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O'Connor KW, Kishimoto K, Kuzma IO, Wagner KP, Selway JS, Roderick JE, Karna KK, Gallagher KM, Hu K, Liu H, Li R, Brehm MA, Zhu LJ, Curtis DJ, Tremblay CS, Kelliher MA. The role of quiescent thymic progenitors in TAL/LMO2-induced T-ALL chemotolerance. Leukemia 2024; 38:951-962. [PMID: 38553571 PMCID: PMC11073972 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02232-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Relapse in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) may signify the persistence of leukemia-initiating cells (L-ICs). Ectopic TAL1/LMO expression defines the largest subset of T-ALL, but its role in leukemic transformation and its impact on relapse-driving L-ICs remain poorly understood. In TAL1/LMO mouse models, double negative-3 (DN3; CD4-CD8-CD25+CD44-) thymic progenitors harbored L-ICs. However, only a subset of DN3 leukemic cells exhibited L-IC activity, and studies linking L-ICs and chemotolerance are needed. To investigate L-IC heterogeneity, we used mouse models and applied single-cell RNA-sequencing and nucleosome labeling techniques in vivo. We identified a DN3 subpopulation with a cell cycle-restricted profile and heightened TAL1/LMO2 activity, that expressed genes associated with stemness and quiescence. This dormant DN3 subset progressively expanded throughout leukemogenesis, displaying intrinsic chemotolerance and enrichment in genes linked to minimal residual disease. Examination of TAL/LMO patient samples revealed a similar pattern in CD7+CD1a- thymic progenitors, previously recognized for their L-IC activity, demonstrating cell cycle restriction and chemotolerance. Our findings substantiate the emergence of dormant, chemotolerant L-ICs during leukemogenesis, and demonstrate that Tal1 and Lmo2 cooperate to promote DN3 quiescence during the transformation process. This study provides a deeper understanding of TAL1/LMO-induced T-ALL and its clinical implications in therapy failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin W O'Connor
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Kensei Kishimoto
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Irena O Kuzma
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Kelsey P Wagner
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jonathan S Selway
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Justine E Roderick
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Keshab K Karna
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Kayleigh M Gallagher
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Kai Hu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Haibo Liu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Michael A Brehm
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - David J Curtis
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (ACBD), Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Cedric S Tremblay
- Department of Immunology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0T5, Canada
- Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute CCMB, CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB), Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Michelle A Kelliher
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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2
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Chang YS, Gills JJ, Kawabata S, Onozawa M, Della Gatta G, Ferrando AA, Aplan PD, Dennis PA. Inhibition of the NOTCH and mTOR pathways by nelfinavir as a novel treatment for T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Int J Oncol 2023; 63:128. [PMID: 37800623 PMCID: PMC10609462 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‑ALL), a neoplasm derived from T cell lineage‑committed lymphoblasts, is characterized by genetic alterations that result in activation of oncogenic transcription factors and the NOTCH1 pathway activation. The NOTCH is a transmembrane receptor protein activated by γ‑secretase. γ‑secretase inhibitors (GSIs) are a NOTCH‑targeted therapy for T‑ALL. However, their clinical application has not been successful due to adverse events (primarily gastrointestinal toxicity), limited efficacy, and drug resistance caused by several mechanisms, including activation of the AKT/mTOR pathway. Nelfinavir is an human immunodeficiency virus 1 aspartic protease inhibitor and has been repurposed as an anticancer drug. It acts by inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inhibiting the AKT/mTOR pathway. Thus, it was hypothesized that nelfinavir might inhibit the NOTCH pathway via γ‑secretase inhibition and blockade of aspartic protease presenilin, which would make nelfinavir effective against NOTCH‑associated T‑ALL. The present study assessed the efficacy of nelfinavir against T‑ALL cells and investigated mechanisms of action in vitro and in preclinical treatment studies using a SCL‑LMO1 transgenic mouse model. Nelfinavir blocks presenilin 1 processing and inhibits γ‑secretase activity as well as the NOTCH1 pathway, thus suppressing T‑ALL cell viability. Additionally, microarray analysis of nelfinavir‑treated T‑ALL cells showed that nelfinavir upregulated mRNA levels of CHAC1 (glutathione‑specific γ‑glutamylcyclotransferase 1, a negative regulator of NOTCH) and sestrin 2 (SESN2; a negative regulator of mTOR). As both factors are upregulated by ER stress, this confirmed that nelfinavir induced ER stress in T‑ALL cells. Moreover, nelfinavir suppressed NOTCH1 mRNA expression in microarray analyses. These findings suggest that nelfinavir inhibited the NOTCH1 pathway by downregulating NOTCH1 mRNA expression, upregulating CHAC1 and suppressing γ‑secretase via presenilin 1 inhibition and the mTOR pathway by upregulating SESN2 via ER stress induction. Further, nelfinavir exhibited therapeutic efficacy against T‑ALL in an SCL‑LMO1 transgenic mouse model. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of nelfinavir as a novel therapeutic candidate for treatment of patients with T‑ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Soo Chang
- Medical Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joell J. Gills
- Medical Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shigeru Kawabata
- Medical Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8686, Japan
| | - Masahiro Onozawa
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Giusy Della Gatta
- Institute for Cancer Genetics and Joint Centers for Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Adolfo A. Ferrando
- Institute for Cancer Genetics and Joint Centers for Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Peter D. Aplan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Phillip A. Dennis
- Medical Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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3
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Tan SH, Tan TK, Yokomori R, Liao M, Huang XZ, Yeoh AEJ, Sanda T. TAL1 hijacks MYCN enhancer that induces MYCN expression and dependence on mevalonate pathway in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia 2023; 37:1969-1981. [PMID: 37591943 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01993-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
A hallmark of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is the dysregulated expression of oncogenic transcription factors (TFs), including TAL1, NOTCH1 and MYC. Rewiring of the transcriptional program disrupts the tightly controlled spatiotemporal expression of downstream target genes, thereby contributing to leukemogenesis. In this study, we first identify an evolutionarily conserved enhancer element controlling the MYCN oncogene (named enhMYCN) that is aberrantly activated by the TAL1 complex in T-ALL cells. TAL1-positive T-ALL cells are highly dependent on MYCN expression for their maintenance in vitro and in xenograft models. Interestingly, MYCN drives the expression of multiple genes involved in the mevalonate pathway, and T-ALL cells are sensitive to inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), a rate-limiting enzyme of this pathway. Importantly, MYC and MYCN regulate the same targets and compensate for each other. Thus, MYCN-positive T-ALL cells display a dual dependence on the TAL1-MYCN and NOTCH1-MYC pathways. Together, our results demonstrate that enhMYCN-mediated MYCN expression is required for human T-ALL cells and implicate the TAL1-MYCN-HMGCR axis as a potential therapeutic target in T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Hao Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Tze King Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Rui Yokomori
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Minghui Liao
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Xiao Zi Huang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Allen Eng Juh Yeoh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
- Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.
| | - Takaomi Sanda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
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4
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Abdulla HD, Alserihi R, Flensburg C, Abeysekera W, Luo MX, Gray DH, Liu X, Smyth GK, Alexander WS, Majewski IJ, McCormack MP. Overexpression of Lmo2 initiates T-lymphoblastic leukemia via impaired thymocyte competition. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20212383. [PMID: 36920307 PMCID: PMC10037042 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20212383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell competition has recently emerged as an important tumor suppressor mechanism in the thymus that inhibits autonomous thymic maintenance. Here, we show that the oncogenic transcription factor Lmo2 causes autonomous thymic maintenance in transgenic mice by inhibiting early T cell differentiation. This autonomous thymic maintenance results in the development of self-renewing preleukemic stem cells (pre-LSCs) and subsequent leukemogenesis, both of which are profoundly inhibited by restoration of thymic competition or expression of the antiapoptotic factor BCL2. Genomic analyses revealed the presence of Notch1 mutations in pre-LSCs before subsequent loss of tumor suppressors promotes the transition to overt leukemogenesis. These studies demonstrate a critical role for impaired cell competition in the development of pre-LSCs in a transgenic mouse model of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), implying that this process plays a role in the ontogeny of human T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesham D. Abdulla
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Raed Alserihi
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Christoffer Flensburg
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Waruni Abeysekera
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Meng-Xiao Luo
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Daniel H.D. Gray
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gordon K. Smyth
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Warren S. Alexander
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Ian J. Majewski
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Matthew P. McCormack
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- iCamuno Biotherapeutics, Melbourne, Australia
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5
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Weichert-Leahey N, Shi H, Tao T, Oldridge DA, Durbin AD, Abraham BJ, Zimmerman MW, Zhu S, Wood AC, Reyon D, Joung JK, Young RA, Diskin SJ, Maris JM, Look AT. Genetic predisposition to neuroblastoma results from a regulatory polymorphism that promotes the adrenergic cell state. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e166919. [PMID: 37183825 PMCID: PMC10178836 DOI: 10.1172/jci166919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood neuroblastomas exhibit plasticity between an undifferentiated neural crest-like mesenchymal cell state and a more differentiated sympathetic adrenergic cell state. These cell states are governed by autoregulatory transcriptional loops called core regulatory circuitries (CRCs), which drive the early development of sympathetic neuronal progenitors from migratory neural crest cells during embryogenesis. The adrenergic cell identity of neuroblastoma requires LMO1 as a transcriptional cofactor. Both LMO1 expression levels and the risk of developing neuroblastoma in children are associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism, G/T, that affects a GATA motif in the first intron of LMO1. Here, we showed that WT zebrafish with the GATA genotype developed adrenergic neuroblastoma, while knock-in of the protective TATA allele at this locus reduced the penetrance of MYCN-driven tumors, which were restricted to the mesenchymal cell state. Whole genome sequencing of childhood neuroblastomas demonstrated that TATA/TATA tumors also exhibited a mesenchymal cell state and were low risk at diagnosis. Thus, conversion of the regulatory GATA to a TATA allele in the first intron of LMO1 reduced the neuroblastoma-initiation rate by preventing formation of the adrenergic cell state. This mechanism was conserved over 400 million years of evolution, separating zebrafish and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Weichert-Leahey
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Tao
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Derek A. Oldridge
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Adam D. Durbin
- Department of Oncology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brian J. Abraham
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mark W. Zimmerman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shizhen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrew C. Wood
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Deepak Reyon
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J. Keith Joung
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard A. Young
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sharon J. Diskin
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John M. Maris
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - A. Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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6
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Panelli P, De Santis E, Colucci M, Tamiro F, Sansico F, Miroballo M, Murgo E, Padovano C, Gusscott S, Ciavarella M, Chavez EA, Bianchi F, Rossi G, Carella AM, Steidl C, Weng AP, Giambra V. Noncanonical β-catenin interactions promote leukemia-initiating activity in early T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2023; 141:1597-1609. [PMID: 36315912 PMCID: PMC10651788 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022017079] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a T-cell malignancy characterized by cell subsets and enriched with leukemia-initiating cells (LICs). β-Catenin modulates LIC activity in T-ALL. However, its role in maintaining established leukemia stem cells remains largely unknown. To identify functionally relevant protein interactions of β-catenin in T-ALL, we performed coimmunoprecipitation followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Here, we report that a noncanonical functional interaction of β-catenin with the Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) transcription factor positively regulates LIC-related genes, including the cyclin-dependent kinase 4, which is a crucial modulator of cell cycle and tumor maintenance. We also confirm the relevance of these findings using stably integrated fluorescent reporters of β-catenin and FOXO3 activity in patient-derived xenografts, which identify minor subpopulations with enriched LIC activity. In addition, gene expression data at the single-cell level of leukemic cells of primary patients at the time of diagnosis and minimal residual disease (MRD) up to 30 days after the standard treatments reveal that the expression of β-catenin- and FOXO3-dependent genes is present in the CD82+CD117+ cell fraction, which is substantially enriched with LICs in MRD as well as in early T-cell precursor ALL. These findings highlight key functional roles for β-catenin and FOXO3 and suggest novel therapeutic strategies to eradicate aggressive cell subsets in T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizio Panelli
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta De Santis
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Mattia Colucci
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Francesco Tamiro
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Francesca Sansico
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Mattia Miroballo
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Murgo
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Costanzo Padovano
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Sam Gusscott
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michele Ciavarella
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rossi
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Angelo M. Carella
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Christian Steidl
- Centre for Lymphoid Cancer, British Columbia Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew P. Weng
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Giambra
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
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7
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Weichert-Leahey N, Shi H, Tao T, Oldridge DA, Durbin AD, Abraham BJ, Zimmerman MW, Zhu S, Wood AC, Reyon D, Joung JK, Young RA, Diskin SJ, Maris JM, Look AT. Genetic Predisposition to Neuroblastoma Results from a Regulatory Polymorphism that Promotes the Adrenergic Cell State. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.28.530457. [PMID: 36909587 PMCID: PMC10002714 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.28.530457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Childhood neuroblastomas exhibit plasticity between an undifferentiated neural crest-like "mesenchymal" cell state and a more differentiated sympathetic "adrenergic" cell state. These cell states are governed by autoregulatory transcriptional loops called core regulatory circuitries (CRCs), which drive the early development of sympathetic neuronal progenitors from migratory neural crest cells during embryogenesis. The adrenergic cell identity of neuroblastoma requires LMO1 as a transcriptional co-factor. Both LMO1 expression levels and the risk of developing neuroblastoma in children are associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism G/T that affects a G ATA motif in the first intron of LMO1. Here we show that wild-type zebrafish with the G ATA genotype develop adrenergic neuroblastoma, while knock-in of the protective T ATA allele at this locus reduces the penetrance of MYCN-driven tumors, which are restricted to the mesenchymal cell state. Whole genome sequencing of childhood neuroblastomas demonstrates that T ATA/ T ATA tumors also exhibit a mesenchymal cell state and are low risk at diagnosis. Thus, conversion of the regulatory G ATA to a T ATA allele in the first intron of LMO1 reduces the neuroblastoma initiation rate by preventing formation of the adrenergic cell state, a mechanism that is conserved over 400 million years of evolution separating zebrafish and humans.
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8
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IL-15 Prevents the Development of T-ALL from Aberrant Thymocytes with Impaired DNA Repair Functions and Increased NOTCH1 Activation. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030671. [PMID: 36765626 PMCID: PMC9913776 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030671] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that NOD.Scid mice lacking interleukin-15 (IL-15), or IL-15 receptor alpha-chain, develop T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). To understand the mechanisms by which IL-15 signaling controls T-ALL development, we studied the thymocyte developmental events in IL-15-deficient Scid mice from NOD and C57BL/6 genetic backgrounds. Both kinds of mice develop T-ALL characterized by circulating TCR-negative cells expressing CD4, CD8 or both. Analyses of thymocytes in NOD.Scid.Il15-/- mice prior to T-ALL development revealed discernible changes within the CD4-CD8- double-negative (DN) thymocyte developmental stages and increased frequencies of CD4+CD8+ double-positive cells with a high proportion of TCR-negative CD4+ and CD8+ cells. The DN cells also showed elevated expressions of CXCR4 and CD117, molecules implicated in the expansion of DN thymocytes. T-ALL cell lines and primary leukemic cells from IL-15-deficient NOD.Scid and C57BL/6.Scid mice displayed increased NOTCH1 activation that was inhibited by NOTCH1 inhibitors and blockers of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Primary leukemic cells from NOD.Scid.Il15-/- mice survived and expanded when cultured with MS5 thymic stromal cells expressing Delta-like ligand 4 and supplemented with IL-7 and FLT3 ligand. These findings suggest that IL-15 signaling in the thymus controls T-ALL development from aberrant thymocytes with an impaired DNA repair capacity and increased NOTCH1 activation.
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9
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Zhang Z, Yang K, Zhang H. Targeting Leukemia-Initiating Cells and Leukemic Niches: The Next Therapy Station for T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225655. [PMID: 36428753 PMCID: PMC9688677 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive subtype of hematological malignancy characterized by its high heterogeneity and potentially life-threatening clinical features. Despite the advances in risk stratification and therapeutic management of T-ALL, patients often suffer from treatment failure and chemotherapy-induced toxicity, calling for greater efforts to improve therapeutic efficacy and safety in the treatment of T-ALL. During the past decades, increasing evidence has shown the indispensable effects of leukemia-initiating cells (LICs) and leukemic niches on T-ALL initiation and progression. These milestones greatly facilitate precision medicine by interfering with the pathways that are associated with LICs and leukemic niches or by targeting themselves directly. Most of these novel agents, either alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy, have shown promising preclinical results, facilitating them to be further evaluated under clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the latest discoveries in LICs and leukemic niches in terms of T-ALL, with a particular highlight on the current precision medicine. The challenges and future prospects are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziting Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China
| | - Kun Yang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-158-7796-3252
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Cai B, Liu Y, Chong Y, Mori SF, Matsunaga A, Zhang H, Fang X, Chang CS, Cowell JK, Hu T. A truncated derivative of FGFR1 kinase cooperates with FLT3 and KIT to transform hematopoietic stem cells in syndromic and de novo AML. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:156. [PMID: 35906694 PMCID: PMC9336057 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01628-3] [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: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Myeloid and lymphoid malignancies associated with chimeric FGFR1 kinases are the hallmark of stem cell leukemia and lymphoma syndrome (SCLL). In all cases, FGFR1 kinase is constitutively phosphoactivated as a result of chromosome translocations, which lead to acquisition of dimerization motifs in the chimeric proteins. Recently, we demonstrated that these chimeric kinases could be cleaved by granzyme B to generate a truncated derivative, tnFGFR1, which localized exclusively into the nucleus and was not phosphorylated. Methods Stem cell transduction and transplantation in syngeneic mice was used to assess the transforming ability of tnFGFR1 in bone marrow stem cells, and RPPA and RNA-Seq was used to examine the related signaling pathways and regulated target genes. Results For the first time, we show that this non-classical truncated form of FGFR1 can independently lead to oncogenic transformation of hematopoietic stem cells in an animal model in vivo. These leukemia cells show a mixed immunophenotype with a B-cell B220 + Igm- profile in the majority of cells and Kit+ in virtually all cells, suggesting a stem cell disease. tnFGFR1, however, does not activate classic FGFR1 downstream signaling pathways but induces a distinct profile of altered gene expression with significant upregulation of transmembrane signaling receptors including FLT3 and KIT. We further show that de novo human AML also express tnFGFR1 which correlates with upregulation of FLT3 and KIT as in mouse leukemia cells. ChIP analysis demonstrates tnFGFR1 occupancy at the Flt3 and Kit promoters, suggesting a direct transcriptional regulation. Cells transformed with tnFGFR1 are insensitive to FGFR1 inhibitors but treatment of these cells with the Quizartinib (AC220) FLT3 inhibitor, suppresses in vitro growth and development of leukemia in vivo. Combined treatment with FGFR1 and FLT3 inhibitors provides increased survival compared to FGFR1 inhibition alone. Conclusions This study demonstrates a novel model for transformation of hematopoietic stem cells by chimeric FGFR1 kinases with the combined effects of direct protein activation by the full-length kinases and transcriptional regulation by the truncated nuclear tnFGFR1 derivative, which is associated with GZMB expression levels. Genes significantly upregulated by tnFGFR1 include Flt3 and Kit which promote a leukemia stem cell phenotype. In human AML, tnFGFR1 activation leads to increased FLT3 and KIT expression, and higher FLT3 and GZMB expression levels are associated with an inferior prognosis. These observations provide insights into the relative therapeutic value of targeting FGFR1 and FLT3 in treating AML with this characteristic gene expression profile. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-022-01628-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohuan Cai
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, 1410 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, 1410 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.,Department of Geriatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yating Chong
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, 1410 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Stephanie Fay Mori
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, 1410 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Atsuko Matsunaga
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, 1410 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Hualei Zhang
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, 1410 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuexiu Fang
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, 1410 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Chang-Sheng Chang
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, 1410 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - John K Cowell
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, 1410 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Tianxiang Hu
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, 1410 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
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11
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A set point in the selection of the αβTCR T cell repertoire imposed by pre-TCR signaling strength. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2201907119. [PMID: 35617435 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201907119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
SignificanceThe ability of the T cell receptor (TCR) to convey signals of different intensity is essential for the generation of a diverse, protecting, and self-tolerant T cell repertoire. We provide evidence that pre-TCR signaling during the first stage of T cell differentiation, thought to only check for in-frame rearrangement of TCRβ gene segments, determines the degree of diversity in a signaling intensity-dependent manner and controls the diversity of the TCR repertoire available for subsequent thymic positive and negative selection. Pre-TCR signaling intensity is regulated by the transmembrane region of its associated CD3ζ chains, possibly by organizing pre-TCRs into nanoclusters. Our data provide insights into immune receptor signaling mechanisms and reveal an additional checkpoint of T cell repertoire diversity.
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12
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Baran N, Lodi A, Dhungana Y, Herbrich S, Collins M, Sweeney S, Pandey R, Skwarska A, Patel S, Tremblay M, Kuruvilla VM, Cavazos A, Kaplan M, Warmoes MO, Veiga DT, Furudate K, Rojas-Sutterin S, Haman A, Gareau Y, Marinier A, Ma H, Harutyunyan K, Daher M, Garcia LM, Al-Atrash G, Piya S, Ruvolo V, Yang W, Shanmugavelandy SS, Feng N, Gay J, Du D, Yang JJ, Hoff FW, Kaminski M, Tomczak K, Eric Davis R, Herranz D, Ferrando A, Jabbour EJ, Emilia Di Francesco M, Teachey DT, Horton TM, Kornblau S, Rezvani K, Sauvageau G, Gagea M, Andreeff M, Takahashi K, Marszalek JR, Lorenzi PL, Yu J, Tiziani S, Hoang T, Konopleva M. Inhibition of mitochondrial complex I reverses NOTCH1-driven metabolic reprogramming in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2801. [PMID: 35589701 PMCID: PMC9120040 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30396-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is commonly driven by activating mutations in NOTCH1 that facilitate glutamine oxidation. Here we identify oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) as a critical pathway for leukemia cell survival and demonstrate a direct relationship between NOTCH1, elevated OxPhos gene expression, and acquired chemoresistance in pre-leukemic and leukemic models. Disrupting OxPhos with IACS-010759, an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, causes potent growth inhibition through induction of metabolic shut-down and redox imbalance in NOTCH1-mutated and less so in NOTCH1-wt T-ALL cells. Mechanistically, inhibition of OxPhos induces a metabolic reprogramming into glutaminolysis. We show that pharmacological blockade of OxPhos combined with inducible knock-down of glutaminase, the key glutamine enzyme, confers synthetic lethality in mice harboring NOTCH1-mutated T-ALL. We leverage on this synthetic lethal interaction to demonstrate that IACS-010759 in combination with chemotherapy containing L-asparaginase, an enzyme that uncovers the glutamine dependency of leukemic cells, causes reduced glutaminolysis and profound tumor reduction in pre-clinical models of human T-ALL. In summary, this metabolic dependency of T-ALL on OxPhos provides a rational therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Baran
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alessia Lodi
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Yogesh Dhungana
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shelley Herbrich
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Meghan Collins
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Shannon Sweeney
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Renu Pandey
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Anna Skwarska
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shraddha Patel
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mathieu Tremblay
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, The University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Vinitha Mary Kuruvilla
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Antonio Cavazos
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mecit Kaplan
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marc O Warmoes
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Ken Furudate
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Shanti Rojas-Sutterin
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, The University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Andre Haman
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, The University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Yves Gareau
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, The University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne Marinier
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, The University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Helen Ma
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karine Harutyunyan
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - May Daher
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luciana Melo Garcia
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gheath Al-Atrash
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sujan Piya
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vivian Ruvolo
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wentao Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Ningping Feng
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Jason Gay
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Di Du
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jun J Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Fieke W Hoff
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marcin Kaminski
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Katarzyna Tomczak
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - R Eric Davis
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Daniel Herranz
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Adolfo Ferrando
- Irving Cancer Research Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elias J Jabbour
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - M Emilia Di Francesco
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David T Teachey
- Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Terzah M Horton
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven Kornblau
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Guy Sauvageau
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, The University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mihai Gagea
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Koichi Takahashi
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph R Marszalek
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Philip L Lorenzi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jiyang Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Stefano Tiziani
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Trang Hoang
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, The University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Veiga DFT, Tremblay M, Gerby B, Herblot S, Haman A, Gendron P, Lemieux S, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC, Hébert J, Cohen JP, Hoang T. Monoallelic Heb/Tcf12 Deletion Reduces the Requirement for NOTCH1 Hyperactivation in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Immunol 2022; 13:867443. [PMID: 35401501 PMCID: PMC8987207 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.867443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Early T-cell development is precisely controlled by E proteins, that indistinguishably include HEB/TCF12 and E2A/TCF3 transcription factors, together with NOTCH1 and pre-T cell receptor (TCR) signalling. Importantly, perturbations of early T-cell regulatory networks are implicated in leukemogenesis. NOTCH1 gain of function mutations invariably lead to T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), whereas inhibition of E proteins accelerates leukemogenesis. Thus, NOTCH1, pre-TCR, E2A and HEB functions are intertwined, but how these pathways contribute individually or synergistically to leukemogenesis remain to be documented. To directly address these questions, we leveraged Cd3e-deficient mice in which pre-TCR signaling and progression through β-selection is abrogated to dissect and decouple the roles of pre-TCR, NOTCH1, E2A and HEB in SCL/TAL1-induced T-ALL, via the use of Notch1 gain of function transgenic (Notch1ICtg) and Tcf12+/- or Tcf3+/- heterozygote mice. As a result, we now provide evidence that both HEB and E2A restrain cell proliferation at the β-selection checkpoint while the clonal expansion of SCL-LMO1-induced pre-leukemic stem cells in T-ALL is uniquely dependent on Tcf12 gene dosage. At the molecular level, HEB protein levels are decreased via proteasomal degradation at the leukemic stage, pointing to a reversible loss of function mechanism. Moreover, in SCL-LMO1-induced T-ALL, loss of one Tcf12 allele is sufficient to bypass pre-TCR signaling which is required for Notch1 gain of function mutations and for progression to T-ALL. In contrast, Tcf12 monoallelic deletion does not accelerate Notch1IC-induced T-ALL, indicating that Tcf12 and Notch1 operate in the same pathway. Finally, we identify a tumor suppressor gene set downstream of HEB, exhibiting significantly lower expression levels in pediatric T-ALL compared to B-ALL and brain cancer samples, the three most frequent pediatric cancers. In summary, our results indicate a tumor suppressor function of HEB/TCF12 in T-ALL to mitigate cell proliferation controlled by NOTCH1 in pre-leukemic stem cells and prevent NOTCH1-driven progression to T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo F. T. Veiga
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Mathieu Tremblay
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
| | - Bastien Gerby
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), Université de Toulouse, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), UMR-1037, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Sabine Herblot
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- Unité de recherche en hémato-oncologie Charles-Bruneau, Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada
| | - André Haman
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Gendron
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Lemieux
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Josée Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- Institut universitaire d’hémato-oncologie et de thérapie cellulaire, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Quebec Leukemia Cell Bank, Centre de recherche de l’Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Joseph Paul Cohen
- Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Trang Hoang
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Trang Hoang,
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Fregona V, Bayet M, Gerby B. Oncogene-Induced Reprogramming in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Towards Targeted Therapy of Leukemia-Initiating Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215511. [PMID: 34771671 PMCID: PMC8582707 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a heterogeneous disease characterized by a diversity of genetic alterations, following a sophisticated and controversial organization. In this review, we present and discuss the concepts exploring the cellular, molecular and functional heterogeneity of leukemic cells. We also review the emerging evidence indicating that cell plasticity and oncogene-induced reprogramming should be considered at the biological and clinical levels as critical mechanisms for identifying and targeting leukemia-initiating cells. Abstract Our understanding of the hierarchical structure of acute leukemia has yet to be fully translated into therapeutic approaches. Indeed, chemotherapy still has to take into account the possibility that leukemia-initiating cells may have a distinct chemosensitivity profile compared to the bulk of the tumor, and therefore are spared by the current treatment, causing the relapse of the disease. Therefore, the identification of the cell-of-origin of leukemia remains a longstanding question and an exciting challenge in cancer research of the last few decades. With a particular focus on acute lymphoblastic leukemia, we present in this review the previous and current concepts exploring the phenotypic, genetic and functional heterogeneity in patients. We also discuss the benefits of using engineered mouse models to explore the early steps of leukemia development and to identify the biological mechanisms driving the emergence of leukemia-initiating cells. Finally, we describe the major prospects for the discovery of new therapeutic strategies that specifically target their aberrant stem cell-like functions.
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15
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T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Biomarkers and Their Clinical Usefulness. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081118. [PMID: 34440292 PMCID: PMC8394887 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL) are immature lymphoid tumors localizing in the bone marrow, mediastinum, central nervous system, and lymphoid organs. They account for 10-15% of pediatric and about 25% of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases. It is a widely heterogeneous disease that is caused by the co-occurrence of multiple genetic abnormalities, which are acquired over time, and once accumulated, lead to full-blown leukemia. Recurrently affected genes deregulate pivotal cell processes, such as cycling (CDKN1B, RB1, TP53), signaling transduction (RAS pathway, IL7R/JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT), epigenetics (PRC2 members, PHF6), and protein translation (RPL10, CNOT3). A remarkable role is played by NOTCH1 and CDKN2A, as they are altered in more than half of the cases. The activation of the NOTCH1 signaling affects thymocyte specification and development, while CDKN2A haploinsufficiency/inactivation, promotes cell cycle progression. Among recurrently involved oncogenes, a major role is exerted by T-cell-specific transcription factors, whose deregulated expression interferes with normal thymocyte development and causes a stage-specific differentiation arrest. Hence, TAL and/or LMO deregulation is typical of T-ALL with a mature phenotype (sCD3 positive) that of TLX1, NKX2-1, or TLX3, of cortical T-ALL (CD1a positive); HOXA and MEF2C are instead over-expressed in subsets of Early T-cell Precursor (ETP; immature phenotype) and early T-ALL. Among immature T-ALL, genomic alterations, that cause BCL11B transcriptional deregulation, identify a specific genetic subgroup. Although comprehensive cytogenetic and molecular studies have shed light on the genetic background of T-ALL, biomarkers are not currently adopted in the diagnostic workup of T-ALL, and only a limited number of studies have assessed their clinical implications. In this review, we will focus on recurrent T-ALL abnormalities that define specific leukemogenic pathways and on oncogenes/oncosuppressors that can serve as diagnostic biomarkers. Moreover, we will discuss how the complex genomic profile of T-ALL can be used to address and test innovative/targeted therapeutic options.
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Zhang C, Amanda S, Wang C, King Tan T, Zulfaqar Ali M, Zhong Leong W, Moy Ng L, Kitajima S, Li Z, Eng Juh Yeoh A, Hao Tan S, Sanda T. Oncorequisite role of an aldehyde dehydrogenase in the pathogenesis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica 2021; 106:1545-1558. [PMID: 32414855 PMCID: PMC8168519 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.245639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) are overexpressed in various types of cancers. One of the ALDH family genes, ALDH1A2, is aberrantly expressed in more than 50% of cases of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). However, its molecular function and role in the pathogenesis of T-ALL are largely unknown. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing and RNA-sequencing analyses showed that the oncogenic transcription factor TAL1 and its regulatory partners bind to the intronic regulatory element of the ALDH1A2 gene, directly inducing a T-ALL-specific isoform with enzymatic activity. ALDH1A2 was preferentially expressed in the TAL1-positive T-ALL subgroup. In TALL cell lines, depletion of ALDH1A2 inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis. Interestingly, gene expression and metabolomic profiling revealed that ALDH1A2 supported glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, accompanied by NADH production, by affecting multiple metabolic enzymes to promote ATP production. Depletion of ALDH1A2 increased the levels of reactive oxygen species, while the levels were reduced by ALDH1A2 overexpression both in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of ALDH1A2 accelerated tumor onset and increased tumor penetrance in a zebrafish model of T-ALL. Taken together, our results indicate that ALDH1A2 protects against intracellular stress and promotes T-ALL cell metabolism and survival. ALDH1A2 overexpression enables leukemic clones to sustain a hyper-proliferative state driven by oncogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chujing Zhang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stella Amanda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tze King Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Wei Zhong Leong
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ley Moy Ng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shojiro Kitajima
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Japan
| | - Zhenhua Li
- Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Allen Eng Juh Yeoh
- Dept of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore and Cancer Science Institute of Singapore
| | - Shi Hao Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Takaomi Sanda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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17
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Ding J, Cardoso AA, Yoshimoto M, Kobayashi M. The Earliest T-Precursors in the Mouse Embryo Are Susceptible to Leukemic Transformation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:634151. [PMID: 33996794 PMCID: PMC8117020 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.634151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in pediatric patients. About 10–15% of pediatric ALL belong to T-cell ALL (T-ALL), which is characterized by aggressive expansion of immature T-lymphoblasts and is categorized as high-risk leukemia. Leukemia initiating cells represent a reservoir that is responsible for the initiation and propagation of leukemia. Its perinatal origin has been suggested in some childhood acute B-lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukemias. Therefore, we hypothesized that child T-ALL initiating cells also exist during the perinatal period. In this study, T-ALL potential of the hematopoietic precursors was found in the para-aortic splanchnopleura (P-Sp) region, but not in the extraembryonic yolk sac (YS) of the mouse embryo at embryonic day 9.5. We overexpressed the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in the P-Sp and YS cells and transplanted them into lethally irradiated mice. NICD-overexpressing P-Sp cells rapidly developed T-ALL while YS cells failed to display leukemia propagation despite successful NICD induction. These results suggest a possible role of fetal-derived T-cell precursors as leukemia-initiating cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Ding
- Department of Medicine, Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Angelo A Cardoso
- Department of Medicine, Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.,Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Momoko Yoshimoto
- Department of Pediatrics Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.,Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Michihiro Kobayashi
- Department of Pediatrics Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.,Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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18
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Panagopoulos I, Heim S. Interstitial Deletions Generating Fusion Genes. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2021; 18:167-196. [PMID: 33893073 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A fusion gene is the physical juxtaposition of two different genes resulting in a structure consisting of the head of one gene and the tail of the other. Gene fusion is often a primary neoplasia-inducing event in leukemias, lymphomas, solid malignancies as well as benign tumors. Knowledge about fusion genes is crucial not only for our understanding of tumorigenesis, but also for the diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment of cancer. Balanced chromosomal rearrangements, in particular translocations and inversions, are the most frequent genetic events leading to the generation of fusion genes. In the present review, we summarize the existing knowledge on chromosome deletions as a mechanism for fusion gene formation. Such deletions are mostly submicroscopic and, hence, not detected by cytogenetic analyses but by array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) and/or high throughput sequencing (HTS). They are found across the genome in a variety of neoplasias. As tumors are increasingly analyzed using aCGH and HTS, it is likely that more interstitial deletions giving rise to fusion genes will be found, significantly impacting our understanding and treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Panagopoulos
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;
| | - Sverre Heim
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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19
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Ueda K, Kumari R, Schwenger E, Wheat JC, Bohorquez O, Narayanagari SR, Taylor SJ, Carvajal LA, Pradhan K, Bartholdy B, Todorova TI, Goto H, Sun D, Chen J, Shan J, Song Y, Montagna C, Xiong S, Lozano G, Pellagatti A, Boultwood J, Verma A, Steidl U. MDMX acts as a pervasive preleukemic-to-acute myeloid leukemia transition mechanism. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:529-547.e7. [PMID: 33667384 PMCID: PMC8575661 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
MDMX is overexpressed in the vast majority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We report that MDMX overexpression increases preleukemic stem cell (pre-LSC) number and competitive advantage. Utilizing five newly generated murine models, we found that MDMX overexpression triggers progression of multiple chronic/asymptomatic preleukemic conditions to overt AML. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies revealed that MDMX overexpression exerts this function, unexpectedly, through activation of Wnt/β-Catenin signaling in pre-LSCs. Mechanistically, MDMX binds CK1α and leads to accumulation of β-Catenin in a p53-independent manner. Wnt/β-Catenin inhibitors reverse MDMX-induced pre-LSC properties, and synergize with MDMX-p53 inhibitors. Wnt/β-Catenin signaling correlates with MDMX expression in patients with preleukemic myelodysplastic syndromes and is associated with increased risk of progression to AML. Our work identifies MDMX overexpression as a pervasive preleukemic-to-AML transition mechanism in different genetically driven disease subtypes, and reveals Wnt/β-Catenin as a non-canonical MDMX-driven pathway with therapeutic potential for progression prevention and cancer interception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Ueda
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Rajni Kumari
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Emily Schwenger
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Justin C Wheat
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Oliver Bohorquez
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Swathi-Rao Narayanagari
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Stem Cell Isolation and Xenotransplantation Facility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Samuel J Taylor
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Luis A Carvajal
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Kith Pradhan
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Boris Bartholdy
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Tihomira I Todorova
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Hiroki Goto
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Daqian Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Stem Cell Isolation and Xenotransplantation Facility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jiahao Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jidong Shan
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Yinghui Song
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Cristina Montagna
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Shunbin Xiong
- Department of Genetics, Division of Basic Science Research, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Guillermina Lozano
- Department of Genetics, Division of Basic Science Research, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andrea Pellagatti
- Blood Cancer UK Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, and NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Jacqueline Boultwood
- Blood Cancer UK Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, and NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Amit Verma
- Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ulrich Steidl
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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20
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Tamiro F, Weng AP, Giambra V. Targeting Leukemia-Initiating Cells in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancer Res 2021; 81:4165-4173. [PMID: 33414170 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The concept that different leukemias are developmentally distinct and, like in normal hematopoiesis, generated by restricted populations of cells named leukemia-initiating cells (LIC), is becoming more established. These cancer stem-like cells have been assumed to have unique properties, including the capability of self-renewing and giving rise to "differentiated" or non-LICs that make up the whole tumor. Cell populations enriched with LIC activity have been characterized in different hematopoietic malignancies, including human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Related studies have also demonstrated that LICs are functionally distinct from bulk cells and modulated by distinct molecular signaling pathways and epigenetic mechanisms. Here we review several biological and clinical aspects related to LICs in ALL, including (i) immunophenotypic characterization of LIC-enriched subsets in human and mouse models of ALL, (ii) emerging therapeutics against regulatory signaling pathways involved in LIC progression and maintenance in T- and B-cell leukemias, (iii) novel epigenetic and age-related mechanisms of LIC propagation, and (iv) ongoing efforts in immunotherapy to eradicate LIC-enriched cell subsets in relapsed and refractory ALL cases. Current conventional treatments do not efficiently eliminate LICs. Therefore, innovative therapeutics that exclusively target LICs hold great promise for developing an effective cure for ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Tamiro
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Andrew P Weng
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Giambra
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
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21
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Tremblay CS, Chiu SK, Saw J, McCalmont H, Litalien V, Boyle J, Sonderegger SE, Chau N, Evans K, Cerruti L, Salmon JM, McCluskey A, Lock RB, Robinson PJ, Jane SM, Curtis DJ. Small molecule inhibition of Dynamin-dependent endocytosis targets multiple niche signals and impairs leukemia stem cells. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6211. [PMID: 33277497 PMCID: PMC7719179 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20091-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intensive chemotherapy for acute leukemia can usually induce complete remission, but fails in many patients to eradicate the leukemia stem cells responsible for relapse. There is accumulating evidence that these relapse-inducing cells are maintained and protected by signals provided by the microenvironment. Thus, inhibition of niche signals is a proposed strategy to target leukemia stem cells but this requires knowledge of the critical signals and may be subject to compensatory mechanisms. Signals from the niche require receptor-mediated endocytosis, a generic process dependent on the Dynamin family of large GTPases. Here, we show that Dynole 34-2, a potent inhibitor of Dynamin GTPase activity, can block transduction of key signalling pathways and overcome chemoresistance of leukemia stem cells. Our results provide a significant conceptual advance in therapeutic strategies for acute leukemia that may be applicable to other malignancies in which signals from the niche are involved in disease progression and chemoresistance. The tumour microenvironment provides signals to support leukaemic stem cells (LSC) maintenance and chemoresistance. Here, the authors show that disrupting niche-associated signalling by inhibiting receptor-mediated endocytosis with a dynamin GTPase inhibitor overcomes chemoresistance of LSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric S Tremblay
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Sung Kai Chiu
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jesslyn Saw
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hannah McCalmont
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Veronique Litalien
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Boyle
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stefan E Sonderegger
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ngoc Chau
- Cell Signalling Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kathryn Evans
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Loretta Cerruti
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica M Salmon
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry, Centre for Chemical Biology, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard B Lock
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillip J Robinson
- Cell Signalling Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen M Jane
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David J Curtis
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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22
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Meisel CT, Porcheri C, Mitsiadis TA. Cancer Stem Cells, Quo Vadis? The Notch Signaling Pathway in Tumor Initiation and Progression. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081879. [PMID: 32796631 PMCID: PMC7463613 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation, cytodifferentiation and cell fate decisions in both embryonic and adult life. Several aspects of stem cell maintenance are dependent from the functionality and fine tuning of the Notch pathway. In cancer, Notch is specifically involved in preserving self-renewal and amplification of cancer stem cells, supporting the formation, spread and recurrence of the tumor. As the function of Notch signaling is context dependent, we here provide an overview of its activity in a variety of tumors, focusing mostly on its role in the maintenance of the undifferentiated subset of cancer cells. Finally, we analyze the potential of molecules of the Notch pathway as diagnostic and therapeutic tools against the various cancers.
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23
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Milton-Harris L, Jeeves M, Walker SA, Ward SE, Mancini EJ. Small molecule inhibits T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia oncogenic interaction through conformational modulation of LMO2. Oncotarget 2020; 11:1737-1748. [PMID: 32477463 PMCID: PMC7233811 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectopic expression in T-cell precursors of LIM only protein 2 (LMO2), a key factor in hematopoietic development, has been linked to the onset of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL). In the T-ALL context, LMO2 drives oncogenic progression through binding to erythroid-specific transcription factor SCL/TAL1 and sequestration of E-protein transcription factors, normally required for T-cell differentiation. A key requirement for the formation of this oncogenic protein-protein interaction (PPI) is the conformational flexibility of LMO2. Here we identify a small molecule inhibitor of the SCL-LMO2 PPI, which hinders the interaction in vitro through direct binding to LMO2. Biophysical analysis demonstrates that this inhibitor acts through a mechanism of conformational modulation of LMO2. Importantly, this work has led to the identification of a small molecule inhibitor of the SCL-LMO2 PPI, which can provide a starting point for the development of new agents for the treatment of T-ALL. These results suggest that similar approaches, based on the modulation of protein conformation by small molecules, might be used for therapeutic targeting of other oncogenic PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Milton-Harris
- School of Life Sciences, Biochemistry Department, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Jeeves
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah A Walker
- Sussex Drug Discovery Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom
| | - Simon E Ward
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Erika J Mancini
- School of Life Sciences, Biochemistry Department, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
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24
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Gianni F, Belver L, Ferrando A. The Genetics and Mechanisms of T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:a035246. [PMID: 31570389 PMCID: PMC7050584 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a035246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy derived from early T-cell progenitors. The recognition of clinical, genetic, transcriptional, and biological heterogeneity in this disease has already translated into new prognostic biomarkers, improved leukemia animal models, and emerging targeted therapies. This work reviews our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gianni
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Laura Belver
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Adolfo Ferrando
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
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25
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Wang L, Tan TK, Durbin AD, Zimmerman MW, Abraham BJ, Tan SH, Ngoc PCT, Weichert-Leahey N, Akahane K, Lawton LN, Rokita JL, Maris JM, Young RA, Look AT, Sanda T. ASCL1 is a MYCN- and LMO1-dependent member of the adrenergic neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitry. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5622. [PMID: 31819055 PMCID: PMC6901540 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13515-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A heritable polymorphism within regulatory sequences of the LMO1 gene is associated with its elevated expression and increased susceptibility to develop neuroblastoma, but the oncogenic pathways downstream of the LMO1 transcriptional co-regulatory protein are unknown. Our ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses reveal that a key gene directly regulated by LMO1 and MYCN is ASCL1, which encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. Regulatory elements controlling ASCL1 expression are bound by LMO1, MYCN and the transcription factors GATA3, HAND2, PHOX2B, TBX2 and ISL1-all members of the adrenergic (ADRN) neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitry (CRC). ASCL1 is required for neuroblastoma cell growth and arrest of differentiation. ASCL1 and LMO1 directly regulate the expression of CRC genes, indicating that ASCL1 is a member and LMO1 is a coregulator of the ADRN neuroblastoma CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Tze King Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Adam D Durbin
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02216, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Mark W Zimmerman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02216, USA
| | - Brian J Abraham
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38102, USA
| | - Shi Hao Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Phuong Cao Thi Ngoc
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Nina Weichert-Leahey
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02216, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Koshi Akahane
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02216, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, 4093898, Japan
| | - Lee N Lawton
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Jo Lynne Rokita
- Oncology Division, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - John M Maris
- Oncology Division, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Richard A Young
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - A Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02216, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Takaomi Sanda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
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26
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Dos Santos NR, Ghysdael J, Tran Quang C. The TCR/CD3 complex in leukemogenesis and as a therapeutic target in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Adv Biol Regul 2019; 74:100638. [PMID: 31378701 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2019.100638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) arises from T cell precursors and is characterized by expression of many lineage-specific proteins. While T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling and its strength are central for thymocyte development, mature T cell homeostasis and immune responses, their roles in T-ALL remain undetermined. Indeed, in contrast to mouse models, in which absence of TCR or major histocompatibility complex binding does not impact on leukemogenesis, other mouse models suggest that basal or weak signaling drives leukemia development. However, recent reports indicate that strong TCR signaling can be detrimental to leukemic cells. Indeed, sustained/high level TCR signaling, stimulated by antigen or CD3 antibody, is strongly anti-leukemic in both murine T-ALL expressing endogenous or transgenic TCR and diagnostic T-ALL cases. As discussed, further work should address the efficacy of T-ALL therapeutic targeting with either TCR/CD3 antibodies or TCR-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno R Dos Santos
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Jacques Ghysdael
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3348, F-91405, Orsay, France; Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3348, F-91405, Orsay, France.
| | - Christine Tran Quang
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3348, F-91405, Orsay, France; Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3348, F-91405, Orsay, France.
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27
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Mastelaro de Rezende M, Ferreira AT, Paredes-Gamero EJ. Leukemia stem cell immunophenotyping tool for diagnostic, prognosis, and therapeutics. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:4989-4998. [PMID: 31709540 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The existence of cancer stem cells is debatable in numerous solid tumors, yet in leukemia, there is compelling evidence of this cell population. Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are altered cells in which accumulating genetic and/or epigenetic alterations occur, resulting in the transition between the normal, preleukemic, and leukemic status. These cells do not follow the normal differentiation program; they are arrested in a primitive state but with high proliferation potential, generating undifferentiated blast accumulation and a lack of a mature cell population. The identification of LSCs might guide stem cell biology research and provide key points of distinction between these cells and their normal counterparts. The identification and characterization of the main features of LSCs can be useful as tools for diagnosis and treatment. In this context, the aim of the present review was to connect immunophenotype data in the main types of leukemia to further guide technical improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice T Ferreira
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edgar J Paredes-Gamero
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Division - Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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28
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Gusscott S, Tamiro F, Giambra V, Weng AP. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Adv Biol Regul 2019; 74:100652. [PMID: 31543360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2019.100652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive cancer, characterized by an uncontrolled expansion and accumulation of T-cell progenitors. During leukemic progression, immature T cells grow abnormally and occupy the bone marrow compartment, thereby interfering with the production of normal blood cells. Pediatric T-ALL is curable with intensive chemotherapy, but there are significant, long-term side effects and ~20% of patients suffer relapse for which there are limited treatment options. Adult T-ALL in contrast is largely incurable and refractory/relapsed disease is common despite multi-agent chemotherapy (5-year overall survival of ~40%), and thus new therapeutic targets are needed. We have reported previously on the role of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling in T-ALL, and shown that it exerts potent phenotypes in both leukemia stem cell and bulk tumor cell populations. Modulators of IGF signaling may thus prove useful in improving outcomes in patients with T-ALL. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings relating to IGF signaling in T-ALL and outline therapeutic options using clinically relevant IGF signaling modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Gusscott
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Francesco Tamiro
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada; Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Giambra
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada; Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Andrew P Weng
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada.
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29
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Calvo J, Fahy L, Uzan B, Pflumio F. Desperately seeking a home marrow niche for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Adv Biol Regul 2019; 74:100640. [PMID: 31378700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2019.100640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
T-cell acute leukemia is a hematologic malignancy that results from the progressive acquisition of genomic abnormalities in T-cell progenitors/precursors. T-ALL is commonly thought to originate from the thymus albeit recent literature describes the possible acquisition of the first oncogenic hits in hematopoietic progenitor cells of the bone marrow (BM). The journey of T-ALL from its arising to full blown expansion meets different microenvironments, including the BM in which leukemic cells settle down early after the disease spreading. We take advantage of recent literature to give an overview of important cells and factors that participate in T-ALL, especially in the BM, arguing in favor of a home marrow niche for this rare leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Calvo
- UMRE008 Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, U1274 Inserm, Université de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Leukemia, Team Niche and Cancer in Hematopoiesis, U1274, Inserm, CEA, 18 route du panorama, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Laboratoire labellisé par l'Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer, France
| | - Lucine Fahy
- UMRE008 Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, U1274 Inserm, Université de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Leukemia, Team Niche and Cancer in Hematopoiesis, U1274, Inserm, CEA, 18 route du panorama, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Laboratoire labellisé par l'Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer, France
| | - Benjamin Uzan
- UMRE008 Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, U1274 Inserm, Université de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Leukemia, Team Niche and Cancer in Hematopoiesis, U1274, Inserm, CEA, 18 route du panorama, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Laboratoire labellisé par l'Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer, France
| | - Françoise Pflumio
- UMRE008 Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, U1274 Inserm, Université de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Leukemia, Team Niche and Cancer in Hematopoiesis, U1274, Inserm, CEA, 18 route du panorama, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Laboratoire labellisé par l'Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer, France.
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30
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Da Costa EM, Armaos G, McInnes G, Beaudry A, Moquin-Beaudry G, Bertrand-Lehouillier V, Caron M, Richer C, St-Onge P, Johnson JR, Krogan N, Sai Y, Downey M, Rafei M, Boileau M, Eppert K, Flores-Díaz E, Haman A, Hoang T, Sinnett D, Beauséjour C, McGraw S, Raynal NJM. Heart failure drug proscillaridin A targets MYC overexpressing leukemia through global loss of lysine acetylation. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:251. [PMID: 31196146 PMCID: PMC6563382 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1242-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Cardiac glycosides are approved for the treatment of heart failure as Na+/K+ pump inhibitors. Their repurposing in oncology is currently investigated in preclinical and clinical studies. However, the identification of a specific cancer type defined by a molecular signature to design targeted clinical trials with cardiac glycosides remains to be characterized. Here, we demonstrate that cardiac glycoside proscillaridin A specifically targets MYC overexpressing leukemia cells and leukemia stem cells by causing MYC degradation, epigenetic reprogramming and leukemia differentiation through loss of lysine acetylation. Methods Proscillaridin A anticancer activity was investigated against a panel of human leukemia and solid tumor cell lines with different MYC expression levels, overexpression in vitro systems and leukemia stem cells. RNA-sequencing and differentiation studies were used to characterize transcriptional and phenotypic changes. Drug-induced epigenetic changes were studied by chromatin post-translational modification analysis, expression of chromatin regulators, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and mass-spectrometry. Results At a clinically relevant dose, proscillaridin A rapidly altered MYC protein half-life causing MYC degradation and growth inhibition. Transcriptomic profile of leukemic cells after treatment showed a downregulation of genes involved in MYC pathways, cell replication and an upregulation of hematopoietic differentiation genes. Functional studies confirmed cell cycle inhibition and the onset of leukemia differentiation even after drug removal. Proscillaridin A induced a significant loss of lysine acetylation in histone H3 (at lysine 9, 14, 18 and 27) and in non-histone proteins such as MYC itself, MYC target proteins, and a series of histone acetylation regulators. Global loss of acetylation correlated with the rapid downregulation of histone acetyltransferases. Importantly, proscillaridin A demonstrated anticancer activity against lymphoid and myeloid stem cell populations characterized by MYC overexpression. Conclusion Overall, these results strongly support the repurposing of proscillaridin A in MYC overexpressing leukemia. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1242-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie M Da Costa
- Département de pharmacologie et physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada.,Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Gregory Armaos
- Département de pharmacologie et physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada.,Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Gabrielle McInnes
- Département de pharmacologie et physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada.,Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Annie Beaudry
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Gaël Moquin-Beaudry
- Département de pharmacologie et physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada.,Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Virginie Bertrand-Lehouillier
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada.,Département de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada
| | - Maxime Caron
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Chantal Richer
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Pascal St-Onge
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Jeffrey R Johnson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Nevan Krogan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Yuka Sai
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, (Ontario), Canada
| | - Michael Downey
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, (Ontario), Canada
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Département de pharmacologie et physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, (Québec), Canada
| | - Meaghan Boileau
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, (Québec), Canada
| | - Kolja Eppert
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, (Québec), Canada
| | - Ema Flores-Díaz
- Institute of Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, (Québec), Canada
| | - André Haman
- Institute of Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, (Québec), Canada
| | - Trang Hoang
- Département de pharmacologie et physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada.,Institute of Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, (Québec), Canada
| | - Daniel Sinnett
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada.,Département de pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada
| | - Christian Beauséjour
- Département de pharmacologie et physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada.,Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Serge McGraw
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada.,Département de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada.,Département Obstétrique-Gynécologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada
| | - Noël J-M Raynal
- Département de pharmacologie et physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec), Canada. .,Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center (7.17.020), 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, (Québec), H3T 1C5, Canada.
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Chiu SK, Saw J, Huang Y, Sonderegger SE, Wong NC, Powell DR, Beck D, Pimanda JE, Tremblay CS, Curtis DJ. A novel role for Lyl1 in primitive erythropoiesis. Development 2018; 145:dev.162990. [PMID: 30185409 DOI: 10.1242/dev.162990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell leukemia (Scl or Tal1) and lymphoblastic leukemia 1 (Lyl1) encode highly related members of the basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors that are co-expressed in the erythroid lineage. Previous studies have suggested that Scl is essential for primitive erythropoiesis. However, analysis of single-cell RNA-seq data of early embryos showed that primitive erythroid cells express both Scl and Lyl1 Therefore, to determine whether Lyl1 can function in primitive erythropoiesis, we crossed conditional Scl knockout mice with mice expressing a Cre recombinase under the control of the Epo receptor, active in erythroid progenitors. Embryos with 20% expression of Scl from E9.5 survived to adulthood. However, mice with reduced expression of Scl and absence of Lyl1 (double knockout; DKO) died at E10.5 because of progressive loss of erythropoiesis. Gene expression profiling of DKO yolk sacs revealed loss of Gata1 and many of the known target genes of the SCL-GATA1 complex. ChIP-seq analyses in a human erythroleukemia cell line showed that LYL1 exclusively bound a small subset of SCL targets including GATA1. Together, these data show for the first time that Lyl1 can maintain primitive erythropoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung K Chiu
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Jesslyn Saw
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Yizhou Huang
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre and the Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,Centre for Health Technologies, School of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Software, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Stefan E Sonderegger
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Nicholas C Wong
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Bioinformatics Platform, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - David R Powell
- Bioinformatics Platform, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Dominic Beck
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre and the Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,Centre for Health Technologies, School of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Software, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - John E Pimanda
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre and the Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,Department of Haematology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.,Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Cedric S Tremblay
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - David J Curtis
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia .,Department of Clinical Haematology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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Gachet S, El-Chaar T, Avran D, Genesca E, Catez F, Quentin S, Delord M, Thérizols G, Briot D, Meunier G, Hernandez L, Pla M, Smits WK, Buijs-Gladdines JG, Van Loocke W, Menschaert G, André-Schmutz I, Taghon T, Van Vlierberghe P, Meijerink JP, Baruchel A, Dombret H, Clappier E, Diaz JJ, Gazin C, de Thé H, Sigaux F, Soulier J. Deletion 6q Drives T-cell Leukemia Progression by Ribosome Modulation. Cancer Discov 2018; 8:1614-1631. [PMID: 30266814 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-17-0831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Deletion of chromosome 6q is a well-recognized abnormality found in poor-prognosis T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Using integrated genomic approaches, we identified two candidate haploinsufficient genes contiguous at 6q14, SYNCRIP (encoding hnRNP-Q) and SNHG5 (that hosts snoRNAs), both involved in regulating RNA maturation and translation. Combined silencing of both genes, but not of either gene alone, accelerated leukemogeneis in a Tal1/Lmo1/Notch1-driven mouse model, demonstrating the tumor-suppressive nature of the two-gene region. Proteomic and translational profiling of cells in which we engineered a short 6q deletion by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing indicated decreased ribosome and mitochondrial activities, suggesting that the resulting metabolic changes may regulate tumor progression. Indeed, xenograft experiments showed an increased leukemia-initiating cell activity of primary human leukemic cells upon coextinction of SYNCRIP and SNHG5. Our findings not only elucidate the nature of 6q deletion but also highlight the role of ribosomes and mitochondria in T-ALL tumor progression. SIGNIFICANCE: The oncogenic role of 6q deletion in T-ALL has remained elusive since this chromosomal abnormality was first identified more than 40 years ago. We combined genomic analysis and functional models to show that the codeletion of two contiguous genes at 6q14 enhances malignancy through deregulation of a ribosome-mitochondria axis, suggesting the potential for therapeutic intervention.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1494.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Gachet
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Tiama El-Chaar
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - David Avran
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Hematology Laboratory APHP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Eulalia Genesca
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Catez
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard; Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Samuel Quentin
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Hematology Laboratory APHP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Marc Delord
- Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Gabriel Thérizols
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard; Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Delphine Briot
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Hematology Laboratory APHP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Godelieve Meunier
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Lucie Hernandez
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Marika Pla
- Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,INSERM UMRS 940, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Willem K Smits
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jessica G Buijs-Gladdines
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Isabelle André-Schmutz
- U1163 INSERM, Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Tom Taghon
- Cancer Research Institute, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Jules P Meijerink
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - André Baruchel
- Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Hematology Pediatry Department, Robert Debré Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Hervé Dombret
- Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Hematology Department, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Clappier
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Hematology Laboratory APHP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Jacques Diaz
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard; Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Claude Gazin
- Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine (CNRGH), Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Direction de La Recherche Fondamentale, CEA, Evry, France
| | - Hugues de Thé
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - François Sigaux
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Hematology Laboratory APHP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Jean Soulier
- INSERM UMR944 and CNRS UMR7212, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France. .,Institute of Hematology (IUH), Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Hematology Laboratory APHP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
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Giambra V, Gusscott S, Gracias D, Song R, Lam SH, Panelli P, Tyshchenko K, Jenkins CE, Hoofd C, Lorzadeh A, Carles A, Hirst M, Eaves CJ, Weng AP. Epigenetic Restoration of Fetal-like IGF1 Signaling Inhibits Leukemia Stem Cell Activity. Cell Stem Cell 2018; 23:714-726.e7. [PMID: 30269902 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acute leukemias are aggressive malignancies of developmentally arrested hematopoietic progenitors. We sought here to explore the possibility that changes in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells during development might alter the biology of leukemias arising from this tissue compartment. Using a mouse model of acute T cell leukemia, we found that leukemias generated from fetal liver (FL) and adult bone marrow (BM) differed dramatically in their leukemia stem cell activity with FL leukemias showing markedly reduced serial transplantability as compared to BM leukemias. We present evidence that this difference is due to NOTCH1-driven autocrine IGF1 signaling, which is active in FL cells but restrained in BM cells by EZH2-dependent H3K27 trimethylation. Further, we confirmed this mechanism is operative in human disease and show that enforced IGF1 signaling effectively limits leukemia stem cell activity. These findings demonstrate that resurrecting dormant fetal programs in adult cells may represent an alternate therapeutic approach in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Giambra
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy.
| | - Samuel Gusscott
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Deanne Gracias
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Raymond Song
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Sonya H Lam
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Patrizio Panelli
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | | | | | - Catherine Hoofd
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Alireza Lorzadeh
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Annaick Carles
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Martin Hirst
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Connie J Eaves
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Andrew P Weng
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.
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Restricted cell cycle is essential for clonal evolution and therapeutic resistance of pre-leukemic stem cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3535. [PMID: 30166543 PMCID: PMC6117297 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06021-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre-leukemic stem cells (pre-LSCs) give rise to leukemic stem cells through acquisition of additional gene mutations and are an important source of relapse following chemotherapy. We postulated that cell-cycle kinetics of pre-LSCs may be an important determinant of clonal evolution and therapeutic resistance. Using a doxycycline-inducible H2B-GFP transgene in a mouse model of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia to study cell cycle in vivo, we show that self-renewal, clonal evolution and therapeutic resistance are limited to a rare population of pre-LSCs with restricted cell cycle. We show that proliferative pre-LSCs are unable to return to a cell cycle-restricted state. Cell cycle-restricted pre-LSCs have activation of p53 and its downstream cell-cycle inhibitor p21. Furthermore, absence of p21 leads to proliferation of pre-LSCs, with clonal extinction through loss of asymmetric cell division and terminal differentiation. Thus, inducing proliferation of pre-LSCs represents a promising strategy to increase cure rates for acute leukemia.
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Tan TK, Zhang C, Sanda T. Oncogenic transcriptional program driven by TAL1 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Int J Hematol 2018; 109:5-17. [PMID: 30145780 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-018-2518-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
TAL1/SCL is a prime example of an oncogenic transcription factor that is abnormally expressed in acute leukemia due to the replacement of regulator elements. This gene has also been recognized as an essential regulator of hematopoiesis. TAL1 expression is strictly regulated in a lineage- and stage-specific manner. Such precise control is crucial for the switching of the transcriptional program. The misexpression of TAL1 in immature thymocytes leads to a widespread series of orchestrated downstream events that affect several different cellular machineries, resulting in a lethal consequence, namely T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). In this article, we will discuss the transcriptional regulatory network and downstream target genes, including protein-coding genes and non-coding RNAs, controlled by TAL1 in normal hematopoiesis and T-cell leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tze King Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine, 14 Medical Drive, #12-01, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Chujing Zhang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine, 14 Medical Drive, #12-01, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Takaomi Sanda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine, 14 Medical Drive, #12-01, Singapore, 117599, Singapore. .,Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
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36
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Zhao Y, Li H, Li Y, Chen X, Fan S. A novel TAL1/miR-149* axis accelerates tumor growth of human T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2018; 11:4026-4034. [PMID: 31949792 PMCID: PMC6962801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Background: Herein, we aimed to investigate the roles of TAL1 and miR-149* in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Methods: The biological characteristics, including cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle, were analyzed in Molt4 cells. Results: ChIP results revealed that miR-149* expression in Jurkat cells transfected with overexpression TAL1 plasmid was higher than that in Jurkat cells alone, while miR-149* expression in Molt-4 cells transfected with knockdown TAL1 plasmid was lower than that in Molt-4 cells alone, suggesting that TAL1 might direct target miR-149*. This was further confirmed by a luciferase activity report assay. Finally, biological functions, such as cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of TAL1 and miR-149* were measured by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. It was uncovered that enhanced TAL1 and miR-149* expression promoted cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, and inhibited apoptosis in Molt-4 cells. In contrast, decreased TAL1 and miR-149* expression suppressed cell proliferation, abolished cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, and accelerated apoptosis in Molt-4 cells. Conclusion: Thus, these data indicate that TAL1 directly regulates miR-149* expression and TAL1/miR-149* link is implicated in the pathogenesis of T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiu Zhao
- Department of Hematology, First Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University Harbin 150001, China
| | - Huibo Li
- Department of Hematology, First Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yinghua Li
- Department of Hematology, First Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University Harbin 150001, China
| | - Xiaotong Chen
- Department of Hematology, First Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University Harbin 150001, China
| | - Shengjin Fan
- Department of Hematology, First Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University Harbin 150001, China
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LMO1 functions as an oncogene by regulating TTK expression and correlates with neuroendocrine differentiation of lung cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 9:29601-29618. [PMID: 30038707 PMCID: PMC6049873 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
LMO1 encodes a protein containing a cysteine-rich LIM domain involved in protein-protein interactions. Recent studies have shown that LMO1 functions as an oncogene in several cancer types, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the function of LMO1 in other histological subtypes of lung cancer, such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), was not investigated. In analyzing the expression of LMO1 across a panel of lung cell lines, we found that LMO1 expression levels were significantly and dramatically higher in SCLC cells, an aggressive neuroendocrine subtype of lung cancer, relative to NSCLC and normal lung cells. In NSCLC cells, LMO1 mRNA levels were significantly correlated with expression of neuroendocrine differentiation markers. Our in vitro investigations indicated that LMO1 had the general property of promoting cell proliferation in lung cancer cells representing different histological subtypes, suggesting a general oncogenic function of LMO1 in lung cancer. In investigating the clinical relevance of LMO1 as an oncogene, we found that a high tumor level of the LMO1 mRNA was an independent predictor of poor patient survival. These results suggest that LMO1 acts as an oncogene, with expression correlated with neuroendocrine differentiation of lung cancer, and that it is a determinant of lung cancer aggressiveness and prognosis. By combining gene expression correlations with patient survival and functional in vitro investigations, we further identified TTK as mediating the oncogenic function of LMO1 in lung cancer cells.
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38
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Tan SH, Bertulfo FC, Sanda T. Leukemia-Initiating Cells in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Oncol 2017; 7:218. [PMID: 29034206 PMCID: PMC5627022 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a hematological malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of immature T-cell precursors. T-ALL has many similar pathophysiological features to acute myeloid leukemia, which has been extensively studied in the establishment of the cancer stem cell (CSC) theory, but the CSC concept in T-ALL is still debatable. Although leukemia-initiating cells (LICs), which can generate leukemia in a xenograft setting, have been found in both human T-ALL patients and animal models, the nature and origin of LICs are largely unknown. In this review, we discuss recent studies on LICs in T-ALL and the potential mechanisms of LIC emergence in this disease. We focus on the oncogenic transcription factors TAL1, LMO2, and NOTCH1 and highlight the significance of the transcriptional regulatory programs in normal hematopoietic stem cells and T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Hao Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fatima Carla Bertulfo
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Takaomi Sanda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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39
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Vadillo E, Dorantes-Acosta E, Pelayo R, Schnoor M. T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL): New insights into the cellular origins and infiltration mechanisms common and unique among hematologic malignancies. Blood Rev 2017; 32:36-51. [PMID: 28830639 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2017.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) accounts for 15% and 25% of total childhood and adult ALL cases, respectively. During T-ALL, patients are at risk of organ infiltration by leukemic T-cells. Infiltration is a major consequence of disease relapse and correlates with poor prognosis. Transendothelial migration of leukemic cells is required to exit the blood stream into target organs. While mechanisms of normal T-cell transmigration are well known, the mechanisms of leukemic T-cell extravasation remain elusive; but involvement of chemokines, integrins and Notch signaling play critical roles. Here, we summarize current knowledge about molecular mechanisms of leukemic T-cell infiltration with special emphasis on the newly identified subtype early T-cell-progenitor (ETP)-ALL. Furthermore, we compare the extravasation potential of T-ALL cells with that of other hematologic malignancies such as B-ALL and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Vadillo
- Department for Molecular Biomedicine, Centre for Investigation and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav-IPN), 07360 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Elisa Dorantes-Acosta
- Leukemia Clinic, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, 06720 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosana Pelayo
- Oncology Research Unit, National Medical Center, Mexican Institute for Social Security, 06720 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Michael Schnoor
- Department for Molecular Biomedicine, Centre for Investigation and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav-IPN), 07360 Mexico City, Mexico.
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40
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Sanda T, Leong WZ. TAL1 as a master oncogenic transcription factor in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Exp Hematol 2017; 53:7-15. [PMID: 28652130 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In hematopoietic cell development, the transcriptional program is strictly regulated in a lineage- and stage-specific manner that requires a number of transcription factors to work in a cascade or in a loop, in addition to interactions with nonhematopoietic cells in the microenvironment. Disruption of the transcriptional program alters the cellular state and may predispose cells to the acquisition of genetic abnormalities. Early studies have shown that proteins that promote cell differentiation often serve as tumor suppressors, whereas inhibitors of those proteins act as oncogenes in the context of acute leukemia. A prime example is T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a malignant disorder characterized by clonal proliferation of immature stage thymocytes. Although a relatively small number of genetic abnormalities are observed in T-ALL, these abnormalities are crucial for leukemogenesis. Many oncogenes and tumor suppressors in T-ALL are transcription factors that are required for normal hematopoiesis. The transformation process in T-ALL is efficient and orchestrated; the oncogene disrupts the transcriptional program directing T-cell differentiation and also uses its native ability as a master transcription factor in hematopoiesis. This imbalance in the transcriptional program is a primary determinant underlying the molecular pathogenesis of T-ALL. In this review, we focus on the oncogenic transcription factor TAL1 and the tumor-suppressor E-proteins and discuss the malignant cell state, the transcriptional circuit, and the consequence of molecular abnormalities in T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaomi Sanda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Wei Zhong Leong
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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41
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SCL/TAL1: a multifaceted regulator from blood development to disease. Blood 2017; 129:2051-2060. [DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-12-754051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
SCL/TAL1 (stem cell leukemia/T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia [T-ALL] 1) is an essential transcription factor in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. It is required for specification of the blood program during development, adult hematopoietic stem cell survival and quiescence, and terminal maturation of select blood lineages. Following ectopic expression, SCL contributes to oncogenesis in T-ALL. Remarkably, SCL’s activities are all mediated through nucleation of a core quaternary protein complex (SCL:E-protein:LMO1/2 [LIM domain only 1 or 2]:LDB1 [LIM domain-binding protein 1]) and dynamic recruitment of conserved combinatorial associations of additional regulators in a lineage- and stage-specific context. The finely tuned control of SCL’s regulatory functions (lineage priming, activation, and repression of gene expression programs) provides insight into fundamental developmental and transcriptional mechanisms, and highlights mechanistic parallels between normal and oncogenic processes. Importantly, recent discoveries are paving the way to the development of innovative therapeutic opportunities in SCL+ T-ALL.
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42
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Whole-genome noncoding sequence analysis in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia identifies oncogene enhancer mutations. Blood 2017; 129:3264-3268. [PMID: 28408461 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-03-771162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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43
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Quang CT, Zaniboni B, Ghysdael J. A TCR-switchable cell death pathway in T-ALL. Oncoscience 2017; 4:17-18. [PMID: 28540327 PMCID: PMC5441467 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Tran Quang
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3348, F-91405, Orsay, France; Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
| | - Benedetta Zaniboni
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3348, F-91405, Orsay, France; Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
| | - Jacques Ghysdael
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3348, F-91405, Orsay, France; Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
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44
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Aberrant activation of the GIMAP enhancer by oncogenic transcription factors in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia 2016; 31:1798-1807. [PMID: 28028313 PMCID: PMC5529293 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor TAL1/SCL is one of the most prevalent oncogenes in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a malignant disorder resulting from leukemic transformation of thymus T-cell precursors. TAL1 is normally expressed in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) but is silenced in immature thymocytes. We hypothesize that TAL1 contributes to leukemogenesis by activating genes that are normally repressed in immature thymocytes. Herein, we identified a novel TAL1-regulated super-enhancer controlling the GIMAP locus, which resides within an insulated chromosomal locus in T-ALL cells. The GIMAP genes are expressed in HSCs and mature T-cells but are downregulated during the immature stage of thymocyte differentiation. The GIMAP enhancer is activated by TAL1, RUNX1 and GATA3 in human T-ALL cells but is repressed by E-proteins. Overexpression of human GIMAP genes in immature thymocytes alone does not induce tumorigenesis but accelerates leukemia development in zebrafish. Our results demonstrate that aberrant activation of the GIMAP enhancer contributes to T-cell leukemogenesis.
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45
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Passaro D, Quang CT, Ghysdael J. Microenvironmental cues for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia development. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:156-72. [PMID: 27088913 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Intensive chemotherapy regimens have led to a substantial improvement in the cure rate of patients suffering from T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Despite this progress, about 15% and 50% of pediatric and adult cases, respectively, show resistance to treatment or relapse with dismal prognosis, calling for further therapeutic investigations. T-ALL is an heterogeneous disease, which presents intrinsic alterations leading to aberrant expression of transcription factors normally involved in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell development and mutations in genes implicated in the regulation of cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and T-cell development. Gene expression profiling allowed the classification of T-ALL into defined molecular subgroups that mostly reflects the stage of their differentiation arrest. So far this knowledge has not translated into novel, targeted therapy. Recent evidence points to the importance of extrinsic signaling cues in controlling the ability of T-ALL to home, survive, and proliferate, thus offering the perspective of new therapeutic options. This review summarizes the present understanding of the interactions between hematopoietic cells and bone marrow/thymic niches during normal hematopoiesis, describes the main signaling pathways implicated in this dialog, and finally highlights how malignant T cells rely on specific niches to maintain their ability to sustain and propagate leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Passaro
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, London, UK
| | - Christine Tran Quang
- Institut Curie, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France
| | - Jacques Ghysdael
- Institut Curie, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France
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46
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Gerby B, Veiga DFT, Krosl J, Nourreddine S, Ouellette J, Haman A, Lavoie G, Fares I, Tremblay M, Litalien V, Ottoni E, Kosic M, Geoffrion D, Ryan J, Maddox PS, Chagraoui J, Marinier A, Hébert J, Sauvageau G, Kwok BH, Roux PP, Hoang T. High-throughput screening in niche-based assay identifies compounds to target preleukemic stem cells. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:4569-4584. [PMID: 27797342 DOI: 10.1172/jci86489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Current chemotherapies for T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) efficiently reduce tumor mass. Nonetheless, disease relapse attributed to survival of preleukemic stem cells (pre-LSCs) is associated with poor prognosis. Herein, we provide direct evidence that pre-LSCs are much less chemosensitive to existing chemotherapy drugs than leukemic blasts because of a distinctive lower proliferative state. Improving therapies for T-ALL requires the development of strategies to target pre-LSCs that are absolutely dependent on their microenvironment. Therefore, we designed a robust protocol for high-throughput screening of compounds that target primary pre-LSCs maintained in a niche-like environment, on stromal cells that were engineered for optimal NOTCH1 activation. The multiparametric readout takes into account the intrinsic complexity of primary cells in order to specifically monitor pre-LSCs, which were induced here by the SCL/TAL1 and LMO1 oncogenes. We screened a targeted library of compounds and determined that the estrogen derivative 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME2) disrupted both cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous pathways. Specifically, 2-ME2 abrogated pre-LSC viability and self-renewal activity in vivo by inhibiting translation of MYC, a downstream effector of NOTCH1, and preventing SCL/TAL1 activity. In contrast, normal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells remained functional. These results illustrate how recapitulating tissue-like properties of primary cells in high-throughput screening is a promising avenue for innovation in cancer chemotherapy.
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47
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Abstract
T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive haematological malignancy derived from early T cell progenitors. In recent years genomic and transcriptomic studies have uncovered major oncogenic and tumour suppressor pathways involved in T-ALL transformation and identified distinct biological groups associated with prognosis. An increased understanding of T-ALL biology has already translated into new prognostic biomarkers and improved animal models of leukaemia and has opened opportunities for the development of targeted therapies for the treatment of this disease. In this Review we examine our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of T-ALL and recent developments in the translation of these results to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Belver
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Adolfo Ferrando
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
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48
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Stein SJ, Mack EA, Rome KS, Pajcini KV, Ohtani T, Xu L, Li Y, Meijerink JPP, Faryabi RB, Pear WS. Trib2 Suppresses Tumor Initiation in Notch-Driven T-ALL. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155408. [PMID: 27191957 PMCID: PMC4871414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Trib2 is highly expressed in human T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and is a direct transcriptional target of the oncogenic drivers Notch and TAL1. In human TAL1-driven T-ALL cell lines, Trib2 is proposed to function as an important survival factor, but there is limited information about the role of Trib2 in primary T-ALL. In this study, we investigated the role of Trib2 in the initiation and maintenance of Notch-dependent T-ALL. Trib2 had no effect on the growth and survival of murine T-ALL cell lines in vitro when expression was blocked by shRNAs. To test the function of Trib2 on leukemogenesis in vivo, we generated Trib2 knockout mice. Mice were born at the expected Mendelian frequencies without gross developmental anomalies. Adult mice did not develop pathology or shortened survival, and hematopoiesis, including T cell development, was unperturbed. Using a retroviral model of Notch-induced T-ALL, deletion of Trib2 unexpectedly decreased the latency and increased the penetrance of T-ALL development in vivo. Immunoblotting of primary murine T-ALL cells showed that the absence of Trib2 increased C/EBPα expression, a known regulator of cell proliferation, and did not alter AKT or ERK phosphorylation. Although Trib2 was suggested to be highly expressed in T-ALL, transcriptomic analysis of two independent T-ALL cohorts showed that low Trib2 expression correlated with the TLX1-expressing cortical mature T-ALL subtype, whereas high Trib2 expression correlated with the LYL1-expressing early immature T-ALL subtype. These data indicate that Trib2 has a complex role in the pathogenesis of Notch-driven T-ALL, which may vary between different T-ALL subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J. Stein
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Institute for Immunology, Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Ethan A. Mack
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Institute for Immunology, Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Kelly S. Rome
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Institute for Immunology, Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Kostandin V. Pajcini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Institute for Immunology, Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Takuya Ohtani
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Institute for Immunology, Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Lanwei Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Institute for Immunology, Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Yunlei Li
- The Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jules P. P. Meijerink
- The Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert B. Faryabi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Institute for Immunology, Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Warren S. Pear
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Institute for Immunology, Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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49
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Loss-of-function mutations of Dynamin 2 promote T-ALL by enhancing IL-7 signalling. Leukemia 2016; 30:1993-2001. [DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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He J, Zhong W, Zeng J, Zhu J, Zhang R, Wang F, Yang T, Zou Y, Xia H. LMO1 gene polymorphisms contribute to decreased neuroblastoma susceptibility in a Southern Chinese population. Oncotarget 2016; 7:22770-8. [PMID: 27009839 PMCID: PMC5008399 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the most commonly diagnosed extracranial solid tumors in infancy; however, the etiology of neuroblastoma remains largely unknown. Previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) indicated that several common genetic variations (rs110419 A > G, rs4758051 G > A, rs10840002 A > G and rs204938 A > G) in the LIM domain only 1 (LMO1) gene were associated with neuroblastoma susceptibility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the four GWAS-identified LMO1 gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma risk in a Southern Chinese population. We genotyped the four polymorphisms in 256 neuroblastoma cases and 531 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the associations. False-positive report probability was calculated for all significant findings. We found that the rs110419 A > G polymorphism was associated with a significantly decreased neuroblastoma risk (AG vs. AA: adjusted OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.47-0.91; GG vs. AA: adjusted OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.36-0.91; AG/GG vs. AA: adjusted OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.46-0.86), and the protective effect was more predominant in children of age > 18 months, males, subgroups with tumor in adrenal gland and mediastinum, and patients in clinical stages III/IV. These results suggested that LMO1 gene rs110419 A > G polymorphism may contribute to protection against neuroblastoma. Our findings call for further validation studies with larger sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing He
- 1 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
- 2 Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Experimental Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- 1 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Jixiao Zeng
- 1 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinhong Zhu
- 3 Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ruizhong Zhang
- 1 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Fenghua Wang
- 1 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Tianyou Yang
- 1 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Zou
- 1 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Huimin Xia
- 1 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
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