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Hjazi A, Jasim SA, Al-Dhalimy AMB, Bansal P, Kaur H, Qasim MT, Mohammed IH, Deorari M, Jawad MA, Zwamel AH. HOXA9 versus HOXB9; particular focus on their controversial role in tumor pathogenesis. J Appl Genet 2024; 65:473-492. [PMID: 38753266 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-024-00868-x] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
The Homeobox (HOX) gene family is essential to regulating cellular processes because it maintains the exact coordination required for tissue homeostasis, cellular differentiation, and embryonic development. The most distinctive feature of this class of genes is the presence of the highly conserved DNA region known as the homeobox, which is essential for controlling their regulatory activities. Important players in the intricate process of genetic regulation are the HOX genes. Many diseases, especially in the area of cancer, are linked to their aberrant functioning. Due to their distinctive functions in biomedical research-particularly in the complex process of tumor advancement-HOXA9 and HOXB9 have drawn particular attention. HOXA9 and HOXB9 are more significant than what is usually connected with HOX genes since they have roles in the intricate field of cancer and beyond embryonic processes. The framework for a focused study of the different effects of HOXA9 and HOXB9 in the context of tumor biology is established in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, 11942, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Pooja Bansal
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, Jain (Deemed-to-Be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560069, India
- Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303012, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Shobhit University, Gangoh, Uttar Pradesh, 247341, India
- Department of Health & Allied Sciences, Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, 831001, India
| | - Maytham T Qasim
- College of Health and Medical Technology, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Nasiriyah, 64001, Iraq
| | - Israa Hussein Mohammed
- College of Nursing, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Nasiriyah, Iraq
| | - Mahamedha Deorari
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Mohammed Abed Jawad
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, Al-Nisour University College, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Hussein Zwamel
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
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2
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Liu Y, Li Q, Song L, Gong C, Tang S, Budinich KA, Vanderbeck A, Mathias KM, Wertheim GB, Nguyen SC, Outen R, Joyce EF, Maillard I, Wan L. Condensate-Promoting ENL Mutation Drives Tumorigenesis In Vivo Through Dynamic Regulation of Histone Modifications and Gene Expression. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:1522-1546. [PMID: 38655899 PMCID: PMC11294821 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Gain-of-function mutations in the histone acetylation "reader" eleven-nineteen-leukemia (ENL), found in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Wilms tumor, are known to drive condensate formation and gene activation in cellular systems. However, their role in tumorigenesis remains unclear. Using a conditional knock-in mouse model, we show that mutant ENL perturbs normal hematopoiesis, induces aberrant expansion of myeloid progenitors, and triggers rapid onset of aggressive AML. Mutant ENL alters developmental and inflammatory gene programs in part by remodeling histone modifications. Mutant ENL forms condensates in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells at key leukemogenic genes, and disrupting condensate formation via mutagenesis impairs its chromatin and oncogenic function. Moreover, treatment with an acetyl-binding inhibitor of the mutant ENL displaces these condensates from target loci, inhibits mutant ENL-induced chromatin changes, and delays AML initiation and progression in vivo. Our study elucidates the function of ENL mutations in chromatin regulation and tumorigenesis and demonstrates the potential of targeting pathogenic condensates in cancer treatment. Significance: A direct link between ENL mutations, condensate formation, and tumorigenesis is lacking. This study elucidates the function and mechanism of ENL mutations in leukemogenesis, establishing these mutations as bona fide oncogenic drivers. Our results also support the role of condensate dysregulation in cancer and reveal strategies to target pathogenic condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiman Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Qinglan Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Lele Song
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Chujie Gong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Sylvia Tang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Krista A. Budinich
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Cancer Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Ashley Vanderbeck
- VMD-PhD Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Immunology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Kaeli M. Mathias
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Gerald B. Wertheim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Division of Hematopathology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Son C. Nguyen
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Riley Outen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Eric F. Joyce
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Ivan Maillard
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Liling Wan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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3
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Ling RE, Cross JW, Roy A. Aberrant stem cell and developmental programs in pediatric leukemia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1372899. [PMID: 38601080 PMCID: PMC11004259 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1372899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a finely orchestrated process, whereby hematopoietic stem cells give rise to all mature blood cells. Crucially, they maintain the ability to self-renew and/or differentiate to replenish downstream progeny. This process starts at an embryonic stage and continues throughout the human lifespan. Blood cancers such as leukemia occur when normal hematopoiesis is disrupted, leading to uncontrolled proliferation and a block in differentiation of progenitors of a particular lineage (myeloid or lymphoid). Although normal stem cell programs are crucial for tissue homeostasis, these can be co-opted in many cancers, including leukemia. Myeloid or lymphoid leukemias often display stem cell-like properties that not only allow proliferation and survival of leukemic blasts but also enable them to escape treatments currently employed to treat patients. In addition, some leukemias, especially in children, have a fetal stem cell profile, which may reflect the developmental origins of the disease. Aberrant fetal stem cell programs necessary for leukemia maintenance are particularly attractive therapeutic targets. Understanding how hijacked stem cell programs lead to aberrant gene expression in place and time, and drive the biology of leukemia, will help us develop the best treatment strategies for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Ling
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joe W. Cross
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anindita Roy
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
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4
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Khan I, Amin MA, Eklund EA, Gartel AL. Regulation of HOX gene expression in AML. Blood Cancer J 2024; 14:42. [PMID: 38453907 PMCID: PMC10920644 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-01004-y] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
As key developmental regulators, HOX cluster genes have varied and context-specific roles in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. A complex interaction of transcription factors, epigenetic regulators, long non-coding RNAs and chromatin structural changes orchestrate HOX expression in leukemia cells. In this review we summarize molecular mechanisms underlying HOX regulation in clinical subsets of AML, with a focus on NPM1 mutated (NPM1mut) AML comprising a third of all AML patients. While the leukemia initiating function of the NPM1 mutation is clearly dependent on HOX activity, the favorable treatment responses in these patients with upregulation of HOX cluster genes is a poorly understood paradoxical observation. Recent data confirm FOXM1 as a suppressor of HOX activity and a well-known binding partner of NPM suggesting that FOXM1 inactivation may mediate the effect of cytoplasmic NPM on HOX upregulation. Conversely the residual nuclear fraction of mutant NPM has also been recently shown to have chromatin modifying effects permissive to HOX expression. Recent identification of the menin-MLL interaction as a critical vulnerability of HOX-dependent AML has fueled the development of menin inhibitors that are clinically active in NPM1 and MLL rearranged AML despite inconsistent suppression of the HOX locus. Insights into context-specific regulation of HOX in AML may provide a solid foundation for targeting this common vulnerability across several major AML subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irum Khan
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Mohammed A Amin
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Eklund
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrei L Gartel
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Wenge DV, Armstrong SA. The future of HOXA- expressing leukemias: Menin inhibitor response and resistance. Curr Opin Hematol 2024; 31:64-70. [PMID: 38010951 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We provide an update on the successes and ongoing challenges of Menin inhibition as a novel approach for the treatment of patients with acute leukemias that express HOXA cluster genes including leukemias with KMT2A -rearrangements, NPM1 mutations or NUP98 -rearrangements. Initial clinical trials show promising response rates in heavily pretreated patients suggesting these inhibitors may have a significant impact on patient outcome. Furthermore, the development of resistance mutations that decrease drug binding affinity, validates Menin as a therapeutic target in human cancers. Therapeutic strategies aiming at overcoming and preventing resistance, are of high clinical relevance. RECENT FINDINGS Several Menin inhibitor chemotypes have entered clinical trials. Acquired point mutations have recently been described as a mechanism of resistance towards Menin inhibitors. However, resistance can develop in absence of these mutations. Combination therapies are currently being investigated in preclinical models and in early phase clinical trials. SUMMARY Given the remarkable overall response rates, shedding light on treatment options for patients whose leukemias develop resistance to Menin inhibitors is an imminent clinical need. Studying the underlying mechanisms to inform clinical decision making, and to potentially prevent the development of resistance is of outmost importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela V Wenge
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Šestáková Š, Šálek C, Kundrát D, Cerovská E, Vydra J, Ježíšková I, Folta A, Mayer J, Cetkovský P, Remešová H. MethScore as a new comprehensive DNA methylation-based value refining the prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:17. [PMID: 38254139 PMCID: PMC10802002 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01625-x] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changes in DNA methylation are common events in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and have been repeatedly reported as associated with prognosis. However, studies integrating these numerous and potentially prognostically relevant DNA methylation changes are lacking. Therefore, we aimed for an overall evaluation of these epigenetic aberrations to provide a comprehensive NGS-based approach of DNA methylation assessment for AML prognostication. RESULTS We designed a sequencing panel targeting 239 regions (approx. 573 kb of total size) described in the literature as having a prognostic impact or being associated with AML pathogenesis. Diagnostic whole-blood DNA samples of adult AML patients divided into a training (n = 128) and a testing cohort (n = 50) were examined. The libraries were prepared using SeqCap Epi Enrichments System (Roche) and sequenced on MiSeq instrument (Illumina). Altogether, 1935 CpGs affecting the survival (p < 0.05) were revealed in the training cohort. A summarizing value MethScore was then calculated from these significant CpGs. Patients with lower MethScore had markedly longer overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) than those with higher MethScore (p < 0.001). The predictive ability of MethScore was verified on the independent testing cohort for OS (p = 0.01). Moreover, the proof-of-principle validation was performed using the TCGA dataset. CONCLUSIONS We showed that comprehensive NGS-based approach of DNA methylation assessment revealed a robust epigenetic signature relevant to AML outcome. We called this signature MethScore and showed it might serve as a strong prognostic marker able to refine survival probability of AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Šárka Šestáková
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Hematology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Cyril Šálek
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Hematology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dávid Kundrát
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ela Cerovská
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vydra
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Hematology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Ježíšková
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Masaryk University, School of Medicine, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Folta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Masaryk University, School of Medicine, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Mayer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Masaryk University, School of Medicine, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Cetkovský
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Hematology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Remešová
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Wright S, Zhao X, Rosikiewicz W, Mryncza S, Hyle J, Qi W, Liu Z, Yi S, Cheng Y, Xu B, Li C. Systematic characterization of the HOXA9 downstream targets in MLL-r leukemia by noncoding CRISPR screens. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7464. [PMID: 38016946 PMCID: PMC10684515 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43264-5] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that HOXA9 dysregulation is necessary and sufficient for leukemic transformation and maintenance. However, it remains largely unknown how HOXA9, as a homeobox transcriptional factor, binds to noncoding regulatory sequences and controls the downstream genes. Here, we conduct dropout CRISPR screens against 229 HOXA9-bound peaks identified by ChIP-seq. Integrative data analysis identifies reproducible noncoding hits, including those located in the distal enhancer of FLT3 and intron of CDK6. The Cas9-editing and dCas9-KRAB silencing of the HOXA9-bound sites significantly reduce corresponding gene transcription and impair cell proliferation in vitro, and in vivo by transplantation into NSG female mice. In addition, RNA-seq, Q-PCR analysis, chromatin accessibility change, and chromatin conformation evaluation uncover the noncoding regulation mechanism of HOXA9 and its functional downstream genes. In summary, our work improves our understanding of how HOXA9-associated transcription programs reconstruct the regulatory network specifying MLL-r dependency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaela Wright
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Xujie Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Wojciech Rosikiewicz
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Shelby Mryncza
- Department of Biology, Rhodes College, 2000 North Pkwy, Memphis, TN, 38112, USA
| | - Judith Hyle
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Wenjie Qi
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Zhenling Liu
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Siqi Yi
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Yong Cheng
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Chunliang Li
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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8
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Guo C, Gao YY, Li ZL. Predicting leukemic transformation in myelodysplastic syndrome using a transcriptomic signature. Front Genet 2023; 14:1235315. [PMID: 37953918 PMCID: PMC10634373 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1235315] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: For prediction on leukemic transformation of MDS patients, emerging model based on transcriptomic datasets, exhibited superior predictive power to traditional prognostic systems. While these models were lack of external validation by independent cohorts, and the cell origin (CD34+ sorted cells) limited their feasibility in clinical practice. Methods: Transformation associated co-expressed gene cluster was derived based on GSE58831 ('WGCNA' package, R software). Accordingly, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm was implemented to establish a scoring system (i.e., MDS15 score), using training set (GSE58831 originated from CD34+ cells) and testing set (GSE15061 originated from unsorted cells). Results: A total of 68 gene co-expression modules were derived, and the 'brown' module was recognized to be transformation-specific (R2 = 0.23, p = 0.005, enriched in transcription regulating pathways). After 50,000-times LASSO iteration, MDS15 score was established, including the 15-gene expression signature. The predictive power (AUC and Harrison's C index) of MDS15 model was superior to that of IPSS/WPSS in both training set (AUC/C index 0.749/0.777) and testing set (AUC/C index 0.933/0.86). Conclusion: By gene co-expression analysis, the crucial gene module was discovered, and a novel prognostic system (MDS15) was established, which was validated not only by another independent cohort, but by a different cell origin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhen-Ling Li
- Department of Hematology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
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9
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Aonuma T, Moukette B, Kawaguchi S, Barupala NP, Sepúlveda MN, Frick K, Tang Y, Guglin M, Raman SV, Cai C, Liangpunsakul S, Nakagawa S, Kim IM. MiR-150 Attenuates Maladaptive Cardiac Remodeling Mediated by Long Noncoding RNA MIAT and Directly Represses Profibrotic Hoxa4. Circ Heart Fail 2022; 15:e008686. [PMID: 35000421 PMCID: PMC9018469 DOI: 10.1161/circheartfailure.121.008686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNA-150 (miR-150) plays a protective role in heart failure (HF). Long noncoding RNA, myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) regulates miR-150 function in vitro by direct interaction. Concurrent with miR-150 downregulation, MIAT is upregulated in failing hearts, and gain-of-function single-nucleotide polymorphisms in MIAT are associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in humans. Despite the correlative relationship between MIAT and miR-150 in HF, their in vivo functional relationship has never been established, and molecular mechanisms by which these 2 noncoding RNAs regulate cardiac protection remain elusive. METHODS We use MIAT KO (knockout), Hoxa4 (homeobox a4) KO, MIAT TG (transgenic), and miR-150 TG mice. We also develop DTG (double TG) mice overexpressing MIAT and miR-150. We then use a mouse model of MI followed by cardiac functional, structural, and mechanistic studies by echocardiography, immunohistochemistry, transcriptome profiling, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, we perform expression analyses in hearts from patients with HF. Lastly, we investigate cardiac fibroblast activation using primary adult human cardiac fibroblasts and in vitro assays to define the conserved MIAT/miR-150/HOXA4 axis. RESULTS Using novel mouse models, we demonstrate that genetic overexpression of MIAT worsens cardiac remodeling, while genetic deletion of MIAT protects hearts against MI. Importantly, miR-150 overexpression attenuates the detrimental post-MI effects caused by MIAT. Genome-wide transcriptomic analysis of MIAT null mouse hearts identifies Hoxa4 as a novel downstream target of the MIAT/miR-150 axis. Hoxa4 is upregulated in cardiac fibroblasts isolated from ischemic myocardium and subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation. HOXA4 is also upregulated in patients with HF. Moreover, Hoxa4 deficiency in mice protects the heart from MI. Lastly, protective actions of cardiac fibroblast miR-150 are partially attributed to the direct and functional repression of profibrotic Hoxa4. CONCLUSIONS Our findings delineate a pivotal functional interaction among MIAT, miR-150, and Hoxa4 as a novel regulatory mechanism pertinent to ischemic HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Aonuma
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Bruno Moukette
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Satoshi Kawaguchi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Nipuni P. Barupala
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Marisa N. Sepúlveda
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kyle Frick
- Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yaoliang Tang
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Maya Guglin
- Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Subha V. Raman
- Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chenleng Cai
- Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Suthat Liangpunsakul
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA;,Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Il-man Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA;,Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA;,Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA;,Address for correspondence: Il-man Kim, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS 346A, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA, , Phone: 317-278-2086
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10
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Thakral D, Gupta R, Khan A. Leukemic stem cell signatures in Acute myeloid leukemia- targeting the Guardians with novel approaches. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:1756-1773. [DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10349-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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11
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Long noncoding RNAs: Emerging regulators of normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Blood 2021; 138:2327-2336. [PMID: 34482397 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021011992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome wide analyses have revealed that long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are not only passive transcription products, but also major regulators of genome structure and transcription. In particular, lncRNAs exert profound effects on various biological processes, such as chromatin structure, transcription, RNA stability and translation, and protein degradation and localization, which depend on their localization and interacting partners. Recent studies have revealed that thousands of lncRNAs are aberrantly expressed in various cancer types and some of them are associated with malignant transformation. Despite extensive efforts, the diverse functions of lncRNAs and molecular mechanisms in which they act remain elusive. Many hematological disorders and malignancies are primarily resulted from genetic alterations that lead to the dysregulation of gene regulatory networks required for cellular proliferation and differentiation. Consequently, a growing list of lncRNAs has been reported for their involvement in the modulation of hematopoietic gene expression networks and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HS/PC) function. Dysregulation of some of these lncRNAs has been attributed to pathogenesis of hematological malignancies. In this review, we will summarize current advances and knowledge of lncRNAs in gene regulation, focusing on the recent progresses on the role of lncRNAs in CTCF/cohesin mediated three-dimensional (3D) genome organization, and how such genome folding signals in turn regulate transcription, HS/PC function and transformation. The knowledge will provide mechanistic and translational insights into HS/PC biology and myeloid malignancy pathophysiology.
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12
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Chen M, Qu Y, Yue P, Yan X. The Prognostic Value and Function of HOXB5 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Genet 2021; 12:678368. [PMID: 34421991 PMCID: PMC8376581 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.678368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Currently, cytogenetic and genetic markers are the most important for risk stratification and treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Despite the identification of many prognostic factors, relatively few have made their way into clinical practice. Therefore, the identification of new AML biomarkers is useful in the prognosis and monitoring of AML and contributes to a better understanding of the molecular basis of the disease. Homeobox (HOX) genes are transcription factors that lead to cell differentiation blockade and malignant self-renewal. However, the roles of HOX genes in AML are still not fully understood and need further exploration, which may provide new strategies for the prognosis and monitoring of AML. Methods We analyzed the RNA sequencing and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), VIZOME, GSE13159, and GSE9476 cohorts. Analyses were performed with GraphPad 7, the R language, and several online databases. We applied quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western Blotting, CCK8 cell proliferation assays, and flow cytometry to verify the conclusions of the bioinformatics analysis. Results We identified HOXB5 as the only gene among the HOX family that was not only elevated in AML but also a significant prognostic marker in AML patients. HOXB5 was highly expressed in AML patients with NPM1, FLT3, or DNMT3A mutations and was expressed at the highest level in patients with NPM1-FLT3-DNMT3A triple-mutant AML. Gene Ontology analysis and gene set enrichment analysis revealed that HOXB5 showed a negative correlation with the myeloid cell differentiation signature and that the tumor necrosis factor/nuclear factor κB signaling pathway was involved in the molecular mechanism. Moreover, we performed in silico protein–protein interaction analysis and 450K TCGA DNA methylation data analysis and found that HOXB5 interacted with two HOX genes (HOXA7 and HOXB4) that were commonly regulated by DNA methylation levels. Conclusion HOXB5 is associated with the malignant development of AML and may be a treatment target and biomarker for AML prognosis prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Chen
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yi Qu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Pengjie Yue
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaojing Yan
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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13
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Garnar-Wortzel L, Bishop TR, Kitamura S, Milosevich N, Asiaban JN, Zhang X, Zheng Q, Chen E, Ramos AR, Ackerman CJ, Hampton EN, Chatterjee AK, Young TS, Hull MV, Sharpless KB, Cravatt BF, Wolan DW, Erb MA. Chemical Inhibition of ENL/AF9 YEATS Domains in Acute Leukemia. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:815-830. [PMID: 34079898 PMCID: PMC8161486 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c01550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional coregulators, which mediate chromatin-dependent transcriptional signaling, represent tractable targets to modulate tumorigenic gene expression programs with small molecules. Genetic loss-of-function studies have recently implicated the transcriptional coactivator, ENL, as a selective requirement for the survival of acute leukemia and highlighted an essential role for its chromatin reader YEATS domain. Motivated by these discoveries, we executed a screen of nearly 300,000 small molecules and identified an amido-imidazopyridine inhibitor of the ENL YEATS domain (IC50 = 7 μM). Improvements to the initial screening hit were enabled by adopting and expanding upon a SuFEx-based approach to high-throughput medicinal chemistry, ultimately demonstrating that it is compatible with cell-based drug discovery. Through these efforts, we discovered SR-0813, a potent and selective ENL/AF9 YEATS domain inhibitor (IC50 = 25 nM). Armed with this tool and a first-in-class ENL PROTAC, SR-1114, we detailed the biological response of AML cells to pharmacological ENL disruption for the first time. Most notably, we discovered that ENL YEATS inhibition is sufficient to selectively suppress ENL target genes, including HOXA9/10, MYB, MYC, and a number of other leukemia proto-oncogenes. Cumulatively, our study establishes YEATS domain inhibition as a viable approach to disrupt the pathogenic function of ENL in acute leukemia and provides the first thoroughly characterized chemical probe for the ENL YEATS domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopold Garnar-Wortzel
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Timothy R. Bishop
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Seiya Kitamura
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research
Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Natalia Milosevich
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Joshua N. Asiaban
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Qinheng Zheng
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Emily Chen
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Anissa R. Ramos
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Christopher J. Ackerman
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Eric N. Hampton
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Arnab K. Chatterjee
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Travis S. Young
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Mitchell V. Hull
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - K. Barry Sharpless
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Benjamin F. Cravatt
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Dennis W. Wolan
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research
Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Michael A. Erb
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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14
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The stem cell-specific long noncoding RNA HOXA10-AS in the pathogenesis of KMT2A-rearranged leukemia. Blood Adv 2020; 3:4252-4263. [PMID: 31867596 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019032029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
HOX genes are highly conserved, and their precisely controlled expression is crucial for normal hematopoiesis. Accordingly, deregulation of HOX genes can cause leukemia. However, despite of intensive research on the coding HOX genes, the role of the numerous long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) within the HOX clusters during hematopoiesis and their contribution to leukemogenesis are incompletely understood. Here, we show that the lncRNA HOXA10-AS, located antisense to HOXA10 and mir-196b in the HOXA cluster, is highly expressed in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) as well as in KMT2A-rearranged and NPM1 mutated acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs). Using short hairpin RNA- and locked nucleic acid-conjugated chimeric antisense oligonucleotide (LNA-GapmeR)-mediated HOXA10-AS-knockdown and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated excision in vitro, we demonstrate that HOXA10-AS acts as an oncogene in KMT2A-rearranged AML. Moreover, HOXA10-AS knockdown severely impairs the leukemic growth of KMT2A-rearranged patient-derived xenografts in vivo, while high HOXA10-AS expression can serve as a marker of poor prognosis in AML patients. Lentiviral expression of HOXA10-AS blocks normal monocytic differentiation of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Mechanistically, we show that HOXA10-AS localizes in the cytoplasm and acts in trans to induce NF-κB target genes. In total, our data imply that the normally HSC-specific HOXA10-AS is an oncogenic lncRNA in KMT2A-r AML. Thus, it may also represent a potential therapeutic target in KMT2A-rearranged AML.
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15
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Tan Y, Zheng L, Du Y, Zhong Q, Zhu Y, Liu Z, Liu S, Zhang Q. Identification of the hub genes and pathways involved in acute myeloid leukemia using bioinformatics analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e22047. [PMID: 32871963 PMCID: PMC7458232 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000022047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We identified the hub genes and pathways dysregulated in acute myeloid leukemia and the potential molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS We downloaded the GSE15061 gene expression dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and used weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify hub genes. Differential expression of the genes was evaluated using the limma package in R software. Subsequently, we built a protein-protein interaction network followed by functional enrichment analysis. Then, the prognostic significance of gene expression was explored in terms of overall survival. Finally, transcription factor-mRNA (ribonucleic acid) and microRNA-mRNA interaction analysis was also explored. RESULTS We identified 100 differentially expressed hub genes. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the genes were principally involved in immune system regulation, host defense, and negative regulation of apoptosis and myeloid cell differentiation. We identified 4 hub genes, the expression of which was significantly correlated with overall survival. Finally, 26 key regulators for hub genes and 38 microRNA-mRNA interactions were identified. CONCLUSION We performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of hub genes potentially involved in acute myeloid leukemia development. Further molecular biological experiments are required to confirm the roles played by these genes.
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16
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Walker AR, Byrd JC, Blachly JS, Bhatnagar B, Mims AS, Orwick S, Lin TL, Crosswell HE, Zhang D, Minden MD, Munugalavadla V, Long L, Liu J, Pan Y, Oellerich T, Serve H, Rao AV, Blum WG. Entospletinib in Combination with Induction Chemotherapy in Previously Untreated Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Response and Predictive Significance of HOXA9 and MEIS1 Expression. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:5852-5859. [PMID: 32820015 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-1064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) signaling is a proposed target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Sensitivity to SYK inhibition has been linked to HOXA9 and MEIS1 overexpression in preclinical studies. This trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of entospletinib, a selective inhibitor of SYK, in combination with chemotherapy in untreated AML. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was an international multicenter phase Ib/II study, entospletinib dose escalation (standard 3+3 design between 200 and 400 mg twice daily) + 7+3 (cytarabine + daunorubicin) in phase Ib and entospletinib dose expansion (400 mg twice daily) + 7+3 in phase II. RESULTS Fifty-three patients (n = 12, phase Ib and n = 41, phase II) with previously untreated de novo (n = 39) or secondary (n = 14) AML were enrolled (58% male; median age, 60 years) in this study. The composite complete response with entospletinib + 7+3 was 70%. Patients with baseline HOXA9 and MEIS1 expression higher than the median had improved overall survival compared with patients with below median HOXA9 and MEIS1 expression. Common adverse events were cytopenias, febrile neutropenia, and infection. There were no dose-limiting toxicities. Entospletinib-related skin rash and hyperbilirubinemia were also observed. CONCLUSIONS Entospletinib with intensive chemotherapy was well-tolerated in patients with AML. Improved survival was observed in patients with HOXA9/MEIS1 overexpression, contrasting published data demonstrating poor survival in such patients. A randomized study will be necessary to determine whether entospletinib was a mediator this observation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tara L Lin
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | | | | | - Mark D Minden
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Jinfeng Liu
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California
| | - Yang Pan
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California
| | - Thomas Oellerich
- Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hubert Serve
- Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arati V Rao
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California
| | - William G Blum
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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17
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Wang H, Lin SY, Hu FF, Guo AY, Hu H. The expression and regulation of HOX genes and membrane proteins among different cytogenetic groups of acute myeloid leukemia. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020; 8:e1365. [PMID: 32614525 PMCID: PMC7507697 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cytogenetic aberrations were considered as markers for diagnosis and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), while the expression and regulation under different cytogenetic groups remain to be fully elucidated. METHODS In this paper, for favorable, poor, and cytogenetically normal groups of AML patients, we performed comprehensive bioinformatics analyses including identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) among them, functional enrichment and regulatory networks. RESULTS We found that DEGs were enriched in membrane-related processes. Eleven genes and two miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed among these three AML groups. In survival analysis, membrane-related genes and several miRNAs were significant on prognostic outcome. Notably, six HOXA and three HOXB genes were significantly in low expression and high methylation in AML with favorable cytogenetics. Meanwhile, the miRNA-HOX gene co-regulatory networks revealed that HOXA5 was a hub node and regulated an AML oncogene SPARC. CONCLUSION Our work may provide novel insights to the molecular characteristics and classification between AML with different cytogenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huili Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Wenhua College, Wuhan, China
| | - Sheng-Yan Lin
- Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei-Fei Hu
- Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - An-Yuan Guo
- Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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18
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Guo C, Ju QQ, Zhang CX, Gong M, Li ZL, Gao YY. Overexpression of HOXA10 is associated with unfavorable prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:586. [PMID: 32571260 PMCID: PMC7310421 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07088-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HOXA family genes were crucial transcription factors involving cell proliferation and apoptosis. While few studies have focused on HOXA10 in AML. We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of HOXA10. Methods We downloaded datasets from GEO and BeatAML database, to compare HOXA expression level between AML patients and controls. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate the impact of HOXA10 expression on AML survival. The differentially expressed genes, miRNAs, lncRNAs and methylated regions between HOXA10-high and -low groups were obtained using R (version 3.6.0). Accordingly, the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was accomplished using MSigDB database. Moreover, the regulatory TFs/microRNAs/lncRNAs of HOXA10 were identified. A LASSO-Cox model fitted OS to clinical and HOXA10-associated genetic variables by glmnet package. Results HOXA10 was overexpressed in AML patients than that in controls. The HOXA10-high group is significantly associated with shorter OS and DFS. A total of 1219 DEGs, 131 DEmiRs, 282 DElncRs were identified to be associated with HOXA10. GSEA revealed that 12 suppressed and 3 activated pathways in HOXA10-high group. Furthermore, the integrated regulatory network targeting HOXA10 was established. The LASSO-Cox model fitted OS to AML-survival risk scores, which included age, race, molecular risk, expression of IKZF2/LINC00649/LINC00839/FENDRR and has-miR-424-5p. The time dependent ROC indicated a satisfying AUC (1-year AUC 0.839, 3-year AUC 0.871 and 5-year AUC 0.813). Conclusions Our study identified HOXA10 overexpression as an adverse prognostic factor for AML. The LASSO-COX regression analysis revealed novel prediction model of OS with superior diagnostic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Guo
- Department of Hematology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yinghua East Street, Beijing, China
| | - Qian-Qian Ju
- Department of Hematology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yinghua East Street, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Xia Zhang
- Department of Hematology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yinghua East Street, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Gong
- Department of Hematology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yinghua East Street, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen-Ling Li
- Department of Hematology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yinghua East Street, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Yue Gao
- Department of Hematology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yinghua East Street, Beijing, China.
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19
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Adato O, Orenstein Y, Kopolovic J, Juven-Gershon T, Unger R. Quantitative Analysis of Differential Expression of HOX Genes in Multiple Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1572. [PMID: 32545894 PMCID: PMC7352544 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors encoded by Homeobox (HOX) genes play numerous key functions during early embryonic development and differentiation. Multiple reports have shown that mis-regulation of HOX gene expression plays key roles in the development of cancers. Their expression levels in cancers tend to differ based on tissue and tumor type. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis comparing HOX gene expression in different cancer types, obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), with matched healthy tissues, obtained from Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx). We identified and quantified differential expression patterns that confirmed previously identified expression changes and highlighted new differential expression signatures. We discovered differential expression patterns that are in line with patient survival data. This comprehensive and quantitative analysis provides a global picture of HOX genes' differential expression patterns in different cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orit Adato
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel;
| | - Yaron Orenstein
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
| | - Juri Kopolovic
- Department of Pathology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel;
| | - Tamar Juven-Gershon
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel;
| | - Ron Unger
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel;
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20
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Qiu Y, Huang S. CTCF-mediated genome organization and leukemogenesis. Leukemia 2020; 34:2295-2304. [PMID: 32518417 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-0906-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent technological advancements and genome-wide studies provide compelling evidence that dynamic chromatin interaction and three-dimensional genome organization in nuclei play an important role in regulating gene expression. Mammalian genomes consist of many small functional domains termed topologically associated domains (TADs), many of them organized by CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and the cohesion complex. Changes in genome TADs might result in inappropriate promoter/enhancer communications leading to activation of oncogenes or suppression of tumor suppressors. During normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis, genome structure alters considerably to facilitate normal and malignant hematopoiesis, respectively. Delineating theses normal and abnormal processes will evolve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and development of potential treatment strategies. This review highlights the role of CTCF and its associated protein complexes in three-dimensional genome organization in development and leukemogenesis, as well as the roles of CTCF boundary defined TAD in transcription regulation. We further explore the function of chromatin modulators, such as CTCF, cohesin, and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in chromosomal interactions and hematopoietic genome organization. Finally, we focus on the implication of 3D genome alteration in the pathogenesis of leukemia and provide a scientific basis for targeted intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Qiu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 16033, USA. .,Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 16033, USA.
| | - Suming Huang
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 16033, USA. .,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 16033, USA.
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21
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Wang H, Shah CA, Hu L, Huang W, Platanias LC, Eklund EA. An aberrantly sustained emergency granulopoiesis response accelerates postchemotherapy relapse in MLL1-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia in mice. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:9663-9675. [PMID: 32467231 PMCID: PMC7363149 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1) gene rearrangement is characterized by increased expression of a set of homeodomain transcription factors, including homeobox A9 (HOXA9) and HOXA10. The target genes for these regulators include fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and Ariadne RBR E3 ubiquitin ligase 2 (ARIH2). FGF2 induces leukemia stem cell expansion in MLL1-rearranged AML. ARIH2 encodes TRIAD1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase required for termination of emergency granulopoiesis and leukemia suppressor function in MLL1-rearranged AML. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including the FGF receptor, are TRIAD1 substrates that are possibly relevant to these activities. Using transcriptome analysis, we found increased activity of innate immune response pathways and RTK signaling in bone marrow progenitors from mice with MLL1-rearranged AML. We hypothesized that sustained RTK signaling, because of decreased TRIAD1 activity, impairs termination of emergency granulopoiesis during the innate immune response and contributes to leukemogenesis in this AML subtype. Consistent with this, we found aberrantly sustained emergency granulopoiesis in a murine model of MLL1-rearranged AML, associated with accelerated leukemogenesis. Treating these mice with an inhibitor of TRIAD1-substrate RTKs terminated emergency granulopoiesis, delayed leukemogenesis during emergency granulopoiesis, and normalized innate immune responses when combined with chemotherapy. Emergency granulopoiesis also hastened postchemotherapy relapse in mice with MLL1-rearranged AML, but remission was sustained by ongoing RTK inhibition. Our findings suggest that the physiological stress of infectious challenges may drive AML progression in molecularly defined subsets and identify RTK inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach to counteract this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Chirag A Shah
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Liping Hu
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Weiqi Huang
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Leonidas C Platanias
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Eklund
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA .,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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22
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Huang W, Liu B, Eklund EA. Investigating the role of the innate immune response in relapse or blast crisis in chronic myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2020; 34:2364-2374. [PMID: 32080344 PMCID: PMC7438233 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-0771-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by expression of the tyrosine kinase oncogene, Bcr–abl. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) induce prolonged remission in CML, and therapy discontinuation is an accepted approach to patients with reduction in Bcr–abl transcripts of four logs or greater. Half such individuals sustain a therapy free remission, but molecular mechanisms predicting relapse are undefined. We found relative calpain inhibition in CML cells with stabilization of calpain substrates, including βcatenin and Xiap1. Since the Survivin gene is activated by βcatenin, this identified two apoptosis-resistance mechanisms. We found that Survivin impaired apoptosis in leukemia stem cells (LSCs) and Xiap1 in CML granulocytes. Consistent with this, we determined treatment with an inhibitor of Survivin, but not Xiap1, prevented relapse during TKI treatment and after therapy discontinuation in a murine CML model. By transcriptome profiling, we identified activation of innate immune response pathways in murine CML bone marrow progenitors. This was increased by TKI treatment alone, but normalized with addition of a Survivin inhibitor. We found that activation of the innate immune response induced rapid blast crisis in untreated CML mice, and chronic phase relapse during a TKI discontinuation attempt. These results suggest that extrinsic stress exerts adverse effects on CML-LSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Huang
- The Feinberg School, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Jesse Brown Veterans Health Administration Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- The Feinberg School, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Eklund
- The Feinberg School, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. .,Jesse Brown Veterans Health Administration Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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23
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Luo H, Zhu G, Xu J, Lai Q, Yan B, Guo Y, Fung TK, Zeisig BB, Cui Y, Zha J, Cogle C, Wang F, Xu B, Yang FC, Li W, So CWE, Qiu Y, Xu M, Huang S. HOTTIP lncRNA Promotes Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal Leading to AML-like Disease in Mice. Cancer Cell 2019; 36:645-659.e8. [PMID: 31786140 PMCID: PMC6917035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2019.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical for regulating HOX genes, aberration of which is a dominant mechanism for leukemic transformation. How HOX gene-associated lncRNAs regulate hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function and contribute to leukemogenesis remains elusive. We found that HOTTIP is aberrantly activated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to alter HOXA-driven topologically associated domain (TAD) and gene expression. HOTTIP loss attenuates leukemogenesis of transplanted mice, while reactivation of HOTTIP restores leukemic TADs, transcription, and leukemogenesis in the CTCF-boundary-attenuated AML cells. Hottip aberration in mice abnormally promotes HSC self-renewal leading to AML-like disease by altering the homeotic/hematopoietic gene-associated chromatin signature and transcription program. Hottip aberration acts as an oncogenic event to perturb HSC function by reprogramming leukemic-associated chromatin and gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huacheng Luo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Ganqian Zhu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
| | - Jianfeng Xu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Qian Lai
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Bowen Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ying Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136; Department of Cell System & Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Tsz Kan Fung
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Bernd B Zeisig
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Ya Cui
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jie Zha
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Christopher Cogle
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University Medical School, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Feng-Chun Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136; Department of Cell System & Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK.
| | - Yi Qiu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Mingjiang Xu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136; Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| | - Suming Huang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
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24
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Xu P, Zhou D, Yan G, Ouyang J, Chen B. Correlation of miR-181a and three HOXA genes as useful biomarkers in acute myeloid leukemia. Int J Lab Hematol 2019; 42:16-22. [PMID: 31670914 DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.13116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION MiR-181a is a small, noncoding RNA that plays important roles in the pathogenesis and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A group of HOXA genes, including HOXA7, HOXA9, and HOXA11, has been established as an independent predictor for AML prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between miR-181a and HOXA7, HOXA9, and HOXA11 and explore their roles in predicting prognosis in AML. PATIENTS AND METHODS Bone marrow samples of 46 untreated AML patients and 9 healthy donors were collected. Mononuclear cells were purified using density-gradient centrifugation in Ficoll, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect miR-181a and HOXA gene expression level. RESULTS HOXA7, HOXA9, and HOXA11 were negatively correlated with miR-181a, and their expression levels varied among AML subtypes, karyotypes, and risk status. Higher miR-181a and lower HOXA gene expressions were significantly associated with lower risk status and better response to chemotherapy. CONCLUSION In our study, we found miR-181a expression was negatively correlated with three HOXA genes and they were associated with AML risk status and prognosis in granulocytic AML. It further supported that miR-181a could be a useful marker for AML prognosis and possibly worked by regulating HOXA gene clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Di Zhou
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Guijun Yan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Ouyang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
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25
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The Role of the HOXA Gene Family in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10080621. [PMID: 31426381 PMCID: PMC6723066 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The HOXA gene family is associated with various cancer types. However, the role of HOXA genes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have not been comprehensively studied. We compared the transcriptional expression, survival data, and network analysis of HOXA-associated signaling pathways in patients with AML using the ONCOMINE, GEPIA, LinkedOmics, cBioPortal, and Metascape databases. We observed that HOXA2-10 mRNA expression levels were significantly upregulated in AML and that high HOXA1-10 expression was associated with poor AML patient prognosis. The HOXA genes were altered in ~18% of the AML samples, either in terms of amplification, deep deletion, or elevated mRNA expression. The following pathways were modulated by HOXA gene upregulation: GO:0048706: embryonic skeletal system development; R-HSA-5617472: activation of HOX genes in anterior hindbrain development during early embryogenesis; GO:0060216: definitive hemopoiesis; hsa05202: transcriptional mis-regulation in cancer; and GO:0045638: negative regulation of myeloid cell differentiation, and they were significantly regulated due to alterations affecting the HOXA genes. This study identified HOXA3-10 genes as potential AML therapeutic targets and prognostic markers.
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26
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Paris J, Morgan M, Campos J, Spencer GJ, Shmakova A, Ivanova I, Mapperley C, Lawson H, Wotherspoon DA, Sepulveda C, Vukovic M, Allen L, Sarapuu A, Tavosanis A, Guitart AV, Villacreces A, Much C, Choe J, Azar A, van de Lagemaat LN, Vernimmen D, Nehme A, Mazurier F, Somervaille TCP, Gregory RI, O'Carroll D, Kranc KR. Targeting the RNA m 6A Reader YTHDF2 Selectively Compromises Cancer Stem Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cell Stem Cell 2019; 25:137-148.e6. [PMID: 31031138 PMCID: PMC6617387 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 315] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive clonal disorder of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and primitive progenitors that blocks their myeloid differentiation, generating self-renewing leukemic stem cells (LSCs). Here, we show that the mRNA m6A reader YTHDF2 is overexpressed in a broad spectrum of human AML and is required for disease initiation as well as propagation in mouse and human AML. YTHDF2 decreases the half-life of diverse m6A transcripts that contribute to the overall integrity of LSC function, including the tumor necrosis factor receptor Tnfrsf2, whose upregulation in Ythdf2-deficient LSCs primes cells for apoptosis. Intriguingly, YTHDF2 is not essential for normal HSC function, with YTHDF2 deficiency actually enhancing HSC activity. Thus, we identify YTHDF2 as a unique therapeutic target whose inhibition selectively targets LSCs while promoting HSC expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Paris
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukaemia Biology, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Marcos Morgan
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Joana Campos
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukaemia Biology, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Gary J Spencer
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Alena Shmakova
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Ivayla Ivanova
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Christopher Mapperley
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Hannah Lawson
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukaemia Biology, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - David A Wotherspoon
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukaemia Biology, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Catarina Sepulveda
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Milica Vukovic
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Lewis Allen
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Annika Sarapuu
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukaemia Biology, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Andrea Tavosanis
- Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukaemia Biology, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Amelie V Guitart
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Arnaud Villacreces
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Christian Much
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Junho Choe
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Azar
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukaemia Biology, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Louie N van de Lagemaat
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukaemia Biology, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | | | - Ali Nehme
- Université de Tours, CNRS, LNOx ERL 7001, Tours, France
| | | | - Tim C P Somervaille
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Richard I Gregory
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dónal O'Carroll
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.
| | - Kamil R Kranc
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; Laboratory of Haematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukaemia Biology, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
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Nagy Á, Ősz Á, Budczies J, Krizsán S, Szombath G, Demeter J, Bödör C, Győrffy B. Elevated HOX gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia is associated with NPM1 mutations and poor survival. J Adv Res 2019; 20:105-116. [PMID: 31333881 PMCID: PMC6614546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal disorder of hematopoietic progenitor cells and the most common malignant myeloid disorder in adults. Several gene mutations such as in NPM1 (nucleophosmin 1) are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of AML. The aim of this study was to identify genes whose expression is associated with driver mutations and survival outcome. Genotype data (somatic mutations) and gene expression data including RNA-seq, microarray, and qPCR data were used for the analysis. Multiple datasets were utilized as training sets (GSE6891, TCGA, and GSE1159). A new clinical sample cohort (Semmelweis set) was established for in vitro validation. Wilcoxon analysis was used to identify genes with expression alterations between the mutant and wild type samples. Cox regression analysis was performed to examine the association between gene expression and survival outcome. Data analysis was performed in the R statistical environment. Eighty-five genes were identified with significantly altered expression when comparing NPM1 mutant and wild type patient groups in the GSE6891 set. Additional training sets were used as a filter to condense the six most significant genes associated with NPM1 mutations. Then, the expression changes of these six genes were confirmed in the Semmelweis set: HOXA5 (P = 3.06E-12, FC = 8.3), HOXA10 (P = 2.44E-09, FC = 3.3), HOXB5 (P = 1.86E-13, FC = 37), MEIS1 (P = 9.82E-10, FC = 4.4), PBX3 (P = 1.03E-13, FC = 5.4) and ITM2A (P = 0.004, FC = 0.4). Cox regression analysis showed that higher expression of these genes - with the exception of ITM2A - was associated with worse overall survival. Higher expression of the HOX genes was identified in tumors harboring NPM1 gene mutations by computationally linking genotype and gene expression. In vitro validation of these genes supports their potential therapeutic application in AML.
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Key Words
- AML, acute myeloid leukemia
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Clinical samples
- FAB classification, French–American–British classification
- FC, fold change
- Gene expression
- HOX genes
- HOX, homeobox
- HR, hazard ratio
- ITD, internal tandem duplication
- MEIS, myeloid ecotropic viral integration site
- Mutation
- NCBI GEO, National Center for Biotechnology Gene expression Omnibus
- OS, overall survival
- PBX, pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox
- Survival
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- WHO, World Health Organization
- qPCR, quantitative polymerase chain reaction
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Nagy
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar Tudósok körútja 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics, Tűzoltó utca 7-9, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Ősz
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar Tudósok körútja 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics, Tűzoltó utca 7-9, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jan Budczies
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Szilvia Krizsán
- MTA-SE Lendület Molecular Oncohematology Research Group, 1st Department of Pathology, and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely Szombath
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Demeter
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csaba Bödör
- MTA-SE Lendület Molecular Oncohematology Research Group, 1st Department of Pathology, and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar Tudósok körútja 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics, Tűzoltó utca 7-9, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
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28
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Li L, Wang Y, Song G, Zhang X, Gao S, Liu H. HOX cluster-embedded antisense long non-coding RNAs in lung cancer. Cancer Lett 2019; 450:14-21. [PMID: 30807784 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Homeobox (HOX) genes play vital roles in embryonic development and oncogenesis. In humans, there are 39 HOX genes found in four clusters that are located on different chromosomes. The HOX clusters also contain numerous non-protein-coding RNAs, including some lncRNAs. The HOX cluster-embedded lncRNAs (HOX-lncRNAs), most notably, HOTTIP and HOTAIR play a major role in the regulation of their adjacent coding genes. Recently, most HOX-lncRNAs have been shown to impact tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Several HOX-lncRNAs, including HOTTIP, HOXA11-AS, HOTAIRM1, HOXA-AS3, HOXA10-AS, HOTAIR, and HAGLR, are dysregulated in lung cancer. Moreover, their expression levels are correlated with the clinical features of this disease. These HOX-lncRNAs regulate the proliferation, invasion, migration, and chemo-resistance of lung cancer cells through various molecular mechanisms. Although lncRNAs have received much attention lately, the functions of some HOX-lncRNAs in the development of cancer are unclear. Thus, HOX-embedded lncRNAs should be widely investigated in cancer. Here, we review the functions of HOX-lncRNAs in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianlian Li
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, China.
| | - Yong Wang
- Shandong Xinchuang Biotechnology Co., LTD, Jinan, 250102, China
| | | | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, China
| | - Shan Gao
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, China
| | - Hongyan Liu
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, China.
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29
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Li L, Zhang X, Liu Q, Yin H, Diao Y, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Gao Y, Ren X, Li J, Cui D, Lu Y, Liu H. Emerging role of HOX genes and their related long noncoding RNAs in lung cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2019; 139:1-6. [PMID: 31112877 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor homeobox (Hox) proteins are the master regulator for the embryonic development. Studies have identified new functions for HOX in the regulation of metabolism and other primary cellular processes in humans. Their dysregulation has been observed in a variety of cancers and accumulating evidence has revealed the crucial role of HOX in cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. HOX-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) became the most attracting lncRNAs recently that play critical role in gene regulation and chromatin dynamics in cancers. In this review, we explore the roles of HOX and their related lncRNAs in lung cancer, indicating HOX genes as potential therapeutic targets in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianlian Li
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China; School of Life Science, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China
| | - Haipeng Yin
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China
| | - Yutao Diao
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China
| | - Xia Ren
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China
| | - Juan Li
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China
| | - Dayong Cui
- School of Life Sciences, Qilu Normal University, Jinan, 250200, Shandong, China
| | - Yanqin Lu
- Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Center, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China
| | - Hongyan Liu
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062, Shandong, China.
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30
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Sun Y, Zhou B, Mao F, Xu J, Miao H, Zou Z, Phuc Khoa LT, Jang Y, Cai S, Witkin M, Koche R, Ge K, Dressler GR, Levine RL, Armstrong SA, Dou Y, Hess JL. HOXA9 Reprograms the Enhancer Landscape to Promote Leukemogenesis. Cancer Cell 2018; 34:643-658.e5. [PMID: 30270123 PMCID: PMC6179449 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of HOXA9 is a prominent feature of acute leukemia driven by diverse oncogenes. Here we show that HOXA9 overexpression in myeloid and B progenitor cells leads to significant enhancer reorganizations with prominent emergence of leukemia-specific de novo enhancers. Alterations in the enhancer landscape lead to activation of an ectopic embryonic gene program. We show that HOXA9 functions as a pioneer factor at de novo enhancers and recruits CEBPα and the MLL3/MLL4 complex. Genetic deletion of MLL3/MLL4 blocks histone H3K4 methylation at de novo enhancers and inhibits HOXA9/MEIS1-mediated leukemogenesis in vivo. These results suggest that therapeutic targeting of HOXA9-dependent enhancer reorganization can be an effective therapeutic strategy in acute leukemia with HOXA9 overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Sun
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Bo Zhou
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Fengbiao Mao
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hongzhi Miao
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Zhenhua Zou
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Le Tran Phuc Khoa
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Younghoon Jang
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sheng Cai
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Matthew Witkin
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Richard Koche
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kai Ge
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gregory R Dressler
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ross L Levine
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Scott A Armstrong
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yali Dou
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Jay L Hess
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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31
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Coan M, Rampioni Vinciguerra GL, Cesaratto L, Gardenal E, Bianchet R, Dassi E, Vecchione A, Baldassarre G, Spizzo R, Nicoloso MS. Exploring the Role of Fallopian Ciliated Cells in the Pathogenesis of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092512. [PMID: 30149579 PMCID: PMC6163198 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women and the first among gynecological malignancies. Despite an initial response to standard chemotherapy, most HGSOC patients relapse. To improve treatment options, we must continue investigating tumor biology. Tumor characteristics (e.g., risk factors and epidemiology) are valuable clues to accomplish this task. The two most frequent risk factors for HGSOC are the lifetime number of ovulations, which is associated with increased oxidative stress in the pelvic area caused by ovulation fluid, and a positive family history due to genetic factors. In the attempt to identify novel genetic factors (i.e., genes) associated with HGSOC, we observed that several genes in linkage with HGSOC are expressed in the ciliated cells of the fallopian tube. This finding made us hypothesize that ciliated cells, despite not being the cell of origin for HGSOC, may take part in HGSOC tumor initiation. Specifically, malfunction of the ciliary beat impairs the laminar fluid flow above the fallopian tube epithelia, thus likely reducing the clearance of oxidative stress caused by follicular fluid. Herein, we review the up-to-date findings dealing with HGSOC predisposition with the hypothesis that fallopian ciliated cells take part in HGSOC onset. Finally, we review the up-to-date literature concerning genes that are located in genomic loci associated with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) predisposition that are expressed by the fallopian ciliated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Coan
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Translational Research, IRCCS CRO Aviano-National Cancer Institute, Via Franco Gallini, 2 33081 Aviano PN, Italy.
| | - Gian Luca Rampioni Vinciguerra
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Translational Research, IRCCS CRO Aviano-National Cancer Institute, Via Franco Gallini, 2 33081 Aviano PN, Italy.
| | - Laura Cesaratto
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Translational Research, IRCCS CRO Aviano-National Cancer Institute, Via Franco Gallini, 2 33081 Aviano PN, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Gardenal
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Bianchet
- Scientific Direction, CRO Aviano Italy, Via Franco Gallini, 2 33081 Aviano, Italy.
| | - Erik Dassi
- Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy.
| | - Andrea Vecchione
- Department of clinical and molecular medicine, university of Rome "Sapienza", c/o sant andrea hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189 Rome, Italy.
| | - Gustavo Baldassarre
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Translational Research, IRCCS CRO Aviano-National Cancer Institute, Via Franco Gallini, 2 33081 Aviano PN, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Spizzo
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Translational Research, IRCCS CRO Aviano-National Cancer Institute, Via Franco Gallini, 2 33081 Aviano PN, Italy.
| | - Milena Sabrina Nicoloso
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Translational Research, IRCCS CRO Aviano-National Cancer Institute, Via Franco Gallini, 2 33081 Aviano PN, Italy.
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Darvishi M, Mashati P, Khosravi A. The clinical significance of CDX2 in leukemia: A new perspective for leukemia research. Leuk Res 2018; 72:45-51. [PMID: 30096576 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2018.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
CDX2 gene encodes a transcription factor involved in primary embryogenesis and hematopoietic development; however, the expression of CDX2 in adults is restricted to intestine and is not observed in blood tissues. The ectopic expression of CDX2 has been frequently observed in acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia which in most cases is concomitant with poor prognosis. Induction of CDX2 in mice leads to hematologic complications, showing the leukemogenic origin of this gene. CDX2 plays significant role in the most critical pathways as the regulator of important transcription factors targeting cell proliferation, multi-drug resistance and survival. On the whole, the results indicate that CDX2 has the potential to be suggested as the diagnostic marker in hematologic malignancies. This review discusses the role of aberrant expression of CDX2 in the prognosis and the response to treatment in patients with different leukemia in clinical reports in the recent decades. The improvement in this regard could be of high importance in diagnosis and treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Darvishi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pargol Mashati
- Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Khosravi
- Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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CTCF boundary remodels chromatin domain and drives aberrant HOX gene transcription in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood 2018; 132:837-848. [PMID: 29760161 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-11-814319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
HOX gene dysregulation is a common feature of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The molecular mechanisms underlying aberrant HOX gene expression and associated AML pathogenesis remain unclear. The nuclear protein CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), when bound to insulator sequences, constrains temporal HOX gene-expression patterns within confined chromatin domains for normal development. Here, we used targeted pooled CRISPR-Cas9-knockout library screening to interrogate the function of CTCF boundaries in the HOX gene loci. We discovered that the CTCF binding site located between HOXA7 and HOXA9 genes (CBS7/9) is critical for establishing and maintaining aberrant HOXA9-HOXA13 gene expression in AML. Disruption of the CBS7/9 boundary resulted in spreading of repressive H3K27me3 into the posterior active HOXA chromatin domain that subsequently impaired enhancer/promoter chromatin accessibility and disrupted ectopic long-range interactions among the posterior HOXA genes. Consistent with the role of the CBS7/9 boundary in HOXA locus chromatin organization, attenuation of the CBS7/9 boundary function reduced posterior HOXA gene expression and altered myeloid-specific transcriptome profiles important for pathogenesis of myeloid malignancies. Furthermore, heterozygous deletion of the CBS7/9 chromatin boundary in the HOXA locus reduced human leukemic blast burden and enhanced survival of transplanted AML cell xenograft and patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Thus, the CTCF boundary constrains the normal gene-expression program, as well as plays a role in maintaining the oncogenic transcription program for leukemic transformation. The CTCF boundaries may serve as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of myeloid malignancies.
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The DOT1L inhibitor pinometostat reduces H3K79 methylation and has modest clinical activity in adult acute leukemia. Blood 2018; 131:2661-2669. [PMID: 29724899 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-12-818948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 284] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pinometostat (EPZ-5676) is a first-in-class small-molecule inhibitor of the histone methyltransferase disrupter of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L). In this phase 1 study, pinometostat was evaluated for safety and efficacy in adult patients with advanced acute leukemias, particularly those involving mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene rearrangements (MLL-r) resulting from 11q23 translocations. Fifty-one patients were enrolled into 6 dose-escalation cohorts (n = 26) and 2 expansion cohorts (n = 25) at pinometostat doses of 54 and 90 mg/m2 per day by continuous intravenous infusion in 28-day cycles. Because a maximum tolerated dose was not established in the dose-escalation phase, the expansion doses were selected based on safety and clinical response data combined with pharmacodynamic evidence of reduction in H3K79 methylation during dose escalation. Across all dose levels, plasma pinometostat concentrations increased in an approximately dose-proportional fashion, reaching an apparent steady-state by 4-8 hours after infusion, and rapidly decreased following treatment cessation. The most common adverse events, of any cause, were fatigue (39%), nausea (39%), constipation (35%), and febrile neutropenia (35%). Overall, 2 patients, both with t(11;19), experienced complete remission at 54 mg/m2 per day by continuous intravenous infusion, demonstrating proof of concept for delivering clinically meaningful responses through targeting DOT1L using the single agent pinometostat in MLL-r leukemia patients. Administration of pinometostat was generally safe, with the maximum tolerated dose not being reached, although efficacy as a single agent was modest. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential for targeting DOT1L in MLL-r leukemia and lays the groundwork for future combination approaches in this patient population. This clinical trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01684150.
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35
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Han Y, Song C, Wang J, Tang H, Peng Z, Lu S. HOXA13 contributes to gastric carcinogenesis through DHRS2 interacting with MDM2 and confers 5-FU resistance by a p53-dependent pathway. Mol Carcinog 2018; 57:722-734. [PMID: 29436749 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
5-FU-based chemotherapy is recently most recommended as the first-line treatment for gastric cancer (GC). However, 5-FU resistance is common for many postoperative GC patients. Homeobox A13 (HOXA13) is a member of homeobox genes highly expressed in many human tumors. Its potential roles and mechanisms of resistance to 5-FU in GC are poorly understood. In this study, we discovered that HOXA13 played an oncogenic role in vivo and in vitro. The patients with HOXA13 overexpression were closely related with poor prognosis and more prone to be resistant to 5-FU. Moreover, dehydrogenase/reductase 2 (DHRS2) was identified as a downstream gene of HOXA13. HOXA13 played a role of carcinogenesis through directly down-regulating DHRS2 to increase MDM2. Furthermore, HOXA13 conferred 5-FU resistance through MRP1 by a p53-dependent pathway. Therefore, HOXA13 might serve as a potential signature that recognized patients who were insensitive to 5-FU, and timely recommended them to other chemotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Han
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenlong Song
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianying Wang
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huamei Tang
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihai Peng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Su Lu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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36
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Wang H, Bei L, Shah CA, Huang W, Platanias LC, Eklund EA. The E3 ubiquitin ligase Triad1 influences development of Mll-Ell-induced acute myeloid leukemia. Oncogene 2018; 37:2532-2544. [PMID: 29459712 PMCID: PMC5945580 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0131-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Revised: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations involving the MLL1 gene characterize a poor prognosis subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), referred to as 11q23-AML. Transcription of the HOXA9 and HOXA10 genes is enhanced in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in these leukemias. We previously found the ARIH2 gene was repressed by HoxA9 in myeloid progenitors, but activated by HoxA10 during granulopoiesis. ARIH2 encodes the Triad1 protein, an anti-proliferative E3 ubiquitin ligase. In the current study, we investigate the role of Triad1 in leukemogenesis induced by an MLL1 fusion protein (Mll-Ell). We found Mll-Ell increased expression of HoxA9, HoxA10, and Triad1 because HoxA9 represses only one of two ARIH2 cis elements that are activated by HoxA10. Although Triad1 antagonized the generally pro-proliferative effects of the Mll-Ell oncoprotein, we found blocking HoxA9 and HoxA10 phosphorylation shifted the balance to ARIH2 repression in Mll-Ell+ cells. We investigated the significance of these in vitro results in a murine bone marrow transplant model. We found Triad1 knockdown significantly shortened the latency to development of AML in mice transplanted with Mll-Ell-transduced bone marrow. And, Triad1 expression fell during the prolonged AML latency period in mice transplanted with bone marrow expressing Mll-Ell alone. Our studies identify Triad1 as a leukemia suppressor in 11q23-AML. This suggests defining relevant Triad1 substrates may indicate novel therapeutic targets in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ling Bei
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Jesse Brown Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chirag A Shah
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Jesse Brown Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Weiqi Huang
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Leonidas C Platanias
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Jesse Brown Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Eklund
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. .,Jesse Brown Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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37
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Bi L, Zhou B, Li H, He L, Wang C, Wang Z, Zhu L, Chen M, Gao S. A novel miR-375-HOXB3-CDCA3/DNMT3B regulatory circuitry contributes to leukemogenesis in acute myeloid leukemia. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:182. [PMID: 29439669 PMCID: PMC5811974 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4097-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous group of hematopoietic malignancies due to sophisticated genetic mutations and epigenetic dysregulation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, are important regulators of gene expression in all biological processes, including leukemogenesis. Recently, miR-375 has been reported to be a suppressive miRNA in multiple types of cancers, but its underlying anti-leukemia activity in AML is largely unknown. METHODS Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of miR-375 and HOXB3 in leukemic cells and normal controls. Targets of miR-375 were confirmed by western blot and luciferase assay. Phenotypic effects of miR-375 overexpression and HOXB3 knockdown were assessed using viability (trypan blue exclusion assay), colony formation/replating, as well as tumor xenograft assays in vivo. RESULTS The expression of miR-375 was substantially decreased in leukemic cell lines and primary AML blasts compared with normal controls, because DNA hypermethylation of precursor-miR-375 (pre-miR-375) promoter was discovered in leukemic cells but not in normal controls. Lower expression of miR-375 predicted poor outcome in AML patients. Furthermore, forced expression of miR-375 not only decreased proliferation and colony formation in leukemic cells but also reduced xenograft tumor size and prolonged the survival time in a leukemia xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, overexpression of miR-375 reduced HOXB3 expression and repressed the activity of a luciferase reporter through binding 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTR) of HOXB3 mRNA. Overexpression of HOXB3 partially blocked miR-375-induced arrest of proliferation and reduction of colony number, suggesting that HOXB3 plays an important role in miR-375-induced anti-leukemia activity. Knockdown of HOXB3 by short hairpin RNAs reduced the expression of cell division cycle associated 3 (CDCA3), which decreased cell proliferation. Furthermore, HOXB3 induced DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) expression to bind in the pre-miR-375 promoter and enhanced DNA hypermethylation of pre-miR-375, leading to the lower expression of miR-375. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, we have identified a miR-375-HOXB3-CDCA3/DNMT3B regulatory circuitry which contributes to leukemogenesis and suggests a therapeutic strategy of restoring miR-375 expression in AML.
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MESH Headings
- 3' Untranslated Regions/genetics
- Acute Disease
- Adult
- Animals
- Carcinogenesis/genetics
- Carcinogenesis/metabolism
- Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics
- Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/genetics
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- HL-60 Cells
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Humans
- K562 Cells
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Leukemia, Myeloid/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid/pathology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Nude
- Mice, SCID
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- Middle Aged
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- Young Adult
- DNA Methyltransferase 3B
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Affiliation(s)
- Laixi Bi
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000 China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Shangcai Village, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000 China
| | - Haiying Li
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Shangcai Village, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000 China
| | - Licai He
- School of Laboratory Medicine & School of Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province China
| | - Chunjing Wang
- School of Laboratory Medicine & School of Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province China
| | - Zhonggai Wang
- School of Laboratory Medicine & School of Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province China
| | - Liqing Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000 China
| | - Mengqian Chen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Columbia, SC USA
| | - Shenmeng Gao
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Shangcai Village, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000 China
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Rejlova K, Musilova A, Kramarzova KS, Zaliova M, Fiser K, Alberich-Jorda M, Trka J, Starkova J. Low HOX gene expression in PML-RARα-positive leukemia results from suppressed histone demethylation. Epigenetics 2018; 13:73-84. [PMID: 29224413 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2017.1413517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox (HOX) genes are frequently dysregulated in leukemia. Previous studies have shown that aberrant HOX gene expression accompanies leukemogenesis and affects disease progression and leukemia patient survival. Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) bearing PML-RARα fusion gene have distinct HOX gene signature in comparison to other subtypes of AML patients, although the mechanism of transcription regulation is not completely understood. We previously found an association between the mRNA levels of HOX genes and those of the histone demethylases JMJD3 and UTX in PML-RARα- positive leukemia patients. Here, we demonstrate that the release of the PML-RARα-mediated block in PML-RARα-positive myeloid leukemia cells increased both JMJD3 and HOX gene expression, while inhibition of JMJD3 using the specific inhibitor GSK-J4 reversed the effect. This effect was driven specifically through PML-RARα fusion protein since expression changes did not occur in cells with mutated RARα and was independent of differentiation. We confirmed that gene expression levels were inversely correlated with alterations in H3K27me3 histone marks localized at HOX gene promoters. Furthermore, data from chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing broaden a list of clustered HOX genes regulated by JMJD3 in PML-RARα-positive leukemic cells. Interestingly, the combination of GSK-J4 and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) significantly increased PML-RARα-positive cell apoptosis compared with ATRA treatment alone. This effect was also observed in ATRA-resistant NB4 clones, which may provide a new therapeutic opportunity for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) resistant to current treatment. The results of our study reveal the mechanism of HOX gene expression regulation and contribute to our understanding of APL pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Rejlova
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Alena Musilova
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Skvarova Kramarzova
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Zaliova
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Karel Fiser
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
| | | | - Jan Trka
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic.,c University Hospital Motol , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Julia Starkova
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
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Steinhilber D, Marschalek R. How to effectively treat acute leukemia patients bearing MLL-rearrangements ? Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 147:183-190. [PMID: 28943239 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations - leading to the expression of fusion genes - are well-studied genetic abberrations associated with the development of leukemias. Most of them represent altered transcription factors that affect transcription or epigenetics, while others - like BCR-ABL - are enhancing signaling. BCR-ABL has become the prototype for rational drug design, and drugs like Imatinib and subsequently improved drugs have a great impact on cancer treatments. By contrast, MLL-translocations in acute leukemia patients are hard to treat, display a high relapse rate and the overall survival rate is still very poor. Therefore, new treatment modalities are urgently needed. Based on the molecular insights of the most frequent MLL rearrangements, BET-, DOT1L-, SET- and MEN1/LEDGF-inhibitors have been developed and first clinical studies were initiated. Not all results of these studies have are yet available, however, a first paper reports a failure in the DOT1L-inhibitor study although it was the most promising drug based on literature data. One possible explanation is that all of the above mentioned drugs also target the cognate wildtype proteins. Here, we want to strengthen the fact that efforts should be made to develop drugs or strategies to selectively inhibit only the fusion proteins. Some examples will be given that follow exactly this guideline, and proof-of-concept experiments have already demonstrated their feasibility and effectiveness. Some of the mentioned approaches were using drugs that are already on the market, indicating that there are existing opportunities for the future which should be implemented in future therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Steinhilber
- Institute of Pharm. Chemistry, Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Rolf Marschalek
- Institute of Pharm. Biology/DCAL, Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
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40
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Shestakova EA, Boutin M, Bourassa S, Bonneil E, Bijl JJ. Identification of proteins associated with transcription factors HOXA9 and E2A-PBX1 by tandem affinity purification. Mol Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s002689331703013x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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41
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Schito L, Rey S, Konopleva M. Integration of hypoxic HIF-α signaling in blood cancers. Oncogene 2017; 36:5331-5340. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Jäger D, Barth TFE, Brüderlein S, Scheuerle A, Rinner B, von Witzleben A, Lechel A, Meyer P, Mayer-Steinacker R, Baer AV, Schultheiss M, Wirtz CR, Möller P, Mellert K. HOXA7, HOXA9, and HOXA10 are differentially expressed in clival and sacral chordomas. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2032. [PMID: 28515451 PMCID: PMC5435709 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02174-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chordomas are rare tumours of the bone arising along the spine from clivus to sacrum. We compared three chordoma cell lines of the clivus region including the newly established clivus chordoma cell line, U-CH14, with nine chordoma cell lines originating from sacral primaries by morphology, on genomic and expression levels and with patient samples from our chordoma tissue bank. Clinically, chordomas of the clivus were generally smaller in size at presentation and patients with sacral chordomas had more metastases and more often recurrent disease. All chordoma cell lines had a typical physaliphorous morphology and expressed brachyury, S100-protein and cytokeratin. By expression analyses we detected differentially expressed genes in the clivus derived cell lines as compared to the sacral cell lines. Among these were HOXA7, HOXA9, and HOXA10 known to be important for the development of the anterior-posterior body axis. These results were confirmed by qPCR. Immunohistologically, clivus chordomas had no or very low levels of HOXA10 protein while sacral chordomas showed a strong nuclear positivity in all samples analysed. This differential expression of HOX genes in chordomas of the clivus and sacrum suggests an oncofetal mechanism in gene regulation linked to the anatomic site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Jäger
- Institute of Pathology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Beate Rinner
- Division of Biomedical Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - André Lechel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick Meyer
- Department of Dermatology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Peter Möller
- Institute of Pathology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Kevin Mellert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Mohr S, Doebele C, Comoglio F, Berg T, Beck J, Bohnenberger H, Alexe G, Corso J, Ströbel P, Wachter A, Beissbarth T, Schnütgen F, Cremer A, Haetscher N, Göllner S, Rouhi A, Palmqvist L, Rieger MA, Schroeder T, Bönig H, Müller-Tidow C, Kuchenbauer F, Schütz E, Green AR, Urlaub H, Stegmaier K, Humphries RK, Serve H, Oellerich T. Hoxa9 and Meis1 Cooperatively Induce Addiction to Syk Signaling by Suppressing miR-146a in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Cell 2017; 31:549-562.e11. [PMID: 28399410 PMCID: PMC5389883 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor Meis1 drives myeloid leukemogenesis in the context of Hox gene overexpression but is currently considered undruggable. We therefore investigated whether myeloid progenitor cells transformed by Hoxa9 and Meis1 become addicted to targetable signaling pathways. A comprehensive (phospho)proteomic analysis revealed that Meis1 increased Syk protein expression and activity. Syk upregulation occurs through a Meis1-dependent feedback loop. By dissecting this loop, we show that Syk is a direct target of miR-146a, whose expression is indirectly regulated by Meis1 through the transcription factor PU.1. In the context of Hoxa9 overexpression, Syk signaling induces Meis1, recapitulating several leukemogenic features of Hoxa9/Meis1-driven leukemia. Finally, Syk inhibition disrupts the identified regulatory loop, prolonging survival of mice with Hoxa9/Meis1-driven leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Mohr
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carmen Doebele
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Federico Comoglio
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Wellcome Trust/MRC Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Tobias Berg
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer Consortium, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Beck
- Chronix Biomedical, Goetheallee 8, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hanibal Bohnenberger
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jasmin Corso
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Astrid Wachter
- Institute of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 32, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tim Beissbarth
- Institute of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 32, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frank Schnütgen
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anjali Cremer
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nadine Haetscher
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefanie Göllner
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Halle, Ernst-Grube-Street 40, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Arefeh Rouhi
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Lars Palmqvist
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Su sahlgrenska, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Michael A Rieger
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer Consortium, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Timm Schroeder
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Halvard Bönig
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Sandhofstraße 1, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Halle, Ernst-Grube-Street 40, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Florian Kuchenbauer
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Anthony R Green
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Wellcome Trust/MRC Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Bioanalytics, Georg August University, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - R Keith Humphries
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Hubert Serve
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer Consortium, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Oellerich
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Wellcome Trust/MRC Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer Consortium, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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44
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Guitart AV, Panagopoulou TI, Villacreces A, Vukovic M, Sepulveda C, Allen L, Carter RN, van de Lagemaat LN, Morgan M, Giles P, Sas Z, Gonzalez MV, Lawson H, Paris J, Edwards-Hicks J, Schaak K, Subramani C, Gezer D, Armesilla-Diaz A, Wills J, Easterbrook A, Coman D, So CWE, O'Carroll D, Vernimmen D, Rodrigues NP, Pollard PJ, Morton NM, Finch A, Kranc KR. Fumarate hydratase is a critical metabolic regulator of hematopoietic stem cell functions. J Exp Med 2017; 214:719-735. [PMID: 28202494 PMCID: PMC5339674 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20161087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Strict regulation of stem cell metabolism is essential for tissue functions and tumor suppression. In this study, we investigated the role of fumarate hydratase (Fh1), a key component of the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and cytosolic fumarate metabolism, in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis-specific Fh1 deletion (resulting in endogenous fumarate accumulation and a genetic TCA cycle block reflected by decreased maximal mitochondrial respiration) caused lethal fetal liver hematopoietic defects and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) failure. Reexpression of extramitochondrial Fh1 (which normalized fumarate levels but not maximal mitochondrial respiration) rescued these phenotypes, indicating the causal role of cellular fumarate accumulation. However, HSCs lacking mitochondrial Fh1 (which had normal fumarate levels but defective maximal mitochondrial respiration) failed to self-renew and displayed lymphoid differentiation defects. In contrast, leukemia-initiating cells lacking mitochondrial Fh1 efficiently propagated Meis1/Hoxa9-driven leukemia. Thus, we identify novel roles for fumarate metabolism in HSC maintenance and hematopoietic differentiation and reveal a differential requirement for mitochondrial Fh1 in normal hematopoiesis and leukemia propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie V Guitart
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Theano I Panagopoulou
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Arnaud Villacreces
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Milica Vukovic
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Catarina Sepulveda
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Lewis Allen
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Roderick N Carter
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Louie N van de Lagemaat
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Marcos Morgan
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Peter Giles
- Wales Gene Park and Wales Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3XQ, Wales, UK
| | - Zuzanna Sas
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Marta Vila Gonzalez
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Hannah Lawson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Jasmin Paris
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Joy Edwards-Hicks
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Katrin Schaak
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Chithra Subramani
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Deniz Gezer
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Alejandro Armesilla-Diaz
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Jimi Wills
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Aaron Easterbrook
- Mater Children's Private Hospital Brisbane, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
| | - David Coman
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, The Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Department of Haematological Medicine, Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, England, UK
| | - Donal O'Carroll
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Douglas Vernimmen
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Neil P Rodrigues
- The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3XQ, Wales, UK
| | - Patrick J Pollard
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Nicholas M Morton
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Andrew Finch
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
| | - Kamil R Kranc
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, Scotland, UK
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45
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Lewis TA, Sykes DB, Law JM, Muñoz B, Rustiguel JK, Nonato MC, Scadden DT, Schreiber SL. Development of ML390: A Human DHODH Inhibitor That Induces Differentiation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. ACS Med Chem Lett 2016; 7:1112-1117. [PMID: 27994748 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6b00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox transcription factor A9 (HoxA9) is overexpressed in 70% of patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), whereas only a small subset of AML patients respond to current differentiation therapies. A cell line overexpressing HoxA9 was derived from the bone marrow of a lysozyme-GFP mouse. In this fashion, GFP served as an endogenous reporter of differentiation, permitting a high-throughput phenotypic screen against the MLPCN library. Two chemical scaffolds were optimized for activity yielding compound ML390, and genetic resistance and sequencing efforts identified dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) as the target enzyme. The DHODH inhibitor brequinar works against these leukemic cells as well. The X-ray crystal structure of ML390 bound to DHODH elucidates ML390s binding interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A. Lewis
- Center
for the Science of Therapeutics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - David B. Sykes
- Center
for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Cancer
Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Jason M. Law
- Center
for the Science of Therapeutics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Benito Muñoz
- Center
for the Science of Therapeutics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Joane K. Rustiguel
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Nonato
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil
| | - David T. Scadden
- Center
for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Cancer
Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Stem Cell
and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Stuart L. Schreiber
- Center
for the Science of Therapeutics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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Upregulation of Flt3 is a passive event in Hoxa9/Meis1-induced acute myeloid leukemia in mice. Oncogene 2016; 36:1516-1524. [PMID: 27617578 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
HOXA9, MEIS1 and FLT3 are genes frequently upregulated in human acute myeloid leukemia. Hoxa9 and Meis1 also cooperate to induce aggressive AML with high Flt3 expression in mice, suggesting an important role for Flt3 in Hoxa9/Meis1-induced leukemogenesis. To define the role of Flt3 in AML with high Hoxa9/Meis1, we treated mice with Hoxa9/Meis1-induced AML with the Flt3 inhibitor AC220, used an Flt3-ligand (FL-/-) knockout model, and investigated whether overexpression of Flt3 could induce leukemia together with overexpression of Hoxa9. Flt3 inhibition by AC220 did not delay AML development in mice transplanted with bone marrow cells overexpressing Hoxa9 and Meis1. In addition, Hoxa9/Meis1 cells induced AML in FL-/- mice as rapid as in wild-type mice. However, FL-/- mice had reduced organ infiltration compared with wild-type mice, suggesting some Flt3-dependent effect on leukemic invasiveness. Interestingly, leukemic Hoxa9/Meis1 cells from sick mice expressed high levels of Flt3 regardless of presence of its ligand, showing that Flt3 is a passive marker on these cells. In line with this, combined engineered overexpression of Flt3 and Hoxa9 did not accelerate the progression to AML. We conclude that the Hoxa9- and Meis1-associated upregulation of Flt3 is not a requirement for leukemic progression induced by Hoxa9 and Meis1.
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47
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The lincRNA HOTAIRM1, located in the HOXA genomic region, is expressed in acute myeloid leukemia, impacts prognosis in patients in the intermediate-risk cytogenetic category, and is associated with a distinctive microRNA signature. Oncotarget 2016; 6:31613-27. [PMID: 26436590 PMCID: PMC4741628 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are deregulated in several tumors, although their role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is mostly unknown. We have examined the expression of the lncRNA HOX antisense intergenic RNA myeloid 1 (HOTAIRM1) in 241 AML patients. We have correlated HOTAIRM1 expression with a miRNA expression profile. We have also analyzed the prognostic value of HOTAIRM1 expression in 215 intermediate-risk AML (IR-AML) patients. The lowest expression level was observed in acute promyelocytic leukemia (P < 0.001) and the highest in t(6;9) AML (P = 0.005). In 215 IR-AML patients, high HOTAIRM1 expression was independently associated with shorter overall survival (OR:2.04;P = 0.001), shorter leukemia-free survival (OR:2.56; P < 0.001) and a higher cumulative incidence of relapse (OR:1.67; P = 0.046). Moreover, HOTAIRM1 maintained its independent prognostic value within the favorable molecular subgroup (OR: 3.43; P = 0.009). Interestingly, HOTAIRM1 was overexpressed in NPM1-mutated AML (P < 0.001) and within this group retained its prognostic value (OR: 2.21; P = 0.01). Moreover, HOTAIRM1 expression was associated with a specific 33- microRNA signature that included miR-196b (P < 0.001). miR-196b is located in the HOX genomic region and has previously been reported to have an independent prognostic value in AML. miR-196b and HOTAIRM1 in combination as a prognostic factor can classify patients as high-, intermediate-, or low-risk (5-year OS: 24% vs 42% vs 70%; P = 0.004). Determination of HOTAIRM1 level at diagnosis provided relevant prognostic information in IR-AML and allowed refinement of risk stratification based on common molecular markers. The prognostic information provided by HOTAIRM1 was strengthened when combined with miR-196b expression. Furthermore, HOTAIRM1 correlated with a 33-miRNA signature.
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48
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Zhao P, Tan L, Ruan J, Wei XP, Zheng Y, Zheng LX, Jiang WQ, Fang WJ. Aberrant Expression of HOXA5 and HOXA9 in AML. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2016; 16:3941-4. [PMID: 25987065 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.9.3941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant expression of HOX gene expression has been observed in cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the alteration of HOXA5 and HOXA9 expression and their clinical significance in acute meloid leukemia (AML). MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of HOXA5 and HOXA9 genes of bone marrow samples from 75 newly diagnosed AML patients and 22 healthy controls for comparison were examined by Real- time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) assay. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate HOXA5 and HOXA9 expression as possible biomarkers for AML. RESULTS The results showed that the complete remission rate (52.6%) of the patients who highly expressed HOXA5 and HOXA9 was significantly lower than that (88.9%) in patients who lowly express the genes (P=0.015). Spearmann correlation coefficients indicated that the expression levels for HOXA5 and HOXA9 genes were highly interrelated (r=0.657, P<0.001). Meanwhile, we detected significant correlations between HOXA9 expression and age in this limited set of patients (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest a prognostic impact of increased expression of HOXA5 and HOXA9 in AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China E-mail :
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49
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Gao L, Sun J, Liu F, Zhang H, Ma Y. Higher expression levels of the HOXA9 gene, closely associated with MLL-PTD and EZH2 mutations, predict inferior outcome in acute myeloid leukemia. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:711-22. [PMID: 26929642 PMCID: PMC4755436 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s95279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the biological insight of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has increased in the past few years, the discovery of novel discriminative biomarkers remains of utmost value for improving outcome predictions. Systematical studies concerning the clinical implications and genetic correlations of HOXA9 aberrations in patients with AML are relatively promising. MATERIALS AND METHODS Here, we investigated mutational status and the mRNA levels of the HOXA9 gene in 258 patients with AML. Furthermore, hematological characteristics, chromosome abnormalities, and genetic mutations associated with AML were analyzed, followed by the assessment of clinical survival. Besides, the expression level and mutational status of MEIS1, a cofactor of HOXA9, were also detected in patients with AML with the aim of a deeper understanding about the homeodomain-containing transcription factors associated with hematological characteristics. RESULTS HOXA9 and MEIS1 mutations were detected in 4.26% and 3.49% AML cases, respectively. No correlations were detected between mutation status and clinical characteristics, cytogenetic and genetic aberrations, and clinical survival. Higher HOXA9 expression levels were correlated with white blood cell count and closely associated with unfavorable karyotype as well as MLL-PTD and EZH2 mutations, whereas, there was an inverse correlation with the French-American-British M3 subtype. Compared with patients with lower HOXA9 expression levels, those with higher HOXA9 expression levels had a lower complete remission rate and inferior survivals in both AML and cytogenetically normal AML. CONCLUSION HOXA9 expression may serve as a promising biomarker to ameliorate a prognostic model for predicting clinical outcome and consummating individualized treatment in patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Gao
- Department of Hematology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junzhong Sun
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Department of Oncology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Hematology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yigai Ma
- Department of Hematology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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50
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Vukovic M, Guitart AV, Sepulveda C, Villacreces A, O'Duibhir E, Panagopoulou TI, Ivens A, Menendez-Gonzalez J, Iglesias JM, Allen L, Glykofrydis F, Subramani C, Armesilla-Diaz A, Post AEM, Schaak K, Gezer D, So CWE, Holyoake TL, Wood A, O'Carroll D, Ratcliffe PJ, Kranc KR. Hif-1α and Hif-2α synergize to suppress AML development but are dispensable for disease maintenance. J Exp Med 2015; 212:2223-34. [PMID: 26642852 PMCID: PMC4689165 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20150452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemogenesis occurs under hypoxic conditions within the bone marrow (BM). Knockdown of key mediators of cellular responses to hypoxia with shRNA, namely hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) or HIF-2α, in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples results in their apoptosis and inability to engraft, implicating HIF-1α or HIF-2α as therapeutic targets. However, genetic deletion of Hif-1α has no effect on mouse AML maintenance and may accelerate disease development. Here, we report the impact of conditional genetic deletion of Hif-2α or both Hif-1α and Hif-2α at different stages of leukemogenesis in mice. Deletion of Hif-2α accelerates development of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and shortens AML latency initiated by Mll-AF9 and its downstream effectors Meis1 and Hoxa9. Notably, the accelerated initiation of AML caused by Hif-2α deletion is further potentiated by Hif-1α codeletion. However, established LSCs lacking Hif-2α or both Hif-1α and Hif-2α propagate AML with the same latency as wild-type LSCs. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of the HIF pathway or HIF-2α knockout using the lentiviral CRISPR-Cas9 system in human established leukemic cells with MLL-AF9 translocation have no impact on their functions. We therefore conclude that although Hif-1α and Hif-2α synergize to suppress the development of AML, they are not required for LSC maintenance.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism
- CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics
- Cell Hypoxia
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Cell Survival
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Gene Deletion
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Humans
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Mice
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Vukovic
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Amelie V Guitart
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Catarina Sepulveda
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Arnaud Villacreces
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Eoghan O'Duibhir
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Theano I Panagopoulou
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Alasdair Ivens
- Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Evolution, King's Buildings, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, Scotland, UK
| | - Juan Menendez-Gonzalez
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Lewis Allen
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Fokion Glykofrydis
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Chithra Subramani
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Annemarie E M Post
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Katrin Schaak
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Deniz Gezer
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK Klinik fuer Haematologie, Onkologie und Stammzelltransplantation, Universitaetsklinikum Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G120 ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, England, UK
| | - Tessa L Holyoake
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G120 ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Andrew Wood
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, Scotland, UK
| | - Dónal O'Carroll
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Mouse Biology Unit, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Italy
| | - Peter J Ratcliffe
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, England, UK
| | - Kamil R Kranc
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, Scotland, UK
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