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Marchesini M, Gherli A, Simoncini E, Tor LMD, Montanaro A, Thongon N, Vento F, Liverani C, Cerretani E, D'Antuono A, Pagliaro L, Zamponi R, Spadazzi C, Follini E, Cambò B, Giaimo M, Falco A, Sammarelli G, Todaro G, Bonomini S, Adami V, Piazza S, Corbo C, Lorusso B, Mezzasoma F, Lagrasta CAM, Martelli MP, La Starza R, Cuneo A, Aversa F, Mecucci C, Quaini F, Colla S, Roti G. Orthogonal proteogenomic analysis identifies the druggable PA2G4-MYC axis in 3q26 AML. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4739. [PMID: 38834613 PMCID: PMC11150407 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48953-3] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The overexpression of the ecotropic viral integration site-1 gene (EVI1/MECOM) marks the most lethal acute myeloid leukemia (AML) subgroup carrying chromosome 3q26 abnormalities. By taking advantage of the intersectionality of high-throughput cell-based and gene expression screens selective and pan-histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) emerge as potent repressors of EVI1. To understand the mechanism driving on-target anti-leukemia activity of this compound class, here we dissect the expression dynamics of the bone marrow leukemia cells of patients treated with HDACi and reconstitute the EVI1 chromatin-associated co-transcriptional complex merging on the role of proliferation-associated 2G4 (PA2G4) protein. PA2G4 overexpression rescues AML cells from the inhibitory effects of HDACis, while genetic and small molecule inhibition of PA2G4 abrogates EVI1 in 3q26 AML cells, including in patient-derived leukemia xenografts. This study positions PA2G4 at the crosstalk of the EVI1 leukemogenic signal for developing new therapeutics and urges the use of HDACis-based combination therapies in patients with 3q26 AML.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Female
- Humans
- Mice
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cell Proliferation/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic/drug effects
- Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- MDS1 and EVI1 Complex Locus Protein/metabolism
- MDS1 and EVI1 Complex Locus Protein/genetics
- Proteogenomics/methods
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Marchesini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Andrea Gherli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elisa Simoncini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Lucas Moron Dalla Tor
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Anna Montanaro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Natthakan Thongon
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Federica Vento
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Liverani
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Elisa Cerretani
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna D'Antuono
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Pagliaro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Hematology and BMT Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Raffaella Zamponi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Spadazzi
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Elena Follini
- Hematology and BMT Unit, Azienda USL Piacenza, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Benedetta Cambò
- Hematology and BMT Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Giaimo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Hematology and BMT Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Angela Falco
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gabriella Sammarelli
- Hematology and BMT Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giannalisa Todaro
- Hematology and BMT Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Sabrina Bonomini
- Hematology and BMT Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Valentina Adami
- High-Throughput Screening Core Facility, CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- High-Throughput Screening Core Facility, CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Computational Biology group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudia Corbo
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Medicine and Surgery, NANOMIB Center, Monza, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Lorusso
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Mezzasoma
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato-Oncology Research, University of Perugia and Santa Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Maria Paola Martelli
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato-Oncology Research, University of Perugia and Santa Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberta La Starza
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato-Oncology Research, University of Perugia and Santa Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Cuneo
- Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria S.ANNA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Mecucci
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato-Oncology Research, University of Perugia and Santa Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Federico Quaini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Colla
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Giovanni Roti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics Laboratory, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
- Hematology and BMT Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy.
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2
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Santoro N, Salutari P, Di Ianni M, Marra A. Precision Medicine Approaches in Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Adverse Genetics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4259. [PMID: 38673842 PMCID: PMC11050344 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084259] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with adverse genetics remains unsatisfactory, with very low response rates to standard chemotherapy and shorter durations of remission commonly observed in these patients. The complex biology of AML with adverse genetics is continuously evolving. Herein, we discuss recent advances in the field focusing on the contribution of molecular drivers of leukemia biogenesis and evolution and on the alterations of the immune system that can be exploited with immune-based therapeutic strategies. We focus on the biological rationales for combining targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which are currently being investigated in ongoing trials, and could hopefully ameliorate the poor outcomes of patients affected by AML with adverse genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Santoro
- Hematology Unit, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Ospedale Civile “Santo Spirito”, 65122 Pescara, Italy; (P.S.); (M.D.I.)
| | - Prassede Salutari
- Hematology Unit, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Ospedale Civile “Santo Spirito”, 65122 Pescara, Italy; (P.S.); (M.D.I.)
| | - Mauro Di Ianni
- Hematology Unit, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Ospedale Civile “Santo Spirito”, 65122 Pescara, Italy; (P.S.); (M.D.I.)
- Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, “G.D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Marra
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00196 Rome, Italy
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3
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Birdwell CE, Fiskus W, Kadia TM, Mill CP, Sasaki K, Daver N, DiNardo CD, Pemmaraju N, Borthakur G, Davis JA, Das K, Sharma S, Horrigan S, Ruan X, Su X, Khoury JD, Kantarjian H, Bhalla KN. Preclinical efficacy of targeting epigenetic mechanisms in AML with 3q26 lesions and EVI1 overexpression. Leukemia 2024; 38:545-556. [PMID: 38086946 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-02108-3] [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: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
AML with chromosomal alterations involving 3q26 overexpresses the transcription factor (TF) EVI1, associated with therapy refractoriness and inferior overall survival in AML. Consistent with a CRISPR screen highlighting BRD4 dependency, treatment with BET inhibitor (BETi) repressed EVI1, LEF1, c-Myc, c-Myb, CDK4/6, and MCL1, and induced apoptosis of AML cells with 3q26 lesions. Tegavivint (TV, BC-2059), known to disrupt the binding of nuclear β-catenin and TCF7L2/LEF1 with TBL1, also inhibited co-localization of EVI1 with TBL1 and dose-dependently induced apoptosis in AML cell lines and patient-derived (PD) AML cells with 3q26.2 lesions. TV treatment repressed EVI1, attenuated enhancer activity at ERG, TCF7L2, GATA2 and MECOM loci, abolished interactions between MYC enhancers, repressing AML stemness while upregulating mRNA gene-sets of interferon/inflammatory response, TGF-β signaling and apoptosis-regulation. Co-treatment with TV and BETi or venetoclax induced synergistic in vitro lethality and reduced AML burden, improving survival of NSG mice harboring xenografts of AML with 3q26.2 lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Warren Fiskus
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tapan M Kadia
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Christopher P Mill
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Koji Sasaki
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Naval Daver
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Courtney D DiNardo
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - John A Davis
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kaberi Das
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | | | - Xinjia Ruan
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiaoping Su
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joseph D Khoury
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Hagop Kantarjian
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kapil N Bhalla
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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4
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Mill CP, Fiskus WC, DiNardo CD, Reville P, Davis JA, Birdwell CE, Das K, Hou H, Takahashi K, Flores L, Ruan X, Su X, Loghavi S, Khoury JD, Bhalla KN. Efficacy of novel agents against cellular models of familial platelet disorder with myeloid malignancy (FPD-MM). Blood Cancer J 2024; 14:25. [PMID: 38316746 PMCID: PMC10844204 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-00981-4] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Germline, mono-allelic mutations in RUNX1 cause familial platelet disorder (RUNX1-FPD) that evolves into myeloid malignancy (FPD-MM): MDS or AML. FPD-MM commonly harbors co-mutations in the second RUNX1 allele and/or other epigenetic regulators. Here we utilized patient-derived (PD) FPD-MM cells and established the first FPD-MM AML cell line (GMR-AML1). GMR-AML1 cells exhibited active super-enhancers of MYB, MYC, BCL2 and CDK6, augmented expressions of c-Myc, c-Myb, EVI1 and PLK1 and surface markers of AML stem cells. In longitudinally studied bone marrow cells from a patient at FPD-MM vs RUNX1-FPD state, we confirmed increased chromatin accessibility and mRNA expressions of MYB, MECOM and BCL2 in FPD-MM cells. GMR-AML1 and PD FPD-MM cells were sensitive to homoharringtonine (HHT or omacetaxine) or mebendazole-induced lethality, associated with repression of c-Myc, EVI1, PLK1, CDK6 and MCL1. Co-treatment with MB and the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib exerted synergistic in vitro lethality in GMR-AML1 cells. In luciferase-expressing GMR-AML1 xenograft model, MB, omacetaxine or volasertib monotherapy, or co-treatment with MB and volasertib, significantly reduced AML burden and improved survival in the immune-depleted mice. These findings highlight the molecular features of FPD-MM progression and demonstrate HHT, MB and/or volasertib as effective agents against cellular models of FPD-MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Mill
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Warren C Fiskus
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Courtney D DiNardo
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Patrick Reville
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - John A Davis
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Kaberi Das
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hanxi Hou
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Koichi Takahashi
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Lauren Flores
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xinjia Ruan
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiaoping Su
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sanam Loghavi
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joseph D Khoury
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Kapil N Bhalla
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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5
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Li A, Li M, Wang J, Zhou J, Yang T, Fan M, Zhang K, Gao H, Ren H, Chen M. MECOM: a bioinformatics and experimentally identified marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Biomark Med 2024; 18:79-91. [PMID: 38440890 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2023-0600] [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] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to explore the clinical value of MDS1 and EVI1 complex locus (MECOM) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods: Bioinformatics and experimental validation confirmed MECOM expression levels in LUAD. The value of MECOM was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Cox regression analysis. Results: Serum MECOM levels were lower in LUAD and correlated with gender, TNM stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of MECOM was 0.804 for LUAD and, of note, could reach 0.889 for advanced LUAD; specificity was up to 90%. Conclusion: MECOM may contribute to independently identifying LUAD patients, particularly in advanced stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Li
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Shaanxi Provincial Second People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710005, China
| | - Jiejun Zhou
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Tian Yang
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Meng Fan
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Hengxing Gao
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Hui Ren
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Mingwei Chen
- Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Department of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Shaanxi Provincial Second People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710005, China
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6
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Jagurinoski M, Davidkova Y, Stojcov-Jagurinoska M, Balatzenko G, Spassov B, Guenova M. Secondary acute myeloid leukemia and de novo acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes - close or complete strangers? Folia Med (Plovdiv) 2023; 65:728-736. [PMID: 38351754 DOI: 10.3897/folmed.65.e98404] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM To compare the main features of patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) after post-myelodysplastic syndrome (AML-post-MDS) or post-myeloproliferative neoplasms (AML-post-MPN) and myeloid blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-BC) vs. de novoAMLs with myelodysplastic characteristics (dn-AML-MDS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Jagurinoski
- National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Hematological Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Yanitsa Davidkova
- National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Hematological Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Gueorgui Balatzenko
- National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Hematological Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Branimir Spassov
- National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Hematological Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Margarita Guenova
- National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Hematological Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
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7
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Nagai K, Niihori T, Muto A, Hayashi Y, Abe T, Igarashi K, Aoki Y. Mecom mutation related to radioulnar synostosis with amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia reduces HSPCs in mice. Blood Adv 2023; 7:5409-5420. [PMID: 37099686 PMCID: PMC10509669 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Radioulnar synostosis with amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (RUSAT) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome characterized by the congenital fusion of the forearm bones. RUSAT is largely caused by missense mutations that are clustered in a specific region of the MDS1 and EVI1 complex locus (MECOM). EVI1, a transcript variant encoded by MECOM, is a zinc finger transcription factor involved in hematopoietic stem cell maintenance that induce leukemic transformation when overexpressed. Mice with exonic deletions in Mecom show reduced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). However, the pathogenic roles of RUSAT-associated MECOM mutations in vivo have not yet been elucidated. To investigate the impact of the RUSAT-associated MECOM mutation on the phenotype, we generated knockin mice harboring a point mutation (translated into EVI1 p.H752R and MDS1-EVI1 p.H942R), which corresponds to an EVI1 p.H751R and MDS1-EVI1 p.H939R mutation identified in a patient with RUSAT. Homozygous mutant mice died at embryonic day 10.5 to 11.5. Heterozygous mutant mice (Evi1KI/+ mice) grew normally without radioulnar synostosis. Male Evi1KI/+ mice, aged between 5 and 15 weeks, exhibited lower body weight, and those aged ≥16 weeks showed low platelet counts. Flow cytometric analysis of bone marrow cells revealed a decrease in HSPCs in Evi1KI/+ mice between 8 and 12 weeks. Moreover, Evi1KI/+ mice showed delayed leukocyte and platelet recovery after 5-fluorouracil-induced myelosuppression. These findings suggest that Evi1KI/+ mice recapitulate the bone marrow dysfunction in RUSAT, similar to that caused by loss-of-function Mecom alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Nagai
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Niihori
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Akihiko Muto
- Department of Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Hayashi
- Division of Functional Structure, Department of Morphological Biology, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Taiki Abe
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Igarashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yoko Aoki
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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8
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Richard-Carpentier G, Rausch CR, Sasaki K, Hammond D, Morita K, Takahashi K, Tang G, Kanagal-Shamanna R, Bhalla K, Dinardo CD, Borthakur G, Pemmaraju N, Shpall EJ, Alousi A, Daver NG, Garcia-Manero G, Konopleva MY, Ravandi F, Kantarjian HM, Kadia TM. Characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia with inv(3)(q21q26.2) or t(3;3)(q21;q26.2). Haematologica 2023; 108:2331-2342. [PMID: 36951163 PMCID: PMC10483357 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.282030] [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: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) has a very poor prognosis. Determinants of clinical outcomes and optimal treatment remain uncertain. We retrospectively reviewed 108 cases of AML with inv(3)/t(3;3) and evaluated clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes: 53 newly diagnosed (ND) AML and 55 relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML. Median age was 55 years. White blood cell (WBC) count ≥20x109/L and platelet count ≥140x109/L was observed in 25% and 32% of ND patients, respectively. Anomalies involving chromosome 7 were identified in 56% of patients. The most frequently mutated genes were SF3B1, PTPN11, NRAS, KRAS and ASXL1. In ND patients, the composite complete remission (CRc) rate was 46% overall; 46% with high-intensity treatments and 47% with lowintensity treatments. The 30-day mortality was 14% and 0%, with high- and low-intensity treatment, respectively. In R/R patients, the CRc rate was 14%. Venetoclax based-regimens were associated with a CRc rate of 33%. The 3-year overall survival (OS) was 8.8% and 7.1% in ND and R/R patients, respectively. The 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 81.7% overall. Older age, high WBC, high peripheral blast count, secondary AML and KRAS, ASXL1, DNMT3A mutations were associated with worse OS in univariable analyses. The 5-year OS rates were 44% and 6% with or without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in CR1, respectively. AML with inv(3)/t(3;3) is associated with low CR rates, very high risk of relapse and dismal long-term survival. Intensive chemotherapy and hy pomethylating agents provide similar rates of remission and patients achieving CR benefit from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in first CR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Richard-Carpentier
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Caitlin R Rausch
- Division of Pharmacy, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Koji Sasaki
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Danielle Hammond
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kiyomi Morita
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Koichi Takahashi
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Guilin Tang
- Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Rashmi Kanagal-Shamanna
- Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kapil Bhalla
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Courtney D Dinardo
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Elizabeth J Shpall
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Amin Alousi
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Naval G Daver
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Guillermo Garcia-Manero
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Marina Y Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Farhad Ravandi
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hagop M Kantarjian
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Tapan M Kadia
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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9
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Fleischauer J, Bastone AL, Selich A, John-Neek P, Weisskoeppel L, Schaudien D, Schambach A, Rothe M. TGF β Inhibitor A83-01 Enhances Murine HSPC Expansion for Gene Therapy. Cells 2023; 12:1978. [PMID: 37566057 PMCID: PMC10416825 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151978] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are commonly used as model systems during gene therapeutic retroviral vector development and preclinical biosafety assessment. Here, we developed cell culture conditions to maintain stemness and prevent differentiation during HSPC culture. We used the small compounds A83-01, pomalidomide, and UM171 (APU). Highly purified LSK SLAM cells expanded in medium containing SCF, IL-3, FLT3-L, and IL-11 but rapidly differentiated to myeloid progenitors and mast cells. The supplementation of APU attenuated the differentiation and preserved the stemness of HSPCs. The TGFβ inhibitor A83-01 was identified as the major effector. It significantly inhibited the mast-cell-associated expression of FcεR1α and the transcription of genes regulating the formation of granules and promoted a 3800-fold expansion of LSK cells. As a functional readout, we used expanded HSPCs in state-of-the-art genotoxicity assays. Like fresh cells, APU-expanded HSPCs transduced with a mutagenic retroviral vector developed a myeloid differentiation block with clonal restriction and dysregulated oncogenic transcriptomic signatures due to vector integration near the high-risk locus Mecom. Thus, expanded HSPCs might serve as a novel cell source for retroviral vector testing and genotoxicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenni Fleischauer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.F.); (A.L.B.); (A.S.); (P.J.-N.); (L.W.); (A.S.)
- REBIRTH—Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Antonella Lucia Bastone
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.F.); (A.L.B.); (A.S.); (P.J.-N.); (L.W.); (A.S.)
- REBIRTH—Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Anton Selich
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.F.); (A.L.B.); (A.S.); (P.J.-N.); (L.W.); (A.S.)
- REBIRTH—Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Philipp John-Neek
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.F.); (A.L.B.); (A.S.); (P.J.-N.); (L.W.); (A.S.)
- REBIRTH—Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Luisa Weisskoeppel
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.F.); (A.L.B.); (A.S.); (P.J.-N.); (L.W.); (A.S.)
- REBIRTH—Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Schaudien
- Department of Inhalation Toxicology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Nikolai Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.F.); (A.L.B.); (A.S.); (P.J.-N.); (L.W.); (A.S.)
- REBIRTH—Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Rothe
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.F.); (A.L.B.); (A.S.); (P.J.-N.); (L.W.); (A.S.)
- REBIRTH—Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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10
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Khademi R, Malekzadeh H, Bahrami S, Saki N, Khademi R, Villa-Diaz LG. Regulation and Functions of α6-Integrin (CD49f) in Cancer Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3466. [PMID: 37444576 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133466] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, our knowledge of integrins has evolved from being understood as simple cell surface adhesion molecules to receptors that have a complex range of intracellular and extracellular functions, such as delivering chemical and mechanical signals to cells. Consequently, they actively control cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of integrin signaling is a major factor in the development and progression of many tumors. Many reviews have covered the broader integrin family in molecular and cellular studies and its roles in diseases. Nevertheless, further understanding of the mechanisms specific to an individual subunit of different heterodimers is more useful. Thus, we describe the current understanding of and exploratory investigations on the α6-integrin subunit (CD49f, VLA6; encoded by the gene itga6) in normal and cancer cells. The roles of ITGA6 in cell adhesion, stemness, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance, and as a diagnosis biomarker, are discussed. The role of ITGA6 differs based on several features, such as cell background, cancer type, and post-transcriptional alterations. In addition, exosomal ITGA6 also implies metastatic organotropism. The importance of ITGA6 in the progression of a number of cancers, including hematological malignancies, suggests its potential usage as a novel prognostic or diagnostic marker and useful therapeutic target for better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahele Khademi
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (Immuno_TACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
| | - Hossein Malekzadeh
- Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Sara Bahrami
- Resident of Restorative Dentistry, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin 3419759811, Iran
| | - Najmaldin Saki
- Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Reyhane Khademi
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (Immuno_TACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Para-Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Luis G Villa-Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
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11
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Zerella JR, Homan CC, Arts P, Brown AL, Scott HS, Hahn CN. Transcription factor genetics and biology in predisposition to bone marrow failure and hematological malignancy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1183318. [PMID: 37377909 PMCID: PMC10291195 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1183318] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) play a critical role as key mediators of a multitude of developmental pathways, with highly regulated and tightly organized networks crucial for determining both the timing and pattern of tissue development. TFs can act as master regulators of both primitive and definitive hematopoiesis, tightly controlling the behavior of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). These networks control the functional regulation of HSPCs including self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation dynamics, which are essential to normal hematopoiesis. Defining the key players and dynamics of these hematopoietic transcriptional networks is essential to understanding both normal hematopoiesis and how genetic aberrations in TFs and their networks can predispose to hematopoietic disease including bone marrow failure (BMF) and hematological malignancy (HM). Despite their multifaceted and complex involvement in hematological development, advances in genetic screening along with elegant multi-omics and model system studies are shedding light on how hematopoietic TFs interact and network to achieve normal cell fates and their role in disease etiology. This review focuses on TFs which predispose to BMF and HM, identifies potential novel candidate predisposing TF genes, and examines putative biological mechanisms leading to these phenotypes. A better understanding of the genetics and molecular biology of hematopoietic TFs, as well as identifying novel genes and genetic variants predisposing to BMF and HM, will accelerate the development of preventative strategies, improve clinical management and counseling, and help define targeted treatments for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarna R. Zerella
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Claire C. Homan
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Peer Arts
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Anna L. Brown
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Hamish S. Scott
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Christopher N. Hahn
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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12
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Skopek R, Palusińska M, Kaczor-Keller K, Pingwara R, Papierniak-Wyglądała A, Schenk T, Lewicki S, Zelent A, Szymański Ł. Choosing the Right Cell Line for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5377. [PMID: 36982453 PMCID: PMC10049680 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Immortalized cell lines are widely used in vitro tools in oncology and hematology research. While these cell lines represent artificial systems and may accumulate genetic aberrations with each passage, they are still considered valuable models for pilot, preliminary, and screening studies. Despite their limitations, cell lines are cost-effective and provide repeatable and comparable results. Choosing the appropriate cell line for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) research is crucial for obtaining reliable and relevant results. Several factors should be considered when selecting a cell line for AML research, such as specific markers and genetic abnormalities associated with different subtypes of AML. It is also essential to evaluate the karyotype and mutational profile of the cell line, as these can influence the behavior and response to the treatment of the cells. In this review, we evaluate immortalized AML cell lines and discuss the issues surrounding them concerning the revised World Health Organization and the French-American-British classifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Skopek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Palusińska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kaczor-Keller
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Rafał Pingwara
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Tino Schenk
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine Jena (CMB), Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Sławomir Lewicki
- Faculty of Medical Sciences and Health Sciences, Kazimierz Pulaski University of Technology and Humanities, 26-600 Radom, Poland
- Institute of Outcomes Research, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Medical Academy, 00-001 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Zelent
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szymański
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
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13
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Gialesaki S, Bräuer-Hartmann D, Issa H, Bhayadia R, Alejo-Valle O, Verboon L, Schmell AL, Laszig S, Regényi E, Schuschel K, Labuhn M, Ng M, Winkler R, Ihling C, Sinz A, Glaß M, Hüttelmaier S, Matzk S, Schmid L, Strüwe FJ, Kadel SK, Reinhardt D, Yaspo ML, Heckl D, Klusmann JH. RUNX1 isoform disequilibrium promotes the development of trisomy 21-associated myeloid leukemia. Blood 2023; 141:1105-1118. [PMID: 36493345 PMCID: PMC10023736 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022017619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gain of chromosome 21 (Hsa21) is among the most frequent aneuploidies in leukemia. However, it remains unclear how partial or complete amplifications of Hsa21 promote leukemogenesis and why children with Down syndrome (DS) (ie, trisomy 21) are particularly at risk of leukemia development. Here, we propose that RUNX1 isoform disequilibrium with RUNX1A bias is key to DS-associated myeloid leukemia (ML-DS). Starting with Hsa21-focused CRISPR-CRISPR-associated protein 9 screens, we uncovered a strong and specific RUNX1 dependency in ML-DS cells. Expression of the RUNX1A isoform is elevated in patients with ML-DS, and mechanistic studies using murine ML-DS models and patient-derived xenografts revealed that excess RUNX1A synergizes with the pathognomonic Gata1s mutation during leukemogenesis by displacing RUNX1C from its endogenous binding sites and inducing oncogenic programs in complex with the MYC cofactor MAX. These effects were reversed by restoring the RUNX1A:RUNX1C equilibrium in patient-derived xenografts in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, pharmacological interference with MYC:MAX dimerization using MYCi361 exerted strong antileukemic effects. Thus, our study highlights the importance of alternative splicing in leukemogenesis, even on a background of aneuploidy, and paves the way for the development of specific and targeted therapies for ML-DS, as well as for other leukemias with Hsa21 aneuploidy or RUNX1 isoform disequilibrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Gialesaki
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniela Bräuer-Hartmann
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Hasan Issa
- Department of Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Raj Bhayadia
- Department of Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Oriol Alejo-Valle
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Lonneke Verboon
- Department of Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Schmell
- Department of Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephanie Laszig
- Department of Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Enikő Regényi
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Konstantin Schuschel
- Department of Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Maurice Labuhn
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michelle Ng
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Robert Winkler
- Department of Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christian Ihling
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Andrea Sinz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Markus Glaß
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Stefan Hüttelmaier
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Sören Matzk
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lena Schmid
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Sofie-Katrin Kadel
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Reinhardt
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Dirk Heckl
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Dirk Heckl, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany;
| | - Jan-Henning Klusmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: Jan-Henning Klusmann, Department of Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany;
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14
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Chen Y, Ying Y, Wang M, Ma C, Jia M, Shi L, Wang S, Zheng X, Chen W, Shu XS. A distal super-enhancer activates oncogenic ETS2 via recruiting MECOM in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:8. [PMID: 36609474 PMCID: PMC9822945 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05513-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal activities of distal cis-regulatory elements (CREs) contribute to the initiation and progression of cancer. Gain of super-enhancer (SE), a highly active distal CRE, is essential for the activation of key oncogenes in various cancers. However, the mechanism of action for most tumor-specific SEs still largely remains elusive. Here, we report that a candidate oncogene ETS2 was activated by a distal SE in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). The SE physically interacted with the ETS2 promoter and was required for the transcription activation of ETS2. Strikingly, the ETS2-SE activity was dramatically upregulated in both IBD and CRC tissues when compared to normal colon controls and was strongly correlated with the level of ETS2 expression. The tumor-specific activation of ETS2-SE was further validated by increased enhancer RNA transcription from this region in CRC. Intriguingly, a known IBD-risk SNP resides in the ETS2-SE and the genetic variant modulated the level of ETS2 expression through affecting the binding of an oncogenic transcription factor MECOM. Silencing of MECOM induced significant downregulation of ETS2 in CRC cells, and the level of MECOM and ETS2 correlated well with each other in CRC and IBD samples. Functionally, MECOM and ETS2 were both required for maintaining the colony-formation and sphere-formation capacities of CRC cells and MECOM was crucial for promoting migration. Taken together, we uncovered a novel disease-specific SE that distantly drives oncogenic ETS2 expression in IBD and CRC and delineated a mechanistic link between non-coding genetic variation and epigenetic regulation of gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongheng Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Maolin Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, China
| | - Canjie Ma
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Min Jia
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Liang Shi
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Shilan Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xiangyi Zheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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15
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Heuts BMH, Arza-Apalategi S, Frölich S, Bergevoet SM, van den Oever SN, van Heeringen SJ, van der Reijden BA, Martens JHA. Identification of transcription factors dictating blood cell development using a bidirectional transcription network-based computational framework. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18656. [PMID: 36333382 PMCID: PMC9636203 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21148-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced computational methods exploit gene expression and epigenetic datasets to predict gene regulatory networks controlled by transcription factors (TFs). These methods have identified cell fate determining TFs but require large amounts of reference data and experimental expertise. Here, we present an easy to use network-based computational framework that exploits enhancers defined by bidirectional transcription, using as sole input CAGE sequencing data to correctly predict TFs key to various human cell types. Next, we applied this Analysis Algorithm for Networks Specified by Enhancers based on CAGE (ANANSE-CAGE) to predict TFs driving red and white blood cell development, and THP-1 leukemia cell immortalization. Further, we predicted TFs that are differentially important to either cell line- or primary- associated MLL-AF9-driven gene programs, and in primary MLL-AF9 acute leukemia. Our approach identified experimentally validated as well as thus far unexplored TFs in these processes. ANANSE-CAGE will be useful to identify transcription factors that are key to any cell fate change using only CAGE-seq data as input.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. M. H. Heuts
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, RIMLS, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - S. Arza-Apalategi
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - S. Frölich
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, RIMLS, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - S. M. Bergevoet
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - S. N. van den Oever
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, RIMLS, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - S. J. van Heeringen
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, RIMLS, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - B. A. van der Reijden
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J. H. A. Martens
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, RIMLS, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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16
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Abu-Serie MM, Habashy NH. Suppressing crucial oncogenes of leukemia initiator cells by major royal jelly protein 2 for mediating apoptosis in myeloid and lymphoid leukemia cells. Food Funct 2022; 13:8951-8966. [PMID: 35929786 DOI: 10.1039/d2fo00999d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Relapse of leukemia and drug resistance are still the major obstacles to therapy due to leukemia-initiating stem/progenitor cells (LICs); thus, targeting them using safe compounds is crucial. Here, we evaluated the anti-leukemic effect of royal jelly (RJ) components, which had a higher safe concentration (EC100 values) than the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX). The RJ-protein fraction 50 (PF50, precipitated at 40-50% ammonium sulfate saturation) and its constituents, major RJ protein (MRJP) 2 and its isoform X1, exhibited the highest growth inhibitory effect against myeloid NFS-60 and lymphoid Jurkat cell lines. MRJP2 has a nanosize, which may be the reason for its higher anti-leukemic activity than its isoform. These RJ proteins, particularly MRJP2, suppressed LIC-associated oncogenes (GATA2 and Evi-1) and eliminated CD34+ LICs, in contrast to the low anti-LIC efficacy of DOX. MRJP2 demonstrated higher apoptotic activity than its isoform by upregulating p53 and p21-mediated cell cycle arrest. This study also reported the potent inhibitory effect of RJ-proteins on matrix metallopeptidase 10 (metastatic marker) and histone deacetylase 8 (mediates LIC survival) activities. Thus, MRJP2 can be considered a promising novel therapeutic agent for both myeloid and lymphoid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa M Abu-Serie
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg EL-Arab 21934, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Noha H Habashy
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21511, Egypt.
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17
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Tanaka A, Nakano TA, Nomura M, Yamazaki H, Bewersdorf JP, Mulet-Lazaro R, Hogg S, Liu B, Penson A, Yokoyama A, Zang W, Havermans M, Koizumi M, Hayashi Y, Cho H, Kanai A, Lee SC, Xiao M, Koike Y, Zhang Y, Fukumoto M, Aoyama Y, Konuma T, Kunimoto H, Inaba T, Nakajima H, Honda H, Kawamoto H, Delwel R, Abdel-Wahab O, Inoue D. Aberrant EVI1 splicing contributes to EVI1-rearranged leukemia. Blood 2022; 140:875-888. [PMID: 35709354 PMCID: PMC9412007 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021015325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Detailed genomic and epigenomic analyses of MECOM (the MDS1 and EVI1 complex locus) have revealed that inversion or translocation of chromosome 3 drives inv(3)/t(3;3) myeloid leukemias via structural rearrangement of an enhancer that upregulates transcription of EVI1. Here, we identify a novel, previously unannotated oncogenic RNA-splicing derived isoform of EVI1 that is frequently present in inv(3)/t(3;3) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and directly contributes to leukemic transformation. This EVI1 isoform is generated by oncogenic mutations in the core RNA splicing factor SF3B1, which is mutated in >30% of inv(3)/t(3;3) myeloid neoplasm patients and thereby represents the single most commonly cooccurring genomic alteration in inv(3)/t(3;3) patients. SF3B1 mutations are statistically uniquely enriched in inv(3)/t(3;3) myeloid neoplasm patients and patient-derived cell lines compared with other forms of AML and promote mis-splicing of EVI1 generating an in-frame insertion of 6 amino acids at the 3' end of the second zinc finger domain of EVI1. Expression of this EVI1 splice variant enhanced the self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells, and introduction of mutant SF3B1 in mice bearing the humanized inv(3)(q21q26) allele resulted in generation of this novel EVI1 isoform in mice and hastened leukemogenesis in vivo. The mutant SF3B1 spliceosome depends upon an exonic splicing enhancer within EVI1 exon 13 to promote usage of a cryptic branch point and aberrant 3' splice site within intron 12 resulting in the generation of this isoform. These data provide a mechanistic basis for the frequent cooccurrence of SF3B1 mutations as well as new insights into the pathogenesis of myeloid leukemias harboring inv(3)/t(3;3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Taizo A Nakano
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Masaki Nomura
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Facility for iPS Cell Therapy, CiRA Foundation, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiromi Yamazaki
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Jan P Bewersdorf
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Roger Mulet-Lazaro
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Simon Hogg
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bo Liu
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alex Penson
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Weijia Zang
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Marije Havermans
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Miho Koizumi
- Field of Human Disease Models, Major in Advanced Life Sciences and Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Hayashi
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hana Cho
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Akinori Kanai
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Stanley C Lee
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Muran Xiao
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yui Koike
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Miki Fukumoto
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yumi Aoyama
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Hiroyoshi Kunimoto
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Toshiya Inaba
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hideaki Nakajima
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Honda
- Field of Human Disease Models, Major in Advanced Life Sciences and Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawamoto
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ruud Delwel
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Daichi Inoue
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
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18
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AKT inhibition sensitizes EVI1 expressing colon cancer cells to irinotecan therapy by regulating the Akt/mTOR axis. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022; 45:659-675. [PMID: 35834097 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00690-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Ecotropic viral integration site 1 (EVI1) is an oncogenic transcription factor that has been attributed to chemotherapy resistance in different cancers. As yet, however, its role in colon cancer drug resistance is not completely understood. Here, we set out to investigate the functional and therapeutic relevance of EVI1 in colon cancer drug resistance. METHODS The EVI1 gene was knocked down in colon cancer cells that were subsequently tested for susceptibility to irinotecan using in vitro assays and in vivo subcutaneous mouse colon cancer models. The effect of EVI1 knockdown on the AKT-mTOR signaling pathway was assessed using cell line models, immunohistochemistry and bioinformatics tools. The anti-proliferative activity of AKT inhibitor GSK690693 and its combination with irinotecan was tested in colon cancer cell line models (2D and 3D). Finally, the therapeutic efficacy of GSK690693 and its combination with irinotecan was evaluated in xenografted EVI1 expressing colon cancer mouse models. RESULTS We found that EVI1 knockdown decreased cancer stem cell-like properties and improved irinotecan responses in both cell line and subcutaneous mouse models. In addition, we found that EVI1 downregulation resulted in inhibition of AKT/mTOR signaling and RICTOR expression. Knocking down RICTOR expression increased the cytotoxic effects of irinotecan in EVI1 downregulated colon cancer cells. Co-treatment with irinotecan and ATP-competitive AKT inhibitor GSK690693 significantly reduced colon cancer cell survival and tumor progression rates. CONCLUSION Inhibition of the AKT signaling cascade by GSK690693 may serve as an alternative to improve the irinotecan response in EVI1-expressing colon cancer cells.
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19
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Szewczyk MM, Luciani GM, Vu V, Murison A, Dilworth D, Barghout SH, Lupien M, Arrowsmith CH, Minden MD, Barsyte-Lovejoy D. PRMT5 regulates ATF4 transcript splicing and oxidative stress response. Redox Biol 2022; 51:102282. [PMID: 35305370 PMCID: PMC8933703 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) symmetrically dimethylates arginine residues leading to regulation of transcription and splicing programs. Although PRMT5 has emerged as an attractive oncology target, the molecular determinants of PRMT5 dependency in cancer remain incompletely understood. Our transcriptomic analysis identified PRMT5 regulation of the activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) pathway in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). PRMT5 inhibition resulted in the expression of unstable, intron-retaining ATF4 mRNA that is detained in the nucleus. Concurrently, the decrease in the spliced cytoplasmic transcript of ATF4 led to lower levels of ATF4 protein and downregulation of ATF4 target genes. Upon loss of functional PRMT5, cells with low ATF4 displayed increased oxidative stress, growth arrest, and cellular senescence. Interestingly, leukemia cells with EVI1 oncogene overexpression demonstrated dependence on PRMT5 function. EVI1 and ATF4 regulated gene signatures were inversely correlated. We show that EVI1-high AML cells have reduced ATF4 levels, elevated baseline reactive oxygen species and increased sensitivity to PRMT5 inhibition. Thus, EVI1-high cells demonstrate dependence on PRMT5 function and regulation of oxidative stress response. Overall, our findings identify the PRMT5-ATF4 axis to be safeguarding the cellular redox balance that is especially important in high oxidative stress states, such as those that occur with EVI1 overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Genna M Luciani
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Victoria Vu
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alex Murison
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Dilworth
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samir H Barghout
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mathieu Lupien
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cheryl H Arrowsmith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark D Minden
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Dalia Barsyte-Lovejoy
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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20
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Liang HP, Luo XC, Zhang YL, Liu B. Del(5q) and inv(3) in myelodysplastic syndrome: A rare case report. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:3601-3608. [PMID: 35582053 PMCID: PMC9048554 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i11.3601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Del(5q) is the most common molecular event in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), accounting for 10%-15% of cases. Inv(3) is an adverse cytogenetic abnormality observed in less than 1% of MDS patients. Few studies have reported the coexistence of del(5q) and inv(3) in MDS. Therefore, the pathological mechanism, treatment strategy and prognosis of this subtype need to be elucidated.
CASE SUMMARY A 66-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to chest tightness and shortness of breath. Combining clinical assessments with laboratory examinations, the patient was diagnosed with MDS containing both del(5q) and inv(3). Considering the deletion of chromosome 5q, we first treated the patient with lenalidomide. When drug resistance arose, we tried azacitidine, and the patient had a short remission. Finally, the patient refused treatment with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and died of severe infection four months later.
CONCLUSION MDS patients with del(5) and inv(3) have a poor prognosis. Azacitidine may achieve short-term remission for such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Ping Liang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Xing-Chun Luo
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Ya-Li Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Bei Liu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
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21
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EVI1 Promotes the Proliferation and Invasive Properties of Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031050. [PMID: 35162973 PMCID: PMC8835242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a frequent malignancy with a poor prognosis. So far, the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab is the only approved targeted therapy. A deeper understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of HNSCC is needed to identify additional targets for rationally designed, personalized therapeutics. The transcription factor EVI1, the major product of the MECOM locus, is an oncoprotein with roles in both hematological and solid tumors. In HNSCC, high EVI1 expression was associated with an increased propensity to form lymph node metastases, but its effects in this tumor entity have not yet been determined experimentally. We therefore overexpressed or knocked down EVI1 in several HNSCC cell lines and determined the impact of these manipulations on parameters relevant to tumor growth and invasiveness, and on gene expression patterns. Our results revealed that EVI1 promoted the proliferation and migration of HNSCC cells. Furthermore, it augmented tumor spheroid formation and the ability of tumor spheroids to displace an endothelial cell layer. Finally, EVI1 altered the expression of numerous genes in HNSCC cells, which were enriched for Gene Ontology terms related to its cellular functions. In summary, EVI1 represents a novel oncogene in HNSCC that contributes to cellular proliferation and invasiveness.
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22
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Zhao M, Medeiros LJ, Wang W, Tang G, Jung HS, Sfamenos SM, Fang H, Toruner GA, Hu S, Yin CC, Lin P, Gu J, Peng G, You MJ, Khoury JD, Wang SA, Tang Z. Newly designed breakapart FISH probe helps to identify cases with true MECOM rearrangement in myeloid malignancies. Cancer Genet 2021; 262-263:23-29. [PMID: 34974290 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2021.12.009] [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: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A home-brew, tri-color MECOM breakapart FISH probe with a full MECOM coverage labeled with a separate dye is compared in parallel with a 2-color commercial MECOM breakapart probe in 17 cases of hematologic malignancies. Cases with a typical positive signal pattern (or "balanced" signal pattern) (n = 2) and a negative result (n = 3) using the commercial probe achieved the same results using the new probe (100% concordance), whereas 9 of 12 (75%) remaining cases with an atypical signal pattern (or "unbalanced" signal pattern) using the commercial probe showed a "balanced" signal pattern using the new probe. Three cases with undetermined MECOM rearrangement status by the commercial probe were further clarified with no MECOM rearrangement in 2 cases and presence of a subclone with simultaneous gain and rearrangement of MECOM in 1 case. More importantly, the new probe is capable of determining the presence, location and integrity of MECOM after rearrangement. In conclusion, atypical signal patterns obtained using a commercial FISH probe for MECOM can be solved through re-design and optimization of a new BAP probe, especially in those cases with a true MECOM rearrangement. The potential of the new probe for use in the clinical laboratory will be further investigated. (Word count: 196).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhao
- Cytogenetic Technology Program, School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - L Jeffrey Medeiros
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Guilin Tang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Hai Suk Jung
- Cytogenetic Technology Program, School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Steven M Sfamenos
- Cytogenetic Technology Program, School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Hong Fang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Gokce A Toruner
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Shimin Hu
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - C Cameron Yin
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Pei Lin
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Jun Gu
- Cytogenetic Technology Program, School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Guang Peng
- Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - M James You
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Joseph D Khoury
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Sa A Wang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Zhenya Tang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States.
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