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Bertilaccio MTS, Chen SS. Mouse models of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Richter transformation: what we have learnt and what we are missing. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1376660. [PMID: 38903501 PMCID: PMC11186982 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1376660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment landscape has changed dramatically, unmet clinical needs are emerging, as CLL in many patients does not respond, becomes resistant to treatment, relapses during treatment, or transforms into Richter. In the majority of cases, transformation evolves the original leukemia clone into a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Richter transformation (RT) represents a dreadful clinical challenge with limited therapeutic opportunities and scarce preclinical tools. CLL cells are well known to highly depend on survival signals provided by the tumor microenvironment (TME). These signals enhance the frequency of immunosuppressive cells with protumor function, including regulatory CD4+ T cells and tumor-associated macrophages. T cells, on the other hand, exhibit features of exhaustion and profound functional defects. Overall immune dysfunction and immunosuppression are common features of patients with CLL. The interaction between malignant cells and TME cells can occur during different phases of CLL development and transformation. A better understanding of in vivo CLL and RT biology and the availability of adequate mouse models that faithfully recapitulate the progression of CLL and RT within their microenvironments are "conditio sine qua non" to develop successful therapeutic strategies. In this review, we describe the xenograft and genetic-engineered mouse models of CLL and RT, how they helped to elucidate the pathophysiology of the disease progression and transformation, and how they have been and might be instrumental in developing innovative therapeutic approaches to finally eradicate these malignancies.
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MESH Headings
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/therapy
- Animals
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Humans
- Mice
- Disease Models, Animal
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/immunology
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shih-Shih Chen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States
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2
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Bartoszewska E, Molik K, Woźniak M, Choromańska A. Telomerase Inhibition in the Treatment of Leukemia: A Comprehensive Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:427. [PMID: 38671875 PMCID: PMC11047729 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13040427] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Leukemia, characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation and differentiation blockage of myeloid or lymphoid precursor cells, presents significant therapeutic challenges despite current treatment modalities like chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Pursuing novel therapeutic strategies that selectively target leukemic cells is critical for improving patient outcomes. Natural products offer a promising avenue for developing effective chemotherapy and preventive measures against leukemia, providing a rich source of biologically active compounds. Telomerase, a key enzyme involved in chromosome stabilization and mainly active in cancer cells, presents an attractive target for intervention. In this review article, we focus on the anti-leukemic potential of natural substances, emphasizing vitamins (such as A, D, and E) and polyphenols (including curcumin and indole-3-carbinol), which, in combination with telomerase inhibition, demonstrate reduced cytotoxicity compared to conventional chemotherapies. We discuss the role of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), particularly its mRNA expression, as a potential therapeutic target, highlighting the promise of natural compounds in leukemia treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Bartoszewska
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Mikulicza-Radeckiego 5, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Klaudia Molik
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Mikulicza-Radeckiego 5, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Marta Woźniak
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Division of General and Experimental Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, Marcinkowskiego 1, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Anna Choromańska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
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3
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Ahmed HA, Nafady A, Ahmed EH, Hassan EEN, Soliman WGM, Elbadry MI, Allam AA. CXC chemokine ligand 13 and galectin-9 plasma levels collaboratively provide prediction of disease activity and progression-free survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Ann Hematol 2024; 103:781-792. [PMID: 37946029 PMCID: PMC10867040 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-023-05540-8] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The clinical outcome of lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is quite heterogeneous. The purpose of this observational study was to investigate the clinical merit of measuring plasma galectin-9 and CXCL-13 concentrations as predictors of CLL activity, prognosis, and early indicators of therapeutic response. These biomarkers were compared with other prognostic indicators, progression-free survival (PFS), time to first treatment (TTT), and overall survival (OS) over a follow-up period (4 years). First, plasma galectin-9 and CXCL-13 concentrations were analyzed in CLL patients at the time of diagnosis as well as healthy controls. Compared to controls, CLL patients had significantly higher serum levels of CXCL-13 and galectin-9. Second, we observed that CLL patients with high soluble CXCL-13 and galectin-9 levels had advanced clinical stages, poor prognosis, 17p del, short PFS, short TTT, and therapy resistance. The levels of CXCL-13, β2-microglobulin, LDH, CD38%, and high grade of Rai-stage were all strongly correlated with the galectin-9 levels. Soluble CXCL-13 and galectin-9 had very good specificity and sensitivity in detecting CLL disease progression and high-risk patients with the superiority of galectin-9 over CXCL-13. Although the two biomarkers were equal in prediction of TTT and treatment response, the soluble CXCL13 was superior in prediction of OS. High CXCL-13 and galectin-9 plasma levels upon CLL diagnosis are associated with disease activity, progression, advanced clinical stages, short periods of PFS, short TTT, and unfavorable treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba A Ahmed
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, 82524, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Nafady
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Eman H Ahmed
- Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Emad Eldin Nabil Hassan
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sohag University Hospital, Sohag, Egypt
| | | | - Mahmoud I Elbadry
- Division of Haematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, 82524, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed Ahmed Allam
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, 82524, Egypt
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Han J, Jang KL. All- trans Retinoic Acid Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Replication by Downregulating HBx Levels via Siah-1-Mediated Proteasomal Degradation. Viruses 2023; 15:1456. [PMID: 37515144 PMCID: PMC10386411 DOI: 10.3390/v15071456] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the most biologically active metabolite of vitamin A, is known to abolish the potential of HBx to downregulate the levels of p14, p16, and p21 and to stimulate cell growth during hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, contributing to its chemopreventive and therapeutic effects against HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we demonstrated that ATRA antagonizes HBx to inhibit HBV replication. For this effect, ATRA individually or in combination with HBx upregulated p53 levels, resulting in upregulation of seven in absentia homolog 1 (Siah-1) levels. Siah-1, an E3 ligase, induces ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of HBx in the presence of ATRA. The ability of ATRA to induce Siah-1-mediated HBx degradation and the subsequent inhibition of HBV replication was proven in an in vitro HBV replication model. The effects of ATRA became invalid when either p53 or Siah-1 was knocked down by a specific shRNA, providing direct evidence for the role of p53 and Siah-1 in the negative regulation of HBV replication by ATRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwoo Han
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, The Graduate School, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Lib Jang
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, The Graduate School, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Microbiological Resource Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
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5
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Lou X, Zhao K, Xu J, Shuai L, Niu H, Cao Z, Wang J, Zhang Y. CCL8 as a promising prognostic factor in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma via M2 macrophage interactions: A bioinformatic analysis of the tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:950213. [PMID: 36072582 PMCID: PMC9441746 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.950213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundsPrior investigations of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have shown that immune and stromal cells are key contributing factors to patients’ outcome. However, challenges remain in finding reliable prognostic biomarkers based on cell infiltration. In this study, we attempted to shed some light on chemokine C–C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CCL8) in DLBCL via interaction with M2 macrophages.MethodsThe Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm was applied to evaluate immune and stromal scores from transcriptomic profiles of 443 DLBCL samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE10846 datasets. Immune cell infiltration (ICI) clusters were obtained based on different immune cell infiltrations of each sample, and gene clusters were derived through differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the distinct ICI clusters. Five immune-related hub genes related to overall survival (OS) and clinical stages were obtained by COX regression analysis and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network construction then verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunofluorescence staining in the FFPE tissues. The Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and TIMER websites were employed to explore the biological functions of CCL8-related DEGs. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to analyze CCL8 as an independent prognostic risk factor in GSE10846 and were verified in other independent GEO cohorts.ResultsA higher stromal score was associated with favorable prognosis in DLBCL. Patients in the ICI B cluster and gene B clusters had a better follow-up status with a higher programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) expression. Most of ICI-related DEGs were enriched for immune-related signaling pathways. Five hub genes with a distinct prognosis association were identified, including CD163, which is a biomarker of M2 macrophages, and CCL8. Abundant M2 macrophages were discovered in the high-CCL8 expression group. The functional analysis indicated that CCL8 is a key component of immune-related processes and secretory granule groups. Cox regression analysis and data from other GSE datasets yielded additional evidence of the prognostic value of CCL8 in DLBCL.ConclusionsCCL8 has been implicated in macrophage recruitment in several solid tumors, and only a few reports have been published on the role of CCL8 in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies. This article attempted to find out TME-related genes that associated with the survival in DLBCL patients. CCL8 was identified to be involved in immune activities. Importantly, a series of bioinformatics analysis indicated that CCL8 might become an effective target for DLBCL, which interacts with M2 macrophage and immune checkpoint. The potential related mechanisms need to be further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Lou
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ke Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Nantong Universtiy, Jiangyin, China
| | - Jingze Xu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lixiong Shuai
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hui Niu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhifei Cao
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Suzhou Wuzhong People’s Hospital, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yongsheng Zhang, ; Juan Wang,
| | - Yongsheng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yongsheng Zhang, ; Juan Wang,
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6
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Dumontet E, Mancini SJC, Tarte K. Bone Marrow Lymphoid Niche Adaptation to Mature B Cell Neoplasms. Front Immunol 2021; 12:784691. [PMID: 34956214 PMCID: PMC8694563 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.784691] [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: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) evolution and treatment are complicated by a high prevalence of relapses primarily due to the ability of malignant B cells to interact with tumor-supportive lymph node (LN) and bone marrow (BM) microenvironments. In particular, progressive alterations of BM stromal cells sustain the survival, proliferation, and drug resistance of tumor B cells during diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The current review describes how the crosstalk between BM stromal cells and lymphoma tumor cells triggers the establishment of the tumor supportive niche. DLBCL, FL, and CLL display distinct patterns of BM involvement, but in each case tumor-infiltrating stromal cells, corresponding to cancer-associated fibroblasts, exhibit specific phenotypic and functional features promoting the recruitment, adhesion, and survival of tumor cells. Tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicles have been recently proposed as playing a central role in triggering initial induction of tumor-supportive niches, notably within the BM. Finally, the disruption of the BM stroma reprogramming emerges as a promising therapeutic option in B-cell lymphomas. Targeting the crosstalk between BM stromal cells and malignant B cells, either through the inhibition of stroma-derived B-cell growth factors or through the mobilization of clonal B cells outside their supportive BM niche, should in particular be further evaluated as a way to avoid relapses by abrogating resistance niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwan Dumontet
- Univ Rennes, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Établissement Français du Sang (EFS) Bretagne, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) U1236, Rennes, France.,CHU Rennes, Pôle de Biologie, Rennes, France
| | - Stéphane J C Mancini
- Univ Rennes, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Établissement Français du Sang (EFS) Bretagne, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) U1236, Rennes, France
| | - Karin Tarte
- Univ Rennes, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Établissement Français du Sang (EFS) Bretagne, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) U1236, Rennes, France.,CHU Rennes, Pôle de Biologie, Rennes, France
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Ten Hacken E, Wu CJ. Understanding CLL biology through mouse models of human genetics. Blood 2021; 138:2621-2631. [PMID: 34940815 PMCID: PMC8703365 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021011993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid advances in large-scale next-generation sequencing studies of human samples have progressively defined the highly heterogeneous genetic landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). At the same time, the numerous challenges posed by the difficulties in rapid manipulation of primary B cells and the paucity of CLL cell lines have limited the ability to interrogate the function of the discovered putative disease "drivers," defined in human sequencing studies through statistical inference. Mouse models represent a powerful tool to study mechanisms of normal and malignant B-cell biology and for preclinical testing of novel therapeutics. Advances in genetic engineering technologies, including the introduction of conditional knockin/knockout strategies, have opened new opportunities to model genetic lesions in a B-cell-restricted context. These new studies build on the experience of generating the MDR mice, the first example of a genetically faithful CLL model, which recapitulates the most common genomic aberration of human CLL: del(13q). In this review, we describe the application of mouse models to the studies of CLL pathogenesis and disease transformation from an indolent to a high-grade malignancy (ie, Richter syndrome [RS]) and treatment, with a focus on newly developed genetically inspired mouse lines modeling recurrent CLL genetic events. We discuss how these novel mouse models, analyzed using new genomic technologies, allow the dissection of mechanisms of disease evolution and response to therapy with greater depth than previously possible and provide important insight into human CLL and RS pathogenesis and therapeutic vulnerabilities. These models thereby provide valuable platforms for functional genomic analyses and treatment studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ten Hacken
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Catherine J Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA; and
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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8
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Mourcin F, Verdière L, Roulois D, Amin R, Lamaison C, Sibut V, Thamphya B, Pangault C, Monvoisin C, Huet S, Seffals M, Baulande S, Mechta-Grigoriou F, Legoix P, Rossille D, Guirriec M, Léonard S, Cartron G, Salles G, Fest T, Tarte K. Follicular lymphoma triggers phenotypic and functional remodeling of the human lymphoid stromal cell landscape. Immunity 2021; 54:1788-1806.e7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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9
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Retinoids in hematology: a timely revival? Blood 2021; 137:2429-2437. [PMID: 33651885 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020010100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinoic acid receptors (RARA, RARB, and RARG) are ligand-regulated nuclear receptors that act as transcriptional switches. These master genes drew significant interest in the 1990s because of their key roles in embryogenesis and involvement in a rare malignancy, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), in which the RARA (and very rarely, RARG or RARB) genes are rearranged, underscoring the central role of deregulated retinoid signaling in leukemogenesis. Several recent provocative observations have revived interest in the roles of retinoids in non-APL acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as well as in normal hematopoietic differentiation. We review the role of retinoids in hematopoiesis, as well as in the treatment of non-APL AMLs. From this perspective, broader uses of retinoids in the management of hematopoietic tumors are discussed.
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10
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Sbrana FV, Pinos R, Barbaglio F, Ribezzi D, Scagnoli F, Scarfò L, Redwan IN, Martinez H, Farè S, Ghia P, Scielzo C. 3D Bioprinting Allows the Establishment of Long-Term 3D Culture Model for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:639572. [PMID: 34012434 PMCID: PMC8126722 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.639572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) represents the most common leukemia in the western world and remains incurable. Leukemic cells organize and interact in the lymphoid tissues, however what actually occurs in these sites has not been fully elucidated yet. Studying primary CLL cells in vitro is very challenging due to their short survival in culture and also to the fact that traditional two-dimensional in vitro models lack cellular and spatial complexity present in vivo. Based on these considerations, we exploited for the first time three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting to advance in vitro models for CLL. This technology allowed us to print CLL cells (both primary cells and cell lines) mixed with the appropriate, deeply characterized, hydrogel to generate a scaffold containing the cells, thus avoiding the direct cell seeding onto a precast 3D scaffold and paving the way to more complex models. Using this system, we were able to efficiently 3D bioprint leukemic cells and improve their viability in vitro that could be maintained up to 28 days. We monitored over time CLL cells viability, phenotype and gene expression, thus establishing a reproducible long-term 3D culture model for leukemia. Through RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis, we observed a consistent difference in gene expression profile between 2D and 3D samples, indicating a different behavior of the cells in the two different culture settings. In particular, we identified pathways upregulated in 3D, at both day 7 and 14, associated with immunoglobulins production, pro-inflammatory molecules expression, activation of cytokines/chemokines and cell-cell adhesion pathways, paralleled by a decreased production of proteins involved in DNA replication and cell division, suggesting a strong adaptation of the cells in the 3D culture. Thanks to this innovative approach, we developed a new tool that may help to better mimic the physiological 3D in vivo settings of leukemic cells as well as of immune cells in broader terms. This will allow for a more reliable study of the molecular and cellular interactions occurring in normal and neoplastic conditions in vivo, and could also be exploited for clinical purposes to test individual responses to different drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Vittoria Sbrana
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pinos
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,School of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Federica Barbaglio
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Ribezzi
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Fiorella Scagnoli
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Lydia Scarfò
- School of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,B-Cell Neoplasia Unit and Strategic Research Program on CLL, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | - Silvia Farè
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Ghia
- School of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,B-Cell Neoplasia Unit and Strategic Research Program on CLL, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Cristina Scielzo
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
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11
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Enhanced IL-9 secretion by p66Shc-deficient CLL cells modulates the chemokine landscape of the stromal microenvironment. Blood 2021; 137:2182-2195. [PMID: 33181836 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020005785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The stromal microenvironment is central to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) pathogenesis. How leukemic cells condition the stroma to enhance its chemoattractant properties remains elusive. Here, we show that mouse and human CLL cells promote the contact-independent stromal expression of homing chemokines. This function was strongly enhanced in leukemic cells from Eμ-TCL1 mice lacking the pro-oxidant p66Shc adaptor, which develop an aggressive disease with organ infiltration. We identified interleukin-9 (IL-9) as the soluble factor, negatively modulated by p66Shc, that is responsible for the chemokine-elevating activity of leukemic cells on stromal cells. IL-9 blockade in Eμ-TCL1/p66Shc-/- mice resulted in a decrease in the nodal expression of homing chemokines, which correlated with decreased leukemic cell invasiveness. IL-9 levels were found to correlate inversely with residual p66Shc in p66Shc-deficient human CLL cells (n = 52 patients). p66Shc reconstitution in CLL cells normalized IL-9 expression and neutralized their chemokine-elevating activity. Notably, high IL-9 expression in CLL cells directly correlates with lymphadenopathy, liver infiltration, disease severity, and overall survival, emerging as an independent predictor of disease outcome. Our results demonstrate that IL-9 modulates the chemokine landscape in the stroma and that p66Shc, by regulating IL-9 expression, fine tunes the ability of leukemic cells to shape the microenvironment, thereby contributing to CLL pathogenesis.
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12
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Apollonio B, Ioannou N, Papazoglou D, Ramsay AG. Understanding the Immune-Stroma Microenvironment in B Cell Malignancies for Effective Immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:626818. [PMID: 33842331 PMCID: PMC8027510 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.626818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers, including lymphomas, develop in complex tissue environments where malignant cells actively promote the creation of a pro-tumoral niche that suppresses effective anti-tumor effector T cell responses. Research is revealing that the tumor microenvironment (TME) differs between different types of lymphoma, covering inflamed environments, as exemplified by Hodgkin lymphoma, to non-inflamed TMEs as seen in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or diffuse-large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In this review we consider how T cells and interferon-driven inflammatory signaling contribute to the regulation of anti-tumor immune responses, as well as sensitivity to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. We discuss tumor intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms critical to anti-tumor immune responses, as well as sensitivity to immunotherapies, before adding an additional layer of complexity within the TME: the immunoregulatory role of non-hematopoietic stromal cells that co-evolve with tumors. Studying the intricate interactions between the immune-stroma lymphoma TME should help to design next-generation immunotherapies and combination treatment strategies to overcome complex TME-driven immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Apollonio
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaos Ioannou
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Despoina Papazoglou
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alan G Ramsay
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Gavriilidis GI, Ntoufa S, Papakonstantinou N, Kotta K, Koletsa T, Chartomatsidou E, Moysiadis T, Stavroyianni N, Anagnostopoulos A, Papadaki E, Tsiftsoglou AS, Stamatopoulos K. Stem cell factor is implicated in microenvironmental interactions and cellular dynamics of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Haematologica 2021; 106:692-700. [PMID: 32336682 PMCID: PMC7927890 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.236513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The inflammatory cytokine stem cell factor (SCF, ligand of c-kit receptor)
has been implicated as a pro-oncogenic driver and an adverse
prognosticator in several human cancers. Increased SCF levels have
recently been reported in a small series of patients with chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL), however its precise role in CLL pathophysiology
remains elusive. In this study, CLL cells were found to express predominantly
the membrane isoform of SCF, which is known to elicit a more
robust activation of the c-kit receptor. SCF was significantly overexpressed
in CLL cells compared to healthy tonsillar B cells and it correlated with
adverse prognostic biomarkers, shorter time-to-first treatment and shorter
overall survival. Activation of immune receptors and long-term cell-cell
interactions with the mesenchymal stroma led to an elevation of SCF primarily
in CLL cases with an adverse prognosis. Contrariwise, suppression
of oxidative stress and the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib lowered SCF levels.
Interestingly, SCF significantly correlated with mitochondrial dynamics
and hypoxia-inducible factor-1a which have previously been linked with
clinical aggressiveness in CLL. SCF was able to elicit direct biological
effects in CLL cells, affecting redox homeostasis and cell proliferation.
Overall, the aberrantly expressed SCF in CLL cells emerges as a key
response regulator to microenvironmental stimuli while correlating with
poor prognosis. On these grounds, specific targeting of this inflammatory
molecule could serve as a novel therapeutic approach in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- George I Gavriilidis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stavroula Ntoufa
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikos Papakonstantinou
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantia Kotta
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Triantafyllia Koletsa
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elisavet Chartomatsidou
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theodoros Moysiadis
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niki Stavroyianni
- Hematology Department and HCT Unit, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Papadaki
- Department of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Asterios S Tsiftsoglou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kostas Stamatopoulos
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Gerousi M, Psomopoulos F, Kotta K, Tsagiopoulou M, Stavroyianni N, Anagnostopoulos A, Anastasiadis A, Gkanidou M, Kotsianidis I, Ntoufa S, Stamatopoulos K. The Calcitriol/Vitamin D Receptor System Regulates Key Immune Signaling Pathways in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020285. [PMID: 33466695 PMCID: PMC7828837 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Calcitriol, the biologically active form of vitamin D, modulates a plethora of cellular processes following its receptor ligation, namely the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Epidemiological studies have linked low blood levels of vitamin D to adverse disease outcome in several B cell malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), for as yet undetermined reasons. In this study, we sought to obtain deeper biological insight into the role of vitamin D in the pathophysiology of CLL. To this end, we investigated whether the calcitriol/VDR system is functional in CLL and analyzed key signaling pathways that are regulated by calcitriol supplementation, while also exploring the role of microenvironmental signals in the regulation of calcitriol/VDR system. Overall, we provide evidence that the calcitriol/VDR system is functional in CLL, regulating signaling pathways critical for cell survival/proliferation. Although microenvironmental triggers can modulate VDR expression and function, calcitriol appears to act independently, alluding to a potential clinical utility of vitamin D supplementation in CLL. Abstract It has been proposed that vitamin D may play a role in prevention and treatment of cancer while epidemiological studies have linked vitamin D insufficiency to adverse disease outcomes in various B cell malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In this study, we sought to obtain deeper biological insight into the role of vitamin D and its receptor (VDR) in the pathophysiology of CLL. To this end, we performed expression analysis of the vitamin D pathway molecules; complemented by RNA-Sequencing analysis in primary CLL cells that were treated in vitro with calcitriol, the biologically active form of vitamin D. In addition, we examined calcitriol effects ex vivo in CLL cells cultured in the presence of microenvironmental signals, namely anti-IgM/CD40L, or co-cultured with the supportive HS-5 cells; and, CLL cells from patients under ibrutinib treatment. Our study reports that the calcitriol/VDR system is functional in CLL regulating signaling pathways critical for cell survival and proliferation, including the TLR and PI3K/AKT pathways. Moreover, calcitriol action is likely independent of the microenvironmental signals in CLL, since it was not significantly affected when combined with anti-IgM/CD40L or in the context of the co-culture system. This finding was also supported by our finding of preserved calcitriol signaling capacity in CLL patients under ibrutinib treatment. Overall, our results indicate a relevant biological role for vitamin D in CLL pathophysiology and allude to the potential clinical utility of vitamin D supplementation in patients with CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Gerousi
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.G.); (F.P.); (K.K.); (M.T.); (S.N.)
- Medical Department, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece;
| | - Fotis Psomopoulos
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.G.); (F.P.); (K.K.); (M.T.); (S.N.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Konstantia Kotta
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.G.); (F.P.); (K.K.); (M.T.); (S.N.)
| | - Maria Tsagiopoulou
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.G.); (F.P.); (K.K.); (M.T.); (S.N.)
| | - Niki Stavroyianni
- Hematology Department and HCT Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (N.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Achilles Anagnostopoulos
- Hematology Department and HCT Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (N.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Athanasios Anastasiadis
- Blood Transfusion Department, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.A.); (M.G.)
| | - Maria Gkanidou
- Blood Transfusion Department, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.A.); (M.G.)
| | - Ioannis Kotsianidis
- Medical Department, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece;
| | - Stavroula Ntoufa
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.G.); (F.P.); (K.K.); (M.T.); (S.N.)
| | - Kostas Stamatopoulos
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.G.); (F.P.); (K.K.); (M.T.); (S.N.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +30-231-049-8271
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15
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Scielzo C, Ghia P. Modeling the Leukemia Microenviroment In Vitro. Front Oncol 2020; 10:607608. [PMID: 33392097 PMCID: PMC7773937 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.607608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, the active role of the microenvironment in the pathogenesis, development and drug resistance of B cell malignancies has been clearly established. It is known that the tissue microenvironment promotes proliferation and drug resistance of leukemic cells suggesting that successful treatments of B cell malignancies must target the leukemic cells within these compartments. However, the cross-talk occurring between cancer cells and the tissue microenvironment still needs to be fully elucidated. In solid tumors, this lack of knowledge has led to the development of new and more complex in vitro models able to successfully mimic the in vivo settings, while only a few simplified models are available for haematological cancers, commonly relying only on the co-culture with stabilized stromal cells and/or the addition of limited cocktails of cytokines. Here, we will review the known cellular and molecular interactions occurring between monoclonal B lymphocytes and their tissue microenvironment and the current literature describing innovative in vitro models developed in particular to study chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We will also elaborate on the possibility to further improve such systems based on the current knowledge of the key molecules/signals present in the microenvironment. In particular, we think that future models should be developed as 3D culture systems with a higher level of cellular and molecular complexity, to replicate microenvironmental-induced signaling. We believe that innovative 3D-models may therefore improve the knowledge on pathogenic mechanisms leading to the dissemination and homing of leukemia cells and consequently the identification of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Scielzo
- Unit of Malignant B Cell Biology and 3D Modeling, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Ghia
- Unit of B Cell Neoplasia, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,Strategic Research Program on CLL, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
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16
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CXCL13 plasma levels function as a biomarker for disease activity in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia 2020; 35:1610-1620. [PMID: 33087831 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-01063-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The chemoattractant CXCL13 organizes the cellular architecture of B-cell follicles and germinal centers. During adaptive immune responses, CXCL13 plasma concentrations transiently increase and function as a biomarker for normal germinal center activity. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells express high levels of CXCR5, the receptor for CXCL13, and proliferate in pseudofollicles within secondary lymphoid organs (SLO). Given the morphologic and functional similarities between normal and CLL B-cell expansion in SLO, we hypothesized that CXCL13 plasma concentrations would correlate with CLL disease activity and progression. We analyzed CXCL13 plasma concentrations in 400 CLL patients and correlated the findings with other prognostic markers, time to treatment (TTT), CCL3 and CCL4 plasma concentrations, and in vivo CLL cell proliferation. We found that CXCL13 plasma concentrations were higher in CLL patients with active and advanced stage disease, resulting in a significantly shorter TTT. Accordingly, high CXCL13 levels correlated with other markers of disease activity and CCL3 levels. Higher CLL cell birth rates in vivo also associated with higher CXCL13 plasma concentrations. Interestingly, elevated CXCL13 plasma levels normalized during ibrutinib therapy, and increased in ibrutinib resistance patients. Collectively, these studies emphasize the importance of CXCL13 in crosstalk between CLL cells and the SLO microenvironment.
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17
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Nguyen CH, Grandits AM, Purton LE, Sill H, Wieser R. All-trans retinoic acid in non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia: driver lesion dependent effects on leukemic stem cells. Cell Cycle 2020; 19:2573-2588. [PMID: 32900260 PMCID: PMC7644151 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2020.1810402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive, often fatal hematopoietic malignancy. All-trans retinoic acid (atRA), one of the first molecularly targeted drugs in oncology, has greatly improved the outcome of a subtype of AML, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). In contrast, atRA has so far provided little therapeutic benefit in the much larger group of patients with non-APL AML. Attempts to identify genetically or molecularly defined subgroups of patients that may respond to atRA have not yielded consistent results. Since AML is a stem cell-driven disease, understanding the effectiveness of atRA may require an appreciation of its impact on AML stem cells. Recent studies reported that atRA decreased stemness of AML with an FLT3-ITD mutation, yet increased it in AML1-ETO driven or EVI1-overexpressing AML. This review summarizes the role of atRA in normal hematopoiesis and in AML, focusing on its impact on AML stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi H Nguyen
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria.,Comprehensive Cancer Center , Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander M Grandits
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria.,Comprehensive Cancer Center , Vienna, Austria
| | - Louise E Purton
- Stem Cell Regulation Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research and Department of Medicine at St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Australia
| | - Heinz Sill
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz , Graz, Austria
| | - Rotraud Wieser
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria.,Comprehensive Cancer Center , Vienna, Austria
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18
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Ferreira R, Napoli J, Enver T, Bernardino L, Ferreira L. Advances and challenges in retinoid delivery systems in regenerative and therapeutic medicine. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4265. [PMID: 32848154 PMCID: PMC7450074 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18042-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoids regulate a wide spectrum of cellular functions from the embryo throughout adulthood, including cell differentiation, metabolic regulation, and inflammation. These traits make retinoids very attractive molecules for medical purposes. In light of some of the physicochemical limitations of retinoids, the development of drug delivery systems offers several advantages for clinical translation of retinoid-based therapies, including improved solubilization, prolonged circulation, reduced toxicity, sustained release, and improved efficacy. In this Review, we discuss advances in preclinical and clinical tests regarding retinoid formulations, specifically the ones based in natural retinoids, evaluated in the context of regenerative medicine, brain, cancer, skin, and immune diseases. Advantages and limitations of retinoid formulations, as well as prospects to push the field forward, will be presented.
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Grants
- MC_U137973817 Medical Research Council
- MR/N000838/1 Medical Research Council
- The authors would like to thank Andreia Vilaça for the illustrations and the financial support of ERA Chair project (ERA@UC, ref:669088) through EU Horizon 2020 program, the POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016390 (acronym: CANCEL STEM) and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029414 (acronym: LIghtBRARY) projects through Compete 2020 and FCT programs, projects 2IQBIONEURO (reference: 0624_2IQBIONEURO_6_E) and NEUROATLANTIC (reference: EAPA_791/2018) co-funded by INTERREG (Atlantic program or V-A Spain-Portugal) and European fund for Regional Development (FEDER), FCT (Portugal, SFRH/BPD/102103/2014), National Funds by Foundation for Science and Technology (UID/Multi/00709/2013), “Programa Operacional do Centro, Centro 2020” through the funding of the ICON project (Interdisciplinary Challenges On Neurodegeneration; CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000013), EXPL/BIM-MED/0822/2013 (LB), (SFRH/BPD/94228/2013, IF/00178/2015) (RF), Cerebrovascular Disease Grant and L’Oréal-UNESCO Portugal for Women in Science for supporting this work. Authors declare there are no conflict of interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Ferreira
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Joseph Napoli
- Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, 231 Morgan Hall, MC#3104, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Tariq Enver
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Liliana Bernardino
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Lino Ferreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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19
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Retinoic Acid Receptors in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121915. [PMID: 31805753 PMCID: PMC6966485 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) signaling pathways regulate fundamental biological processes, such as cell proliferation, development, differentiation, and apoptosis. Retinoid receptors (RARs and RXRs) are ligand-dependent transcription factors. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is the principal endogenous ligand for the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) and is produced by the enzymatic oxidation of dietary vitamin A, whose deficiency is associated with several pathological conditions. Differentiation therapy using ATRA revolutionized the outcome of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), although attempts to replicate these results in other cancer types have been met with more modest results. A better knowledge of RA signaling in different leukemia contexts is required to improve initial designs. Here, we will review the RA signaling pathway in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, and will discuss the advantages and the limitations related to retinoid therapy in acute myeloid leukemia.
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20
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Lu X, Lodi A, Konopleva M, Tiziani S. Three-Dimensional Leukemia Co-Culture System for In Vitro High-Content Metabolomics Screening. SLAS DISCOVERY 2019; 24:817-828. [PMID: 31345091 DOI: 10.1177/2472555219860446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Metabolomics is increasingly applied to investigate different individuals and time-dependent responses to environmental stimuli. Rapid data acquisition and improved detection limits of direct infusion mass spectrometry (DIMS) are paving the way for applications of metabolomics in preclinical screening, opening new opportunities in drug discovery and personalized medicine. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems, which mimic the in vivo cell microenvironment, are well recognized as tissue and organ substitutes. Here, we investigated cell viability and induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stromal cells cultured in various 3D systems as well as the standard monolayer culture to evaluate which system provides the most favorable growing conditions. The selected 3D system was then tested for use in 3D co-culture of leukemia and stromal cells for DIMS-based high-throughput/high-content metabolic drug screens. The NanobioMatrix-poly(ε-caprolactone) (NBM-PCL) scaffold resulted in the lowest ROS production, supported rapid cell proliferation, and was suitable for the 96- and 384-well plate formats. Doxorubicin treatment in leukemia co-cultured with stromal cells induced some unique metabolic responses that drastically differed from those observed in leukemia cells alone. The DIMS results also showed that the drug-induced metabolic modulations in both normal and cancer cells were weakened by co-culturing even at high treatment doses, thereby demonstrating the value of the 3D co-culture high-content metabolic drug screen. In conclusion, we optimized a high sample throughput method for 3D co-culture with a DIMS-based high-content metabolic drug screen and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyuan Lu
- 1 Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.,2 Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Alessia Lodi
- 1 Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.,2 Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Marina Konopleva
- 3 Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stefano Tiziani
- 1 Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.,2 Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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21
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Lenti E, Bianchessi S, Proulx ST, Palano MT, Genovese L, Raccosta L, Spinelli A, Drago D, Andolfo A, Alfano M, Petrova TV, Mukenge S, Russo V, Brendolan A. Therapeutic Regeneration of Lymphatic and Immune Cell Functions upon Lympho-organoid Transplantation. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 12:1260-1268. [PMID: 31155505 PMCID: PMC6565831 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymph nodes (LNs) are secondary lymphoid tissues that play a critical role in filtering the lymph and promoting adaptive immune responses. Surgical resection of LNs, radiation therapy, or infections may damage lymphatic vasculature and compromise immune functions. Here, we describe the generation of functional synthetic lympho-organoids (LOs) using LN stromal progenitors and decellularized extracellular matrix-based scaffolds, two basic constituents of secondary lymphoid tissues. We show that upon transplantation at the site of resected LNs, LOs become integrated into the endogenous lymphatic vasculature and efficiently restore lymphatic drainage and perfusion. Upon immunization, LOs support the activation of antigen-specific immune responses, thus acquiring properties of native lymphoid tissues. These findings provide a proof-of-concept strategy for the development of functional lympho-organoids suitable for restoring lymphatic and immune cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Lenti
- Unit of Lymphoid Organ Development, Division of Experimental Oncology, DIBIT-1 3A2, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Bianchessi
- Unit of Lymphoid Organ Development, Division of Experimental Oncology, DIBIT-1 3A2, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Steven T Proulx
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Teresa Palano
- Unit of Lymphoid Organ Development, Division of Experimental Oncology, DIBIT-1 3A2, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Genovese
- Unit of Lymphoid Organ Development, Division of Experimental Oncology, DIBIT-1 3A2, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Raccosta
- Unit of Immuno-Biotherapy of Melanoma and Solid Tumors, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonello Spinelli
- Experimental Imaging Centre, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Denise Drago
- ProMiFa, Protein Microsequencing Facility, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Annapaola Andolfo
- ProMiFa, Protein Microsequencing Facility, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Tatiana V Petrova
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, 1066 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Mukenge
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Russo
- Unit of Immuno-Biotherapy of Melanoma and Solid Tumors, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Brendolan
- Unit of Lymphoid Organ Development, Division of Experimental Oncology, DIBIT-1 3A2, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
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22
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Najafi M, Goradel NH, Farhood B, Salehi E, Solhjoo S, Toolee H, Kharazinejad E, Mortezaee K. Tumor microenvironment: Interactions and therapy. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:5700-5721. [PMID: 30378106 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a host for a complex network of heterogeneous stromal cells with overlapping or opposing functions depending on the dominant signals within this milieu. Reciprocal paracrine interactions between cancer cells with cells within the tumor stroma often reshape the TME in favor of the promotion of tumor. These complex interactions require more sophisticated approaches for cancer therapy, and, therefore, advancing knowledge about dominant drivers of cancer within the TME is critical for designing therapeutic schemes. This review will provide knowledge about TME architecture, multiple signaling, and cross communications between cells within this milieu, and its targeting for immunotherapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Najafi
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, School of Paramedical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Nasser Hashemi Goradel
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Farhood
- Department of Radiology and Medical Physics, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Eniseh Salehi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somaye Solhjoo
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Heidar Toolee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
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23
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Abdelhamid L, Luo XM. Retinoic Acid, Leaky Gut, and Autoimmune Diseases. Nutrients 2018; 10:E1016. [PMID: 30081517 PMCID: PMC6115935 DOI: 10.3390/nu10081016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A leaky gut has been observed in a number of autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that lupus mice also bear a leaky gut and that the intestinal barrier function can be enhanced by gut colonization of probiotics such as Lactobacillus spp. Retinoic acid (RA) can increase the relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp. in the gut. Interestingly, RA has also been shown to strengthen the barrier function of epithelial cells in vitro and in the absence of probiotic bacteria. These reports bring up an interesting question of whether RA exerts protective effects on the intestinal barrier directly or through regulating the microbiota colonization. In this review, we will discuss the roles of RA in immunomodulation, recent literature on the involvement of a leaky gut in different autoimmune diseases, and how RA shapes the outcomes of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Abdelhamid
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Xin M Luo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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