KDM5A fusion oncogene was a potent inducer of maturation arrest, sustaining long-term proliferative and progenitor capacities of engineered cells in optimized culture conditions. Adoptive transfer of NUP98-KDM5A-transformed cells into immunodeficient mice led to multiple subtypes of leukemia, including AMKL, that phenocopy human disease phenotypically and molecularly. The integrative molecular characterization of synthetic and patient NUP98-KDM5A AMKL samples revealed SELP, MPIG6B, and NEO1 as distinctive and novel disease biomarkers. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses pointed to upregulation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in the model AMKL. Both synthetic models and patient-derived xenografts of NUP98-rearranged AMKL showed in vitro therapeutic vulnerability to ruxolitinib, a clinically approved JAK2 inhibitor. Overall, synthetic human AMKL models contribute to defining functional dependencies of rare genotypes of high-fatality pediatric leukemia, which lack effective and rationally designed treatments.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Computational Biology/methods
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Susceptibility
- Gene Expression
- Gene Expression Profiling
- High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
- Humans
- Immunophenotyping
- Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute/etiology
- Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute/therapy
- Mice
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/pathology
- Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins/metabolism
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 2/genetics
- Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 2/metabolism
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Cardin
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mélanie Bilodeau
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Roussy
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine
| | - Léo Aubert
- Cell Signaling and Proteomics Research Unit, and
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas Milan
- Laboratory for High-Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Loubna Jouan
- Integrated Centre for Pediatric Clinical Genomics, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandre Rouette
- Integrated Centre for Pediatric Clinical Genomics, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Louise Laramée
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Gendron
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Bioinformatics Platform, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean Duchaine
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Hélène Decaluwe
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-François Spinella
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Mourad
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Françoise Couture
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel Sinnett
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Élie Haddad
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Josette-Renée Landry
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Streamline Genomics, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | | | - Philippe P Roux
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Laboratory for High-Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Josée Hébert
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Division of Hematology, and
- Québec Leukemia Cell Bank, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada; and
| | - Tanja A Gruber
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Brian T Wilhelm
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Laboratory for High-Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia Cellot
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Québec Leukemia Cell Bank, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada; and
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Nørgaard M, Haldrup C, Bjerre MT, Høyer S, Ulhøi B, Borre M, Sørensen KD. Epigenetic silencing of MEIS2 in prostate cancer recurrence. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:147. [PMID: 31640805 PMCID: PMC6805635 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0742-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Current diagnostic and prognostic tools for prostate cancer (PC) are suboptimal, resulting in overdiagnosis and overtreatment of clinically insignificant tumors. Thus, to improve the management of PC, novel biomarkers are urgently needed. Results In this study, we integrated genome-wide methylome (Illumina 450K DNA methylation array (450K)) and RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data performed in a discovery set of 27 PC and 15 adjacent normal (AN) prostate tissue samples to identify candidate driver genes involved in PC development and/or progression. We found significant enrichment for homeobox genes among the most aberrantly methylated and transcriptionally dysregulated genes in PC. Specifically, homeobox gene MEIS2 (Myeloid Ecotropic viral Insertion Site 2) was significantly hypermethylated (p < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test) and transcriptionally downregulated (p < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test) in PC compared to non-malignant prostate tissue in our discovery sample set, which was also confirmed in an independent validation set including > 500 PC and AN tissue samples in total (TCGA cohort analyzed by 450K and RNAseq). Furthermore, in three independent radical prostatectomy (RP) cohorts (n > 700 patients in total), low MEIS2 transcriptional expression was significantly associated with poor biochemical recurrence (BCR) free survival (p = 0.0084, 0.0001, and 0.0191, respectively; log-rank test). Next, we analyzed another RP cohort consisting of > 200 PC, AN, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples by quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) and found that MEIS2 was significantly hypermethylated (p < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test) in PC compared to non-malignant prostate tissue samples (AN and BPH) with an AUC > 0.84. Moreover, in this cohort, aberrant MEIS2 hypermethylation was significantly associated with post-operative BCR (p = 0.0068, log-rank test), which was subsequently confirmed (p = 0.0067; log-rank test) in the independent TCGA validation cohort (497 RP patients; 450K data). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate, demonstrate, and independently validate a prognostic biomarker potential for MEIS2 at the transcriptional expression level and at the DNA methylation level in PC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maibritt Nørgaard
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christa Haldrup
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marianne Trier Bjerre
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Søren Høyer
- Department of Histopathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Benedicte Ulhøi
- Department of Histopathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Borre
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Karina D Sørensen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. .,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Xiang DM, Sun W, Zhou T, Zhang C, Cheng Z, Li SC, Jiang W, Wang R, Fu G, Cui X, Hou G, Jin GZ, Li H, Hou C, Liu H, Wang H, Ding J. Oncofetal HLF transactivates c-Jun to promote hepatocellular carcinoma development and sorafenib resistance. Gut 2019; 68:1858-1871. [PMID: 31118247 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2018-317440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The unique expression pattern makes oncofetal proteins ideal diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. However, few oncofetal proteins have been identified and entered clinical practice. METHODS Fetal liver, adult liver and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues were employed to assess the expression of hepatic leukaemia factor (HLF). The impact of HLF on HCC onset and progression was investigated both in vivo and in vitro. The association between HLF and patient prognosis was determined in patient cohorts. The correlation between HLF expression and sorafenib benefits in HCC was further evaluated in patient cohorts and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). RESULTS HLF is a novel oncofetal protein which is reactivated in HCC by SOX2 and OCT4. Functional studies revealed that HLF transactivates c-Jun to promote tumour initiating cell (TIC) generation and enhances TIC-like properties of hepatoma cells, thus driving HCC initiation and progression. Consistently, our clinical investigations elucidated the association between HLF and patient prognosis and unravelled the close correlation between HLF levels and c-Jun expression in patient HCCs. Importantly, HLF/c-Jun axis determines the responses of hepatoma cells to sorafenib treatment, and interference of HLF abrogated c-Jun activation and enhanced sorafenib response. Analysis of patient cohorts and PDXs further suggests that HLF/c-Jun axis might serve as a biomarker for sorafenib benefits in HCC patients. CONCLUSIONS Our findings uncovered HLF as a novel oncofetal protein and revealed the crucial role of the HLF/c-Jun axis in HCC development and sorafenib response, rendering HLF as an optimal target for the prevention and intervention of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dai-Min Xiang
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, shanghai, China
| | - Wen Sun
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
| | - Tengfei Zhou
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
| | - Zhuo Cheng
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Chao Li
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
| | - Weiqi Jiang
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, the Second Military MedicalUniversity, shanghai, China
| | - Gongbo Fu
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
| | - Xiuliang Cui
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
| | - Guojun Hou
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, the Second Military MedicalUniversity, shanghai, China
| | - Guang-Zhi Jin
- Department of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second MilitaryMedical University, shanghai, China
| | - Hengyu Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
| | - Caiying Hou
- General Hospital of PLA Rocket Force, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Liu
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, the Second Military MedicalUniversity, shanghai, China
| | - Hongyang Wang
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, shanghai, China
| | - Jin Ding
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, the Second Military Medical University, shanghai, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Oncogenic heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D-like modulates the growth and imatinib response of human chronic myeloid leukemia CD34 + cells via pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox 1. Oncogene 2019; 39:443-453. [PMID: 31488872 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0998-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) originates from normal hematopoietic stem cells acquiring BCR-ABL fusion gene, specific BCR-ABL inhibitors (e.g., imatinib mesylate, IM) have greatly improved patient management. However, some patients are still suffering from relapse and drug resistance, which urges better understanding of the growth/survival mechanisms of CML stem/progenitor cells. In the present study, the role and its underlying mechanism of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D-like (HNRPDL) in CML cells were investigated. Firstly, overexpression of HNRPDL promoted the growth of murine BaF3 cells in vitro and induced leukemia in vivo, which was enhanced by co-expression of BCR-ABL. Conversely, HNRPDL silencing inhibited colony-forming cell (CFC) production of CML CD34+ cells and attenuated BCR-ABL induced leukemia. In addition, HNRPDL modulated imatinib response of K562 cells and HNRPDL silencing sensitized CML CD34+ cells to imatinib treatment. Mechanistically, we found the stability of pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox 1 (PBX1) mRNA was sustained by HNRPDL through its binding to a specific motif (ACUAGC) in 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of PBX1. The expression of PBX1 was significantly higher in CML CD34+ cells than that in control cells and PBX silencing inhibited the growth of CML cells and sensitized them to imatinib treatment. In contrast, overexpression of PBX1 elevated the CFC production of normal hematopoietic CD34+ cells and "rescued" HNRPDL silencing induced growth inhibition and imatinib sensitization. Taken together, our data have demonstrated that HNRPDL transforms hematopoietic cells and a novel HNRPDL/PBX1 axis plays an important role in human CML CD34+ cells.
Collapse
|
12
|
Hepatic leukemia factor is a novel leukemic stem cell regulator in DNMT3A, NPM1, and FLT3-ITD triple-mutated AML. Blood 2019; 134:263-276. [PMID: 31076446 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2018862383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
FLT3, DNMT3A, and NPM1 are the most frequently mutated genes in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but little is known about how these mutations synergize upon cooccurrence. Here we show that triple-mutated AML is characterized by high leukemia stem cell (LSC) frequency, an aberrant leukemia-specific GPR56 highCD34low immunophenotype, and synergistic upregulation of Hepatic Leukemia Factor (HLF). Cell sorting based on the LSC marker GPR56 allowed isolation of triple-mutated from DNMT3A/NPM1 double-mutated subclones. Moreover, in DNMT3A R882-mutated patients, CpG hypomethylation at the HLF transcription start site correlated with high HLF mRNA expression, which was itself associated with poor survival. Loss of HLF via CRISPR/Cas9 significantly reduced the CD34+GPR56+ LSC compartment of primary human triple-mutated AML cells in serial xenotransplantation assays. HLF knockout cells were more actively cycling when freshly harvested from mice, but rapidly exhausted when reintroduced in culture. RNA sequencing of primary human triple-mutated AML cells after shRNA-mediated HLF knockdown revealed the NOTCH target Hairy and Enhancer of Split 1 (HES1) and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CDKN1C/p57 as novel targets of HLF, potentially mediating these effects. Overall, our data establish HLF as a novel LSC regulator in this genetically defined high-risk AML subgroup.
Collapse
|
13
|
Li B, Huang Q, Wei GH. The Role of HOX Transcription Factors in Cancer Predisposition and Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040528. [PMID: 31013831 PMCID: PMC6520925 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox (HOX) transcription factors, encoded by a subset of homeodomain superfamily genes, play pivotal roles in many aspects of cellular physiology, embryonic development, and tissue homeostasis. Findings over the past decade have revealed that mutations in HOX genes can lead to increased cancer predisposition, and HOX genes might mediate the effect of many other cancer susceptibility factors by recognizing or executing altered genetic information. Remarkably, several lines of evidence highlight the interplays between HOX transcription factors and cancer risk loci discovered by genome-wide association studies, thereby gaining molecular and biological insight into cancer etiology. In addition, deregulated HOX gene expression impacts various aspects of cancer progression, including tumor angiogenesis, cell autophagy, proliferation, apoptosis, tumor cell migration, and metabolism. In this review, we will discuss the fundamental roles of HOX genes in cancer susceptibility and progression, highlighting multiple molecular mechanisms of HOX involved gene misregulation, as well as their potential implications in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Qilai Huang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Gong-Hong Wei
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abruzzese MP, Bilotta MT, Fionda C, Zingoni A, Soriani A, Petrucci MT, Ricciardi MR, Molfetta R, Paolini R, Santoni A, Cippitelli M. The homeobox transcription factor MEIS2 is a regulator of cancer cell survival and IMiDs activity in Multiple Myeloma: modulation by Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) protein inhibitors. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:324. [PMID: 30975979 PMCID: PMC6459881 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1562-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Myeloid Ecotropic Insertion Site 2 (MEIS2) has been identified as a cellular substrate of the E3-ubiquitin ligase complex CRL4-cereblon (CRL4CRBN) in crystal structure and by biochemical screen. Emerging evidence suggests that IMiDs can block MEIS2 from binding to CRBN facilitating the subsequent activation of a CRL4CRBNIMiD-E3-ubiquitin ligase activity and proteasome-mediated degradation of critical substrates regulators of Multiple Myeloma (MM) cell survival and proliferation. Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) family of proteins are important epigenetic regulators involved in promoting gene expression of several oncogenes, and many studies have revealed important anticancer activities mediated by BET inhibitors (BETi) in hematologic malignancies including MM. Here, we investigated MEIS2 in MM, the role of this protein as a modulator of IMiDs activity and the ability of BETi to inhibit its expression. Our observations indicate that inhibition of MEIS2 in MM cells by RNA interference correlates with reduced growth, induction of apoptosis and enhanced efficacy of different anti-MM drugs. In addition, MEIS2 regulates the expression of Cyclin E/CCNE1 in MM and induction of apoptosis after treatment with the CDK inhibitor Seliciclib/Roscovitine. Interestingly, modulation of MEIS2 can regulate the expression of NKG2D and DNAM-1 NK cell-activating ligands and, importantly, the activity of IMiDs in MM cells. Finally, BETi have the ability to inhibit the expression of MEIS2 in MM, underscoring a novel anticancer activity mediated by these drugs. Our study provides evidence on the role of MEIS2 in MM cell survival and suggests therapeutic strategies targeting of MEIS2 to enhance IMiDs anti-myeloma activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cinzia Fionda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Zingoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Soriani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Petrucci
- Division of Hematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Ricciardi
- Hematology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Molfetta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Paolini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Roma, RM, Italy. .,IRCCS, Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.
| | - Marco Cippitelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Xie R, Chen X, Chen Z, Huang M, Dong W, Gu P, Zhang J, Zhou Q, Dong W, Han J, Wang X, Li H, Huang J, Lin T. Polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 promotes lymphatic metastasis and proliferation of bladder cancer via alternative splicing of MEIS2 and PKM. Cancer Lett 2019; 449:31-44. [PMID: 30742945 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Lymph node (LN) metastasis is the leading cause of bladder cancer-related mortality. Splicing factors facilitate cancer progression by modulating oncogenic variants, but it is unclear whether and how splicing factors regulate bladder cancer LN metastasis. In this study, Polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) expression was found to relate to bladder cancer LN metastasis, and was positively correlated with LN metastasis status, tumor stage, histological grade, and poor patient prognosis. Functional assays demonstrated that PTBP1 promoted bladder cancer cell migration, invasion, and proliferation in vitro, as well as LN metastasis and tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistic investigations revealed that PTBP1 upregulated MEIS2-L variant to promote metastasis and increased expression of PKM2 variant to enhance proliferation by modulating alternative mRNA splicing. Moreover, overexpression of MEIS2-L or PKM2 could rescue the oncogenic abilities of bladder cancer cells and the expression of MMP9 or CCND1 respectively after PTBP1 knockdown. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that PTBP1 induces bladder cancer LN metastasis and proliferation through an alternative splicing mechanism. PTBP1 may serve as a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for LN-metastatic bladder cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruihui Xie
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Ziyue Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming Huang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen Dong
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Gu
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingtong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qianghua Zhou
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinli Han
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xisheng Wang
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Tianxin Lin
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wang M, Wang H, Wen Y, Chen X, Liu X, Gao J, Su P, Xu Y, Zhou W, Shi L, Zhou J. MEIS2 regulates endothelial to hematopoietic transition of human embryonic stem cells by targeting TAL1. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:340. [PMID: 30526668 PMCID: PMC6286587 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-1074-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite considerable progress in the development of methods for hematopoietic differentiation, efficient generation of transplantable hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and other genuine functional blood cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is still unsuccessful. Therefore, a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying hematopoietic differentiation of hESCs is highly demanded. Methods In this study, by using whole-genome gene profiling, we identified Myeloid Ectopic Viral Integration Site 2 homolog (MEIS2) as a potential regulator of hESC early hematopoietic differentiation. We deleted MEIS2 gene in hESCs using the CRISPR/CAS9 technology and induced them to hematopoietic differentiation, megakaryocytic differentiation. Results In this study, we found that MEIS2 deletion impairs early hematopoietic differentiation from hESCs. Furthermore, MEIS2 deletion suppresses hemogenic endothelial specification and endothelial to hematopoietic transition (EHT), leading to the impairment of hematopoietic differentiation. Mechanistically, TAL1 acts as a downstream gene mediating the function of MEIS2 during early hematopoiesis. Interestingly, unlike MEIS1, MEIS2 deletion exerts minimal effects on megakaryocytic differentiation and platelet generation from hESCs. Conclusions Our findings advance the understanding of human hematopoietic development and may provide new insights for large-scale generation of functional blood cells for clinical applications. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-1074-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengge Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China.,Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Hongtao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China.,Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Yuqi Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China.,Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China.,Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Xin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China.,Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Jie Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China.,Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Pei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China.,Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Yuanfu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China.,Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Science and Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Lihong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China. .,Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China.
| | - Jiaxi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China. .,Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chang-Panesso M, Kadyrov FF, Machado FG, Kumar A, Humphreys BD. Meis1 is specifically upregulated in kidney myofibroblasts during aging and injury but is not required for kidney homeostasis or fibrotic response. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2018; 315:F275-F290. [PMID: 29592525 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00030.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The homeobox transcription factor Meis1 is required for mammalian development, and its overexpression plays a role in tumorigenesis, especially leukemia. Meis1 is known to be expressed in kidney stroma, but its function in kidney is undefined. We hypothesized that Meis1 may regulate stromal cell proliferation in kidney development and disease and tested the hypothesis using cell lineage tracing and cell-specific Meis1 deletion in development, aging, and fibrotic disease. We observed strong expression of Meis1 in platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β-positive pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts, both in adult mouse kidney and to a lesser degree in human kidney. Either bilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury or aging itself led to strong upregulation of Meis1 protein and mRNA in kidney myofibroblasts, and genetic lineage analysis confirmed that Meis1-positive cells proliferate as they differentiate into myofibroblasts after injury. Conditional deletion of Meis1 in all kidney stroma with two separate tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase drivers had no phenotype with the exception of consistent induction of the tubular injury marker kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) only in Meis1 mutants. Further examination of Kim-1 expression revealed linkage disequilibrium of Kim-1 and Meis1, such that Meis1 mutants carried the longer BALB/c Kim-1 allele. Unexpectedly, we report that this Kim-1 allele is expressed at baseline in wild-type BALB/c mice, without any associated abnormalities, including long-term fibrosis, as predicted from the literature. We conclude that Meis1 is specifically expressed in stroma and myofibroblasts of mouse and human kidney, that it is not required for kidney development, disease, or aging, and that BALB/c mice unexpectedly express Kim-1 protein at baseline without other kidney abnormality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Chang-Panesso
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine , St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Farid F Kadyrov
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine , St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Flavia G Machado
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine , St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and the Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Benjamin D Humphreys
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine , St. Louis, Missouri
| |
Collapse
|