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Tretti Parenzan C, Molin AD, Longo G, Gaffo E, Buratin A, Cani A, Boldrin E, Serafin V, Guglielmelli P, Vannucchi AM, Cazzaniga G, Biondi A, Locatelli F, Meyer LH, Buldini B, te Kronnie G, Bresolin S, Bortoluzzi S. Functional relevance of circRNA aberrant expression in pediatric acute leukemia with KMT2A::AFF1 fusion. Blood Adv 2024; 8:1305-1319. [PMID: 38029383 PMCID: PMC10918493 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging molecular players in leukemogenesis and promising therapeutic targets. In KMT2A::AFF1 (MLL::AF4)-rearranged leukemia, an aggressive disease compared with other pediatric B-cell precursor (BCP) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), data about circRNAs are limited. Here, we disclose the circRNA landscape of infant patients with KMT2A::AFF1 translocated BCP-ALL showing dysregulated, mostly ectopically expressed, circRNAs in leukemia cells. Most of these circRNAs, apart from circHIPK3 and circZNF609, previously associated with oncogenic behavior in ALL, are still uncharacterized. An in vitro loss-of-function screening identified an oncogenic role of circFKBP5, circKLHL2, circNR3C1, and circPAN3 in KMT2A::AFF1 ALL, whose silencing affected cell proliferation and apoptosis. Further study in an extended cohort disclosed a significantly correlated expression of these oncogenic circRNAs and their putative involvement in common regulatory networks. Moreover, it showed that circAFF1 upregulation occurs in a subset of cases with HOXA KMT2A::AFF1 ALL. Collectively, functional analyses and patient data reveal oncogenic circRNA upregulation as a relevant mechanism that sustains the malignant cell phenotype in KMT2A::AFF1 ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Tretti Parenzan
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Division, Women and Child Health Department, Padua University and Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Dal Molin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giorgia Longo
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Division, Women and Child Health Department, Padua University and Hospital, Padua, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Enrico Gaffo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessia Buratin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Cani
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Division, Women and Child Health Department, Padua University and Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Boldrin
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Ulm University Medical Center, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm, Germany
| | - Valentina Serafin
- Onco-Hematology, Stem Cell Transplant and Gene Therapy, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Foundation - Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Guglielmelli
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Cazzaniga
- Tettamanti Center, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italia
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Lueder H. Meyer
- Ulm University Medical Center, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm, Germany
| | - Barbara Buldini
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Division, Women and Child Health Department, Padua University and Hospital, Padua, Italy
- Onco-Hematology, Stem Cell Transplant and Gene Therapy, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Foundation - Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Bresolin
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Division, Women and Child Health Department, Padua University and Hospital, Padua, Italy
- Onco-Hematology, Stem Cell Transplant and Gene Therapy, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Foundation - Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
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2
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Arai H, Matsui H, Chi S, Utsu Y, Masuda S, Aotsuka N, Minami Y. Germline Variants and Characteristic Features of Hereditary Hematological Malignancy Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:652. [PMID: 38203823 PMCID: PMC10779750 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the proliferation of genetic testing, pathogenic germline variants predisposing to hereditary hematological malignancy syndrome (HHMS) have been identified in an increasing number of genes. Consequently, the field of HHMS is gaining recognition among clinicians and scientists worldwide. Patients with germline genetic abnormalities often have poor outcomes and are candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, HSCT using blood from a related donor should be carefully considered because of the risk that the patient may inherit a pathogenic variant. At present, we now face the challenge of incorporating these advances into clinical practice for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and optimizing the management and surveillance of patients and asymptomatic carriers, with the limitation that evidence-based guidelines are often inadequate. The 2016 revision of the WHO classification added a new section on myeloid malignant neoplasms, including MDS and AML with germline predisposition. The main syndromes can be classified into three groups. Those without pre-existing disease or organ dysfunction; DDX41, TP53, CEBPA, those with pre-existing platelet disorders; ANKRD26, ETV6, RUNX1, and those with other organ dysfunctions; SAMD9/SAMD9L, GATA2, and inherited bone marrow failure syndromes. In this review, we will outline the role of the genes involved in HHMS in order to clarify our understanding of HHMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Arai
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan; (H.A.); (S.C.)
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Japanese Red Cross Narita Hospital, Iidacho, Narita 286-0041, Japan; (Y.U.); (S.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Hirotaka Matsui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji, Chuoku 104-0045, Japan;
- Department of Medical Oncology and Translational Research, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8665, Japan
| | - SungGi Chi
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan; (H.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Yoshikazu Utsu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Japanese Red Cross Narita Hospital, Iidacho, Narita 286-0041, Japan; (Y.U.); (S.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Shinichi Masuda
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Japanese Red Cross Narita Hospital, Iidacho, Narita 286-0041, Japan; (Y.U.); (S.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Nobuyuki Aotsuka
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Japanese Red Cross Narita Hospital, Iidacho, Narita 286-0041, Japan; (Y.U.); (S.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Yosuke Minami
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan; (H.A.); (S.C.)
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3
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Closa A, Reixachs-Solé M, Fuentes-Fayos AC, Hayer K, Melero J, Adriaanse FRS, Bos R, Torres-Diz M, Hunger S, Roberts K, Mullighan C, Stam R, Thomas-Tikhonenko A, Castaño J, Luque R, Eyras E. A convergent malignant phenotype in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia involving the splicing factor SRRM1. NAR Cancer 2022; 4:zcac041. [DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcac041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A significant proportion of infant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients remains with a dismal prognosis due to yet undetermined mechanisms. We performed a comprehensive multicohort analysis of gene expression, gene fusions, and RNA splicing alterations to uncover molecular signatures potentially linked to the observed poor outcome. We identified 87 fusions with significant allele frequency across patients and shared functional impacts, suggesting common mechanisms across fusions. We further identified a gene expression signature that predicts high risk independently of the gene fusion background and includes the upregulation of the splicing factor SRRM1. Experiments in B-ALL cell lines provided further evidence for the role of SRRM1 on cell survival, proliferation, and invasion. Supplementary analysis revealed that SRRM1 potentially modulates splicing events associated with poor outcomes through protein-protein interactions with other splicing factors. Our findings reveal a potential convergent mechanism of aberrant RNA processing that sustains a malignant phenotype independently of the underlying gene fusion and that could potentially complement current clinical strategies in infant B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adria Closa
- The Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
- Centre for Computational Biomedical Sciences, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
- EMBL Australia Partner Laboratory Network at the Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
| | - Marina Reixachs-Solé
- The Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
- Centre for Computational Biomedical Sciences, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
- EMBL Australia Partner Laboratory Network at the Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
| | - Antonio C Fuentes-Fayos
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC) , Cordoba, Spain
- University of Cordoba (UCO) , Cordoba, Spain
- Reina Sofía University Hospital , Cordoba, Spain
| | - Katharina E Hayer
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, USA
| | - Juan L Melero
- The Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
- Centre for Computational Biomedical Sciences, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
- EMBL Australia Partner Laboratory Network at the Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
| | | | - Romy S Bos
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Manuel Torres-Diz
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, USA
| | - Stephen P Hunger
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, USA
| | - Kathryn G Roberts
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis, USA
| | - Charles G Mullighan
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis, USA
| | - Ronald W Stam
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, USA
| | - Justo P Castaño
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC) , Cordoba, Spain
- University of Cordoba (UCO) , Cordoba, Spain
- Reina Sofía University Hospital , Cordoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición , (CIBERobn), Cordoba, Spain
| | - Raúl M Luque
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC) , Cordoba, Spain
- University of Cordoba (UCO) , Cordoba, Spain
- Reina Sofía University Hospital , Cordoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición , (CIBERobn), Cordoba, Spain
| | - Eduardo Eyras
- The Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
- Centre for Computational Biomedical Sciences, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
- EMBL Australia Partner Laboratory Network at the Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA) , Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM) , Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Maurya S, Yang W, Tamai M, Zhang Q, Erdmann-Gilmore P, Bystry A, Martins Rodrigues F, Valentine MC, Wong WH, Townsend R, Druley TE. Loss of KMT2C reprograms the epigenomic landscape in hPSCs resulting in NODAL overexpression and a failure of hemogenic endothelium specification. Epigenetics 2021; 17:220-238. [PMID: 34304711 PMCID: PMC8865227 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1954780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline or somatic variation in the family of KMT2 lysine methyltransferases have been associated with a variety of congenital disorders and cancers. Notably, KMT2A-fusions are prevalent in 70% of infant leukaemias but fail to phenocopy short latency leukaemogenesis in mammalian models, suggesting additional factors are necessary for transformation. Given the lack of additional somatic mutation, the role of epigenetic regulation in cell specification, and our prior results of germline KMT2C variation in infant leukaemia patients, we hypothesized that germline dysfunction of KMT2C altered haematopoietic specification. In isogenic KMT2C KO hPSCs, we found genome-wide differences in histone modifications at active and poised enhancers, leading to gene expression profiles akin to mesendoderm rather than mesoderm highlighted by a significant increase in NODAL expression and WNT inhibition, ultimately resulting in a lack of in vitro hemogenic endothelium specification. These unbiased multi-omic results provide new evidence for germline mechanisms increasing risk of early leukaemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra Maurya
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Wei Yang
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Genome Technology Access Center, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Minori Tamai
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Petra Erdmann-Gilmore
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Amelia Bystry
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | | | - Mark C Valentine
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Wing H Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Reid Townsend
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Todd E Druley
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
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5
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Tejedor JR, Bueno C, Vinyoles M, Petazzi P, Agraz-Doblas A, Cobo I, Torres-Ruiz R, Bayón GF, Pérez RF, López-Tamargo S, Gutierrez-Agüera F, Santamarina-Ojeda P, Ramírez-Orellana M, Bardini M, Cazzaniga G, Ballerini P, Schneider P, Stam RW, Varela I, Fraga MF, Fernández AF, Menéndez P. Integrative methylome-transcriptome analysis unravels cancer cell vulnerabilities in infant MLL-rearranged B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:138833. [PMID: 33983906 DOI: 10.1172/jci138833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. As predicted by its prenatal origin, infant B-ALL (iB-ALL) shows an exceptionally silent DNA mutational landscape, suggesting that alternative epigenetic mechanisms may substantially contribute to its leukemogenesis. Here, we have integrated genome-wide DNA methylome and transcriptome data from 69 patients with de novo MLL-rearranged leukemia (MLLr) and non-MLLr iB-ALL leukemia uniformly treated according to the Interfant-99/06 protocol. iB-ALL methylome signatures display a plethora of common and specific alterations associated with chromatin states related to enhancer and transcriptional control in normal hematopoietic cells. DNA methylation, gene expression, and gene coexpression network analyses segregated MLLr away from non-MLLr iB-ALL and identified a coordinated and enriched expression of the AP-1 complex members FOS and JUN and RUNX factors in MLLr iB-ALL, consistent with the significant enrichment of hypomethylated CpGs in these genes. Integrative methylome-transcriptome analysis identified consistent cancer cell vulnerabilities, revealed a robust iB-ALL-specific gene expression-correlating dmCpG signature, and confirmed an epigenetic control of AP-1 and RUNX members in reshaping the molecular network of MLLr iB-ALL. Finally, pharmacological inhibition or functional ablation of AP-1 dramatically impaired MLLr-leukemic growth in vitro and in vivo using MLLr-iB-ALL patient-derived xenografts, providing rationale for new therapeutic avenues in MLLr-iB-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ramón Tejedor
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain.,Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Clara Bueno
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC) and.,RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Meritxell Vinyoles
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC) and
| | - Paolo Petazzi
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC) and
| | - Antonio Agraz-Doblas
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, Santander, Spain
| | - Isabel Cobo
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raúl Torres-Ruiz
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Molecular Cytogenetics Group, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gustavo F Bayón
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain
| | - Raúl F Pérez
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain.,Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Sara López-Tamargo
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain
| | - Francisco Gutierrez-Agüera
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Santamarina-Ojeda
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain
| | - Manuel Ramírez-Orellana
- RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Hematology Diagnostic Laboratory, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michela Bardini
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy
| | - Paola Ballerini
- Pediatric Hematology, Armand Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Pauline Schneider
- Princess Maxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ronald W Stam
- Princess Maxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ignacio Varela
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, Santander, Spain
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain.,Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Agustín F Fernández
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Asturias, Spain.,Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Pablo Menéndez
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC) and.,RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Instituciò Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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6
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Therapeutic delivery of siRNA with polymeric carriers to down-regulate STAT5A expression in high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251719. [PMID: 34157051 PMCID: PMC8219370 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression and persistent activation of STAT5 play an important role in the development and progression of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common pediatric cancer. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated downregulation of STAT5 represents a promising therapeutic approach for ALL to overcome the limitations of current treatment modalities such as high relapse rates and poor prognosis. However, to effectively transport siRNA molecules to target cells, development of potent carriers is of utmost importance to surpass hurdles of delivery. In this study, we investigated the use of lipopolymers as non-viral delivery systems derived from low molecular weight polyethylenimines (PEI) substituted with lauric acid (Lau), linoleic acid (LA) and stearic acid (StA) to deliver siRNA molecules to ALL cell lines and primary samples. Among the lipid-substituted polymers explored, Lau- and LA-substituted PEI displayed excellent siRNA delivery to SUP-B15 and RS4;11 cells. STAT5A gene expression was downregulated (36-92%) in SUP-B15 and (32%) in RS4;11 cells using the polymeric delivery systems, which consequently reduced cell growth and inhibited the formation of colonies in ALL cells. With regard to ALL primary cells, siRNA-mediated STAT5A gene silencing was observed in four of eight patient cells using our leading polymeric delivery system, 1.2PEI-Lau8, accompanied by the significant reduction in colony formation in three of eight patients. In both BCR-ABL positive and negative groups, three of five patients demonstrated marked cell growth inhibition in both MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays using 1.2PEI-Lau8/siRNA complexes in comparison with their control siRNA groups. Three patient samples did not show any positive results with our delivery systems. Differential therapeutic responses to siRNA therapy observed in different patients could result from variable genetic profiles and patient-to-patient variability in delivery. This study supports the potential of siRNA therapy and the designed lipopolymers as a delivery system in ALL therapy.
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7
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Identification of co-expressed genes associated with MLL rearrangement in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:222872. [PMID: 32347296 PMCID: PMC7953500 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20200514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rearrangements involving the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene are common adverse prognostic factors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Even allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation does not improve the outcome of ALL cases with some types of MLL rearrangements. The aim of the present study was to identify the co-expressed genes that related to MLL rearrangement (MLL-r) and elucidate the potential mechanisms of how MLL-r and their partner genes lead to leukemogenesis. Gene co-expression networks were constructed using the gene expression data and sample traits of 204 pretreated pediatric ALL patients, and co-expression modules significantly related to the MLL-r were screened out. Gene ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis of the module genes were performed. Hub genes were identified and their expression levels were analyzed in samples with or without MLL-r and the results were validated by an independent investigation. Furthermore, the relationships between the hub genes and sample traits were analyzed. In total, 21 co-expression modules were identified. The green module was positively correlated with MLL-r. PROM1, LGALS1, CD44, FUT4 and HOXA10 were identified as hub genes, which were involved in focal adhesion, calcium-dependent phospholipid binding, connective tissue development and transcriptional misregulation in cancer. The expression levels of the five hub genes were significantly increased in MLL-r samples, and the results were further validated. PROM1, LGALS1, CD44 and HOXA10 were positively related to the leukocyte count. These findings might provide novel insight regarding the mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for pediatric ALL with MLL-r.
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8
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MLL-rearranged infant leukaemia: A 'thorn in the side' of a remarkable success story. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194564. [PMID: 32376390 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Advances in treatment of childhood leukaemia has led to vastly improved survival rates, however some subtypes such as those characterised by MLL gene rearrangement (MLL-r), especially in infants, continue to have high relapse rates and poor survival. Natural history and molecular studies indicate that infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) originates in utero, is distinct from childhood ALL, and most cases are caused by MLL-r resulting in an oncogenic MLL fusion protein. Unlike childhood ALL, only a very small number of additional mutations are present in infant ALL, indicating that MLL-r alone may be sufficient to give rise to this rapid onset, aggressive leukaemia in an appropriate fetal cell context. Despite modifications in treatment approaches, the outcome of MLL-r infant ALL has remained dismal and a clear understanding of the underlying biology of the disease is required in order to develop appropriate disease models and more effective therapeutic strategies.
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9
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Britten O, Ragusa D, Tosi S, Kamel YM. MLL-Rearranged Acute Leukemia with t(4;11)(q21;q23)-Current Treatment Options. Is There a Role for CAR-T Cell Therapy? Cells 2019; 8:cells8111341. [PMID: 31671855 PMCID: PMC6912830 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The MLL (mixed-lineage leukemia) gene, located on chromosome 11q23, is involved in chromosomal translocations in a subtype of acute leukemia, which represents approximately 10% of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 2.8% of acute myeloid leukemia cases. These translocations form fusions with various genes, of which more than 80 partner genes for MLL have been identified. The most recurrent fusion partner in MLL rearrangements (MLL-r) is AF4, mapping at chromosome 4q21, accounting for approximately 36% of MLL-r leukemia and particularly prevalent in MLL-r acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases (57%). MLL-r leukemia is associated with a sudden onset, aggressive progression, and notoriously poor prognosis in comparison to non-MLL-r leukemias. Despite modern chemotherapeutic interventions and the use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantations, infants, children, and adults with MLL-r leukemia generally have poor prognosis and response to these treatments. Based on the frequency of patients who relapse, do not achieve complete remission, or have brief event-free survival, there is a clear clinical need for a new effective therapy. In this review, we outline the current therapy options for MLL-r patients and the potential application of CAR-T therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Child
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4/genetics
- Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/genetics
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Infant
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Translocation, Genetic/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Britten
- Division of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK.
| | - Denise Ragusa
- Division of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK.
| | - Sabrina Tosi
- Division of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK.
| | - Yasser Mostafa Kamel
- ASYS Pharmaceutical Consultants-APC Inc. 2, Bedford, Nova Scotia B4A 4L2, Canada.
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10
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Zhang H, Cheng J, Li Z, Xi Y. Identification of hub genes and molecular mechanisms in infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia with MLL gene rearrangement. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7628. [PMID: 31523525 PMCID: PMC6717502 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene rearrangement (MLL-R) is considered a distinct leukemia from childhood or non-MLL-R infant ALL. To detect key genes and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of MLL-R infant ALL, microarray expression data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between MLL-R and non-MLL-R infant ALL were identified. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were carried out. Then, we constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and identified the hub genes. Finally, drug-gene interactions were mined. A total of 139 cases of MLL-R infant ALL including 77 (55.4%) fusions with AF4, 38 (27.3%) with ENL, 14 (10.1%) with AF9, and 10 (7.2%) other gene fusions were characterized. A total of 236 up-regulated and 84 down-regulated DEGs were identified. The up-regulated DEGs were mainly involved in homophilic cell adhesion, negative regulation of apoptotic process and cellular response to drug GO terms, while down-regulated DEGs were mainly enriched in extracellular matrix organization, protein kinase C signaling and neuron projection extension GO terms. The up-regulated DEGs were enriched in seven KEGG pathways, mainly involving transcriptional regulation and signaling pathways, and down-regulated DEGs were involved in three main KEGG pathways including Alzheimer’s disease, TGF-beta signaling pathway, and hematopoietic cell lineage. The PPI network included 297 nodes and 410 edges, with MYC, ALB, CD44, PTPRC and TNF identified as hub genes. Twenty-three drug-gene interactions including four up-regulated hub genes and 24 drugs were constructed by Drug Gene Interaction database (DGIdb). In conclusion, MYC, ALB, CD44, PTPRC and TNF may be potential bio-markers for the diagnosis and therapy of MLL-R infant ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Juan Cheng
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zijian Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yaming Xi
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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11
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The Impact of PI3-kinase/RAS Pathway Cooperating Mutations in the Evolution of KMT2A-rearranged Leukemia. Hemasphere 2019; 3:e195. [PMID: 31723831 PMCID: PMC6746018 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemia is an evolutionary disease and evolves by the accrual of mutations within a clone. Those mutations that are systematically found in all the patients affected by a certain leukemia are called "drivers" as they are necessary to drive the development of leukemia. Those ones that accumulate over time but are different from patient to patient and, therefore, are not essential for leukemia development are called "passengers." The first studies highlighting a potential cooperating role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/RAS pathway mutations in the phenotype of KMT2A-rearranged leukemia was published 20 years ago. The recent development in more sensitive sequencing technologies has contributed to clarify the contribution of these mutations to the evolution of KMT2A-rearranged leukemia and suggested that these mutations might confer clonal fitness and enhance the evolvability of KMT2A-leukemic cells. This is of particular interest since this pathway can be targeted offering potential novel therapeutic strategies to KMT2A-leukemic patients. This review summarizes the recent progress on our understanding of the role of PI3K/RAS pathway mutations in initiation, maintenance, and relapse of KMT2A-rearranged leukemia.
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12
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Bueno C, Calero-Nieto FJ, Wang X, Valdés-Mas R, Gutiérrez-Agüera F, Roca-Ho H, Ayllon V, Real PJ, Arambilet D, Espinosa L, Torres-Ruiz R, Agraz-Doblas A, Varela I, de Boer J, Bigas A, Gottgens B, Marschalek R, Menendez P. Enhanced hemato-endothelial specification during human embryonic differentiation through developmental cooperation between AF4-MLL and MLL-AF4 fusions. Haematologica 2019; 104:1189-1201. [PMID: 30679325 PMCID: PMC6545840 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.202044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The t(4;11)(q21;q23) translocation is associated with high-risk infant pro-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and arises prenatally during embryonic/fetal hematopoiesis. The developmental/pathogenic contribution of the t(4;11)-resulting MLL-AF4 (MA4) and AF4-MLL (A4M) fusions remains unclear; MA4 is always expressed in patients with t(4;11)+ B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but the reciprocal fusion A4M is expressed in only half of the patients. Because prenatal leukemogenesis manifests as impaired early hematopoietic differentiation, we took advantage of well-established human embryonic stem cell-based hematopoietic differentiation models to study whether the A4M fusion cooperates with MA4 during early human hematopoietic development. Co-expression of A4M and MA4 strongly promoted the emergence of hemato-endothelial precursors, both endothelial- and hemogenic-primed. Double fusion-expressing hemato-endothelial precursors specified into significantly higher numbers of both hematopoietic and endothelial-committed cells, irrespective of the differentiation protocol used and without hijacking survival/proliferation. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes and differentially enriched H3K79me3 genomic regions by RNA-sequencing and H3K79me3 chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing, respectively, confirmed a hematopoietic/endothelial cell differentiation signature in double fusion-expressing hemato-endothelial precursors. Importantly, chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing analysis revealed a significant enrichment of H3K79 methylated regions specifically associated with HOX-A cluster genes in double fusion-expressing differentiating hematopoietic cells. Overall, these results establish a functional and molecular cooperation between MA4 and A4M fusions during human hematopoietic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Bueno
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute and Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBER-ONC), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando J Calero-Nieto
- Department of Hematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Xiaonan Wang
- Department of Hematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Francisco Gutiérrez-Agüera
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute and Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Heleia Roca-Ho
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute and Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Veronica Ayllon
- GENyO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government and University of Granada, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro J Real
- GENyO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government and University of Granada, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Granada, Spain
| | - David Arambilet
- Programa de Cáncer, Instituto Hospital del Mar de Investigaciones Médicas. Barcelona. Spain
| | - Lluis Espinosa
- Programa de Cáncer, Instituto Hospital del Mar de Investigaciones Médicas. Barcelona. Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBER-ONC), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raul Torres-Ruiz
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute and Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Agraz-Doblas
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute and Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (CSIC-UC-Sodercan), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Ignacio Varela
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (CSIC-UC-Sodercan), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Jasper de Boer
- Cancer Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Anna Bigas
- Programa de Cáncer, Instituto Hospital del Mar de Investigaciones Médicas. Barcelona. Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBER-ONC), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bertie Gottgens
- Department of Hematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Rolf Marschalek
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Pablo Menendez
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute and Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBER-ONC), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituciò Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Agraz-Doblas A, Bueno C, Bashford-Rogers R, Roy A, Schneider P, Bardini M, Ballerini P, Cazzaniga G, Moreno T, Revilla C, Gut M, Valsecchi MG, Roberts I, Pieters R, De Lorenzo P, Varela I, Menendez P, Stam RW. Unraveling the cellular origin and clinical prognostic markers of infant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia using genome-wide analysis. Haematologica 2019; 104:1176-1188. [PMID: 30679323 PMCID: PMC6545849 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.206375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the commonest childhood cancer. In infants, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia remains fatal, especially in patients with t(4;11), present in ~80% of cases. The pathogenesis of t(4;11)/KMT2A-AFF1+ (MLL-AF4+) infant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia remains difficult to model, and the pathogenic contribution in cancer of the reciprocal fusions resulting from derivative translocated-chromosomes remains obscure. Here, “multi-layered” genome-wide analyses and validation were performed on a total of 124 de novo cases of infant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia uniformly diagnosed and treated according to the Interfant 99/06 protocol. These patients showed the most silent mutational landscape reported so far for any sequenced pediatric cancer. Recurrent mutations were exclusively found in K-RAS and N-RAS, were subclonal and were frequently lost at relapse, despite a larger number of non-recurrent/non-silent mutations. Unlike non-MLL-rearranged B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias, B-cell receptor repertoire analysis revealed minor, non-expanded B-cell clones in t(4;11)+ infant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and RNA-sequencing showed transcriptomic similarities between t(4;11)+ infant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias and the most immature human fetal liver hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, confirming a “pre-VDJ” fetal cellular origin for both t(4;11) and RASmut. The reciprocal fusion AF4-MLL was expressed in only 45% (19/43) of the t(4;11)+ patients, and HOXA cluster genes are exclusively expressed in AF4-MLL-expressing patients. Importantly, AF4-MLL/HOXA-expressing patients had a significantly better 4-year event-free survival (62.4% vs. 11.7%, P=0.001), and overall survival (73.7 vs. 25.2%, P=0.016). AF4-MLL expression retained its prognostic significance when analyzed in a Cox model adjusting for risk stratification according to the Interfant-06 protocol based on age at diagnosis, white blood cell count and response to prednisone. This study has clinical implications for disease outcome and diagnostic risk-stratification of t(4;11)+ infant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Agraz-Doblas
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, Santander, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Bueno
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Anindita Roy
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Pauline Schneider
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michela Bardini
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy
| | | | - Gianni Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy
| | - Thaidy Moreno
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, Santander, Spain
| | - Carlos Revilla
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, Santander, Spain
| | - Marta Gut
- CNAG-CRG, Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria G Valsecchi
- Interfant Trial Data Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Irene Roberts
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, UK.,MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Rob Pieters
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Paola De Lorenzo
- Interfant Trial Data Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Ignacio Varela
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, Santander, Spain
| | - Pablo Menendez
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain .,Instituciò Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ronald W Stam
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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14
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Wong-Siegel JR, Johnson KJ, Gettinger K, Cousins N, McAmis N, Zamarione A, Druley TE. Congenital neurodevelopmental anomalies in pediatric and young adult cancer. Am J Med Genet A 2017; 173:2670-2679. [PMID: 28851129 PMCID: PMC5639360 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 07/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Congenital anomalies that are diagnosed in at least 120,000 US infants every year are the leading cause of infant death and contribute to disability and pediatric hospitalizations. Several large-scale epidemiologic studies have provided substantial evidence of an association between congenital anomalies and cancer risk in children, suggesting potential underlying cancer-predisposing conditions and the involvement of developmental genetic pathways. Electronic medical records from 1,107 pediatric, adolescent, and young adult oncology patients were reviewed. The observed number (O) of congenital anomalies among children with a specific pediatric cancer subtype was compared to the expected number (E) of anomalies based on the frequency of congenital anomalies in the entire study population. The O/E ratios were tested for significance using Fisher's exact test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare overall and neurological malignancy survival rates following tumor diagnosis. Thirteen percent of patients had a congenital anomaly diagnosis prior to their cancer diagnosis. When stratified by congenital anomaly subtype, there was an excess of neurological anomalies among children with central nervous system tumors (O/E = 1.56, 95%CI 1.13-2.09). Male pediatric cancer patients were more likely than females to have a congenital anomaly, particularly those <5 years of age (O/E 1.35, 95%CI 0.97-1.82). Our study provides additional insight into the association between specific congenital anomaly types and pediatric cancer development. Moreover, it may help to inform the development of new screening policies and support hypothesis-driven research investigating mechanisms underlying tumor predisposition in children with congenital anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannette R Wong-Siegel
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Kimberly J Johnson
- Brown School Masters of Public Health Program, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Katie Gettinger
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Nicole Cousins
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri.,Brown School Masters of Public Health Program, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Nicole McAmis
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Ashley Zamarione
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Todd E Druley
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
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15
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Mouse models of MLL leukemia: recapitulating the human disease. Blood 2017; 129:2217-2223. [PMID: 28179274 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-10-691428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosome translocations involving the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene fuse it in frame with multiple partner genes creating novel fusion proteins (MLL-FPs) that cause aggressive acute leukemias in humans. Animal models of human disease are important for the exploration of underlying disease mechanisms as well as for testing novel therapeutic approaches. Patients carrying MLL-FPs have very few cooperating mutations, making MLL-FP driven leukemias ideal for animal modeling. The fact that the MLL-FP is the main driver mutation has allowed for a wide range of different experimental model systems designed to explore different aspects of MLL-FP leukemogenesis. In addition, MLL-FP driven acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in mice is often used as a general model for AML. This review provides an overview of different MLL-FP mouse model systems and discusses how well they have recapitulated aspects of the human disease as well as highlights the biological insights each model has provided into MLL-FP leukemogenesis. Many promising new drugs fail in the early stages of clinical trials. Lessons learned from past and present MLL-FP models may serve as a paradigm for designing more flexible and dynamic preclinical models for these as well as other acute leukemias.
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16
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Tarlock K, Alonzo TA, Loken MR, Gerbing RB, Ries RE, Aplenc R, Sung L, Raimondi SC, Hirsch BA, Kahwash SB, McKenney A, Kolb EA, Gamis AS, Meshinchi S. Disease Characteristics and Prognostic Implications of Cell-Surface FLT3 Receptor (CD135) Expression in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:3649-3656. [PMID: 28108543 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-2353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: The FLT3 cell-surface receptor tyrosine kinase (CD135) is expressed in a majority of both acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) and myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the prognostic significance of CD135 expression in AML remains unclear. We therefore evaluated the association between FLT3 surface expression and disease characteristics and outcomes in pediatric patients with AML.Experimental Design: We analyzed FLT3 receptor expression on AML blasts by multi-dimensional flow cytometry and its association with disease characteristics, clinical outcomes, and FLT3 transcript level in 367 children with AML treated on the Children's Oncology Group trial AAML0531.Results: There was high variability in blast CD135 cell-surface expression across specimens. CD135 expression measured by flow cytometry was not correlated with FLT3 transcript expression determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Overall, CD135 expression was not significantly different for patients with FLT3/WT, FLT3/ITD, or FLT3/ALM (P = 0.25). High cell-surface CD135 expression was associated with FAB M5 subtype (P < 0.001), KMT2A rearrangements (P = 0.009), and inversely associated with inv(16)/t(16;16) (P < 0.001). Complete remission rate, overall survival, disease-free survival, and relapse rates were not significantly different between patients with low and high CD135 expression.Conclusions: FLT3 cell-surface expression did not vary by FLT3 mutational status, but high FLT3 expression was strongly associated with KMT2A rearrangements. Our study found that there was no prognostic significance of FLT3 cell surface expression in pediatric AML. Clin Cancer Res; 23(14); 3649-56. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Tarlock
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington. .,Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Todd A Alonzo
- Children's Oncology Group, Monrovia, California.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | | | - Rhonda E Ries
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Richard Aplenc
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lillian Sung
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario
| | | | - Betsy A Hirsch
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | | | - E Anders Kolb
- Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware
| | - Alan S Gamis
- Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Soheil Meshinchi
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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17
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Advances in B-lymphoblastic leukemia: cytogenetic and genomic lesions. Ann Diagn Pathol 2016; 23:43-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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18
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Choi J, Polcher A, Joas A. Systematic literature review on Parkinson's disease and Childhood Leukaemia and mode of actions for pesticides. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2016.en-955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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19
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Revisiting the biology of infant t(4;11)/MLL-AF4+ B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2015; 126:2676-85. [PMID: 26463423 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-09-667378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) accounts for 10% of childhood ALL. The genetic hallmark of most infant B-ALL is chromosomal rearrangements of the mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) gene. Despite improvement in the clinical management and survival (∼85-90%) of childhood B-ALL, the outcome of infants with MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) B-ALL remains dismal, with overall survival <35%. Among MLL-r infant B-ALL, t(4;11)+ patients harboring the fusion MLL-AF4 (MA4) display a particularly poor prognosis and a pro-B/mixed phenotype. Studies in monozygotic twins and archived blood spots have provided compelling evidence of a single cell of prenatal origin as the target for MA4 fusion, explaining the brief leukemia latency. Despite its aggressiveness and short latency, current progress on its etiology, pathogenesis, and cellular origin is limited as evidenced by the lack of mouse/human models recapitulating the disease phenotype/latency. We propose this is because infant cancer is from an etiologic and pathogenesis standpoint distinct from adult cancer and should be seen as a developmental disease. This is supported by whole-genome sequencing studies suggesting that opposite to the view of cancer as a "multiple-and-sequential-hit" model, t(4;11) alone might be sufficient to spawn leukemia. The stable genome of these patients suggests that, in infant developmental cancer, one "big-hit" might be sufficient for overt disease and supports a key contribution of epigenetics and a prenatal cell of origin during a critical developmental window of stem cell vulnerability in the leukemia pathogenesis. Here, we revisit the biology of t(4;11)+ infant B-ALL with an emphasis on its origin, genetics, and disease models.
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20
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van der Linden MH, Willekes M, van Roon E, Seslija L, Schneider P, Pieters R, Stam RW. MLL fusion-driven activation of CDK6 potentiates proliferation in MLL-rearranged infant ALL. Cell Cycle 2015; 13:834-44. [PMID: 24736461 DOI: 10.4161/cc.27757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in infants (< 1 year-of-age) is characterized by a high incidence of MLL rearrangements. Recently, direct targets of the MLL fusion protein have been identified. However, functional validation of the identified targets remained unacknowledged. In this study, we identify CDK6 as a direct target of the MLL fusion protein and an important player in the proliferation advantage of MLL-rearranged leukemia. CDK6 mRNA was significantly higher expressed in MLL-rearranged infant ALL patients compared with MLL wild-type ALL patients (P < 0.001). Decrease of MLL-AF4 and MLL-ENL fusion mRNA expression by siRNAs resulted in downregulation of CDK6, affirming a direct relationship between the presence of the MLL fusion and CDK6 expression. Knockdown of CDK6 itself significantly inhibited proliferation in the MLL-AF4-positive cell line SEM, whereas knockdown of the highly homologous gene CDK4 had virtually no effect on the cell cycle. Furthermore, we show in vitro sensitivity of MLL-rearranged leukemia cell lines to the CDK4/6-inhibitor PD0332991, inducing a remarkable G 1 arrest, and downregulation of its downstream targets pRB1 and EZH2. We therefore conclude that CDK6 is indeed a direct target of MLL fusion proteins, playing an important role in the proliferation advantage of MLL-rearranged ALL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke H van der Linden
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology; Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Merel Willekes
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology; Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eddy van Roon
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology; Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lidija Seslija
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology; Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pauline Schneider
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology; Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Pieters
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology; Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald W Stam
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology; Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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21
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Guiu J, Bergen DJM, De Pater E, Islam ABMMK, Ayllón V, Gama-Norton L, Ruiz-Herguido C, González J, López-Bigas N, Menendez P, Dzierzak E, Espinosa L, Bigas A. Identification of Cdca7 as a novel Notch transcriptional target involved in hematopoietic stem cell emergence. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 211:2411-23. [PMID: 25385755 PMCID: PMC4235648 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20131857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Guiu et al. use ChIP-on-chip analysis for the Notch partner RBPj, using embryonic tissue from the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region to identify potential novel Notch target genes involved in HSC emergence. They show that c-MYC–responsive gene Cdca7 is expressed in different HSC and progenitor subpopulations and that CDCA7 is important for maintaining the undifferentiated phenotype. Cdca7 acts downstream of Notch in HSCs in zebrafish, mouse, and human, indicating a highly conserved Notch/RBPj/Cdca7 axis in hematopoietic development. Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) specification occurs in the embryonic aorta and requires Notch activation; however, most of the Notch-regulated elements controlling de novo HSC generation are still unknown. Here, we identify putative direct Notch targets in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) embryonic tissue by chromatin precipitation using antibodies against the Notch partner RBPj. By ChIP-on-chip analysis of the precipitated DNA, we identified 701 promoter regions that were candidates to be regulated by Notch in the AGM. One of the most enriched regions corresponded to the Cdca7 gene, which was subsequently confirmed to recruit the RBPj factor but also Notch1 in AGM cells. We found that during embryonic hematopoietic development, expression of Cdca7 is restricted to the hematopoietic clusters of the aorta, and it is strongly up-regulated in the hemogenic population during human embryonic stem cell hematopoietic differentiation in a Notch-dependent manner. Down-regulation of Cdca7 mRNA in cultured AGM cells significantly induces hematopoietic differentiation and loss of the progenitor population. Finally, using loss-of-function experiments in zebrafish, we demonstrate that CDCA7 contributes to HSC emergence in vivo during embryonic development. Thus, our study identifies Cdca7 as an evolutionary conserved Notch target involved in HSC emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Guiu
- Program de Recerca en Càncer, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dylan J M Bergen
- Program de Recerca en Càncer, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emma De Pater
- Erasmus MC Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Erasmus Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Abul B M M K Islam
- Research Unit on Biomedical Informatics, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, 08003 Barcelona, Spain Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Verónica Ayllón
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (Genyo), Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Government, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Leonor Gama-Norton
- Program de Recerca en Càncer, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Ruiz-Herguido
- Program de Recerca en Càncer, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jessica González
- Program de Recerca en Càncer, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria López-Bigas
- Research Unit on Biomedical Informatics, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, 08003 Barcelona, Spain Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Menendez
- José Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Cell Therapy Program, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elaine Dzierzak
- Erasmus MC Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Erasmus Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lluis Espinosa
- Program de Recerca en Càncer, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Bigas
- Program de Recerca en Càncer, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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22
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SCL/TAL1-mediated transcriptional network enhances megakaryocytic specification of human embryonic stem cells. Mol Ther 2014; 23:158-70. [PMID: 25292191 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a unique in vitro model for studying human developmental biology and represent a potential source for cell replacement strategies. Platelets can be generated from cord blood progenitors and hESCs; however, the molecular mechanisms and determinants controlling the in vitro megakaryocytic specification of hESCs remain elusive. We have recently shown that stem cell leukemia (SCL) overexpression accelerates the emergence of hemato-endothelial progenitors from hESCs and promotes their subsequent differentiation into blood cells with higher clonogenic potential. Given that SCL participates in megakaryocytic commitment, we hypothesized that it may potentiate megakaryopoiesis from hESCs. We show that ectopic SCL expression enhances the emergence of megakaryocytic precursors, mature megakaryocytes (MKs), and platelets in vitro. SCL-overexpressing MKs and platelets respond to different activating stimuli similar to their control counterparts. Gene expression profiling of megakaryocytic precursors shows that SCL overexpression renders a megakaryopoietic molecular signature. Connectivity Map analysis reveals that trichostatin A (TSA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), both histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, functionally mimic SCL-induced effects. Finally, we confirm that both TSA and SAHA treatment promote the emergence of CD34(+) progenitors, whereas valproic acid, another HDAC inhibitor, potentiates MK and platelet production. We demonstrate that SCL and HDAC inhibitors are megakaryopoiesis regulators in hESCs.
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23
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Rodriguez R, Rosu-Myles M, Aráuzo-Bravo M, Horrillo A, Pan Q, Gonzalez-Rey E, Delgado M, Menendez P. Human bone marrow stromal cells lose immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties upon oncogenic transformation. Stem Cell Reports 2014; 3:606-19. [PMID: 25358789 PMCID: PMC4223704 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of their immunomodulatory properties, human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) represent promising stem cells for treatment of immune disorders. hBMSCs expansion precedes their clinical use, so the possibility that hBMSCs undergo spontaneous transformation upon long-term culture should be addressed. Whether hBMSCs retain immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties upon oncogenic transformation remains unknown. Using sequentially mutated hBMSCs and spontaneously transformed hBMSCs, we report that, upon oncogenic transformation, hBMSCs lose immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo. Transcriptome profiling and functional assays reveal immune effectors underlying the loss of immunomodulation in transformed hBMSCs. They display a proinflammatory transcriptomic signature, with deregulation of immune and inflammatory modulators and regulators of the prostaglandin synthesis. Transformed hBMSCs lose their capacity to secrete the immunosuppressive prostacyclins prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGI2 but produce proinflammatory thromboxanes. Together, the immunoregulatory profile adopted by hBMSCs largely depends on intrinsic genetic-molecular determinants triggered by genomic instability/oncogenic transformation. Oncogenic hBMSCs display robustly impaired immune properties Transformed hBMSCs display a proinflammatory transcriptomic signature Transformed hBMSCs lose capacity to secrete immunosuppressive prostacyclins Transformed hBMSCs gain the capacity to produce proinflammatory thromboxanes
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Affiliation(s)
- Rene Rodriguez
- Hospital Universitario de Asturias-Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo 33006, Spain
| | - Michael Rosu-Myles
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Marcos Aráuzo-Bravo
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation of Science, Bilbao 20014, Spain; Group of Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian 20014, Spain
| | - Angélica Horrillo
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Cell Therapy Program, Medicine School, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Qiuwei Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3000, the Netherlands
| | - Elena Gonzalez-Rey
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra/CSIC, Granada 18016, Spain
| | - Mario Delgado
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra/CSIC, Granada 18016, Spain.
| | - Pablo Menendez
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Cell Therapy Program, Medicine School, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain; Instituciò Catala de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona 08010, Spain.
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24
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11q23 abnormalities in adult Chinese patients with hematological malignancies. Med Oncol 2014; 31:115. [PMID: 25008067 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-014-0115-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene on chromosome region 11q23 is frequently involved in chromosomal translocations associated with various human hematologic malignant neoplasms. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile of 11q23 abnormalities in adult Chinese patients with hematological malignancies. In this study, 11q23 abnormalities were detected by cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) approaches in 77 out of a total of 2,404 adult Chinese patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). 11q23 abnormalities were found in 5.31 % of the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases, 5.71 % of the acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) cases, 2.94 % of lymphoma cases, and 1.24 % of MDS cases. Of the patients with 11q23 abnormalities, 59.74 % showed rearrangement or deletion of the MLL gene by FISH; a novel 11q23 rearrangement, der(6)t(6;11)(q23;q23), was discovered in one case. Our data showed that t(11;19)(q23;p13.1) was the most frequent translocation in AML patients and t(4;11)(q21;q23) was the most frequent translocation in ALL patients. FLT-ITD mutations were detected in three out of 33 AML patients with 11q23 abnormalities (9.09 %). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis further showed that the 11q23 aberration was a poor prognostic factor for AML. The median survival times in the 11q23 aberration subgroup, the normal karyotype subgroup, and the subgroup with other abnormalities were 7.4, 11.3, and 16.8 months, respectively (P = 0.0464). Our study found one novel 11q23 rearrangement, der(6)t(6;11)(q23;q23), and demonstrated the profile of 11q23 abnormalities in adult Chinese patients with hematological malignancies.
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25
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Rodriguez RM, Suarez-Alvarez B, Salvanés R, Huidobro C, Toraño EG, Garcia-Perez JL, Lopez-Larrea C, Fernandez AF, Bueno C, Menendez P, Fraga MF. Role of BRD4 in hematopoietic differentiation of embryonic stem cells. Epigenetics 2014; 9:566-78. [PMID: 24445267 DOI: 10.4161/epi.27711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The bromodomain and extra terminal (BET) protein family member BRD4 is a transcriptional regulator, critical for cell cycle progression and cellular viability. Here, we show that BRD4 plays an important role in embryonic stem cell (ESC) regulation. During differentiation of ESCs, BRD4 expression is upregulated and its gene promoter becomes demethylated. Disruption of BRD4 expression in ESCs did not induce spontaneous differentiation but severely diminished hematoendothelial potential. Although BRD4 regulates c-Myc expression, our data show that the role of BRD4 in hematopoietic commitment is not exclusively mediated by c-Myc. Our results indicate that BRD4 is epigenetically regulated during hematopoietic differentiation ESCs in the context of a still unknown signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon M Rodriguez
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA); HUCA; Universidad de Oviedo; Oviedo, Spain; Department of Immunology; Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Ruben Salvanés
- Department of Immunology; Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; Oviedo, Spain
| | - Covadonga Huidobro
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA); HUCA; Universidad de Oviedo; Oviedo, Spain; MRC Human Genetics Unit; Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine; University of Edinburgh; Western General Hospital; Edinburgh, UK
| | - Estela G Toraño
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA); HUCA; Universidad de Oviedo; Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jose L Garcia-Perez
- Department of Human DNA Variability; Pfizer-University of Granada and Andalusian Government Center for Genomics and Oncology (GENYO); Granada, Spain
| | - Carlos Lopez-Larrea
- Department of Immunology; Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; Oviedo, Spain; Fundacion Renal "Íñigo Álvarez de Toledo"; Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustin F Fernandez
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA); HUCA; Universidad de Oviedo; Oviedo, Spain
| | - Clara Bueno
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute; Barcelona, Spain; Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO); Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Government; Granada, Spain
| | - Pablo Menendez
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute; Barcelona, Spain; Instituciò Catalana de Reserca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA); Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA); HUCA; Universidad de Oviedo; Oviedo, Spain; Department of Immunology and Oncology; Centro Nacional de Biotecnología/CNB-CSIC; Cantoblanco; Madrid, Spain
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26
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Valentine MC, Linabery AM, Chasnoff S, Hughes AEO, Mallaney C, Sanchez N, Giacalone J, Heerema NA, Hilden JM, Spector LG, Ross JA, Druley TE. Excess congenital non-synonymous variation in leukemia-associated genes in MLL- infant leukemia: a Children's Oncology Group report. Leukemia 2013; 28:1235-41. [PMID: 24301523 PMCID: PMC4045651 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Infant leukemia (IL) is a rare sporadic cancer with a grim prognosis. Although most cases are accompanied by MLL rearrangements and harbor very few somatic mutations, less is known about the genetics of the cases without MLL translocations. We performed the largest exome-sequencing study to date on matched non-cancer DNA from pairs of mothers and IL patients to characterize congenital variation that may contribute to early leukemogenesis. Using the COSMIC database to define acute leukemia-associated candidate genes, we find a significant enrichment of rare, potentially functional congenital variation in IL patients compared with randomly selected genes within the same patients and unaffected pediatric controls. IL acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients had more overall variation than IL acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) patients, but less of that variation was inherited from mothers. Of our candidate genes, we found that MLL3 was a compound heterozygote in every infant who developed AML and 50% of infants who developed ALL. These data suggest a model by which known genetic mechanisms for leukemogenesis could be disrupted without an abundance of somatic mutation or chromosomal rearrangements. This model would be consistent with existing models for the establishment of leukemia clones in utero and the high rate of IL concordance in monozygotic twins.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Valentine
- 1] Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA [2] Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - A M Linabery
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - S Chasnoff
- 1] Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA [2] Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - A E O Hughes
- 1] Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA [2] Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - C Mallaney
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - N Sanchez
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - J Giacalone
- 1] Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA [2] Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - N A Heerema
- Department of Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - J M Hilden
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St Vincent, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - L G Spector
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA [2] Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J A Ross
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA [2] Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - T E Druley
- 1] Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA [2] Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
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27
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Montes R, Ayllón V, Prieto C, Bursen A, Prelle C, Romero-Moya D, Real PJ, Navarro-Montero O, Chillón C, Marschalek R, Bueno C, Menendez P. Ligand-independent FLT3 activation does not cooperate with MLL-AF4 to immortalize/transform cord blood CD34+ cells. Leukemia 2013; 28:666-74. [PMID: 24240202 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Revised: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
MLL-AF4 fusion is hallmark in high-risk infant pro-B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pro-B-ALL). Our limited understanding of MLL-AF4-mediated transformation reflects the absence of human models reproducing this leukemia. Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) constitute likely targets for transformation. We previously reported that MLL-AF4 enhanced hematopoietic engraftment and clonogenic potential in cord blood (CB)-derived CD34+ HSPCs but was not sufficient for leukemogenesis, suggesting that additional oncogenic lesions are required for MLL-AF4-mediated transformation. MLL-AF4+ pro-B-ALL display enormous levels of FLT3, and occasionally FLT3-activating mutations, thus representing a candidate cooperating event in MLL-AF4+ pro-B-ALL. We have explored whether FLT3.TKD (tyrosine kinase domain) mutation or increased expression of FLT3.WT (wild type) cooperates with MLL-AF4 to immortalize/transform CB-CD34+ HSPCs. In vivo, FLT3.TKD/FLT3.WT alone, or in combination with MLL-AF4, enhances hematopoietic repopulating function of CB-CD34+ HSPCs without impairing migration or hematopoietic differentiation. None of the animals transplanted with MLL-AF4+FLT3.TKD/WT-CD34+ HSPCs showed any sign of disease after 16 weeks. In vitro, enforced expression of FLT3.TKD/FLT3.WT conveys a transient overexpansion of MLL-AF4-expressing CD34+ HSPCs associated to higher proportion of cycling cells coupled to lower apoptotic levels, but does not augment clonogenic potential nor confer stable replating. Together, FLT3 activation does not suffice to immortalize/transform MLL-AF4-expressing CB-CD34+ HSPCs, suggesting the need of alternative (epi)-genetic cooperating oncogenic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Montes
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - V Ayllón
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - C Prieto
- 1] GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain [2] Faculty of Medicine, Department of Stem Cells, Development and Cancer, Cell Therapy Program of the University of Barcelona, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Bursen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology/ZAFES/DCAL, Goethe-University of Frankfurt, Biocenter, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - C Prelle
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology/ZAFES/DCAL, Goethe-University of Frankfurt, Biocenter, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - D Romero-Moya
- 1] GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain [2] Faculty of Medicine, Department of Stem Cells, Development and Cancer, Cell Therapy Program of the University of Barcelona, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P J Real
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - O Navarro-Montero
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - C Chillón
- Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Servicio de Hematología, Salamanca, Spain
| | - R Marschalek
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology/ZAFES/DCAL, Goethe-University of Frankfurt, Biocenter, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - C Bueno
- 1] GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain [2] Faculty of Medicine, Department of Stem Cells, Development and Cancer, Cell Therapy Program of the University of Barcelona, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Menendez
- 1] GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain [2] Faculty of Medicine, Department of Stem Cells, Development and Cancer, Cell Therapy Program of the University of Barcelona, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain [3] Instituciò Catalana de Reserca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA)
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Abstract
In this issue of Blood, Bueno and colleagues explore the developmental impact, as well as the transforming capacity, of the mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)–AF4 fusion protein in combination with activation of FMS-like tyrosine receptor 3 (FLT3) in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).1
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