1
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Tirtakusuma R, Milne P, Blair HJ, Shi Y, Bomken S, Heidenreich O. Fusion transcripts are present in early progenitor cells in KMT2A-rearranged B-ALL. Leukemia 2024; 38:883-886. [PMID: 38307942 PMCID: PMC10997500 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02164-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ricky Tirtakusuma
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Translation and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Paul Milne
- Haematopoiesis and Immunogenomics Laboratory, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
| | - Helen J Blair
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Translation and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Yuzhe Shi
- Center for Cell Engineering and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Simon Bomken
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Translation and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Olaf Heidenreich
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Translation and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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2
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Windisch R, Kreissig S, Wichmann C. Defined Human Leukemic CD34+ Liquid Cultures to Study HDAC/Transcriptional Repressor Complexes. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2589:27-49. [PMID: 36255616 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2788-4_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Defined human primary cell model systems with growth dependence on oncogenes are highly requested to investigate tumor pathogenesis and to validate pharmacological inhibitors that specifically target oncoproteins and their executing protein complex partners. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), transcription factors such as RUNX1 and MLL1, which are important for normal blood cell development, frequently harbor mutations including chromosomal translocations with other coding genes, resulting in tumor-promoting gain-of-function fusion proteins. These oncoproteins completely modify transcriptional programs, thereby inducing malignant cell phenotypes. A common theme of the chimeric gene products is their physical interaction with a variety of chromatin-modifying effector molecules, including histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). These aberrant multiprotein machineries disturb gene expression and promote malignant cell growth. In this chapter, we briefly summarize the current understanding regarding AML-associated oncogene-driven human CD34+ blood progenitor cell expansion in ex vivo liquid cultures. We provide a step-by-step protocol to establish oncogene-induced human CD34+ blood progenitor cell cultures suitable to analyze the impact of transcriptional repressor/HDAC activity in these human AML cell models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Windisch
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Hemostaseology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophie Kreissig
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Hemostaseology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Wichmann
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Hemostaseology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
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3
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Okuda H, Miyamoto R, Takahashi S, Kawamura T, Ichikawa J, Harada I, Tamura T, Yokoyama A. RNA-binding proteins of KHDRBS and IGF2BP families control the oncogenic activity of MLL-AF4. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6688. [PMID: 36335100 PMCID: PMC9637093 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34558-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocation generates the MLL-AF4 fusion gene, which causes acute leukemia of multiple lineages. MLL-AF4 is a strong oncogenic driver that induces leukemia without additional mutations and is the most common cause of pediatric leukemia. However, establishment of a murine disease model via retroviral transduction has been difficult owning to a lack of understanding of its regulatory mechanisms. Here, we show that MLL-AF4 protein is post-transcriptionally regulated by RNA-binding proteins, including those of KHDRBS and IGF2BP families. MLL-AF4 translation is inhibited by ribosomal stalling, which occurs at regulatory sites containing AU-rich sequences recognized by KHDRBSs. Synonymous mutations disrupting the association of KHDRBSs result in proper translation of MLL-AF4 and leukemic transformation. Consequently, the synonymous MLL-AF4 mutant induces leukemia in vivo. Our results reveal that post-transcriptional regulation critically controls the oncogenic activity of MLL-AF4; these findings might be valuable in developing novel therapies via modulation of the activity of RNA-binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Okuda
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan ,grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Ryo Miyamoto
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan
| | - Satoshi Takahashi
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan ,grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan
| | - Takeshi Kawamura
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XResearch Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo Japan
| | - Juri Ichikawa
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Ibuki Harada
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Tomohiko Tamura
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan ,grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Akihiko Yokoyama
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan ,grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo, Tokyo Japan
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4
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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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5
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Chen C, Yu W, Alikarami F, Qiu Q, Chen CH, Flournoy J, Gao P, Uzun Y, Fang L, Davenport JW, Hu Y, Zhu Q, Wang K, Libbrecht C, Felmeister A, Rozich I, Ding YY, Hunger SP, Felix CA, Wu H, Brown PA, Guest EM, Barrett DM, Bernt KM, Tan K. Single-cell multiomics reveals increased plasticity, resistant populations, and stem-cell-like blasts in KMT2A-rearranged leukemia. Blood 2022; 139:2198-2211. [PMID: 34864916 PMCID: PMC8990373 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021013442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a devastating malignancy with a dismal outcome, and younger age at diagnosis is associated with increased risk of relapse. To discover age-specific differences and critical drivers that mediate poor outcome in KMT2A-r ALL, we subjected KMT2A-r leukemias and normal hematopoietic cells from patients of different ages to single-cell multiomics analyses. We uncovered the following critical new insights: leukemia cells from patients <6 months have significantly increased lineage plasticity. Steroid response pathways are downregulated in the most immature blasts from younger patients. We identify a hematopoietic stem and progenitor-like (HSPC-like) population in the blood of younger patients that contains leukemic blasts and form an immunosuppressive signaling circuit with cytotoxic lymphocytes. These observations offer a compelling explanation for the ability of leukemias in young patients to evade chemotherapy and immune-mediated control. Our analysis also revealed preexisting lymphomyeloid primed progenitors and myeloid blasts at initial diagnosis of B-ALL. Tracking of leukemic clones in 2 patients whose leukemia underwent a lineage switch documented the evolution of such clones into frank acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These findings provide critical insights into KMT2A-r ALL and have clinical implications for molecularly targeted and immunotherapy approaches. Beyond infant ALL, our study demonstrates the power of single-cell multiomics to detect tumor intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting rare but critical subpopulations within a malignant population that ultimately determines patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changya Chen
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Wenbao Yu
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine
| | | | - Qi Qiu
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, and
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Chia-Hui Chen
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
| | - Jennifer Flournoy
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, and
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Peng Gao
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Yasin Uzun
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Li Fang
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Yuxuan Hu
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qin Zhu
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology
| | - Kai Wang
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and
| | - Clara Libbrecht
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
| | - Alex Felmeister
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Isaiah Rozich
- Graduate Group in Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Yang-Yang Ding
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Stephen P Hunger
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Carolyn A Felix
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, and
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Patrick A Brown
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and
| | - Erin M Guest
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO
| | - David M Barrett
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Kathrin M Bernt
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Kai Tan
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research and
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, and
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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6
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Malouf C, Antunes ETB, O'Dwyer M, Jakobczyk H, Sahm F, Landua SL, Anderson RA, Soufi A, Halsey C, Ottersbach K. miR-130b and miR-128a are essential lineage-specific codrivers of t(4;11) MLL-AF4 acute leukemia. Blood 2021; 138:2066-2092. [PMID: 34111240 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020006610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
t(4;11) MLL-AF4 acute leukemia is one of the most aggressive malignancies in the infant and pediatric population, yet we have little information on the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease progression. This impairs the development of therapeutic regimens that can address the aggressive phenotype and lineage plasticity of MLL-AF4-driven leukemogenesis. This study highlights novel mechanisms of disease development by focusing on 2 microRNAs (miRNAs) upregulated in leukemic blasts from primary patient samples: miR-130b and miR-128a. We show that miR-130b and miR-128a are downstream targets of MLL-AF4 and can individually drive the transition from a pre-leukemic stage to an acute leukemia in an entirely murine Mll-AF4 in vivo model. They are also required to maintain the disease phenotype. Interestingly, miR-130b overexpression led to a mixed/B-cell precursor (BCP)/myeloid leukemia, propagated by the lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitor (LMPP) population, whereas miR-128a overexpression resulted in a pro-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), maintained by a highly expanded Il7r+c-Kit+ blast population. Molecular and phenotypic changes induced by these two miRNAs fully recapitulate the human disease, including central nervous system infiltration and activation of an MLL-AF4 expression signature. Furthermore, we identified 2 downstream targets of these miRNAs, NR2F6 and SGMS1, which in extensive validation studies are confirmed as novel tumor suppressors of MLL-AF4+ leukemia. Our integrative approach thus provides a platform for the identification of essential co-drivers of MLL-rearranged leukemias, in which the preleukemia to leukemia transition and lineage plasticity can be dissected and new therapeutic approaches can be tested.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Richard A Anderson
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; and
| | | | - Christina Halsey
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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7
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Focused CRISPR-Cas9 genetic screening reveals USO1 as a vulnerability in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13158. [PMID: 34162911 PMCID: PMC8222245 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92448-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional gene regulation, including that by RNA binding proteins (RBPs), has recently been described as an important mechanism in cancer. We had previously identified a set of RBPs that were highly dysregulated in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with MLL translocations, which carry a poor prognosis. Here, we sought to functionally characterize these dysregulated RBP genes by performing a focused CRISPR dropout screen in B-ALL cell lines, finding dependencies on several genes including EIF3E, EPRS and USO1. Validating our findings, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of USO1 in MLL-translocated B-ALL cells reduced cell growth, promoted cell death, and altered the cell cycle. Transcriptomic analysis of USO1-deficient cells revealed alterations in pathways related to mTOR signaling, RNA metabolism, and targets of MYC. In addition, USO1-regulated genes from these experimental samples were significantly and concordantly correlated with USO1 expression in primary samples collected from B-ALL patients. Lastly, we found that loss of Uso1 inhibited colony formation of MLL-transformed in primary bone marrow cells from Cas9-EGFP mice. Together, our findings demonstrate an approach to performing focused sub-genomic CRISPR screens and highlight a putative RBP vulnerability in MLL-translocated B-ALL, thus identifying potential therapeutic targets in this disease.
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8
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Liu X, Zhao Y, Luedke C, Jug R, Yang LH, Lu M, Pan Z, Wang D, Lorsbach R, Shi Y, Knez V, Rehder C, Liang X, Wang E. Infantile leukemia-What factors determine its distinct biological nature? Clinicopathological study of 78 cases. Int J Lab Hematol 2021; 43:1117-1122. [PMID: 33847065 DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.13540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Infantile leukemia encompasses a heterogeneous group which needs stratifying for treatment selection. METHODS We collected 78 cases of infantile leukemia and retrospectively analyzed their clinicopathological data. RESULTS Infantile leukemia featured a ratio of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) of 1:2, with a better survival for AML than B-ALL (median survival 36 vs 24 months). When stratified by age, "early" infantile B-ALL (2-6 months) showed a high rate of KMT2A rearrangement (100%), similar to the rate seen in congenital B-ALL (1 month) (100%) and higher than seen in "late" infantile B-ALL (≥7 months) (68%). The three categories of infantile B-ALL exhibited an age-dependent increase in survival (median survival 8.5, 24, and >24 months, respectively). The age-dependent survival benefit remained after excluding the cases negative for KMT2A rearrangement. Conversely, infantile AML lacked an age-dependent pattern of survival. CONCLUSION The clinical outcome of infantile leukemia depends on the type of leukemia. Given the age-dependent survival, infantile B-ALL can be divided into three subcategories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences and First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Catherine Luedke
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rachel Jug
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lian-He Yang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences and First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mark Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zenggang Pan
- Department of Pathology, Yale University Medical Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dehua Wang
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Robert Lorsbach
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yang Shi
- Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Virginia Knez
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Catherine Rehder
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xiayuan Liang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Endi Wang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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9
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Janke LJ, Imai DM, Tillman H, Doty R, Hoenerhoff MJ, Xu JJ, Freeman Z, Allen P, Fowlkes NW, Iacobucci I, Dickerson K, Mullighan CG, Vogel P, Rehg JE. Development of Mast Cell and Eosinophil Hyperplasia and HLH/MAS-Like Disease in NSG-SGM3 Mice Receiving Human CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem Cells or Patient-Derived Leukemia Xenografts. Vet Pathol 2021; 58:181-204. [PMID: 33208054 PMCID: PMC8414369 DOI: 10.1177/0300985820970144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Immunocompromised mouse strains expressing human transgenes are being increasingly used in biomedical research. The genetic modifications in these mice cause various cellular responses, resulting in histologic features unique to each strain. The NSG-SGM3 mouse strain is similar to the commonly used NSG (NOD scid gamma) strain but expresses human transgenes encoding stem cell factor (also known as KIT ligand), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin 3. This report describes 3 histopathologic features seen in these mice when they are unmanipulated or after transplantation with human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), virally transduced hCD34+ HSCs, or a leukemia patient-derived xenograft. The first feature is mast cell hyperplasia: unmanipulated, naïve mice develop periductular pancreatic aggregates of murine mast cells, whereas mice given the aforementioned human cells develop a proliferative infiltrative interstitial pancreatic mast cell hyperplasia but with human mast cells. The second feature is the predisposition of NSG-SGM3 mice given these human cells to develop eosinophil hyperplasia. The third feature, secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (HLH/MAS)-like disease, is the most pronounced in both its clinical and histopathologic presentations. As part of this disease, a small number of mice also have histiocytic infiltration of the brain and spinal cord with subsequent neurologic or vestibular signs. The presence of any of these features can confound accurate histopathologic interpretation; therefore, it is important to recognize them as strain characteristics and to differentiate them from what may be experimentally induced in the model being studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Janke
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Denise M. Imai
- Comparative Pathology Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Heather Tillman
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Mark J. Hoenerhoff
- In Vivo Animal Core, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jiajie J. Xu
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Zach Freeman
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Portia Allen
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Natalie Wall Fowlkes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ilaria Iacobucci
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kirsten Dickerson
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Charles G. Mullighan
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Hematological Malignancies Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Peter Vogel
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jerold E. Rehg
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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10
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Bulaeva E, Pellacani D, Nakamichi N, Hammond CA, Beer PA, Lorzadeh A, Moksa M, Carles A, Bilenky M, Lefort S, Shu J, Wilhelm BT, Weng AP, Hirst M, Eaves CJ. MYC-induced human acute myeloid leukemia requires a continuing IL-3/GM-CSF costimulus. Blood 2020; 136:2764-2773. [PMID: 33301029 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020006374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic clones with leukemogenic mutations arise in healthy people as they age, but progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is rare. Recent evidence suggests that the microenvironment may play an important role in modulating human AML population dynamics. To investigate this concept further, we examined the combined and separate effects of an oncogene (c-MYC) and exposure to interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and stem cell factor (SCF) on the experimental genesis of a human AML in xenografted immunodeficient mice. Initial experiments showed that normal human CD34+ blood cells transduced with a lentiviral MYC vector and then transplanted into immunodeficient mice produced a hierarchically organized, rapidly fatal, and serially transplantable blast population, phenotypically and transcriptionally similar to human AML cells, but only in mice producing IL-3, GM-CSF, and SCF transgenically or in regular mice in which the cells were exposed to IL-3 or GM-CSF delivered using a cotransduction strategy. In their absence, the MYC+ human cells produced a normal repertoire of lymphoid and myeloid progeny in transplanted mice for many months, but, on transfer to secondary mice producing the human cytokines, the MYC+ cells rapidly generated AML. Indistinguishable diseases were also obtained efficiently from both primitive (CD34+CD38-) and late granulocyte-macrophage progenitor (GMP) cells. These findings underscore the critical role that these cytokines can play in activating a malignant state in normally differentiating human hematopoietic cells in which MYC expression has been deregulated. They also introduce a robust experimental model of human leukemogenesis to further elucidate key mechanisms involved and test strategies to suppress them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Bulaeva
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Davide Pellacani
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Naoto Nakamichi
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Colin A Hammond
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Philip A Beer
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alireza Lorzadeh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michelle Moksa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Annaïck Carles
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Misha Bilenky
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sylvain Lefort
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jeremy Shu
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Brian T Wilhelm
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; and
| | - Andrew P Weng
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Martin Hirst
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Connie J Eaves
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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11
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Martins F, Kruszewski M, Scarpelli I, Schoumans J, Spertini O, Lübbert M, Blum S. Characterization of myelodysplastic syndromes progressing to acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ann Hematol 2020; 100:63-78. [PMID: 32556451 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-020-04114-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of diseases, with a variable probability of transformation into acute leukemia, which is, in the vast majority of cases, of myeloid lineage. Nevertheless, rare cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in patients with previously diagnosed MDS have been reported. We describe a series of 3 cases of MDS/CMML marked with evolution to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and provide a comprehensive review of the 49 cases documented in the literature so far. These sporadic events have only been published as single-case reports or small series to date. Such atypical cases emphasize the possibility of major phenotypic switches arising at the leukemic stem cell (LSC) and/or early progenitor levels, as a consequence of epigenetic and genomic events driving these changes in the bone marrow niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Martins
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Hematology Service and Central laboratory, Oncology department, Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne, CH-1011, Switzerland. .,Service and Central Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Oncology and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne, CH-1011, Switzerland. .,School of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Virology and Genetics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Michael Kruszewski
- Internal Medicine 1, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ilaria Scarpelli
- Oncogenomic Laboratory, Hematology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne, CH-1011, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline Schoumans
- Oncogenomic Laboratory, Hematology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne, CH-1011, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Spertini
- Service and Central Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Oncology and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne, CH-1011, Switzerland.,Oncogenomic Laboratory, Hematology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne, CH-1011, Switzerland
| | - Michael Lübbert
- Internal Medicine 1, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Blum
- Service and Central Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Oncology and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne, CH-1011, Switzerland.
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12
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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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13
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Takahashi S, Yokoyama A. The molecular functions of common and atypical MLL fusion protein complexes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194548. [PMID: 32320750 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) fuses with a variety of partners to produce a functionally altered MLL complex that is not expressed in normal cells, which transforms normal hematopoietic progenitors into leukemia cells. Because more than 80 fusion partners have been identified to date, the molecular functions of MLL fusion protein complexes appear diverse. However, over the past decade, the common functions utilized for leukemic transformation have begun to be elucidated. It appears that most (if not all) MLL fusion protein complexes utilize the AF4/ENL/P-TEFb and DOT1L complexes to some extent. Based on an understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms, several molecular targeting drugs are being developed, opening paths to novel therapies. Here, we review the recent progress made in identifying the molecular functions of various MLL fusions and categorize the numerous fusion partners into several functionally-distinct groups to help discern commonalities and differences among various MLL fusion protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Takahashi
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Japan; Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Japan; National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
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14
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Schwaller J. Learning from mouse models of MLL fusion gene-driven acute leukemia. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194550. [PMID: 32320749 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
5-10% of human acute leukemias carry chromosomal translocations involving the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene that result in the expression of chimeric protein fusing MLL to >80 different partners of which AF4, ENL and AF9 are the most prevalent. In contrast to many other leukemia-associated mutations, several MLL-fusions are powerful oncogenes that transform hematopoietic stem cells but also more committed progenitor cells. Here, I review different approaches that were used to express MLL fusions in the murine hematopoietic system which often, but not always, resulted in highly penetrant and transplantable leukemias that closely phenocopied the human disease. Due to its simple and reliable nature, reconstitution of irradiated mice with bone marrow cells retrovirally expressing the MLL-AF9 fusion became the most frequently in vivo model to study the biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I review some of the most influential studies that used this model to dissect critical protein interactions, the impact of epigenetic regulators, microRNAs and microenvironment-dependent signals for MLL fusion-driven leukemia. In addition, I highlight studies that used this model for shRNA- or genome editing-based screens for cellular vulnerabilities that allowed to identify novel therapeutic targets of which some entered clinical trials. Finally, I discuss some inherent characteristics of the widely used mouse model based on retroviral expression of the MLL-AF9 fusion that can limit general conclusions for the biology of AML. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The MLL family of proteins in normal development and disease edited by Thomas A Milne.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juerg Schwaller
- University Children's Hospital Beider Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Switzerland.
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15
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Forgione MO, McClure BJ, Eadie LN, Yeung DT, White DL. KMT2A rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Unravelling the genomic complexity and heterogeneity of this high-risk disease. Cancer Lett 2019; 469:410-418. [PMID: 31705930 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
KMT2A rearranged (KMT2Ar) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a high-risk genomic subtype, with long-term survival rates of less than 60% across all age groups. These cases present a complex clinical challenge, with a high incidence in infants, high-risk clinical features and propensity for aggressive relapse. KMT2A rearrangements are highly pathogenic leukaemic drivers, reflected by the high incidence of KMT2Ar ALL in infants, who carry few leukaemia-associated cooperative mutations. However, transgenic murine models of KMT2Ar ALL typically exhibit long latency and mature or mixed phenotype, and fail to recapitulate the aggressive disease observed clinically. Next-generation sequencing has revealed that KMT2Ar ALL also occurs in adolescents and adults, and potentially cooperative genomic lesions such as PI3K-RAS pathway variants are present in KMT2Ar patients of all ages. This review addresses the aetiology of KMT2Ar ALL, with a focus on the cell of origin and mutational landscape, and how genomic profiling of KMT2Ar ALL patients in the era of next-generation sequencing demonstrates that KMT2Ar ALL is a complex heterogenous disease. Ultimately, understanding the underlying biology of KMT2Ar ALL will be important in improving long-term outcomes for these high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle O Forgione
- Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Barbara J McClure
- Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Laura N Eadie
- Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - David T Yeung
- Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; Department of Haematology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Deborah L White
- Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; Australian Genomics Health Alliance (AGHA), The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic, 3052, Australia; Australian and New Zealand Children's Oncology Group (ANZCHOG), Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
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16
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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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17
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Bird SA, Boyd K. Multiple myeloma: an overview of management. Palliat Care Soc Pract 2019; 13:1178224219868235. [PMID: 32215370 PMCID: PMC7065505 DOI: 10.1177/1178224219868235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma represents 2% of all new cancer diagnoses in the United Kingdom and accounts for 2% of all cancer deaths. In the past few decades, there have been huge improvements in life expectancy which have been driven by novel therapeutic agents, autologous stem cell transplants and intensified supportive care. This review will discuss the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma, current management approaches and the direction of future treatments. In addition, this review will highlight the high burden of symptoms that patients experience and therefore the great benefits that can be gained from specialist palliative care input.
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18
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O'Byrne S, Elliott N, Rice S, Buck G, Fordham N, Garnett C, Godfrey L, Crump NT, Wright G, Inglott S, Hua P, Psaila B, Povinelli B, Knapp DJHF, Agraz-Doblas A, Bueno C, Varela I, Bennett P, Koohy H, Watt SM, Karadimitris A, Mead AJ, Ancliff P, Vyas P, Menendez P, Milne TA, Roberts I, Roy A. Discovery of a CD10-negative B-progenitor in human fetal life identifies unique ontogeny-related developmental programs. Blood 2019; 134:1059-1071. [PMID: 31383639 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019001289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human lymphopoiesis is a dynamic lifelong process that starts in utero 6 weeks postconception. Although fetal B-lymphopoiesis remains poorly defined, it is key to understanding leukemia initiation in early life. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the human fetal B-cell developmental hierarchy. We report the presence in fetal tissues of 2 distinct CD19+ B-progenitors, an adult-type CD10+ve ProB-progenitor and a new CD10-ve PreProB-progenitor, and describe their molecular and functional characteristics. PreProB-progenitors and ProB-progenitors appear early in the first trimester in embryonic liver, followed by a sustained second wave of B-progenitor development in fetal bone marrow (BM), where together they form >40% of the total hematopoietic stem cell/progenitor pool. Almost one-third of fetal B-progenitors are CD10-ve PreProB-progenitors, whereas, by contrast, PreProB-progenitors are almost undetectable (0.53% ± 0.24%) in adult BM. Single-cell transcriptomics and functional assays place fetal PreProB-progenitors upstream of ProB-progenitors, identifying them as the first B-lymphoid-restricted progenitor in human fetal life. Although fetal BM PreProB-progenitors and ProB-progenitors both give rise solely to B-lineage cells, they are transcriptionally distinct. As with their fetal counterparts, adult BM PreProB-progenitors give rise only to B-lineage cells in vitro and express the expected B-lineage gene expression program. However, fetal PreProB-progenitors display a distinct, ontogeny-related gene expression pattern that is not seen in adult PreProB-progenitors, and they share transcriptomic signatures with CD10-ve B-progenitor infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia blast cells. These data identify PreProB-progenitors as the earliest B-lymphoid-restricted progenitor in human fetal life and suggest that this fetal-restricted committed B-progenitor might provide a permissive cellular context for prenatal B-progenitor leukemia initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Siobhan Rice
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gemma Buck
- Department of Paediatrics and
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Fordham
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Garnett
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Godfrey
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas T Crump
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gary Wright
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Inglott
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peng Hua
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Stem Cell Research, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bethan Psaila
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Povinelli
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David J H F Knapp
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Agraz-Doblas
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria, Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, Santander, Spain
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Bueno
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Varela
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria, Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, Santander, Spain
| | - Phillip Bennett
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hashem Koohy
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne M Watt
- Stem Cell Research, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anastasios Karadimitris
- Centre for Haematology, Department of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam J Mead
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Haematology Theme, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Phillip Ancliff
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paresh Vyas
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Haematology Theme, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Pablo Menendez
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute-Campus Clinic, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institucio Catalana of Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain; and
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Cancer-ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thomas A Milne
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Haematology Theme, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Roberts
- Department of Paediatrics and
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Haematology Theme, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, United Kingdom
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19
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Ragusa D, Makarov EM, Britten O, Moralli D, Green CM, Tosi S. The RS4;11 cell line as a model for leukaemia with t(4;11)(q21;q23): Revised characterisation of cytogenetic features. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2019; 2:e1207. [PMID: 32721124 PMCID: PMC7941496 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1207] [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: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Haematological malignancies harbouring rearrangements of the KMT2A gene represent a unique subtype of leukaemia, with biphenotypic clinical manifestations, a rapid and aggressive onset, and a generally poor prognosis. Chromosomal translocations involving KMT2A often cause the formation of oncogenic fusion genes, such as the most common translocation t(4;11)(q21;q23) producing the KMT2A-AFF1 chimera. AIM The aim of this study was to confirm and review the cytogenetic and molecular features of the KMT2A-rearranged RS4;11 cell line and put those in context with other reports of cell lines also harbouring a t(4;11) rearrangement. METHODS AND RESULTS The main chromosomal rearrangements t(4;11)(q21;q23) and i(7q), described when the cell line was first established, were confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and 24-colour karyotyping by M-FISH. Additional cytogenetic abnormalities were investigated by further FISH experiments, including the presence of trisomy 18 as a clonal abnormality and the discovery of one chromosome 8 being an i(8q), which indicates a duplication of the oncogene MYC. A homozygous deletion of 9p21 containing the tumour-suppressor genes CDKN2A and CDKN2B was also revealed by FISH. The production of the fusion transcript KMT2A-AFF1 arising from the der(11)t(4;11) was confirmed by RT-PCR, but sequencing of the amplified fragment revealed the presence of multiple isoforms. Two transcript variants, resulting from alternative splicing, were identified differing in one glutamine residue in the translated protein. CONCLUSION As karyotype evolution is a common issue in cell lines, we highlight the need to monitor cell lines in order to re-confirm their characteristics over time. We also reviewed the literature to provide a comparison of key features of several cell lines harbouring a t(4;11). This would guide scientists in selecting the most suitable research model for this particular type of KMT2A-leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Ragusa
- Division of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Evgeny M Makarov
- Division of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK.,Genome Engineering and Maintenance Network, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Oliver Britten
- Division of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Daniela Moralli
- Chromosome Dynamics, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Catherine M Green
- Chromosome Dynamics, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sabrina Tosi
- Division of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK.,Genome Engineering and Maintenance Network, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
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20
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Gothe HJ, Bouwman BAM, Gusmao EG, Piccinno R, Petrosino G, Sayols S, Drechsel O, Minneker V, Josipovic N, Mizi A, Nielsen CF, Wagner EM, Takeda S, Sasanuma H, Hudson DF, Kindler T, Baranello L, Papantonis A, Crosetto N, Roukos V. Spatial Chromosome Folding and Active Transcription Drive DNA Fragility and Formation of Oncogenic MLL Translocations. Mol Cell 2019; 75:267-283.e12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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21
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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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22
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Yokoyama A. RNA Polymerase II-Dependent Transcription Initiated by Selectivity Factor 1: A Central Mechanism Used by MLL Fusion Proteins in Leukemic Transformation. Front Genet 2019; 9:722. [PMID: 30693017 PMCID: PMC6339877 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells transcribe RNAs in a characteristic manner in order to maintain their oncogenic potentials. In eukaryotes, RNA is polymerized by three distinct RNA polymerases, RNA polymerase I, II, and III (RNAP1, RNAP2, and RNAP3, respectively). The transcriptional machinery that initiates each transcription reaction has been purified and characterized. Selectivity factor 1 (SL1) is the complex responsible for RNAP1 pre-initiation complex formation. However, whether it plays any role in RNAP2-dependent transcription remains unclear. Our group previously found that SL1 specifically associates with AF4 family proteins. AF4 family proteins form the AEP complex with ENL family proteins and the P-TEFb elongation factor. Similar complexes have been independently characterized by several different laboratories and are often referred to as super elongation complex. The involvement of AEP in RNAP2-dependent transcription indicates that SL1 must play an important role in RNAP2-dependent transcription. To date, this role of SL1 has not been appreciated. In leukemia, AF4 and ENL family genes are frequently rearranged to form chimeric fusion genes with MLL. The resultant MLL fusion genes produce chimeric MLL fusion proteins comprising MLL and AEP components. The MLL portion functions as a targeting module, which specifically binds chromatin containing di-/tri-methylated histone H3 lysine 36 and non-methylated CpGs. This type of chromatin is enriched at the promoters of transcriptionally active genes which allows MLL fusion proteins to selectively bind to transcriptionally-active/CpG-rich gene promoters. The fusion partner portion, which recruits other AEP components and SL1, is responsible for activation of RNAP2-dependent transcription. Consequently, MLL fusion proteins constitutively activate the transcription of previously-transcribed MLL target genes. Structure/function analysis has shown that the ability of MLL fusion proteins to transform hematopoietic progenitors depends on the recruitment of AEP and SL1. Thus, the AEP/SL1-mediated gene activation pathway appears to be the central mechanism of MLL fusion-mediated transcriptional activation. However, the molecular mechanism by which SL1 activates RNAP2-dependent transcription remains largely unclear. This review aims to cover recent discoveries of the mechanism of transcriptional activation by MLL fusion proteins and to introduce novel roles of SL1 in RNAP2-dependent transcription by discussing how the RNAP1 machinery may be involved in RNAP2-dependent gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Meatabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Yamagata, Japan
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23
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Mai EK, Hielscher T, Bertsch U, Schlenzka J, Salwender HJ, Munder M, Gerecke C, Dührsen U, Brossart P, Neben K, Hillengass J, Raab MS, Merz M, Baertsch MA, Jauch A, Hose D, Martin H, Lindemann HW, Blau IW, Scheid C, Weisel KC, Goldschmidt H. Bortezomib-based induction therapy with high or low-dose dexamethasone in newly diagnosed, transplant-eligible multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2018; 33:258-261. [PMID: 29959413 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-018-0195-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elias K Mai
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Hielscher
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uta Bertsch
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jana Schlenzka
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans J Salwender
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Asklepios Hospital Hamburg Altona, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Munder
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Gerecke
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Helios Hospital Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dührsen
- Department of Hematology, University Clinic Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Kai Neben
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Klinikum Baden Baden, Baden Baden, Germany
| | - Jens Hillengass
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc S Raab
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Merz
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc-Andrea Baertsch
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Jauch
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Hose
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans Martin
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe-University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hans-Walter Lindemann
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Katholisches Krankenhaus Hagen, Hagen, Germany
| | - Igor W Blau
- Medical Clinic, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christof Scheid
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Köln, Köln, Germany
| | - Katja C Weisel
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hartmut Goldschmidt
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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24
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Response of Myeloid Leukemia Cells to Luteolin is Modulated by Differentially Expressed Pituitary Tumor-Transforming Gene 1 (PTTG1) Oncoprotein. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041173. [PMID: 29649138 PMCID: PMC5979486 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Luteolin, a flavonoid nutraceutical abundant in vegetables and fruits, exhibits a wide range of bioactive properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1), an oncoprotein that regulates cell proliferation, is highly expressed in several types of cancer cells including leukemia. In this study, we aim to investigate the anti-cancer effects of luteolin on cells with differential PTTG1 expression and their underlying mechanisms in human myeloid leukemia cells. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay data showed that luteolin (25–100 μM) significantly reduced cell viability in THP-1, HL-60 and K562 cells but did not affect normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Flow cytometric analysis and Western blot data demonstrated that luteolin induced a stronger apoptosis on undifferentiated myeloid leukemia cells with higher PTTG1 protein levels than on 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)- or all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)-differentiated cells with lower PTTG1 expression. Furthermore, PTTG1 knockdown by shRNA in leukemia cells suppressed cell proliferation, arrested cell-cycle progression and impaired the effectiveness of luteolin on cell-cycle regulation. Moreover, PTTG1-knockdown cells with luteolin exposure presented a reduction of the apoptotic proteins and maintained higher levels of the anti-apoptotic proteins such as Mcl-1, Bcl-2 and p21, which exhibited greater resistance to apoptosis. Finally, microarray analysis showed that 20 genes associated with cell proliferation, such as CXCL10, VEGFA, TNF, TP63 and FGFR1, were dramatically down-regulated in PTTG1-knockdown cells. Our current findings clearly demonstrate that luteolin-triggered leukemic cell apoptosis is modulated by the differential expression of the PTTG1. PTTG1 oncoprotein overexpression may modulate cell proliferation-related regulators and enhance the response of myeloid leukemia cells to luteolin. Luteolin is beneficial for the treatment of cancer cells with highly expressed PTTG1 oncoprotein.
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25
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Malouf C, Ottersbach K. Molecular processes involved in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:417-446. [PMID: 28819864 PMCID: PMC5765206 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2620-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
B cell leukaemia is one of the most frequent malignancies in the paediatric population, but also affects a significant proportion of adults in developed countries. The majority of infant and paediatric cases initiate the process of leukaemogenesis during foetal development (in utero) through the formation of a chromosomal translocation or the acquisition/deletion of genetic material (hyperdiploidy or hypodiploidy, respectively). This first genetic insult is the major determinant for the prognosis and therapeutic outcome of patients. B cell leukaemia in adults displays similar molecular features as its paediatric counterpart. However, since this disease is highly represented in the infant and paediatric population, this review will focus on this demographic group and summarise the biological, clinical and epidemiological knowledge on B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia of four well characterised subtypes: t(4;11) MLL-AF4, t(12;21) ETV6-RUNX1, t(1;19) E2A-PBX1 and t(9;22) BCR-ABL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Malouf
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Katrin Ottersbach
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
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