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Chen J, Xu Z, Huang H, Tang Y, Shan H, Xiao F. SETD1A drives stemness by reprogramming the epigenetic landscape in hepatocellular carcinoma stem cells. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e168375. [PMID: 37581938 PMCID: PMC10561725 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.168375] [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: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for tumor progression and recurrence. However, the mechanisms regulating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stemness remain unclear. Applying a genome-scale CRISPR knockout screen, we identified that the H3K4 methyltransferase SETD1A and other members of Trithorax group proteins drive cancer stemness in HCC. SET domain containing 1A (SETD1A) was positively correlated with poor clinical outcome in patients with HCC. Combination of SETD1A and serum alpha fetoprotein substantially improved the accuracy of predicting HCC relapse. Mechanistically, SETD1A mediates transcriptional activation of various histone-modifying enzymes, facilitates deposition of trimethylated H3K4 (H3K4me3) and H3K27me3, and activates oncogenic enhancers and super-enhancers, leading to activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes simultaneously in liver CSCs. In addition, SETD1A cooperates with polyadenylate-binding protein cytoplasmic 1 to regulate H3K4me3 modification on oncogenes. Our data pinpoint SETD1A as a key epigenetic regulator driving HCC stemness and progression, highlighting the potential of SETD1A as a candidate target for HCC intervention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxu Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging
- Department of Infectious Diseases
- Department of Gastroenterology, and
| | - Zhijie Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging
- Department of Infectious Diseases
| | - Hongbin Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging
- Department of Infectious Diseases
| | - Yao Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging
- Department of Infectious Diseases
| | - Hong Shan
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging
- Center for Interventional Medicine, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Fei Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging
- Department of Infectious Diseases
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Noguera NI, Travaglini S, Scalea S, Catalanotto C, Reale A, Zampieri M, Zaza A, Ricciardi MR, Angelini DF, Tafuri A, Ottone T, Voso MT, Zardo G. YY1 Knockdown Relieves the Differentiation Block and Restores Apoptosis in AML Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4010. [PMID: 37568827 PMCID: PMC10417667 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15154010] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study we analyzed the expression of Yin and Yang 1 protein (YY1), a member of the noncanonical PcG complexes, in AML patient samples and AML cell lines and the effect of YY1 downregulation on the AML differentiation block. Our results show that YY1 is significantly overexpressed in AML patient samples and AML cell lines and that YY1 knockdown relieves the differentiation block. YY1 downregulation in two AML cell lines (HL-60 and OCI-AML3) and one AML patient sample restored the expression of members of the CEBP protein family, increased the expression of extrinsic growth factors/receptors and surface antigenic markers, induced morphological cell characteristics typical of myeloid differentiation, and sensitized cells to retinoic acid treatment and to apoptosis. Overall, our data show that YY1 is not a secondary regulator of myeloid differentiation but that, if overexpressed, it can play a predominant role in myeloid differentiation block.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelida Ines Noguera
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.T.); (T.O.); (M.T.V.)
- Unit of Neuro-Oncoematologia, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Travaglini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.T.); (T.O.); (M.T.V.)
- Unit of Neuro-Oncoematologia, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Scalea
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Caterina Catalanotto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (A.R.); (M.Z.)
| | - Anna Reale
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (A.R.); (M.Z.)
| | - Michele Zampieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (A.R.); (M.Z.)
| | - Alessandra Zaza
- Unit of Neuro-Oncoematologia, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Ricciardi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.R.); (A.T.)
| | | | - Agostino Tafuri
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.R.); (A.T.)
| | - Tiziana Ottone
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.T.); (T.O.); (M.T.V.)
- Unit of Neuro-Oncoematologia, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Voso
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.T.); (T.O.); (M.T.V.)
- Unit of Neuro-Oncoematologia, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zardo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
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Li J, Kalev-Zylinska ML. Advances in molecular characterization of myeloid proliferations associated with Down syndrome. Front Genet 2022; 13:891214. [PMID: 36035173 PMCID: PMC9399805 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.891214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid leukemia associated with Down syndrome (ML-DS) has a unique molecular landscape that differs from other subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia. ML-DS is often preceded by a myeloproliferative neoplastic condition called transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) that disrupts megakaryocytic and erythroid differentiation. Over the last two decades, many genetic and epigenetic changes in TAM and ML-DS have been elucidated. These include overexpression of molecules and micro-RNAs located on chromosome 21, GATA1 mutations, and a range of other somatic mutations and chromosomal alterations. In this review, we summarize molecular changes reported in TAM and ML-DS and provide a comprehensive discussion of these findings. Recent advances in the development of CRISPR/Cas9-modified induced pluripotent stem cell-based disease models are also highlighted. However, despite significant progress in this area, we still do not fully understand the pathogenesis of ML-DS, and there are no targeted therapies. Initial diagnosis of ML-DS has a favorable prognosis, but refractory and relapsed disease can be difficult to treat; therapeutic options are limited in Down syndrome children by their stronger sensitivity to the toxic effects of chemotherapy. Because of the rarity of TAM and ML-DS, large-scale multi-center studies would be helpful to advance molecular characterization of these diseases at different stages of development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixia Li
- Blood and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
- *Correspondence: Jixia Li, ; Maggie L. Kalev-Zylinska,
| | - Maggie L. Kalev-Zylinska
- Blood and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Haematology Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Jixia Li, ; Maggie L. Kalev-Zylinska,
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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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