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Yun H, Zoller J, Zhou F, Rohde C, Liu Y, Blank MF, Göllner S, Müller-Tidow C. The landscape of RNA-chromatin interaction reveals small non-coding RNAs as essential mediators of leukemia maintenance. Leukemia 2024:10.1038/s41375-024-02322-7. [PMID: 38942785 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02322-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
RNA constitutes a large fraction of chromatin. Spatial distribution and functional relevance of most of RNA-chromatin interactions remain unknown. We established a landscape analysis of RNA-chromatin interactions in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In total more than 50 million interactions were captured in an AML cell line. Protein-coding mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs exhibited a substantial number of interactions with chromatin in cis suggesting transcriptional activity. In contrast, small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) associated with chromatin predominantly in trans suggesting chromatin specific functions. Of note, snoRNA-chromatin interaction was associated with chromatin modifications and occurred independently of the classical snoRNA-RNP complex. Two C/D box snoRNAs, namely SNORD118 and SNORD3A, displayed high frequency of trans-association with chromatin. The transcription of SNORD118 and SNORD3A was increased upon leukemia transformation and enriched in leukemia stem cells, but decreased during myeloid differentiation. Suppression of SNORD118 and SNORD3A impaired leukemia cell proliferation and colony forming capacity in AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Notably, this effect was leukemia specific with less impact on healthy CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. These findings highlight the functional importance of chromatin-associated RNAs overall and in particular of SNORD118 and SNORD3A in maintaining leukemia propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Yun
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- The Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Julian Zoller
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fengbiao Zhou
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Rohde
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Felix Blank
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division Proteomics of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Göllner
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Branco A, Rayabaram J, Miranda CC, Fernandes-Platzgummer A, Fernandes TG, Sajja S, da Silva CL, Vemuri MC. Advances in ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells for clinical applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1380950. [PMID: 38846805 PMCID: PMC11153805 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1380950] [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: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
As caretakers of the hematopoietic system, hematopoietic stem cells assure a lifelong supply of differentiated populations that are responsible for critical bodily functions, including oxygen transport, immunological protection and coagulation. Due to the far-reaching influence of the hematopoietic system, hematological disorders typically have a significant impact on the lives of individuals, even becoming fatal. Hematopoietic cell transplantation was the first effective therapeutic avenue to treat such hematological diseases. Since then, key use and manipulation of hematopoietic stem cells for treatments has been aspired to fully take advantage of such an important cell population. Limited knowledge on hematopoietic stem cell behavior has motivated in-depth research into their biology. Efforts were able to uncover their native environment and characteristics during development and adult stages. Several signaling pathways at a cellular level have been mapped, providing insight into their machinery. Important dynamics of hematopoietic stem cell maintenance were begun to be understood with improved comprehension of their metabolism and progressive aging. These advances have provided a solid platform for the development of innovative strategies for the manipulation of hematopoietic stem cells. Specifically, expansion of the hematopoietic stem cell pool has triggered immense interest, gaining momentum. A wide range of approaches have sprouted, leading to a variety of expansion systems, from simpler small molecule-based strategies to complex biomimetic scaffolds. The recent approval of Omisirge, the first expanded hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell product, whose expansion platform is one of the earliest, is predictive of further successes that might arise soon. In order to guarantee the quality of these ex vivo manipulated cells, robust assays that measure cell function or potency need to be developed. Whether targeting hematopoietic engraftment, immunological differentiation potential or malignancy clearance, hematopoietic stem cells and their derivatives need efficient scaling of their therapeutic potency. In this review, we comprehensively view hematopoietic stem cells as therapeutic assets, going from fundamental to translational.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Branco
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Janakiram Rayabaram
- Protein and Cell Analysis, Biosciences Division, Invitrogen Bioservices, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bangalore, India
| | - Cláudia C. Miranda
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- AccelBio, Collaborative Laboratory to Foster Translation and Drug Discovery, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Ana Fernandes-Platzgummer
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tiago G. Fernandes
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Suchitra Sajja
- Protein and Cell Analysis, Biosciences Division, Invitrogen Bioservices, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bangalore, India
| | - Cláudia L. da Silva
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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3
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Maytum A, Edginton-White B, Keane P, Cockerill PN, Cazier JB, Bonifer C. Chromatin priming elements direct tissue-specific gene activity before hematopoietic specification. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302363. [PMID: 37989524 PMCID: PMC10663361 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302363] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue-specific gene regulation during development involves the interplay between transcription factors and epigenetic regulators binding to enhancer and promoter elements. The pattern of active enhancers defines the cellular differentiation state. However, developmental gene activation involves a previous step called chromatin priming which is not fully understood. We recently developed a genome-wide functional assay that allowed us to functionally identify enhancer elements integrated in chromatin regulating five stages spanning the in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells to blood. We also measured global chromatin accessibility, histone modifications, and transcription factor binding. The integration of these data identified and characterised cis-regulatory elements which become activated before the onset of gene expression, some of which are primed in a signalling-dependent fashion. Deletion of such a priming element leads to a delay in the up-regulation of its associated gene in development. Our work uncovers the details of a complex network of regulatory interactions with the dynamics of early chromatin opening being at the heart of dynamic tissue-specific gene expression control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Maytum
- Institute for Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Benjamin Edginton-White
- Institute for Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peter Keane
- Institute for Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peter N Cockerill
- Institute for Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jean-Baptiste Cazier
- Institute for Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Constanze Bonifer
- Institute for Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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4
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Liongue C, Ward AC. Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Diseases Mediated by Chronic Activation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) Proteins. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:313. [PMID: 38254802 PMCID: PMC10813624 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are hematopoietic diseases characterized by the clonal expansion of single or multiple lineages of differentiated myeloid cells that accumulate in the blood and bone marrow. MPNs are grouped into distinct categories based on key clinical presentations and distinctive mutational hallmarks. These include chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which is strongly associated with the signature BCR::ABL1 gene translocation, polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary (idiopathic) myelofibrosis (PMF), typically accompanied by molecular alterations in the JAK2, MPL, or CALR genes. There are also rarer forms such as chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL), which involves mutations in the CSF3R gene. However, rather than focusing on the differences between these alternate disease categories, this review aims to present a unifying molecular etiology in which these overlapping diseases are best understood as disruptions of normal hematopoietic signaling: specifically, the chronic activation of signaling pathways, particularly involving signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) transcription factors, most notably STAT5B, leading to the sustained stimulation of myelopoiesis, which underpins the various disease sequalae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifford Liongue
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia;
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Alister C. Ward
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia;
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
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5
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Katsarou A, Trasanidis N, Ponnusamy K, Kostopoulos IV, Alvarez-Benayas J, Papaleonidopoulou F, Keren K, Sabbattini PMR, Feldhahn N, Papaioannou M, Hatjiharissi E, Sudbery IM, Chaidos A, Caputo VS, Karadimitris A. MAF functions as a pioneer transcription factor that initiates and sustains myelomagenesis. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6395-6410. [PMID: 37224458 PMCID: PMC10598502 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023009772] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulated expression of lineage-affiliated transcription factors (TFs) is a major mechanism of oncogenesis. However, how the deregulation of nonlineage affiliated TF affects chromatin to initiate oncogenic transcriptional programs is not well-known. To address this, we studied the chromatin effects imposed by oncogenic MAF as the cancer-initiating driver in the plasma cell cancer multiple myeloma. We found that the ectopically expressed MAF endows myeloma plasma cells with migratory and proliferative transcriptional potential. This potential is regulated by the activation of enhancers and superenhancers, previously inactive in healthy B cells and plasma cells, and the cooperation of MAF with the plasma cell-defining TF IRF4. Forced ectopic MAF expression confirms the de novo ability of oncogenic MAF to convert transcriptionally inert chromatin to active chromatin with the features of superenhancers, leading to the activation of the MAF-specific oncogenic transcriptome and the acquisition of cancer-related cellular phenotypes such as CCR1-dependent cell migration. These findings establish oncogenic MAF as a pioneer transcription factor that can initiate as well as sustain oncogenic transcriptomes and cancer phenotypes. However, despite its pioneer function, myeloma cells remain MAF-dependent, thus validating oncogenic MAF as a therapeutic target that would be able to circumvent the challenges of subsequent genetic diversification driving disease relapse and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Katsarou
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaos Trasanidis
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kanagaraju Ponnusamy
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ioannis V. Kostopoulos
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Jaime Alvarez-Benayas
- Department of the Higher School of Computer Science, Nebrija ARIES Research Group, Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, Madrid, Spain
| | - Foteini Papaleonidopoulou
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Keren Keren
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pierangela M. R. Sabbattini
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niklas Feldhahn
- Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Papaioannou
- Division of Haematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evdoxia Hatjiharissi
- Division of Haematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ian M. Sudbery
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Aristeidis Chaidos
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina S. Caputo
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Biology and Therapy laboratory, School of Applied Science, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anastasios Karadimitris
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Hugh & Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research, Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
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6
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Talukdar PD, Chatterji U. Transcriptional co-activators: emerging roles in signaling pathways and potential therapeutic targets for diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:427. [PMID: 37953273 PMCID: PMC10641101 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01651-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific cell states in metazoans are established by the symphony of gene expression programs that necessitate intricate synergic interactions between transcription factors and the co-activators. Deregulation of these regulatory molecules is associated with cell state transitions, which in turn is accountable for diverse maladies, including developmental disorders, metabolic disorders, and most significantly, cancer. A decade back most transcription factors, the key enablers of disease development, were historically viewed as 'undruggable'; however, in the intervening years, a wealth of literature validated that they can be targeted indirectly through transcriptional co-activators, their confederates in various physiological and molecular processes. These co-activators, along with transcription factors, have the ability to initiate and modulate transcription of diverse genes necessary for normal physiological functions, whereby, deregulation of such interactions may foster tissue-specific disease phenotype. Hence, it is essential to analyze how these co-activators modulate specific multilateral processes in coordination with other factors. The proposed review attempts to elaborate an in-depth account of the transcription co-activators, their involvement in transcription regulation, and context-specific contributions to pathophysiological conditions. This review also addresses an issue that has not been dealt with in a comprehensive manner and hopes to direct attention towards future research that will encompass patient-friendly therapeutic strategies, where drugs targeting co-activators will have enhanced benefits and reduced side effects. Additional insights into currently available therapeutic interventions and the associated constraints will eventually reveal multitudes of advanced therapeutic targets aiming for disease amelioration and good patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Dey Talukdar
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Urmi Chatterji
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019, West Bengal, India.
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7
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Heuts BMH, Martens JHA. Understanding blood development and leukemia using sequencing-based technologies and human cell systems. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1266697. [PMID: 37886034 PMCID: PMC10598665 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1266697] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Our current understanding of human hematopoiesis has undergone significant transformation throughout the years, challenging conventional views. The evolution of high-throughput technologies has enabled the accumulation of diverse data types, offering new avenues for investigating key regulatory processes in blood cell production and disease. In this review, we will explore the opportunities presented by these advancements for unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal hematopoiesis. Specifically, we will focus on the importance of enhancer-associated regulatory networks and highlight the crucial role of enhancer-derived transcription regulation. Additionally, we will discuss the unprecedented power of single-cell methods and the progression in using in vitro human blood differentiation system, in particular induced pluripotent stem cell models, in dissecting hematopoietic processes. Furthermore, we will explore the potential of ever more nuanced patient profiling to allow precision medicine approaches. Ultimately, we advocate for a multiparameter, regulatory network-based approach for providing a more holistic understanding of normal hematopoiesis and blood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branco M H Heuts
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Joost H A Martens
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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8
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Sharma R, Zhang C, Narendran A. The Small-Molecule E26-Transformation-Specific Inhibitor TK216 Attenuates the Oncogenic Properties of Pediatric Leukemia. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1916. [PMID: 37895265 PMCID: PMC10606408 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The E26-transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factors regulate multiple aspects of the normal hematopoietic system. There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting aberrant ETS activity and its contribution to leukemia initiation and progression. In this study, we evaluated the small-molecule ETS inhibitor TK216 and demonstrated its anti-tumor activity in pediatric leukemia. We found TK216 induced growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and inhibited the migratory capability of leukemic cells, without significantly inhibiting the cell viability of normal blood mononuclear cells. Priming the leukemic cells with 5-Azacitidine enhanced the cytotoxic effects of TK216 on pediatric leukemia cells. Importantly, we found purine-rich box1 (PU.1) to be a potential target of TK216 in myeloid and B-lymphoid leukemic cells. In addition, TK216 sharply decreased Mcl-1 protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with this, TK216 also potentiated the cytotoxic effects of Bcl-2 inhibition in venetoclax-resistant cells. The sustained survival benefit provided to leukemic cells in the presence of bone-marrow-derived conditioned media is also found to be modulated by TK216. Taken together, our data indicates that TK216 could be a promising targeted therapeutic agent for the treatment of acute myeloid and B-lymphoid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aru Narendran
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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Sun R, Wang C, Wang Y, Wu Y, Du P, Sun X, Li Q, Bi K, Jiang G. Role of miR‑let‑7c‑5p/c‑myc signaling axis in the committed differentiation of leukemic THP‑1 cells into monocytes/macrophages. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:403. [PMID: 37600342 PMCID: PMC10433716 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13989] [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: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In a preliminary experiment, it was found that c-myc expression was decreased following the differentiation of THP-1 cells into monocytes/macrophages induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate (PMA) + lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + interferon (IFN)-γ. The expression of miR-let-7c-5p was then found to be elevated by cross-sectional analysis using TargetScan and PubMed and differential microarray analysis. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the miR-let-7c-5p/c-myc signaling axis in the committed differentiation of THP-1 leukemic cells into monocytes/macrophages induced by PMA + LPS + IFN-γ. Human THP-1 leukemic cells were induced to differentiate into monocytes/macrophages by PMA + LPS + IFN-γ. Following induction for 48 h, the growth density of the THP-1 cells was observed directly under an inverted microscope, cell proliferation was measured using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the cell cycle and the expression of differentiation-related antigens (CD11b and CD14) were measured using flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of miR-let-7c-5p and c-myc was detected using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and the protein expression of c-myc was detected using western blot analysis. Dual luciferase reporter gene analysis was used to detect the targeted binding of miR-let-7c-5p on the 3'UTR of c-myc. The relative expression of miR-let-7c-5p and c-myc genes in THP-1 cells induced by PMA + LPS + IFN-γ was found to be up- and downregulated respectively, and expression of miR-let-7c-5p was negatively correlated with the expression of c-myc gene. Dual luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed that miR-let-7c-5p targeted the 3'UTR of c-myc and inhibited luciferase activity. Following transfection with miR-let-7c-5p mimics, the expression of c-myc was markedly downregulated and the proliferative ability of the THP-1 cells was decreased, while the expression rate of CD11b and CD14 was significantly increased. The rescue experiment revealed that the effects of miR-let-7c-5p mimics on the proliferation and differentiation of THP-1 cells were attenuated by transfection with c-myc overexpression vector. Together, the findings of the present study demonstrated that miR-let-7c-5p can target the 3'UTR region of c-myc and that the miR-let-7c-5p/c-myc signaling axis is one of the critical pathways involved in the directional differentiation of leukemic cells into monocytes/macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijing Sun
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Chaozhe Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Yufang Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fushan District People's Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 265500, P.R. China
| | - Yunhua Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Pengchao Du
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolin Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zibo First Hospital, Zibo, Shandong 255200, P.R. China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zibo First Hospital, Zibo, Shandong 255200, P.R. China
| | - Kehong Bi
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China
| | - Guosheng Jiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
- Department of Precision Molecular Laboratory Medicine, Zhangqiu District People's Hospital of Jinan Affiliated to Jining Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
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10
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MiRNAs in Hematopoiesis and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065436. [PMID: 36982511 PMCID: PMC10049736 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common kind of pediatric cancer. Although the cure rates in ALL have significantly increased in developed countries, still 15–20% of patients relapse, with even higher rates in developing countries. The role of non-coding RNA genes as microRNAs (miRNAs) has gained interest from researchers in regard to improving our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying ALL development, as well as identifying biomarkers with clinical relevance. Despite the wide heterogeneity reveled in miRNA studies in ALL, consistent findings give us confidence that miRNAs could be useful to discriminate between leukemia linages, immunophenotypes, molecular groups, high-risk-for-relapse groups, and poor/good responders to chemotherapy. For instance, miR-125b has been associated with prognosis and chemoresistance in ALL, miR-21 has an oncogenic role in lymphoid malignancies, and the miR-181 family can act either as a oncomiR or tumor suppressor in several hematological malignancies. However, few of these studies have explored the molecular interplay between miRNAs and their targeted genes. This review aims to state the different ways in which miRNAs could be involved in ALL and their clinical implications.
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Edginton-White B, Maytum A, Kellaway SG, Goode DK, Keane P, Pagnuco I, Assi SA, Ames L, Clarke M, Cockerill PN, Göttgens B, Cazier JB, Bonifer C. A genome-wide relay of signalling-responsive enhancers drives hematopoietic specification. Nat Commun 2023; 14:267. [PMID: 36650172 PMCID: PMC9845378 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35910-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental control of gene expression critically depends on distal cis-regulatory elements including enhancers which interact with promoters to activate gene expression. To date no global experiments have been conducted that identify their cell type and cell stage-specific activity within one developmental pathway and in a chromatin context. Here, we describe a high-throughput method that identifies thousands of differentially active cis-elements able to stimulate a minimal promoter at five stages of hematopoietic progenitor development from embryonic stem (ES) cells, which can be adapted to any ES cell derived cell type. We show that blood cell-specific gene expression is controlled by the concerted action of thousands of differentiation stage-specific sets of cis-elements which respond to cytokine signals terminating at signalling responsive transcription factors. Our work provides an important resource for studies of hematopoietic specification and highlights the mechanisms of how and where extrinsic signals program a cell type-specific chromatin landscape driving hematopoietic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Edginton-White
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK.
| | - A Maytum
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - S G Kellaway
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - D K Goode
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome and Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - P Keane
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - I Pagnuco
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Computational Biology, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - S A Assi
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - L Ames
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - M Clarke
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - P N Cockerill
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - B Göttgens
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome and Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - J B Cazier
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Computational Biology, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - C Bonifer
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK.
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12
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Wittorf KJ, Weber KK, Swenson SA, Buckley SM. Ubiquitin E3 ligase FBXO21 regulates cytokine-mediated signaling pathways, but is dispensable for steady-state hematopoiesis. Exp Hematol 2022; 114:33-42.e3. [PMID: 35987460 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2022.08.002] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic cell fate decisions such as self-renewal and differentiation are highly regulated through multiple molecular pathways. One pathway, the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), controls protein levels by tagging them with polyubiquitin chains and promoting their degradation through the proteasome. Ubiquitin E3 ligases serve as the substrate-recognition component of the UPS. By investigating the FBOX family of E3 ligases, we discovered that Fbxo21 was highly expressed in the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) population, and exhibited low to no expression in mature myeloid populations. To determine the role of FBXO21 on HSPC maintenance, self-renewal, and differentiation, we generated shRNAs against FBXO21 and a hematopoiesis-specific Fbxo21 conditional knockout (cKO) mouse model. We found that silencing FBXO21 in HSPCs led to a loss in colony formation and an increase in cell differentiation in vitro. Additionally, stressing the HSPC populations in our Fbxo21 cKO mouse with 5-fluorouracil injections resulted in a decrease in survival, despite these populations exhibiting minimal alterations during steady-state hematopoiesis. Although FBXO21 has previously been proposed to regulate cytokine signaling via ASK and p38, our results indicate that depletion of FBXO21 led to altered ERK signaling in vitro. Together, these findings suggest ubiquitin E3 ligase FBXO21 regulates HSPCs through cytokine-mediated pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karli J Wittorf
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Kasidy K Weber
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Samantha A Swenson
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Shannon M Buckley
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE.
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13
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Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Maintenance and Multiple Lineage Differentiation Is an Integral Function of NFATc1. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132012. [PMID: 35805096 PMCID: PMC9265824 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) maintenance and the differentiation of various lineages is a highly complex but precisely regulated process. Multiple signaling pathways and an array of transcription factors influence HSPC maintenance and the differentiation of individual lineages to constitute a functional hematopoietic system. Nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) family transcription factors have been studied in the context of development and function of multiple mature hematopoietic lineage cells. However, until now their contribution in HSPC physiology and HSPC differentiation to multiple hematopoietic lineages has remained poorly understood. Here, we show that NFAT proteins, specifically NFATc1, play an indispensable role in the maintenance of HSPCs. In the absence of NFATc1, very few HSPCs develop in the bone marrow, which are functionally defective. In addition to HSPC maintenance, NFATc1 also critically regulates differentiation of lymphoid, myeloid, and erythroid lineage cells from HSPCs. Deficiency of NFATc1 strongly impaired, while enhanced NFATc1 activity augmented, the differentiation of these lineages, which further attested to the vital involvement of NFATc1 in regulating hematopoiesis. Hematopoietic defects due to lack of NFATc1 activity can lead to severe pathologies such as lymphopenia, myelopenia, and a drastically reduced lifespan underlining the critical role NFATc1 plays in HSPC maintenance and in the differentaion of various lineages. Our findings suggest that NFATc1 is a critical component of the myriad signaling and transcriptional regulators that are essential to maintain normal hematopoiesis.
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Abstract
Over the past few decades, epigenetic regulators have emerged as major players in cellular processes that drive cancer initiation and progression, and subsequently modulate the responsiveness of cancers to therapeutic agents. This Special Issue of The FEBS Journal, Cancer Epigenetics, features an exciting collection of review articles that focus on the functions of a broad spectrum of epigenetic modulators in cancer. The diverse topics explored herein range from the roles of transposable elements and chromatin architecture in cancer and the most recent research advances on cancer-associated histone variants (oncohistones), to the effects of altered epigenetics on transcription and advanced cancer cell phenotypes. Moreover, the prospective key function of cancer metabolism in linking epigenetics and transcriptional regulation, and the potential of epigenetics for targeted cancer therapeutics is discussed. We hope that this collection of articles will give readers an enlightening overview of the most recent advances in the fast-moving field of cancer epigenetics.
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15
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Ghosh S, Raundhal M, Myers SA, Carr SA, Chen X, Petsko GA, Glimcher LH. Identification of RIOK2 as a master regulator of human blood cell development. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:109-121. [PMID: 34937919 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-01079-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Anemia is a major comorbidity in aging, chronic kidney and inflammatory diseases, and hematologic malignancies. However, the transcriptomic networks governing hematopoietic differentiation in blood cell development remain incompletely defined. Here we report that the atypical kinase RIOK2 (right open reading frame kinase 2) is a master transcription factor (TF) that not only drives erythroid differentiation, but also simultaneously suppresses megakaryopoiesis and myelopoiesis in primary human stem and progenitor cells. Our study reveals the previously uncharacterized winged helix-turn-helix DNA-binding domain and two transactivation domains of RIOK2 that are critical to regulate key hematopoietic TFs GATA1, GATA2, SPI1, RUNX3 and KLF1. This establishes RIOK2 as an integral component of the transcriptional regulatory network governing human hematopoietic differentiation. Importantly, RIOK2 mRNA expression significantly correlates with these TFs and other hematopoietic genes in myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia and chronic kidney disease. Further investigation of RIOK2-mediated transcriptional pathways should yield therapeutic approaches to correct defective hematopoiesis in hematologic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrestha Ghosh
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mahesh Raundhal
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Jnana Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel A Myers
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Steven A Carr
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gregory A Petsko
- Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Laurie H Glimcher
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Johari B, Moradi M. Application of Transcription Factor Decoy Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) for Cancer Therapy. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2521:207-230. [PMID: 35733000 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2441-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As a method of gene therapy, application of decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) could interfere at the pretranscription level, by blocking the transcription factors, and inhibiting their attachment to the corresponding sequences in genomic DNA. Some of the transcription factors including MYC, OCT4, SOX2, STAT3, and NANOG are associated with the stemness properties of cancer cells, and suppressing them could interfere with cellular differentiation, which synergizes the efficiency of other anticancer therapies. The use of decoy ODNs has shown to be an effective measure against various malignancies, and it has shown to have a synergic effect when it is used along with the other cancer therapy methods. Emergence of modern nanocarriers has shown to further improve the outcome of using decoy ODNs against some cancers, and it has the potential of being used for clinical applications. In this chapter, it was aimed to provide a glance of this method for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behrooz Johari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Moradi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
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