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Kowalczyk A, Zarychta J, Lejman M, Latoch E, Zawitkowska J. Clinical Implications of Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutations and Targeted Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Mutant Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors-Recent Advances, Challenges and Future Prospects. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7916. [PMID: 39063158 PMCID: PMC11276768 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the better understanding of the molecular mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and improved patient survival in recent years, AML therapy still remains a clinical challenge. For this reason, it is important to search for new therapies that will enable the achievement of remission. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved three mutant IDH (mIDH) inhibitors for the treatment of AML. However, the use of mIDH inhibitors in monotherapy usually leads to the development of resistance and the subsequent recurrence of the cancer, despite the initial effectiveness of the therapy. A complete understanding of the mechanisms by which IDH mutations influence the development of leukemia, as well as the processes that enable resistance to mIDH inhibitors, may significantly improve the efficacy of this therapy through the use of an appropriate synergistic approach. The aim of this literature review is to present the role of IDH1/IDH2 mutations in the pathogenesis of AML and the results of clinical trials using mIDH1/IDH2 inhibitors in AML and to discuss the challenges related to the use of mIDH1/IDH2 inhibitors in practice and future prospects related to the potential methods of overcoming resistance to these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Kowalczyk
- Student Scientific Society of Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.); (J.Z.)
| | - Julia Zarychta
- Student Scientific Society of Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.); (J.Z.)
| | - Monika Lejman
- Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Eryk Latoch
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Joanna Zawitkowska
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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2
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Wei X, Wang W, Yin Q, Li H, Ahmed A, Ullah R, Li W, Jing L. In Vivo Chemical Screening in Zebrafish Embryos Identified FDA-Approved Drugs That Induce Differentiation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7798. [PMID: 39063039 PMCID: PMC11277044 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by the abnormal proliferation and differentiation arrest of myeloid progenitor cells. The clinical treatment of AML remains challenging. Promoting AML cell differentiation is a valid strategy, but effective differentiation drugs are lacking for most types of AML. In this study, we generated Tg(drl:hoxa9) zebrafish, in which hoxa9 overexpression was driven in hematopoietic cells and myeloid differentiation arrest was exhibited. Using Tg(drl:hoxa9) embryos, we performed chemical screening and identified four FDA-approved drugs, ethacrynic acid, khellin, oxcarbazepine, and alendronate, that efficiently restored myeloid differentiation. The four drugs also induced AML cell differentiation, with ethacrynic acid being the most effective. By an RNA-seq analysis, we found that during differentiation, ethacrynic acid activated the IL-17 and MAPK signaling pathways, which are known to promote granulopoiesis. Furthermore, we found that ethacrynic acid enhanced all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced differentiation, and both types of signaling converged on the IL-17/MAPK pathways. Inhibiting the IL-17/MAPK pathways impaired ethacrynic acid and ATRA-induced differentiation. In addition, we showed that ethacrynic acid is less toxic to embryogenesis and less disruptive to normal hematopoiesis than ATRA. Thus, the combination of ethacrynic acid and ATRA may have broader clinical applications. In conclusion, through zebrafish-aided screening, our study identified four drugs that can be repurposed to induce AML differentiation, thus providing new agents for AML therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Wei
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.W.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (A.A.); (R.U.)
| | - Wei Wang
- Nanozyme Medical Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China;
| | - Qianlan Yin
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.W.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (A.A.); (R.U.)
| | - Hongji Li
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.W.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (A.A.); (R.U.)
| | - Abrar Ahmed
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.W.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (A.A.); (R.U.)
| | - Rahat Ullah
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.W.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (A.A.); (R.U.)
| | - Wei Li
- Core Facility and Technical Service Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lili Jing
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.W.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (A.A.); (R.U.)
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3
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Saibo NV, Maiti S, Boral S, Banerjee P, Kushwaha T, Inampudi KK, Goswami R, De S. The intrinsically disordered transactivation region of HOXA9 regulates its function by auto-inhibition of its DNA-binding activity. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 273:132704. [PMID: 38825283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
HOXA9 transcription factor is expressed in hematopoietic stem cells and is involved in the regulation of their differentiation and maturation to various blood cells. HOXA9 is linked to various leukemia and is a marker for poor prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This protein has a conserved DNA-binding homeodomain and a transactivation domain. We show that this N-terminal transactivation domain is intrinsically disordered and inhibits DNA-binding by the homeodomain. Using NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation, we show that the hexapeptide 197AANWLH202 in the disordered region transiently occludes the DNA-binding interface. The hexapeptide also forms a rigid segment, as determined by NMR dynamics, in an otherwise flexible disordered region. Interestingly, this hexapeptide is known to mediate the interaction of HOXA9 and its TALE partner proteins, such as PBX1, and help in cooperative DNA binding. Mutation of tryptophan to alanine in the hexapeptide abrogates the DNA-binding auto-inhibition. We propose that the disordered transactivation region plays a dual role in the regulation of HOXA9 function. In the absence of TALE partners, it inhibits DNA binding, and in the presence of TALE partners it interacts with the TALE protein and facilitates the cooperative DNA binding by the HOX-TALE complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita V Saibo
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India
| | - Snigdha Maiti
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India
| | - Soumendu Boral
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India
| | - Puja Banerjee
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India
| | - Tushar Kushwaha
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Krishna K Inampudi
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ritobrata Goswami
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India
| | - Soumya De
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India.
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4
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Shenoy US, Adiga D, Alhedyan F, Kabekkodu SP, Radhakrishnan R. HOXA9 transcription factor is a double-edged sword: from development to cancer progression. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:709-728. [PMID: 38062297 PMCID: PMC11156722 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10159-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The HOXA9 transcription factor serves as a molecular orchestrator in cancer stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, and generation of the tumor microenvironment in hematological and solid malignancies. However, the multiple modes of regulation, multifaceted functions, and context-dependent interactions responsible for the dual role of HOXA9 as an oncogene or tumor suppressor in cancer remain obscure. Hence, unravelling its molecular complexities, binding partners, and interacting signaling molecules enables us to comprehend HOXA9-mediated transcriptional programs and molecular crosstalk. However, it is imperative to understand its central role in fundamental biological processes such as embryogenesis, foetus implantation, hematopoiesis, endothelial cell proliferation, and tissue homeostasis before designing targeted therapies. Indeed, it presents an enormous challenge for clinicians to selectively target its oncogenic functions or restore tumor-suppressive role without altering normal cellular functions. In addition to its implications in cancer, the present review also focuses on the clinical applications of HOXA9 in recurrence and drug resistance, which may provide a broader understanding beyond oncology, open new avenues for clinicians for accurate diagnoses, and develop personalized treatment strategies. Furthermore, we have also discussed the existing therapeutic options and accompanying challenges in HOXA9-targeted therapies in different cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Sangeetha Shenoy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Divya Adiga
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Faisal Alhedyan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Shama Prasada Kabekkodu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Raghu Radhakrishnan
- Department of Oral Pathology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India.
- Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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5
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Do BT, Hsu PP, Vermeulen SY, Wang Z, Hirz T, Abbott KL, Aziz N, Replogle JM, Bjelosevic S, Paolino J, Nelson SA, Block S, Darnell AM, Ferreira R, Zhang H, Milosevic J, Schmidt DR, Chidley C, Harris IS, Weissman JS, Pikman Y, Stegmaier K, Cheloufi S, Su XA, Sykes DB, Vander Heiden MG. Nucleotide depletion promotes cell fate transitions by inducing DNA replication stress. Dev Cell 2024:S1534-5807(24)00327-7. [PMID: 38823395 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Control of cellular identity requires coordination of developmental programs with environmental factors such as nutrient availability, suggesting that perturbing metabolism can alter cell state. Here, we find that nucleotide depletion and DNA replication stress drive differentiation in human and murine normal and transformed hematopoietic systems, including patient-derived acute myeloid leukemia (AML) xenografts. These cell state transitions begin during S phase and are independent of ATR/ATM checkpoint signaling, double-stranded DNA break formation, and changes in cell cycle length. In systems where differentiation is blocked by oncogenic transcription factor expression, replication stress activates primed regulatory loci and induces lineage-appropriate maturation genes despite the persistence of progenitor programs. Altering the baseline cell state by manipulating transcription factor expression causes replication stress to induce genes specific for alternative lineages. The ability of replication stress to selectively activate primed maturation programs across different contexts suggests a general mechanism by which changes in metabolism can promote lineage-appropriate cell state transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Do
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Peggy P Hsu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02113, USA; Rogel Cancer Center and Division of Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Sidney Y Vermeulen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Zhishan Wang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Taghreed Hirz
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02113, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Keene L Abbott
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Najihah Aziz
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02113, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Joseph M Replogle
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Stefan Bjelosevic
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan Paolino
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Samantha A Nelson
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Samuel Block
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alicia M Darnell
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Raphael Ferreira
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hanyu Zhang
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02113, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jelena Milosevic
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02113, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Daniel R Schmidt
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Christopher Chidley
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Isaac S Harris
- Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Jonathan S Weissman
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yana Pikman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sihem Cheloufi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Stem Cell Center, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Center for RNA Biology and Medicine, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Xiaofeng A Su
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David B Sykes
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02113, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Matthew G Vander Heiden
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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Lynch J, Troadec E, Fung TK, Gladysz K, Virely C, Lau PNI, Cheung N, Zeisig B, Wong JWH, Lopes M, Huang S, So CWE. Hematopoietic stem cell quiescence and DNA replication dynamics maintained by the resilient β-catenin/Hoxa9/Prmt1 axis. Blood 2024; 143:1586-1598. [PMID: 38211335 PMCID: PMC11103100 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023022082] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Maintenance of quiescence and DNA replication dynamics are 2 paradoxical requirements for the distinct states of dormant and active hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are required to preserve the stem cell reservoir and replenish the blood cell system in response to hematopoietic stress, respectively. Here, we show that key self-renewal factors, β-catenin or Hoxa9, largely dispensable for HSC integrity, in fact, have dual functions in maintaining quiescence and enabling efficient DNA replication fork dynamics to preserve the functionality of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Although β-catenin or Hoxa9 single knockout (KO) exhibited mostly normal hematopoiesis, their coinactivation led to severe hematopoietic defects stemmed from aberrant cell cycle, DNA replication, and damage in HSPCs. Mechanistically, β-catenin and Hoxa9 function in a compensatory manner to sustain key transcriptional programs that converge on the pivotal downstream target and epigenetic modifying enzyme, Prmt1, which protects the quiescent state and ensures an adequate supply of DNA replication and repair factors to maintain robust replication fork dynamics. Inactivation of Prmt1 phenocopied both cellular and molecular phenotypes of β-catenin/Hoxa9 combined KO, which at the same time could also be partially rescued by Prmt1 expression. The discovery of the highly resilient β-catenin/Hoxa9/Prmt1 axis in protecting both quiescence and DNA replication dynamics essential for HSCs at different key states provides not only novel mechanistic insights into their intricate regulation but also a potential tractable target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Lynch
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Estelle Troadec
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tsz Kan Fung
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kornelia Gladysz
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Clemence Virely
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Priscilla Nga Ieng Lau
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ngai Cheung
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bernd Zeisig
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jason W. H. Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Massimo Lopes
- Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Suming Huang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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Mavridou E, Lema Fernandez AG, Nardelli C, Pierini V, Quintini M, Arniani S, Di Giacomo D, Crescenzi B, Matteucci C, Sambani C, Mecucci C. A novel t(X;21)(p11.4;q22.12) translocation adds to the role of BCOR and RUNX1 in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemias. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2024; 63:e23235. [PMID: 38656651 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In myeloid neoplasms, both fusion genes and gene mutations are well-established events identifying clinicopathological entities. In this study, we present a thus far undescribed t(X;21)(p11.4;q22.12) in five cases with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The translocation was isolated or accompanied by additional changes. It did not generate any fusion gene or gene deregulation by aberrant juxtaposition with regulatory sequences. Molecular analysis by targeted next-generation sequencing showed that the translocation was accompanied by at least one somatic mutation in TET2, EZH2, RUNX1, ASXL1, SRSF2, ZRSR2, DNMT3A, and NRAS genes. Co-occurrence of deletion of RUNX1 in 21q22 and of BCOR in Xp11 was associated with t(X;21). BCOR haploinsufficiency corresponded to a significant hypo-expression in t(X;21) cases, compared to normal controls and to normal karyotype AML. By contrast, RUNX1 expression was not altered, suggesting a compensatory effect by the remaining allele. Whole transcriptome analysis showed that overexpression of HOXA9 differentiated t(X;21) from both controls and t(8;21)-positive AML. In conclusion, we characterized a new recurrent reciprocal t(X;21)(p11.4;q22.12) chromosome translocation in MDS and AML, generating simultaneous BCOR and RUNX1 deletions rather than a fusion gene at the genomic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Mavridou
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Anair Graciela Lema Fernandez
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Carlotta Nardelli
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Pierini
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Quintini
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Arniani
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Danika Di Giacomo
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Barbara Crescenzi
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Caterina Matteucci
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Constantina Sambani
- Laboratory of Health Physics, Radiobiology & Cytogenetics, National Center for Scientific Research (NCSR) "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Cristina Mecucci
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Roy S, Singh J, Ray SS. Weighted Combination of Łukasiewicz implication and Fuzzy Jaccard similarity in Hybrid Ensemble Framework (WCLFJHEF) for Gene Selection. Comput Biol Med 2024; 170:107981. [PMID: 38262204 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.107981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
A framework is developed for gene expression analysis by introducing fuzzy Jaccard similarity (FJS) and combining Łukasiewicz implication with it through weights in hybrid ensemble framework (WCLFJHEF) for gene selection in cancer. The method is called weighted combination of Łukasiewicz implication and fuzzy Jaccard similarity in hybrid ensemble framework (WCLFJHEF). While the fuzziness in Jaccard similarity is incorporated by using the existing Gödel fuzzy logic, the weights are obtained by maximizing the average F-score of selected genes in classifying the cancer patients. The patients are first divided into different clusters, based on the number of patient groups, using average linkage agglomerative clustering and a new score, called WCLFJ (weighted combination of Łukasiewicz implication and fuzzy Jaccard similarity). The genes are then selected from each cluster separately using filter based Relief-F and wrapper based SVMRFE (Support Vector Machine with Recursive Feature Elimination). A gene (feature) pool is created by considering the union of selected features for all the clusters. A set of informative genes is selected from the pool using sequential backward floating search (SBFS) algorithm. Patients are then classified using Naïve Bayes'(NB) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) separately, using the selected genes and the related F-scores are calculated. The weights in WCLFJ are then updated iteratively to maximize the average F-score obtained from the results of the classifier. The effectiveness of WCLFJHEF is demonstrated on six gene expression datasets. The average values of accuracy, F-score, recall, precision and MCC over all the datasets, are 95%, 94%, 94%, 94%, and 90%, respectively. The explainability of the selected genes is shown using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values and this information is further used to rank them. The relevance of the selected gene set are biologically validated using the KEGG Pathway, Gene Ontology (GO), and existing literatures. It is seen that the genes that are selected by WCLFJHEF are candidates for genomic alterations in the various cancer types. The source code of WCLFJHEF is available at http://www.isical.ac.in/~shubhra/WCLFJHEF.html.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukriti Roy
- Machine Intelligence Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata 700108, India.
| | - Joginder Singh
- Center for Soft Computing Research, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata 700108, India.
| | - Shubhra Sankar Ray
- Machine Intelligence Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata 700108, India; Center for Soft Computing Research, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata 700108, India.
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9
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Wenge DV, Armstrong SA. The future of HOXA- expressing leukemias: Menin inhibitor response and resistance. Curr Opin Hematol 2024; 31:64-70. [PMID: 38010951 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000796] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We provide an update on the successes and ongoing challenges of Menin inhibition as a novel approach for the treatment of patients with acute leukemias that express HOXA cluster genes including leukemias with KMT2A -rearrangements, NPM1 mutations or NUP98 -rearrangements. Initial clinical trials show promising response rates in heavily pretreated patients suggesting these inhibitors may have a significant impact on patient outcome. Furthermore, the development of resistance mutations that decrease drug binding affinity, validates Menin as a therapeutic target in human cancers. Therapeutic strategies aiming at overcoming and preventing resistance, are of high clinical relevance. RECENT FINDINGS Several Menin inhibitor chemotypes have entered clinical trials. Acquired point mutations have recently been described as a mechanism of resistance towards Menin inhibitors. However, resistance can develop in absence of these mutations. Combination therapies are currently being investigated in preclinical models and in early phase clinical trials. SUMMARY Given the remarkable overall response rates, shedding light on treatment options for patients whose leukemias develop resistance to Menin inhibitors is an imminent clinical need. Studying the underlying mechanisms to inform clinical decision making, and to potentially prevent the development of resistance is of outmost importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela V Wenge
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Kumar V, Stewart JH. Obesity, bone marrow adiposity, and leukemia: Time to act. Obes Rev 2024; 25:e13674. [PMID: 38092420 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Obesity has taken the face of a pandemic with less direct concern among the general population and scientific community. However, obesity is considered a low-grade systemic inflammation that impacts multiple organs. Chronic inflammation is also associated with different solid and blood cancers. In addition, emerging evidence demonstrates that individuals with obesity are at higher risk of developing blood cancers and have poorer clinical outcomes than individuals in a normal weight range. The bone marrow is critical for hematopoiesis, lymphopoiesis, and myelopoiesis. Therefore, it is vital to understand the mechanisms by which obesity-associated changes in BM adiposity impact leukemia development. BM adipocytes are critical to maintain homeostasis via different means, including immune regulation. However, obesity increases BM adiposity and creates a pro-inflammatory environment to upregulate clonal hematopoiesis and a leukemia-supportive environment. Obesity further alters lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis via different mechanisms, which dysregulate myeloid and lymphoid immune cell functions mentioned in the text under different sequentially discussed sections. The altered immune cell function during obesity alters hematological malignancies and leukemia susceptibility. Therefore, obesity-induced altered BM adiposity, immune cell generation, and function impact an individual's predisposition and severity of leukemia, which should be considered a critical factor in leukemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - John H Stewart
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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11
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Wang N, Yin J, You N, Zhu W, Guo N, Liu X, Zhang P, Huang W, Xie Y, Ren Q, Ma X. Twist family BHLH transcription factor 1 is required for the maintenance of leukemia stem cell in MLL-AF9 + acute myeloid leukemia. Haematologica 2024; 109:84-97. [PMID: 37767575 PMCID: PMC10772510 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.282748] [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: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia stem cells (LSC) are a rare population capable of limitless self-renewal and are responsible for the initiation, maintenance, and relapse of leukemia. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the regulation of LSC function could provide novel treatment strategies. Here, we show that TWIST1 is extremely highly expressed in the LSC of MLL-AF9+ acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and its upregulation is positively regulated by KDM4C in a H3K9me3 demethylation-dependent manner. We further demonstrate that TWIST1 is essential for the viability, dormancy, and self-renewal capacities of LSC, and that it promotes the initiation and maintenance of MLL-AF9-mediated AML. In addition, TWIST1 directly interacts and collaborates with HOXA9 in inducing AML in mice. Mechanistically, TWIST1 exerts its oncogenic function by activating the WNT5a/RAC1 axis. Collectively, our study uncovers a critical role of TWIST1 in LSC function and provides new mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of MLL-AF9+ AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin
| | - Jing Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin
| | - Na You
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin
| | - Wenqi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin
| | - Nini Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin
| | - Peiwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin
| | - Wanling Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin
| | - Yueqiao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin
| | - Qian Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin
| | - Xiaotong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin.
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12
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Aryal S, Lu R. HOXA9 Regulome and Pharmacological Interventions in Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1459:405-430. [PMID: 39017854 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62731-6_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
HOXA9, an important transcription factor (TF) in hematopoiesis, is aberrantly expressed in numerous cases of both acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is a strong indicator of poor prognosis in patients. HOXA9 is a proto-oncogene which is both sufficient and necessary for leukemia transformation. HOXA9 expression in leukemia correlates with patient survival outcomes and response to therapy. Chromosomal transformations (such as NUP98-HOXA9), mutations, epigenetic dysregulation (e.g., MLL- MENIN -LEDGF complex or DOT1L/KMT4), transcription factors (such as USF1/USF2), and noncoding RNA (such as HOTTIP and HOTAIR) regulate HOXA9 mRNA and protein during leukemia. HOXA9 regulates survival, self-renewal, and progenitor cell cycle through several of its downstream target TFs including LMO2, antiapoptotic BCL2, SOX4, and receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 and STAT5. This dynamic and multilayered HOXA9 regulome provides new therapeutic opportunities, including inhibitors targeting DOT1L/KMT4, MENIN, NPM1, and ENL proteins. Recent findings also suggest that HOXA9 maintains leukemia by actively repressing myeloid differentiation genes. This chapter summarizes the recent advances understanding biochemical mechanisms underlying HOXA9-mediated leukemogenesis, the clinical significance of its abnormal expression, and pharmacological approaches to treat HOXA9-driven leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajesan Aryal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rui Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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13
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Asees MY, Shrateh ON, Assi AS, Habbabeh M, Shiha HO, Shakhsheer S. Infantile B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with the highest recorded count of white blood cells in the literature: case report and literature review. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2023; 85:6294-6297. [PMID: 38098549 PMCID: PMC10718326 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Infantile leukaemia is an uncommon haematological cancer that manifests within the first year of life. This malignancy is highly aggressive and possesses distinctive immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, and molecular attributes. It can originate from either myeloid or lymphoid cells. It often exhibits a higher incidence among females. Case presentation A 1-month-old male infant, initially seemingly healthy, presented with irritability and feeding difficulties. Born without complications, routine neonatal assessments appeared normal, and physical examination revealed no abnormalities. However, laboratory tests indicated an extremely high white blood cell count, low platelets, and elevated haemoglobin. Further examinations showed a white blood cell count of 1450 × 106/l with a blood film revealing significant leukocytosis dominated by blast cells. Abdominal ultrasound confirmed hepatosplenomegaly which was not present during pregnancy. Subsequent bone marrow analysis and flow cytometry established a diagnosis of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL). Clinical discussion It is rare for infantile ALL to manifest within the first month after birth. In most cases, the diagnosis is established before birth. When characteristic signs such as hepatosplenomegaly, leukaemia cutis, or infiltrative involvement of the extramedullary and central nervous systems are present, postnatal diagnoses are relatively straightforward. However, there are instances where children present with non-specific and ambiguous symptoms that resemble other medical conditions. Conclusion This case underscores the importance of paediatricians being vigilant and attuned to the subtle indicators that differentiate common illnesses from serious conditions such as infantile ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Y. Asees
- Professional Medical Laboratories, Department of Clinical chemistry and Hematology, Ramallah
| | - Oadi N. Shrateh
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Ayuob S. Assi
- Professional Medical Laboratories, Department of Clinical chemistry and Hematology, Ramallah
| | - Maysaa Habbabeh
- Professional Medical Laboratories, Department of Clinical chemistry and Hematology, Ramallah
| | - Haneen Omar Shiha
- Professional Medical Laboratories, Department of Clinical chemistry and Hematology, Ramallah
| | - Shurouq Shakhsheer
- Professional Medical Laboratories, Department of Clinical chemistry and Hematology, Ramallah
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14
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Nazaret A, Fan JL, Lavallée VP, Cornish AE, Kiseliovas V, Masilionis I, Chun J, Bowman RL, Eisman SE, Wang J, Shi L, Levine RL, Mazutis L, Blei D, Pe'er D, Azizi E. Deep generative model deciphers derailed trajectories in acute myeloid leukemia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.11.566719. [PMID: 38014231 PMCID: PMC10680623 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.11.566719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell genomics has the potential to map cell states and their dynamics in an unbiased way in response to perturbations like disease. However, elucidating the cell-state transitions from healthy to disease requires analyzing data from perturbed samples jointly with unperturbed reference samples. Existing methods for integrating and jointly visualizing single-cell datasets from distinct contexts tend to remove key biological differences or do not correctly harmonize shared mechanisms. We present Decipher, a model that combines variational autoencoders with deep exponential families to reconstruct derailed trajectories ( https://github.com/azizilab/decipher ). Decipher jointly represents normal and perturbed single-cell RNA-seq datasets, revealing shared and disrupted dynamics. It further introduces a novel approach to visualize data, without the need for methods such as UMAP or TSNE. We demonstrate Decipher on data from acute myeloid leukemia patient bone marrow specimens, showing that it successfully characterizes the divergence from normal hematopoiesis and identifies transcriptional programs that become disrupted in each patient when they acquire NPM1 driver mutations.
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15
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Rodriguez-Zabala M, Ramakrishnan R, Reinbach K, Ghosh S, Oburoglu L, Falqués-Costa A, Bellamkonda K, Ehinger M, Peña-Martínez P, Puente-Moncada N, Lilljebjörn H, Cammenga J, Pronk CJ, Lazarevic V, Fioretos T, Hagström-Andersson AK, Woods NB, Järås M. Combined GLUT1 and OXPHOS inhibition eliminates acute myeloid leukemia cells by restraining their metabolic plasticity. Blood Adv 2023; 7:5382-5395. [PMID: 37505194 PMCID: PMC10509671 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023009967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is initiated and propagated by leukemia stem cells (LSCs), a self-renewing population of leukemia cells responsible for therapy resistance. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify new therapeutic opportunities targeting LSCs. Here, we performed an in vivo CRISPR knockout screen to identify potential therapeutic targets by interrogating cell surface dependencies of LSCs. The facilitated glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) emerged as a critical in vivo metabolic dependency for LSCs in a murine MLL::AF9-driven model of AML. GLUT1 disruption by genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition led to suppression of leukemia progression and improved survival of mice that received transplantation with LSCs. Metabolic profiling revealed that Glut1 inhibition suppressed glycolysis, decreased levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates and increased the levels of amino acids. This metabolic reprogramming was accompanied by an increase in autophagic activity and apoptosis. Moreover, Glut1 disruption caused transcriptional, morphological, and immunophenotypic changes, consistent with differentiation of AML cells. Notably, dual inhibition of GLUT1 and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) exhibited synergistic antileukemic effects in the majority of tested primary AML patient samples through restraining of their metabolic plasticity. In particular, RUNX1-mutated primary leukemia cells displayed striking sensitivity to the combination treatment compared with normal CD34+ bone marrow and cord blood cells. Collectively, our study reveals a GLUT1 dependency of murine LSCs in the bone marrow microenvironment and demonstrates that dual inhibition of GLUT1 and OXPHOS is a promising therapeutic approach for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rodriguez-Zabala
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ramprasad Ramakrishnan
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Katrin Reinbach
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Somadri Ghosh
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Leal Oburoglu
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | - Mats Ehinger
- Division of Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Jörg Cammenga
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Cornelis Jan Pronk
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Childhood Cancer Center, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Lazarevic
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Thoas Fioretos
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Niels-Bjarne Woods
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marcus Järås
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Qu J, Tao D, Huang W, Lu L, Fan J, Zhang S, Huang F. Assessment of prognostic role of a novel 7-lncRNA signature in HCC patients. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18493. [PMID: 37520979 PMCID: PMC10382640 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by extensive risk factors, high morbidity and mortality. Clinical prognostic evaluation assay assumes a nonspecific quality. Better HCC prognostics are urgently needed. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exerts a crucial role in tumorigenesis and development. Excavating specific lncRNAs signature to ameliorate the high-risk survival prediction in HCC patients is worthwhile. Methods Differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) profile was acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA). Then, the lncRNAs high-risk survival prognostic model was established using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression algorithm. The lncRNAs were evaluated in clinical specimen by PCR. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was further conducted to assess the potential prognostic value of the model. Moreover, a visible nomogram containing clinicopathological features and prognostic model was developed for prediction of survival property. Potential molecular mechanism was assessed by GO, KEGG, GSEA enrichment analysis and CIBERSORT immune infiltration analysis. Results A novel 7-lncRNA risk model (AL161937.2, LINC01063, AC145207.5, POLH-AS1, LNCSRLR, MKLN1-AS, AC105345.1) was constructed and validated for HCC prognosis prediction. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients in the high-risk group suffered a poor prognosis (p = 1.813 × 10-8). These genes were detected by PCR, and the expression trend was in accordance with TCGA database. Interestingly, the risk score served as an independent risk factor for HCC patients (HR: 1.166, 95% CI:1.119-1.214, p < 0.001). The nomogram was established, and the predictive accuracy in the nomogram was prior to the TNM stage according to the ROC curve analysis. Cell proliferation related pathway, decreased CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell, NK cell and elevated Neutrophil, Macrophage M0 were observed in high-risk group. Besides, suppression of MKLN1-AS expression inhibited cell proliferation of HCC cells by CCK8 assay in vitro. Conclusion The 7-lncRNA signature may exert a particular prognostic prediction role in HCC and provide new insight in HCC carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchi Qu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of PingJiang, Yueyang 410400, China
| | - Di Tao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Liting Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Junming Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Shineng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Fengting Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
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Lin YC, Sahoo BK, Gau SS, Yang RB. The biology of SCUBE. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:33. [PMID: 37237303 PMCID: PMC10214685 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00925-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The SCUBE [Signal peptide-Complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1 (CUB)-Epithelial growth factor domain-containing protein] family consists of three proteins in vertebrates, SCUBE1, 2 and 3, which are highly conserved in zebrafish, mice and humans. Each SCUBE gene encodes a polypeptide of approximately 1000 amino acids that is organized into five modular domains: (1) an N-terminal signal peptide sequence, (2) nine tandem epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats, (3) a large spacer region, (4) three cysteine-rich (CR) motifs, and (5) a CUB domain at the C-terminus. Murine Scube genes are expressed individually or in combination during the development of various tissues, including those in the central nervous system and the axial skeleton. The cDNAs of human SCUBE orthologs were originally cloned from vascular endothelial cells, but SCUBE expression has also been found in platelets, mammary ductal epithelium and osteoblasts. Both soluble and membrane-associated SCUBEs have been shown to play important roles in physiology and pathology. For instance, upregulation of SCUBEs has been reported in acute myeloid leukemia, breast cancer and lung cancer. In addition, soluble SCUBE1 is released from activated platelets and can be used as a clinical biomarker for acute coronary syndrome and ischemic stroke. Soluble SCUBE2 enhances distal signaling by facilitating the secretion of dual-lipidated hedgehog from nearby ligand-producing cells in a paracrine manner. Interestingly, the spacer regions and CR motifs can increase or enable SCUBE binding to cell surfaces via electrostatic or glycan-lectin interactions. As such, membrane-associated SCUBEs can function as coreceptors that enhance the signaling activity of various serine/threonine kinase or tyrosine kinase receptors. For example, membrane-associated SCUBE3 functions as a coreceptor that promotes signaling in bone morphogenesis. In humans, SCUBE3 mutations are linked to abnormalities in growth and differentiation of both bones and teeth. In addition to studies on human SCUBE function, experimental results from genetically modified mouse models have yielded important insights in the field of systems biology. In this review, we highlight novel molecular discoveries and critical directions for future research on SCUBE proteins in the context of cancer, skeletal disease and cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuh-Charn Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Binay K Sahoo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiang-Shin Gau
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ruey-Bing Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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18
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Park SM, Miyamoto DK, Han GYQ, Chan M, Curnutt NM, Tran NL, Velleca A, Kim JH, Schurer A, Chang K, Xu W, Kharas MG, Woo CM. Dual IKZF2 and CK1α degrader targets acute myeloid leukemia cells. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:726-739.e11. [PMID: 36898380 PMCID: PMC10466730 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy for which several epigenetic regulators have been identified as therapeutic targets. Here we report the development of cereblon-dependent degraders of IKZF2 and casein kinase 1α (CK1α), termed DEG-35 and DEG-77. We utilized a structure-guided approach to develop DEG-35 as a nanomolar degrader of IKZF2, a hematopoietic-specific transcription factor that contributes to myeloid leukemogenesis. DEG-35 possesses additional substrate specificity for the therapeutically relevant target CK1α, which was identified through unbiased proteomics and a PRISM screen assay. Degradation of IKZF2 and CK1α blocks cell growth and induces myeloid differentiation in AML cells through CK1α-p53- and IKZF2-dependent pathways. Target degradation by DEG-35 or a more soluble analog, DEG-77, delays leukemia progression in murine and human AML mouse models. Overall, we provide a strategy for multitargeted degradation of IKZF2 and CK1α to enhance efficacy against AML that may be expanded to additional targets and indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Mi Park
- Molecular Pharmacology Program and Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - David K Miyamoto
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Grace Y Q Han
- Molecular Pharmacology Program and Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mandy Chan
- Molecular Pharmacology Program and Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicole M Curnutt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nathan L Tran
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anthony Velleca
- Molecular Pharmacology Program and Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jun Hyun Kim
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexandra Schurer
- Molecular Pharmacology Program and Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathryn Chang
- Molecular Pharmacology Program and Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wenqing Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michael G Kharas
- Molecular Pharmacology Program and Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Christina M Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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19
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Deshpande AJ, Zhu N. Silencing with SAFB: a new role for HOXA9 in AML. Blood 2023; 141:1653-1655. [PMID: 37022737 PMCID: PMC10113172 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022019244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nan Zhu
- Versiti Blood Research Institute
- Medical College of Wisconsin
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20
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Agrawal-Singh S, Bagri J, Giotopoulos G, Azazi DMA, Horton SJ, Lopez CK, Anand S, Bach AS, Stedham F, Antrobus R, Houghton JW, Vassiliou GS, Sasca D, Yun H, Whetton AD, Huntly BJP. HOXA9 forms a repressive complex with nuclear matrix-associated protein SAFB to maintain acute myeloid leukemia. Blood 2023; 141:1737-1754. [PMID: 36577137 PMCID: PMC10113176 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 is commonly upregulated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), in which it confers a poor prognosis. Characterizing the protein interactome of endogenous HOXA9 in human AML, we identified a chromatin complex of HOXA9 with the nuclear matrix attachment protein SAFB. SAFB perturbation phenocopied HOXA9 knockout to decrease AML proliferation, increase differentiation and apoptosis in vitro, and prolong survival in vivo. Integrated genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses further demonstrated that the HOXA9-SAFB (H9SB)-chromatin complex associates with nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylase (NuRD) and HP1γ to repress the expression of factors associated with differentiation and apoptosis, including NOTCH1, CEBPδ, S100A8, and CDKN1A. Chemical or genetic perturbation of NuRD and HP1γ-associated catalytic activity also triggered differentiation, apoptosis, and the induction of these tumor-suppressive genes. Importantly, this mechanism is operative in other HOXA9-dependent AML genotypes. This mechanistic insight demonstrates the active HOXA9-dependent differentiation block as a potent mechanism of disease maintenance in AML that may be amenable to therapeutic intervention by targeting the H9SB interface and/or NuRD and HP1γ activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuchi Agrawal-Singh
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jaana Bagri
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - George Giotopoulos
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dhoyazan M A Azazi
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J Horton
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Cecile K Lopez
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Shubha Anand
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Sophie Bach
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Stedham
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Antrobus
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jack W Houghton
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - George S Vassiliou
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Sasca
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Haiyang Yun
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anthony D Whetton
- School of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Brian J P Huntly
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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21
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Lee SY, Miller KM, Kim JJ. Clinical and Mechanistic Implications of R-Loops in Human Leukemias. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065966. [PMID: 36983041 PMCID: PMC10052022 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic mutations or environmental agents are major contributors to leukemia and are associated with genomic instability. R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures consisting of an RNA-DNA hybrid and a non-template single-stranded DNA. These structures regulate various cellular processes, including transcription, replication, and DSB repair. However, unregulated R-loop formation can cause DNA damage and genomic instability, which are potential drivers of cancer including leukemia. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of aberrant R-loop formation and how it influences genomic instability and leukemia development. We also consider the possibility of R-loops as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo-Yun Lee
- Department of Life Science and Multidisciplinary, Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyle M Miller
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jae-Jin Kim
- Department of Life Science and Multidisciplinary, Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
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22
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Peng H, Lin Y, Hu F, Lv C, Wu B, Weng Q, Liu L, Xia C, Liu X, Zhao Y, Zhang Q, Geng Y, Zhang M, Wang J. Prolonged generation of multi-lineage blood cells in wild-type animals from pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:720-735. [PMID: 36801005 PMCID: PMC10031304 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.01.009] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Regenerating prolonged multi-lineage hematopoiesis from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), an unlimited cell source, is a crucial aim of regenerative hematology. In this study, we used a gene-edited PSC line and revealed that simultaneous expression of three transcription factors, Runx1, Hoxa9, and Hoxa10, drove the robust emergence of induced hematopoietic progenitor cells (iHPCs). The iHPCs engrafted successfully in wild-type animals and repopulated abundant and complete myeloid-, B-, and T-lineage mature cells. The generative multi-lineage hematopoiesis distributed normally in multiple organs, persisted over 6 months, and eventually declined over time with no leukemogenesis. Transcriptome characterization of generative myeloid, B, and T cells at the single-cell resolution further projected their identities to natural cell counterparts. Thus, we provide evidence that co-expression of exogenous Runx1, Hoxa9, and Hoxa10 simultaneously leads to long-term reconstitution of myeloid, B, and T lineages using PSC-derived iHPCs as the cell source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510530, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yunqing Lin
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fangxiao Hu
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Cui Lv
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Bingyan Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510530, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qitong Weng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chengxiang Xia
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xiaofei Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510530, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yalan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yang Geng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510530, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mengyun Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510530, China.
| | - Jinyong Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510530, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100083, China.
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23
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Qiu Q, yang L, Feng Y, Zhu Z, Li N, Zheng L, Sun Y, Pan C, Qiu H, Cui X, He W, Wang F, Yi Y, Tang M, Yang Z, Yang Y, Li Z, Chen L, Hu Y. HDAC I/IIb selective inhibitor Purinostat Mesylate combined with GLS1 inhibition effectively eliminates CML stem cells. Bioact Mater 2023; 21:483-498. [PMID: 36185739 PMCID: PMC9486186 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purinostat Mesylate (PM) is a novel highly selective and active HDAC I/IIb inhibitor, and the injectable formulation of PM (PMF) based on the compound prescription containing cyclodextrin completely can overcome PM's poor solubility and improves its stability and pharmacokinetic properties. Here, we showed that PM effectively repressed the survival of Ph+ leukemia cells and CD34+ leukemia cells from CML patients in vitro. In vivo studies demonstrated that PMF significantly prevented BCR-ABL(T315I) induced CML progression by restraining leukemia stem cells (LSCs), which are insensitive to chemotherapy and responsible for CML relapse. Mechanism studies revealed that targeting HDAC I/IIb repressed several important factors for LSCs survival including c-Myc, β-Catenin, E2f, Ezh2, Alox5, and mTOR, as well as interrupted some critical biologic processes. Additionally, PMF increased glutamate metabolism in LSCs by increasing GLS1. The combination of PMF and glutaminase inhibitor BPTES synergistically eradicated LSCs by altering multiple key proteins and signaling pathways which are critical for LSC survival and self-renewal. Overall, our findings represent a new therapeutic strategy for eliminating LSCs by targeting HDAC I/IIb and glutaminolysis, which potentially provides a guidance for PMF clinical trials in the future for TKI resistance CML patients. PM is a novel HDACI/IIb inhibitor with better selectivity and inhibitory activity than currently marketed HDAC inhibitors. PMF completely overcomes the problem of PM's poor solubility, and improved PM stability and pharmacokinetic properties. PMF effectively inhibits disease progression and abrogates leukemia stem cells survival in TKI-resistant CML mouse model. Simultaneous targeting of I/IIb HDACs and glutaminolysis could sufficiently eradicated LSCs in the mouse model.
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24
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Tomás-Daza L, Rovirosa L, López-Martí P, Nieto-Aliseda A, Serra F, Planas-Riverola A, Molina O, McDonald R, Ghevaert C, Cuatrecasas E, Costa D, Camós M, Bueno C, Menéndez P, Valencia A, Javierre BM. Low input capture Hi-C (liCHi-C) identifies promoter-enhancer interactions at high-resolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:268. [PMID: 36650138 PMCID: PMC9845235 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35911-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-range interactions between regulatory elements and promoters are key in gene transcriptional control; however, their study requires large amounts of starting material, which is not compatible with clinical scenarios nor the study of rare cell populations. Here we introduce low input capture Hi-C (liCHi-C) as a cost-effective, flexible method to map and robustly compare promoter interactomes at high resolution. As proof of its broad applicability, we implement liCHi-C to study normal and malignant human hematopoietic hierarchy in clinical samples. We demonstrate that the dynamic promoter architecture identifies developmental trajectories and orchestrates transcriptional transitions during cell-state commitment. Moreover, liCHi-C enables the identification of disease-relevant cell types, genes and pathways potentially deregulated by non-coding alterations at distal regulatory elements. Finally, we show that liCHi-C can be harnessed to uncover genome-wide structural variants, resolve their breakpoints and infer their pathogenic effects. Collectively, our optimized liCHi-C method expands the study of 3D chromatin organization to unique, low-abundance cell populations, and offers an opportunity to uncover factors and regulatory networks involved in disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laureano Tomás-Daza
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Llorenç Rovirosa
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula López-Martí
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - François Serra
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Oscar Molina
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Cedric Ghevaert
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, UK
- NHS Blood and Transplant, Cambridge, UK
| | - Esther Cuatrecasas
- Pediatric Institute of Rare Diseases, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolors Costa
- Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Cancer Network Biomedical Research Center, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Camós
- Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Rare Diseases Network (CIBERER), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Bueno
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Menéndez
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Valencia
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Biola M Javierre
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institute for Health Science Research Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
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25
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Tislevoll BS, Hellesøy M, Fagerholt OHE, Gullaksen SE, Srivastava A, Birkeland E, Kleftogiannis D, Ayuda-Durán P, Piechaczyk L, Tadele DS, Skavland J, Panagiotis B, Hovland R, Andresen V, Seternes OM, Tvedt THA, Aghaeepour N, Gavasso S, Porkka K, Jonassen I, Fløisand Y, Enserink J, Blaser N, Gjertsen BT. Early response evaluation by single cell signaling profiling in acute myeloid leukemia. Nat Commun 2023; 14:115. [PMID: 36611026 PMCID: PMC9825407 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35624-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant pro-survival signaling is a hallmark of cancer cells, but the response to chemotherapy is poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the initial signaling response to standard induction chemotherapy in a cohort of 32 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, using 36-dimensional mass cytometry. Through supervised and unsupervised machine learning approaches, we find that reduction of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in the myeloid cell compartment 24 h post-chemotherapy is a significant predictor of patient 5-year overall survival in this cohort. Validation by RNA sequencing shows induction of MAPK target gene expression in patients with high phospho-ERK1/2 24 h post-chemotherapy, while proteomics confirm an increase of the p38 prime target MAPK activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2). In this study, we demonstrate that mass cytometry can be a valuable tool for early response evaluation in AML and elucidate the potential of functional signaling analyses in precision oncology diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedicte Sjo Tislevoll
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Monica Hellesøy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology Section, Haukeland University Hospital, Helse Bergen HF, Bergen, Norway
| | - Oda Helen Eck Fagerholt
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stein-Erik Gullaksen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology Section, Haukeland University Hospital, Helse Bergen HF, Bergen, Norway
| | - Aashish Srivastava
- Genome Core Facility, Clinical Laboratory, K2 Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Even Birkeland
- The Proteomics Facility of the University of Bergen (PROBE), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Dimitrios Kleftogiannis
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Pilar Ayuda-Durán
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0379, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Laure Piechaczyk
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0379, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dagim Shiferaw Tadele
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Jørn Skavland
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Baliakas Panagiotis
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Randi Hovland
- Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Vibeke Andresen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ole Morten Seternes
- Department of Pharmacy, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, 9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Nima Aghaeepour
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94121, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94121, USA.,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94121, USA
| | - Sonia Gavasso
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Clinical Treatment Research (NeuroSysMed), Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kimmo Porkka
- Department of Hematology, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Inge Jonassen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Yngvar Fløisand
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Hematology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jorrit Enserink
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0379, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318, Oslo, Norway.,Section for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0037, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nello Blaser
- Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Bjørn Tore Gjertsen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology Section, Haukeland University Hospital, Helse Bergen HF, Bergen, Norway.
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26
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Single-Cell and Transcriptome-Based Immune Cell-Related Prognostic Model in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2023; 2023:5355269. [PMID: 36925653 PMCID: PMC10014191 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5355269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Traditional studies mostly focus on the role of single gene in regulating clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), while it ignores the impact of tumour heterogeneity on disease progression. The purpose of this study is to construct a prognostic risk model for ccRCC by analysing the differential marker genes related to immune cells in the single-cell database to provide help in clinical diagnosis and targeted therapy. Single-cell data and ligand-receptor relationship pair data were downloaded from related publications, and ccRCC phenotype and expression profile data were downloaded from TCGA and CPTAC. Based on the DEGs of each cluster acquired from single-cell data, immune cell marker genes, and ligand-receptor gene data, we constructed a multilayer network. Then, the genes in the network and the genes in TCGA were used to construct the WGCNA network, which screened out prognosis-associated genes for subsequent analysis. Finally, a prognostic risk scoring model was obtained, and CPTAC data showed that the effectiveness of this model was good. A nomogram based on the predictive model for predicting the overall survival was established, and internal validation was performed well. Our findings suggest that the predictive model built and based on the immune cell scRNA-seq will enable us to judge the prognosis of patients with ccRCC and provide more accurate directions for basic relevant research and clinical practice.
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27
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Aryal S, Zhang Y, Wren S, Li C, Lu R. Molecular regulators of HOXA9 in acute myeloid leukemia. FEBS J 2023; 290:321-339. [PMID: 34743404 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16268] [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: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the oncogenic transcription factor HOXA9 is a prominent feature for most aggressive acute myeloid leukemia cases and a strong indicator of poor prognosis in patients. Leukemia subtypes with hallmark overexpression of HOXA9 include those carrying MLL gene rearrangements, NPM1c mutations, and other genetic alternations. A growing body of evidence indicates that HOXA9 dysregulation is both sufficient and necessary for leukemic transformation. The HOXA9 mRNA and protein regulation includes multilayered controls by transcription factors (such as CDX2/4 and USF2/1), epigenetic factors (such as MLL-menin-LEDGF, DOT1L, ENL, HBO1, NPM1c-XPO1, and polycomb proteins), microRNAs (such as miR-126 and miR-196b), long noncoding RNAs (such as HOTTIP), three-dimensional chromatin interactions, and post-translational protein modifications. Recently, insights into the dynamic regulation of HOXA9 have led to an advanced understanding of the HOXA9 regulome and provided new cancer therapeutic opportunities, including developing inhibitors targeting DOT1L, menin, and ENL proteins. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling HOXA9 regulation and the pharmacological approaches that target HOXA9 regulators to treat HOXA9-driven acute myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajesan Aryal
- Division of Hematology and Oncology & O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology & Cancer Biology Program/Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Spencer Wren
- Division of Hematology and Oncology & O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Chunliang Li
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology & Cancer Biology Program/Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Rui Lu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology & O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
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28
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Aumer T, Gremmelmaier CB, Runtsch LS, Pforr JC, Yeşiltaç GN, Kaiser S, Traube FR. Comprehensive comparison between azacytidine and decitabine treatment in an acute myeloid leukemia cell line. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:113. [PMID: 36089606 PMCID: PMC9465881 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01329-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Azacytidine (AzaC) and decitabine (AzadC) are cytosine analogs that covalently trap DNA methyltransferases, which place the important epigenetic mark 5-methyl-2’-deoxycytidine by methylating 2’-deoxycytidine (dC) at the C5 position. AzaC and AzadC are used in the clinic as antimetabolites to treat myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia and are explored against other types of cancer. Although their principal mechanism of action is known, the downstream effects of AzaC and AzadC treatment are not well understood and the cellular prerequisites that determine sensitivity toward AzaC and AzadC remain elusive. Here, we investigated the effects and phenotype of AzaC and AzadC exposure on the acute myeloid leukemia cell line MOLM-13. We found that while AzaC and AzadC share many effects on the cellular level, including decreased global DNA methylation, increased formation of DNA double-strand breaks, transcriptional downregulation of important oncogenes and similar changes on the proteome level, AzaC failed in contrast to AzadC to induce apoptosis efficiently in MOLM-13. The only cellular marker that correlated with this clear phenotypical outcome was the level of hydroxy-methyl-dC, an additional epigenetic mark that is placed by TET enzymes and repressed in cancer cells. Whereas AzadC increased hmdC substantially in MOLM-13, AzaC treatment did not result in any increase at all. This suggests that hmdC levels in cancer cells should be monitored as a response toward AzaC and AzadC and considered as a biomarker to judge whether AzaC or AzadC treatment leads to cell death in leukemic cells.
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29
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Lail SS, Arnold CR, de Almeida LGN, McKenna N, Chiriboga JA, Dufour A, Warren AL, Yates RM. Hox-driven conditional immortalization of myeloid and lymphoid progenitors: Uses, advantages, and future potential. Traffic 2022; 23:538-553. [PMID: 36117140 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Those who study macrophage biology struggle with the decision whether to utilize primary macrophages derived directly from mice or opt for the convenience and genetic tractability of immortalized macrophage-like cell lines in in vitro studies. Particularly when it comes to studying phagocytosis and phagosomal maturation-a signature cellular process of the macrophage-many commonly used cell lines are not representative of what occurs in primary macrophages. A system developed by Mark Kamps' group, that utilizes conditionally constitutive activity of Hox transcription factors (Hoxb8 and Hoxa9) to immortalize differentiation-competent myeloid cell progenitors of mice, offers an alternative to the macrophage/macrophage-like dichotomy. In this resource, we will review the use of Hoxb8 and Hoxa9 as hematopoietic regulators to conditionally immortalize murine hematopoietic progenitor cells which retain their ability to differentiate into many functional immune cell types including macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, osteoclasts, eosinophils, dendritic cells, as well as limited potential for the generation of lymphocytes. We further demonstrate that the use of macrophages derived from Hoxb8/Hoxa9 immortalized progenitors and their similarities to bone marrow-derived macrophages. To supplement the existing data, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, flow cytometry, cytology, and in vitro phagosomal assays were conducted on macrophages derived from Hoxb8 immortalized progenitors and compared to bone marrow-derived macrophages and the macrophage-like cell line J774. We additionally propose the use of a standardized nomenclature to describe cells derived from the Hoxb8/Hoxa9 system in anticipation of their expanded use in the study of leukocyte cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shranjit S Lail
- Department of Medical Science, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Corey R Arnold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Luiz G N de Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Neil McKenna
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jose A Chiriboga
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Antoine Dufour
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute of Chronic Disease, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amy L Warren
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Robin Michael Yates
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute of Chronic Disease, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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30
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Bioinformatic Analyses of Broad H3K79me2 Domains in Different Leukemia Cell Line Data Sets. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182830. [PMID: 36139405 PMCID: PMC9496709 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A subset of expressed genes is associated with a broad H3K4me3 (histone H3 trimethylated at lysine 4) domain that extends throughout the gene body. Genes marked in this way in normal cells are involved in cell-identity and tumor-suppressor activities, whereas in cancer cells, genes driving the cancer phenotype (oncogenes) have this feature. Other histone modifications associated with expressed genes that display a broad domain have been less studied. Here, we identified genes with the broadest H3K79me2 (histone H3 dimethylated at lysine 79) domain in human leukemic cell lines representing different forms of leukemia. Taking a bioinformatic approach, we provide evidence that genes with the broadest H3K79me2 domain have known roles in leukemia (e.g., JMJD1C). In the mixed-lineage leukemia cell line MOLM-13, the HOXA9 gene is in a 100 kb broad H3K79me2 domain with other HOXA protein-coding and oncogenic long non-coding RNA genes. The genes in this domain contribute to leukemia. This broad H3K79me2 domain has an unstable chromatin structure, as was evident by enhanced chromatin accessibility throughout. Together, we provide evidence that identification of genes with the broadest H3K79me2 domain will aid in generating a panel of genes in the diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of leukemia in the future.
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31
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MOZ is critical for the development of MOZ/MLL-fusion-induced leukemia through regulation of Hoxa9/Meis1 expression. Blood Adv 2022; 6:5527-5537. [PMID: 35947126 PMCID: PMC9577624 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Monocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (MOZ, MYST3, or KAT6A) is a MYST-type acetyltransferase involved in chromosomal translocation in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome. MOZ is established as essential for hematopoiesis; however, the role of MOZ in AML has not been addressed. We propose that MOZ is critical for AML development induced by MLL-AF9, MLL-AF10, or MOZ-TIF2 fusions. Moz-deficient hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) transduced with an MLL-AF10 fusion gene neither formed colonies in methylcellulose nor induced AML in mice. Moz-deficient HSPCs bearing MLL-AF9 also generated significantly reduced colony and cell numbers. Moz-deficient HSPCs expressing MOZ-TIF2 could form colonies in vitro but could not induce AML in mice. By contrast, Moz was dispensable for colony formation by HOXA9-transduced cells and AML development caused by HOXA9 and MEIS1, suggesting a specific requirement for MOZ in AML induced by MOZ/MLL fusions. Expression of the Hoxa9 and Meis1 genes was decreased in Moz-deficient MLL fusion-expressing cells, while expression of Meis1, but not Hoxa9, was reduced in Moz-deficient MOZ-TIF2 AML cells. AML development induced by MOZ-TIF2 was rescued by introducing Meis1 into Moz-deficient cells carrying MOZ-TIF2. Meis1 deletion impaired MOZ-TIF2–mediated AML development. Active histone modifications were also severely reduced at the Meis1 locus in Moz-deficient MOZ-TIF2 and MLL-AF9 AML cells. These results suggest that endogenous MOZ is critical for MOZ/MLL fusion-induced AML development and maintains active chromatin signatures at target gene loci. MOZ is critical for MOZ/MLL fusion-mediated AML development, Meis1 induction by MOZ fusions, and Hoxa9/Meis1 induction by MLL fusions. Endogenous MOZ is required to maintain MOZ-target and active histone modifications at the Meis1 gene locus.
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32
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Zhou C, Wang Z, Yang S, Li H, Zhao L. Hymeglusin Enhances the Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Venetoclax in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 12:864430. [PMID: 35847946 PMCID: PMC9277771 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.864430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Venetoclax is used for the priority treatment of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Resistance or intolerance to venetoclax offsets its clinical benefits in some patients. Combination strategies with other drugs are promising alternatives to overcome the current complications associated with venetoclax use. Hymeglusin, a specific inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase 1 (HMGCS1), regulates the mevalonate pathway, which is vital for AML growth and chemosensitivity. The effects of the combination of venetoclax and hymeglusin on AML were explored in this study. The correlations between HMGCS1 and apoptosis-related genes were analyzed using the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. Apoptosis and cell viability were detected in HL-60 and KG-1 cells after treatment with gradient concentrations of venetoclax or hymeglusin. The transcriptomic profiles of HL-60 and KG-1 cells were compared via RNA-Seq analysis. The effects of venetoclax and hymeglusin on apoptosis were validated in primary cells. The results showed that HMGCS1 expression was closely associated with apoptosis-related genes based on the data from large clinical databases. B cell lymphoma (BCL)-2 expression was elevated in AML and negatively associated with overall survival. Hymeglusin decreased BCL2 expression levels in HL-60 and KG-1 cells. Venetoclax and hymeglusin inhibited cell viability in both cell lines, but induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells. This discrepancy in sensitivity to hymeglusin may be attributed to the positive increase in the expression levels of HMGCS1 and multiple upregulated pro-leukemia genes in KG-1 cells. Combination treatment with venetoclax and hymeglusin significantly increased the apoptotic rates compared to single-agent treatment in both AML cell lines and primary AML cells. Furthermore, the combination strategy did not result in remarkably enhanced toxicity in normal mononuclear cells. Collectively, hymeglusin enhanced the effects of venetoclax on apoptosis. This combination strategy showed enhanced antileukemic activity with acceptable toxicity in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhiqin Wang
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuanghui Yang
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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33
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In vivo genome-wide CRISPR screening in murine acute myeloid leukemia uncovers microenvironmental dependencies. Blood Adv 2022; 6:5072-5084. [PMID: 35793392 PMCID: PMC9631646 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo CRISPR screens in AML define key interactors of the microenvironment, including integrins, immune modulators, and glycosylation. Eight in vivo–specific hits are recurrently associated with adverse prognosis: BTBD6, FERMT3, ILK, SLC19A1, TAP2, TLN1, TPST2, and TRMT12.
Genome-wide CRISPR screens have been extremely useful in identifying therapeutic targets in diverse cancers by defining genes that are essential for malignant growth. However, most CRISPR screens were performed in vitro and thus cannot identify genes that are essential for interactions with the microenvironment in vivo. Here, we report genome-wide CRISPR screens in 2 in vivo murine models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) driven by the KMT2A/MLLT3 fusion or by the constitutive coexpression of Hoxa9 and Meis1. Secondary validation using a focused library identified 72 genes specifically essential for leukemic growth in vivo, including components of the major histocompatibility complex class I complex, Cd47, complement receptor Cr1l, and the β-4-galactosylation pathway. Importantly, several of these in vivo–specific hits have a prognostic effect or are inferred to be master regulators of protein activity in human AML cases. For instance, we identified Fermt3, a master regulator of integrin signaling, as having in vivo–specific dependency with high prognostic relevance. Overall, we show an experimental and computational pipeline for genome-wide functional screens in vivo in AML and provide a genome-wide resource of essential drivers of leukemic growth in vivo.
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34
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Harada T, Heshmati Y, Kalfon J, Perez MW, Xavier Ferrucio J, Ewers J, Hubbell Engler B, Kossenkov A, Ellegast JM, Yi JS, Bowker A, Zhu Q, Eagle K, Liu T, Kai Y, Dempster JM, Kugener G, Wickramasinghe J, Herbert ZT, Li CH, Vrabič Koren J, Weinstock DM, Paralkar VR, Nabet B, Lin CY, Dharia NV, Stegmaier K, Orkin SH, Pimkin M. A distinct core regulatory module enforces oncogene expression in KMT2A-rearranged leukemia. Genes Dev 2022; 36:368-389. [PMID: 35301220 PMCID: PMC8973843 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349284.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Harada et al. identified the transcription factors MEF2D and IRF8 as selective transcriptional dependencies of KMT2A-rearranged AML, where MEF2D displays partially redundant functions with its paralog, MEF2C. This study illustrates a mechanism of context-specific transcriptional addiction whereby a specific AML subclass depends on a highly specialized core regulatory module to directly enforce expression of common leukemia oncogenes. Acute myeloid leukemia with KMT2A (MLL) rearrangements is characterized by specific patterns of gene expression and enhancer architecture, implying unique core transcriptional regulatory circuitry. Here, we identified the transcription factors MEF2D and IRF8 as selective transcriptional dependencies of KMT2A-rearranged AML, where MEF2D displays partially redundant functions with its paralog, MEF2C. Rapid transcription factor degradation followed by measurements of genome-wide transcription rates and superresolution microscopy revealed that MEF2D and IRF8 form a distinct core regulatory module with a narrow direct transcriptional program that includes activation of the key oncogenes MYC, HOXA9, and BCL2. Our study illustrates a mechanism of context-specific transcriptional addiction whereby a specific AML subclass depends on a highly specialized core regulatory module to directly enforce expression of common leukemia oncogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Harada
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Yaser Heshmati
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Jérémie Kalfon
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Monika W Perez
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Juliana Xavier Ferrucio
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Jazmin Ewers
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Benjamin Hubbell Engler
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | | | - Jana M Ellegast
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Joanna S Yi
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Allyson Bowker
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Qian Zhu
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Kenneth Eagle
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Ken Eagle Consulting, Houston, Texas 77494, USA
| | - Tianxin Liu
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Yan Kai
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Joshua M Dempster
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Guillaume Kugener
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | | | - Zachary T Herbert
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Charles H Li
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | | | - David M Weinstock
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Vikram R Paralkar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Charles Y Lin
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Neekesh V Dharia
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Stuart H Orkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Maxim Pimkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
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35
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Meriç N, Kocabaş F. The Historical Relationship Between Meis1 and Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1387:127-144. [DOI: 10.1007/5584_2021_705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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36
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A critical role of nuclear m6A reader YTHDC1 in leukemogenesis by regulating MCM complex-mediated DNA replication. Blood 2021; 138:2838-2852. [PMID: 34255814 PMCID: PMC8718631 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021011707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
YTHDC1 has distinct functions as a nuclear N6-methyladenosine (m6A) reader in regulating RNA metabolism. Here we show that YTHDC1 is overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and that it is required for the proliferation and survival of human AML cells. Genetic deletion of Ythdc1 markedly blocks AML development and maintenance as well as self-renewal of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) in vivo in mice. We found that Ythdc1 is also required for normal hematopoiesis and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) maintenance in vivo. Notably, Ythdc1 haploinsufficiency reduces self-renewal of LSCs but not HSPCs in vivo. YTHDC1 knockdown has a strong inhibitory effect on proliferation of primary AML cells. Mechanistically, YTHDC1 regulates leukemogenesis through MCM4, which is a critical regulator of DNA replication. Our study provides compelling evidence that shows an oncogenic role and a distinct mechanism of YTHDC1 in AML.
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37
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Zhao J, Xiu Y, Fu L, Dong Q, Borcherding N, Wang Y, Li Q, De Silva NS, Klein U, Boyce BF, Zhao C. TIFAB accelerates MLL-AF9-Induced acute myeloid leukemia through upregulation of HOXA9. iScience 2021; 24:103425. [PMID: 34877491 PMCID: PMC8633042 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously showed stabilization of NIK-induced activation of NF-κB non-canonical signaling suppresses MLL-AF9-induced AML. In the current study, we demonstrate that deletion of NF-κB non-canonical RelB prevents the inhibitory effect of NIK stabilization in MLL-AF9 AML. Mechanistically, RelB suppresses its direct target, TIFAB, which is upregulated in human AML and correlates negatively with the survival of AML patients. Forced expression of TIFAB reverses NIK-induced impaired AML development through downregulation of RelB and upregulation of HOXA9. Consistent with upregulation of HOXA9, gene set enrichment analysis shows that forced expression of TIFAB blocks myeloid cell development, upregulates leukemia stem cell signature and induces similar gene expression patterns to those of HOXA9-MEIS1 and HOXA9-NUP98, and upregulates oxidative phosphorylation. Accordingly, forced expression of HOXA9 also largely releases the inhibitory impact of NIK stabilization via downregulation of RelB and upregulation of RelA. Our data suggest that NIK/RelB suppresses MLL-AF9-induced AML mainly through downregulation of TIFAB/HOXA9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Wolstein Research Building, Room 6503 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Department of Pathology, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, Shenbei Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, China
| | - Yan Xiu
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Wolstein Research Building, Room 6503 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Department of Pathology, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Lin Fu
- Department of Pathology, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, Shenbei Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, China
| | - Qianze Dong
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Wolstein Research Building, Room 6503 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Department of Pathology, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Nicholas Borcherding
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University in St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Wolstein Research Building, Room 6503 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Qingchang Li
- Department of Pathology, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, Shenbei Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, China
| | | | - Ulf Klein
- Division of Haematology & Immunology, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Brendan F Boyce
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Wolstein Research Building, Room 6523 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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38
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A Systematic Review on HOX Genes as Potential Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer: An Emerging Role of HOXB9. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413429. [PMID: 34948228 PMCID: PMC8707253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence shows that Homeobox (HOX) genes are important in carcinogenesis, and their dysregulation has been linked with metastatic potential and poor prognosis. This review (PROSPERO-CRD42020190953) aims to systematically investigate the role of HOX genes as biomarkers in CRC and the impact of their modulation on tumour growth and progression. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane databases were searched for eligible studies exploring two research questions: (a) the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of HOX dysregulation in patients with CRC and (b) the functional role of HOX genes in CRC progression. Twenty-five studies enrolling 3003 CRC patients, showed that aberrant expression of HOX proteins was significantly related to tumour depth, nodal invasion, distant metastases, advanced stage and poor prognosis. A post-hoc meta-analysis on HOXB9 showed that its overexpression was significantly associated with the presence of distant metastases (pooled OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.64–10.43, I2 = 0%, p = 0.003). Twenty-two preclinical studies showed that HOX proteins are crucially related to tumour growth and metastatic potential by affecting cell proliferation and altering the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition modulators. In conclusion, HOX proteins may play vital roles in CRC progression and are associated with overall survival. HOXB9 may be a critical transcription factor in CRC.
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The Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Is Required for the NUP98-HOXA9-Induced Aberrant Nuclear Envelope Phenotype. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112851. [PMID: 34831074 PMCID: PMC8616146 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations involving the nucleoporin NUP98 gene are recurrently identified in leukemia; yet, the cellular defects accompanying NUP98 fusion proteins are poorly characterized. NUP98 fusions cause changes in nuclear and nuclear envelope (NE) organization, in particular, in the nuclear lamina and the lamina associated polypeptide 2α (LAP2α), a regulator of the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma protein (RB). We demonstrate that, for NUP98-HOXA9 (NHA9), the best-studied NUP98 fusion protein, its effect(s) on nuclear architecture largely depend(s) on RB. Morphological alterations caused by the expression of NHA9 are largely diminished in the absence of RB, both in human cells expressing the human papillomavirus 16 E7 protein and in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking RB. We further show that NHA9 expression associates with distinct histone modification. Moreover, the pattern of trimethylation of histone H3 lysine-27 is affected by NHA9, again in an RB-dependent manner. Our results pinpoint to an unexpected interplay between NUP98 fusion proteins and RB, which may contribute to leukemogenesis.
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Wang Z, Cheng W, Zhao Z, Wang Z, Zhang C, Li G, Wu A, Jiang T. Comparative profiling of immune genes improves the prognoses of lower grade gliomas. Cancer Biol Med 2021; 19:j.issn.2095-3941.2021.0173. [PMID: 34623790 PMCID: PMC9088193 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2021.0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lower grade gliomas (LGGs), classified as World Health Organization (WHO) grade II and grade III gliomas, comprise a heterogeneous group with a median survival time ranging from 4-13 years. Accurate prediction of the survival times of LGGs remains a major challenge in clinical practice. METHODS We reviewed the expression data of 865 LGG patients from 5 transcriptomics cohorts. The comparative profile of immune genes was analyzed for signature identification and validation. In-house RNAseq and microarray data from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) dataset were used as training and internal validation cohorts, respectively. The samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE16011 cohorts were used as external validation cohorts, and the real-time PCR of frozen LGG tissue samples (n = 36) were used for clinical validation. RESULTS A total of 2,214 immune genes were subjected to pairwise comparison to generate 2,449,791 immune-related gene pairs (IGPs). A total of 402 IGPs were identified with prognostic values for LGGs. The HOXA9-related and CRH-related scores facilitated identification of patients with different prognoses. An immune signature based on 10 IGPs was constructed to stratify patients into low and high risk groups, exhibiting different clinical outcomes. A nomogram, combining immune signature, 1p/19q status, and tumor grade, was able to predict the overall survival (OS) with c-indices of 0.85, 0.80, 0.80, 0.79, and 0.75 in the training, internal validation, external validation, and tissue sample cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study was the first to report a comparative profiling of immune genes in large LGG cohorts. A promising individualized immune signature was developed to estimate the survival time for LGG patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiliang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Wen Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Zheng Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Chuanbao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Guanzhang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Anhua Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
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Esa E, Hashim AK, Mohamed EHM, Zakaria Z, Abu Hassan AN, Mat Yusoff Y, Kamaluddin NR, Abdul Rahman AZ, Chang KM, Mohamed R, Subbiah I, Jamian E, Ho CSL, Lim SM, Lau PC, Pung YF, Zain SM. Construction of a microRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network in De Novo Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2021; 25:199-210. [PMID: 33734890 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2020.0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The association between dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is well known. However, our understanding of the regulatory role of miRNAs in the cytogenetically normal AML (CN-AML) subtype pathway is still poor. The current study integrated miRNA and mRNA profiles to explore novel miRNA-mRNA interactions that affect the regulatory patterns of de novo CN-AML. Methods: We utilized a multiplexed nanoString nCounter platform to profile both miRNAs and mRNAs using similar sets of patient samples (n = 24). Correlations were assessed, and an miRNA-mRNA network was constructed. The underlying biological functions of the mRNAs were predicted by gene enrichment. Finally, the interacting pairs were assessed using TargetScan and microT-CDS. We identified 637 significant negative correlations (false discovery rate <0.05). Results: Network analysis revealed a cluster of 12 miRNAs representing the majority of mRNA targets. Within the cluster, five miRNAs (miR-495-3p, miR-185-5p, let-7i-5p, miR-409-3p, and miR-127-3p) were posited to play a pivotal role in the regulation of CN-AML, as they are associated with the negative regulation of myeloid leukocyte differentiation, negative regulation of myeloid cell differentiation, and positive regulation of hematopoiesis. Conclusion: Three novel interactions in CN-AML were predicted as let-7i-5p:HOXA9, miR-495-3p:PIK3R1, and miR-495-3p:CDK6 may be responsible for regulating myeloid cell differentiation in CN-AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezalia Esa
- Haematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Zubaidah Zakaria
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Alifah Nadia Abu Hassan
- Haematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yuslina Mat Yusoff
- Haematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nor Rizan Kamaluddin
- Haematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Zuhairi Abdul Rahman
- Haematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kian-Meng Chang
- Hospital Ampang, Jalan Mewah Utara, Pandan Mewah, Ampang, Malaysia
| | - Rashidah Mohamed
- Hospital Ampang, Jalan Mewah Utara, Pandan Mewah, Ampang, Malaysia
| | - Indhira Subbiah
- Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Bangunan Induk, Jalan Persiaran Abu Bakar Sultan, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Ehram Jamian
- Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Bangunan Induk, Jalan Persiaran Abu Bakar Sultan, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Caroline Siew-Ling Ho
- Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Bangunan Induk, Jalan Persiaran Abu Bakar Sultan, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Soo-Min Lim
- Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Bangunan Induk, Jalan Persiaran Abu Bakar Sultan, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Peng-Choon Lau
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yuh-Fen Pung
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Nottingham, Semenyih, Malaysia
| | - Shamsul Mohd Zain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Chen M, Qu Y, Yue P, Yan X. The Prognostic Value and Function of HOXB5 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Genet 2021; 12:678368. [PMID: 34421991 PMCID: PMC8376581 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.678368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Currently, cytogenetic and genetic markers are the most important for risk stratification and treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Despite the identification of many prognostic factors, relatively few have made their way into clinical practice. Therefore, the identification of new AML biomarkers is useful in the prognosis and monitoring of AML and contributes to a better understanding of the molecular basis of the disease. Homeobox (HOX) genes are transcription factors that lead to cell differentiation blockade and malignant self-renewal. However, the roles of HOX genes in AML are still not fully understood and need further exploration, which may provide new strategies for the prognosis and monitoring of AML. Methods We analyzed the RNA sequencing and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), VIZOME, GSE13159, and GSE9476 cohorts. Analyses were performed with GraphPad 7, the R language, and several online databases. We applied quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western Blotting, CCK8 cell proliferation assays, and flow cytometry to verify the conclusions of the bioinformatics analysis. Results We identified HOXB5 as the only gene among the HOX family that was not only elevated in AML but also a significant prognostic marker in AML patients. HOXB5 was highly expressed in AML patients with NPM1, FLT3, or DNMT3A mutations and was expressed at the highest level in patients with NPM1-FLT3-DNMT3A triple-mutant AML. Gene Ontology analysis and gene set enrichment analysis revealed that HOXB5 showed a negative correlation with the myeloid cell differentiation signature and that the tumor necrosis factor/nuclear factor κB signaling pathway was involved in the molecular mechanism. Moreover, we performed in silico protein–protein interaction analysis and 450K TCGA DNA methylation data analysis and found that HOXB5 interacted with two HOX genes (HOXA7 and HOXB4) that were commonly regulated by DNA methylation levels. Conclusion HOXB5 is associated with the malignant development of AML and may be a treatment target and biomarker for AML prognosis prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Chen
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yi Qu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Pengjie Yue
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaojing Yan
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Xu Q, Zhang Q, Dong M, Yu Y. MicroRNA-638 inhibits the progression of breast cancer through targeting HOXA9 and suppressing Wnt/β-cadherin pathway. World J Surg Oncol 2021; 19:247. [PMID: 34416888 PMCID: PMC8379838 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-021-02363-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies had shown that microRNA-638 (miR-638) exhibited different effects in malignant tumors. Moreover, the function of miR-638 has not been reported in breast cancer. Hence, we designed this research to explore the function of miR-638 in breast cancer. Methods Firstly, miR-638 expressions were measured in breast cancer tissues via RT-qPCR. Protein expressions were detected through immunocytochemical (IHC) assay and western blot analysis. Then, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Transwell assay were conducted to observe proliferation and motility of the cells. Dual luciferase assay was performed to confirm the binding site between miR-638 and Homeobox protein Hox-A9 (HOXA9). Results Reduced expression of miR-638 was detected in breast cancer. And low miR-638 expression was related to poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Functionally, the viability, migration, and invasion of the breast cancer cells were suppressed by miR-638 overexpression. Furthermore, miR-638 can directly bind to HOXA9, and increased expression of HOXA9 was also detected in breast cancer. In particular, HOXA9 upregulation can impair anti-tumor effect of miR-638 in breast cancer, and miR-638 can hinder the Wnt/β-cadherin pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer. Conclusion miR-638 inhibits breast cancer progression through binding to HOXA9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang People's Hospital, No. 151, Guangwen Street, Kuiwen District, Weifang, 261041, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang People's Hospital, No. 151, Guangwen Street, Kuiwen District, Weifang, 261041, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengli Dong
- Department of Oncology, Weifang People's Hospital, No. 151, Guangwen Street, Kuiwen District, Weifang, 261041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Yu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang People's Hospital, No. 151, Guangwen Street, Kuiwen District, Weifang, 261041, People's Republic of China.
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Gavory G, Baril C, Laberge G, Bidla G, Koonpaew S, Sonea T, Sauvageau G, Therrien M. A genetic screen in Drosophila uncovers the multifaceted properties of the NUP98-HOXA9 oncogene. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009730. [PMID: 34383740 PMCID: PMC8384169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) underlies the uncontrolled accumulation of immature myeloid blasts. Several cytogenetic abnormalities have been associated with AML. Among these is the NUP98-HOXA9 (NA9) translocation that fuses the Phe-Gly repeats of nucleoporin NUP98 to the homeodomain of the transcription factor HOXA9. The mechanisms enabling NA9-induced leukemia are poorly understood. Here, we conducted a genetic screen in Drosophila for modifiers of NA9. The screen uncovered 29 complementation groups, including genes with mammalian homologs known to impinge on NA9 activity. Markedly, the modifiers encompassed a diversity of functional categories, suggesting that NA9 perturbs multiple intracellular events. Unexpectedly, we discovered that NA9 promotes cell fate transdetermination and that this phenomenon is greatly influenced by NA9 modifiers involved in epigenetic regulation. Together, our work reveals a network of genes functionally connected to NA9 that not only provides insights into its mechanism of action, but also represents potential therapeutic targets. Acute myeloid leukemia or AML is a cancer of blood cells. Despite significant progress in recent years, a majority of afflicted individuals still succumbs to the disease. A variety of genetic defects have been associated to AML. Among these are chromosomal translocations, which entail the fusion of two genes, leading to the production of cancer-inducing chimeric proteins. A representative example is the NUP98-HOXA9 oncoprotein, which results from the fusion of the NUP98 and HOXA9 genes. The mechanism of action of NUP98-HOXA9 remains poorly understood. Given the evolutionarily conservation of NUP98 and HOXA9 as well as basic cellular processes across multicellular organisms, we took advantage of Drosophila fruit flies as a genetic tool to identify genes that impinge on the activity of human NUP98-HOXA9. Surprisingly, this approach identified a relatively large spectrum of conserved genes that engaged in functional interplay with NUP98-HOXA9, which indicated the pervasive effects that this oncogene has on basic cellular events. While some genes have been previously linked to NUP98-HOXA9, thus validating our experimental approach, several others are novel and as such represent potentially new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenaëlle Gavory
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Caroline Baril
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Gino Laberge
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Gawa Bidla
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Surapong Koonpaew
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Thomas Sonea
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Guy Sauvageau
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Département de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Marc Therrien
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Département de pathologie et de biologie cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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Miyamoto R, Kanai A, Okuda H, Komata Y, Takahashi S, Matsui H, Inaba T, Yokoyama A. HOXA9 promotes MYC-mediated leukemogenesis by maintaining gene expression for multiple anti-apoptotic pathways. eLife 2021; 10:e64148. [PMID: 34310280 PMCID: PMC8313233 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 is often highly expressed in leukemias. However, its precise roles in leukemogenesis remain elusive. Here, we show that HOXA9 maintains gene expression for multiple anti-apoptotic pathways to promote leukemogenesis. In MLL fusion-mediated leukemia, MLL fusion directly activates the expression of MYC and HOXA9. Combined expression of MYC and HOXA9 induced leukemia, whereas single gene transduction of either did not, indicating a synergy between MYC and HOXA9. HOXA9 sustained expression of the genes implicated in the hematopoietic precursor identity when expressed in hematopoietic precursors, but did not reactivate it once silenced. Among the HOXA9 target genes, BCL2 and SOX4 synergistically induced leukemia with MYC. Not only BCL2, but also SOX4 suppressed apoptosis, indicating that multiple anti-apoptotic pathways underlie cooperative leukemogenesis by HOXA9 and MYC. These results demonstrate that HOXA9 is a crucial transcriptional maintenance factor that promotes MYC-mediated leukemogenesis, potentially explaining why HOXA9 is highly expressed in many leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Miyamoto
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | - Akinori Kanai
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Okuda
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | - Yosuke Komata
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | - Satoshi Takahashi
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Hirotaka Matsui
- Department of Molecular Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Toshiya Inaba
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
- Division of Hematological Malignancy, National Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
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Wang Q, Zhang L, Zhu MQ, Zeng Z, Fang BZ, Xie JD, Pan JL, Wu CX, Wu N, Zhang R, Chen SN, Dai HP. A Recurrent Cryptic MED14-HOXA9 Rearrangement in an Adult Patient With Mixed-Phenotype Acute Leukemia, T/myeloid, NOS. Front Oncol 2021; 11:690218. [PMID: 34367969 PMCID: PMC8341862 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.690218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To define the fusion genes in T/myeloid mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (T/M MPAL), we performed transcriptome sequencing of diagnostic bone marrow samples from 20 adult patients. Our analysis identified a second instance of a recurrent MED14-HOXA9 chimeric gene resulting from the in-frame fusion of exon 23 of MED14 and exon 1 of HOXA9, the first in an adult patient. The MED14-HOXA9 fusion gene was detected in both the diagnostic and relapsed blasts with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. The patient received combined conventional chemotherapy but suffered relapse at 11 months and died of disease progression one year after the initial diagnosis. Our data suggest that MED14-HOXA9 is a cryptic recurrent aberration in T/M MPAL, which might indicate an aggressive clinical course and inferior outcome after conventional chemotherapy. Further studies will be carried out to reveal the effects of the MED14-HOXA9 fusion on the differentiation and proliferation of leukemia stem cells, as well as suitable treatment strategies for this emerging entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ming-Qing Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhao Zeng
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Bao-Zhi Fang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Main part of Suzhou Municipal Hospital), Suzhou, China
| | - Jun-Dan Xie
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jin-Lan Pan
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chun-Xiao Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ni Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ri Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Su-Ning Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hai-Ping Dai
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Gao Y, Miao Y, Zhang W, Ru X, Hou L. MicroRNA-365 induces apoptosis and inhibits invasion of human myeloma cells by targeting homeobox A9 (HOXA9). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 85:103627. [PMID: 33621688 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2021.103627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aberrant micro-RNA (miR) expression has been reported to play a vital role in proliferation and tumorigenesis and of several human cancers. MicroRNA-365 (miR-365) has been shown to exhibit tumor-suppressive or oncogenic role in several human cancers. Nonetheless, little is known about its growth regulatory role in human multiple myeloma. The present study characterized the regulatory control exercised by miR-365 in multiple myeloma. The results showed significant (P < 0.05) upregulation of miR-365 in myeloma tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-365 significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed the proliferation and inhibition of miR-365 promoted the proliferation of the human myeloma cells. The tumor-suppressive effects of miR-365 were found to be the result of apoptosis in the IM-9 myeloma cells. The miR-365 overexpression also suppressed the invasion of the IM-9 myeloma cells. The homeobox gene, HOXA9 was identified as the molecular regulatory target of miR-365 in human myeloma. The overexpression of miR-365 was shown to cause suppression of HOXA9. The silencing of HOXA9 could also suppress the growth of the IM-9 myeloma cells while as the overexpression of HOXA9 could abolish the tumor-suppressive effects of miR-365. The in vivo study revealed that miR-365 inhibits the growth of the xenografted tumors. Nonetheless, the inhibition of miR-365 promotes the growth of the xenografted tumors. To sum up, the current study suggests the tumor-suppressive effects of miR-365 in human myeloma and highlights the applicability of miR-365 as vital therapeutic target against this fatal malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gao
- Department of Hematology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710068, China
| | - Yudi Miao
- Department of Hematology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710068, China
| | - Weihua Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710068, China
| | - Xingli Ru
- Department of Hematology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710068, China
| | - LiMin Hou
- Department of Hematology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710068, China.
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Liu T, Ji C, Sun Y, Bai W. HOXA9 Expression is Associated with Advanced Tumour Stage and Prognosis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:4147-4154. [PMID: 34045901 PMCID: PMC8149281 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s305814] [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: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Homeobox A9 (HOXA9), a member of the HOX protein family, plays diverse biological roles in embryonic development and carcinogenesis. The prognostic value of HOXA9 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is not well-defined. The present study aimed to analyse NPC tissue HOXA9 expression and determine prognostic significance by investigating the relationship between HOXA9 expression and clinicopathologic features. Methods Between January 2010 and December 2014, 252 NPC patients and 30 chronic nasopharyngitis patients (control group) were recruited to participate in the present study. Correlations between HOXA9 expression level and clinicopathologic features (including survival) were analysed. Results High HOXA9 expression was significantly associated with clinical stage (p < 0.01) and higher T stage (p < 0.01). In univariate analysis, high HOXA9 expression predicted overall survival (OS) (p = 0.011). In multivariate analysis, HOXA9 over-expression independently and significantly predicted poorer PFS (p < 0.01, hazard ratio (HR) = 2.387, 95% CI [0.876, 6.545]) and OS (p < 0.01, HR = 2.486, 95% CI [1.041, 8.926]). Conclusion High HOXA9 expression is an independent prognostic factor associated with advanced tumour stage and poorer survival in NPC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiancong Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Ji
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiliang Bai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
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Feng W, Yang X, Wang L, Wang R, Yang F, Wang H, Liu X, Ren Q, Zhang Y, Zhu X, Zheng G. P2X7 promotes the progression of MLL-AF9 induced acute myeloid leukemia by upregulation of Pbx3. Haematologica 2021; 106:1278-1289. [PMID: 32165482 PMCID: PMC8094107 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.243360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleotides mediate intercellular communication by activating purinergic receptors and take part in various physiological and pathological processes. Abnormal purinergic signaling plays important roles in malignant progression. P2X7, which belongs to the P2X family of purinergic receptors, is abnormally expressed in various types of malignancies including leukemia. However, its role and molecular mechanism in leukemia have not been elucidated. Here, we analyzed the correlation between P2X7 expression and AML clinical outcome; explored the role and mechanism of P2X7 in AML progression by using mouse acute myeloid leukemia (AML), nude mouse xenograft and patient-derived xenograft models. High levels of P2X7 expression were correlated with worse survival in AML. P2X7 was highly expressed in MLL-rearranged AML. Furthermore, P2X7 accelerated the progression of MLL-rearranged AML by both promoting cell proliferation and increasing leukemia stem cell (LSC) levels. Moreover, P2X7 caused upregulation of Pbx3 accounts for its pro-leukemic effects. The P2X7-Pbx3 pathway might also contribute to the progression of other types of leukemia as well as solid tumors with high levels of P2X7 expression. Our study provides new insights into the malignant progression caused by abnormal purinergic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Feng
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Feifei Yang
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Qian Ren
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Yingchi Zhang
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Xiaofan Zhu
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Guoguang Zheng
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, China
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Acute Myelogenous Leukemia with the t(7;7)(p15;p22) Translocation, a Novel Simple Variant of t(7;11)(p15;p15) Translocation: First Description. Case Rep Hematol 2021; 2021:5529669. [PMID: 33986963 PMCID: PMC8079180 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5529669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The t(7;11)(p15;p15) translocation is a recurrent genetic abnormality associated with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The translocation results in a fusion between the nucleoporin 98 and homeobox genes. We describe a case of AML with t(7; 7)(p15;p22) translocation, which is a novel simple variant of the t(7;11)(p15;p15) translocation. A 66-year-old woman presented with subcutaneous hemorrhage in both forearms. Laboratory test revealed hyperleukocytosis (white blood cell count: 97,800 cells/µL (blasts, 51.0%)), anemia (hemoglobin level: 7.6 g/dL), thrombocytopenia (platelet count: 6.5 × 104/μL), and hyperfibrinolysis (elevated d-dimer level: 12.4 µg/mL; fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products: 26.9 µg/mL). The patient was diagnosed with AML; the blast morphology was unclassifiable according to the French-American-British classification. Flow cytometry CD45 gating revealed that the blasts expressed CD34, CD13, CD33, and CD117. G-banding of tumor cells revealed the t(7;7)(p15;p22) translocation [20/20]. The patient underwent chemotherapy. At 48 days of admission, the patient died of multiple organ failure. The t(7;7)(p15;p22) translocation involved chromosome 7p15, indicating its association with the homeobox genes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with AML with the t(7;7)(p15;p22) translocation, which is a simple novel variant of the t(7;11)(p15;p15) translocation.
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