1
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Anastasaki C, Orozco P, Gutmann DH. RAS and beyond: the many faces of the neurofibromatosis type 1 protein. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:274437. [PMID: 35188187 PMCID: PMC8891636 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a rare neurogenetic syndrome, characterized by pigmentary abnormalities, learning and social deficits, and a predisposition for benign and malignant tumor formation caused by germline mutations in the NF1 gene. With the cloning of the NF1 gene and the recognition that the encoded protein, neurofibromin, largely functions as a negative regulator of RAS activity, attention has mainly focused on RAS and canonical RAS effector pathway signaling relevant to disease pathogenesis and treatment. However, as neurofibromin is a large cytoplasmic protein the RAS regulatory domain of which occupies only 10% of its entire coding sequence, both canonical and non-canonical RAS pathway modulation, as well as the existence of potential non-RAS functions, are becoming apparent. In this Special article, we discuss our current understanding of neurofibromin function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Anastasaki
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Paola Orozco
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
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2
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Mouse Models of Frequently Mutated Genes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246192. [PMID: 34944812 PMCID: PMC8699817 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246192] [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: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous blood cancer with variable prognosis and response to conventional therapies. Comprehensive sequencing enabled the discovery of recurrent mutations and chromosomal aberrations in AML. Mouse models are essential to study the biological function of these genes and to identify relevant drug targets. This comprehensive review describes the evidence currently available from mouse models for the leukemogenic function of mutations in seven functional gene groups: cell signaling genes, epigenetic modifier genes, nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), transcription factors, tumor suppressors, spliceosome genes, and cohesin complex genes. Additionally, we provide a synergy map of frequently cooperating mutations in AML development and correlate prognosis of these mutations with leukemogenicity in mouse models to better understand the co-dependence of mutations in AML.
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3
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After 95 years, it's time to eRASe JMML. Blood Rev 2020; 43:100652. [PMID: 31980238 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2020.100652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) is a rare clonal disorder of early childhood. Constitutive activation of the RAS pathway is the initial event in JMML. Around 90% of patients diagnosed with JMML carry a mutation in the PTPN11, NRAS, KRAS, NF1 or CBL genes. It has been demonstrated that after this first genetic event, an additional somatic mutation or epigenetic modification is involved in disease progression. The available genetic and clinical data have enabled researchers to establish relationships between JMML and several clinical conditions, including Noonan syndrome, Ras-associated lymphoproliferative disease, and Moyamoya disease. Despite scientific progress and the development of more effective treatments, JMML is still a deadly disease: the 5-year survival rate is ~50%. Here, we report on recent research having led to a better understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms involved in JMML.
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4
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Sachs Z, Been RA, DeCoursin KJ, Nguyen HT, Mohd Hassan NA, Noble-Orcutt KE, Eckfeldt CE, Pomeroy EJ, Diaz-Flores E, Geurts JL, Diers MD, Hasz DE, Morgan KJ, MacMillan ML, Shannon KM, Largaespada DA, Wiesner SM. Stat5 is critical for the development and maintenance of myeloproliferative neoplasm initiated by Nf1 deficiency. Haematologica 2016; 101:1190-1199. [PMID: 27418650 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2015.136002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia is a rare myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by hyperactive RAS signaling. Neurofibromin1 (encoded by the NF1 gene) is a negative regulator of RAS activation. Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 harbor loss-of-function mutations in NF1 and have a 200- to 500-fold increased risk of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. Leukemia cells from patients with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia display hypersensitivity to certain cytokines, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. The granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor utilizes pre-associated JAK2 to initiate signals after ligand binding. JAK2 subsequently activates STAT5, among other downstream effectors. Although STAT5 is gaining recognition as an important mediator of growth factor signaling in myeloid leukemias, the contribution of STAT5 to the development of hyperactive RAS-initiated myeloproliferative disease has not been well described. In this study, we investigated the consequence of STAT5 attenuation via genetic and pharmacological approaches in Nf1-deficient murine models of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. We found that homozygous Stat5 deficiency extended the lifespan of Nf1-deficient mice and eliminated the development of myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with Nf1 gene loss. Likewise, we found that JAK inhibition with ruxolitinib attenuated myeloproliferative neoplasm in Nf1-deficient mice. Finally, we found that primary cells from a patient with KRAS-mutant juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia displayed reduced colony formation in response to JAK2 inhibition. Our findings establish a central role for STAT5 activation in the pathogenesis of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and suggest that targeting this pathway may be of clinical utility in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohar Sachs
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Raha A Been
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA College of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Comparative and Molecular Biosciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | | | - Hanh T Nguyen
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Klara E Noble-Orcutt
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Craig E Eckfeldt
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Emily J Pomeroy
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ernesto Diaz-Flores
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer L Geurts
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Miechaleen D Diers
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Diane E Hasz
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kelly J Morgan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Margaret L MacMillan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kevin M Shannon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David A Largaespada
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Stephen M Wiesner
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Center for Allied Health Programs, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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5
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Krombholz CF, Aumann K, Kollek M, Bertele D, Fluhr S, Kunze M, Niemeyer CM, Flotho C, Erlacher M. Long-term serial xenotransplantation of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia recapitulates human disease in Rag2-/-γc-/- mice. Haematologica 2016; 101:597-606. [PMID: 26888021 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2015.138545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia is a clonal malignant disease affecting young children. Current cure rates, even with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, are no better than 50%-60%. Pre-clinical research on juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia is urgently needed for the identification of novel therapies but is hampered by the unavailability of culture systems. Here we report a xenotransplantation model that allows long-term in vivo propagation of primary juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia cells. Persistent engraftment of leukemic cells was achieved by intrahepatic injection of 1×10(6) cells into newborn Rag2(-/-)γc(-/-) mice or intravenous injection of 5×10(6) cells into 5-week old mice. Key characteristics of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia were reproduced, including cachexia and clonal expansion of myelomonocytic progenitor cells that infiltrated bone marrow, spleen, liver and, notably, lung. Xenografted leukemia cells led to reduced survival of recipient mice. The stem cell character of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia was confirmed by successful serial transplantation that resulted in leukemia cell propagation for more than one year. Independence of exogenous cytokines, low donor cell number and slowly progressing leukemia are advantages of the model, which will serve as an important tool to research the pathophysiology of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and test novel pharmaceutical strategies such as DNA methyltransferase inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Felix Krombholz
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Konrad Aumann
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Kollek
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Bertele
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Silvia Fluhr
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mirjam Kunze
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte M Niemeyer
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany The German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Flotho
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany The German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Miriam Erlacher
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany The German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
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6
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Zhang J, Ranheim EA, Du J, Liu Y, Wang J, Kong G, Zhang J. Deficiency of β Common Receptor Moderately Attenuates the Progression of Myeloproliferative Neoplasm in NrasG12D/+ Mice. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:19093-103. [PMID: 26082490 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.653154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating Ras signaling is a major driver in juvenile and the myeloproliferative variant of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML/MP-CMML). Numerous studies suggest that GM-CSF signaling plays a central role in establishing and maintaining JMML/MP-CMML phenotypes in human and mouse. However, it remains elusive how GM-CSF signaling impacts on JMML/MP-CMML initiation and progression. Here, we investigate this issue in a well characterized MP-CMML model induced by endogenous Nras(G12D/+) mutation. In this model, Nras(G12D/+) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are required to initiate and maintain CMML phenotypes and serve as CMML-initiating cells. We show that the common β chain of the GM-CSF receptor (βc) is dispensable for Nras(G12D/+) HSC function; loss of βc does not affect the expansion, increased self-renewal, or myeloid differentiation bias in Nras(G12D/+) HSCs. Therefore, βc(-/-) does not abrogate CMML in Nras(G12D/+) mice. However, βc deficiency indeed significantly reduces Nras(G12D/+)-induced splenomegaly and spontaneous colony formation and prolongs the survival of CMML-bearing mice, suggesting that GM-CSF signaling plays an important role in promoting CMML progression. Together, our results suggest that inhibiting GM-CSF signaling in JMML/MP-CMML patients might alleviate disease symptoms but would not eradicate the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingfang Zhang
- From the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705 and
| | - Erik A Ranheim
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53705
| | - Juan Du
- From the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705 and
| | - Yangang Liu
- From the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705 and
| | - Jinyong Wang
- From the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705 and
| | - Guangyao Kong
- From the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705 and
| | - Jing Zhang
- From the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705 and
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7
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Chun KT, Li B, Dobrota E, Tate C, Lee JH, Khan S, Haneline L, HogenEsch H, Skalnik DG. The epigenetic regulator CXXC finger protein 1 is essential for murine hematopoiesis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113745. [PMID: 25470594 PMCID: PMC4254612 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
CXXC finger protein 1 (Cfp1), encoded by the Cxxc1 gene, binds to DNA sequences containing an unmethylated CpG dinucleotide and is an epigenetic regulator of both cytosine and histone methylation. Cxxc1-null mouse embryos fail to gastrulate, and Cxxc1-null embryonic stem cells are viable but cannot differentiate, suggesting that Cfp1 is required for chromatin remodeling associated with stem cell differentiation and embryogenesis. Mice homozygous for a conditional Cxxc1 deletion allele and carrying the inducible Mx1-Cre transgene were generated to assess Cfp1 function in adult animals. Induction of Cre expression in adult animals led to Cfp1 depletion in hematopoietic cells, a failure of hematopoiesis with a nearly complete loss of lineage-committed progenitors and mature cells, elevated levels of apoptosis, and death within two weeks. A similar pathology resulted following transplantation of conditional Cxxc1 bone marrow cells into wild type recipients, demonstrating this phenotype is intrinsic to Cfp1 function within bone marrow cells. Remarkably, the Lin- Sca-1+ c-Kit+ population of cells in the bone marrow, which is enriched for hematopoietic stem cells and multi-potential progenitor cells, persists and expands in the absence of Cfp1 during this time frame. Thus, Cfp1 is necessary for hematopoietic stem and multi-potential progenitor cell function and for the developmental potential of differentiating hematopoietic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin T Chun
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America; Biology Department, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Binghui Li
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Erika Dobrota
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Courtney Tate
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jeong-Heon Lee
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Shehnaz Khan
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Laura Haneline
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America; Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Cellular & Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Harm HogenEsch
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - David G Skalnik
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America; Biology Department, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
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8
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Diaz-Flores E, Goldschmidt H, Depeille P, Ng V, Akutagawa J, Krisman K, Crone M, Burgess MR, Williams O, Houseman B, Shokat K, Sampath D, Bollag G, Roose JP, Braun BS, Shannon K. PLC-γ and PI3K link cytokines to ERK activation in hematopoietic cells with normal and oncogenic Kras. Sci Signal 2013; 6:ra105. [PMID: 24300897 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2004125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic K-Ras proteins, such as K-Ras(G12D), accumulate in the active, guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound conformation and stimulate signaling through effector kinases. The presence of the K-Ras(G12D) oncoprotein at a similar abundance to that of endogenous wild-type K-Ras results in only minimal phosphorylation and activation of the canonical Raf-mitogen-activated or extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascades in primary hematopoietic cells, and these pathways remain dependent on growth factors for efficient activation. We showed that phospholipase C-γ (PLC-γ), PI3K, and their generated second messengers link activated cytokine receptors to Ras and ERK signaling in differentiated bone marrow cells and in a cell population enriched for leukemia stem cells. Cells expressing endogenous oncogenic K-Ras(G12D) remained dependent on the second messenger diacylglycerol for the efficient activation of Ras-ERK signaling. These data raise the unexpected possibility of therapeutically targeting proteins that function upstream of oncogenic Ras in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Diaz-Flores
- 1Department of Pediatrics and Benniof Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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9
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Broughton SE, Dhagat U, Hercus TR, Nero TL, Grimbaldeston MA, Bonder CS, Lopez AF, Parker MW. The GM-CSF/IL-3/IL-5 cytokine receptor family: from ligand recognition to initiation of signaling. Immunol Rev 2013; 250:277-302. [PMID: 23046136 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2012.01164.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and IL-5 are members of a discrete family of cytokines that regulates the growth, differentiation, migration and effector function activities of many hematopoietic cells and immunocytes. These cytokines are involved in normal responses to infectious agents, bridging innate and adaptive immunity. However, in certain cases, the overexpression of these cytokines or their receptors can lead to excessive or aberrant initiation of signaling resulting in pathological conditions, with chronic inflammatory diseases and myeloid leukemias the most notable examples. Recent crystal structures of the GM-CSF receptor ternary complex and the IL-5 binary complex have revealed new paradigms of cytokine receptor activation. Together with a wealth of associated structure-function studies, they have significantly enhanced our understanding of how these receptors recognize cytokines and initiate signals across cell membranes. Importantly, these structures provide opportunities for structure-based approaches for the discovery of novel and disease-specific therapeutics. In addition, recent biochemical evidence has suggested that the GM-CSF/IL-3/IL-5 receptor family is capable of interacting productively with other membrane proteins at the cell surface. Such interactions may afford additional or unique biological activities and might be harnessed for selective modulation of the function of these receptors in disease.
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10
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Staser K, Park SJ, Rhodes SD, Zeng Y, He YZ, Shew MA, Gehlhausen JR, Cerabona D, Menon K, Chen S, Sun Z, Yuan J, Ingram DA, Nalepa G, Yang FC, Clapp DW. Normal hematopoiesis and neurofibromin-deficient myeloproliferative disease require Erk. J Clin Invest 2012; 123:329-34. [PMID: 23221339 DOI: 10.1172/jci66167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) predisposes individuals to the development of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a fatal myeloproliferative disease (MPD). In genetically engineered murine models, nullizygosity of Nf1, a tumor suppressor gene that encodes a Ras-GTPase-activating protein, results in hyperactivity of Raf/Mek/Erk in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Activated Erk1/2 phosphorylate kinases and transcription factors with myriad mitogenic roles in diverse cell types. However, genetic studies examining Erk1/2's differential and/or combined control of normal and Nf1-deficient myelopoiesis are lacking. Moreover, prior studies relying on chemical Mek/Erk inhibitors have reached conflicting conclusions in normal and Nf1-deficient mice. Here, we show that while single Erk1 or Erk2 disruption did not grossly compromise myelopoiesis, dual Erk1/2 disruption rapidly ablated granulocyte and monocyte production in vivo, diminished progenitor cell number, and prevented HSPC proliferation in vitro. Genetic disruption of Erk1/2 in the context of Nf1 nullizygosity (Mx1Cre(+)Nf1(flox/flox)Erk1(-/-)Erk2(flox/flox)) fully protects against the development of MPD. Collectively, we identified a fundamental requirement for Erk1/2 signaling in normal and Nf1-deficient hematopoiesis, elucidating a critical hematopoietic function for Erk1/2 while genetically validating highly selective Mek/Erk inhibitors in a leukemia that is otherwise resistant to traditional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Staser
- Herman Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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11
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Abstract
Ras proteins are critical nodes in cellular signaling that integrate inputs from activated cell surface receptors and other stimuli to modulate cell fate through a complex network of effector pathways. Oncogenic RAS mutations are found in ∼25% of human cancers and are highly prevalent in hematopoietic malignancies. Because of their structural and biochemical properties, oncogenic Ras proteins are exceedingly difficult targets for rational drug discovery, and no mechanism-based therapies exist for cancers with RAS mutations. This article reviews the properties of normal and oncogenic Ras proteins, the prevalence and likely pathogenic role of NRAS, KRAS, and NF1 mutations in hematopoietic malignancies, relevant animal models of these cancers, and implications for drug discovery. Because hematologic malignancies are experimentally tractable, they are especially valuable platforms for addressing the fundamental question of how to reverse the adverse biochemical output of oncogenic Ras in cancer.
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12
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Lyn- and PLC-beta3-dependent regulation of SHP-1 phosphorylation controls Stat5 activity and myelomonocytic leukemia-like disease. Blood 2010; 116:6003-13. [PMID: 20858858 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-05-283937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of the transcription factor Stat5 leads to various leukemias. Stat5 activity is regulated by the protein phosphatase SHP-1 in a phospholipase C (PLC)-β3-dependent manner. Thus, PLC-β3-deficient mice develop myeloproliferative neoplasm, like Lyn (Src family kinase)- deficient mice. Here we show that Lyn/PLC-β3 doubly deficient lyn(-/-);PLC-β3(-/-) mice develop a Stat5-dependent, fatal myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, similar to human chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). In hematopoietic stem cells of lyn(-/-);PLC-β3(-/-) mice that cause the CMML-like disease, phosphorylation of SHP-1 at Tyr(536) and Tyr(564) is abrogated, resulting in reduced phosphatase activity and constitutive activation of Stat5. Furthermore, SHP-1 phosphorylation at Tyr(564) by Lyn is indispensable for maximal phosphatase activity and for suppression of the CMML-like disease in these mice. On the other hand, Tyr(536) in SHP-1 can be phosphorylated by Lyn and another kinase(s) and is necessary for efficient interaction with Stat5. Therefore, we identify a novel Lyn/PLC-β3-mediated regulatory mechanism of SHP-1 and Stat5 activities.
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13
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Molecular signatures of quiescent, mobilized and leukemia-initiating hematopoietic stem cells. PLoS One 2010; 5:e8785. [PMID: 20098702 PMCID: PMC2808351 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2009] [Accepted: 09/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are rare, multipotent cells capable of generating all specialized cells of the blood system. Appropriate regulation of HSC quiescence is thought to be crucial to maintain their lifelong function; however, the molecular pathways controlling stem cell quiescence remain poorly characterized. Likewise, the molecular events driving leukemogenesis remain elusive. In this study, we compare the gene expression profiles of steady-state bone marrow HSC to non-self-renewing multipotent progenitors; to HSC treated with mobilizing drugs that expand the HSC pool and induce egress from the marrow; and to leukemic HSC in a mouse model of chronic myelogenous leukemia. By intersecting the resulting lists of differentially regulated genes we identify a subset of molecules that are downregulated in all three circumstances, and thus may be particularly important for the maintenance and function of normal, quiescent HSC. These results identify potential key regulators of HSC and give insights into the clinically important processes of HSC mobilization for transplantation and leukemic development from cancer stem cells.
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14
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The granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor: linking its structure to cell signaling and its role in disease. Blood 2009; 114:1289-98. [PMID: 19436055 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2008-12-164004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Already 20 years have passed since the cloning of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor alpha-chain, the first member of the GM-CSF/interleukin (IL)-3/IL-5 family of hemopoietic cytokine receptors to be molecularly characterized. The intervening 2 decades have uncovered a plethora of biologic functions transduced by the GM-CSF receptor (pleiotropy) and revealed distinct signaling networks that couple the receptor to biologic outcomes. Unlike other hemopoietin receptors, the GM-CSF receptor has a significant nonredundant role in myeloid hematologic malignancies, macrophage-mediated acute and chronic inflammation, pulmonary homeostasis, and allergic disease. The molecular mechanisms underlying GM-CSF receptor activation have recently been revealed by the crystal structure of the GM-CSF receptor complexed to GM-CSF, which shows an unexpected higher order assembly. Emerging evidence also suggests the existence of intracellular signosomes that are recruited in a concentration-dependent fashion to selectively control cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation by GM-CSF. These findings begin to unravel the mystery of cytokine receptor pleiotropy and are likely to also apply to the related IL-3 and IL-5 receptors as well as other heterodimeric cytokine receptors. The new insights in GM-CSF receptor activation have clinical significance as the structural and signaling nuances can be harnessed for the development of new treatments for malignant and inflammatory diseases.
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15
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Abstract
Loss of neurofibromin or interferon consensus sequence binding protein (Icsbp) leads to a myeloproliferative disorder. Transcription of NF1 is directly controlled by ICSBP. It has been postulated that loss of NF1 expression resulting from loss of transcriptional activation by ICSBP contributes to human hematologic malignancies. To investigate the functional cooperation of these 2 proteins, we have established Icsbp-deficient mice with Nf1 haploinsufficiency. We here demonstrate that loss of Icsbp and Nf1 haploinsufficiency synergize to induce a forced myeloproliferation in Icsbp-deficient mice because of an expansion of a mature myeloid progenitor cell. Furthermore, Nf1 haploinsufficiency and loss of Icsbp contribute synergistically to progression of the myeloproliferative disorder toward transplantable leukemias. Leukemias are characterized by distinct phenotypes, which correlate with progressive genetic abnormalities. Loss of Nf1 heterozygosity is not mandatory for disease progression, but its occurrence with other genetic abnormalities indicates progressive genetic alterations in a defined subset of leukemias. These data show that loss of the 2 tumor suppressor genes Nf1 and Icsbp synergize in the induction of leukemias.
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16
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Leukemogenic Ptpn11 causes fatal myeloproliferative disorder via cell-autonomous effects on multiple stages of hematopoiesis. Blood 2009; 113:4414-24. [PMID: 19179468 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2008-10-182626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PTPN11, which encodes the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2, is mutated in approximately 35% of patients with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) and at a lower incidence in other neoplasms. To model JMML pathogenesis, we generated knockin mice that conditionally express the leukemia-associated mutant Ptpn11(D61Y). Expression of Ptpn11(D61Y) in all hematopoietic cells evokes a fatal myeloproliferative disorder (MPD), featuring leukocytosis, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, and factor-independent colony formation by bone marrow (BM) and spleen cells. The Lin(-)Sca1(+)cKit(+) (LSK) compartment is expanded and "right-shifted," accompanied by increased stem cell factor (SCF)-evoked colony formation and Erk and Akt activation. However, repopulating activity is decreased in diseased mice, and mice that do engraft with Ptpn11(D61Y) stem cells fail to develop MPD. Ptpn11(D61Y) common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) and granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs) produce cytokine-independent colonies in a cell-autonomous manner and demonstrate elevated Erk and Stat5 activation in response to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulation. Ptpn11(D61Y) megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitors (MEPs) yield increased numbers of erythrocyte burst-forming units (BFU-Es), but MEPs and erythrocyte-committed progenitors (EPs) produce fewer erythrocyte colony-forming units (CFU-Es), indicating defective erythroid differentiation. Our studies provide a mouse model for Ptpn11-evoked MPD and show that this disease results from cell-autonomous and distinct lineage-specific effects of mutant Ptpn11 on multiple stages of hematopoiesis.
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17
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A retroviral mutagenesis screen reveals strong cooperation between Bcl11a overexpression and loss of the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene. Blood 2008; 113:1075-85. [PMID: 18948576 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2008-03-144436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
NF1 inactivation occurs in specific human cancers, including juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, an aggressive myeloproliferative disorder of childhood. However, evidence suggests that Nf1 loss alone does not cause leukemia. We therefore hypothesized that inactivation of the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene requires cooperating mutations to cause acute leukemia. To search for candidate genes that cooperate with Nf1 deficiency in leukemogenesis, we performed a forward genetic screen using retroviral insertion mutagenesis in Nf1 mutant mice. We identified 43 common proviral insertion sites that contain candidate genes involved in leukemogenesis. One of these genes, Bcl11a, confers a growth advantage in cultured Nf1 mutant hematopoietic cells and causes early onset of leukemia of either myeloid or lymphoid lineage in mice when expressed in Nf1-deficient bone marrow. Bcl11a-expressing cells display compromised p21(Cip1) induction, suggesting that Bcl11a's oncogenic effects are mediated, in part, through suppression of p21(Cip1). Importantly, Bcl11a is expressed in human chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia samples. A subset of AML patients, who had poor outcomes, of 16 clusters, displayed high levels of BCL11A in leukemic cells. These findings suggest that deregulated Bcl11a cooperates with Nf1 in leukemogenesis, and a therapeutic strategy targeting the BCL11A pathway may prove beneficial in the treatment of leukemia.
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18
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Kotecha N, Flores NJ, Irish JM, Simonds E, Sakai DS, Archambeault S, Diaz-Flores E, Coram M, Shannon KM, Nolan GP, Loh ML. Single-cell profiling identifies aberrant STAT5 activation in myeloid malignancies with specific clinical and biologic correlates. Cancer Cell 2008; 14:335-43. [PMID: 18835035 PMCID: PMC2647559 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2008.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2008] [Revised: 07/24/2008] [Accepted: 08/29/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Progress in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of human myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) has led to guidelines incorporating genetic assays with histopathology during diagnosis. Advances in flow cytometry have made it possible to simultaneously measure cell type and signaling abnormalities arising as a consequence of genetic pathologies. Using flow cytometry, we observed a specific evoked STAT5 signaling signature in a subset of samples from patients suspected of having juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), an aggressive MPD with a challenging clinical presentation during active disease. This signature was a specific feature involving JAK-STAT signaling, suggesting a critical role of this pathway in the biological mechanism of this disorder and indicating potential targets for future therapies.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Cells, Cultured
- Child
- Disease Progression
- Flow Cytometry
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/metabolism
- Humans
- Janus Kinase 2/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/pathology
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/therapy
- Myeloproliferative Disorders/genetics
- Myeloproliferative Disorders/metabolism
- Myeloproliferative Disorders/pathology
- Myeloproliferative Disorders/therapy
- Neoplasm Staging
- Phosphorylation
- Recurrence
- STAT5 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikesh Kotecha
- Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305 USA
- Biomedical Informatics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305 USA
| | - Nikki J Flores
- Dept. of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143 USA
| | - Jonathan M Irish
- Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305 USA
- Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305 USA
| | - Erin Simonds
- Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305 USA
| | - Debbie S. Sakai
- Dept. of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143 USA
| | - Sophie Archambeault
- Dept. of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143 USA
| | - Ernesto Diaz-Flores
- Dept. of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143 USA
| | - Marc Coram
- BioStatistics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305 USA
| | - Kevin M Shannon
- Dept. of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143 USA
- UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143 USA
| | - Garry P Nolan
- Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305 USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to, M.L.L (), G.P.N. ()
| | - Mignon L Loh
- Dept. of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143 USA
- UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143 USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to, M.L.L (), G.P.N. ()
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19
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Abstract
Knowledge of the distinctive cellular and genetic traits of a cancer aids in diagnosis, prognosis, and potentially treatment. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Kotecha et al. (2008) demonstrate using a sophisticated flow cytometry approach that signal transduction responses to exogenous stimulation can inform diagnosis and pathobiology of myeloproliferative neoplasms.
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MESH Headings
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Child
- Disease Progression
- Flow Cytometry
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/metabolism
- Humans
- Janus Kinase 2/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/pathology
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/therapy
- Neoplasm Staging
- Phosphorylation
- STAT5 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetrios Kalaitzidis
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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20
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Xiao W, Hong H, Kawakami Y, Lowell CA, Kawakami T. Regulation of myeloproliferation and M2 macrophage programming in mice by Lyn/Hck, SHIP, and Stat5. J Clin Invest 2008; 118:924-34. [PMID: 18246197 DOI: 10.1172/jci34013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2007] [Accepted: 11/28/2007] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is finely regulated by extrinsic and intrinsic factors via various signaling pathways. Here we have shown that, similar to mice deficient in the lipid phosphatase SHIP, loss of 2 Src family kinases, Lyn and Hck, profoundly affects HSC differentiation, producing hematopoietic progenitors with increased proliferation, reduced apoptosis, growth factor-independent survival, and skewed differentiation toward M2 macrophages. This phenotype culminates in a Stat5-dependent myeloproliferative disease that is accompanied by M2 macrophage infiltration of the lung. Expression of a membrane-bound form of SHIP in HSCs lacking both Lyn and Hck restored normal hematopoiesis and prevented myeloproliferation. In vitro and in vivo studies suggested the involvement of autocrine and/or paracrine production of IL-3 and GM-CSF in the increased proliferation and myeloid differentiation of HSCs. Thus, this study has defined a myeloproliferative transformation-sensitive signaling pathway, composed of Lyn/Hck, SHIP, autocrine/paracrine cytokines, and Stat5, that regulates HSC differentiation and M2 macrophage programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Xiao
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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21
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Abstract
In vitro studies indicate that Cul4A ubiquitin ligases target for ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis regulators of cell-cycle progression, apoptosis, development, and DNA repair. In hematopoietic cell lines, studies by our group and others showed that Cul4A ligases regulate proliferation and differentiation in maturing myeloid and erythroid cells. In vivo, Cul4A-deficient embryos die in utero. Cul4A haploinsufficient mice are viable but have fewer erythroid and primitive myeloid progenitors. Yet, little more is known about Cul4A function in vivo. To examine Cul4A function in adults, we generated mice with interferon-inducible deletion of Cul4A. Cul4A deficiency resulted in DNA damage and apoptosis of rapidly dividing cells, and mutant mice died within 3 to 10 days after induction with dramatic atrophy of the intestinal villi, bone marrow, and spleen, and with hematopoietic failure. Cul4A deletion in vivo specifically increased cellular levels of the Cul4A ligase targets Cdt1 and p27(Kip1) but not other known targets. Bone marrow transplantation studies with Cul4A deletion in engrafted cells specifically isolated analysis of Cul4A function to hematopoietic cells and resulted in hematopoietic failure. These recipients died within 9 to 11 days, demonstrating that in hematopoietic cells, Cul4A is essential for survival.
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