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Melnick AF, Mullin C, Lin K, McCarter AC, Liang S, Liu YE, Wang Q, Jerome NA, Choe E, Kunnath N, Bodanapu G, Akter F, Magnuson B, Kumar S, Lombard DB, Muntean AG, Ljungman M, Sekiguchi J, Ryan RJH, Chiang MY. Cdc73 protects Notch-induced T-cell leukemia cells from DNA damage and mitochondrial stress. Blood 2023; 142:2159-2174. [PMID: 37616559 PMCID: PMC10733839 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023020144] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Activated Notch signaling is highly prevalent in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), but pan-Notch inhibitors showed excessive toxicity in clinical trials. To find alternative ways to target Notch signals, we investigated cell division cycle 73 (Cdc73), which is a Notch cofactor and key component of the RNA polymerase-associated transcriptional machinery, an emerging target in T-ALL. Although we confirmed previous work that CDC73 interacts with NOTCH1, we also found that the interaction in T-ALL was context-dependent and facilitated by the transcription factor ETS1. Using mouse models, we showed that Cdc73 is important for Notch-induced T-cell development and T-ALL maintenance. Mechanistically, chromatin and nascent gene expression profiling showed that Cdc73 intersects with Ets1 and Notch at chromatin within enhancers to activate expression of known T-ALL oncogenes through its enhancer functions. Cdc73 also intersects with these factors within promoters to activate transcription of genes that are important for DNA repair and oxidative phosphorylation through its gene body functions. Consistently, Cdc73 deletion induced DNA damage and apoptosis and impaired mitochondrial function. The CDC73-induced DNA repair expression program co-opted by NOTCH1 is more highly expressed in T-ALL than in any other cancer. These data suggest that Cdc73 might induce a gene expression program that was eventually intersected and hijacked by oncogenic Notch to augment proliferation and mitigate the genotoxic and metabolic stresses of elevated Notch signaling. Our report supports studying factors such as CDC73 that intersect with Notch to derive a basic scientific understanding on how to combat Notch-dependent cancers without directly targeting the Notch complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley F. Melnick
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Carea Mullin
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Karena Lin
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Anna C. McCarter
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Shannon Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Yiran E. Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Qing Wang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nicole A. Jerome
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Elizabeth Choe
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nicholas Kunnath
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Geethika Bodanapu
- School of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Fatema Akter
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Brian Magnuson
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Surinder Kumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - David B. Lombard
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Andrew G. Muntean
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mats Ljungman
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Radiology Oncology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - JoAnn Sekiguchi
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Russell J. H. Ryan
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mark Y. Chiang
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
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Wu S, Wang W, Li Q, Li J, Dong M, Zhou X, Wang L, Song L. CgWnt-1 regulates haemocyte proliferation during immune response of oyster Crassostrea gigas. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 146:104744. [PMID: 37230373 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings regarding the immunomodulatory role of Wnt signaling suggest that it is significant in regulating the differentiation and proliferation of immune cells. In the present study, a Wnt-1 homolog (designated as CgWnt-1) with a conserved WNT1 domain was identified from oyster Crassostrea gigas. The transcripts of CgWnt-1 were barely expressed in egg to gastrula stage during early embryogenesis, and up-regulated significantly in the trochophore to juvenile stage. The mRNA transcripts of CgWnt-1 were detected in different tissues of adult oyster, with an extremely high expression level in the mantle, which was 77.38-fold (p < 0.05) of that in labial palp. After Vibrio splendidus stimulation, the mRNA expression levels of CgWnt-1 and Cgβ-catenin in haemocytes up-regulated significantly at 3, 12, 24, and 48 h (p < 0.05). After injection of recombinant protein (rCgWnt-1) into oyster in vivo, the expressions of Cgβ-catenin, cell proliferation related genes CgRunx-1 and CgCDK-2 in haemocytes significantly up-regulated, which were 4.86-fold (p < 0.05), 9.33-fold (p < 0.05), 6.09-fold (p < 0.05) of those in rTrx group, respectively. The percentage of EDU+ cells in haemocytes also significantly increased (2.88-fold of that in control group, p < 0.05) at 12 h after rCgWnt-1 treatment. When the Wnt signal inhibitor C59 was injected simultaneously with rCgWnt-1, the expressions of Cgβ-catenin, CgRunx-1, and CgCDK-2 were significantly reduced, which were 0.32-fold (p < 0.05), 0.16-fold (p < 0.05), and 0.25-fold (p < 0.05) of that in rCgWnt-1 group, respectively, and the percentage of EDU+ cells in haemocytes was also significantly inhibited (0.15-fold compared with that in rCgWnt-1 group, p < 0.05). These results suggested that the conserved CgWnt-1 could modulate haemocytes proliferation via regulating cell cycle related genes and involved in the immune response of oysters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Wu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Qing Li
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jialuo Li
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Miren Dong
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Xiaoxu Zhou
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Linsheng Song
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Functional Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Process, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266235, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
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Cosgun KN, Jumaa H, Robinson ME, Kistner KM, Xu L, Xiao G, Chan LN, Lee J, Kume K, Leveille E, Fonseca-Arce D, Khanduja D, Ng HL, Feldhahn N, Song J, Chan WC, Chen J, Taketo MM, Kothari S, Davids MS, Schjerven H, Jellusova J, Müschen M. Targeted engagement of β-catenin-Ikaros complexes in refractory B-cell malignancies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.13.532152. [PMID: 36993619 PMCID: PMC10054980 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.13.532152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In most cell types, nuclear β-catenin functions as prominent oncogenic driver and pairs with TCF7-family factors for transcriptional activation of MYC. Surprisingly, B-lymphoid malignancies not only lacked expression and activating lesions of β-catenin but critically depended on GSK3β for effective β-catenin degradation. Our interactome studies in B-lymphoid tumors revealed that β-catenin formed repressive complexes with lymphoid-specific Ikaros factors at the expense of TCF7. Instead of MYC-activation, β-catenin was essential to enable Ikaros-mediated recruitment of nucleosome remodeling and deacetylation (NuRD) complexes for transcriptional repression of MYC. To leverage this previously unrecognized vulnerability of B-cell-specific repressive β-catenin-Ikaros-complexes in refractory B-cell malignancies, we examined GSK3β small molecule inhibitors to subvert β-catenin degradation. Clinically approved GSK3β-inhibitors that achieved favorable safety prof les at micromolar concentrations in clinical trials for neurological disorders and solid tumors were effective at low nanomolar concentrations in B-cell malignancies, induced massive accumulation of β-catenin, repression of MYC and acute cell death. Preclinical in vivo treatment experiments in patient-derived xenografts validated small molecule GSK3β-inhibitors for targeted engagement of lymphoid-specific β-catenin-Ikaros complexes as a novel strategy to overcome conventional mechanisms of drug-resistance in refractory malignancies. HIGHLIGHTS Unlike other cell lineages, B-cells express nuclear β-catenin protein at low baseline levels and depend on GSK3β for its degradation.In B-cells, β-catenin forms unique complexes with lymphoid-specific Ikaros factors and is required for Ikaros-mediated tumor suppression and assembly of repressive NuRD complexes. CRISPR-based knockin mutation of a single Ikaros-binding motif in a lymphoid MYC superenhancer region reversed β-catenin-dependent Myc repression and induction of cell death. The discovery of GSK3β-dependent degradation of β-catenin as unique B-lymphoid vulnerability provides a rationale to repurpose clinically approved GSK3β-inhibitors for the treatment of refractory B-cell malignancies. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT Abundant nuclear β-cateninβ-catenin pairs with TCF7 factors for transcriptional activation of MYCB-cells rely on efficient degradation of β-catenin by GSK3βB-cell-specific expression of Ikaros factors Unique vulnerability in B-cell tumors: GSK3β-inhibitors induce nuclear accumulation of β-catenin.β-catenin pairs with B-cell-specific Ikaros factors for transcriptional repression of MYC.
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Axin2/Conductin Is Required for Normal Haematopoiesis and T Lymphopoiesis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172679. [PMID: 36078085 PMCID: PMC9454631 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of T lymphocytes in the thymus and their stem cell precursors in the bone marrow is controlled by Wnt signaling in strictly regulated, cell-type specific dosages. In this study, we investigated levels of canonical Wnt signaling during hematopoiesis and T cell development within the Axin2-mTurquoise2 reporter. We demonstrate active Wnt signaling in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and early thymocytes, but also in more mature thymic subsets and peripheral T lymphocytes. Thymic epithelial cells displayed particularly high Wnt signaling, suggesting an interesting crosstalk between thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Additionally, reporter mice allowed us to investigate the loss of Axin2 function, demonstrating decreased HSC repopulation upon transplantation and the partial arrest of early thymocyte development in Axin2Tg/Tg full mutant mice. Mechanistically, loss of Axin2 leads to supraphysiological Wnt levels that disrupt HSC differentiation and thymocyte development.
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Arnovitz S, Mathur P, Tracy M, Mohsin A, Mondal S, Quandt J, Hernandez KM, Khazaie K, Dose M, Emmanuel AO, Gounari F. Tcf-1 promotes genomic instability and T cell transformation in response to aberrant β-catenin activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2201493119. [PMID: 35921443 PMCID: PMC9371646 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201493119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms promoting chromosomal translocations of the rearranging receptor loci in leukemia and lymphoma remains incomplete. Here we show that leukemias induced by aberrant activation of β-catenin in thymocytes, which bear recurrent Tcra/Myc-Pvt1 translocations, depend on Tcf-1. The DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in the Tcra site of the translocation are Rag-generated, whereas the Myc-Pvt1 DSBs are not. Aberrantly activated β-catenin redirects Tcf-1 binding to novel DNA sites to alter chromatin accessibility and down-regulate genome-stability pathways. Impaired homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair and replication checkpoints lead to retention of DSBs that promote translocations and transformation of double-positive (DP) thymocytes. The resulting lymphomas, which resemble human T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), are sensitive to PARP inhibitors (PARPis). Our findings indicate that aberrant β-catenin signaling contributes to translocations in thymocytes by guiding Tcf-1 to promote the generation and retention of replication-induced DSBs allowing their coexistence with Rag-generated DSBs. Thus, PARPis could offer therapeutic options in hematologic malignancies with active Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Arnovitz
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Priya Mathur
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Melissa Tracy
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Azam Mohsin
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Soumi Mondal
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Jasmin Quandt
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | | | | | - Marei Dose
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | | | - Fotini Gounari
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
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Wen X, Liu HX, Chen LZ, Qu W, Yan HY, Hou LF, Zhao WH, Feng YT, Ping J. Asthma susceptibility in prenatal nicotine-exposed mice attributed to β-catenin increase during CD4 + T cell development. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 238:113572. [PMID: 35533447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoke is a common global environmental pollutant. Asthma, the most frequent allergic airway disease, is related to maternal exposure to cigarette smoke. Our previous studies demonstrated that prenatal exposure to nicotine (PNE), the major active product of smoking, impairs fetal thymopoiesis and CD4+ T cell development after birth. This study aimed to investigate whether PNE contributes to asthma susceptibility through CD4+ T cell development alterations. First, A PNE model was established by administering 3 mg/kg/day nicotine to maternal mice, and then an ovalbumin-induced asthma model was established in the offspring. Further, β-catenin and downstream pathways were inhibited in vitro to confirm the molecular mechanisms underlying the phenotype observed during the in vivo phase. The results showed that PNE induced Th2 and Th17 biases at developmental checkpoints and aggravated asthma symptoms in the offspring. In fetuses, PNE up-regulated α7 nAChR, activated PI3K-AKT, promoted β-catenin level increase, and established potential Th2- and Th17-biased gene expression patterns during thymopoiesis, which persisted after birth. Similar results were also observed in 1 μM nicotine-treated thymocytes in vitro. Moreover, inhibiting PI3K-AKT by LY294002 abrogated nicotine-mediated β-catenin level increase and thymopoiesis abnormalities, and an α7 nAChR antagonist (α-btx) also reversed nicotine-induced PI3K-AKT activation. Our findings provide strong evidence that PNE is a risk factor for T cell deviation and postnatal asthma, and revealed that nicotine-induced β-catenin level increase induces thymopoiesis abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Han-Xiao Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Lan-Zhou Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Wuhan University School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Wen Qu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui-Yi Yan
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Li-Fang Hou
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wen-Hao Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yi-Ting Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jie Ping
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
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TCF-1: a maverick in T cell development and function. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:671-678. [PMID: 35487986 PMCID: PMC9202512 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01194-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The T cell-specific DNA-binding protein TCF-1 is a central regulator of T cell development and function along multiple stages and lineages. Because it interacts with β-catenin, TCF-1 has been classically viewed as a downstream effector of canonical Wnt signaling, although there is strong evidence for β-catenin-independent TCF-1 functions. TCF-1 co-binds accessible regulatory regions containing or lacking its conserved motif and cooperates with other nuclear factors to establish context-dependent epigenetic and transcription programs that are essential for T cell development and for regulating immune responses to infection, autoimmunity and cancer. Although it has mostly been associated with positive regulation of chromatin accessibility and gene expression, TCF-1 has the potential to reduce chromatin accessibility and thereby suppress gene expression. In addition, the binding of TCF-1 bends the DNA and affects the chromatin conformation genome wide. This Review discusses the current understanding of the multiple roles of TCF-1 in T cell development and function and their mechanistic underpinnings.
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Abstract
TCF1 and its homologue LEF1 are historically known as effector transcription factors downstream of the WNT signalling pathway and are essential for early T cell development. Recent advances bring TCF1 into the spotlight for its versatile, context-dependent functions in regulating mature T cell responses. In the cytotoxic T cell lineages, TCF1 is required for the self-renewal of stem-like CD8+ T cells generated in response to viral or tumour antigens, and for preserving heightened responses to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. In the helper T cell lineages, TCF1 is indispensable for the differentiation of T follicular helper and T follicular regulatory cells, and crucially regulates immunosuppressive functions of regulatory T cells. Mechanistic investigations have also identified TCF1 as the first transcription factor that directly modifies histone acetylation, with the capacity to bridge transcriptional and epigenetic regulation. TCF1 also has the potential to become an important clinical biomarker for assessing the prognosis of tumour immunotherapy and the success of viral control in treating HIV and hepatitis C virus infection. Here, we summarize the key findings on TCF1 across the fields of T cell immunity and reflect on the possibility of exploring TCF1 and its downstream transcriptional programmes as therapeutic targets for improving antiviral and antitumour immunity.
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Karachaliou GS, Alkallas R, Carroll SB, Caressi C, Zakria D, Patel NM, Trembath DG, Ezzell JA, Pegna GJ, Googe PB, Galeotti JP, Ayvali F, Collichio FA, Lee CB, Ollila DW, Gulley ML, Johnson DB, Kim KB, Watson IR, Moschos SJ. The clinical significance of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and catenin Beta 1 (CTNNB1) genetic aberrations in patients with melanoma. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:38. [PMID: 34986841 PMCID: PMC8734243 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08908-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma-intrinsic activated β-catenin pathway, the product of the catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) gene, has been associated with low/absent tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, accelerated tumor growth, metastases development, and resistance to anti-PD-L1/anti-CTLA-4 agents in mouse melanoma models. Little is known about the association between the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and CTNNB1 gene mutations in stage IV melanoma with immunotherapy response and overall survival (OS). METHODS We examined the prognostic significance of somatic APC/CTNNB1 mutations in the Cancer Genome Atlas Project for Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (TCGA-SKCM) database. We assessed APC/CTNNB1 mutations as predictors of response to immunotherapies in a clinicopathologically annotated metastatic patient cohort from three US melanoma centers. RESULTS In the TCGA-SKCM patient cohort (n = 434) presence of a somatic APC/CTNNB1 mutation was associated with a worse outcome only in stage IV melanoma (n = 82, median OS of APC/CTNNB1 mutants vs. wild-type was 8.15 vs. 22.8 months; log-rank hazard ratio 4.20, p = 0.011). APC/CTNNB1 mutation did not significantly affect lymphocyte distribution and density. In the 3-melanoma institution cohort, tumor tissues underwent targeted panel sequencing using two standards of care assays. We identified 55 patients with stage IV melanoma and APC/CTNNB1 genetic aberrations (mut) and 169 patients without (wt). At a median follow-up of more than 25 months for both groups, mut compared with wt patients had slightly more frequent (44% vs. 39%) and earlier (66% vs. 45% within six months from original diagnosis of stage IV melanoma) development of brain metastases. Nevertheless, time-to-development of brain metastases was not significantly different between the two groups. Fortunately, mut patients had similar clinical benefits from PD-1 inhibitor-based treatments compared to wt patients (median OS 26.1 months vs. 29.9 months, respectively, log-rank p = 0.23). Less frequent mutations in the NF1, RAC1, and PTEN genes were seen in the mut compared with wt patients from the 3-melanoma institution cohort. Analysis of brain melanoma tumor tissues from a separate craniotomy patient cohort (n = 55) showed that melanoma-specific, activated β-catenin (i.e., nuclear localization) was infrequent (n = 3, 6%) and not prognostic in established brain metastases. CONCLUSIONS APC/CTNNB1 mutations are associated with a worse outcome in stage IV melanoma and early brain metastases independent of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte density. However, PD1 inhibitor-based treatments provide comparable benefits to both mut and wt patients with stage IV melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Sofia Karachaliou
- Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rached Alkallas
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah B Carroll
- Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Chongshan Caressi
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Danny Zakria
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Nirali M Patel
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dimitri G Trembath
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer A Ezzell
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Histology Research Core Facility, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Guillaume J Pegna
- Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Paul B Googe
- Department of Dermatology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jonathan P Galeotti
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Fatih Ayvali
- Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Frances A Collichio
- Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Carrie B Lee
- Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David W Ollila
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Surgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Margaret L Gulley
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kevin B Kim
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ian R Watson
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stergios J Moschos
- Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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10
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Liu C, Ma L, Wang Y, Zhao J, Chen P, Chen X, Wang Y, Hu Y, Liu Y, Jia X, Yang Z, Yin X, Wu J, Wu S, Zheng H, Ma X, Sun X, He Y, Lin L, Fu Y, Liao K, Zhou X, Jiang S, Fu G, Tang J, Han W, Chen XL, Fan W, Hong Y, Han J, Huang X, Li BA, Xiao N, Xiao C, Fu G, Liu WH. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 drives thymocyte egress by suppressing β-catenin activation of Akt. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabg6262. [PMID: 34623920 PMCID: PMC8500522 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg6262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Molecular pathways controlling emigration of mature thymocytes from thymus to the periphery remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that T cell–specific ablation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) led to severely impaired thymic egress. In the absence of GSK3, β-catenin accumulated in the cytoplasm, where it associated with and activated Akt, leading to phosphorylation and degradation of Foxo1 and downregulation of Klf2 and S1P1 expression, thereby preventing emigration of thymocytes. A cytoplasmic membrane-localized β-catenin excluded from the nucleus promoted Akt activation, suggesting a new function of β-catenin independent of its role as a transcriptional activator. Furthermore, genetic ablation of β-catenin, retroviral expression of a dominant negative Akt mutant, and transgenic expression of a constitutively active Foxo1 restored emigration of GSK3-deficient thymocytes. Our findings establish an essential role for GSK3 in thymocyte egress and reveal a previously unidentified signaling function of β-catenin in the cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Lei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yuxuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jiayi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Pengda Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yingxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yanyan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xian Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zhanghua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xingzhi Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jianfeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Suqin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Haiping Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xiaohong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xiufeng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Ying He
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Lianghua Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yubing Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Kunyu Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Guofeng Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jian Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Wei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xiao Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Wenzhu Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yazhen Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jiahuai Han
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xiangyang Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Bo-An Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Nengming Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Changchun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Guo Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Wen-Hsien Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
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11
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DLX Genes: Roles in Development and Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123005. [PMID: 34203994 PMCID: PMC8232755 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary DLX homeobox family genes encode transcription factors that have indispensable roles in embryonic and postnatal development. These genes are critically linked to the morphogenesis of craniofacial structures, branchial arches, forebrain, and sensory organs. DLX genes are also involved in postnatal homeostasis, particularly hematopoiesis and, when dysregulated, oncogenesis. DLX1/2, DLX3/4, and DLX5/6 exist as bigenes on different chromosomes, sharing intergenic enhancers between gene pairs, which allows orchestrated spatiotemporal expression. Genomic alterations of human DLX gene enhancers or coding sequences result in congenital disorders such as split-hand/foot malformation. Aberrant postnatal expression of DLX genes is associated with hematological malignancies, including leukemias and lymphomas. In several mouse models of T-cell lymphoma, Dlx5 has been shown to act as an oncogene by cooperating with activated Akt, Notch1/3, and/or Wnt to drive tumor formation. In humans, DLX5 is aberrantly expressed in lung and ovarian carcinomas and holds promise as a therapeutic target. Abstract Homeobox genes control body patterning and cell-fate decisions during development. The homeobox genes consist of many families, only some of which have been investigated regarding a possible role in tumorigenesis. Dysregulation of HOX family genes have been widely implicated in cancer etiology. DLX homeobox genes, which belong to the NK-like family, exert dual roles in development and cancer. The DLX genes are the key transcription factors involved in regulating the development of craniofacial structures in vertebrates. The three DLX bigenes have overlapping expression in the branchial arches. Disruption of DLX function has destructive consequences in organogenesis and is associated with certain congenital disorders in humans. The role of DLX genes in oncogenesis is only beginning to emerge. DLX2 diminishes cellular senescence by regulating p53 function, whereas DLX4 has been associated with metastasis in breast cancer. In human ovarian cancer cells, DLX5 is essential for regulating AKT signaling, thereby promoting cell proliferation and survival. We previously implicated Dlx5 as an oncogene in murine T-cell lymphoma driven by a constitutively active form of Akt2. In this mouse model, overexpression of Dlx5 was caused by a chromosomal rearrangement that juxtaposed the Tcr-beta promoter region near the Dlx5 locus. Moreover, transgenic mice overexpressing Dlx5, specifically in immature T-cells, develop spontaneous thymic lymphomas. Oncogenesis in this mouse model involves binding of Dlx5 to the Notch1 and Notch3 gene loci to activate their transcription. Dlx5 also cooperates with Akt signaling to accelerate lymphomagenesis by activating Wnt signaling. We also discuss the fact that human DLX5 is aberrantly expressed in several human malignancies.
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12
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Zhang L, Wu J, Feng Y, Khadka B, Fang Z, Gu J, Tang B, Xiao R, Pan G, Liu JJ. A Regulatory Loop Involving Notch and Wnt Signaling Maintains Leukemia Stem Cells in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:678544. [PMID: 34179007 PMCID: PMC8226090 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.678544] [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: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemia-initiating cells play critical role in relapse, resistance to therapies and metastases but the mechanism remains largely elusive. We report that β-catenin is over-expressed in almost all T-ALL patients and flow sorted β-cateninhigh fractions are highly resistant to therapy, leading to liver metastases in nude mice as well as dysregulated lncRNAs. Pharmacological inhibition through XAV-939 as well as si-RNA mediated inhibition of β-catenin is initially effective in re-sensitization to therapy, however, prolonged inhibition shifts dependency from β-catenin to Notch signaling, with particularly high levels of receptors Notch 1 and Notch 2. The results are verifiable in a cohort of T-ALL patients comprising of responders vs. those who have progressed, with β-catenin, Notch 1 and Notch 2 elevated in progressed patients. Further, in patients-derived cells, silencing of Notch 1 or Notch 2 does not counter resistance to β-catenin inhibition, rather pharmacological pan-Notch inhibition is needed to overcome resistance and its effect on in vitro tumor sphere formations as well as in vivo liver metastases. Thus, wnt and Notch signaling are part of a regulatory loop mutually compensating for each other in T-ALL, while ensuring the maintenance of stem cell phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Hematology Institute of Sun Yat-sen University, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieying Wu
- Department of Hematology and Hematology Institute of Sun Yat-sen University, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yashu Feng
- Department of Hematology and Hematology Institute of Sun Yat-sen University, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bijay Khadka
- Department of Hematology and Hematology Institute of Sun Yat-sen University, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Fang
- Department of Hematology and Hematology Institute of Sun Yat-sen University, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaming Gu
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoqiang Tang
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruozhi Xiao
- Department of Hematology and Hematology Institute of Sun Yat-sen University, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangjin Pan
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Jun Liu
- Department of Hematology and Hematology Institute of Sun Yat-sen University, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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13
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Lehmann J, Thiele S, Baschant U, Rachner TD, Niehrs C, Hofbauer LC, Rauner M. Mice lacking DKK1 in T cells exhibit high bone mass and are protected from estrogen-deficiency-induced bone loss. iScience 2021; 24:102224. [PMID: 33748710 PMCID: PMC7961106 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt inhibitor Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a negative regulator of bone formation and bone mass and is dysregulated in various bone diseases. How DKK1 contributes to postmenopausal osteoporosis, however, remains poorly understood. Here, we show that mice lacking DKK1 in T cells are protected from ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Ovariectomy activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and increased their production of DKK1. Co-culture of activated T cells with osteoblasts inhibited Wnt signaling in osteoblasts, leading to impaired differentiation. Importantly, DKK1 expression in T cells also controlled physiological bone remodeling. T-cell-deficient Dkk1 knock-out mice had a higher bone mass with an increased bone formation rate and decreased numbers of osteoclasts compared with controls, a phenotype that was rescued by adoptive transfer of wild-type T cells. Thus, these findings highlight that T cells control bone remodeling in health and disease via their expression of DKK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Lehmann
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany.,Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sylvia Thiele
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany.,Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ulrike Baschant
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany.,Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tilman D Rachner
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany.,Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christof Niehrs
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lorenz C Hofbauer
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martina Rauner
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany.,Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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14
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Cassaro A, Grillo G, Notaro M, Gliozzo J, Esposito I, Reda G, Trojani A, Valentini G, Di Camillo B, Cairoli R, Beghini A. FZD6 triggers Wnt-signalling driven by WNT10B IVS1 expression and highlights new targets in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hematol Oncol 2021; 39:364-379. [PMID: 33497493 PMCID: PMC8451758 DOI: 10.1002/hon.2840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Wnt/Fzd signaling has been implicated in hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and in acute leukemia establishment. In our previous work, we described a recurrent rearrangement involving the WNT10B locus (WNT10BR), characterized by the expression of WNT10BIVS1 transcript variant, in acute myeloid leukemia. To determine the occurrence of WNT10BR in T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL), we retrospectively analyzed an Italian cohort of patients (n = 20) and detected a high incidence (13/20) of WNT10BIVS1 expression. To address genes involved in WNT10B molecular response, we have designed a Wnt‐targeted RNA sequencing panel. Identifying Wnt agonists and antagonists, it results that the expression of FZD6, LRP5, and PROM1 genes stands out in WNT10BIVS1 positive patients compared to negative ones. Using MOLT4 and MUTZ‐2 as leukemic cell models, which are characterized by the expression of WNT10BIVS1, we have observed that WNT10B drives major Wnt activation to the FZD6 receptor complex through receipt of ligand. Additionally, short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs)‐mediated gene silencing and small molecule‐mediated inhibition of WNTs secretion have been observed to interfere with the WNT10B/FZD6 interaction. We have therefore identified that WNT10BIVS1 knockdown, or pharmacological interference by the LGK974 porcupine (PORCN) inhibitor, reduces WNT10B/FZD6 protein complex formation and significantly impairs intracellular effectors and leukemic expansion. These results describe the molecular circuit induced by WNT10B and suggest WNT10B/FZD6 as a new target in the T‐ALL treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Cassaro
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology, Hematology Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Grillo
- Department of Oncology, Hematology Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Notaro
- Department of Computer Science "Giovanni degli Antoni", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Jessica Gliozzo
- Department of Computer Science "Giovanni degli Antoni", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Esposito
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Reda
- Department of Oncology, Hematology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Trojani
- Department of Oncology, Hematology Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Valentini
- Department of Computer Science "Giovanni degli Antoni", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Cairoli
- Department of Oncology, Hematology Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
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15
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Wnt signaling mediates oncogenic synergy between Akt and Dlx5 in T-cell lymphomagenesis by enhancing cholesterol synthesis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15837. [PMID: 32985581 PMCID: PMC7522078 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72822-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Dlx5 homeobox gene was first implicated as an oncogene in a T-ALL mouse model expressing myristoylated (Myr) Akt2. Furthermore, overexpression of Dlx5 was sufficient to drive T-ALL in mice by directly activating Akt and Notch signaling. These findings implied that Akt2 cooperates with Dlx5 in T-cell lymphomagenesis. To test this hypothesis, Lck-Dlx5;Lck-MyrAkt2 transgenic mice were generated. MyrAkt2 synergized with Dlx5 to greatly accelerate and enhance the dissemination of T-lymphomagenesis. RNA-seq analysis performed on lymphomas from Lck-Dlx5;Lck-MyrAkt mice revealed upregulation of genes involved in the Wnt and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways. Combined RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analysis of lymphomas from Lck-Dlx5;Lck-MyrAkt mice demonstrated that β-catenin directly regulates genes involved in sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 2 (Srebf2)-cholesterol synthesis. These lymphoma cells had high Lef1 levels and were highly sensitive to β-catenin and Srebf2-cholesterol synthesis inhibitors. Similarly, human T-ALL cell lines with activated NOTCH and AKT and elevated LEF1 levels were sensitive to inhibition of β-catenin and cholesterol pathways. Furthermore, LEF1 expression positively correlated with expression of genes involved in the cholesterol synthesis pathway in primary human T-ALL specimens. Together, these data suggest that targeting β-catenin and/or cholesterol biosynthesis, together with AKT, could have therapeutic efficacy in a subset of T-ALL patients.
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16
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Daams R, Sime W, Leandersson K, Sitnicka E, Massoumi R. Deletion of Nemo-like Kinase in T Cells Reduces Single-Positive CD8 + Thymocyte Population. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:1830-1841. [PMID: 32839237 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The β-catenin/Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in all stages of T cell development. Nemo-like kinase (NLK) is an evolutionary conserved serine/threonine kinase and a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway. NLK can directly phosphorylate histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), as well as T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (TCF/LEF), causing subsequent repression of target gene transcription. By engineering mice lacking NLK in early stages of T cell development, we set out to characterize the role NLK plays in T cell development and found that deletion of NLK does not affect mouse health or lymphoid tissue development. Instead, these mice harbored a reduced number of single-positive (SP) CD8+ thymocytes without any defects in the SP CD4+ thymocyte population. The decrease in SP CD8+ thymocytes was not caused by a block in differentiation from double-positive CD4+CD8+ cells. Neither TCR signaling nor activation was altered in the absence of NLK. Instead, we observed a significant increase in cell death and reduced phosphorylation of LEF1 as well as HDAC1 among NLK-deleted SP CD8+ cells. Thus, NLK seems to play an important role in the survival of CD8+ thymocytes. Our data provide evidence for a new function for NLK with regard to its involvement in T cell development and supporting survival of SP CD8+ thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée Daams
- Molecular Tumor Pathology, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | - Wondossen Sime
- Molecular Tumor Pathology, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Leandersson
- Cancer Immunology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 214 28 Malmö, Sweden; and
| | - Ewa Sitnicka
- Lymphoid Development and Regulation, Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ramin Massoumi
- Molecular Tumor Pathology, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden;
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17
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Zhao X, Shao P, Gai K, Li F, Shan Q, Xue HH. β-catenin and γ-catenin are dispensable for T lymphocytes and AML leukemic stem cells. eLife 2020; 9:55360. [PMID: 32820720 PMCID: PMC7462606 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The β-catenin transcriptional coregulator is involved in various biological and pathological processes; however, its requirements in hematopoietic cells remain controversial. We re-targeted the Ctnnb1 gene locus to generate a true β-catenin-null mutant mouse strain. Ablation of β-catenin alone, or in combination with its homologue γ-catenin, did not affect thymocyte maturation, survival or proliferation. Deficiency in β/γ-catenin did not detectably affect differentiation of CD4+T follicular helper cells or that of effector and memory CD8+ cytotoxic cells in response to acute viral infection. In an MLL-AF9 AML mouse model, genetic deletion of β-catenin, or even all four Tcf/Lef family transcription factors that interact with β-catenin, did not affect AML onset in primary recipients, or the ability of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) in propagating AML in secondary recipients. Our data thus clarify on a long-standing controversy and indicate that β-catenin is dispensable for T cells and AML LSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, United States
| | - Peng Shao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Kexin Gai
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, United States
| | - Fengyin Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qiang Shan
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, United States
| | - Hai-Hui Xue
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, United States.,New Jersey Veterans Affairs Health Care System, East Orange, United States
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18
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Lu PCW, Shahbaz S, Winn LM. Benzene and its effects on cell signaling pathways related to hematopoiesis and leukemia. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 40:1018-1032. [PMID: 32112456 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Benzene is an environmental toxicant found in many consumer products. It is an established human carcinogen and is known to cause acute myeloid leukemia in adults. Epidemiological evidence has since shown that benzene can cross the placenta and affect the fetal liver. Animal studies have shown that in utero exposure to benzene can increase tumor incidence in offspring. Although there have been risk factors established for acute myeloid leukemia, they still do not account for many of the cases. Clearly then, current efforts to elucidate the mechanism by which benzene exerts its carcinogenic properties have been superficial. Owing to the critical role of cell signaling pathways in the development of an organism and its various organ systems, it seems plausible to suspect that these pathways may have a role in leukemogenesis. This review article assesses current evidence of the effects of benzene on critical hematopoietic signaling pathways. Pathways discussed included Hedgehog, Notch/Delta, Wingless/Integrated, nuclear factor-kappaB and others. Following a review of the literature, it seems that current evidence about the effects of benzene on these critical signaling pathways remains limited. Given the important role of these pathways in hematopoiesis, more attention should be given to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter C W Lu
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Shahbaz
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Louise M Winn
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,School of Environmental Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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19
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The Role Played by Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21031098. [PMID: 32046053 PMCID: PMC7037748 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive hematologic neoplastic disorder that arises from the clonal expansion of transformed T-cell or B-cell precursors. Thanks to progress in chemotherapy protocols, ALL outcome has significantly improved. However, drug-resistance remains an unresolved issue in the treatment of ALL and toxic effects limit dose escalation of current chemotherapeutics. Therefore, the identification of novel targeted therapies to support conventional chemotherapy is required. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a conserved signaling axis involved in several physiological processes such as development, differentiation, and adult tissue homeostasis. As a result, deregulation of this cascade is closely related to initiation and progression of various types of cancers, including hematological malignancies. In particular, deregulation of this signaling network is involved in the transformation of healthy HSCs in leukemic stem cells (LSCs), as well as cancer cell multi-drug-resistance. This review highlights the recent findings on the role of Wnt/β-catenin in hematopoietic malignancies and provides information on the current status of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors with respect to their therapeutic potential in the treatment of ALL.
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20
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Evangelisti C, Chiarini F, Cappellini A, Paganelli F, Fini M, Santi S, Martelli AM, Neri LM, Evangelisti C. Targeting Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:5413-5428. [PMID: 31904116 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological disorder that results from the clonal transformation of T-cell precursors. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways play a crucial role in T-cell development and in self-renewal of healthy and leukemic stem cells. Notably, β-catenin is a transcriptional regulator of several genes involved in cancer cell proliferation and survival. In this way, aberrations of components belonging to the aforementioned networks contribute to T-ALL pathogenesis. For this reason, inhibition of both pathways could represent an innovative strategy in this hematological malignancy. Here, we show that combined targeting of Wnt/β-catenin pathway through ICG-001, a CBP/β-catenin transcription inhibitor, and of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis through ZSTK-474, a PI3K inhibitor, downregulated proliferation, survival, and clonogenic activity of T-ALL cells. ICG-001 and ZSTK-474 displayed cytotoxic effects, and, when combined together, induced a significant increase in apoptotic cells. This induction of apoptosis was associated with the downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. All these findings were confirmed under hypoxic conditions that mimic the bone marrow niche where leukemic stem cells are believed to reside. Taken together, our findings highlight potentially promising treatment consisting of cotargeting Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways in T-ALL settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Evangelisti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiarini
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cappellini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Paganelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milena Fini
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Spartaco Santi
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca M Neri
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,LTTA-Electron Microscopy Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
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21
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Cardoso BA. The Bone Marrow Niche - The Tumor Microenvironment That Ensures Leukemia Progression. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1219:259-293. [PMID: 32130704 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-34025-4_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The human body requires a constant delivery of fresh blood cells that are needed to maintain body homeostasis. Hematopoiesis is the process that drives the formation of new blood cells from a single stem cell. This is a complex, orchestrated and tightly regulated process that occurs within the bone marrow. When such process is faulty or deregulated, leukemia arises, develops and thrives by subverting normal hematopoiesis and availing the supplies of this rich milieu.In this book chapter we will describe and characterize the bone marrow microenvironment and its key importance for leukemia expansion. The several components of the bone marrow niche, their interaction with the leukemic cells and the cellular pathways activated within the malignant cells will be emphasized. Finally, novel therapeutic strategies to target this sibling interaction will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno António Cardoso
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
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22
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Bigas A, Guillén Y, Schoch L, Arambilet D. Revisiting β-Catenin Signaling in T-Cell Development and T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Bioessays 2019; 42:e1900099. [PMID: 31854474 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
β-Catenin/CTNNB1 is critical for leukemia initiation or the stem cell capacity of several hematological malignancies. This review focuses on a general evaluation of β-catenin function in normal T-cell development and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). The integration of the existing literature offers a state-of-the-art dissection of the complexity of β-catenin function in leukemia initiation and maintenance in both Notch-dependent and independent contexts. In addition, β-catenin mutations are screened for in T-ALL primary samples, and it is found that they are rare and with little clinical relevance. Transcriptional analysis of Wnt family members (Ctnnb1, Axin2, Tcf7, and Lef1) and Myc in different publicly available T-ALL cohorts indicates that the expression of these genes may correlate with T-ALL subtypes and/or therapy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bigas
- Cancer Research Program, CIBERONC, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yolanda Guillén
- Cancer Research Program, CIBERONC, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonie Schoch
- Cancer Research Program, CIBERONC, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Arambilet
- Cancer Research Program, CIBERONC, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
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23
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Paganelli F, Lonetti A, Anselmi L, Martelli AM, Evangelisti C, Chiarini F. New advances in targeting aberrant signaling pathways in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Adv Biol Regul 2019; 74:100649. [PMID: 31523031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2019.100649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive disorder characterized by malignant transformation of immature progenitors primed towards T-cell development. Over the past 15 years, advances in the molecular characterization of T-ALL have uncovered oncogenic key drivers and crucial signaling pathways of this disease, opening new chances for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Currently, T-ALL patients are still treated with aggressive therapies, consisting of high dose multiagent chemotherapy. To minimize and overcome the unfavorable effects of these regimens, it is critical to identify innovative targets and test selective inhibitors of such targets. Major efforts are being made to develop small molecules against deregulated signaling pathways, which sustain T-ALL cell growth, survival, metabolism, and drug-resistance. This review will focus on recent improvements in the understanding of the signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of T-ALL and on the challenging opportunities for T-ALL targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Paganelli
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza-CNR National Research Council of Italy, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Lonetti
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Anselmi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, Section of Morphology, Signal Transduction Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza-CNR National Research Council of Italy, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiarini
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza-CNR National Research Council of Italy, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy.
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24
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Xing S, Gai K, Li X, Shao P, Zeng Z, Zhao X, Zhao X, Chen X, Paradee WJ, Meyerholz DK, Peng W, Xue HH. Tcf1 and Lef1 are required for the immunosuppressive function of regulatory T cells. J Exp Med 2019; 216:847-866. [PMID: 30837262 PMCID: PMC6446865 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20182010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tcf1 and Lef1 are underexpressed in T reg cells compared with conventional CD4+ T cells. Xing et al. demonstrate that genetic ablation of both factors impairs immunosuppressive function of T reg cells and leads to spontaneous multi-organ autoimmunity. Tcf1 and Lef1 have versatile functions in regulating T cell development and differentiation, but intrinsic requirements for these factors in regulatory T (T reg) cells remain to be unequivocally defined. Specific ablation of Tcf1 and Lef1 in T reg cells resulted in spontaneous multi-organ autoimmunity that became more evident with age. Tcf1/Lef1-deficient T regs showed reduced protection against experimentally induced colitis, indicative of diminished immuno-suppressive capacity. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Tcf1 and Lef1 were responsible for positive regulation of a subset of T reg–overrepresented signature genes such as Ikzf4 and Izumo1r. Unexpectedly, Tcf1 and Lef1 were necessary for restraining expression of cytotoxic CD8+ effector T cell–associated genes in T reg cells, including Prdm1 and Ifng. Tcf1 ChIP-seq revealed substantial overlap between Tcf1 and Foxp3 binding peaks in the T reg cell genome, with Tcf1-Foxp3 cooccupancy observed at key T reg signature and cytotoxic effector genes. Our data collectively indicate that Tcf1 and Lef1 are critical for sustaining T reg suppressive functions and preventing loss of self-tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojun Xing
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Kexin Gai
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington DC
| | - Peng Shao
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Zhouhao Zeng
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington DC
| | - Xudong Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Xia Chen
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | | | - David K Meyerholz
- Department of Pathology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Weiqun Peng
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington DC
| | - Hai-Hui Xue
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA .,Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, IA
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25
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Kahn M. Wnt Signaling in Stem Cells and Cancer Stem Cells: A Tale of Two Coactivators. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 153:209-244. [PMID: 29389517 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling in stem cells plays critical roles in development, normal adult physiology, and disease. In this chapter, we focus on the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in somatic stem cell biology and its critical role in normal tissue homeostasis and cancer. Wnt signaling can both maintain potency and initiate differentiation in somatic stem cells, depending on the cellular and environmental context. Based principally on studies from our lab, we will explain the dichotomous behavior of this signaling pathway in determining stem cell fate decisions, placing special emphasis on the interaction of β-catenin with either of the two highly homologous Kat3 coactivator proteins, CBP and p300. We will also discuss our results, both preclinical and clinical, demonstrating that small molecule modulators of the β-catenin/Kat3 coactivator interaction can be safely utilized to shift the balance between maintenance of potency and initiation of differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kahn
- Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States.
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26
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Kuznetsov NV, Almuzzaini B, Kritikou JS, Baptista MAP, Oliveira MMS, Keszei M, Snapper SB, Percipalle P, Westerberg LS. Nuclear Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein co-regulates T cell factor 1-mediated transcription in T cells. Genome Med 2017; 9:91. [PMID: 29078804 PMCID: PMC5660450 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-017-0481-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) family of actin-nucleating factors are present in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. The role of nuclear WASp for T cell development remains incompletely defined. METHODS We performed WASp chromatin immunoprecipitation and deep sequencing (ChIP-seq) in thymocytes and spleen CD4+ T cells. RESULTS WASp was enriched at genic and intergenic regions and associated with the transcription start sites of protein-coding genes. Thymocytes and spleen CD4+ T cells showed 15 common WASp-interacting genes, including the gene encoding T cell factor (TCF)12. WASp KO thymocytes had reduced nuclear TCF12 whereas thymocytes expressing constitutively active WASpL272P and WASpI296T had increased nuclear TCF12, suggesting that regulated WASp activity controlled nuclear TCF12. We identify a putative DNA element enriched in WASp ChIP-seq samples identical to a TCF1-binding site and we show that WASp directly interacted with TCF1 in the nucleus. CONCLUSIONS These data place nuclear WASp in proximity with TCF1 and TCF12, essential factors for T cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai V Kuznetsov
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Bader Almuzzaini
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden.,King Abdullah International Medical Research Center/King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences Medical Genomic Research Department, MNGHA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Joanna S Kritikou
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Marisa A P Baptista
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden.,Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mariana M S Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Marton Keszei
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Scott B Snapper
- Gastroenterology Division, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Piergiorgio Percipalle
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden.,Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa S Westerberg
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden.
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27
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Sorcini D, Bruscoli S, Frammartino T, Cimino M, Mazzon E, Galuppo M, Bramanti P, Al-Banchaabouchi M, Farley D, Ermakova O, Britanova O, Izraelson M, Chudakov D, Biagioli M, Sportoletti P, Flamini S, Raspa M, Scavizzi F, Nerlov C, Migliorati G, Riccardi C, Bereshchenko O. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Induces Integrin α4β1 in T Cells and Promotes a Progressive Neuroinflammatory Disease in Mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 199:3031-3041. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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28
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Bongiovanni D, Saccomani V, Piovan E. Aberrant Signaling Pathways in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18091904. [PMID: 28872614 PMCID: PMC5618553 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18091904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive disease caused by the malignant transformation of immature progenitors primed towards T-cell development. Clinically, T-ALL patients present with diffuse infiltration of the bone marrow by immature T-cell blasts high blood cell counts, mediastinal involvement, and diffusion to the central nervous system. In the past decade, the genomic landscape of T-ALL has been the target of intense research. The identification of specific genomic alterations has contributed to identify strong oncogenic drivers and signaling pathways regulating leukemia growth. Notwithstanding, T-ALL patients are still treated with high-dose multiagent chemotherapy, potentially exposing these patients to considerable acute and long-term side effects. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the signaling pathways relevant for the pathogenesis of T-ALL and the opportunities offered for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Bongiovanni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Oncologiche e Gastroenterologiche, Universita' di Padova, Padova 35128, Italy.
| | - Valentina Saccomani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Oncologiche e Gastroenterologiche, Universita' di Padova, Padova 35128, Italy.
| | - Erich Piovan
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Oncologiche e Gastroenterologiche, Universita' di Padova, Padova 35128, Italy.
- UOC Immunologia e Diagnostica Molecolare Oncologica, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova 35128, Italy.
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29
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Kim YM, Gang EJ, Kahn M. CBP/Catenin antagonists: Targeting LSCs' Achilles heel. Exp Hematol 2017; 52:1-11. [PMID: 28479420 PMCID: PMC5526056 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), including leukemia stem cells (LSCs), exhibit self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential and have the capacity to maintain or renew and propagate a tumor/leukemia. The initial isolation of CSCs/LSCs was in adult myelogenous leukemia, although more recently, the existence of CSCs in a wide variety of other cancers has been reported. CSCs, in general, and LSCs, specifically with respect to this review, are responsible for initiation of disease, therapeutic resistance and ultimately disease relapse. One key focus in cancer research over the past decade has been the development of therapies that safely eliminate the LSC/CSC population. One major obstacle to this goal is the identification of key mechanisms that distinguish LSCs from normal endogenous hematopoietic stem cells. An additional daunting feature that has recently come to light with advances in next-generation sequencing and single-cell sequencing is the heterogeneity within leukemias/tumors, with multiple combinations of mutations, gain and loss of function of genes, and so on being capable of driving disease, even within the CSC/LSC population. The focus of this review/perspective is on our work in identifying and validating, in both chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a safe and efficacious mechanism to target an evolutionarily conserved signaling nexus, which constitutes a common "Achilles heel" for LSCs/CSCs, using small molecule-specific CBP/catenin antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Mi Kim
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Eun-Ji Gang
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michael Kahn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; Center for Molecular Pathways and Drug Discovery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
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30
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Kuppers DA, Schmitt TM, Hwang HC, Samraj L, Clurman BE, Fero ML. The miR-106a~363 Xpcl1 miRNA cluster induces murine T cell lymphoma despite transcriptional activation of the p27 Kip1 cell cycle inhibitor. Oncotarget 2017; 8:50680-50691. [PMID: 28881594 PMCID: PMC5584189 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The miR-106a~363 cluster encodes 6 miRNAs on the X-chromosome which are abundant in blood cells and overexpressed in a variety of malignancies. The constituent miRNA of miR-106a~363 have functional activities in vitro that are predicted to be both oncogenic and tumor suppressive, yet little is known about their physiological functions in vivo. Mature miR-106a~363 (Mirc2) miRNAs are processed from an intragenic, non-protein encoding gene referred to as Xpcl1 (or Kis2), situated at an X-chromosomal locus frequently targeted by retroviruses in murine lymphomas. The oncogenic potential of miR-106a~363 Xpcl1 has not been proven, nor its potential role in T cell development. We show that miR106a~363 levels normally drop at the CD4+/CD8+ double positive (DP) stage of thymocyte development. Forced expression of Xpcl1 at this stage impairs thymocyte maturation and induces T-cell lymphomas. Surprisingly, miR-106a~363 Xpcl1 also induces p27 transcription via Foxo3/4 transcription factors. As a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor, elevated p27 is expected to inhibit lymphomagenesis. Consistent with this, concurrent p27 Kip1 deletion dramatically accelerated lymphomagenesis, indicating that p27 is rate limiting for tumor development by Xpcl1. Whereas down-regulation of miR-106a~363 is important for normal T cell differentiation and for the prevention of lymphomas, eliminating p27 reveals Xpcl1's full oncogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bruce E. Clurman
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
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31
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Oliveira ML, Akkapeddi P, Alcobia I, Almeida AR, Cardoso BA, Fragoso R, Serafim TL, Barata JT. From the outside, from within: Biological and therapeutic relevance of signal transduction in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cell Signal 2017. [PMID: 28645565 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological cancer that arises from clonal expansion of transformed T-cell precursors. In this review we summarize the current knowledge on the external stimuli and cell-intrinsic lesions that drive aberrant activation of pivotal, pro-tumoral intracellular signaling pathways in T-cell precursors, driving transformation, leukemia expansion, spread or resistance to therapy. In addition to their pathophysiological relevance, receptors and kinases involved in signal transduction are often attractive candidates for targeted drug development. As such, we discuss also the potential of T-ALL signaling players as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana L Oliveira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Padma Akkapeddi
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isabel Alcobia
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Histologia e Biologia do Desenvolvimento, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Afonso R Almeida
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Bruno A Cardoso
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rita Fragoso
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Teresa L Serafim
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João T Barata
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
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32
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Wnt Signaling as Master Regulator of T-Lymphocyte Responses: Implications for Transplant Therapy. Transplantation 2017; 100:2584-2592. [PMID: 27861287 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000001393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
T cell-mediated immune responses to the grafted tissues are the major reason for failed organ transplantation. The regulation of T cell responses is complex and involves major histocompatibility complex molecules on transplanted organs, cytokines, regulatory cells, and antigen-presenting cells. The evolutionary conserved Wnt signal transduction pathway has long been known for its importance in development of stem cells and immature T cells in the thymus. Recent evidence indicates the Wnt pathway as a master regulator of T cell immune responses via governing the balance between T helper 17/regulatory T cells and by regulating the formation of effector and memory cytotoxic CD8 T cell responses. In doing so, Wnt signals influence the outcome of immune responses in transplantation settings.
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33
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The development of T cells from stem cells in mice and humans. Future Sci OA 2017; 3:FSO186. [PMID: 28883990 PMCID: PMC5583695 DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2016-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells develop from hematopoietic stem cells in the specialized microenvironment of the thymus. The main transcriptional players of T-cell differentiation such as Notch, Tcf-1, Gata3 and Bcl11b have been identified, but their role and regulation are not yet completely understood. In humans, functional experiments on T-cell development have traditionally been rather difficult to perform, but novel in vitro culture systems and in vivo xenograft models have allowed detailed studies on human T-cell development. Recent work has allowed the use of human severe combined immunodeficiency stem cells to unravel developmental checkpoints for human thymocyte development.
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34
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Aberrant Wnt Signaling in Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8090078. [PMID: 27571104 PMCID: PMC5040980 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8090078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway is essential in the development and homeostasis of blood and immune cells, but its exact role is still controversial and is the subject of intense research. The malignant counterpart of normal hematopoietic cells, leukemic (stem) cells, have hijacked the Wnt pathway for their self-renewal and proliferation. Here we review the multiple ways dysregulated Wnt signaling can contribute to leukemogenesis, both cell autonomously as well as by changes in the microenvironment.
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35
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Shin TH, Brynczka C, Dayyani F, Rivera MN, Sweetser DA. TLE4 regulation of wnt-mediated inflammation underlies its role as a tumor suppressor in myeloid leukemia. Leuk Res 2016; 48:46-56. [PMID: 27486062 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The presence of AML1-ETO (RUNX1-CBF2T1), a fusion oncoprotein resulting from a t(8;21) chromosomal translocation, has been implicated as a necessary but insufficient event in the development of a subset of acute myeloid leukemias (AML). While AML1-ETO prolongs survival and inhibits differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), other contributory events are needed for cell proliferation and leukemogenesis. We have postulated that specific tumor suppressor genes keep the leukemic potential of AML1-ETO in check. In studying del(9q), one of the most common concomitant chromosomal abnormalities with t(8;21), we identified the loss of an apparent tumor suppressor, TLE4, that appears to cooperate with AML1-ETO to confer a leukemic phenotype. This study sought to identify the molecular basis of this cooperation. We show that the loss of TLE4 confers proliferative advantage to leukemic cells, simultaneous with an upregulation of a pro- inflammatory signature mediated through aberrant increases in Wnt signaling activity. We further demonstrate that inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity partly reverses the pro-leukemic phenotype due to TLE4 knockdown, pointing towards a novel therapeutic approach for myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Medical Genetics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Christopher Brynczka
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Medical Genetics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Farshid Dayyani
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Medical Genetics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Miguel N Rivera
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
| | - David A Sweetser
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Medical Genetics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
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36
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Belinson H, Savage AK, Fadrosh D, Kuo YM, Lin D, Valladares R, Nusse Y, Wynshaw-Boris A, Lynch SV, Locksley RM, Klein OD. Dual epithelial and immune cell function of Dvl1 regulates gut microbiota composition and intestinal homeostasis. JCI Insight 2016; 1:85395. [PMID: 27525310 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.85395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeostasis of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is controlled by complex interactions between epithelial and immune cells and the resident microbiota. Here, we studied the role of Wnt signaling in GI homeostasis using Disheveled 1 knockout (Dvl1-/-) mice, which display an increase in whole gut transit time. This phenotype is associated with a reduction and mislocalization of Paneth cells and an increase in CD8+ T cells in the lamina propria. Bone marrow chimera experiments demonstrated that GI dysfunction requires abnormalities in both epithelial and immune cells. Dvl1-/- mice exhibit a significantly distinct GI microbiota, and manipulation of the gut microbiota in mutant mice rescued the GI transit abnormality without correcting the Paneth and CD8+ T cell abnormalities. Moreover, manipulation of the gut microbiota in wild-type mice induced a GI transit abnormality akin to that seen in Dvl1-/- mice. Together, these data indicate that microbiota manipulation can overcome host dysfunction to correct GI transit abnormalities. Our findings illustrate a mechanism by which the epithelium and immune system coregulate gut microbiota composition to promote normal GI function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haim Belinson
- Department of Pediatrics and Institute for Human Genetics.,Department of Orofacial Sciences and Program in Craniofacial Biology
| | - Adam K Savage
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, and
| | - Douglas Fadrosh
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yien-Ming Kuo
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Din Lin
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ricardo Valladares
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ysbrand Nusse
- Department of Pediatrics and Institute for Human Genetics.,Department of Orofacial Sciences and Program in Craniofacial Biology
| | - Anthony Wynshaw-Boris
- Department of Pediatrics and Institute for Human Genetics.,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Susan V Lynch
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Richard M Locksley
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, and.,Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ophir D Klein
- Department of Pediatrics and Institute for Human Genetics.,Department of Orofacial Sciences and Program in Craniofacial Biology
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37
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Gekas C, D'Altri T, Aligué R, González J, Espinosa L, Bigas A. β-Catenin is required for T-cell leukemia initiation and MYC transcription downstream of Notch1. Leukemia 2016; 30:2002-2010. [PMID: 27125305 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Notch activation is instrumental in the development of most T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cases, yet Notch mutations alone are not sufficient to recapitulate the full human disease in animal models. We here found that Notch1 activation at the fetal liver (FL) stage expanded the hematopoietic progenitor population and conferred it transplantable leukemic-initiating capacity. However, leukemogenesis and leukemic-initiating cell capacity induced by Notch1 was critically dependent on the levels of β-Catenin in both FL and adult bone marrow contexts. In addition, inhibition of β-Catenin compromised survival and proliferation of human T-ALL cell lines carrying activated Notch1. By transcriptome analyses, we identified the MYC pathway as a crucial element downstream of β-Catenin in these T-ALL cells and demonstrate that the MYC 3' enhancer required β-Catenin and Notch1 recruitment to induce transcription. Finally, PKF115-584 treatment prevented and partially reverted leukemogenesis induced by active Notch1.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gekas
- Program in Cancer Research, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - T D'Altri
- Program in Cancer Research, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Aligué
- Department of Cell Biology, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J González
- Program in Cancer Research, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Espinosa
- Program in Cancer Research, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Bigas
- Program in Cancer Research, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
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38
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Staal FJT, Chhatta A, Mikkers H. Caught in a Wnt storm: Complexities of Wnt signaling in hematopoiesis. Exp Hematol 2016; 44:451-7. [PMID: 27016274 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway is an evolutionary conserved pathway that is involved in the development of almost every organ system in the body and provides self-renewal signals for most, if not all, adult stem cell systems. In recent years, this pathway has been studied by various research groups working on hematopoietic stem cells, resulting in contradicting conclusions. Here, we discuss and interpret the results of these studies and propose that Wnt dosage, the source of hematopoietic stem cells, and interactions with other pathways explain these disparate results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank J T Staal
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Amiet Chhatta
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Harald Mikkers
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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39
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Belmonte M, Hoofd C, Weng AP, Giambra V. Targeting leukemia stem cells: which pathways drive self-renewal activity in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 23:34-41. [PMID: 26966402 DOI: 10.3747/co.23.2806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (t-all) is a malignancy of white blood cells, characterized by an uncontrolled accumulation of T-cell progenitors. During leukemic progression, immature T cells grow abnormally and crowd into the bone marrow, preventing it from making normal blood cells and spilling out into the bloodstream. Recent studies suggest that only discrete cell populations that possess the ability to recreate the entire tumour might be responsible for the initiation and propagation of t-all. Those unique cells are commonly called "cancer stem cells" or, in the case of hematopoietic malignancies, "leukemia stem cells" (lscs). Like normal hematopoietic stem cells, lscs are thought to be capable of self-renewal, during which, by asymmetrical division, they give rise to an identical copy of themselves as well as to a daughter cell that is no longer capable of self-renewal activity and represents a more "differentiated" progeny. Here, we review the main pathways of self-renewal activity in lscs, focusing on their involvement in the maintenance and development of t-all. New stem cell-directed therapies and lsc-targeted agents are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Belmonte
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC
| | - C Hoofd
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC
| | - A P Weng
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC
| | - V Giambra
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC
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40
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Chae WJ, Ehrlich AK, Chan PY, Teixeira AM, Henegariu O, Hao L, Shin JH, Park JH, Tang WH, Kim ST, Maher SE, Goldsmith-Pestana K, Shan P, Hwa J, Lee PJ, Krause DS, Rothlin CV, McMahon-Pratt D, Bothwell ALM. The Wnt Antagonist Dickkopf-1 Promotes Pathological Type 2 Cell-Mediated Inflammation. Immunity 2016; 44:246-58. [PMID: 26872695 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to a plethora of environmental challenges commonly triggers pathological type 2 cell-mediated inflammation. Here we report the pathological role of the Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) upon allergen challenge or non-healing parasitic infection. The increased circulating amounts of Dkk-1 polarized T cells to T helper 2 (Th2) cells, stimulating a marked simultaneous induction of the transcription factors c-Maf and Gata-3, mediated by the kinases p38 MAPK and SGK-1, resulting in Th2 cell cytokine production. Circulating Dkk-1 was primarily from platelets, and the increase of Dkk-1 resulted in formation of leukocyte-platelet aggregates (LPA) that facilitated leukocyte infiltration to the affected tissue. Functional inhibition of Dkk-1 impaired Th2 cell cytokine production and leukocyte infiltration, protecting mice from house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma or Leishmania major infection. These results highlight that Dkk-1 from thrombocytes is an important regulator of leukocyte infiltration and polarization of immune responses in pathological type 2 cell-mediated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wook-Jin Chae
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Allison K Ehrlich
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Pamela Y Chan
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Alexandra M Teixeira
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Octavian Henegariu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Liming Hao
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jae Hun Shin
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jong-Hyun Park
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Wai Ho Tang
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Sang-Taek Kim
- Department of Rheumatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Stephen E Maher
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Karen Goldsmith-Pestana
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Peiying Shan
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - John Hwa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Patty J Lee
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Diane S Krause
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Carla V Rothlin
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Diane McMahon-Pratt
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Alfred L M Bothwell
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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41
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Han ZY, Richer W, Fréneaux P, Chauvin C, Lucchesi C, Guillemot D, Grison C, Lequin D, Pierron G, Masliah-Planchon J, Nicolas A, Ranchère-Vince D, Varlet P, Puget S, Janoueix-Lerosey I, Ayrault O, Surdez D, Delattre O, Bourdeaut F. The occurrence of intracranial rhabdoid tumours in mice depends on temporal control of Smarcb1 inactivation. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10421. [PMID: 26818002 PMCID: PMC4738337 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdoid tumours (RTs) are highly aggressive tumours of infancy, frequently localized in the central nervous system (CNS) where they are termed atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours (AT/RTs) and characterized by bi-allelic inactivation of the SMARCB1 tumour suppressor gene. In this study, by temporal control of tamoxifen injection in Smarcb1(flox/flox);Rosa26-Cre(ERT2) mice, we explore the phenotypes associated with Smarcb1 inactivation at different developmental stages. Injection before E6, at birth or at 2 months of age recapitulates previously described phenotypes including embryonic lethality, hepatic toxicity or development of T-cell lymphomas, respectively. Injection between E6 and E10 leads to high penetrance tumours, mainly intra-cranial, with short delays (median: 3 months). These tumours demonstrate anatomical, morphological and gene expression profiles consistent with those of human AT/RTs. Moreover, intra- and inter-species comparisons of tumours reveal that human and mouse RTs can be split into different entities that may underline the variety of RT cells of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yan Han
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, InsermU830, Laboratoire de Genetique et Biologie des Cancers, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.,SiRIC- Institut Curie, Laboratoire de Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Wilfrid Richer
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, InsermU830, Laboratoire de Genetique et Biologie des Cancers, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.,SiRIC- Institut Curie, Laboratoire de Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Paul Fréneaux
- Département de Biologie des Tumeurs, Institut Curie, Service d'anatomie pathologique, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Céline Chauvin
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, InsermU830, Laboratoire de Genetique et Biologie des Cancers, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.,SiRIC- Institut Curie, Laboratoire de Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Carlo Lucchesi
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, InsermU830, Laboratoire de Genetique et Biologie des Cancers, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Delphine Guillemot
- Institut Bergonie, Institut Curie, Unité de génétique somatique, Département de Biologie des Tumeurs, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Camille Grison
- Institut Bergonie, Institut Curie, Unité de génétique somatique, Département de Biologie des Tumeurs, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Delphine Lequin
- Institut Bergonie, Institut Curie, Unité de génétique somatique, Département de Biologie des Tumeurs, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Gaelle Pierron
- Institut Bergonie, Institut Curie, Unité de génétique somatique, Département de Biologie des Tumeurs, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Julien Masliah-Planchon
- Institut Bergonie, Institut Curie, Unité de génétique somatique, Département de Biologie des Tumeurs, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - André Nicolas
- Institut Curie, Plateforme de pathologie expérimentale, Département de Biologie des Tumeurs, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Dominique Ranchère-Vince
- Centre Léon Bérard, Departement de Biopathologie, 28 Promenade Léa et Napoléon Bullukian, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Pascale Varlet
- Departement de neuropathology, Hopital Sainte-Anne, 1 rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Puget
- Université Paris Descartes, 75006 Paris, France.,Service de neurochirurgie pédiatrique, Hopital Necker, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Janoueix-Lerosey
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, InsermU830, Laboratoire de Genetique et Biologie des Cancers, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Ayrault
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres University Research, CNRS UMR 3306, INSERM U1005, Centre Universitaire d'Orsay, 91898 Orsay, France
| | - Didier Surdez
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, InsermU830, Laboratoire de Genetique et Biologie des Cancers, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Delattre
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, InsermU830, Laboratoire de Genetique et Biologie des Cancers, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.,Institut Bergonie, Institut Curie, Unité de génétique somatique, Département de Biologie des Tumeurs, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Franck Bourdeaut
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, InsermU830, Laboratoire de Genetique et Biologie des Cancers, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.,SiRIC- Institut Curie, Laboratoire de Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.,Département d'oncologie pédiatrique, Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
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42
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Wang Y, Wu P, Lin R, Rong L, Xue Y, Fang Y. LncRNA NALT interaction with NOTCH1 promoted cell proliferation in pediatric T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13749. [PMID: 26330272 PMCID: PMC4557127 DOI: 10.1038/srep13749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) was referred to be participating in various malignant tumors. Location based analysis of the mechanism in lncRNA and genes have been highly focused. In this study, we reported that lncRNA named NALT which was located near NOTCH1 within 100 bp away. We confirmed that up-regulation of NALT associating with NOTCH1 in human samples. Increased expression of NALT dramatically promoted cell proliferation in cell lines via CCK8 assay and EDU stain. Further xenograft tumor also indicated the growth inducing affection of NALT while could be partial reversed by GSI. Besides, through sorting the side-population cells in T ALL cells treated with NALT shRNA could decrease percentage of SP cell which companied by the down-regulation of NOTCH1. Gal4-λN/BoxB reporter system revealed that the nuclear located NALT could function as a transcription activator which caused an activation of NOTCH signal pathway as confirmed by western blot. Taken together, we found a neighbor of NOTCH1, Lnc-RP11-611D20.2 (named NALT) which could regulate the NOTCH1 signal pathway through cis-regulation. This founding may trigger a comparable development of diagnosis or novel molecularly-directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nanjing Children's Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nanjing Children's Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Rufeng Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nanjing Children's Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Liucheng Rong
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nanjing Children's Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yao Xue
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nanjing Children's Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yongjun Fang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nanjing Children's Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
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43
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Giambra V, Jenkins CE, Lam SH, Hoofd C, Belmonte M, Wang X, Gusscott S, Gracias D, Weng AP. Leukemia stem cells in T-ALL require active Hif1α and Wnt signaling. Blood 2015; 125:3917-27. [PMID: 25934477 PMCID: PMC4548498 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2014-10-609370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway has been shown to play important roles in normal hematopoietic stem cell biology and in the development of both acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Its role in maintaining established leukemia stem cells, which are more directly relevant to patients with disease, however, is less clear. To address what role Wnt signaling may play in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), we used a stably integrated fluorescent Wnt reporter construct to interrogate endogenous Wnt signaling activity in vivo. In this study, we report that active Wnt signaling is restricted to minor subpopulations within bulk tumors, that these Wnt-active subsets are highly enriched for leukemia-initiating cells (LICs), and that genetic inactivation of β-catenin severely reduces LIC frequency. We show further that β-catenin transcription is upregulated by hypoxia through hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (Hif1α) stabilization, and that deletion of Hif1α also severely reduces LIC frequency. Of note, the deletion of β-catenin or Hif1α did not impair the growth or viability of bulk tumor cells, suggesting that elements of the Wnt and Hif pathways specifically support leukemia stem cells. We also confirm the relevance of these findings to human disease using cell lines and patient-derived xenografts, suggesting that targeting these pathways could benefit patients with T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Giambra
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Sonya H Lam
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Catherine Hoofd
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Miriam Belmonte
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Xuehai Wang
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sam Gusscott
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Deanne Gracias
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew P Weng
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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44
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Ashihara E, Takada T, Maekawa T. Targeting the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hematological malignancies. Cancer Sci 2015; 106:665-671. [PMID: 25788321 PMCID: PMC4471797 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in different developmental processes through the regulation of stem cell functions. In the activation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway, β-catenin protein is imported into the nucleus and activates transcription of target genes including cyclin D1 and c-myc. Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway contributes to carcinogenesis and malignant behaviors, and Wnt signaling is essential for the maintenance of cancer stem cells. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been investigated extensively as a target in cancer treatment and several specific inhibitors of this signaling pathway have been identified through high-throughput screening. In this review, the significance of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hematological carcinogenesis and screening methods for specific inhibitors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eishi Ashihara
- Department of Clinical and Translational Physiology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Takada
- Department of Clinical and Translational Physiology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Taira Maekawa
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
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45
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Steinke FC, Xue HH. From inception to output, Tcf1 and Lef1 safeguard development of T cells and innate immune cells. Immunol Res 2015; 59:45-55. [PMID: 24847765 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-014-8545-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors have recurring roles during T cell development and activation. Tcf1 and Lef1 are known to be essential for early stages of thymocyte maturation. Recent research has revealed several novel aspects of their functionality. Tcf1 is induced at the very earliest step of specifying hematopoietic progenitors to the T cell lineage as a key target gene downstream of Notch activation. In addition to promoting maturation of T-lineage-committed thymocytes, Tcf1 functions as a tumor suppressor in developing thymocytes, and this is mediated, paradoxically, by restraining Lef1 expression. After positive selection, Tcf1 and Lef1 act together to direct CD4(+)CD8(+) double positive thymocytes to a CD4(+) T cell fate. Although not required for CD8(+) T cell differentiation, Tcf1 and Lef1 cooperate with Runx factors to achieve stable silencing of the Cd4 gene in CD8(+) T cells. Tcf1 is also found to have versatile roles in innate immune cells, which partly mirror its functions in mature T helper cells. Discrepancy in requirements of Tcf1/Lef1 and β-catenin in T cells has been a long-standing enigma. We will review other protein factors interacting with Tcf1 and Lef1 and discuss their regulatory roles independent of β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farrah C Steinke
- Department of Microbiology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
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46
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Wong C, Chen C, Wu Q, Liu Y, Zheng P. A critical role for the regulated wnt-myc pathway in naive T cell survival. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 194:158-67. [PMID: 25429066 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1401238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling is involved in T cell development, activation, and differentiation. However, the role for Wnt signaling in mature naive T cells has not been investigated. In this article, we report that activation of Wnt signaling in T cell lineages by deletion of the Apc (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene causes spontaneous T cell activation and severe T cell lymphopenia. The lymphopenia is the result of rapid apoptosis of newly exported, mature T cells in the periphery and is not due to defects in thymocyte development or emigration. Using chimera mice consisting of both wild-type and Apc-deficient T cells, we found that loss of naive T cells is due to T cell intrinsic dysregulation of Wnt signaling. Because Apc deletion causes overexpression of the Wnt target gene cMyc, we generated mice with combined deletion of the cMyc gene. Because combined deletion of cMyc and Apc attenuated T cell loss, cMyc overexpression is partially responsible for spontaneous T cell apoptosis and lymphopenia. Cumulatively, our data reveal a missing link between Wnt signaling and survival of naive T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunshu Wong
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010; Immunology Graduate Program, Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Chong Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Qi Wu
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; and
| | - Yang Liu
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010;
| | - Pan Zheng
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010; Division of Pathology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010
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47
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Tiemessen MM, Baert MRM, Kok L, van Eggermond MCJA, van den Elsen PJ, Arens R, Staal FJT. T Cell factor 1 represses CD8+ effector T cell formation and function. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:5480-7. [PMID: 25355919 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1303417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt-responsive transcription factor T cell factor 1 (Tcf1) is well known for its role in thymic T cell development and the formation of memory CD8(+) T cells. However, its role in the initial phases of CD8(+) T effector cell formation has remained unexplored. We report that high levels of Wnt signaling and Tcf1 are operational in naive and memory CD8(+) T cells, whereas Wnt signaling and Tcf1 were low in effector CD8(+) T cells. CD8(+) T cells deficient in Tcf1 produce IFN-γ more rapidly, coinciding with increased demethylation of the IFN-γ enhancer and higher expression of the transcription factors Tbet and Blimp1. Moreover, virus-specific Tcf1(-/-) CD8(+) T cells show accelerated expansion in acute infection, which is associated with increased IFN-γ and TNF production and lower viral load. Genetic complementation experiments with various Tcf1 isoforms indicate that Tcf1 dosage and protein stability are critical in suppressing IFN-γ production. Isoforms lacking the β-catenin binding domain are equally effective in inhibiting CD8(+) effector T cell formation. Thus, Tcf1 functions as a repressor of CD8(+) effector T cell formation in a β-catenin/Wnt-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machteld M Tiemessen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC/Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Miranda R M Baert
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC/Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lianne Kok
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC/Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marja C J A van Eggermond
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC/Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J van den Elsen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC/Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ramon Arens
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC/Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Frank J T Staal
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC/Leiden, the Netherlands
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48
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Bonn BR, Huge A, Rohde M, Oschlies I, Klapper W, Voss R, Makarova O, Rossig C, Jürgens H, Seggewiss J, Burkhardt B. Whole exome sequencing hints at a unique mutational profile of paediatric T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Br J Haematol 2014; 168:308-13. [DOI: 10.1111/bjh.13105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina R. Bonn
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology; University Children's Hospital Münster; Münster Germany
| | - Andreas Huge
- Integrated Functional Genomics (IFG); Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research (IZKF); University Hospital Münster; Münster Germany
| | - Marius Rohde
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology; Justus Liebig University Giessen; Giessen Germany
| | - Ilske Oschlies
- Department of Pathology, Haematopathology Section and Lymph Node Registry; Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein; Campus Kiel; Kiel Germany
| | - Wolfram Klapper
- Department of Pathology, Haematopathology Section and Lymph Node Registry; Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein; Campus Kiel; Kiel Germany
| | - Reinhard Voss
- Integrated Functional Genomics (IFG); Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research (IZKF); University Hospital Münster; Münster Germany
| | - Olga Makarova
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology; University Children's Hospital Münster; Münster Germany
| | - Claudia Rossig
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology; University Children's Hospital Münster; Münster Germany
| | - Heribert Jürgens
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology; University Children's Hospital Münster; Münster Germany
| | - Jochen Seggewiss
- Integrated Functional Genomics (IFG); Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research (IZKF); University Hospital Münster; Münster Germany
| | - Birgit Burkhardt
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology; University Children's Hospital Münster; Münster Germany
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49
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Keerthivasan S, Aghajani K, Dose M, Molinero L, Khan MW, Venkateswaran V, Weber C, Emmanuel AO, Sun T, Bentrem DJ, Mulcahy M, Keshavarzian A, Ramos EM, Blatner N, Khazaie K, Gounari F. β-Catenin promotes colitis and colon cancer through imprinting of proinflammatory properties in T cells. Sci Transl Med 2014; 6:225ra28. [PMID: 24574339 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3007607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The density and type of lymphocytes that infiltrate colon tumors are predictive of the clinical outcome of colon cancer. High densities of T helper 17 (T(H)17) cells and inflammation predict poor outcome, whereas infiltration by T regulatory cells (Tregs) that naturally suppress inflammation is associated with longer patient survival. However, the role of Tregs in cancer remains controversial. We recently reported that Tregs in colon cancer patients can become proinflammatory and tumor-promoting. These properties were directly linked with their expression of RORγt (retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-γt), the signature transcription factor of T(H)17 cells. We report that Wnt/β-catenin signaling in T cells promotes expression of RORγt. Expression of β-catenin was elevated in T cells, including Tregs, of patients with colon cancer. Genetically engineered activation of β-catenin in mouse T cells resulted in enhanced chromatin accessibility in the proximity of T cell factor-1 (Tcf-1) binding sites genome-wide, induced expression of T(H)17 signature genes including RORγt, and promoted T(H)17-mediated inflammation. Strikingly, the mice had inflammation of small intestine and colon and developed lesions indistinguishable from colitis-induced cancer. Activation of β-catenin only in Tregs was sufficient to produce inflammation and initiate cancer. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in effector T cells and/or Tregs is causatively linked with the imprinting of proinflammatory properties and the promotion of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Keerthivasan
- Gwen Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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50
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Addiction to multiple oncogenes can be exploited to prevent the emergence of therapeutic resistance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:E3316-24. [PMID: 25071175 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1406123111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many cancers exhibit sensitivity to the inhibition of a single genetic lesion, a property that has been successfully exploited with oncogene-targeted therapeutics. However, inhibition of single oncogenes often fails to result in sustained tumor regression due to the emergence of therapy-resistant cells. Here, we report that MYC-driven lymphomas frequently acquire activating mutations in β-catenin, including a previously unreported mutation in a splice acceptor site. Tumors with these genetic lesions are highly dependent on β-catenin for their survival and the suppression of β-catenin resulted in marked apoptosis causally related to a decrease in Bcl-xL expression. Using a novel inducible inhibitor of β-catenin, we illustrate that, although MYC withdrawal or β-catenin inhibition alone results in initial tumor regression, most tumors ultimately recurred, mimicking the clinical response to single-agent targeted therapy. Importantly, the simultaneous combined inhibition of both MYC and β-catenin promoted more rapid tumor regression and successfully prevented tumor recurrence. Hence, we demonstrated that MYC-induced tumors are addicted to mutant β-catenin, and the combined inactivation of MYC and β-catenin induces sustained tumor regression. Our results provide a proof of principle that targeting multiple oncogene addicted pathways can prevent therapeutic resistance.
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