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Felipe Fumero E, Walter C, Frenz JM, Seifert F, Alla V, Hennig T, Angenendt L, Hartmann W, Wolf S, Serve H, Oellerich T, Lenz G, Müller-Tidow C, Schliemann C, Huber O, Dugas M, Mann M, Jayavelu AK, Mikesch JH, Arteaga MF. Epigenetic control over the cell-intrinsic immune response antagonizes self-renewal in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood 2024; 143:2284-2299. [PMID: 38457355 PMCID: PMC11181352 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Epigenetic modulation of the cell-intrinsic immune response holds promise as a therapeutic approach for leukemia. However, current strategies designed for transcriptional activation of endogenous transposons and subsequent interferon type-I (IFN-I) response, show limited clinical efficacy. Histone lysine methylation is an epigenetic signature in IFN-I response associated with suppression of IFN-I and IFN-stimulated genes, suggesting histone demethylation as key mechanism of reactivation. In this study, we unveil the histone demethylase PHF8 as a direct initiator and regulator of cell-intrinsic immune response in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Site-specific phosphorylation of PHF8 orchestrates epigenetic changes that upregulate cytosolic RNA sensors, particularly the TRIM25-RIG-I-IFIT5 axis, thereby triggering the cellular IFN-I response-differentiation-apoptosis network. This signaling cascade largely counteracts differentiation block and growth of human AML cells across various disease subtypes in vitro and in vivo. Through proteome analysis of over 200 primary AML bone marrow samples, we identify a distinct PHF8/IFN-I signature in half of the patient population, without significant associations with known clinically or genetically defined AML subgroups. This profile was absent in healthy CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, suggesting therapeutic applicability in a large fraction of patients with AML. Pharmacological support of PHF8 phosphorylation significantly impairs the growth in samples from patients with primary AML. These findings provide novel opportunities for harnessing the cell-intrinsic immune response in the development of immunotherapeutic strategies against AML.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Animals
- Histone Demethylases/genetics
- Histone Demethylases/metabolism
- Mice
- Interferon Type I/metabolism
- Cell Self Renewal
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolin Walter
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Gerhard-Domagk-Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Joris Maximillian Frenz
- Proteomics and Cancer Cell Signaling Group, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Franca Seifert
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Vijay Alla
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Thorben Hennig
- Proteomics and Cancer Cell Signaling Group, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Linus Angenendt
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Division of Translational Pathology, Gerhard-Domagk-Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wolf
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hubert Serve
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Oellerich
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Georg Lenz
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | | | - Otmar Huber
- Department of Biochemistry II, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Dugas
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Mann
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ashok Kumar Jayavelu
- Proteomics and Cancer Cell Signaling Group, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan-Henrik Mikesch
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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2
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Mai S, Hodges A, Chen HM, Zhang J, Wang YL, Liu Y, Nakatsu F, Wang X, Fang J, Xu Y, Davidov V, Kang K, Pingali SR, Ganguly S, Suzuki M, Konopleva M, Prinzing B, Zu Y, Gottschalk S, Lu Y, Chen SH, Pan PY. LILRB3 Modulates Acute Myeloid Leukemia Progression and Acts as an Effective Target for CAR T-cell Therapy. Cancer Res 2023; 83:4047-4062. [PMID: 38098451 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Identifying novel cell surface receptors that regulate leukemia cell differentiation and can be targeted to inhibit cellular proliferation is crucial to improve current treatment modalities in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), especially for relapsed or chemotherapy-refractory leukemia. Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor type B (LILRB) is an immunomodulatory receptor originally found to be expressed in myeloid cells. In this study, we found that LILRB receptors can be induced under inflammatory stimuli and chemotherapy treatment conditions. Blockade of LILRB3 inhibited leukemia cell proliferation and leukemia progression. In addition, treatment with LILRB3 blocking antibodies upregulated myeloid lineage differentiation transcription factors, including PU.1, C/EBP family, and IRF, whereas phosphorylation of proliferation regulators, for example, AKT, cyclin D1, and retinoblastoma protein, was decreased. Conversely, transcriptomic analysis showed LILRB3 activation by agonist antibodies may enhance leukemia survival through upregulation of cholesterol metabolism, which has been shown to promote leukemia cell survival. Moreover, LILRB3-targeted CAR T cells exhibited potent antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our results suggest that LILRB3 is a potentially potent target for multiple treatment modalities in AML. SIGNIFICANCE LILRB3 regulates differentiation and proliferation in acute myeloid leukemia and can be targeted with monoclonal antibodies and CAR T cells to suppress leukemia growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunny Mai
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Alan Hodges
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
- Texas A&M University System School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
| | - Hui-Ming Chen
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Jilu Zhang
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Yi-Ling Wang
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Yongbin Liu
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Fumiko Nakatsu
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Xiaoxuan Wang
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Jing Fang
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Yitian Xu
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Vitaliy Davidov
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
- Texas A&M University System School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
| | - Kyeongah Kang
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Sai Ravi Pingali
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
- Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Hematology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Siddhartha Ganguly
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
- Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Hematology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Masataka Suzuki
- Center for Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Brooke Prinzing
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Youli Zu
- Department of Pathology & Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Texas
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Yong Lu
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Shu-Hsia Chen
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
- Texas A&M University System School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medical Science and Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, New York
| | - Ping-Ying Pan
- Center for Immunotherapy, Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
- Texas A&M University System School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
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3
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Hartung EE, Singh K, Berg T. LSD1 inhibition modulates transcription factor networks in myeloid malignancies. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1149754. [PMID: 36969082 PMCID: PMC10036816 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1149754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer of the blood system that is characterized by an accumulation of immature hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow and blood. Its pathogenesis is characterized by an increase in self-renewal and block in differentiation in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Underlying its pathogenesis is the acquisition of mutations in these cells. As there are many different mutations found in AML that can occur in different combinations the disease is very heterogeneous. There has been some progress in the treatment of AML through the introduction of targeted therapies and a broader application of the stem cell transplantation in its treatment. However, many mutations found in AML are still lacking defined interventions. These are in particular mutations and dysregulation in important myeloid transcription factors and epigenetic regulators that also play a crucial role in normal hematopoietic differentiation. While a direct targeting of the partial loss-of-function or change in function observed in these factors is very difficult to imagine, recent data suggests that the inhibition of LSD1, an important epigenetic regulator, can modulate interactions in the network of myeloid transcription factors and restore differentiation in AML. Interestingly, the impact of LSD1 inhibition in this regard is quite different between normal and malignant hematopoiesis. The effect of LSD1 inhibition involves transcription factors that directly interact with LSD1 such as GFI1 and GFI1B, but also transcription factors that bind to enhancers that are modulated by LSD1 such as PU.1 and C/EBPα as well as transcription factors that are regulated downstream of LSD1 such as IRF8. In this review, we are summarizing the current literature on the impact of LSD1 modulation in normal and malignant hematopoietic cells and the current knowledge how the involved transcription factor networks are altered. We are also exploring how these modulation of transcription factors play into the rational selection of combination partners with LSD1 inhibitors, which is an intense area of clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E. Hartung
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Kanwaldeep Singh
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Tobias Berg
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Escarpment Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Tobias Berg,
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Eagle K, Harada T, Kalfon J, Perez MW, Heshmati Y, Ewers J, Koren JV, Dempster JM, Kugener G, Paralkar VR, Lin CY, Dharia NV, Stegmaier K, Orkin SH, Pimkin M. Transcriptional Plasticity Drives Leukemia Immune Escape. Blood Cancer Discov 2022; 3:394-409. [PMID: 35709529 PMCID: PMC9897290 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-21-0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation has been linked to immune evasion due to reduced expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) genes through unknown mechanisms. In this work, we developed CORENODE, a computational algorithm for genome-wide transcription network decomposition that identified a transcription factor (TF) tetrad consisting of IRF8, MYB, MEF2C, and MEIS1, regulating MHCII expression in AML cells. We show that reduced MHCII expression at relapse is transcriptionally driven by combinatorial changes in the expression of these TFs, where MYB and IRF8 play major opposing roles, acting independently of the IFNγ/CIITA pathway. Beyond the MHCII genes, MYB and IRF8 antagonistically regulate a broad genetic program responsible for cytokine signaling and T-cell stimulation that displays reduced expression at relapse. A small number of cells with altered TF abundance and silenced MHCII expression are present at the time of initial leukemia diagnosis, likely contributing to eventual relapse. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings point to an adaptive transcriptional mechanism of AML evolution after allogeneic transplantation whereby combinatorial fluctuations of TF expression under immune pressure result in the selection of cells with a silenced T-cell stimulation program. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 369.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Eagle
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Ken Eagle Consulting, Houston, Texas
| | - Taku Harada
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jérémie Kalfon
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Monika W. Perez
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yaser Heshmati
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jazmin Ewers
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jošt Vrabič Koren
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | - Vikram R. Paralkar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Charles Y. Lin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Neekesh V. Dharia
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Stuart H. Orkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maxim Pimkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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5
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IRF8: Mechanism of Action and Health Implications. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172630. [PMID: 36078039 PMCID: PMC9454819 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) is a transcription factor of the IRF protein family. IRF8 was originally identified as an essentialfactor for myeloid cell lineage commitment and differentiation. Deletion of Irf8 leads to massive accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+ immature myeloid cells (IMCs), particularly the CD11b+Ly6Chi/+Ly6G− polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cell-like cells (PMN-MDSCs). Under pathological conditions such as cancer, Irf8 is silenced by its promoter DNA hypermethylation, resulting in accumulation of PMN-MDSCs and CD11b+ Ly6G+Ly6Clo monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in mice. IRF8 is often silenced in MDSCs in human cancer patients. MDSCs are heterogeneous populations of immune suppressive cells that suppress T and NK cell activity to promote tumor immune evasion and produce growth factors to exert direct tumor-promoting activity. Emerging experimental data reveals that IRF8 is also expressed in non-hematopoietic cells. Epithelial cell-expressed IRF8 regulates apoptosis and represses Osteopontin (OPN). Human tumor cells may use the IRF8 promoter DNA methylation as a mechanism to repress IRF8 expression to advance cancer through acquiring apoptosis resistance and OPN up-regulation. Elevated OPN engages CD44 to suppress T cell activation and promote tumor cell stemness to advance cancer. IRF8 thus is a transcription factor that regulates both the immune and non-immune components in human health and diseases.
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6
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ILC1s control leukemia stem cell fate and limit development of AML. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:718-730. [PMID: 35487987 PMCID: PMC9106917 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01198-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Type I innate lymphoid cells (ILC1) are critical regulators of inflammation and immunity in mammalian tissues. However, their function in cancer is mostly undefined. Here we show that a high density of ILC1s induces leukemia stem cell (LSC) apoptosis in mice. At a lower density, ILC1s prevent LSCs from differentiating into leukemia progenitors and promote their differentiation into non-leukemic cells, thus blocking the production of terminal myeloid blasts. All of these effects, which require ILC1s to produce interferon-γ after cell–cell contact with LSCs, converge to suppress leukemogenesis in vivo. Conversely, the anti-leukemia potential of ILC1s wanes when JAK-STAT or PI3K-AKT signaling is inhibited. The relevant anti-leukemic properties of ILC1s are also functional in healthy people and impaired in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Collectively, these findings identify ILC1s as anti-cancer immune cells that might be suitable for AML immunotherapy, and provide a potential strategy to treat AML and prevent relapse of the disease.
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Ma J, Jin Y, Tang Y, Li L. DeepTI: A deep learning-based framework decoding tumor-immune interactions for precision immunotherapy in oncology. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2022; 27:121-127. [PMID: 35058187 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence suggests the immunomodulatory potential of genes in oncology. But the identification of immune attributes of genes is costly and time-consuming, which leads to an urgent demand to develop a prediction model. METHOD We developed a deep learning-based model to predict the immune properties of genes. This model is trained in 70% of samples and evaluated in 30% of samples. Furthermore, it uncovers 60 new immune-related genes. We analyzed the expression perturbation and prognostic value of these genes in gastric cancer. Finally, we validated these genes in immunotherapy-related datasets to check the predictive potential of immunotherapeutic sensitivity. RESULT This model classifies genes as immune-promoted or immune-inhibited based on the human PPI network and it achieves an accuracy of 0.68 on the test set. It uncovers 60 new immune-related genes, most of which are validated in the published literature. These genes are found to be downregulated in gastric cancer and significantly associated with the immune microenvironment in gastric cancer. Analysis of immunotherapy shows that these genes can discriminate between responder and non-responder. CONCLUSION This model can facilitate the identification of immune properties of genes, decoding tumor-immune interactions for precision immunotherapy in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Image Information Processing and Intelligent Control, School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment and Henan Key Laboratory for Esophageal Cancer Research of The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
| | - Yuanyuan Tang
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China; Key Laboratory for Molecular Neurology of Xinxiang, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Lijun Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, PR China; Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
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8
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Liss F, Frech M, Wang Y, Giel G, Fischer S, Simon C, Weber LM, Nist A, Stiewe T, Neubauer A, Burchert A, Liefke R. IRF8 Is an AML-Specific Susceptibility Factor That Regulates Signaling Pathways and Proliferation of AML Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040764. [PMID: 33673123 PMCID: PMC7917770 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite progress, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains one of the deadliest cancer diseases. The identification of novel molecular targets may allow developing innovative and alternative treatment options for AML. Using public data from genome-edited cancer cells, we identified factors that are specifically essential for AML cell growth. We validated the critical role of the transcription factor IRF8 and demonstrated that it modulates the function of the cells by regulating important signaling molecules. These results support that IRF8 may be a suitable molecular target for the treatment of AML. Abstract Personalized treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that target individual aberrations strongly improved the survival of AML patients. However, AML is still one of the most lethal cancer diseases of the 21st century, demonstrating the need to find novel drug targets and to explore alternative treatment strategies. Upon investigation of public perturbation data, we identified the transcription factor IRF8 as a novel AML-specific susceptibility gene in humans. IRF8 is upregulated in a subset of AML cells and its deletion leads to impaired proliferation in those cells. Consistently, high IRF8 expression is associated with poorer patients’ prognoses. Combining gene expression changes upon IRF8 deletion and the genome-wide localization of IRF8 in the AML cell line MV4-11, we demonstrate that IRF8 directly regulates key signaling molecules, such as the kinases SRC and FAK, the transcription factors RUNX1 and IRF5, and the cell cycle regulator Cyclin D1. IRF8 loss impairs AML-driving signaling pathways, including the WNT, Chemokine, and VEGF signaling pathways. Additionally, many members of the focal adhesion pathway showed reduced expression, providing a putative link between high IRF8 expression and poor prognosis. Thus, this study suggests that IRF8 could serve as a biomarker and potential molecular target in a subset of human AMLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Liss
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (F.L.); (S.F.); (C.S.); (L.M.W.)
| | - Miriam Frech
- Clinic for Hematology, Oncology, Immunology and Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany; (M.F.); (Y.W.); (G.G.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Ying Wang
- Clinic for Hematology, Oncology, Immunology and Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany; (M.F.); (Y.W.); (G.G.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Gavin Giel
- Clinic for Hematology, Oncology, Immunology and Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany; (M.F.); (Y.W.); (G.G.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Sabrina Fischer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (F.L.); (S.F.); (C.S.); (L.M.W.)
| | - Clara Simon
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (F.L.); (S.F.); (C.S.); (L.M.W.)
| | - Lisa Marie Weber
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (F.L.); (S.F.); (C.S.); (L.M.W.)
| | - Andrea Nist
- Genomics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (A.N.); (T.S.)
| | - Thorsten Stiewe
- Genomics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (A.N.); (T.S.)
| | - Andreas Neubauer
- Clinic for Hematology, Oncology, Immunology and Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany; (M.F.); (Y.W.); (G.G.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Andreas Burchert
- Clinic for Hematology, Oncology, Immunology and Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany; (M.F.); (Y.W.); (G.G.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Robert Liefke
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (F.L.); (S.F.); (C.S.); (L.M.W.)
- Clinic for Hematology, Oncology, Immunology and Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany; (M.F.); (Y.W.); (G.G.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-6421-28-66697
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9
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Daujat-Chavanieu M, Gerbal-Chaloin S. Regulation of CAR and PXR Expression in Health and Disease. Cells 2020; 9:E2395. [PMID: 33142929 PMCID: PMC7692647 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily that mainly act as ligand-activated transcription factors. Their functions have long been associated with the regulation of drug metabolism and disposition, and it is now well established that they are implicated in physiological and pathological conditions. Considerable efforts have been made to understand the regulation of their activity by their cognate ligand; however, additional regulatory mechanisms, among which the regulation of their expression, modulate their pleiotropic effects. This review summarizes the current knowledge on CAR and PXR expression during development and adult life; tissue distribution; spatial, temporal, and metabolic regulations; as well as in pathological situations, including chronic diseases and cancers. The expression of CAR and PXR is modulated by complex regulatory mechanisms that involve the interplay of transcription factors and also post-transcriptional and epigenetic modifications. Moreover, many environmental stimuli affect CAR and PXR expression through mechanisms that have not been elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabine Gerbal-Chaloin
- IRMB, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France;
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10
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Yong S, Kim J, Chung JY, Ra S, kim SS, Kim Y. Heme Oxygenase 1-Targeted Hybrid Nanoparticle for Chemo- and Immuno-Combination Therapy in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2000487. [PMID: 32670766 PMCID: PMC7341080 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202000487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a fatal blood cancer with high patient mortality. Daunorubicin and cytarabine are first-line chemotherapy for AML, with bone marrow transplantation in most cases. Recently, cancer immunotherapy has been challenged in AML and leukemia-niche myeloid cells are promising targets for the AML immunotherapy. Heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) is an antioxidative and cytoprotective enzyme inducing chemo-resistant AML and has been focused as an immune checkpoint molecule in tumor microenvironments. Herein, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle (hNP) is loaded with tin mesoporphyrin (SnMP), a HO1-inhibitor, and non-covalently modified with an engineered antibody for leukemic cell-targeted delivery. HO1-inhibiting T-hNP (T-hNP/SnMP) enhances chemo-sensitivity in human leukemia cells. In a human AML-bearing orthotopic mouse model, intravenously injected T-hNP not only actively targets to human leukemia cells but passively targets to CD11b+ myeloid cells in a bone marrow niche. The T-hNP/SnMP enhances the chemo-therapeutic effect of daunorubicin and boosts immune response by reprogramming bone marrow myeloid cells resulting from the recruitment of the monocyte-lineage and induction of inflammatory genes. The ex vivo study demonstrates an enhanced immune response of HO1-inhibited bone marrow CD11b+ myeloid cells against apoptotic leukemia cells. Collectively, HO1-inhibiting dual cell-targeted T-hNP/SnMP has a strong potential as a novel therapeutic in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok‐Beom Yong
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical ResearchBK 21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research TeamHanyang UniversitySeoul133‐791Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyun Kim
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical ResearchBK 21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research TeamHanyang UniversitySeoul133‐791Republic of Korea
| | - Jee Young Chung
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical ResearchBK 21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research TeamHanyang UniversitySeoul133‐791Republic of Korea
| | - Sehee Ra
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical ResearchBK 21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research TeamHanyang UniversitySeoul133‐791Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Su kim
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical ResearchBK 21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research TeamHanyang UniversitySeoul133‐791Republic of Korea
| | - Yong‐Hee Kim
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical ResearchBK 21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research TeamHanyang UniversitySeoul133‐791Republic of Korea
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11
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Identification of IRF8 as a potent tumor suppressor in murine acute promyelocytic leukemia. Blood Adv 2019; 2:2462-2466. [PMID: 30266821 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018018929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the role of promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor α (PML/RARA) fusion protein is well recognized in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), its contribution to initiation and maintenance of leukemogenesis is not completely understood. Transcriptome analysis in the murine MRP8-PML/RARA APL model has demonstrated modest alterations in gene expression accompanied by expansion of the promyelocyte compartment. Of particular interest, mice expressing PML/RARA showed downregulation of the transcription factor Irf8 mRNA. Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) is a known regulator of hematopoiesis. Previous research had implicated IRF8 as a tumor suppressor for myeloid neoplasia, and mice lacking IRF8 develop a well-differentiated myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by expansion of neutrophilic lineage cells. We hypothesized that PML/RARA-mediated downregulation of Irf8 transcript levels contributes to the initiation of APL. We observed significant downregulation of IRF8 protein levels in highly purified promyelocyte populations of PML/RARA transgenic mice. We also found that loss of IRF8 results in expansion of promyelocytes in vivo, partially phenocopying the impact of PML/RARA expression. Moreover, survival experiments showed that complete loss of IRF8 leads to acceleration of APL onset in our PML/RARA mice. Collectively, these data identify IRF8 downregulation as an important factor in APL initiation and highlight a tumor-suppressor role for IRF8 in this acute leukemia.
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12
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Sharma A, Jyotsana N, Gabdoulline R, Heckl D, Kuchenbauer F, Slany RK, Ganser A, Heuser M. Meningioma 1 is indispensable for mixed lineage leukemia-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia. Haematologica 2019; 105:1294-1305. [PMID: 31413090 PMCID: PMC7193500 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.211201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL/KMT2A) rearrangements (MLL-r) are one of the most frequent chromosomal aberrations in acute myeloid leukemia. We evaluated the function of Meningioma 1 (MN1), a co-factor of HOXA9 and MEIS1, in human and murine MLL-rearranged leukemia by CRISPR-Cas9 mediated deletion of MN1. MN1 was required for in vivo leukemogenicity of MLL positive murine and human leukemia cells. Loss of MN1 inhibited cell cycle and proliferation, promoted apoptosis and induced differentiation of MLL-rearranged cells. Expression analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing from previously reported data sets demonstrated that MN1 primarily maintains active transcription of HOXA9 and HOXA10, which are critical downstream genes of MLL, and their target genes like BCL2, MCL1 and Survivin. Treatment of MLL-rearranged primary leukemia cells with anti-MN1 siRNA significantly reduced their clonogenic potential in contrast to normal CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, suggesting a therapeutic window for MN1 targeting. In summary, our findings demonstrate that MN1 plays an essential role in MLL fusion leukemias and serve as a therapeutic target in MLL-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Sharma
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nidhi Jyotsana
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Razif Gabdoulline
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Heckl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Robert K Slany
- Department of Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arnold Ganser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Heuser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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13
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Barth J, Abou-El-Ardat K, Dalic D, Kurrle N, Maier AM, Mohr S, Schütte J, Vassen L, Greve G, Schulz-Fincke J, Schmitt M, Tosic M, Metzger E, Bug G, Khandanpour C, Wagner SA, Lübbert M, Jung M, Serve H, Schüle R, Berg T. LSD1 inhibition by tranylcypromine derivatives interferes with GFI1-mediated repression of PU.1 target genes and induces differentiation in AML. Leukemia 2019; 33:1411-1426. [PMID: 30679800 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-018-0375-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
LSD1 has emerged as a promising epigenetic target in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We used two murine AML models based on retroviral overexpression of Hoxa9/Meis1 (H9M) or MN1 to study LSD1 loss of function in AML. The conditional knockout of Lsd1 resulted in differentiation with both granulocytic and monocytic features and increased ATRA sensitivity and extended the survival of mice with H9M-driven AML. The conditional knockout led to an increased expression of multiple genes regulated by the important myeloid transcription factors GFI1 and PU.1. These include the transcription factors GFI1B and IRF8. We also compared the effect of different irreversible and reversible inhibitors of LSD1 in AML and could show that only tranylcypromine derivatives were capable of inducing a differentiation response. We employed a conditional knock-in model of inactive, mutant LSD1 to study the effect of only interfering with LSD1 enzymatic activity. While this was sufficient to initiate differentiation, it did not result in a survival benefit in mice. Hence, we believe that targeting both enzymatic and scaffolding functions of LSD1 is required to efficiently treat AML. This finding as well as the identified biomarkers may be relevant for the treatment of AML patients with LSD1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Barth
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Khalil Abou-El-Ardat
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Denis Dalic
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Nina Kurrle
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Maier
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Sebastian Mohr
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Judith Schütte
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Lothar Vassen
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Gabriele Greve
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Schulz-Fincke
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin Schmitt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Milica Tosic
- Department of Urology and Center for Clinical Research, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eric Metzger
- Department of Urology and Center for Clinical Research, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gesine Bug
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cyrus Khandanpour
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sebastian A Wagner
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Lübbert
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Jung
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hubert Serve
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Schüle
- Department of Urology and Center for Clinical Research, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.,BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Berg
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany. .,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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14
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JMJD3 facilitates C/EBPβ-centered transcriptional program to exert oncorepressor activity in AML. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3369. [PMID: 30135572 PMCID: PMC6105679 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05548-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
JMJD3, a stress-inducible H3K27 demethylase, plays a critical regulatory role in the initiation and progression of malignant hematopoiesis. However, how this histone modifier affects in a cell type-dependent manner remains unclear. Here, we show that in contrast to its oncogenic effect in preleukemia state and lymphoid malignancies, JMJD3 relieves the differentiation-arrest of certain subtypes (such as M2 and M3) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. RNA sequencing and ChIP−PCR analyses revealed that JMJD3 exerts anti-AML effect by directly modulating H3K4 and H3K27 methylation levels to activate the expression of a number of key myelopoietic regulatory genes. Mechanistic exploration identified a physical and functional association of JMJD3 with C/EBPβ that presides the regulatory network of JMJD3. Thus, the leukemia regulatory role of JMJD3 varies in a disease phase- and lineage-dependent manner, and acts as a potential oncorepressor in certain subsets of AML largely by coupling to C/EBPβ-centered myelopoietic program. Histone demethylase JMJD3 is known to be oncogenic in preleukemic states and T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia. Here, the authors show that in some acute myeloid leukemia subsets, JMJD3 can actually act as a potential oncorepressor via mediation of C/EBPβ-centered transcriptional programming.
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15
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Tian WL, Guo R, Wang F, Jiang ZX, Tang P, Huang YM, Sun L. The IRF9-SIRT1-P53 axis is involved in the growth of human acute myeloid leukemia. Exp Cell Res 2018; 365:185-193. [PMID: 29501566 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous disease, with biologically and prognostically different subtypes. Although a growing number of distinct AML subsets have been increasingly characterized, patient management has remained disappointingly uniform. The molecular mechanism underlying AML needs to be further investigated. Here we identify IRF9 as a negative regulator of human AML. We show that IRF9 mRNA and protein levels are down-regulated in human AML samples compared with samples from healthy donors. IRF9 knockdown promotes proliferation, colony formation and survival of OCI/AML-2 and OCI/AML-3 cells, whereas IRF9 overexpression obtains oppose results. Mechanism analysis shows that IRF9 binds SIRT1 promoter and represses SIRT1 expression in OCI/AML-2 and OCI/AML-3 cells. In AML samples, the expression of SIRT1 is up-regulated and negatively correlated with IRF9 level. IRF9 also increases the acetylation of p53, a deacetylation substrate of SIRT1, and promotes the expression of p53 target genes. Knockdown of p53 blocks the effects of IRF9 on cell survival and growth in vitro. These findings provide evidence that IRF9 serves as an important regulator in human AML by repressing SIRT1-p53 pathway and that IRF9 may be a potential target for AML treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Liang Tian
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, China
| | - Rong Guo
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, China
| | - Zhong-Xing Jiang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, China
| | - Ping Tang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, China
| | - Yu-Min Huang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, China
| | - Ling Sun
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, China.
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16
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Roulston GDR, Burt CL, Kettyle LMJ, Matchett KB, Keenan HL, Mulgrew NM, Ramsey JM, Dougan C, McKiernan J, Grishagin IV, Mills KI, Thompson A. Low-dose salinomycin induces anti-leukemic responses in AML and MLL. Oncotarget 2018; 7:73448-73461. [PMID: 27612428 PMCID: PMC5341990 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of anti-cancer drugs towards clinical application is costly and inefficient. Large screens of drugs, efficacious for non-cancer disease, are currently being used to identify candidates for repurposing based on their anti-cancer properties. Here, we show that low-dose salinomycin, a coccidiostat ionophore previously identified in a breast cancer screen, has anti-leukemic efficacy. AML and MLLr cell lines, primary cells and patient samples were sensitive to submicromolar salinomycin. Most strikingly, colony formation of normal hematopoietic cells was unaffected by salinomycin, demonstrating a lack of hemotoxicity at the effective concentrations. Furthermore, salinomycin treatment of primary cells resulted in loss of leukemia repopulation ability following transplantation, as demonstrated by extended recipient survival compared to controls. Bioinformatic analysis of a 17-gene signature identified and validated in primary MLLr cells, uncovered immunomodulatory pathways, hubs and protein interactions as potential transducers of low dose salinomycin treatment. Additionally, increased protein expression of p62/Sqstm1, encoded for by one of the 17 signature genes, demonstrates a role for salinomycin in aggresome/vesicle formation indicative of an autophagic response. Together, the data support the efficacy of salinomycin as an anti-leukemic at non-hemotoxic concentrations. Further investigation alone or in combination with other therapies is warranted for future clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary D R Roulston
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte L Burt
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Laura M J Kettyle
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Kyle B Matchett
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Heather L Keenan
- Cambridge University School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, United Kingdom
| | - Nuala M Mulgrew
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne M Ramsey
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Caoifa Dougan
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - John McKiernan
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan V Grishagin
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Ken I Mills
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Thompson
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.,Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Wolfson Centre for Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering & Modelling (STEM), University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
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17
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Antileukemic effect of paclitaxel in combination with metformin in HL-60 cell line. Gene 2018; 647:213-220. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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18
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Lai CK, Norddahl GL, Maetzig T, Rosten P, Lohr T, Sanchez Milde L, von Krosigk N, Docking TR, Heuser M, Karsan A, Humphries RK. Meis2 as a critical player in MN1-induced leukemia. Blood Cancer J 2017; 7:e613. [PMID: 28960191 PMCID: PMC5709755 DOI: 10.1038/bcj.2017.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Meningioma 1 (MN1) is an independent prognostic marker for normal karyotype acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with high expression linked to all-trans retinoic acid resistance and poor survival. MN1 is also a potent and sufficient oncogene in murine leukemia models, strongly dependent on the MEIS1/AbdB-like HOX protein complex to transform common myeloid progenitors, block myeloid differentiation, and promote leukemic stem cell self-renewal. To identify key genes and pathways underlying leukemic activity, we functionally assessed MN1 cell phenotypic heterogeneity, revealing leukemic and non-leukemic subsets. Using gene expression profiling of these subsets combined with previously published comparisons of full-length MN1 and mutants with varying leukemogenic activity, we identified candidate genes critical to leukemia. Functional analysis identified Hlf and Hoxa9 as critical to MN1 in vitro proliferation, self-renewal and impaired myeloid differentiation. Although critical to transformation, Meis1 knockdown had little impact on these properties in vitro. However, we identified Meis2 as critical to MN1-induced leukemia, with essential roles in proliferation, self-renewal, impairment of differentiation and disease progression in vitro and in vivo. Here, we provide evidence of phenotypic and functional hierarchy in MN1-induced leukemic cells, characterise contributions of Hlf, Hoxa9 and Meis1 to in vitro leukemic properties, and reveal Meis2 as a novel player in MN1-induced leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C K Lai
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - G L Norddahl
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - T Maetzig
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - P Rosten
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - T Lohr
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - L Sanchez Milde
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - N von Krosigk
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - T R Docking
- Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - M Heuser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - A Karsan
- Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - R K Humphries
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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19
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Novel potent inhibitors of the histone demethylase KDM1A (LSD1), orally active in a murine promyelocitic leukemia model. Future Med Chem 2017; 9:1161-1174. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2017-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) are well-recognized targets in oncology drug discovery. They function at the post-translation level controlling chromatin conformation and gene transcription. KDM1A is a flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent amine oxidase, overexpressed in several tumor types, including acute myeloid leukemia, neuroblastoma and non-small-cell lung cancer. Among the many known monoamine oxidase inhibitors screened for KDM1A inhibition, tranylcypromine emerged as a moderately active hit, which irreversibly binds to the flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor. Material & methods: The KDM1A inhibitors 5a–w were synthesized and tested in vitro and in vivo. The biochemical potency was determined, modulation of target in cells was demonstrated on KDM1A-dependent genes and the anti-clonogenic activity was performed in murine acute promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) blasts. An in vivo efficacy experiment was conducted using an established murine promyelocytic leukemia model. Results: We report a new series of tranylcypromine derivatives substituted on the cyclopropyl moiety, endowed with high potency in both biochemical and cellular assays. Conclusion: The most interesting derivative (5a) significantly improved survival rate after oral administration in a murine model of promyelocitic leukemia.
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20
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All-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide fail to derepress the monocytic differentiation driver Irf8 in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2782. [PMID: 28492552 PMCID: PMC5520717 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and/or arsenic trioxide (ATO) administration leads to granulocytic maturation and/or apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells mainly by targeting promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor alpha (PML/RARα). Yet, ~10–15% of APL patients are not cured by ATRA- and ATO-based therapies, and a potential failure of ATRA and ATO in completely reversing PML/RARα-driven oncogenic alterations has not been comprehensively examined. Here we characterized the in vivo primary responses of dysregulated genes in APL cells treated with ATRA and ATO using a GFP-labeled APL model. Although induced granulocytic differentiation of APL cells was evident after ATRA or ATO administration, the expression of the majority of dysregulated genes in the c-Kit+ APL progenitors was not consistently corrected. Irf8, whose expression increased along with spontaneous differentiation of the APL progenitors in vivo, represented such a PML/RARα-dysregulated gene that was refractory to ATRA/ATO signaling. Interestingly, Irf8 induction, but not its knockdown, decreased APL leukemogenic potential through driving monocytic maturation. Thus, we reveal that certain PML/RARα-dysregulated genes that are refractory to ATRA/ATO signaling are potentially crucial regulators of the immature status and leukemogenic potential of APL cells, which can be exploited for the development of new therapeutic strategies for ATRA/ATO-resistant APL cases.
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21
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Therapeutic miR-21 Silencing Ameliorates Diabetic Kidney Disease in Mice. Mol Ther 2017; 25:165-180. [PMID: 28129112 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy is the main cause of end-stage renal disease. MicroRNAs are powerful regulators of the genome, and global expression profiling revealed miR-21 to be among the most highly regulated microRNAs in kidneys of mice with diabetic nephropathy. In kidney biopsies of diabetic patients, miR-21 correlated with tubulointerstitial injury. In situ PCR analysis showed a specific enrichment of miR-21 in glomerular cells. We identified cell division cycle 25a (Cdc25a) and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (Cdk6) as novel miR-21 targets in mesangial cells. miR-21-mediated repression of Cdc25a and Cdk6 resulted in impaired cell cycle progression and subsequent mesangial cell hypertrophy. miR-21 increased podocyte motility by regulating phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten). miR-21 antagonism in vitro and in vivo in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice decreased mesangial expansion, interstitial fibrosis, macrophage infiltration, podocyte loss, albuminuria, and fibrotic- and inflammatory gene expression. In conclusion, miR-21 antagonism rescued various functional and structural parameters in mice with diabetic nephropathy and, thus, might be a viable option in the treatment of patients with diabetic kidney disease.
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Tian WL, Jiang ZX, Wang F, Guo R, Tang P, Huang YM, Sun L. IRF3 is involved in human acute myeloid leukemia through regulating the expression of miR-155. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 478:1130-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.08.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Gupta SK, Itagaki R, Zheng X, Batkai S, Thum S, Ahmad F, Van Aelst LN, Sharma A, Piccoli MT, Weinberger F, Fiedler J, Heuser M, Heymans S, Falk CS, Förster R, Schrepfer S, Thum T. miR-21 promotes fibrosis in an acute cardiac allograft transplantation model. Cardiovasc Res 2016; 110:215-26. [PMID: 26865549 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvw030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cardiac transplantation is the only curative therapy for end-stage heart failure. Fibrosis is one of the major causes for impaired function of cardiac allografts. MicroRNAs, a class of small non-coding RNAs, play a critical role in the development of cardiovascular disease, but the role of microRNAs in cardiac allograft failure is not well understood. METHODS AND RESULTS To uncover a role of microRNAs during cardiac graft fibrosis, we generated global microRNA profiles in allogeneic (BALB/c in C57BL/6N) and isogeneic (C57BL/6N in C57BL/6N) murine hearts after transplantation. miR-21 together with cardiac fibrosis was increased in cardiac allografts compared with isografts. Likewise, patients with cardiac rejection after heart transplantation showed increased cardiac miR-21 levels. miR-21 was induced upon treatment with IL-6 in a monocyte cell line. Overexpression of miR-21 in this monocyte cell line activated a fibrotic gene programme and promoted monocyte-to-fibrocyte transition together with activation of chemokine (C-C) motif ligand 2 (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) via the phosphatase and tensin homologue/activator protein 1 regulatory axis. In vivo, both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of miR-21 successfully reduced fibrosis and fibrocyte accumulation in cardiac allografts. CONCLUSION Thus, inhibition of miR-21 is a novel strategy to target fibrosis development in cardiac allografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Kumar Gupta
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), OE 8886, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ryo Itagaki
- TSI Laboratory, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xiang Zheng
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sandor Batkai
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), OE 8886, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sabrina Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), OE 8886, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Fareed Ahmad
- Clinic for Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lucas N Van Aelst
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amit Sharma
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maria-Teresa Piccoli
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), OE 8886, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Jan Fiedler
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), OE 8886, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Heuser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephane Heymans
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Christine S Falk
- Transplant Immunology, Integrated Research and Treatment Centre Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Reinhold Förster
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), OE 8886, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany REBIRTH Excellence Cluster, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Lai CK, Moon Y, Kuchenbauer F, Starzcynowski DT, Argiropoulos B, Yung E, Beer P, Schwarzer A, Sharma A, Park G, Leung M, Lin G, Vollett S, Fung S, Eaves CJ, Karsan A, Weng AP, Humphries RK, Heuser M. Cell fate decisions in malignant hematopoiesis: leukemia phenotype is determined by distinct functional domains of the MN1 oncogene. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112671. [PMID: 25401736 PMCID: PMC4234417 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive molecular profiling of leukemias and preleukemic diseases has revealed that distinct clinical entities, like acute myeloid (AML) and T-lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), share similar pathogenetic mutations. It is not well understood how the cell of origin, accompanying mutations, extracellular signals or structural differences in a mutated gene determine the phenotypic identity of leukemias. We dissected the functional aspects of different protein regions of the MN1 oncogene and their effect on the leukemic phenotype, building on the ability of MN1 to induce leukemia without accompanying mutations. We found that the most C-terminal region of MN1 was required to block myeloid differentiation at an early stage, and deletion of an extended C-terminal region resulted in loss of myeloid identity and cell differentiation along the T-cell lineage in vivo. Megakaryocytic/erythroid lineage differentiation was blocked by the N-terminal region. In addition, the N-terminus was required for proliferation and leukemogenesis in vitro and in vivo through upregulation of HoxA9, HoxA10 and Meis2. Our results provide evidence that a single oncogene can modulate cellular identity of leukemic cells based on its active gene regions. It is therefore likely that different mutations in the same oncogene may impact cell fate decisions and phenotypic appearance of malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courteney K. Lai
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yeonsook Moon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School of Inha University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Florian Kuchenbauer
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel T. Starzcynowski
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Bob Argiropoulos
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Eric Yung
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Philip Beer
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Adrian Schwarzer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Amit Sharma
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gyeongsin Park
- Department of Hospital Pathology, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Malina Leung
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Grace Lin
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah Vollett
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stephen Fung
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Connie J. Eaves
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Aly Karsan
- Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew P. Weng
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - R. Keith Humphries
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael Heuser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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