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Windisch R, Soliman S, Hoffmann A, Chen-Wichmann L, Danese A, Vosberg S, Bravo J, Lutz S, Kellner C, Fischer A, Gebhard C, Redondo Monte E, Hartmann L, Schneider S, Beier F, Strobl CD, Weigert O, Peipp M, Schündeln M, Stricker SH, Rehli M, Bernhagen J, Humpe A, Klump H, Brendel C, Krause DS, Greif PA, Wichmann C. Engineering an inducible leukemia-associated fusion protein enables large-scale ex vivo production of functional human phagocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312499121. [PMID: 38857395 PMCID: PMC11194515 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312499121] [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: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ex vivo expansion of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells remains a challenge due to rapid differentiation after detachment from the bone marrow niche. In this study, we assessed the capacity of an inducible fusion protein to enable sustained ex vivo proliferation of hematopoietic precursors and their capacity to differentiate into functional phagocytes. We fused the coding sequences of an FK506-Binding Protein 12 (FKBP12)-derived destabilization domain (DD) to the myeloid/lymphoid lineage leukemia/eleven nineteen leukemia (MLL-ENL) fusion gene to generate the fusion protein DD-MLL-ENL and retrovirally expressed the protein switch in human CD34+ progenitors. Using Shield1, a chemical inhibitor of DD fusion protein degradation, we established large-scale and long-term expansion of late monocytic precursors. Upon Shield1 removal, the cells lost self-renewal capacity and spontaneously differentiated, even after 2.5 y of continuous ex vivo expansion. In the absence of Shield1, stimulation with IFN-γ, LPS, and GM-CSF triggered terminal differentiation. Gene expression analysis of the obtained phagocytes revealed marked similarity with naïve monocytes. In functional assays, the novel phagocytes migrated toward CCL2, attached to VCAM-1 under shear stress, produced reactive oxygen species, and engulfed bacterial particles, cellular particles, and apoptotic cells. Finally, we demonstrated Fcγ receptor recognition and phagocytosis of opsonized lymphoma cells in an antibody-dependent manner. Overall, we have established an engineered protein that, as a single factor, is useful for large-scale ex vivo production of human phagocytes. Such adjustable proteins have the potential to be applied as molecular tools to produce functional immune cells for experimental cell-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Windisch
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Sarah Soliman
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Adrian Hoffmann
- Vascular Biology, Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Linping Chen-Wichmann
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Anna Danese
- Biomedical Center, Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Sebastian Vosberg
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz8010, Austria
| | - Jimena Bravo
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main60596, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lutz
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Christian Kellner
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Alexander Fischer
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg93053, Germany
| | - Claudia Gebhard
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg93053, Germany
| | - Enric Redondo Monte
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Luise Hartmann
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Stephanie Schneider
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- Laboratory for Leukemia Diagnostics, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Fabian Beier
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Faculty University Hospital Aachen, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen52074, Germany
| | - Carolin Dorothea Strobl
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Oliver Weigert
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Matthias Peipp
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel24105, Germany
| | - Michael Schündeln
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen and the University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen45147, Germany
| | - Stefan H. Stricker
- Biomedical Center, Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Michael Rehli
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg93053, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg93053, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bernhagen
- Vascular Biology, Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Andreas Humpe
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Hannes Klump
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen45147, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapeutics, University Hospital Aachen, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen52074, Germany
| | - Christian Brendel
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Daniela S. Krause
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main60596, Germany
- Institute of General Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main60596, Germany
| | - Philipp A. Greif
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Christian Wichmann
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
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Liu Z, Hu Y, Xie H, Chen K, Wen L, Fu W, Zhou X, Tang F. Single-Cell Chromatin Accessibility Analysis Reveals the Epigenetic Basis and Signature Transcription Factors for the Molecular Subtypes of Colorectal Cancers. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:1082-1105. [PMID: 38445965 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-1445] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease, with well-characterized subtypes based on genome, DNA methylome, and transcriptome signatures. To chart the epigenetic landscape of colorectal cancers, we generated a high-quality single-cell chromatin accessibility atlas of epithelial cells for 29 patients. Abnormal chromatin states acquired in adenomas were largely retained in colorectal cancers, which were tightly accompanied by opposite changes of DNA methylation. Unsupervised analysis on malignant cells revealed two epigenetic subtypes, exactly matching the iCMS classification, and key iCMS-specific transcription factors (TFs) were identified, including HNF4A and PPARA for iCMS2 tumors and FOXA3 and MAFK for iCMS3 tumors. Notably, subtype-specific TFs bind to distinct target gene sets and contribute to both interpatient similarities and diversities for both chromatin accessibilities and RNA expressions. Moreover, we identified CpG-island methylator phenotypes and pinpointed chromatin state signatures and TF regulators for the CIMP-high subtype. Our work systematically revealed the epigenetic basis of the well-known iCMS and CIMP classifications of colorectal cancers. SIGNIFICANCE Our work revealed the epigenetic basis of the well-known iCMS and CIMP classifications of colorectal cancers. Moreover, interpatient minor similarities and major diversities of chromatin accessibility signatures of TF target genes can faithfully explain the corresponding interpatient minor similarities and major diversities of RNA expression signatures of colorectal cancers, respectively. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 897.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqiong Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Haoling Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kexuan Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Wen
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Fu
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking University Third Hospital Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking University Third Hospital Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Fuchou Tang
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Kreissig S, Windisch R, Wichmann C. Deciphering Acute Myeloid Leukemia Associated Transcription Factors in Human Primary CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells. Cells 2023; 13:78. [PMID: 38201282 PMCID: PMC10777941 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010078] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hemato-oncological diseases account for nearly 10% of all malignancies and can be classified into leukemia, lymphoma, myeloproliferative diseases, and myelodysplastic syndromes. The causes and prognosis of these disease entities are highly variable. Most entities are not permanently controllable and ultimately lead to the patient's death. At the molecular level, recurrent mutations including chromosomal translocations initiate the transformation from normal stem-/progenitor cells into malignant blasts finally floating the patient's bone marrow and blood system. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the so-called master transcription factors such as RUNX1, KMT2A, and HOX are frequently disrupted by chromosomal translocations, resulting in neomorphic oncogenic fusion genes. Triggering ex vivo expansion of primary human CD34+ stem/progenitor cells represents a distinct characteristic of such chimeric AML transcription factors. Regarding oncogenic mechanisms of AML, most studies focus on murine models. However, due to biological differences between mice and humans, findings are only partly transferable. This review focuses on the genetic manipulation of human CD34+ primary hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells derived from healthy donors to model acute myeloid leukemia cell growth. Analysis of defined single- or multi-hit human cellular AML models will elucidate molecular mechanisms of the development, maintenance, and potential molecular intervention strategies to counteract malignant human AML blast cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christian Wichmann
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (S.K.)
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Zeng Z, Fu M, Hu Y, Wei Y, Wei X, Luo M. Regulation and signaling pathways in cancer stem cells: implications for targeted therapy for cancer. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:172. [PMID: 37853437 PMCID: PMC10583419 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01877-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), initially identified in leukemia in 1994, constitute a distinct subset of tumor cells characterized by surface markers such as CD133, CD44, and ALDH. Their behavior is regulated through a complex interplay of networks, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, epigenetic, tumor microenvironment (TME), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) factors. Numerous signaling pathways were found to be involved in the regulatory network of CSCs. The maintenance of CSC characteristics plays a pivotal role in driving CSC-associated tumor metastasis and conferring resistance to therapy. Consequently, CSCs have emerged as promising targets in cancer treatment. To date, researchers have developed several anticancer agents tailored to specifically target CSCs, with some of these treatment strategies currently undergoing preclinical or clinical trials. In this review, we outline the origin and biological characteristics of CSCs, explore the regulatory networks governing CSCs, discuss the signaling pathways implicated in these networks, and investigate the influential factors contributing to therapy resistance in CSCs. Finally, we offer insights into preclinical and clinical agents designed to eliminate CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zeng
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Minyang Fu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology Nursing, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Min Luo
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China.
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5
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Lang Y, Lyu Y, Tan Y, Hu Z. Progress in construction of mouse models to investigate the pathogenesis and immune therapy of human hematological malignancy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1195194. [PMID: 37646021 PMCID: PMC10461088 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1195194] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematological malignancy is a disease arisen by complicate reasons that seriously endangers human health. The research on its pathogenesis and therapies depends on the usage of animal models. Conventional animal model cannot faithfully mirror some characteristics of human features due to the evolutionary divergence, whereas the mouse models hosting human hematological malignancy are more and more applied in basic as well as translational investigations in recent years. According to the construction methods, they can be divided into different types (e.g. cell-derived xenograft (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft model (PDX) model) that have diverse characteristics and application values. In addition, a variety of strategies have been developed to improve human hematological malignant cell engraftment and differentiation in vivo. Moreover, the humanized mouse model with both functional human immune system and autologous human hematological malignancy provides a unique tool for the evaluation of the efficacy of novel immunotherapeutic drugs/approaches. Herein, we first review the evolution of the mouse model of human hematological malignancy; Then, we analyze the characteristics of different types of models and summarize the ways to improve the models; Finally, the way and value of humanized mouse model of human immune system in the immunotherapy of human hematological malignancy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Lang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanan Lyu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yehui Tan
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zheng Hu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Doulatov S. iPSC Models of Leukemia Come of Age. Blood Cancer Discov 2023; 4:252-253. [PMID: 37067903 PMCID: PMC10320630 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-23-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY In this issue of Blood Cancer Discovery, Kotini and colleagues present a strategy for large-scale reprogramming of primary human acute myeloid leukemias (AML) to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC). They show that the hematopoietic differentiation of AML iPSCs gives rise to transplantable leukemias with remarkable molecular similarity to the original patients' AML, providing new models and insights into the disease. See related article by Kotini et al., p. 318 (7) .
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Doulatov
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Chen A, Neuwirth I, Herndler-Brandstetter D. Modeling the Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Immunotherapy in Next-Generation Humanized Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2989. [PMID: 37296949 PMCID: PMC10251926 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112989] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has brought significant clinical benefits to numerous patients with malignant disease. However, only a fraction of patients experiences complete and durable responses to currently available immunotherapies. This highlights the need for more effective immunotherapies, combination treatments and predictive biomarkers. The molecular properties of a tumor, intratumor heterogeneity and the tumor immune microenvironment decisively shape tumor evolution, metastasis and therapy resistance and are therefore key targets for precision cancer medicine. Humanized mice that support the engraftment of patient-derived tumors and recapitulate the human tumor immune microenvironment of patients represent a promising preclinical model to address fundamental questions in precision immuno-oncology and cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an overview of next-generation humanized mouse models suitable for the establishment and study of patient-derived tumors. Furthermore, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of modeling the tumor immune microenvironment and testing a variety of immunotherapeutic approaches using human immune system mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dietmar Herndler-Brandstetter
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna and Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (A.C.); (I.N.)
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Shabna A, Bindhya S, Sidhanth C, Garg M, Ganesan TS. Long non-coding RNAs: Fundamental regulators and emerging targets of cancer stem cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188899. [PMID: 37105414 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, primarily due to the dearth of efficient therapies that result in long-lasting remission. This is especially true in cases of metastatic cancer where drug resistance causes the disease to recur after treatment. One of the factors contributing to drug resistance, metastasis, and aggressiveness of the cancer is cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells. As a result, CSCs have emerged as a potential target for drug development. In the present review, we have examined and highlighted the lncRNAs with their regulatory functions specific to CSCs. Moreover, we have discussed the difficulties and various methods involved in identifying lncRNAs that can play a particular role in regulating and maintaining CSCs. Interestingly, this review only focuses on those lncRNAs with strong functional evidence for CSC specificity and the mechanistic role that allows them to be CSC regulators and be the focus of CSC-specific drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aboo Shabna
- Laboratory for Cancer Biology, Departments of Medical Oncology and Clinical Research, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai 600020, India; Laboratory for Cancer Biology, Department of Medical Oncology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 610016, India; Department of Endocrinology, Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Nutrtion, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 50007, India
| | - Sadanadhan Bindhya
- Laboratory for Cancer Biology, Departments of Medical Oncology and Clinical Research, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai 600020, India
| | - Chirukandath Sidhanth
- Laboratory for Cancer Biology, Departments of Medical Oncology and Clinical Research, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai 600020, India
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida 201301, India
| | - Trivadi S Ganesan
- Laboratory for Cancer Biology, Departments of Medical Oncology and Clinical Research, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai 600020, India; Laboratory for Cancer Biology, Department of Medical Oncology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 610016, India.
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9
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Chuprin J, Buettner H, Seedhom MO, Greiner DL, Keck JG, Ishikawa F, Shultz LD, Brehm MA. Humanized mouse models for immuno-oncology research. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:192-206. [PMID: 36635480 PMCID: PMC10593256 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00721-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment paradigm for many malignancies and is transforming the drug development landscape. Although immunotherapeutic agents have demonstrated clinical efficacy, they are associated with variable clinical responses, and substantial gaps remain in our understanding of their mechanisms of action and specific biomarkers of response. Currently, the number of preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate interactions between the human immune system and tumours and enable evaluation of human-specific immunotherapies in vivo is limited. Humanized mice, a term that refers to immunodeficient mice co-engrafted with human tumours and immune components, provide several advantages for immuno-oncology research. In this Review, we discuss the benefits and challenges of the currently available humanized mice, including specific interactions between engrafted human tumours and immune components, the development and survival of human innate immune populations in these mice, and approaches to study mice engrafted with matched patient tumours and immune cells. We highlight the latest advances in the generation of humanized mouse models, with the aim of providing a guide for their application to immuno-oncology studies with potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Chuprin
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Hannah Buettner
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Mina O Seedhom
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Dale L Greiner
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Michael A Brehm
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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10
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Jahn J, Diamond B, Hsu J, Montoya S, Totiger TM, Landgren O, Maura F, Taylor J. Therapy-selected clonal hematopoiesis and its role in myeloid neoplasms. Leuk Res 2023; 126:107020. [PMID: 36696829 PMCID: PMC11305114 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2023.107020] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN) account for approximately 10-15% of all myeloid neoplasms and are associated with poor prognosis. Genomic characterization of t-MN to date has been limited in comparison to the considerable sequencing efforts performed for de novo myeloid neoplasms. Until recently, targeted deep sequencing (TDS) or whole exome sequencing (WES) have been the primary technologies utilized and thus limited the ability to explore the landscape of structural variants and mutational signatures. In the past decade, population-level studies have identified clonal hematopoiesis as a risk factor for the development of myeloid neoplasms. However, emerging research on clonal hematopoiesis as a risk factor for developing t-MN is evolving, and much is unknown about the progression of CH to t-MN. In this work, we will review the current knowledge of the genomic landscape of t-MN, discuss background knowledge of clonal hematopoiesis gained from studies of de novo myeloid neoplasms, and examine the recent literature studying the role of therapeutic selection of CH and its evolution under the effects of antineoplastic therapy. Finally, we will discuss the potential implications on current clinical practice and the areas of focus needed for future research into therapy-selected clonal hematopoiesis in myeloid neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Jahn
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States
| | - Benjamin Diamond
- Myeloma Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States
| | - Jeffrey Hsu
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States
| | - Skye Montoya
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States
| | - Tulasigeri M Totiger
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States
| | - Ola Landgren
- Myeloma Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States
| | - Francesco Maura
- Myeloma Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States
| | - Justin Taylor
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States; Leukemia Program, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States.
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11
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Windisch R, Kreissig S, Wichmann C. Defined Human Leukemic CD34+ Liquid Cultures to Study HDAC/Transcriptional Repressor Complexes. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2589:27-49. [PMID: 36255616 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2788-4_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Defined human primary cell model systems with growth dependence on oncogenes are highly requested to investigate tumor pathogenesis and to validate pharmacological inhibitors that specifically target oncoproteins and their executing protein complex partners. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), transcription factors such as RUNX1 and MLL1, which are important for normal blood cell development, frequently harbor mutations including chromosomal translocations with other coding genes, resulting in tumor-promoting gain-of-function fusion proteins. These oncoproteins completely modify transcriptional programs, thereby inducing malignant cell phenotypes. A common theme of the chimeric gene products is their physical interaction with a variety of chromatin-modifying effector molecules, including histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). These aberrant multiprotein machineries disturb gene expression and promote malignant cell growth. In this chapter, we briefly summarize the current understanding regarding AML-associated oncogene-driven human CD34+ blood progenitor cell expansion in ex vivo liquid cultures. We provide a step-by-step protocol to establish oncogene-induced human CD34+ blood progenitor cell cultures suitable to analyze the impact of transcriptional repressor/HDAC activity in these human AML cell models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Windisch
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Hemostaseology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophie Kreissig
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Hemostaseology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Wichmann
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Hemostaseology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
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12
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Jacobs K, Doerdelmann C, Krietsch J, González-Acosta D, Mathis N, Kushinsky S, Guarino E, Gómez-Escolar C, Martinez D, Schmid JA, Leary PJ, Freire R, Ramiro AR, Eischen CM, Mendez J, Lopes M. Stress-triggered hematopoietic stem cell proliferation relies on PrimPol-mediated repriming. Mol Cell 2022; 82:4176-4188.e8. [PMID: 36152632 PMCID: PMC10251193 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell division is linked to tumorigenesis by yet-elusive mechanisms. The hematopoietic system reacts to stress by triggering hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) proliferation, which can be accompanied by chromosomal breakage in activated hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). However, whether these lesions persist in their downstream progeny and induce a canonical DNA damage response (DDR) remains unclear. Inducing HSPC proliferation by simulated viral infection, we report that the associated DNA damage is restricted to HSCs and that proliferating HSCs rewire their DDR upon endogenous and clastogen-induced damage. Combining transcriptomics, single-cell and single-molecule assays on murine bone marrow cells, we found accelerated fork progression in stimulated HSPCs, reflecting engagement of PrimPol-dependent repriming, at the expense of replication fork reversal. Ultimately, competitive bone marrow transplantation revealed the requirement of PrimPol for efficient HSC amplification and bone marrow reconstitution. Hence, fine-tuning replication fork plasticity is essential to support stem cell functionality upon proliferation stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Jacobs
- Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cyril Doerdelmann
- Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jana Krietsch
- Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel González-Acosta
- Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; DNA Replication Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicolas Mathis
- Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Saul Kushinsky
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Estrella Guarino
- DNA Replication Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Gómez-Escolar
- B Lymphocyte Biology Laboratory, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Martinez
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Biotechnology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jonas A Schmid
- Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter J Leary
- Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Functional Genomic Center Zurich, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Raimundo Freire
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain; Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain; Universidad Fernando Pessoa Canarias, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Almudena R Ramiro
- B Lymphocyte Biology Laboratory, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Christine M Eischen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Juan Mendez
- DNA Replication Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Massimo Lopes
- Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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13
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Chaudhuri A, Mohanty AK, Satpathy M. A Parallelizable Model for Analyzing Cancer Tissue Heterogeneity. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 19:2039-2048. [PMID: 34077367 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2021.3085894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In a cancer study, the heterogeneous nature of a cell population creates a lot of challenges. Efficient determination of the compositional breakup of a cell population, from gene expression measurements, is critical to the success in a cancer study. This paper presents a new model for analyzing heterogeneity in cancer tissue using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms; we aim to compute the proportion wise breakup of the cell population on a GPU. We also show that the model computation time does not depend on the input data size, because the computation required to estimate the compositional breakup are parallelized. This model uses qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) gene expression data to determine compositional breakup in the heterogeneous cell population. We test this model on synthetic data and real-world data collected from fibroblasts. We also show how well this model scales to hundreds of gene expression data.
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14
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Jiang Z, Cheng L, Wu Z, Zhou L, Wang H, Hong Q, Wu Q, Long Y, Huang Y, Xu G, Yao Y, Tang Z, Zhang Z, Yang L, Luo W, Yang J, Gong L, Liu P, Chen X, Cui S, Zhang Q, Li Y, Li P. Transforming primary human hepatocytes into hepatocellular carcinoma with genetically defined factors. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e54275. [PMID: 35437924 PMCID: PMC9171684 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202154275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression has been hampered by the lack of in vivo models. We performed a genetic screen of 10 oncogenes and genetic mutations in Fah-ablated immunodeficient mice in which primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) are used to reconstitute a functional human liver. We identified that MYC, TP53R249S , and KRASG12D are highly expressed in induced HCC (iHCC) samples. The overexpression of MYC and TP53R249S transform PHHs into iHCC in situ, though the addition of KRASG12D significantly increases the tumorigenic efficiency. iHCC, which recapitulate the histological architecture and gene expression characteristics of clinical HCC samples, reconstituted HCC after serial transplantations. Transcriptomic analysis of iHCC and PHHs showed that MUC1 and FAP are expressed in iHCC but not in normal livers. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells against these two surface markers efficiently lyse iHCC cells. The properties of iHCC model provide a biological basis for several clinical hallmarks of HCC, and iHCC may serve as a model to study HCC initiation and to identify diagnostic biomarkers and targets for cellular immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwu Jiang
- China‐New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Regeneration and Biological Therapies, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
| | - Lin Cheng
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory) Guangzhou China
| | - Zhiping Wu
- China‐New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Regeneration and Biological Therapies, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
| | - Linfu Zhou
- China‐New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Regeneration and Biological Therapies, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
| | - Haitao Wang
- Cancer Center Faculty of Health Sciences University of Macau Macau China
| | - Qilan Hong
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory) Guangzhou China
| | - Qiting Wu
- China‐New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Regeneration and Biological Therapies, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
| | - Youguo Long
- China‐New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Regeneration and Biological Therapies, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
| | - Yunlin Huang
- China‐New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Regeneration and Biological Therapies, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
| | - Gaoqi Xu
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory) Guangzhou China
| | - Yao Yao
- China‐New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Regeneration and Biological Therapies, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
| | | | - Zhenfeng Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Nutrition Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food School of Public Health Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Wei Luo
- Clinical Research Institute The First People's Hospital of Foshan Foshan Guangdong China
| | - Jie Yang
- Guangdong Women and Children Hospital Panyu, Guangzhou China
| | - Likun Gong
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhang Jiang Hi‐Tech Park Shanghai China
| | - Pentao Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Medicine Consortium Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China
| | - Xinwen Chen
- China‐New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Regeneration and Biological Therapies, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
| | - Shuzhong Cui
- Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Yinxiong Li
- China‐New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Regeneration and Biological Therapies, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
| | - Peng Li
- China‐New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Cell Regeneration and Biological Therapies, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory) Guangzhou China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation Chinese Academy of Sciences Hong Kong China
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15
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Jassinskaja M, Hansson J. The Opportunity of Proteomics to Advance the Understanding of Intra- and Extracellular Regulation of Malignant Hematopoiesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:824098. [PMID: 35350382 PMCID: PMC8957922 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.824098] [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: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal and adult hematopoiesis are regulated by largely distinct sets of cell-intrinsic gene regulatory networks as well as extracellular cues in their respective microenvironment. These ontogeny-specific programs drive hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in fetus and adult to divergent susceptibility to initiation and progression of hematological malignancies, such as leukemia. Elucidating how leukemogenic hits disturb the intra- and extracellular programs in HSPCs along ontogeny will provide a better understanding of the causes for age-associated differences in malignant hematopoiesis and facilitate the improvement of strategies for prevention and treatment of pediatric and adult acute leukemia. Here, we review current knowledge of the intrinsic and extrinsic programs regulating normal and malignant hematopoiesis, with a particular focus on the differences between infant and adult acute leukemia. We discuss the recent advances in mass spectrometry-based proteomics and its opportunity for resolving the interplay of cell-intrinsic and niche-associated factors in regulating malignant hematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jassinskaja
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Hansson
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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16
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Pei H, Guo W, Peng Y, Xiong H, Chen Y. Targeting key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation for cancer therapy: Current strategies and future prospective. Med Res Rev 2022; 42:1607-1660. [PMID: 35312190 DOI: 10.1002/med.21886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation play convergent roles in cellular homeostasis, and their dysfunction mediates aberrant gene expressions that underline the hallmarks of tumorigenesis. As tumor progression is dependent on such abnormal regulation of transcription, it is important to discover novel chemical entities as antitumor drugs that target key tumor-associated proteins involved in transcriptional regulation. Despite most key proteins (especially transcription factors) involved in transcriptional regulation are historically recognized as undruggable targets, multiple targeting approaches at diverse levels of transcriptional regulation, such as epigenetic intervention, inhibition of DNA-binding of transcriptional factors, and inhibition of the protein-protein interactions (PPIs), have been established in preclinically or clinically studies. In addition, several new approaches have recently been described, such as targeting proteasomal degradation and eliciting synthetic lethality. This review will emphasize on accentuating these developing therapeutic approaches and provide a thorough conspectus of the drug development to target key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation and their impact on future oncotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixiang Pei
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weikai Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yangrui Peng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai Xiong
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yihua Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Vanner RJ, Dobson SM, Gan OI, McLeod J, Schoof EM, Grandal I, Wintersinger JA, Garcia-Prat L, Hosseini M, Xie SZ, Jin L, Mbong N, Voisin V, Chan-Seng-Yue M, Kennedy JA, Waanders E, Morris Q, Porse B, Chan SM, Guidos CJ, Danska JS, Minden MD, Mullighan CG, Dick JE. Multiomic Profiling of Central Nervous System Leukemia Identifies mRNA Translation as a Therapeutic Target. Blood Cancer Discov 2022; 3:16-31. [PMID: 35019858 PMCID: PMC9783958 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-20-0216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) dissemination of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) has poor prognosis and remains a therapeutic challenge. Here we performed targeted DNA sequencing as well as transcriptional and proteomic profiling of paired leukemia-infiltrating cells in the bone marrow (BM) and CNS of xenografts. Genes governing mRNA translation were upregulated in CNS leukemia, and subclonal genetic profiling confirmed this in both BM-concordant and BM-discordant CNS mutational populations. CNS leukemia cells were exquisitely sensitive to the translation inhibitor omacetaxine mepesuccinate, which reduced xenograft leptomeningeal disease burden. Proteomics demonstrated greater abundance of secreted proteins in CNS-infiltrating cells, including complement component 3 (C3), and drug targeting of C3 influenced CNS disease in xenografts. CNS-infiltrating cells also exhibited selection for stemness traits and metabolic reprogramming. Overall, our study identifies targeting of mRNA translation as a potential therapeutic approach for B-ALL leptomeningeal disease. SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer metastases are often driven by distinct subclones with unique biological properties. Here we show that in B-ALL CNS disease, the leptomeningeal environment selects for cells with unique functional dependencies. Pharmacologic inhibition of mRNA translation signaling treats CNS disease and offers a new therapeutic approach for this condition.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Vanner
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephanie M Dobson
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olga I Gan
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica McLeod
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Ildiko Grandal
- Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeff A Wintersinger
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura Garcia-Prat
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohsen Hosseini
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephanie Z Xie
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liqing Jin
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathan Mbong
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Veronique Voisin
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomedical Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - James A Kennedy
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Esmé Waanders
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Quaid Morris
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomedical Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Vector Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Bo Porse
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Danish Stem Cell Centre (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steven M Chan
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cynthia J Guidos
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jayne S Danska
- Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark D Minden
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles G Mullighan
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - John E Dick
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Zeisig BB, Fung TK, Troadec E, So CWE. Reconstruction of Human AML Using Functionally and Immunophenotypically Defined Human Haematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells as Targeted Populations. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e4262. [PMID: 35087921 PMCID: PMC8720524 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a highly heterogenous blood cancer, in which the expansion of aberrant myeloid blood cells interferes with the generation and function of normal blood cells. Although key driver mutations and their associated inhibitors have been identified in the last decade, they have not been fully translated into better survival rates for AML patients, which remain dismal. In addition to DNA mutation, studies in mouse models strongly suggest that the cell of origin, where the driver mutation (such as MLL fusions) occurs, emerges as an additional factor that determines the treatment outcome in AML. To investigate its functional relevance in human disease, we have recently reported that AML driven by MLL fusions can transform immunophenotypically and functionally distinctive human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) or myeloid progenitors resulting in immunophenotypically indistinguishable human AML. Intriguingly, these cells display differential treatment sensitivities to current treatments, attesting the cell of origin as an important determinant governing treatment outcome for AML. To further facilitate this line of investigation, here we describe a comprehensive disease modelling protocol using human primary haematopoietic cells, which covers all the key steps, from the isolation of immunophenotypically defined human primary haematopoietic stem and progenitor populations, to oncogene transfer via viral transduction, the in vitro liquid culture assay, and finally the xenotransplantation into immunocompromised mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd B. Zeisig
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Tsz Kan Fung
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Estelle Troadec
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
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19
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Chiarella E, Aloisio A, Scicchitano S, Todoerti K, Cosentino EG, Lico D, Neri A, Amodio N, Bond HM, Mesuraca M. ZNF521 Enhances MLL-AF9-Dependent Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transformation in Acute Myeloid Leukemias by Altering the Gene Expression Landscape. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910814. [PMID: 34639154 PMCID: PMC8509509 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemias derived from the MLL-AF9 rearrangement rely on dysfunctional transcriptional networks. ZNF521, a transcription co-factor implicated in the control of hematopoiesis, has been proposed to sustain leukemic transformation in collaboration with other oncogenes. Here, we demonstrate that ZNF521 mRNA levels correlate with specific genetic aberrations: in particular, the highest expression is observed in AMLs bearing MLL rearrangements, while the lowest is detected in AMLs with FLT3-ITD, NPM1, or CEBPα double mutations. In cord blood-derived CD34+ cells, enforced expression of ZNF521 provides a significant proliferative advantage and enhances MLL-AF9 effects on the induction of proliferation and the expansion of leukemic progenitor cells. Transcriptome analysis of primary CD34+ cultures displayed subsets of genes up-regulated by MLL-AF9 or ZNF521 single transgene overexpression as well as in MLL-AF9/ZNF521 combinations, at either the early or late time points of an in vitro leukemogenesis model. The silencing of ZNF521 in the MLL-AF9 + THP-1 cell line coherently results in an impairment of growth and clonogenicity, recapitulating the effects observed in primary cells. Taken together, these results underscore a role for ZNF521 in sustaining the self-renewal of the immature AML compartment, most likely through the perturbation of the gene expression landscape, which ultimately favors the expansion of MLL-AF9-transformed leukemic clones.
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MESH Headings
- Apoptosis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/pathology
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein/genetics
- Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein/metabolism
- Nucleophosmin
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Prognosis
- Survival Rate
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Chiarella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (H.M.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Annamaria Aloisio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
| | - Stefania Scicchitano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
| | - Katia Todoerti
- Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (K.T.); (A.N.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela G. Cosentino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
- Exiris S.r.l., 00128 Roma, Italy
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Centre Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela Lico
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pugliese-Ciaccio Hospital, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Antonino Neri
- Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (K.T.); (A.N.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Amodio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
| | - Heather Mandy Bond
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (H.M.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Maria Mesuraca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (H.M.B.); (M.M.)
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20
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Dawes JC, Uren AG. Forward and Reverse Genetics of B Cell Malignancies: From Insertional Mutagenesis to CRISPR-Cas. Front Immunol 2021; 12:670280. [PMID: 34484175 PMCID: PMC8414522 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.670280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer genome sequencing has identified dozens of mutations with a putative role in lymphomagenesis and leukemogenesis. Validation of driver mutations responsible for B cell neoplasms is complicated by the volume of mutations worthy of investigation and by the complex ways that multiple mutations arising from different stages of B cell development can cooperate. Forward and reverse genetic strategies in mice can provide complementary validation of human driver genes and in some cases comparative genomics of these models with human tumors has directed the identification of new drivers in human malignancies. We review a collection of forward genetic screens performed using insertional mutagenesis, chemical mutagenesis and exome sequencing and discuss how the high coverage of subclonal mutations in insertional mutagenesis screens can identify cooperating mutations at rates not possible using human tumor genomes. We also compare a set of independently conducted screens from Pax5 mutant mice that converge upon a common set of mutations observed in human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We also discuss reverse genetic models and screens that use CRISPR-Cas, ORFs and shRNAs to provide high throughput in vivo proof of oncogenic function, with an emphasis on models using adoptive transfer of ex vivo cultured cells. Finally, we summarize mouse models that offer temporal regulation of candidate genes in an in vivo setting to demonstrate the potential of their encoded proteins as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna C Dawes
- Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony G Uren
- Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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21
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Liao W, Kohler ME, Fry T, Ernst P. Does lineage plasticity enable escape from CAR-T cell therapy? Lessons from MLL-r leukemia. Exp Hematol 2021; 100:1-11. [PMID: 34298117 PMCID: PMC8611617 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The clinical success of engineered, CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in relapsed, refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) has generated great enthusiasm for the use of CAR T cells in patients with cytogenetics that portend a poor prognosis with conventional cytotoxic therapies. One such group includes infants and children with mixed lineage leukemia (MLL1, KMT2A) rearrangements (MLL-r), who fare much worse than patients with low- or standard-risk B-ALL. Although early clinical trials using CD19 CAR T cells for MLL-r B-ALL produced complete remission in most patients, relapse with CD19-negative disease was a common mechanism of treatment failure. Whereas CD19neg relapse has been observed across a broad spectrum of B-ALL patients treated with CD19-directed therapy, patients with MLL-r have manifested the emergence of AML, often clonally related to the B-ALL, suggesting that the inherent heterogeneity or lineage plasticity of MLL-r B-ALL may predispose patients to a myeloid relapse. Understanding the factors that enable and drive myeloid relapse may be important to devise strategies to improve durability of remissions. In this review, we summarize clinical observations to date with MLL-r B-ALL and generally discuss lineage plasticity as a mechanism of escape from immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Liao
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. Aurora, CO
| | - M Eric Kohler
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. Aurora, CO
| | - Terry Fry
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. Aurora, CO; Immunology Department and HI3 Initiative, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. Aurora, CO
| | - Patricia Ernst
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. Aurora, CO; Pharmacology Department, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. Aurora, CO.
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22
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Shukla S, Ying W, Gray F, Yao Y, Simes ML, Zhao Q, Miao H, Cho HJ, González-Alonso P, Winkler A, Lund G, Purohit T, Kim E, Zhang X, Ray JM, He S, Nikolaidis C, Ndoj J, Wang J, Jaremko Ł, Jaremko M, Ryan RJH, Guzman ML, Grembecka J, Cierpicki T. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting Polycomb repressive complex 1 RING domain. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 17:784-793. [PMID: 34155404 PMCID: PMC8238916 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00815-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) is an essential chromatin-modifying complex that monoubiquitinates histone H2A and is involved in maintaining the repressed chromatin state. Emerging evidence suggests PRC1 activity in various cancers, rationalizing the need for small-molecule inhibitors with well-defined mechanisms of action. Here, we describe the development of compounds that directly bind to RING1B-BMI1, the heterodimeric complex constituting the E3 ligase activity of PRC1. These compounds block the association of RING1B-BMI1 with chromatin and inhibit H2A ubiquitination. Structural studies demonstrate that these inhibitors bind to RING1B by inducing the formation of a hydrophobic pocket in the RING domain. Our PRC1 inhibitor, RB-3, decreases the global level of H2A ubiquitination and induces differentiation in leukemia cell lines and primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples. In summary, we demonstrate that targeting the PRC1 RING domain with small molecules is feasible, and RB-3 represents a valuable chemical tool to study PRC1 biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirish Shukla
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Weijiang Ying
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Felicia Gray
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yiwu Yao
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Miranda L Simes
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Qingjie Zhao
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Hongzhi Miao
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Hyo Je Cho
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Alyssa Winkler
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - George Lund
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Trupta Purohit
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - EunGi Kim
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Joshua M Ray
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shihan He
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Juliano Ndoj
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jingya Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Łukasz Jaremko
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Russell J H Ryan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Monica L Guzman
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Leukemia Program, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jolanta Grembecka
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Tomasz Cierpicki
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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23
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Alwaseem H, Giovani S, Crotti M, Welle K, Jordan CT, Ghaemmaghami S, Fasan R. Comprehensive Structure-Activity Profiling of Micheliolide and its Targeted Proteome in Leukemia Cells via Probe-Guided Late-Stage C-H Functionalization. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:841-857. [PMID: 34079900 PMCID: PMC8161485 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c01624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The plant-derived sesquiterpene lactone micheliolide was recently found to possess promising antileukemic activity, including the ability to target and kill leukemia stem cells. Efforts toward improving the biological activity of micheliolide and investigating its mechanism of action have been hindered by the paucity of preexisting functional groups amenable for late-stage derivatization of this molecule. Here, we report the implementation of a probe-based P450 fingerprinting strategy to rapidly evolve engineered P450 catalysts useful for the regio- and stereoselective hydroxylation of micheliolide at two previously inaccessible aliphatic positions in this complex natural product. Via P450-mediated chemoenzymatic synthesis, a broad panel of novel micheliolide analogs could thus be obtained to gain structure-activity insights into the effect of C2, C4, and C14 substitutions on the antileukemic activity of micheliolide, ultimately leading to the discovery of "micheliologs" with improved potency against acute myelogenic leukemia cells. These late-stage C-H functionalization routes could be further leveraged to generate a panel of affinity probes for conducting a comprehensive analysis of the protein targeting profile of micheliolide in leukemia cells via chemical proteomics analyses. These studies introduce new micheliolide-based antileukemic agents and shed new light onto the biomolecular targets and mechanism of action of micheliolide in leukemia cells. More broadly, this work showcases the value of the present P450-mediated C-H functionalization strategy for streamlining the late-stage diversification and elucidation of the biomolecular targets of a complex bioactive molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Alwaseem
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Simone Giovani
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Michele Crotti
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Kevin Welle
- Mass
Spectrometry Resource Laboratory, University
of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Craig T. Jordan
- Department
of Hematology, School of Medicine, University
of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United
States
| | - Sina Ghaemmaghami
- Mass
Spectrometry Resource Laboratory, University
of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
- Department
of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Rudi Fasan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
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24
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Modeling leukemia with pediatric acute leukemia patient-derived iPSCs. Stem Cell Res 2021; 54:102404. [PMID: 34111697 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2021.102404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE ediatric acute leukemia (AL) is the most common hematological malignancy in childhood. However, the limitation of clinical specimens hindered the progress of research. Therefore, new research platforms are urgently needed to establish and clarify the pathogenesis of pediatric AL, and it is necessary to try to find novel targeted therapies for the clinical use. Here, the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from AL provide a reliable model for basic research. METHODS eukemia cells were sorted by flow cytometry and then reprogrammed into iPSCs by Sendai virus. Cell cycle assay was used to analyze cell proliferation. RESULTS iPS cell lines from T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells were successfully established. The reprogramming efficiency of AML cells was much higher than that of ALL cells. Disease iPS cells switched off the expression of the disease marker genes at iPS and HPC stage. When different subtypes of AML-iPSCs were differentiated into hematopoietic progenitor cells, iPS derived from acute megakaryocytic leukemia was more readily differentiated into megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors. Whereas, the differentiation of multipotent lymphoid progenitor (MLP) and granulocyte macrophage progenitor (GMP) were blocked. The iPS derived from acute monocyte leukemia (AMCL) also showed the differentiation of common myeloid progenitors (CMP), GMP and monocytes significantly increased but MLP differentiation was inhibited. The AML-iPSC could form teratomas and we could obverse three germ layers in vivo, indicating that the AML-iPSCs have full pluripotency. However, there were not enough blood cells in teratoma to identify the leukemia. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide a novel platform for AL research and critical insight into the difference of hematopoietic differentiation between ALL and AML.
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25
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Ozyerli‐Goknar E, Nizamuddin S, Timmers HTM. A Box of Chemistry to Inhibit the MEN1 Tumor Suppressor Gene Promoting Leukemia. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1391-1402. [PMID: 33534953 PMCID: PMC8252030 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs) with small-molecule inhibitors has become a hotbed of modern drug development. In this review, we describe a new class of PPI inhibitors that block menin from binding to MLL proteins. Menin is encoded by the MEN1 tumor suppressor, but acts as an essential cofactor for MLL/KMT2A-rearranged leukemias. The most promising menin-MLL inhibitors belong to the thienopyrimidine class and have recently entered phase I/II clinical trials for treating acute leukemias characterized by MLL/KMT2A translocations or NPM1 mutations. As single agents, thienopyrimidine compounds eradicate leukemia in a xenograft models of primary leukemic cells belonging to the MLL-rearranged or NPM1-mutant subtypes. These compounds are well tolerated with few or no side effects, which is remarkable given the tumor-suppressor function of menin. The menin-MLL inhibitors highlight how leukemia patients could benefit from a targeted epigenetic therapy with novel PPI inhibitors obtained by directed chemical evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Ozyerli‐Goknar
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Freiburg German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Department of UrologyBreisacherstrasse 6679016FreiburgGermany
| | - Sheikh Nizamuddin
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Freiburg German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Department of UrologyBreisacherstrasse 6679016FreiburgGermany
| | - H. T. Marc Timmers
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Freiburg German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Department of UrologyBreisacherstrasse 6679016FreiburgGermany
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26
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Monserrat J, Morales Torres C, Richardson L, Wilson TS, Patel H, Domart MC, Horswell S, Song OR, Jiang M, Crawford M, Bui M, Dalal Y, Scaffidi P. Disruption of the MSL complex inhibits tumour maintenance by exacerbating chromosomal instability. Nat Cell Biol 2021; 23:401-412. [PMID: 33837287 PMCID: PMC7610593 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-021-00657-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Rewiring of cellular programmes in malignant cells generates cancer-specific vulnerabilities. Here, using an unbiased screening strategy aimed at identifying non-essential genes required by tumour cells to sustain unlimited proliferative capacity, we identify the male-specific lethal (MSL) acetyltransferase complex as a vulnerability of genetically unstable cancers. We find that disruption of the MSL complex and consequent loss of the associated H4K16ac mark do not substantially alter transcriptional programmes but compromise chromosome integrity and promote chromosomal instability (CIN) that progressively exhausts the proliferative potential of cancer cells through a p53-independent mechanism. This effect is dependent on pre-existing genomic instability, and normal cells are insensitive to MSL disruption. Using cell- and patient-derived xenografts from multiple cancer types, we show that excessive CIN induced by MSL disruption inhibits tumour maintenance. Our findings suggest that targeting MSL may be a valuable means to increase CIN beyond the level tolerated by cancer cells without inducing severe adverse effects in normal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Monserrat
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Harshil Patel
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Stuart Horswell
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Ok-Ryul Song
- High Throughput Screening, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Ming Jiang
- High Throughput Screening, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Minh Bui
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yamini Dalal
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paola Scaffidi
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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27
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Manogaran P, Umapathy D, Karthikeyan M, Venkatachalam K, Singaravelu A. Dietary Phytochemicals as a Potential Source for Targeting Cancer Stem Cells. Cancer Invest 2021; 39:349-368. [PMID: 33688788 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2021.1894569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is composed of various types of cells that lead to tumor heterogeneity. In the middle of these populations, cancer stem cells play a vital role in the initiation and progression of cancer cells and are capable of self-renewal and differentiation processes. These cancer stem cells are resistant to conventional therapy such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To eradicate the cancer stem cells in the tumor environment, various natural product has been found in recent years. In this review, we have selected some of the natural products based on anticancer potential including targeting cancer cells and cancer stem cells. Further, this review explains the molecular mechanism of action of these natural products in various cancer stem cells. Therefore, targeting a multi-drug resistant cancer stem cell by natural products is a novel method to reduce drug resistance and adverse effect during conventional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasath Manogaran
- Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Devan Umapathy
- Department of Biochemistry, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India
| | | | - Karthikkumar Venkatachalam
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anbu Singaravelu
- Department of PG and Research Department of Biochemistry, Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Tirupattur, Tamilnadu, India
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28
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Zeisig BB, Fung TK, Zarowiecki M, Tsai CT, Luo H, Stanojevic B, Lynn C, Leung AYH, Zuna J, Zaliova M, Bornhauser M, von Bonin M, Lenhard B, Huang S, Mufti GJ, So CWE. Functional reconstruction of human AML reveals stem cell origin and vulnerability of treatment-resistant MLL-rearranged leukemia. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabc4822. [PMID: 33627486 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abc4822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance remains the major challenge for successful treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although recent mouse studies suggest that treatment response of genetically and immunophenotypically indistinguishable AML can be influenced by their different cells of origin, corresponding evidence in human disease is still largely lacking. By combining prospective disease modeling using highly purified human hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells with retrospective deconvolution study of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) from primary patient samples, we identified human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) as two distinctive origins of human AML driven by Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene fusions (MLL-AML). Despite LSCs from either MLL-rearranged HSCs or MLL-rearranged CMPs having a mature CD34-/lo/CD38+ immunophenotype in both a humanized mouse model and primary patient samples, the resulting AML cells exhibited contrasting responses to chemotherapy. HSC-derived MLL-AML was highly resistant to chemotherapy and expressed elevated amounts of the multispecific anion transporter ABCC3. Inhibition of ABCC3 by shRNA-mediated knockdown or with small-molecule inhibitor fidaxomicin, currently used for diarrhea associated with Clostridium difficile infection, effectively resensitized HSC-derived MLL-AML toward standard chemotherapeutic drugs. This study not only functionally established two distinctive origins of human LSCs for MLL-AML and their role in mediating chemoresistance but also identified a potential therapeutic avenue for stem cell-associated treatment resistance by repurposing a well-tolerated antidiarrhea drug already used in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd B Zeisig
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College, London SE5 9NU, UK
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK
| | - Tsz Kan Fung
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College, London SE5 9NU, UK
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK
| | - Magdalena Zarowiecki
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Chiou Tsun Tsai
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Huacheng Luo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Boban Stanojevic
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College, London SE5 9NU, UK
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Science, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Claire Lynn
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Anskar Y H Leung
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, HKSAR, China
| | - Jan Zuna
- CLIP, Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Zaliova
- CLIP, Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | | | - Malte von Bonin
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Boris Lenhard
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
- Computational Regulatory Genomics, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London W12 0NN, UK
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, N-5008 Bergen, Norway
| | - Suming Huang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Ghulam J Mufti
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College, London SE5 9NU, UK
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College, London SE5 9NU, UK.
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK
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29
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Milan T, Celton M, Lagacé K, Roques É, Safa-Tahar-Henni S, Bresson E, Bergeron A, Hebert J, Meshinchi S, Cellot S, Barabé F, Wilhelm BT. Epigenetic changes in human model KMT2A leukemias highlight early events during leukemogenesis. Haematologica 2020; 107:86-99. [PMID: 33375773 PMCID: PMC8719083 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.271619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations involving the KMT2A gene are among the most common genetic alterations found in pediatric acute myeloid leukemias although the molecular mechanisms that initiate the disease remain incompletely defined. To elucidate these initiating events we used a human model system of acute myeloid leukemia driven by the KMT2A-MLLT3 (KM3) fusion. More specifically, we investigated changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin accessibility at each stage of our model system and correlated these with expression changes. We observed the development of a pronounced hypomethyl - ation phenotype in the early stages of leukemic transformation after KM3 addition along with loss of expression of stem-cell-associated genes and skewed expression of other genes, such as S100A8/9, implicated in leukemogenesis. In addition, early increases in the expression of the lysine demethylase KDM4B was functionally linked to these expression changes as well as other key transcription factors. Remarkably, our ATAC-sequencing data showed that there were relatively few leukemia-specific changes and that the vast majority corresponded to open chromatin regions and transcription factor clusters previously observed in other cell types. Integration of the gene expression and epigenetic changes revealed that the adenylate cyclase gene ADCY9 is an essential gene in KM3-acute myeloid leukemia, and suggested the potential for autocrine signaling through the chemokine receptor CCR1 and CCL23 ligand. Collectively, our results suggest that KM3 induces subtle changes in the epigenome while co-opting the normal transcriptional machinery to drive leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Milan
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC
| | - Magalie Celton
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC
| | - Karine Lagacé
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC
| | - Élodie Roques
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC
| | - Safia Safa-Tahar-Henni
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC
| | - Eva Bresson
- Centre de recherche en infectiologie du CHUL, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; CHU de Québec - Université Laval - Hôpital Enfant-Jésus; Québec City, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC
| | - Anne Bergeron
- Centre de recherche en infectiologie du CHUL, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; CHU de Québec - Université Laval - Hôpital Enfant-Jésus; Québec City, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC
| | - Josée Hebert
- Division of Hematology-Oncology and Leukemia Cell Bank of Quebec, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC
| | - Soheil Meshinchi
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sonia Cellot
- Department of pediatrics, division of Hematology, Ste-Justine Hospital, Montréal, QC
| | - Frédéric Barabé
- Centre de recherche en infectiologie du CHUL, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; CHU de Québec - Université Laval - Hôpital Enfant-Jésus; Québec City, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC
| | - Brian T Wilhelm
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC.
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Sun L, Jin CH, Tan S, Liu W, Yang YG. Human Immune System Mice With Autologous Tumor for Modeling Cancer Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2020; 11:591669. [PMID: 33133105 PMCID: PMC7578411 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.591669] [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: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models are the most commonly used in vivo system for biomedical research, in which immune-related diseases and therapies can be investigated in syngeneic and immunologically intact hosts. However, because there are significant differences between rodent and human, most findings from conventional mouse models cannot be applied to humans. The humanized mouse with a functional human immune system, also referred to as human immune system (HIS) mouse, is the only model available to date for in vivo studies in real-time of human immune function under physiological and pathological conditions. HIS mice with human tumor xenografts are considered an emerging and promising in vivo model for modeling human cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we briefly discuss the protocols to construct HIS mice and elaborate their pros and cons. Particular attention is given to HIS mouse models with human tumor that is autologous or genetically identical to the human immune system, which are discussed with examples of their usefulness in modeling human cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liguang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chun-Hui Jin
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shulian Tan
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wentao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yong-Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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31
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Tian H, Lyu Y, Yang YG, Hu Z. Humanized Rodent Models for Cancer Research. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1696. [PMID: 33042811 PMCID: PMC7518015 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As one of the most popular laboratory animal models, rodents have been playing crucial roles in mechanistic investigations of oncogenesis as well as anticancer drug or regimen discoveries. However, rodent tumors show different or no responses to therapies against human cancers, and thus, in recent years, increased attention has been given to mouse models with xenografted or spontaneous human cancer cells. By combining with the human immune system (HIS) mice, these models have become more sophisticated and robust, enabling in vivo exploration of human cancer immunology and immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize the pros and cons of these humanized mouse models, with a focus on their potential as an in vivo platform for human cancer research. We also discuss the strategies for further improving these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Tian
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China
| | - Yanan Lyu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China
| | - Yong-Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China.,International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zheng Hu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China
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32
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High-efficiency CRISPR induction of t(9;11) chromosomal translocations and acute leukemias in human blood stem cells. Blood Adv 2020; 3:2825-2835. [PMID: 31582391 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal rearrangements involving the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene, also known as KMT2A, are often observed in human leukemias and are generally associated with a poor prognosis. To model these leukemias, we applied clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 gene editing to induce MLL chromosomal rearrangements in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells purified from umbilical cord blood. Electroporation of ribonucleoprotein complexes containing chemically modified synthetic single guide RNAs and purified Cas9 protein induced translocations between chromosomes 9 and 11 [t(9;11)] at an efficiency >1%. Transplantation of gene-edited cells into immune-compromised mice rapidly induced acute leukemias of different lineages and often with multiclonal origins dictated by the duration of in vitro culture prior to transplantation. Breakpoint junction sequences served as biomarkers to monitor clonal selection and progression in culture and in vivo. High-dimensional cell surface and intracellular protein analysis by mass cytometry (CyTOF) revealed that gene-edited leukemias recapitulated disease-specific protein expression observed in human patients and showed that MLL-rearranged (MLLr) mixed phenotype acute leukemias (MPALs) were more similar to acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) than to acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs). Therefore, highly efficient generation of MLL chromosomal translocations in primary human blood stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9 reliably models human acute MLLr leukemia and provides an experimental platform for basic and translational studies of leukemia biology and therapeutics.
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Ammendola M, Currò G, Memeo R, Curto LS, Luposella M, Zuccalà V, Pessaux P, Navarra G, Gadaleta CD, Ranieri G. Targeting Stem Cells with Hyperthermia: Translational Relevance in Cancer Patients. Oncology 2020; 98:755-762. [PMID: 32784294 DOI: 10.1159/000509039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor recurrences or metastases remain a major hurdle in improving overall cancer survival. In anticancer therapy, some patients inevitably develop chemo-/radiotherapy resistance at some point. Cancer stem cells are the driving force of tumorigenesis, recurrences, and metastases, contributing also to the failure of some cancer treatments. SUMMARY Emergent evidence suggests that stem cell diseases are at the base of human cancers, and tumor progression and chemo-/radiotherapy resistance may be dependent on just a small subpopulation of cancer stem cells. Hyperthermia can be a strong cancer treatment, especially when combined with radio- or chemotherapy. It is a relatively safe therapy, may kill or weaken tumor cells, and significantly increases the effectiveness of other treatments. However, these mechanisms remain largely unknown. A literature search was performed using PubMed including cited English publications. The search was last conducted in December 2019. Search phrases included "stem cells," "hyperthermia," "cancer," and "therapy." Abstracts, letters, editorials, and expert opinions were not considered for the drafting of the study. Key Message: Our goal was to focus on and to summarize different biological features of cancer stem cells and new therapeutic approaches using hyperthermia and its potential translation to human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Ammendola
- Science of Health Department, Digestive Surgery Unit, University "Magna Graecia" Medical School, Catanzaro, Italy,
| | - Giuseppe Currò
- Science of Health Department, Digestive Surgery Unit, University "Magna Graecia" Medical School, Catanzaro, Italy.,Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Evolutive Age, Surgical Oncology Division, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Riccardo Memeo
- Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgical Unit, "F. Miulli" Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Lucia Stella Curto
- Science of Health Department, Digestive Surgery Unit, University "Magna Graecia" Medical School, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Luposella
- Cardiovascular Disease Unit, "San Giovanni di Dio" Hospital, Crotone, Italy
| | - Valeria Zuccalà
- Science of Health Department, Digestive Surgery Unit, University "Magna Graecia" Medical School, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Patrick Pessaux
- Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgical Unit, General, Digestive and Endocrine Surgery, IRCAD, IHU Mix-Surg, Institute for Minimally Invasive Image-Guided Surgery, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Giuseppe Navarra
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Evolutive Age, Surgical Oncology Division, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Cosmo Damiano Gadaleta
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit with Integrated Section of Translational Medical Oncology, National Cancer Research Centre, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Girolamo Ranieri
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit with Integrated Section of Translational Medical Oncology, National Cancer Research Centre, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
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Antunes ETB, Ottersbach K. The MLL/SET family and haematopoiesis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194579. [PMID: 32389825 PMCID: PMC7294230 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As demonstrated through early work in Drosophila, members of the MLL/SET family play essential roles during embryonic development through their participation in large protein complexes that are central to epigenetic regulation of gene expression. One of its members, MLL1, has additionally received a lot of attention as it is a potent oncogenic driver in different types of leukaemia when aberrantly fused to a large variety of partners as a result of chromosomal translocations. Its exclusive association with cancers of the haematopoietic system has prompted a large number of investigations into the role of MLL/SET proteins in haematopoiesis, a summary of which was attempted in this review. Interestingly, MLL-rearranged leukaemias are particularly prominent in infant and paediatric leukaemia, which commonly initiate in utero. This, together with the known function of MLL/SET proteins in embryonic development, has focussed research efforts in recent years on understanding the role of this protein family in developmental haematopoiesis and how this may be subverted by MLL oncofusions in infant leukaemia. A detailed understanding of these prenatal events is essential for the development of new treatments that improve the survival specifically of this very young patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric T B Antunes
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Katrin Ottersbach
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
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35
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Effective drug treatment identified by in vivo screening in a transplantable patient-derived xenograft model of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Leukemia 2020; 34:2951-2963. [PMID: 32576961 PMCID: PMC7116758 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-0929-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To establish novel and effective treatment combinations for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) preclinically, we hypothesized that supplementation of CMML cells with the human oncogene Meningioma 1 (MN1) promotes expansion and serial transplantability in mice, while maintaining the functional dependencies of these cells on their original genetic profile. Using lentiviral expression of MN1 for oncogenic supplementation and transplanting transduced primary mononuclear CMML cells into immunocompromised mice, we established three serially transplantable CMML-PDX models with disease-related gene mutations that recapitulate the disease in vivo. Ectopic MN1 expression was confirmed to enhance the proliferation of CMML cells, which otherwise did not engraft upon secondary transplantation. Furthermore, MN1-supplemented CMML cells were serially transplantable into recipient mice up to 5 generations. This robust engraftment enabled an in vivo RNA interference screening targeting CMML-related mutated genes including NRAS, confirming that their functional relevance is preserved in the presence of MN1. The novel combination treatment with azacitidine and the MEK-inhibitor trametinib additively inhibited ERK-phosphorylation and thus depleted the signal from mutated NRAS. The combination treatment significantly prolonged survival of CMML mice compared to single-agent treatment. Thus, we identified the combination of azacitidine and trametinib as an effective treatment in NRAS-mutated CMML and propose its clinical development.
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36
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Secker KA, Bruns L, Keppeler H, Jeong J, Hentrich T, Schulze-Hentrich JM, Mankel B, Fend F, Schneidawind D, Schneidawind C. Only Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells from Cord Blood Are Susceptible to Malignant Transformation by MLL-AF4 Translocations. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061487. [PMID: 32517300 PMCID: PMC7352867 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) (KMT2A) rearrangements (KMT2Ar) play a crucial role in leukemogenesis. Dependent on age, major differences exist regarding disease frequency, main fusion partners and prognosis. In infants, up to 80% of acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) bear a MLL translocation and half of them are t(4;11), resulting in a poor prognosis. In contrast, in adults only 10% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) bear t(9;11) with an intermediate prognosis. The reasons for these differences are poorly understood. Recently, we established an efficient CRISPR/Cas9-based KMT2Ar model in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) derived from human cord blood (huCB) and faithfully mimicked the underlying biology of the disease. Here, we applied this model to HSPCs from adult bone marrow (huBM) to investigate the impact of the cell of origin and fusion partner on disease development. Both genome-edited infant and adult KMT2Ar cells showed monoclonal outgrowth with an immature morphology, myelomonocytic phenotype and elevated KMT2Ar target gene expression comparable to patient cells. Strikingly, all KMT2Ar cells presented with indefinite growth potential except for MLL-AF4 huBM cells ceasing proliferation after 80 days. We uncovered FFAR2, an epigenetic tumor suppressor, as potentially responsible for the inability of MLL-AF4 to immortalize adult cells under myeloid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy-Ann Secker
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.-A.S.); (L.B.); (H.K.); (D.S.)
| | - Lukas Bruns
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.-A.S.); (L.B.); (H.K.); (D.S.)
| | - Hildegard Keppeler
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.-A.S.); (L.B.); (H.K.); (D.S.)
| | - Johan Jeong
- Synthego Corporation, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA;
| | - Thomas Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (T.H.); (J.M.S.-H.)
| | - Julia M. Schulze-Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (T.H.); (J.M.S.-H.)
| | - Barbara Mankel
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (B.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Falko Fend
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (B.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Dominik Schneidawind
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.-A.S.); (L.B.); (H.K.); (D.S.)
| | - Corina Schneidawind
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.-A.S.); (L.B.); (H.K.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-7071-29-84319
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Chiarella E, Codispoti B, Aloisio A, Cosentino EG, Scicchitano S, Montalcini Y, Lico D, Morrone G, Mesuraca M, Bond HM. Zoledronic acid inhibits the growth of leukemic MLL-AF9 transformed hematopoietic cells. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04020. [PMID: 32529062 PMCID: PMC7283156 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A leukemic in vitro model produced by transducing Cord Blood derived-hematopoietic CD34+ cells with the MLL-AF9 translocation resulting in the oncogenic fusion protein, is used to assess for sensitivity to Zoledronic acid. These cells are practically immortalized and are of myeloid origin. Proliferation, clonogenic and stromal co-culture assays showed that the MLL-AF9 cells were considerably more sensitive to Zoledronic acid than normal hematopoietic CD34+ cells or MS-5 stromal cells. The MLL-AF9 cells were notably more inhibited by Zoledronic acid when cultured as colonies in 3 dimensions, requiring cell-cell contacts compared to suspension expansion cultures. This is coherent with the mechanism of action of Zoledronic acid inhibiting farnesyl diphosphate synthase which results in a block in prenylation of GTPases such that their role in the membrane is compromised for cell-cell contacts. Zoledronic acid can be proposed to target the MLL-AF9 leukemic stem cells before they emerge from the hematopoietic niche, which being in proximity to bone osteoclasts where Zoledronic acid is sequestered can be predicted to result in sufficient levels to result in an anti-leukemic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Chiarella
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Bruna Codispoti
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.,Tecnologica Research Institute-Marrelli Health, 88900 Crotone, Italy
| | - Annamaria Aloisio
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuela G Cosentino
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.,Exiris S.r.l., 00128 Roma, Italy
| | - Stefania Scicchitano
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ylenia Montalcini
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Daniela Lico
- Department of Obstetrics & Ginecology, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovanni Morrone
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Mesuraca
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Heather M Bond
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Development of embryonic and adult leukemia mouse models driven by MLL-ENL translocation. Exp Hematol 2020; 85:13-19. [PMID: 32437911 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2020.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Rearrangements involving the mixed lineage leukemia gene (MLL) are found in the majority of leukemias that develop within the first year of age, known as infant leukemias, and likely originate during prenatal life. MLL rearrangements are also present in about 10% of other pediatric and adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). These translocations and others occurring in early life are associated with a dismal prognosis compared with adult leukemias carrying the same translocations. This observation suggests that infant and adult leukemias are biologically distinct but the underlying molecular mechanisms for these differences are not understood. In this work, we induced the same MLL chromosomal translocation in the embryo at the time of fetal liver hematopoiesis and in the adult hematopoietic tissues to develop disease models in mice that recapitulate human infant and adult leukemias, respectively. We successfully obtained myeloid leukemia in adult mice after MLL-ENL recombination induction using the interferon inducible Mx1-Cre line. Using this same Cre line, we generated embryonic MLL-ENL leukemias, which were more aggressive than the corresponding adult leukemias. In conclusion, we have developed a novel MLL-ENL embryonic leukemia model in mice that can be used to study some aspects of infant leukemia ontogeny.
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MLL-rearranged infant leukaemia: A 'thorn in the side' of a remarkable success story. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194564. [PMID: 32376390 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Advances in treatment of childhood leukaemia has led to vastly improved survival rates, however some subtypes such as those characterised by MLL gene rearrangement (MLL-r), especially in infants, continue to have high relapse rates and poor survival. Natural history and molecular studies indicate that infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) originates in utero, is distinct from childhood ALL, and most cases are caused by MLL-r resulting in an oncogenic MLL fusion protein. Unlike childhood ALL, only a very small number of additional mutations are present in infant ALL, indicating that MLL-r alone may be sufficient to give rise to this rapid onset, aggressive leukaemia in an appropriate fetal cell context. Despite modifications in treatment approaches, the outcome of MLL-r infant ALL has remained dismal and a clear understanding of the underlying biology of the disease is required in order to develop appropriate disease models and more effective therapeutic strategies.
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40
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Schwaller J. Learning from mouse models of MLL fusion gene-driven acute leukemia. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194550. [PMID: 32320749 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
5-10% of human acute leukemias carry chromosomal translocations involving the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene that result in the expression of chimeric protein fusing MLL to >80 different partners of which AF4, ENL and AF9 are the most prevalent. In contrast to many other leukemia-associated mutations, several MLL-fusions are powerful oncogenes that transform hematopoietic stem cells but also more committed progenitor cells. Here, I review different approaches that were used to express MLL fusions in the murine hematopoietic system which often, but not always, resulted in highly penetrant and transplantable leukemias that closely phenocopied the human disease. Due to its simple and reliable nature, reconstitution of irradiated mice with bone marrow cells retrovirally expressing the MLL-AF9 fusion became the most frequently in vivo model to study the biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I review some of the most influential studies that used this model to dissect critical protein interactions, the impact of epigenetic regulators, microRNAs and microenvironment-dependent signals for MLL fusion-driven leukemia. In addition, I highlight studies that used this model for shRNA- or genome editing-based screens for cellular vulnerabilities that allowed to identify novel therapeutic targets of which some entered clinical trials. Finally, I discuss some inherent characteristics of the widely used mouse model based on retroviral expression of the MLL-AF9 fusion that can limit general conclusions for the biology of AML. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The MLL family of proteins in normal development and disease edited by Thomas A Milne.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juerg Schwaller
- University Children's Hospital Beider Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Switzerland.
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41
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Morales Torres C, Wu MY, Hobor S, Wainwright EN, Martin MJ, Patel H, Grey W, Grönroos E, Howell S, Carvalho J, Snijders AP, Bustin M, Bonnet D, Smith PD, Swanton C, Howell M, Scaffidi P. Selective inhibition of cancer cell self-renewal through a Quisinostat-histone H1.0 axis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1792. [PMID: 32286289 PMCID: PMC7156485 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15615-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuous cancer growth is driven by subsets of self-renewing malignant cells. Targeting of uncontrolled self-renewal through inhibition of stem cell-related signaling pathways has proven challenging. Here, we show that cancer cells can be selectively deprived of self-renewal ability by interfering with their epigenetic state. Re-expression of histone H1.0, a tumor-suppressive factor that inhibits cancer cell self-renewal in many cancer types, can be broadly induced by the clinically well-tolerated compound Quisinostat. Through H1.0, Quisinostat inhibits cancer cell self-renewal and halts tumor maintenance without affecting normal stem cell function. Quisinostat also hinders expansion of cells surviving targeted therapy, independently of the cancer types and the resistance mechanism, and inhibits disease relapse in mouse models of lung cancer. Our results identify H1.0 as a major mediator of Quisinostat's antitumor effect and suggest that sequential administration of targeted therapy and Quisinostat may be a broadly applicable strategy to induce a prolonged response in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary Y Wu
- High-Throughput Screening, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Sebastijan Hobor
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | | | | | - Harshil Patel
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - William Grey
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Eva Grönroos
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Steven Howell
- Proteomics, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Joana Carvalho
- Experimental Histopathology, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | | | - Michael Bustin
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Dominique Bonnet
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Paul D Smith
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Michael Howell
- High-Throughput Screening, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Paola Scaffidi
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
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42
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Noronha N, Ehx G, Meunier M, Laverdure J, Thériault C, Perreault C. Major multilevel molecular divergence between THP‐1 cells from different biorepositories. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:2000-2006. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nandita Noronha
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC)Université de Montréal Montreal QC Canada
| | - Grégory Ehx
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC)Université de Montréal Montreal QC Canada
| | | | - Jean‐Philippe Laverdure
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC)Université de Montréal Montreal QC Canada
| | - Catherine Thériault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC)Université de Montréal Montreal QC Canada
| | - Claude Perreault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC)Université de Montréal Montreal QC Canada
- Department of MedicineUniversité de Montréal Montreal QC Canada
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Mouse acute leukemia develops independent of self-renewal and differentiation potentials in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Blood Adv 2020; 3:419-431. [PMID: 30733302 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018022400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell of origin, defined as the normal cell in which the transformation event first occurs, is poorly identified in leukemia, despite its importance in understanding of leukemogenesis and improving leukemia therapy. Although hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) were used for leukemia models, whether their self-renewal and differentiation potentials influence the initiation and development of leukemia is largely unknown. In this study, the self-renewal and differentiation potentials in 2 distinct types of HSCs (HSC1 [CD150+CD41-CD34-Lineage-Sca-1+c-Kit+ cells] and HSC2 [CD150-CD41-CD34-Lineage-Sca-1+c-Kit+ cells]) and 3 distinct types of HPCs (HPC1 [CD150+CD41+CD34-Lineage-Sca-1+c-Kit+ cells], HPC2 [CD150+CD41+CD34+Lineage-Sca-1+c-Kit+ cells], and HPC3 [CD150-CD41-CD34+Lineage-Sca-1+c-Kit+ cells]) were isolated from adult mouse bone marrow, and examined by competitive repopulation assay. Then, cells from each population were retrovirally transduced to initiate MLL-AF9 acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and the intracellular domain of NOTCH-1 T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). AML and T-ALL similarly developed from all HSC and HPC populations, suggesting multiple cellular origins of leukemia. New leukemic stem cells (LSCs) were also identified in these AML and T-ALL models. Notably, switching between immunophenotypical immature and mature LSCs was observed, suggesting that heterogeneous LSCs play a role in the expansion and maintenance of leukemia. Based on this mouse model study, we propose that acute leukemia arises from multiple cells of origin independent of the self-renewal and differentiation potentials in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and is amplified by LSC switchover.
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Epigenetic changes in FOXO3 and CHEK2 genes and their correlation with clinicopathological findings in myelodysplastic syndromes. Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther 2020; 13:214-219. [PMID: 32217071 DOI: 10.1016/j.hemonc.2019.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/BACKGROUND Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a heterogeneous disease in terms of clinical course and response to therapy. Epigenetic changes are the primary mechanism of MDS pathogenesis. FOXO3 and CHEK2 genes play significant roles in normal cellular mechanisms and are also known as tumor suppressor genes. We aimed to clarify the correlation of epigenetic changes in these genes with clinicopathologic findings in MDS. METHODS A total of 54 newly diagnosed MDS patients referred to Shariati and Firouzgar Hospitals (Tehran, Iran) were included in the study from 2013 to 2015, comprising the following cases: 26 with refractory cytopenia with unilineage dysplasia, 10 with refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia, four refractory anemia with excess blasts-1 (RAEB-1), 11 refractory anemia with excess blasts-2 (RAEB-2), and three MDS associated with isolated deletion (5q-). Risk groups were determined according to the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R). The methylation status of CHEK2 and FOXO3 promoters were determined by methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting analysis of sodium bisulfite-converted DNA. Expressions of CHEK2, FOXO3, and GAPDH were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and fold changes were calculated using the ΔΔCT method. RESULTS Statistical analysis revealed no promoter methylation of CHEK2 and FOXO3 in healthy control specimens. FOXO3 promoter methylation was associated with high-risk World Health Organization subgroups (p = .017), high-risk IPSS-R (p = .007), high-risk cytogenetics (p = .045), and more than 5% blasts in bone marrow (p = .001). CHEK2 promoter methylation was correlated with more than 5% blasts in bone marrow (p = .009). CONCLUSIONS Promoter methylation of CHEK2 and especially FOXO3 is associated with adverse clinicopathological findings and disease progression in MDS.
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45
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Abstract
Mutated or dysregulated transcription factors represent a unique class of drug targets that mediate aberrant gene expression, including blockade of differentiation and cell death gene expression programmes, hallmark properties of cancers. Transcription factor activity is altered in numerous cancer types via various direct mechanisms including chromosomal translocations, gene amplification or deletion, point mutations and alteration of expression, as well as indirectly through non-coding DNA mutations that affect transcription factor binding. Multiple approaches to target transcription factor activity have been demonstrated, preclinically and, in some cases, clinically, including inhibition of transcription factor-cofactor protein-protein interactions, inhibition of transcription factor-DNA binding and modulation of levels of transcription factor activity by altering levels of ubiquitylation and subsequent proteasome degradation or by inhibition of regulators of transcription factor expression. In addition, several new approaches to targeting transcription factors have recently emerged including modulation of auto-inhibition, proteolysis targeting chimaeras (PROTACs), use of cysteine reactive inhibitors, targeting intrinsically disordered regions of transcription factors and combinations of transcription factor inhibitors with kinase inhibitors to block the development of resistance. These innovations in drug development hold great promise to yield agents with unique properties that are likely to impact future cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Bushweller
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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46
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Inhibition of DOT1L and PRMT5 promote synergistic anti-tumor activity in a human MLL leukemia model induced by CRISPR/Cas9. Oncogene 2019; 38:7181-7195. [PMID: 31417187 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0937-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
MLL rearrangements play a crucial role in leukemogenesis and comprise a poor prognosis. Therefore, new treatment strategies are urgently needed. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate an innovative leukemia model based on 100% pure MLL-AF4 or -AF9 rearranged cells derived from umbilical cord blood with indefinite growth in cell culture systems. Our model shared phenotypical, morphological and molecular features of patient cells faithfully mimicking the nature of the disease. Thus, it serves as a fundamental basis for pharmacological studies: inhibition of histone methyltransferase disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L) is one specific therapeutic approach currently tested in clinical trials. However, success was limited by restricted response warranting further investigation of drug combinations. Recently, it has been shown that the inhibition of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) exhibits anti-tumoral activity against human cell lines and in MLL mouse models. Here, we used DOT1L and PRMT5 inhibitors in our human MLL-rearranged model demonstrating dose-dependent reduced proliferation, impairment of cell cycle, increasing differentiation, apoptosis, downregulation of target genes and sensitization to chemotherapy. Strikingly, the combination of both compounds led to synergistic anti-tumoral effects. Our study provides a strong rationale for novel targeted combination therapies to improve the outcome of MLL-rearranged leukemias.
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47
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Skayneh H, Jishi B, Hleihel R, Hamieh M, Darwiche N, Bazarbachi A, El Sabban M, El Hajj H. A Critical Review of Animal Models Used in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Pathophysiology. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E614. [PMID: 31412687 PMCID: PMC6722578 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most frequent, complex, and heterogeneous hematological malignancies. AML prognosis largely depends on acquired cytogenetic, epigenetic, and molecular abnormalities. Despite the improvement in understanding the biology of AML, survival rates remain quite low. Animal models offer a valuable tool to recapitulate different AML subtypes, and to assess the potential role of novel and known mutations in disease progression. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of select available AML animal models. These include the non-mammalian Zebrafish and Drosophila models as well as the mammalian rodent systems, comprising rats and mice. The suitability of each animal model, its contribution to the advancement of knowledge in AML pathophysiology and treatment, as well as its advantages and limitations are discussed. Despite some limitations, animal models represent a powerful approach to assess toxicity, and permit the design of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala Skayneh
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Batoul Jishi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Rita Hleihel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Maguy Hamieh
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Nadine Darwiche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Ali Bazarbachi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Marwan El Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon.
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon.
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48
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The Impact of PI3-kinase/RAS Pathway Cooperating Mutations in the Evolution of KMT2A-rearranged Leukemia. Hemasphere 2019; 3:e195. [PMID: 31723831 PMCID: PMC6746018 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemia is an evolutionary disease and evolves by the accrual of mutations within a clone. Those mutations that are systematically found in all the patients affected by a certain leukemia are called "drivers" as they are necessary to drive the development of leukemia. Those ones that accumulate over time but are different from patient to patient and, therefore, are not essential for leukemia development are called "passengers." The first studies highlighting a potential cooperating role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/RAS pathway mutations in the phenotype of KMT2A-rearranged leukemia was published 20 years ago. The recent development in more sensitive sequencing technologies has contributed to clarify the contribution of these mutations to the evolution of KMT2A-rearranged leukemia and suggested that these mutations might confer clonal fitness and enhance the evolvability of KMT2A-leukemic cells. This is of particular interest since this pathway can be targeted offering potential novel therapeutic strategies to KMT2A-leukemic patients. This review summarizes the recent progress on our understanding of the role of PI3K/RAS pathway mutations in initiation, maintenance, and relapse of KMT2A-rearranged leukemia.
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Milan T, Canaj H, Villeneuve C, Ghosh A, Barabé F, Cellot S, Wilhelm BT. Pediatric leukemia: Moving toward more accurate models. Exp Hematol 2019; 74:1-12. [PMID: 31154068 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia is a complex genetic disease caused by errors in differentiation, growth, and apoptosis of hematopoietic cells in either lymphoid or myeloid lineages. Large-scale genomic characterization of thousands of leukemia patients has produced a tremendous amount of data that have enabled a better understanding of the differences between adult and pediatric patients. For instance, although phenotypically similar, pediatric and adult myeloid leukemia patients differ in their mutational profiles, typically involving either chromosomal translocations or recurrent single-base-pair mutations, respectively. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the biology of this cancer, continual efforts have been made to develop more contextually and biologically relevant experimental models. Leukemic cell lines, for example, provide an inexpensive and tractable model but often fail to recapitulate critical aspects of tumor biology. Likewise, murine leukemia models of leukemia have been highly informative but also do not entirely reproduce the human disease. More recent advances in the development of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) or human models of leukemias are poised to provide a more comprehensive, and biologically relevant, approach to directly assess the impact of the in vivo environment on human samples. In this review, the advantages and limitations of the various current models used to functionally define the genetic requirements of leukemogenesis are discussed.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Animals
- Cell Differentiation
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Heterografts
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant, Newborn
- Leukemia, Myeloid/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid/therapy
- Male
- Mice
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/therapy
- Translocation, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Milan
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Hera Canaj
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Chloe Villeneuve
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Aditi Ghosh
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Frédéric Barabé
- Centre de recherche en infectiologie du CHUL, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Quebec City, QC, Canada; CHU de Québec Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia Cellot
- Division of Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Ste-Justine Hospital, Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Brian T Wilhelm
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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Chan AKN, Chen CW. Rewiring the Epigenetic Networks in MLL-Rearranged Leukemias: Epigenetic Dysregulation and Pharmacological Interventions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:81. [PMID: 31157223 PMCID: PMC6529847 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemias driven by chromosomal translocation of the mixed-lineage leukemia gene (MLL or KMT2A) are highly prevalent in pediatric oncology. The poor survival rate and lack of an effective targeted therapy for patients with MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemias emphasize an urgent need for improved knowledge and novel therapeutic approaches for these malignancies. The resulting chimeric products of MLL gene rearrangements, i.e., MLL-fusion proteins (MLL-FPs), are capable of transforming hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) into leukemic blasts. The ability of MLL-FPs to reprogram HSPCs toward leukemia requires the involvement of multiple chromatin effectors, including the histone 3 lysine 79 methyltransferase DOT1L, the chromatin epigenetic reader BRD4, and the super elongation complex. These epigenetic regulators constitute a complicated network that dictates maintenance of the leukemia program, and therefore represent an important cluster of therapeutic opportunities. In this review, we will discuss the role of MLL and its fusion partners in normal HSPCs and hematopoiesis, including the links between chromatin effectors, epigenetic landscapes, and leukemia development, and summarize current approaches to therapeutic targeting of MLL-r leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chun-Wei Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
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