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Sportoletti P, Sorcini D, Guzman AG, Reyes JM, Stella A, Marra A, Sartori S, Brunetti L, Rossi R, Papa BD, Adamo FM, Pianigiani G, Betti C, Scialdone A, Guarente V, Spinozzi G, Tini V, Martelli MP, Goodell MA, Falini B. Bcor deficiency perturbs erythro-megakaryopoiesis and cooperates with Dnmt3a loss in acute erythroid leukemia onset in mice. Leukemia 2020; 35:1949-1963. [PMID: 33159179 PMCID: PMC8257496 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-01075-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent loss-of-function mutations of BCL6 co-repressor (BCOR) gene are found in about 4% of AML patients with normal karyotype and are associated with DNMT3a mutations and poor prognosis. Therefore, new anti-leukemia treatments and mouse models are needed for this combinatorial AML genotype. For this purpose, we first generated a Bcor-/- knockout mouse model characterized by impaired erythroid development (macrocytosis and anemia) and enhanced thrombopoiesis, which are both features of myelodysplasia/myeloproliferative neoplasms. We then created and characterized double Bcor-/-/Dnmt3a-/- knockout mice. Interestingly, these animals developed a fully penetrant acute erythroid leukemia (AEL) characterized by leukocytosis secondary to the expansion of blasts expressing c-Kit+ and the erythroid marker Ter119, macrocytic anemia and progressive reduction of the thrombocytosis associated with loss of Bcor alone. Transcriptomic analysis of double knockout bone marrow progenitors revealed that aberrant erythroid skewing was induced by epigenetic changes affecting specific transcriptional factors (GATA1-2) and cell-cycle regulators (Mdm2, Tp53). These findings prompted us to investigate the efficacy of demethylating agents in AEL, with significant impact on progressive leukemic burden and mice overall survival. Information gained from our model expands the knowledge on the biology of AEL and may help designing new rational treatments for patients suffering from this high-risk leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Sportoletti
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy.
| | - Daniele Sorcini
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Anna G Guzman
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jaime M Reyes
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Arianna Stella
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Andrea Marra
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Sara Sartori
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Brunetti
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Roberta Rossi
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Beatrice Del Papa
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Francesco Maria Adamo
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Giulia Pianigiani
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Camilla Betti
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Annarita Scialdone
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Valerio Guarente
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Giulio Spinozzi
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Valentina Tini
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Martelli
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy
| | - Margaret A Goodell
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Brunangelo Falini
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy.
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