1
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Farrokhi A, Atre T, Salitra S, Aletaha M, Márquez AC, Gynn M, Fidanza M, Jo S, Rolf N, Simmons K, Duque-Afonso J, Cleary ML, Seif AE, Kollmann T, Gantt S, Reid GSD. Early-life infection depletes preleukemic cells in a mouse model of hyperdiploid B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2024; 144:809-821. [PMID: 38875504 PMCID: PMC11375503 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2024025038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Epidemiological studies report opposing influences of infection on childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Although infections in the first year of life appear to exert the largest impact on leukemia risk, the effect of early pathogen exposure on the fetal preleukemia cells (PLC) that lead to B-ALL has yet to be reported. Using cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as a model early-life infection, we show that virus exposure within 1 week of birth induces profound depletion of transplanted E2A-PBX1 and hyperdiploid B-ALL cells in wild-type recipients and in situ-generated PLC in Eμ-ret mice. The age-dependent depletion of PLC results from an elevated STAT4-mediated cytokine response in neonates, with high levels of interleukin (IL)-12p40-driven interferon (IFN)-γ production inducing PLC death. Similar PLC depletion can be achieved in adult mice by impairing viral clearance. These findings provide mechanistic support for potential inhibitory effects of early-life infection on B-ALL progression and could inform novel therapeutic or preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Farrokhi
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tanmaya Atre
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Samuel Salitra
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Maryam Aletaha
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ana Citlali Márquez
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Matthew Gynn
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mario Fidanza
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sumin Jo
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nina Rolf
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Karen Simmons
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jesus Duque-Afonso
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Michael L Cleary
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Alix E Seif
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Tobias Kollmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Soren Gantt
- Department of Microbiology, Infection, and Immunology, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gregor S D Reid
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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2
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Eldeeb M, Konturek-Ciesla A, Zhang Q, Kharazi S, Tingvall-Gustafsson J, Ungerbäck J, Sigvardsson M, Bryder D. Ontogeny shapes the ability of ETV6::RUNX1 to enhance hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and disrupt early lymphopoiesis. Leukemia 2024; 38:455-459. [PMID: 38243088 PMCID: PMC10844086 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02149-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Eldeeb
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Anna Konturek-Ciesla
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Qinyu Zhang
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Shabnam Kharazi
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johanna Tingvall-Gustafsson
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jonas Ungerbäck
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mikael Sigvardsson
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
- BKV, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - David Bryder
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.
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3
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Monovich AC, Gurumurthy A, Ryan RJH. The Diverse Roles of ETV6 Alterations in B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Other Hematopoietic Cancers. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1459:291-320. [PMID: 39017849 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62731-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Genetic alterations of the repressive ETS family transcription factor gene ETV6 are recurrent in several categories of hematopoietic malignancy, including subsets of B-cell and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (B-ALL and T-ALL), myeloid neoplasms, and mature B-cell lymphomas. ETV6 is essential for adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), contributes to specific functions of some mature immune cells, and plays a key role in thrombopoiesis as demonstrated by familial ETV6 mutations associated with thrombocytopenia and predisposition to hematopoietic cancers, particularly B-ALL. ETV6 appears to have a tumor suppressor role in several hematopoietic lineages, as demonstrated by recurrent somatic loss-of-function (LoF) and putative dominant-negative alterations in leukemias and lymphomas. ETV6 rearrangements contribute to recurrent fusion oncogenes such as the B-ALL-associated transcription factor (TF) fusions ETV6::RUNX1 and PAX5::ETV6, rare drivers such as ETV6::NCOA6, and a spectrum of tyrosine kinase gene fusions encoding hyperactive signaling proteins that self-associate via the ETV6 N-terminal pointed domain. Another subset of recurrent rearrangements involving the ETV6 gene locus appear to function primarily to drive overexpression of the partner gene. This review surveys what is known about the biochemical and genome regulatory properties of ETV6 as well as our current understanding of how alterations in these functions contribute to hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Monovich
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Aishwarya Gurumurthy
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Russell J H Ryan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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4
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Casado-García A, Isidro-Hernández M, Alemán-Arteaga S, Ruiz-Corzo B, Riesco S, Prieto-Matos P, Sánchez L, Sánchez-García I, Vicente-Dueñas C. Lessons from mouse models in the impact of risk factors on the genesis of childhood B-cell leukemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285743. [PMID: 37901253 PMCID: PMC10602728 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) stands as the primary contributor to childhood cancer-related mortality on a global scale. The development of the most conventional forms of this disease has been proposed to be conducted by two different steps influenced by different types of risk factors. The first step is led by a genetic insult that is presumably acquired before birth that transforms a healthy cell into a preleukemic one, which is maintained untransformed until the second step takes place. This necessary next step to leukemia development will be triggered by different risk factors to which children are exposed after birth. Murine models that recap the stepwise progression of B-ALL have been instrumental in identifying environmental and genetic factors that contribute to disease risk. Recent evidence from these models has demonstrated that specific environmental risk factors, such as common infections or gut microbiome dysbiosis, induce immune stress, driving the transformation of preleukemic cells, and harboring genetic alterations, into fully transformed leukemic cells. Such models serve as valuable tools for investigating the mechanisms underlying preleukemic events and can aid in the development of preventive approaches for leukemia in child. Here, we discuss the existing knowledge, learned from mouse models, of the impact of genetic and environmental risk factors on childhood B-ALL evolution and how B-ALL prevention could be reached by interfering with preleukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Casado-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta Isidro-Hernández
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Silvia Alemán-Arteaga
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Belén Ruiz-Corzo
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Susana Riesco
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pablo Prieto-Matos
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Lucía Sánchez
- School of Law, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Isidro Sánchez-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carolina Vicente-Dueñas
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
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5
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Sharma G, Tran TM, Bansal I, Beg MS, Bhardwaj R, Bassi J, Tan Y, Jaiswal AK, Tso C, Jain A, Singh J, Chattopadhyay P, Singh A, Chopra A, Bakhshi S, Casero D, Rao DS, Palanichamy JK. RNA binding protein IGF2BP1 synergizes with ETV6-RUNX1 to drive oncogenic signaling in B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:231. [PMID: 37670323 PMCID: PMC10478443 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02810-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric hematological malignancy, with ETV6::RUNX1 being the most prevalent translocation whose exact pathogenesis remains unclear. IGF2BP1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 Binding Protein 1) is an oncofetal RNA binding protein seen to be specifically overexpressed in ETV6::RUNX1 positive B-ALL. In this study, we have studied the mechanistic role of IGF2BP1 in leukemogenesis and its synergism with the ETV6::RUNX1 fusion protein. METHODS Gene expression was analyzed from patient bone marrow RNA using Real Time RT-qPCR. Knockout cell lines were created using CRISPR-Cas9 based lentiviral vectors. RNA-Seq and RNA Immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-Seq) after IGF2BP1 pulldown were performed using the Illumina platform. Mouse experiments were done by retroviral overexpression of donor HSCs followed by lethal irradiation of recipients using a bone marrow transplant model. RESULTS We observed specific overexpression of IGF2BP1 in ETV6::RUNX1 positive patients in an Indian cohort of pediatric ALL (n=167) with a positive correlation with prednisolone resistance. IGF2BP1 expression was essential for tumor cell survival in multiple ETV6::RUNX1 positive B-ALL cell lines. Integrated analysis of transcriptome sequencing after IGF2BP1 knockout and RIP-Seq after IGF2BP1 pulldown in Reh cell line revealed that IGF2BP1 targets encompass multiple pro-oncogenic signalling pathways including TNFα/NFκB and PI3K-Akt pathways. These pathways were also dysregulated in primary ETV6::RUNX1 positive B-ALL patient samples from our center as well as in public B-ALL patient datasets. IGF2BP1 showed binding and stabilization of the ETV6::RUNX1 fusion transcript itself. This positive feedback loop led to constitutive dysregulation of several oncogenic pathways. Enforced co-expression of ETV6::RUNX1 and IGF2BP1 in mouse bone marrow resulted in marrow hypercellularity which was characterized by multi-lineage progenitor expansion and strong Ki67 positivity. This pre-leukemic phenotype confirmed their synergism in-vivo. Clonal expansion of cells overexpressing both ETV6::RUNX1 and IGF2BP1 was clearly observed. These mice also developed splenomegaly indicating extramedullary hematopoiesis. CONCLUSION Our data suggest a combined impact of the ETV6::RUNX1 fusion protein and RNA binding protein, IGF2BP1 in activating multiple oncogenic pathways in B-ALL which makes IGF2BP1 and these pathways as attractive therapeutic targets and biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room 4008, Convergence Block, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Tiffany M Tran
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ishu Bansal
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room 4008, Convergence Block, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Mohammad Sabique Beg
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room 4008, Convergence Block, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ruchi Bhardwaj
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room 4008, Convergence Block, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Jaspal Bassi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yuande Tan
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Amit Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christine Tso
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ayushi Jain
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room 4008, Convergence Block, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Jay Singh
- Department of Laboratory Oncology, Dr B.R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Parthaprasad Chattopadhyay
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room 4008, Convergence Block, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Archna Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room 4008, Convergence Block, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Anita Chopra
- Department of Laboratory Oncology, Dr B.R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sameer Bakhshi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr B.R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - David Casero
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dinesh S Rao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jayanth Kumar Palanichamy
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room 4008, Convergence Block, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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6
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Peppas I, Ford AM, Furness CL, Greaves MF. Gut microbiome immaturity and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:565-576. [PMID: 37280427 PMCID: PMC10243253 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00584-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common cancer of childhood. Here, we map emerging evidence suggesting that children with ALL at the time of diagnosis may have a delayed maturation of the gut microbiome compared with healthy children. This finding may be associated with early-life epidemiological factors previously identified as risk indicators for childhood ALL, including caesarean section birth, diminished breast feeding and paucity of social contacts. The consistently observed deficiency in short-chain fatty-acid-producing bacterial taxa in children with ALL has the potential to promote dysregulated immune responses and to, ultimately, increase the risk of transformation of preleukaemic clones in response to common infectious triggers. These data endorse the concept that a microbiome deficit in early life may contribute to the development of the major subtypes of childhood ALL and encourage the notion of risk-reducing microbiome-targeted intervention in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Peppas
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, The Royal Marsden Hospital Sutton, Surrey, UK
| | - Anthony M Ford
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Caroline L Furness
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, The Royal Marsden Hospital Sutton, Surrey, UK
| | - Mel F Greaves
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
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7
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Kodgule R, Goldman JW, Monovich AC, Saari T, Aguilar AR, Hall CN, Rajesh N, Gupta J, Chu SCA, Ye L, Gurumurthy A, Iyer A, Brown NA, Chiang MY, Cieslik MP, Ryan RJ. ETV6 Deficiency Unlocks ERG-Dependent Microsatellite Enhancers to Drive Aberrant Gene Activation in B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Blood Cancer Discov 2023; 4:34-53. [PMID: 36350827 PMCID: PMC9820540 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-21-0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Distal enhancers play critical roles in sustaining oncogenic gene-expression programs. We identify aberrant enhancer-like activation of GGAA tandem repeats as a characteristic feature of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with genetic defects of the ETV6 transcriptional repressor, including ETV6-RUNX1+ and ETV6-null B-ALL. We show that GGAA repeat enhancers are direct activators of previously identified ETV6-RUNX1+/- like B-ALL "signature" genes, including the likely leukemogenic driver EPOR. When restored to ETV6-deficient B-ALL cells, ETV6 directly binds to GGAA repeat enhancers, represses their acetylation, downregulates adjacent genes, and inhibits B-ALL growth. In ETV6-deficient B-ALL cells, we find that the ETS transcription factor ERG directly binds to GGAA microsatellite enhancers and is required for sustained activation of repeat enhancer-activated genes. Together, our findings reveal an epigenetic gatekeeper function of the ETV6 tumor suppressor gene and establish microsatellite enhancers as a key mechanism underlying the unique gene-expression program of ETV6-RUNX1+/- like B-ALL. SIGNIFICANCE We find a unifying mechanism underlying a leukemia subtype-defining gene-expression signature that relies on repetitive elements with poor conservation between humans and rodents. The ability of ETV6 to antagonize promiscuous, nonphysiologic ERG activity may shed light on other roles of these key regulators in hematolymphoid development and human disease. See related commentary by Mercher, p. 2. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Kodgule
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Joshua W. Goldman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Travis Saari
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Athalee R. Aguilar
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Cody N. Hall
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Niharika Rajesh
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Juhi Gupta
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Shih-Chun A. Chu
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Li Ye
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Aishwarya Gurumurthy
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ashwin Iyer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Noah A. Brown
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Mark Y. Chiang
- Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Marcin P. Cieslik
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Russell J.H. Ryan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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8
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Yasuda T, Sanada M, Tsuzuki S, Hayakawa F. Oncogenic lesions and molecular subtypes in adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Sci 2022; 114:8-15. [PMID: 36106363 PMCID: PMC9807527 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15583] [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: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), a genetically heterogeneous disease, is classified into different molecular subtypes that are defined by recurrent gene rearrangements, gross chromosomal abnormalities, or specific gene mutations. Cells with these genetic alterations acquire a leukemia-initiating ability and show unique expression profiles. The distribution of B-ALL molecular subtypes is greatly dependent on age, which also affects treatment responsiveness and long-term survival, partly accounting for the inferior outcome in adolescents and young adults (AYA) and (older) adults with B-ALL. Recent advances in sequencing technology, especially RNA sequencing and the application of these technologies in large B-ALL cohorts have uncovered B-ALL molecular subtypes prevalent in AYA and adults. These new insights supply more precise estimations of prognoses and targeted therapies informed by sequencing results, as well as a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of AYA/adult B-ALL. This article provides an account of these technological advances and an overview of the recent major findings of B-ALL molecular subtypes in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiko Yasuda
- Clinical Research CenterNational Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical CenterNagoyaJapan
| | - Masashi Sanada
- Clinical Research CenterNational Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical CenterNagoyaJapan
| | - Shinobu Tsuzuki
- Department of BiochemistryAichi Medical University School of MedicineNagakuteJapan
| | - Fumihiko Hayakawa
- Division of Cellular and Genetic Sciences, Department of Integrated Health SciencesNagoya University Graduate School of MedicineNagoyaJapan
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9
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Childhood B-Cell Preleukemia Mouse Modeling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147562. [PMID: 35886910 PMCID: PMC9317949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia is the most usual childhood cancer, and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is its most common presentation. It has been proposed that pediatric leukemogenesis occurs through a “multi-step” or “multi-hit” mechanism that includes both in utero and postnatal steps. Many childhood leukemia-initiating events, such as chromosomal translocations, originate in utero, and studies so far suggest that these “first-hits” occur at a far higher frequency than the incidence of childhood leukemia itself. The reason why only a small percentage of the children born with such preleukemic “hits” will develop full-blown leukemia is still a mystery. In order to better understand childhood leukemia, mouse modeling is essential, but only if the multistage process of leukemia can be recapitulated in the model. Therefore, mouse models naturally reproducing the “multi-step” process of childhood B-ALL will be essential to identify environmental or other factors that are directly linked to increased risk of disease.
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10
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Hauer J, Fischer U, Borkhardt A. Toward prevention of childhood ALL by early-life immune training. Blood 2021; 138:1412-1428. [PMID: 34010407 PMCID: PMC8532195 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020009895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) is the most common form of childhood cancer. Chemotherapy is associated with life-long health sequelae and fails in ∼20% of cases. Thus, prevention of leukemia would be preferable to treatment. Childhood leukemia frequently starts before birth, during fetal hematopoiesis. A first genetic hit (eg, the ETV6-RUNX1 gene fusion) leads to the expansion of preleukemic B-cell clones, which are detectable in healthy newborn cord blood (up to 5%). These preleukemic clones give rise to clinically overt leukemia in only ∼0.2% of carriers. Experimental evidence suggests that a major driver of conversion from the preleukemic to the leukemic state is exposure to immune challenges. Novel insights have shed light on immune host responses and how they shape the complex interplay between (1) inherited or acquired genetic predispositions, (2) exposure to infection, and (3) abnormal cytokine release from immunologically untrained cells. Here, we integrate the recently emerging concept of "trained immunity" into existing models of childhood BCP-ALL and suggest future avenues toward leukemia prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hauer
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ute Fischer
- Department for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany; and
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partnering site Essen/Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany; and
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partnering site Essen/Düsseldorf, Germany
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11
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Identification of functional cooperative mutations of GNAO1 in human acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2021; 137:1181-1191. [PMID: 32898863 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020005622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemogenesis is characterized by chromosomal rearrangements with additional molecular disruptions, yet the cooperative mechanisms are still unclear. Using whole-exome sequencing of a pair of monozygotic twins who were discordant for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with ETV6-RUNX1 (E/R) gene fusion successively after birth, we identified the R209C mutation of G protein subunit α o1 (GNAO1) as a new ALL risk loci. Moreover, GNAO1 missense mutations are recurrent in ALL patients and are associated with E/R fusion. Ectopic expression of the GNAO1 R209C mutant increased its GTPase activity and promoted cell proliferation and cell neoplastic transformation. Combined with the E/R fusion, the GNAO1 R209C mutation promoted leukemogenesis through activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Reciprocally, activated mTORC1 phosphorylated p300 acetyltransferase, which acetylated E/R and thereby enhanced the E/R transcriptional activity of GNAO1 R209C. Thus, our study provides clinical evidence of the functional cooperation of GNAO1 mutations and E/R fusion, suggesting GNAO1 as a therapeutic target in human leukemia.
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12
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Evidence-based review of genomic aberrations in B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma: Report from the cancer genomics consortium working group for lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Genet 2020; 243:52-72. [PMID: 32302940 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Clinical management and risk stratification of B-lymphoblastic leukemia/ lymphoma (B-ALL/LBL) depend largely on identification of chromosomal abnormalities obtained using conventional cytogenetics and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) testing. In the last few decades, testing algorithms have been implemented to support an optimal risk-oriented therapy, leading to a large improvement in overall survival. In addition, large scale genomic studies have identified multiple aberrations of prognostic significance that are not routinely tested by existing modalities. However, as chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are increasingly used in clinical management of hematologic malignancies, these abnormalities may be more readily detected. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive, evidence-based review of the current B-ALL literature, focusing on known and published subtypes described to date. More specifically, we describe the role of various testing modalities in the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic relevance. In addition, we propose a testing algorithm aimed at assisting laboratories in the most effective detection of the underlying genomic abnormalities.
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13
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Beneforti L, Dander E, Bresolin S, Bueno C, Acunzo D, Bertagna M, Ford A, Gentner B, Kronnie GT, Vergani P, Menéndez P, Biondi A, D'Amico G, Palmi C, Cazzaniga G. Pro-inflammatory cytokines favor the emergence of ETV6-RUNX1-positive pre-leukemic cells in a model of mesenchymal niche. Br J Haematol 2020; 190:262-273. [PMID: 32118299 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
ETV6-RUNX1 (E/R) fusion gene, arising in utero from translocation t(12;21)(p13:q22), is the most frequent alteration in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, E/R is insufficient to cause overt leukemia since it generates a clinically silent pre-leukemic clone which persists in the bone marrow but fails to out-compete normal progenitors. Conversely, pre-leukemic cells show increased susceptibility to transformation following additional genetic insults. Infections/inflammation are the most accredited triggers for mutations accumulation and leukemic transformation in E/R+ pre-leukemic cells. However, precisely how E/R and inflammation interact in promoting leukemia is still poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that IL6/TNFα/ILβ pro-inflammatory cytokines cooperate with BM-MSC in promoting the emergence of E/R+ Ba/F3 over their normal counterparts by differentially affecting their proliferation and survival. Moreover, IL6/TNFα/ILβ-stimulated BM-MSC strongly attract E/R+ Ba/F3 in a CXCR2-dependent manner. Interestingly, E/R-expressing human CD34+ IL7R+ progenitors, a putative population for leukemia initiation during development, were preserved in the presence of BM-MSC and IL6/TNFα/ILβ compared to their normal counterparts. Finally, the extent of DNA damage increases within the inflamed niche in both control and E/R-expressing Ba/F3, potentially leading to transformation in the apoptosis-resistant pre-leukemic clone. Overall, our data provide new mechanistic insights into childhood ALL pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Beneforti
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, University of Milano-Bicocca, MBBM Foundation, Monza, Italy
| | - Erica Dander
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, University of Milano-Bicocca, MBBM Foundation, Monza, Italy
| | - Silvia Bresolin
- Dipartimento della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Clara Bueno
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Denise Acunzo
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, University of Milano-Bicocca, MBBM Foundation, Monza, Italy
| | - Mayla Bertagna
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, University of Milano-Bicocca, MBBM Foundation, Monza, Italy
| | - Anthony Ford
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Bernhard Gentner
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Geertruy Te Kronnie
- Dipartimento della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Pablo Menéndez
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBER-ONC), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, University of Milano-Bicocca, MBBM Foundation, Monza, Italy.,Clinica Pediatrica, MBBM Foundation, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giovanna D'Amico
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, University of Milano-Bicocca, MBBM Foundation, Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Palmi
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, University of Milano-Bicocca, MBBM Foundation, Monza, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, University of Milano-Bicocca, MBBM Foundation, Monza, Italy
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14
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Hoffmann J, Krumbholz M, Gutiérrez HP, Fillies M, Szymansky A, Bleckmann K, Zur Stadt U, Köhler R, Kuiper RP, Horstmann M, von Stackelberg A, Eckert C, Metzler M. High sensitivity and clonal stability of the genomic fusion as single marker for response monitoring in ETV6-RUNX1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66:e27780. [PMID: 31034759 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) is an integral component for response monitoring and treatment stratification in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We aimed to evaluate the genomic ETV6-RUNX1 fusion sites as a single marker for MRD quantification. PROCEDURE In a representative, uniformly treated cohort of pediatric relapsed ALL patients (n = 52), ETV6-RUNX1 fusion sites were compared to the current gold standard, immunoglobulin/T-cell receptor (Ig/TCR) gene rearrangements. RESULTS Primer/probe sets designed to ETV6-RUNX1 fusions achieved significantly more frequent a sensitivity and a quantitative range of at least 10-4 compared to the gold standard with 100% and 73% versus 76% and 47%, respectively. The breakpoint sequence was identical at diagnosis and relapse in all tested cases. There was a high degree of concordance between quantitative MRD results assessed using ETV6-RUNX1 and the highest Ig/TCR marker (Spearman's 0.899, P < .01) with differences >½ log-step in only 6% of patients. A high proportion of ETV6-RUNX1-positive ALL relapses (40%) in our cohort showed a poor response to induction treatment at relapse, and therefore had an indication for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, demonstrating the need of accurate identification of this subgroup. CONCLUSIONS ETV6-RUNX1 fusion sites are highly sensitive and reliable MRD markers. Our data confirm that they are unaffected by clonal evolution and selection during front-line and second-line chemotherapy in contrast to Ig/TCR rearrangements, which require several markers per patient to compensate for the observed loss of target clones. In future studies, the genomic ETV6-RUNX1 fusion can be used as single MRD marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Hoffmann
- Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuela Krumbholz
- Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Marion Fillies
- Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annabell Szymansky
- Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirsten Bleckmann
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Udo Zur Stadt
- Center for Diagnostics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Köhler
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland P Kuiper
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Horstmann
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Arend von Stackelberg
- Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cornelia Eckert
- Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Metzler
- Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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15
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Fararjeh AS, Liu YN. ZBTB46, SPDEF, and ETV6: Novel Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2802. [PMID: 31181727 PMCID: PMC6600524 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common killer among men in Western countries. Targeting androgen receptor (AR) signaling by androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the current therapeutic regime for patients newly diagnosed with metastatic PCa. However, most patients relapse and become resistant to ADT, leading to metastatic castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) and eventually death. Several proposed mechanisms have been proposed for CRPC; however, the exact mechanism through which CRPC develops is still unclear. One possible pathway is that the AR remains active in CRPC cases. Therefore, understanding AR signaling networks as primary PCa changes into metastatic CRPC is key to developing future biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for PCa and CRPC. In the current review, we focused on three novel biomarkers (ZBTB46, SPDEF, and ETV6) that were demonstrated to play critical roles in CRPC progression, epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR TKI) drug resistance, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) for patients treated with ADT or AR inhibition. In addition, we summarize how these potential biomarkers can be used in the clinic for diagnosis and as therapeutic targets of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- AbdulFattah Salah Fararjeh
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Yen-Nien Liu
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
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16
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Kirkham CM, Boyes J. Genome instability triggered by the V(D)J recombination by-product. Mol Cell Oncol 2019; 6:1610323. [PMID: 31211241 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2019.1610323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A newly identified process by which mistargeted V(D)J recombination could cause genome instability in childhood leukemia has been discovered. In this mechanism, called cut-and-run, the excised DNA by-products of V(D)J recombination are re-bound by the recombinase proteins and erroneously trigger double-strand breaks at multiple locations throughout the genome. Many of these breakpoints co-localize with known chromosome alterations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joan Boyes
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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17
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Xu LS, Francis A, Turkistany S, Shukla D, Wong A, Batista CR, DeKoter RP. ETV6-RUNX1 interacts with a region in SPIB intron 1 to regulate gene expression in pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Exp Hematol 2019; 73:50-63.e2. [PMID: 30986496 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The most frequently occurring genetic abnormality in pediatric B-lymphocyte-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the t(12;21) chromosomal translocation that results in a ETV6-RUNX1 (also known as TEL-AML1) fusion gene. Expression of ETV6-RUNX1 induces a preleukemic condition leading to acquisition of secondary driver mutations, but the mechanism is poorly understood. SPI-B (encoded by SPIB) is an important transcriptional activator of B-cell development and differentiation. We hypothesized that SPIB is directly transcriptionally repressed by ETV6-RUNX1. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we identified a regulatory region in the first intron of SPIB that interacts with ETV6-RUNX1. Mutation of the RUNX1 binding site in SPIB intron 1 prevented transcriptional repression in transient transfection assays. Next, we sought to determine to what extent gene expression in REH cells can be altered by ectopic SPI-B expression. SPI-B expression was forced using CRISPR-mediated gene activation and also using a retroviral vector. Forced expression of SPI-B resulted in altered gene expression and, at high levels, impaired cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Finally, we identified CARD11 and CDKN1A (encoding p21) as transcriptional targets of SPI-B involved in regulation of proliferation and apoptosis. Taken together, this study identifies SPIB as an important target of ETV6-RUNX1 in regulation of B-cell gene expression in t(12;21) leukemia.
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MESH Headings
- Apoptosis/genetics
- CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/biosynthesis
- CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12/metabolism
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21/metabolism
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/genetics
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/metabolism
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/biosynthesis
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- Guanylate Cyclase/biosynthesis
- Guanylate Cyclase/genetics
- Humans
- Introns
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics
- Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/metabolism
- Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/pathology
- Response Elements
- Transcription Factors/biosynthesis
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Translocation, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Li S Xu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the Centre for Human Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Alyssa Francis
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the Centre for Human Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Devanshi Shukla
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the Centre for Human Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Alison Wong
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the Centre for Human Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Carolina R Batista
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the Centre for Human Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rodney P DeKoter
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the Centre for Human Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
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18
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Cut-and-Run: A Distinct Mechanism by which V(D)J Recombination Causes Genome Instability. Mol Cell 2019; 74:584-597.e9. [PMID: 30905508 PMCID: PMC6509286 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
V(D)J recombination is essential to generate antigen receptor diversity but is also a potent cause of genome instability. Many chromosome alterations that result from aberrant V(D)J recombination involve breaks at single recombination signal sequences (RSSs). A long-standing question, however, is how such breaks occur. Here, we show that the genomic DNA that is excised during recombination, the excised signal circle (ESC), forms a complex with the recombinase proteins to efficiently catalyze breaks at single RSSs both in vitro and in vivo. Following cutting, the RSS is released while the ESC-recombinase complex remains intact to potentially trigger breaks at further RSSs. Consistent with this, chromosome breaks at RSSs increase markedly in the presence of the ESC. Notably, these breaks co-localize with those found in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and occur at key cancer driver genes. We have named this reaction “cut-and-run” and suggest that it could be a significant cause of lymphocyte genome instability. A complex between the recombination by-product and RAGs triggers multiple DNA breaks The breaks co-localize with chromosome breakpoints in acute lymphoblastic leukemias The breaks occur at many frequently mutated genes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia Cut-and-run may underpin the most common types of lymphocyte chromosome instabilities
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19
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Polak R, Bierings MB, van der Leije CS, Sanders MA, Roovers O, Marchante JRM, Boer JM, Cornelissen JJ, Pieters R, den Boer ML, Buitenhuis M. Autophagy inhibition as a potential future targeted therapy for ETV6-RUNX1-driven B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica 2018; 104:738-748. [PMID: 30381299 PMCID: PMC6442983 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.193631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Translocation t(12;21), resulting in the ETV6-RUNX1 (or TEL-AML1) fusion protein, is present in 25% of pediatric patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is considered a first hit in leukemogenesis. A targeted therapy approach is not available for children with this subtype of leukemia. To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying ETV6-RUNX1-driven leukemia, we performed gene expression profiling of healthy hematopoietic progenitors in which we ectopically expressed ETV6-RUNX1. We reveal an ETV6-RUNX1-driven transcriptional network that induces proliferation, survival and cellular homeostasis. In addition, Vps34, an important regulator of autophagy, was found to be induced by ETV6-RUNX1 and up-regulated in ETV6-RUNX1-positive leukemic patient cells. We show that induction of Vps34 was transcriptionally regulated by ETV6-RUNX1 and correlated with high levels of autophagy. Knockdown of Vps34 in ETV6-RUNX1-positive cell lines severely reduced proliferation and survival. Inhibition of autophagy by hydroxychloroquine, a well-tolerated autophagy inhibitor, reduced cell viability in both ETV6-RUNX1-positive cell lines and primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia samples, and selectively sensitized primary ETV6-RUNX1-positive leukemia samples to L asparaginase. These findings reveal a causal relationship between ETV6-RUNX1 and autophagy, and provide pre-clinical evidence for the efficacy of autophagy inhibitors in ETV6-RUNX1-driven leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roel Polak
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam
| | - Marc B Bierings
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht
| | | | - Mathijs A Sanders
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Onno Roovers
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - João R M Marchante
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam
| | - Judith M Boer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam
| | - Jan J Cornelissen
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Pieters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht
| | - Monique L den Boer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam .,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht
| | - Miranda Buitenhuis
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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20
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Abstract
In this Review, I present evidence supporting a multifactorial causation of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a major subtype of paediatric cancer. ALL evolves in two discrete steps. First, in utero initiation by fusion gene formation or hyperdiploidy generates a covert, pre-leukaemic clone. Second, in a small fraction of these cases, the postnatal acquisition of secondary genetic changes (primarily V(D)J recombination-activating protein (RAG) and activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)-driven copy number alterations in the case of ETS translocation variant 6 (ETV6)-runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1)+ ALL) drives conversion to overt leukaemia. Epidemiological and modelling studies endorse a dual role for common infections. Microbial exposures earlier in life are protective but, in their absence, later infections trigger the critical secondary mutations. Risk is further modified by inherited genetics, chance and, probably, diet. Childhood ALL can be viewed as a paradoxical consequence of progress in modern societies, where behavioural changes have restrained early microbial exposure. This engenders an evolutionary mismatch between historical adaptations of the immune system and contemporary lifestyles. Childhood ALL may be a preventable cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mel Greaves
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
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21
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Pathogenesis of ETV6/RUNX1-positive childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and mechanisms underlying its relapse. Oncotarget 2018; 8:35445-35459. [PMID: 28418909 PMCID: PMC5471068 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
ETV6/RUNX1 (E/R) is the most common fusion gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Multiple lines of evidence imply a “two-hit” model for the molecular pathogenesis of E/R-positive ALL, whereby E/R rearrangement is followed by a series of secondary mutations that trigger overt leukemia. The cellular framework in which E/R arises and the maintenance of a pre-leukemic condition by E/R are fundamental to the mechanism that underlies leukemogenesis. Accordingly, a variety of studies have focused on the relationship between the clones giving rise to the primary and recurrent E/R-positive ALL. We review here the most recent insights into the pathogenic mechanisms underlying E/R-positive ALL, as well as the molecular abnormalities prevailing at relapse.
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22
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Ghazavi F, De Moerloose B, Van Loocke W, Wallaert A, Helsmoortel HH, Ferster A, Bakkus M, Plat G, Delabesse E, Uyttebroeck A, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Deforce D, Van Roy N, Speleman F, Benoit Y, Lammens T, Van Vlierberghe P. Unique long non-coding RNA expression signature in ETV6/RUNX1-driven B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Oncotarget 2018; 7:73769-73780. [PMID: 27650541 PMCID: PMC5342012 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Overwhelming evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs have essential roles in tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, their role in the molecular pathogenesis of pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia has not been extensively explored. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the long non-coding RNA transcriptome in ETV6/RUNX1-positive BCP-ALL, one of the most frequent subtypes of pediatric leukemia. First, we used primary leukemia patient samples to identify an ETV6/RUNX1 specific expression signature consisting of 596 lncRNA transcripts. Next, integration of this lncRNA signature with RNA sequencing of BCP-ALL cell lines and lncRNA profiling of an in vitro model system of ETV6/RUNX1 knockdown, revealed that lnc-NKX2-3-1, lnc-TIMM21-5, lnc-ASTN1-1 and lnc-RTN4R-1 are truly regulated by the oncogenic fusion protein. Moreover, sustained inactivation of lnc-RTN4R-1 and lnc-NKX2-3-1 in ETV6/RUNX1 positive cells caused profound changes in gene expression. All together, our study defined a unique lncRNA expression signature associated with ETV6/RUNX1-positive BCP-ALL and identified lnc-RTN4R-1 and lnc-NKX2-3-1 as lncRNAs that might be functionally implicated in the biology of this prevalent subtype of human leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Ghazavi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Paediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Loocke
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Paediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelynn Wallaert
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Paediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hetty H Helsmoortel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Paediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alina Ferster
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, HUDERF, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marleen Bakkus
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geneviève Plat
- Department of Hematology, Children's Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Eric Delabesse
- Department of Hematology, Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie de Toulouse, University Toulouse-III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Anne Uyttebroeck
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nadine Van Roy
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Paediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Speleman
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Paediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yves Benoit
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Lammens
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Paediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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23
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Malouf C, Ottersbach K. Molecular processes involved in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:417-446. [PMID: 28819864 PMCID: PMC5765206 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2620-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
B cell leukaemia is one of the most frequent malignancies in the paediatric population, but also affects a significant proportion of adults in developed countries. The majority of infant and paediatric cases initiate the process of leukaemogenesis during foetal development (in utero) through the formation of a chromosomal translocation or the acquisition/deletion of genetic material (hyperdiploidy or hypodiploidy, respectively). This first genetic insult is the major determinant for the prognosis and therapeutic outcome of patients. B cell leukaemia in adults displays similar molecular features as its paediatric counterpart. However, since this disease is highly represented in the infant and paediatric population, this review will focus on this demographic group and summarise the biological, clinical and epidemiological knowledge on B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia of four well characterised subtypes: t(4;11) MLL-AF4, t(12;21) ETV6-RUNX1, t(1;19) E2A-PBX1 and t(9;22) BCR-ABL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Malouf
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Katrin Ottersbach
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
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Böiers C, Richardson SE, Laycock E, Zriwil A, Turati VA, Brown J, Wray JP, Wang D, James C, Herrero J, Sitnicka E, Karlsson S, Smith AJH, Jacobsen SEW, Enver T. A Human IPS Model Implicates Embryonic B-Myeloid Fate Restriction as Developmental Susceptibility to B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Associated ETV6-RUNX1. Dev Cell 2017; 44:362-377.e7. [PMID: 29290585 PMCID: PMC5807056 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
ETV6-RUNX1 is associated with childhood acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL) functioning as a first-hit mutation that initiates a clinically silent pre-leukemia in utero. Because lineage commitment hierarchies differ between embryo and adult, and the impact of oncogenes is cell-context dependent, we hypothesized that the childhood affiliation of ETV6-RUNX1 cALL reflects its origins in a progenitor unique to embryonic life. We characterize the first emerging B cells in first-trimester human embryos, identifying a developmentally restricted CD19-IL-7R+ progenitor compartment, which transitions from a myeloid to lymphoid program during ontogeny. This developmental series is recapitulated in differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), thereby providing a model for the initiation of cALL. Genome-engineered hPSCs expressing ETV6-RUNX1 from the endogenous ETV6 locus show expansion of the CD19-IL-7R+ compartment, show a partial block in B lineage commitment, and produce proB cells with aberrant myeloid gene expression signatures and potential: features (collectively) consistent with a pre-leukemic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotta Böiers
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, UK; Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Emma Laycock
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, UK
| | - Alya Zriwil
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - John Brown
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, UK
| | - Jason P Wray
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, UK
| | - Dapeng Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, UK
| | - Chela James
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, UK
| | - Javier Herrero
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, UK
| | - Ewa Sitnicka
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Andrew J H Smith
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sten Erik W Jacobsen
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Departments of Cell and Molecular Biology and Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tariq Enver
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, UK; Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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25
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Modeling the process of childhood ETV6-RUNX1 B-cell leukemias. Oncotarget 2017; 8:102674-102680. [PMID: 29254279 PMCID: PMC5731989 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
ETV6-RUNX1 is associated with the most common subtype of childhood leukemia. Pre-leukaemic clones carrying ETV6-RUNX1 oncogenic lesions are frequently found in neonatal cord blood, but only few ETV6-RUNX1 carriers develop pB-ALL. The highly demanding and pending challenge is to reveal the multistep natural history of ETV6-RUNX1 pB-ALL, because it can offer non-toxic prophylactic interventions to preleukemic carriers. However, the lack of a genetically engineered ETV6-RUNX1 mouse model mimicking the human pB-ALL has hampered our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. This rule has now been broken in a study of the effect of the ETV6-RUNX1 oncogene in cancer development in a mouse model in which oncogene expression is restricted to the stem cell compartment. In this article, we review the different attempts to model this disease, including the recent representative success stories and we discuss its potential application to both identify etiologic factors of childhood ETV6-RUNX1 pB-ALL and prevent the conversion of a preleukemic clone in an irreversible transformed state.
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26
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Navarrete-Meneses MDP, Pérez-Vera P. Alteraciones epigenéticas en leucemia linfoblástica aguda. BOLETIN MEDICO DEL HOSPITAL INFANTIL DE MEXICO 2017; 74:243-264. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmhimx.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 02/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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28
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Rodríguez-Hernández G, Hauer J, Martín-Lorenzo A, Schäfer D, Bartenhagen C, García-Ramírez I, Auer F, González-Herrero I, Ruiz-Roca L, Gombert M, Okpanyi V, Fischer U, Chen C, Dugas M, Bhatia S, Linka RM, Garcia-Suquia M, Rascón-Trincado MV, Garcia-Sanchez A, Blanco O, García-Cenador MB, García-Criado FJ, Cobaleda C, Alonso-López D, De Las Rivas J, Müschen M, Vicente-Dueñas C, Sánchez-García I, Borkhardt A. Infection Exposure Promotes ETV6-RUNX1 Precursor B-cell Leukemia via Impaired H3K4 Demethylases. Cancer Res 2017. [PMID: 28630052 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-0701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
ETV6-RUNX1 is associated with the most common subtype of childhood leukemia. As few ETV6-RUNX1 carriers develop precursor B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (pB-ALL), the underlying genetic basis for development of full-blown leukemia remains to be identified, but the appearance of leukemia cases in time-space clusters keeps infection as a potential causal factor. Here, we present in vivo genetic evidence mechanistically connecting preleukemic ETV6-RUNX1 expression in hematopoetic stem cells/precursor cells (HSC/PC) and postnatal infections for human-like pB-ALL. In our model, ETV6-RUNX1 conferred a low risk of developing pB-ALL after exposure to common pathogens, corroborating the low incidence observed in humans. Murine preleukemic ETV6-RUNX1 pro/preB cells showed high Rag1/2 expression, known for human ETV6-RUNX1 pB-ALL. Murine and human ETV6-RUNX1 pB-ALL revealed recurrent genomic alterations, with a relevant proportion affecting genes of the lysine demethylase (KDM) family. KDM5C loss of function resulted in increased levels of H3K4me3, which coprecipitated with RAG2 in a human cell line model, laying the molecular basis for recombination activity. We conclude that alterations of KDM family members represent a disease-driving mechanism and an explanation for RAG off-target cleavage observed in humans. Our results explain the genetic basis for clonal evolution of an ETV6-RUNX1 preleukemic clone to pB-ALL after infection exposure and offer the possibility of novel therapeutic approaches. Cancer Res; 77(16); 4365-77. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Rodríguez-Hernández
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Julia Hauer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alberto Martín-Lorenzo
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Daniel Schäfer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Bartenhagen
- Department of Computer Science, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Idoia García-Ramírez
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Franziska Auer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Inés González-Herrero
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Lucia Ruiz-Roca
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Michael Gombert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vera Okpanyi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ute Fischer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Cai Chen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Dugas
- Department of Computer Science, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Sanil Bhatia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - René Martin Linka
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marta Garcia-Suquia
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas y del Diagnóstico, Área de Obstetricia y Ginecología, HUS-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - María Victoria Rascón-Trincado
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas y del Diagnóstico, Área de Obstetricia y Ginecología, HUS-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Angel Garcia-Sanchez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas y del Diagnóstico, Área de Obstetricia y Ginecología, HUS-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,IBSAL, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Oscar Blanco
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Maria Begoña García-Cenador
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier García-Criado
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - César Cobaleda
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC/Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Alonso-López
- Bioinformatics Unit, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Javier De Las Rivas
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Bioinformatics Unit, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics Research Group, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Markus Müschen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Isidro Sánchez-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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29
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Sundaresh A, Williams O. Mechanism of ETV6-RUNX1 Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 962:201-216. [PMID: 28299659 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-3233-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The t(12;21)(p13;q22) translocation is the most frequently occurring single genetic abnormality in pediatric leukemia. This translocation results in the fusion of the ETV6 and RUNX1 genes. Since its discovery in the 1990s, the function of the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene has attracted intense interest. In this chapter, we will summarize current knowledge on the clinical significance of ETV6-RUNX1, the experimental models used to unravel its function in leukemogenesis, the identification of co-operating mutations and the mechanisms responsible for their acquisition, the function of the encoded transcription factor and finally, the future therapeutic approaches available to mitigate the associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Sundaresh
- Cancer section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Owen Williams
- Cancer section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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Chen D, Zheng J, Gerasimcik N, Lagerstedt K, Sjögren H, Abrahamsson J, Fogelstrand L, Mårtensson IL. The Expression Pattern of the Pre-B Cell Receptor Components Correlates with Cellular Stage and Clinical Outcome in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162638. [PMID: 27611867 PMCID: PMC5017602 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Precursor-B cell receptor (pre-BCR) signaling represents a crucial checkpoint at the pre-B cell stage. Aberrant pre-BCR signaling is considered as a key factor for B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) development. BCP-ALL are believed to be arrested at the pre-BCR checkpoint independent of pre-BCR expression. However, the cellular stage at which BCP-ALL are arrested and whether this relates to expression of the pre-BCR components (IGHM, IGLL1 and VPREB1) is still unclear. Here, we show differential protein expression and copy number variation (CNV) patterns of the pre-BCR components in pediatric BCP-ALL. Moreover, analyzing six BCP-ALL data sets (n = 733), we demonstrate that TCF3-PBX1 ALL express high levels of IGHM, IGLL1 and VPREB1, and are arrested at the pre-B stage. By contrast, ETV6-RUNX1 ALL express low levels of IGHM or VPREB1, and are arrested at the pro-B stage. Irrespective of subtype, ALL with high levels of IGHM, IGLL1 and VPREB1 are arrested at the pre-B stage and correlate with good prognosis in high-risk pediatric BCP-ALL (n = 207). Our findings suggest that BCP-ALL are arrested at different cellular stages, which relates to the expression pattern of the pre-BCR components that could serve as prognostic markers for high-risk pediatric BCP-ALL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongfeng Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Junxiong Zheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Natalija Gerasimcik
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristina Lagerstedt
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helene Sjögren
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Linda Fogelstrand
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Inga-Lill Mårtensson
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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31
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Bauer E, Schlederer M, Scheicher R, Horvath J, Aigner P, Schiefer AI, Kain R, Regele H, Hoermann G, Steiner G, Kenner L, Sexl V, Villunger A, Moriggl R, Stoiber D. Cooperation of ETV6/RUNX1 and BCL2 enhances immunoglobulin production and accelerates glomerulonephritis in transgenic mice. Oncotarget 2016; 7:12191-205. [PMID: 26919255 PMCID: PMC4914278 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The t(12;21) translocation generating the ETV6/RUNX1 fusion gene represents the most frequent chromosomal rearrangement in childhood leukemia. Presence of ETV6/RUNX1 alone is usually not sufficient for leukemia onset, and additional genetic alterations have to occur in ETV6/RUNX1-positive cells to cause transformation. We have previously generated an ETV6/RUNX1 transgenic mouse model where the expression of the fusion gene is restricted to CD19-positive B cells. Since BCL2 family members have been proposed to play a role in leukemogenesis, we investigated combined effects of ETV6/RUNX1 with exogenous expression of the antiapoptotic protein BCL2 by crossing ETV6/RUNX1 transgenic animals with Vav-BCL2 transgenic mice. Strikingly, co-expression of ETV6/RUNX1 and BCL2 resulted in significantly shorter disease latency in mice, indicating oncogene cooperativity. This was associated with faster development of follicular B cell lymphoma and exacerbated immune complex glomerulonephritis. ETV6/RUNX1-BCL2 double transgenic animals displayed increased B cell numbers and immunoglobulin titers compared to Vav-BCL2 transgenic mice. This led to pronounced deposition of immune complexes in glomeruli followed by accelerated development of immune complex glomerulonephritis. Thus, our study reveals a previously unrecognized synergism between ETV6/RUNX1 and BCL2 impacting on malignant disease and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Bauer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Schlederer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth Scheicher
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jaqueline Horvath
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Aigner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ana-Iris Schiefer
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Kain
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinz Regele
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Hoermann
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Günter Steiner
- Cluster Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Ludwig Boltzmann Society, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Unit of Pathology of Laboratory Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Villunger
- Division of Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dagmar Stoiber
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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32
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Auer F, Ingenhag D, Bhatia S, Enczmann J, Cobaleda C, Sanchez-Garcia I, Borkhardt A, Hauer J. GEMMs addressing Pax5 loss-of-function in childhood pB-ALL. Eur J Med Genet 2016; 59:166-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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33
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Choi J, Polcher A, Joas A. Systematic literature review on Parkinson's disease and Childhood Leukaemia and mode of actions for pesticides. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2016.en-955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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34
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Jin Y, Wang X, Hu S, Tang J, Li B, Chai Y. Determination of ETV6-RUNX1 genomic breakpoint by next-generation sequencing. Cancer Med 2015; 5:337-51. [PMID: 26711002 PMCID: PMC4735785 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The t(12;21)(p13;q22) ETV6-RUNX1 gene fusion is one of the most common chromosomal translocation in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is associated with favorable prognosis. The identification of the genomic sequence of the breakpoint flanking regions of the ETV6-RUNX1 translocation should be the best strategy to monitor minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with ETV6-RUNX1-positive ALL. In this study, the ETV6-RUNX1 translocation was sequenced by next-generation sequencing (NGS) in 26 patients with ETV6-RUNX1-positive ALL and re-sequenced by using the Sanger method. Interestingly, the three-way translocation, including ETV6-RUNX1, was detected in five patients. Four of them relapsed during or after therapy, while 21 patients without the three-way translocation were still in remission (P < 0.0001). The three-way translocation pattern was identical between the diagnosis and relapse samples in three patients, excluding one patient (SCMC-001245). The relapse samples retained the translocation of ETV6-RUNX1 relative to the three-way translocation t(8;12;21) at diagnosis, suggesting that the three-way translocation might be an important risk factor for relapse in patients with ETV6-RUNX1-positive ALL and should be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanliang Jin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Soochow University Affiliated to Children's Hospital, Jiangsu, 215003, China
| | - Xingwei Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Key laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Shaoyan Hu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Soochow University Affiliated to Children's Hospital, Jiangsu, 215003, China
| | - Jingyan Tang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Key laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Benshang Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Key laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yihuan Chai
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Soochow University Affiliated to Children's Hospital, Jiangsu, 215003, China
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Martín-Lorenzo A, Hauer J, Vicente-Dueñas C, Auer F, González-Herrero I, García-Ramírez I, Ginzel S, Thiele R, Constantinescu SN, Bartenhagen C, Dugas M, Gombert M, Schäfer D, Blanco O, Mayado A, Orfao A, Alonso-López D, Rivas JDL, Cobaleda C, García-Cenador MB, García-Criado FJ, Sánchez-García I, Borkhardt A. Infection Exposure is a Causal Factor in B-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia as a Result of Pax5-Inherited Susceptibility. Cancer Discov 2015; 5:1328-43. [PMID: 26408659 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-15-0892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Earlier in the past century, infections were regarded as the most likely cause of childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pB-ALL). However, there is a lack of relevant biologic evidence supporting this hypothesis. We present in vivo genetic evidence mechanistically connecting inherited susceptibility to pB-ALL and postnatal infections by showing that pB-ALL was initiated in Pax5 heterozygous mice only when they were exposed to common pathogens. Strikingly, these murine pB-ALLs closely resemble the human disease. Tumor exome sequencing revealed activating somatic, nonsynonymous mutations of Jak3 as a second hit. Transplantation experiments and deep sequencing suggest that inactivating mutations in Pax5 promote leukemogenesis by creating an aberrant progenitor compartment that is susceptible to malignant transformation through accumulation of secondary Jak3 mutations. Thus, treatment of Pax5(+/-) leukemic cells with specific JAK1/3 inhibitors resulted in increased apoptosis. These results uncover the causal role of infection in pB-ALL development. SIGNIFICANCE These results demonstrate that delayed infection exposure is a causal factor in pB-ALL. Therefore, these findings have critical implications for the understanding of the pathogenesis of leukemia and for the development of novel therapies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Martín-Lorenzo
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain. Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Julia Hauer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Carolina Vicente-Dueñas
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain. Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Franziska Auer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Inés González-Herrero
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain. Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Idoia García-Ramírez
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain. Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sebastian Ginzel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany. Department of Computer Science, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Ralf Thiele
- Department of Computer Science, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Stefan N Constantinescu
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Brussels and Université catholique de Louvain, de Duve Institute, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Martin Dugas
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Michael Gombert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniel Schäfer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Oscar Blanco
- Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Andrea Mayado
- Servicio de Citometría and Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Servicio de Citometría and Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Diego Alonso-López
- Bioinformatics Unit, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Javier De Las Rivas
- Bioinformatics Unit, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain. Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics Research Group, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - César Cobaleda
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa; CSIC/Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Isidro Sánchez-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain. Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany.
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36
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Mouse models for core binding factor leukemia. Leukemia 2015; 29:1970-80. [PMID: 26165235 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RUNX1 and CBFB are among the most frequently mutated genes in human leukemias. Genetic alterations such as chromosomal translocations, copy number variations and point mutations have been widely reported to result in the malfunction of RUNX transcription factors. Leukemias arising from such alterations in RUNX family genes are collectively termed core binding factor (CBF) leukemias. Although adult CBF leukemias generally are considered a favorable risk group as compared with other forms of acute myeloid leukemia, the 5-year survival rate remains low. An improved understanding of the molecular mechanism for CBF leukemia is imperative to uncover novel treatment options. Over the years, retroviral transduction-transplantation assays and transgenic, knockin and knockout mouse models alone or in combination with mutagenesis have been used to study the roles of RUNX alterations in leukemogenesis. Although successful in inducing leukemia, the existing assays and models possess many inherent limitations. A CBF leukemia model which induces leukemia with complete penetrance and short latency would be ideal as a platform for drug discovery. Here, we summarize the currently available mouse models which have been utilized to study CBF leukemias, discuss the advantages and limitations of individual experimental systems, and propose suggestions for improvements of mouse models.
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37
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Alpar D, Wren D, Ermini L, Mansur MB, van Delft FW, Bateman CM, Titley I, Kearney L, Szczepanski T, Gonzalez D, Ford AM, Potter NE, Greaves M. Clonal origins of ETV6-RUNX1⁺ acute lymphoblastic leukemia: studies in monozygotic twins. Leukemia 2014; 29:839-46. [PMID: 25388957 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2014.322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Studies on twins with concordant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have revealed that ETV6-RUNX1 gene fusion is a common, prenatal genetic event with other driver aberrations occurring subclonally and probably postnatally. The fetal cell type that is transformed by ETV6-RUNX1 is not identified by such studies or by the analysis of early B-cell lineage phenotype of derived progeny. Ongoing, clonal immunoglobulin (IG) and cross-lineage T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements are features of B-cell precursor leukemia and commence at the pro-B-cell stage of normal B-cell lineage development. We reasoned that shared clonal rearrangements of IG or TCR genes by concordant ALL in twins would be informative about the fetal cell type in which clonal advantage is elicited by ETV6-RUNX1. Five pairs of twins were analyzed for all varieties of IG and TCR gene rearrangements. All pairs showed identical incomplete or complete variable-diversity-joining junctions coupled with substantial, subclonal and divergent rearrangements. This pattern was endorsed by single-cell genetic scrutiny in one twin pair. Our data suggest that the pre-leukemic initiating function of ETV6-RUNX1 fusion is associated with clonal expansion early in the fetal B-cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Alpar
- 1] Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK [2] Department of Pathology, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - D Wren
- Haemato-Oncology Research Unit, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK
| | - L Ermini
- Centre for Geogenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - M B Mansur
- 1] Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK [2] Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Program, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - F W van Delft
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK
| | - C M Bateman
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK
| | - I Titley
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK
| | - L Kearney
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK
| | - T Szczepanski
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - D Gonzalez
- Haemato-Oncology Research Unit, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK
| | - A M Ford
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK
| | - N E Potter
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK
| | - M Greaves
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research-London, London, UK
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38
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ETV6/RUNX1 induces reactive oxygen species and drives the accumulation of DNA damage in B cells. Neoplasia 2014; 15:1292-300. [PMID: 24339741 DOI: 10.1593/neo.131310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The t(12;21)(p13;q22) chromosomal translocation is the most frequent translocation in childhood B cell precursor-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and results in the expression of an ETV6/RUNX1 fusion protein. The frequency of ETV6/RUNX1 fusions in newborns clearly exceeds the leukemia rate revealing that additional events occur in ETV6/RUNX1-positive cells for leukemic transformation. Hitherto, the mechanisms triggering these second hits remain largely elusive. Thus, we generated a novel ETV6/RUNX1 transgenic mouse model where the expression of the fusion protein is restricted to CD19(+) B cells. These animals harbor regular B cell development and lack gross abnormalities. We established stable pro-B cell lines carrying the ETV6/RUNX1 transgene that allowed us to investigate whether ETV6/RUNX1 itself favors the acquisition of second hits. Remarkably, these pro-B cell lines as well as primary bone marrow cells derived from ETV6/RUNX1 transgenic animals display elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as tested with ETV6/RUNX1 transgenic dihydroethidium staining. In line, intracellular phospho-histone H2AX flow cytometry and comet assay revealed increased DNA damage indicating that ETV6/RUNX1 expression enhances ROS. On the basis of our data, we propose the following model: the expression of ETV6/RUNX1 creates a preleukemic clone and leads to increased ROS levels. These elevated ROS favor the accumulation of secondary hits by increasing genetic instability and double-strand breaks, thus allowing preleukemic clones to develop into fully transformed leukemic cells.
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39
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Palmi C, Fazio G, Savino AM, Procter J, Howell L, Cazzaniga V, Vieri M, Longinotti G, Brunati I, Andrè V, Della Mina P, Villa A, Greaves M, Biondi A, D'Amico G, Ford A, Cazzaniga G. Cytoskeletal regulatory gene expression and migratory properties of B-cell progenitors are affected by the ETV6-RUNX1 rearrangement. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 12:1796-806. [PMID: 25061103 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0056-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Although the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion is a frequent initiating event in childhood leukemia, its role in leukemogenesis is only partly understood. The main impact of the fusion itself is to generate and sustain a clone of clinically silent preleukemic B-cell progenitors (BCP). Additional oncogenic hits, occurring even several years later, are required for overt disease. The understanding of the features and interactions of ETV6-RUNX1-positive cells during this "latency" period may explain how these silent cells can persist and whether they could be prone to additional genetic changes. In this study, two in vitro murine models were used to investigate whether ETV6-RUNX1 alters the cellular adhesion and migration properties of BCP. ETV6-RUNX1-expressing cells showed a significant defect in the chemotactic response to CXCL12, caused by a block in CXCR4 signaling, as demonstrated by inhibition of CXCL12-associated calcium flux and lack of ERK phosphorylation. Moreover, the induction of ETV6-RUNX1 caused changes in the expression of cell-surface adhesion molecules. The expression of genes regulating the cytoskeleton was also affected, resulting in a block of CDC42 signaling. The abnormalities described here could alter the interaction of ETV6-RUNX1 preleukemic BCP with the microenvironment and contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. IMPLICATIONS Alterations in the expression of cytoskeletal regulatory genes and migration properties of BCP represent early events in the evolution of the disease, from the preleukemic phase to the clinical onset, and suggest new strategies for effective eradication of leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Palmi
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Grazia Fazio
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Angela M Savino
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Julia Procter
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Howell
- Haemato-Oncology Research Unit, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Margherita Vieri
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giulia Longinotti
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Ilaria Brunati
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Valentina Andrè
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Pamela Della Mina
- Microscopy and Image Analysis Consortium, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Antonello Villa
- Microscopy and Image Analysis Consortium, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Mel Greaves
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
| | - Giovanna D'Amico
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Anthony Ford
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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40
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Jacoby E, Chien CD, Fry TJ. Murine models of acute leukemia: important tools in current pediatric leukemia research. Front Oncol 2014; 4:95. [PMID: 24847444 PMCID: PMC4019869 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia remains the most common diagnosis in pediatric oncology and, despite dramatic progress in upfront therapy, is also the most common cause of cancer-related death in children. Much of the initial improvement in outcomes for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was due to identification of cytotoxic agents that are active against leukemia followed by the recognition that combination of these cytotoxic agents and prolonged therapy are essential for cure. Recent data demonstrating lack of progress in patients for whom standard chemotherapy fails suggests that the ability to improve outcome for these children will not be dramatically impacted through more intensive or newer cytotoxic agents. Thus, much of the recent research focus has been in the area of improving our understanding of the genetics and the biology of leukemia. Although in vitro studies remain critical, given the complexity of a living system and the increasing recognition of the contribution of leukemia extrinsic factors such as the bone marrow microenvironment, in vivo models have provided important insights. The murine systems that are used can be broadly categorized into syngeneic models in which a murine leukemia can be studied in immunologically intact hosts and xenograft models where human leukemias are studied in highly immunocompromised murine hosts. Both of these systems have limitations such that neither can be used exclusively to study all aspects of leukemia biology and therapeutics for humans. This review will describe the various ALL model systems that have been developed as well as discuss the advantages and disadvantages inherent to these systems that make each particularly suitable for specific types of studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elad Jacoby
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA
| | - Christopher D Chien
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA
| | - Terry J Fry
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA
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41
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Papaemmanuil E, Rapado I, Li Y, Potter NE, Wedge DC, Tubio J, Alexandrov LB, Van Loo P, Cooke SL, Marshall J, Martincorena I, Hinton J, Gundem G, van Delft FW, Nik-Zainal S, Jones DR, Ramakrishna M, Titley I, Stebbings L, Leroy C, Menzies A, Gamble J, Robinson B, Mudie L, Raine K, O’Meara S, Teague JW, Butler AP, Cazzaniga G, Biondi A, Zuna J, Kempski H, Muschen M, Ford AM, Stratton MR, Greaves M, Campbell PJ. RAG-mediated recombination is the predominant driver of oncogenic rearrangement in ETV6-RUNX1 acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Nat Genet 2014; 46:116-25. [PMID: 24413735 PMCID: PMC3960636 DOI: 10.1038/ng.2874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene, found in 25% of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases, is acquired in utero but requires additional somatic mutations for overt leukemia. We used exome and low-coverage whole-genome sequencing to characterize secondary events associated with leukemic transformation. RAG-mediated deletions emerge as the dominant mutational process, characterized by recombination signal sequence motifs near breakpoints, incorporation of non-templated sequence at junctions, ∼30-fold enrichment at promoters and enhancers of genes actively transcribed in B cell development and an unexpectedly high ratio of recurrent to non-recurrent structural variants. Single-cell tracking shows that this mechanism is active throughout leukemic evolution, with evidence of localized clustering and reiterated deletions. Integration of data on point mutations and rearrangements identifies ATF7IP and MGA as two new tumor-suppressor genes in ALL. Thus, a remarkably parsimonious mutational process transforms ETV6-RUNX1-positive lymphoblasts, targeting the promoters, enhancers and first exons of genes that normally regulate B cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yilong Li
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - David C Wedge
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Jose Tubio
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - Peter Van Loo
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- Department of Human Genetics, VIB and University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susanna L Cooke
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - John Marshall
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - Jonathan Hinton
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Gunes Gundem
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Frederik W van Delft
- Institute for Cancer Research, Sutton, London, UK
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - David R Jones
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - Ian Titley
- Institute for Cancer Research, Sutton, London, UK
| | - Lucy Stebbings
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Catherine Leroy
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Andrew Menzies
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - John Gamble
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Ben Robinson
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Laura Mudie
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Keiran Raine
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Sarah O’Meara
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Jon W Teague
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Adam P Butler
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Giovanni Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Hospital San Gerardo, Via Pergolesi, 33, 20052 Monza (Mi), Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Hospital San Gerardo, Via Pergolesi, 33, 20052 Monza (Mi), Italy
| | - Jan Zuna
- CLIP, Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Kempski
- Paediatric Malignancy Unit, CBL Level 2, Molecular Haematology & Cancer Biology Unit, Camelia Botnar Laboratories, Level 2, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children & UCL Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH
| | - Markus Muschen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | | | | | - Mel Greaves
- Institute for Cancer Research, Sutton, London, UK
| | - Peter J Campbell
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- Addenbrooke’s NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
- University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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42
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Abstract
Genomic aberrations affecting genes in B cell differentiation are hallmarks of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A new whole-genome sequencing study of ETV6-RUNX1-positive ALL has now identified RAG-mediated recombination, which specifically targets genes and regulatory elements active during B cell differentiation, as the underlying mechanism.
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43
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Linka Y, Ginzel S, Krüger M, Novosel A, Gombert M, Kremmer E, Harbott J, Thiele R, Borkhardt A, Landgraf P. The impact of TEL-AML1 (ETV6-RUNX1) expression in precursor B cells and implications for leukaemia using three different genome-wide screening methods. Blood Cancer J 2013; 3:e151. [PMID: 24121163 PMCID: PMC3816209 DOI: 10.1038/bcj.2013.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 08/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The reciprocal translocation t(12;21)(p13;q22), the most common structural genomic alteration in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children, results in a chimeric transcription factor TEL-AML1 (ETV6-RUNX1). We identified directly and indirectly regulated target genes utilizing an inducible TEL-AML1 system derived from the murine pro B-cell line BA/F3 and a monoclonal antibody directed against TEL-AML1. By integration of promoter binding identified with chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-on-chip, gene expression and protein output through microarray technology and stable labelling of amino acids in cell culture, we identified 217 directly and 118 indirectly regulated targets of the TEL-AML1 fusion protein. Directly, but not indirectly, regulated promoters were enriched in AML1-binding sites. The majority of promoter regions were specific for the fusion protein and not bound by native AML1 or TEL. Comparison with gene expression profiles from TEL-AML1-positive patients identified 56 concordantly misregulated genes with negative effects on proliferation and cellular transport mechanisms and positive effects on cellular migration, and stress responses including immunological responses. In summary, this work for the first time gives a comprehensive insight into how TEL-AML1 expression may directly and indirectly contribute to alter cells to become prone for leukemic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Linka
- Heinrich-Heine University of Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Clinic for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Dusseldorf, Germany
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44
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Abstract
Key Points
STAT3 activity is necessary for TEL-AML1 leukemia maintenance. TEL-AML1 induces STAT3 activation via RAC1 and leading to induction of MYC expression.
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45
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Tsuzuki S, Seto M. TEL (ETV6)-AML1 (RUNX1) initiates self-renewing fetal pro-B cells in association with a transcriptional program shared with embryonic stem cells in mice. Stem Cells 2013; 31:236-47. [PMID: 23135987 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The initial steps involved in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia are poorly understood. The TEL-AML1 fusion gene usually arises before birth, producing a persistent and covert preleukemic clone that may convert to precursor B cell leukemia following the accumulation of secondary genetic "hits." Here, we show that TEL-AML1 can induce persistent self-renewing pro-B cells in mice. TEL-AML1+ cells nevertheless differentiate terminally in the long term, providing a "window" period that may allow secondary genetic hits to accumulate and lead to leukemia. TEL-AML1-mediated self-renewal is associated with a transcriptional program shared with embryonic stem cells (ESCs), within which Mybl2, Tgif2, Pim2, and Hmgb3 are critical and sufficient components to establish self-renewing pro-B cells. We further show that TEL-AML1 increases the number of leukemia-initiating cells that are generated in collaboration with additional genetic hits, thus providing an overall basis for the development of novel therapeutic and preventive measures targeting the TEL-AML1-associated transcriptional program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinobu Tsuzuki
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan.
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Figueroa ME, Chen SC, Andersson AK, Phillips LA, Li Y, Sotzen J, Kundu M, Downing JR, Melnick A, Mullighan CG. Integrated genetic and epigenetic analysis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:3099-111. [PMID: 23921123 DOI: 10.1172/jci66203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the commonest childhood malignancy and is characterized by recurring structural genetic alterations. Previous studies of DNA methylation suggest epigenetic alterations may also be important, but an integrated genome-wide analysis of genetic and epigenetic alterations in ALL has not been performed. We analyzed 137 B-lineage and 30 T-lineage childhood ALL cases using microarray analysis of DNA copy number alterations and gene expression, and genome-wide cytosine methylation profiling using the HpaII tiny fragment enrichment by ligation-mediated PCR (HELP) assay. We found that the different genetic subtypes of ALL are characterized by distinct DNA methylation signatures that exhibit significant correlation with gene expression profiles. We also identified an epigenetic signature common to all cases, with correlation to gene expression in 65% of these genes, suggesting that a core set of epigenetically deregulated genes is central to the initiation or maintenance of lymphoid transformation. Finally, we identified aberrant methylation in multiple genes also targeted by recurring DNA copy number alterations in ALL, suggesting that these genes are inactivated far more frequently than suggested by structural genomic analyses alone. Together, these results demonstrate subtype- and disease-specific alterations in cytosine methylation in ALL that influence transcriptional activity, and are likely to exert a key role in leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Figueroa
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Initially disadvantaged, TEL-AML1 cells expand and initiate leukemia in response to irradiation and cooperating mutations. Leukemia 2013; 27:1570-3. [PMID: 23443342 PMCID: PMC3715751 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Richardson SE. Modelling how initiating and transforming oncogenes cooperate to produce a leukaemic cell state. Dis Model Mech 2012; 6:3-5. [PMID: 23268533 PMCID: PMC3529332 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.011288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Simon E Richardson
- University College London Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
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Zhou Y, You MJ, Young KH, Lin P, Lu G, Medeiros LJ, Bueso-Ramos CE. Advances in the molecular pathobiology of B-lymphoblastic leukemia. Hum Pathol 2012; 43:1347-62. [PMID: 22575265 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2012.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Revised: 01/26/2012] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, also known as B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is derived from B-cell progenitors. B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia occurs predominantly in children, but can occur at any age. Risk-adapted intensive chemotherapy is effective in treating most children with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but this approach is less successful in adults. Recent developments in genome-wide genetic analysis in B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia have provided insights into disease pathogenesis and prognosis. B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases usually carry a primary genetic event, often a chromosome translocation, and a constellation of secondary genetic alterations that are acquired and selected dynamically in a nonlinear fashion. These genetic changes commonly affect cellular mechanisms that control B-cell differentiation and proliferation. The cooperative interaction between inactivation of hematopoietic transcription factors involved in differentiation (class II mutation) and activating mutations involved in cell proliferation (class I mutation) is reminiscent of the pathogenic model of acute myeloid leukemia. The resulting improved molecular understanding of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia is helping to refine disease risk stratification and discover new therapeutic approaches for patients with refractory disease. In this review, we first summarize the clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic features of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and introduce current understanding of B-cell development and B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia leukemogenesis. We then focus on recent advances in genetic analysis and gene expression profiling of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and discuss the implications of these findings for disease evolution, risk prediction, and possible novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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De Braekeleer E, Douet-Guilbert N, Morel F, Le Bris MJ, Basinko A, De Braekeleer M. ETV6 fusion genes in hematological malignancies: a review. Leuk Res 2012; 36:945-61. [PMID: 22578774 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2012.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Revised: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Translocations involving band 12p13 are one of the most commonly observed chromosomal abnormalities in human leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Their frequently result in rearrangements of the ETV6 gene. At present, 48 chromosomal bands have been identified to be involved in ETV6 translocations, insertions or inversions and 30 ETV6 partner genes have been molecularly characterized. The ETV6 protein contains two major domains, the HLH (helix-loop-helix) domain, encoded by exons 3 and 4, and the ETS domain, encoded by exons 6 through 8, with in between the internal domain encoded by exon 5. ETV6 is a strong transcriptional repressor, acting through its HLH and internal domains. Five potential mechanisms of ETV6-mediated leukemogenesis have been identified: constitutive activation of the kinase activity of the partner protein, modification of the original functions of a transcription factor, loss of function of the fusion gene, affecting ETV6 and the partner gene, activation of a proto-oncogene in the vicinity of a chromosomal translocation and dominant negative effect of the fusion protein over transcriptional repression mediated by wild-type ETV6. It is likely that ETV6 is frequently involved in leukemogenesis because of the large number of partners with which it can rearrange and the several pathogenic mechanisms by which it can lead to cell transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne De Braekeleer
- Laboratoire d'Histologie, Embryologie et Cytogénétique, Université de Brest, Brest, France
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