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Xu Y, Baylink DJ, Xiao J, Tran L, Nguyen V, Park B, Valladares I, Lee S, Codorniz K, Tan L, Chen CS, Abdel-Azim H, Reeves ME, Mirshahidi H, Marcucci G, Cao H. Discovery of NFκB2-Coordinated Dual Regulation of Mitochondrial and Nuclear Genomes Leads to an Effective Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8532. [PMID: 39126100 PMCID: PMC11313218 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has a poor survival rate for both pediatric and adult patients due to its frequent relapse. To elucidate the bioenergetic principle underlying AML relapse, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial-nuclear dual genomes responsible for metabolic plasticity in treatment-resistant blasts. Both the gain and loss of function results demonstrated that NFκB2, a noncanonical transcription factor (TF) of the NFκB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) family, can control the expression of TFAM (mitochondrial transcription factor A), which is known to be essential for metabolic biogenesis. Furthermore, genetic tracking and promoter assays revealed that NFκB2 is in the mitochondria and can bind the specific "TTGGGGGGTG" region of the regulatory D-loop domain to activate the light-strand promoter (LSP) and heavy-strand promoter 1 (HSP1), promoters of the mitochondrial genome. Based on our discovery of NFκB2's novel function of regulating mitochondrial-nuclear dual genomes, we explored a novel triplet therapy including inhibitors of NFκB2, tyrosine kinase, and mitochondrial ATP synthase that effectively eliminated primary AML blasts with mutations of the FMS-related receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and displayed minimum toxicity to control cells ex vivo. As such, effective treatments for AML must include strong inhibitory actions on the dual genomes mediating metabolic plasticity to improve leukemia prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.-S.C.)
- Division Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
- Cancer Center, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - David J. Baylink
- Division Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Jeffrey Xiao
- Division Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Lily Tran
- Division Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Vinh Nguyen
- Division Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Brandon Park
- Division Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Ismael Valladares
- Division Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Scott Lee
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Kevin Codorniz
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Laren Tan
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Hyperbaric and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Chien-Shing Chen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.-S.C.)
- Cancer Center, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Hisham Abdel-Azim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.-S.C.)
- Division of Transplant and Cell Therapy, Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Mark E. Reeves
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.-S.C.)
- Cancer Center, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Hamid Mirshahidi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.-S.C.)
- Cancer Center, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Guido Marcucci
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Huynh Cao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.-S.C.)
- Cancer Center, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
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Hayatigolkhatmi K, Valzelli R, El Menna O, Minucci S. Epigenetic alterations in AML: Deregulated functions leading to new therapeutic options. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 387:27-75. [PMID: 39179348 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2024.06.003] [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: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) results in disruption of the hematopoietic differentiation process. Crucial progress has been made, and new therapeutic strategies for AML have been developed. Induction chemotherapy, however, remains the main option for the majority of AML patients. Epigenetic dysregulation plays a central role in AML pathogenesis, supporting leukemogenesis and maintenance of leukemic stem cells. Here, we provide an overview of the intricate interplay of altered epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling, in AML development. We explore the role of epigenetic regulators, such as DNMTs, HMTs, KDMs, and HDACs, in mediating gene expression patterns pushing towards leukemic cell transformation. Additionally, we discuss the impact of cytogenetic lesions on epigenomic remodeling and the potential of targeting epigenetic vulnerabilities as a therapeutic strategy. Understanding the epigenetic landscape of AML offers insights into novel therapeutic avenues, including epigenetic modifiers and particularly their use in combination therapies, to improve treatment outcomes and overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourosh Hayatigolkhatmi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Valzelli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Oualid El Menna
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Saverio Minucci
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy; Department of Hemato-Oncology, Università Statale di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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3
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Zhou H, Deng N, Li Y, Hu X, Yu X, Jia S, Zheng C, Gao S, Wu H, Li K. Distinctive tumorigenic significance and innovative oncology targets of SUMOylation. Theranostics 2024; 14:3127-3149. [PMID: 38855173 PMCID: PMC11155398 DOI: 10.7150/thno.97162] [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: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein SUMOylation, a post-translational modification, intricately regulates diverse biological processes including gene expression, cell cycle progression, signaling pathway transduction, DNA damage response, and RNA metabolism. This modification contributes to the acquisition of tumorigenicity and the maintenance of cancer hallmarks. In malignancies, protein SUMOylation is triggered by various cellular stresses, promoting tumor initiation and progression. This augmentation is orchestrated through its specific regulatory mechanisms and characteristic biological functions. This review focuses on elucidating the fundamental regulatory mechanisms and pathological functions of the SUMO pathway in tumor pathogenesis and malignant evolution, with particular emphasis on the tumorigenic potential of SUMOylation. Furthermore, we underscore the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting the SUMO pathway, paving the way for innovative anti-tumor strategies by perturbing this dynamic and reversible modifying process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhou
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in the Universities of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Na Deng
- Department of Hematology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Yanshu Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of the PRC and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of the PRC, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
| | - Xiaoyun Hu
- Scientific Experimental Center, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
| | - Xue Yu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in the Universities of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Shiheng Jia
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in the Universities of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Chen Zheng
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in the Universities of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Shan Gao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Huizhe Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation; Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Center; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education; China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
- Shenyang Kangwei Medical Laboratory Analysis Co. LTD, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in the Universities of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
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Gabellier L, De Toledo M, Chakraborty M, Akl D, Hallal R, Aqrouq M, Buonocore G, Recasens-Zorzo C, Cartron G, Delort A, Piechaczyk M, Tempé D, Bossis G. SUMOylation inhibitor TAK-981 (subasumstat) synergizes with 5-azacytidine in preclinical models of acute myeloid leukemia. Haematologica 2024; 109:98-114. [PMID: 37608777 PMCID: PMC10772526 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.282704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemias (AML) are severe hematomalignancies with dismal prognosis. The post-translational modification SUMOylation plays key roles in leukemogenesis and AML response to therapies. Here, we show that TAK-981 (subasumstat), a first-in-class SUMOylation inhibitor, is endowed with potent anti-leukemic activity in various preclinical models of AML. TAK-981 targets AML cell lines and patient blast cells in vitro and in vivo in xenografted mice with minimal toxicity on normal hematopoietic cells. Moreover, it synergizes with 5-azacytidine (AZA), a DNA-hypomethylating agent now used in combination with the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax to treat AML patients unfit for standard chemotherapies. Interestingly, TAK-981+AZA combination shows higher anti-leukemic activity than AZA+venetoclax combination both in vitro and in vivo, at least in the models tested. Mechanistically, TAK-981 potentiates the transcriptional reprogramming induced by AZA, promoting apoptosis, alteration of the cell cycle and differentiation of the leukemic cells. In addition, TAK-981+AZA treatment induces many genes linked to inflammation and immune response pathways. In particular, this leads to the secretion of type-I interferon by AML cells. Finally, TAK-981+AZA induces the expression of natural killer-activating ligands (MICA/B) and adhesion proteins (ICAM-1) at the surface of AML cells. Consistently, TAK-981+AZA-treated AML cells activate natural killer cells and increase their cytotoxic activity. Targeting SUMOylation with TAK-981 may thus be a promising strategy to both sensitize AML cells to AZA and reduce their immune-escape capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Gabellier
- IGMM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France; Service d'Hématologie Clinique, CHU de Montpellier, 80 avenue Augustin Fliche, 34091 Montpellier
| | | | | | - Dana Akl
- IGMM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier
| | | | | | | | | | - Guillaume Cartron
- IGMM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France; Service d'Hématologie Clinique, CHU de Montpellier, 80 avenue Augustin Fliche, 34091 Montpellier
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Xu Y, Baylink DJ, Chen CS, Tan L, Xiao J, Park B, Valladares I, Reeves ME, Cao H. Transient TKI-resistant CD44+pBAD+ blasts undergo intrinsic homeostatic adaptation to promote the survival of acute myeloid leukemia in vitro. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1286863. [PMID: 38023123 PMCID: PMC10664142 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1286863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients have frequent mutations in FMS-like receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3-mut AML), who respond poorly to salvage chemotherapies and targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Disease relapse is a common reason of treatment failures in FLT3-mut AML patients, but its intracellular refractory mechanism remains to be discovered. In this study, we designed serial in vitro time-course studies to investigate the biomarkers of TKI-resistant blasts and their survival mechanism. First, we found that a group of transient TKI-resistant blasts were CD44+Phosphorylated-BAD (pBAD)+ and that they could initiate the regrowth of blast clusters in vitro. Notably, TKI-treatments upregulated the compensation pathways to promote PIM2/3-mediated phosphorylation of BAD to initiate the blast survival. Next, we discovered a novel process of intracellular adaptive responses in these transient TKI-resistant blasts, including upregulated JAK/STAT signaling pathways for PIM2/3 expressions and activated SOCS1/SOCS3/PIAS2 inhibitory pathways to down-regulate redundant signal transduction and kinase phosphorylation to regain intracellular homeostasis. Finally, we found that the combination of TKIs with TYK2/STAT4 pathways-driven inhibitors could effectively treat FLT3-mut AML in vitro. In summary, our findings reveal that TKI-treatment can activate a JAK/STAT-PIM2/3 axis-mediated signaling pathways to promote the survival of CD44+pBAD+blasts in vitro. Disrupting these TKIs-activated redundant pathways and blast homeostasis could be a novel therapeutic strategy to treat FLT3-mut AML and prevent disease relapse in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - David J. Baylink
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Chien-Shing Chen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Laren Tan
- Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
- Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Hyperbaric and Sleep Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Jeffrey Xiao
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Brandon Park
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Ismael Valladares
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Mark E. Reeves
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Huynh Cao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
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